Japan Cruises

Steeped in tradition and the harmony of ancient sites and natural wonders

Tokyo City, Japan

Japan Cruises

Take in all the sights of Tokyo on a cruise to Japan. As the country’s capital city, Tokyo is Japan’s leading center of business and finance yet also boasts deep roots in history. In the the city's heart, a dense forest glade shrouds visitors from the bustle and houses the Meiji Shrine, its setting symbolizing the separation of the spiritual from the worldly. Nearby, surrounded by stone walls, park area and moats, stands the Imperial Palace. With the Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji in view, experience the harmony of modern and ancient on a cruisetour of Japan.

Budha statue

Highlights of Japan Cruisetours

Embark on a magical voyage that leads you along the shores of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Visit Nara’s impressive Todaiji Temple and the breathtaking Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Gaze out over the city from Tokyo’s Skytree Tembo Deck perched at 1,148 feet. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Kyoto with stops at Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and Nijo Castle.

 
 

Now Booking: Japan 2026 Voyages

Celebrate Diamond Princess® return to the region.

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Woman in traditional Japanese kimono walking in front of Tenmangu Shrine, Dazaifu, Japan
Woman in traditional Japanese kimono walking in front of Tenmangu Shrine, Dazaifu, Japan.

Discover the beauty of Japan

Japan is a study in contrasts: tranquil retreats of profound beauty lay just outside cities where skyscrapers soar over stunning temples and shrines. Neon-bright architecture and tranquil gardens vie for attention amid the colorful Harajuku district and traditional kimonos. As the No. 1 North American cruise line in Japan with the “Best Asia Itineraries,” you can be assured that Princess® will be your guide to the colors, cultures and flavors that define this exciting country.

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Indulge in Japanese cuisine and flavors

Japan’s cuisine offers a culinary journey like no other, with an incredible variety of flavors and textures for everyone to explore. From the delicate artistry of fresh sushi and sashimi to the comforting warmth of steaming bowls of ramen or udon, every meal is a celebration of culture and quality. Don’t miss out on street food favorites like takoyaki—crispy dough balls filled with tender octopus—or okonomiyaki, a savory pancake bursting with ingredients and flavor. Whether you're enjoying yakitori in a street market or professionally prepared tempura, Japan's cuisine has unforgettable flavors.

Sushi omakase platter
Sushi omakase platter.
Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, Japan
Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, Japan.

Shore excursions

Experience Japanese culture with an adventure in Tokyo that celebrates tea, the art of calligraphy, and the essence of the Japanese spirit. Get off the beaten path and discover Taketomi Island, the site of a beautifully preserved, traditional Ryukyu village just off the shore of Ishigaki. In Kochi, don a helmet and headlamp and explore the cavernous natural wonder known as the Ryugado Cave, a National Natural Monument. Stroll through a 17th-century garden and survey 700 years of history at a museum devoted to Satsuma’s Shimazu clan in Kagoshima.

Princess Cruises is a proud partner of the Japan National Tourism Organization.


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If you are interested in the longer Japan cruises, you’ll love Princess® Epic Voyages. Learn more about our expertly curated itineraries for your next extraordinary adventure.


Japan Cruise Ports

Traditional japanese Geishas
Traditional japanese Geishas.

Cruise from Tokyo (Yokohama)

There’s probably no other city on earth that embraces the future while honoring its beloved past the way Tokyo does. From its captivating architecture to its meticulously maintained gardens, shrines and temples, Tokyo never fails to delight and inspire. Here, you can learn the miraculous legend surrounding Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple; savor the perfect cup of tea during a traditional tea ceremony; or peer into steaming sulfur springs inside Japan’s famed Hakone National Park, home of Mount Fuji.

Let Your Japan Cruise Journey Begin

Ashiyu Foot Bath at Japanese Hot Springs in Tokyo
Ashiyu foot bath at japanese hot springs in Tokyo.

