Diamond Princess
August 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.

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.

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.

Hiroshima, Japan, has docking at Hiroshima Port. Travelers explore Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome. Excursions visit Miyajima’s floating Itsukushima Shrine. Local markets sell okonomiyaki. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures historic sites and island shrines. Dining onboard includes Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Souvenirs, like peace cranes, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover WWII history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Hiroshima’s poignant history offers a profound Japanese stop, blending peace advocacy with cultural heritage.

Kanmon Straits, Japan, no docking; ships transit the narrow strait. Travelers spot fishing boats. Lectures cover WWII history. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season April to October; tides affect. Photography captures Shimonoseki bridges. Dining onboard includes fugu. Souvenirs, like strait postcards, in ship shops. Briefings on navigation. The straits connect Honshu and Kyushu efficiently.

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.

Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, offers docking at Sasebo Port. Travelers explore Huis Ten Bosch and Kujukushima Islands. Excursions include snorkeling in Pearl Sea. Local markets sell champon. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Dutch-themed parks and Kyushu vistas. Dining onboard includes tonkotsu ramen, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nagasaki history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while water shoes enhance island exploration. Sasebo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural parks and scenic islands, making Sasebo an engaging destination for exploration.

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.