Japan is a nation of islands, which helps make it a fantastic cruise destination. The 14,000 islands of Japan stretch about 1,900 miles, from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the Philippine Sea in the south. While ships call on only a few of the islands, there are many reasons to cruise there, including:
The islands are
beautiful. Japan is on the
Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, and its volcanic islands are mountainous, heavily
forested, and often edged by beaches. Japanese gardening is an art form, as is
Japanese architecture; both are admired worldwide for their elegant
simplicity.
The cities are
energizing. Much of Japan’s
population lives in bustling urban areas on the coastal plains of its major
islands. Tokyo offers everything from gorgeous public gardens and museums to incredible
shopping. Osaka features an iconic castle, neon-lighted Ferris wheels, and
thousands of restaurants. It’s also the gateway to nearby Kyoto, Japan’s
cultural capital, with over 2,000 Shinto shrines and Buddhist
temples.
The food is
delicious. If you enjoy
tempura, sushi and sashimi, miso soup, and other Japanese dishes at home, you’ll love them in Japan. Japanese cuisine has a traditional emphasis on
fresh, seasonal ingredients; careful use of proteins and fats; and seasoning that
makes even staple foods, like rice and noodles, taste exotic. Japanese dining
etiquette is interesting, too, with practices such as placing the most honored
guest the furthest from the entrance to the dining room.
The culture is fascinating. Some of Japan’s most honored traditions
are available for cruise ship visitors to experience. You can sit on a tatami
mat for a gracious tea ceremony; meditate alongside a Buddhist monk; enjoy the
music of a three-stringed shamisen played by a geisha; or take a relaxing soak
in an onsen, a natural hot mineral spring.
Many popular
cruise lines sail to Japan, including Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland
America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess
Cruises, as well as luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and
Silversea. Itineraries are often roundtrip from Yokohama, the cruise ship port
for Tokyo.
When you talk with
Anita, your professional travel advisor about itinerary options, discuss when
to cruise, too. Japan’s cherry trees bloom in March and April, fall colors peak
in October and November, and if you sail in winter you could enjoy a
post-cruise stay at a Japanese ski resort.
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