Lifestyle & culture

Delight in a traditional Bunraku puppet show, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Osaka. Grab a wicker basket and head to the fields for a hands-on tea-picking adventure in the countryside of Shimizu. Discover the health benefits and social atmosphere of an “onsen” hot spring bath in Aomori. Tour Kagoshima’s shochu factory and learn how grains and vegetables create one of Japan’s spirited elixirs.

Natural wonders & landscapes

Be dazzled by the panoramic views of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, an active volcano and the most popular tourist site in the country. Admire the spectacular views of Akita’s Oga peninsula, home of Godzilla Rock and mythical creatures called “Namahage.” Take in the sheer magnificence of Shiretoko Peninsula, an acclaimed Condé Nast Traveler 7 Cruise Wonders of the World – it may just leave you breathless.

unesco logo- Vist Mt Fuji, Japan on a Princess Cruisetour to Asia
Mount Fuji, Japan.
Nebuta Festival in Aomori, Japan
Nebuta Festival in Aomori, Japan.

Festivals and unique experiences

Japan is a land of festivals. On select sailings, you can experience the mesmerizing spectacle known as the Awa Odori Dance Festival in Tokushima, gaze in awe at the Kumano Grand Festival of fireworks, or get an up-close look at the exquisite parade floats used in Aomori’s annual Nebuta festival.

Onboard enrichment on Japan cruises

The journey is as extraordinary as the destination when you travel to Japan with Princess® – awarded "Best Cruise Line in Asia." From the time you step on board a Japan cruise, you’ll be surrounded by a wide variety of Japanese sights, sounds and flavors. Delight in the 400-year-old tradition of comic storytelling known as “rakugo.” Join in an evening of karaoke and watch folkloric dancers bring Japanese culture to life. Watch Japanese-inspired films with Movies Under the Stars®. Indulge in delicious regional dishes from the Noodle Bar or freshly prepared sushi. Sample spirited drinks such as fine Japanese whiskeys, sake and shochu.

Available on select itineraries.

 Japanese singers entertain on board
Japanese singers entertain on board.

Landmarks & Cultural Masterpieces

Otori Gate in Hiroshima, Japan
Otori Gate in Hiroshima, Japan.

Landmarks

Explore Kochi Castle, a designated Japanese National Treasure, and the only castle in the country with its original wooded interior, castle tower, and impressive entrance still intact. Step into Japan’s ancient past with a tour of Aomori’s Sannai-Maruyama ruins, which date back 5,500 years and are designated a Special National Historical Site. Get a bird’s-eye view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji from the special observatory atop Tokyo Tower. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of Kanazawa’s samurai district known as Nagamachi Samurai House Row, which sits at the foot of Kanazawa Castle.

Art & museums

Admire the delicate work of 19th-century "ukiyo-e," traditional woodblock prints, with a tour of Shimizu's Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum. Continue your artistic journey as modern bronze statues depicting the spirit monsters known as "yokai,' greet you along the streets of Sakaiminato.

Traditional Japanese 'ukiyo-e' woodblock painting.
Traditional Japanese 'ukiyo-e' woodblock painting.
The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan
The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan.

UNESCO world heritage sites

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji, and Otsu Cities) are comprised of 17 locations in Japan within Kyoto and its vicinity; including 13 Buddhist temples, 3 Shinto Shrines and one castle. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is the only structure that survived the first atomic bomb (8/6/45), it has been preserved in the same state as immediately after the bombing. Nara (30 minutes from downtown Osaka) is home to 8 UNESCO sites, many conveniently located in the city center.

Japan Cruise Travel Articles

A cruise to Japan will unveil the world's oldest cultures and most modern metropolises, featuring intricate designs and sweeping vistas.

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Cruise deals & promotions

Start planning the vacation of your dreams with a cruise you'll love at a price you can't beat. Explore our latest featured deals, snag some last-minute savings and see how our all-inclusive packages can make your getaway even better.

Star Princess cruise ship sailing past Dawes Glacier in Alaska.
Star Princess cruise ship sailing past Dawes Glacier in Alaska.

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