MS Westerdam
March 16, 2024

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan, offers docking at Yokohama Port with excursions to Tokyo. Travelers explore Senso-ji Temple and Shibuya Crossing. Excursions visit Kamakura’s Great Buddha. Local markets sell yakitori. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures neon streets and Tokyo Bay vistas. Dining onboard includes sushi, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like ukiyo-e prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Edo history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Yokohama’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic temples and modern cityscapes, making Yokohama an engaging destination.

Naha, Okinawa, Japan, offers docking at Naha Port. Travelers explore Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO site, and Tsuboya pottery district. Excursions visit Churaumi Aquarium’s marine exhibits. Local markets sell goya champuru. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures Ryukyu architecture and turquoise seas. Dining onboard includes rafute, an Okinawan pork dish. Souvenirs, like shisa statues, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Okinawa’s Ryukyu history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Naha’s vibrant island culture offers a dynamic Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles, marine life, and Okinawan traditions, making Naha an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s southern island heritage.

Ishigaki, Japan, has docking at Ishigaki Port. Travelers explore Kabira Bay’s turquoise waters and Yaima Village’s Ryukyu culture. Excursions visit Taketomi Island’s traditional villages. Local markets sell shisa figurines. The peak season, April to June, brings warm weather. Photography captures coral reefs and island vistas. Dining onboard includes goya champuru, an Okinawan dish. Souvenirs, like coral crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Ryukyu history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Ishigaki’s island charm offers a serene Japanese stop, blending culture with tropical beauty.

Hualien, Taiwan, has docking at Hualien Port. Travelers explore Taroko Gorge’s marble cliffs. Excursions visit Qixingtan Beach’s scenic shores. Local markets sell mochi. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather. Photography captures gorges and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes beef noodle soup, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover indigenous history. Light clothing suits the subtropical climate. Sturdy shoes enhance gorge hikes. Hualien’s dramatic landscapes offer a vibrant Taiwanese stop, blending natural wonders with coastal charm.

Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan, offers docking at Keelung Port with excursions to Taipei. Travelers explore Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Excursions visit Yehliu’s rock formations. Local markets sell stinky tofu. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Taiwan Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes xiaolongbao, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like oolong tea, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Formosan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Keelung’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Taiwanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and coastal beauty, making Keelung an engaging destination.

Kagoshima, Japan, has docking at Kagoshima Port. Travelers explore Sakurajima volcano’s active trails. Excursions visit Sengan-en Garden’s historic grounds. Local markets sell shochu. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and coastal vistas. Dining onboard includes kurobuta pork, a Kagoshima specialty. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyushu’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Kagoshima’s volcanic beauty offers a dynamic Japanese stop, blending nature with cultural heritage.

Aburatsu Port, Miyazaki, Japan, accommodates cruise ships at its East Wharf in Nichinan City, on Kyushu Island's east coast. The terminal, upgraded in 2015, handles vessels up to 200,000 GT and lies 10 minutes by shuttle from downtown. Passengers access the 220-meter berth for direct docking, with nearby facilities including restrooms, a small cafe, and tourist information. From the port, excursions head to Obi Castle, a 15th-century samurai residence with restored gates and gardens, reached in 20 minutes by bus. Udo-jingu Shrine, 40 minutes away, perches in a sea cave overlooking Pacific waves, where visitors toss pebbles for good fortune. Aoshima Island, 45 minutes drive, features basalt rock formations called the Devil's Washboard, accessible via a land bridge at low tide. Local markets offer fresh bonito and shochu spirits. The Aburatsu Aquarium, steps from the pier, displays dolphins and tropical fish. Peak visits occur May to October for mild weather; taxis cost around 1000 yen to town. Dining includes seafood rice bowls at harbor eateries. Souvenirs feature haniwa clay figures and wood crafts.

Kochi, Japan, has docking at Kochi Port. Travelers explore Kochi Castle’s samurai history. Excursions visit Katsurahama Beach and Ryugado Cave. Local markets sell bonito flakes. The peak season, March to May, brings mild weather. Photography captures castle views and Pacific shores. Dining onboard includes katsuo tataki, a local seared tuna. Souvenirs, like yosakoi crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shikoku’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance castle tours. Kochi’s coastal heritage offers a serene Japanese stop, blending samurai history with scenic beauty.

Kobe, Japan, has docking at Kobe Port with excursions to Kyoto. Travelers explore Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Excursions visit Arashiyama’s bamboo forest. Local markets sell matcha sweets. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures temples and gardens. Dining onboard includes kaiseki, a Japanese multi-course meal. Souvenirs, like sensu fans, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Kyoto’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance temple tours. Kobe’s access to Kyoto offers a profound Japanese stop, blending heritage with cultural richness.

Returning to Kobe (kyoto) — see Day 12 above for port info.

Returning to Yokohama (tokyo) — see Day 1 above for port info.