Diamond Princess
April 5, 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.

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.

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.

Maizuru, Japan, features docking at Maizuru Port. Travelers explore the Red Brick Park’s historic warehouses and Maizuru Castle ruins. Excursions visit Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s three scenic views. Local markets sell crab. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures Kyoto’s coastal beauty and sandbars. Dining onboard includes kani miso, a crab dish. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover samurai history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance scenic walks. Maizuru’s blend of maritime history and natural beauty offers a serene Japanese stop. Cruise travelers experience a mix of historic sites, scenic landscapes, and coastal charm, making Maizuru a tranquil yet captivating destination for those exploring Japan’s less-traveled Kyoto region.

Kanazawa, Japan, has docking at Kanazawa Port. Travelers explore Kenrokuen Garden’s serene landscapes. Excursions visit Higashi Chaya’s geisha district. Local markets sell kaga yuzen silk. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms. Photography captures gardens and traditional teahouses. Dining onboard includes kaga ryori, a local cuisine. Souvenirs, like gold leaf crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover samurai history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance garden walks. Kanazawa’s cultural elegance offers a refined Japanese stop, blending heritage with scenic beauty.

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.

Akita, Japan, accommodates cruise ships at its Northern Port terminal, 5 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis providing 15-minute transfers. The facility includes restrooms, a cafe, and tourist information. Travelers access the Akita City Museum of Art, showcasing Tadao Ando's architecture with a reflecting pool and works by Tsuguharu Foujita. Senshu Park, adjacent to the station, features the Akita Hachiman Shrine from 1694 and cherry blossoms in April. Kakunodate, 1 hour by train, explores preserved samurai residences with black lacquer walls and gardens. Lake Tazawa, 45 minutes west, offers boat rides on Japan's deepest crater lake, surrounded by beech forests. Local markets sell kiritanpo (rice sticks) and sake tastings. Peak visits October to April; trains cost 500-1000 yen. Dining includes inaniwa udon noodles at harbor eateries. Souvenirs feature Akita dog figurines.

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.

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