Diamond Princess
March 15, 2025

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.

Beppu, Japan, docks at Beppu Port, 3 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 120,000, features the Hells of Beppu, geothermal hot springs for viewing. Travelers relax at Kannawa Onsen, 15 minutes east. Excursions to Mount Tsurumi, 20 minutes north, offer cable car rides. Local markets sell yuzu products. Peak season April to October; taxis 800-1200 JPY. Dining includes toriten (chicken tempura) at onsen cafes. Souvenirs feature bamboo crafts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Toba, Japan, offers docking at Toba Port. Travelers explore Mikimoto Pearl Island and Toba Aquarium. Excursions visit Ise Jingu Shrine. Local markets sell ama diver pearls. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures pearl farms and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes kaisendon, a Japanese favorite. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Mie history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance shrine walks. Toba’s maritime charm offers a vibrant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of pearl heritage and scenic coasts, making Toba an engaging destination for exploration.

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

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.

Returning to Busan (Pusan) — see Day 7 above for port info.

Returning to Nagasaki — see Day 6 above for port info.

Returning to Kagoshima — see Day 5 above for port info.

Matsuyama, Japan, features docking at Matsuyama Port. Travelers explore Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs. Excursions visit Ishite-ji Temple’s historic caves. Local markets sell botchan dango. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures samurai castles and onsen districts. Dining onboard includes tai meshi, a local fish dish. Souvenirs, like Iyo kasuri textiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Shikoku’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle and temple tours. Matsuyama’s blend of historic charm and onsen culture offers a serene Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of samurai heritage, soothing hot springs, and scenic beauty, making Matsuyama an ideal destination for cultural and relaxing exploration.

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.

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.