Diamond Princess
May 25, 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.

Aomori, Japan, docks at Aomori Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute transfers. The city, population 280,000, features the Nebuta Museum, showcasing colorful floats from the August Nebuta Festival. Travelers visit Sannai-Maruyama, a 5-minute drive, for Jomon-era village reconstructions from 3900 BC. Hirosaki Castle, 45 minutes by train, offers cherry blossoms in April. Local markets sell apples and sake. Excursions to Lake Towada, 90 minutes south, include boat rides through volcanic scenery. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining features scallop miso soup at harbor cafes. Souvenirs include kokeshi dolls.

Sakata, Japan, offers docking at Sakata Port. Travelers explore Sankyo Warehouses and Hiyoriyama Park’s shrines. Excursions visit Dewa Sanzan’s sacred mountains. Local markets sell tamagoyaki. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic rice warehouses and Yamagata vistas. Dining onboard includes kiritanpo, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like washi paper, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tohoku history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Sakata’s historic charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks, scenic mountains, and coastal heritage, making Sakata an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Tohoku region.

Toyama, Japan, offers docking at Toyama Port. Travelers explore Toyama Castle and Gokayama’s gassho-zukuri villages. Excursions visit Tateyama’s snow corridor. Local markets sell masuzushi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic villages and Japan Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes kaisendon, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hokuriku history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance village walks. Toyama’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic mountains, making Toyama an engaging destination for exploration.

Sakaiminato, Japan, offers docking at Sakaiminato Port. Travelers explore Mizuki Shigeru’s yokai museum and Tottori Sand Dunes. Excursions visit Matsue Castle. Local markets sell kani sushi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures manga art and Sea of Japan vistas. Dining onboard includes dashi broth, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like yokai crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tottori history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance dune walks. Sakaiminato’s quirky charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural museums, scenic dunes, and coastal heritage, making Sakaiminato an engaging destination for exploration.

Busan, South Korea, in the southeast, sits on the Korea Strait, facing the Sea of Japan. The port is near Jagalchi Fish Market, where fresh seafood is sold daily. Haeundae Beach offers urban waterfront access, while Beomeosa Temple, in the forested hills, provides cultural history. The Gamcheon Culture Village, with colorful houses, draws visitors for its art and narrow alleys. Busan’s port history as a trading hub is evident in its maritime museum. The nearby Nakdong River Estuary is a birdwatching site, and the city’s coastal cliffs offer walking trails with ocean views.

Nagasaki, Japan, offers docking at Nagasaki Port. Travelers explore the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Excursions visit Glover Garden’s colonial mansions. Local markets sell champon noodles. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures historic sites and Dejima Island views. Dining onboard includes sara udon, a Nagasaki dish. Souvenirs, like castella cakes, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nagasaki’s WWII history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Nagasaki’s blend of history and resilience offers a poignant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of somber memorials, colonial heritage, and scenic harbors, making Nagasaki an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s cultural and historical depth on Kyushu Island.

Shimizu, Japan, offers docking at Shimizu Port. Travelers explore Mount Fuji viewpoints and Nihondaira’s tea gardens. Excursions visit Shizuoka’s Toro Ruins. Local markets sell wasabi. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Fuji’s slopes and Suruga Bay vistas. Dining onboard includes unagi, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shizuoka history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance garden walks. Shimizu’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making Shimizu an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s Fuji region.

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