-
Cruises
All Cruises
Cruise deals
From Australia
International
Don't Miss OutHot Offers
The best-selling holidays right now, at prices that won't last.
Browse Hot Offers -
Tours
All Tours
By region
Curated lists
Travel With CompanySocial Getaways
Small-group trips designed for over 60s who love good company on the road — new friends, shared adventures, no single supplements.
Browse Over-60 Getaways -
Destinations
All Destinations
Australia & Pacific
America
Not Sure Where to Start?Book a Call
Speak with one of our friendly travel specialists — no pressure, just honest advice to help you find the right holiday.
Browse Request a call with a travel expert - Social Getaways
- Solo Holidays
- Hot Offers
- Wishlist 0
Immerse in Japan's natural beauty and cultural heritage on an 11-night cruise showcasing the stunning cherry blossoms of Hokkaido
- Explore the paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and modern culture in Tokyo
- Witness the vibrant Nebuta Festival in Aomori, with its giant illuminated floats
- Discover the unspoiled landscapes of Hokkaido, from forests to hot springs
Trip Details
- Departs
- 21 April 2027
- Returns
- 2 May 2027
- Embarks
- Operator
- Princess Cruises
11-night Japan cruise from Tokyo, Japan to Tokyo, Japan aboard Sapphire Princess
Departures & Pricing
- 21 Apr 2027 - 02 May 2027
from $2,294.75 pp twin share *
Additional Pricing Information
- Interior from $2,388.75 pp twin share
- Balcony from $4,158.75 pp twin share
- Mini-Suite from $5,218.75 pp twin share
- Suite from $10,558.75 pp twin share
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
Itinerary
- 1
Tokyo, Japan
Departs 04:00 pm.
Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It's a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.
- 2
At Sea
- 3
Aomori, Japan
Arrives 08:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.
The capital of the Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan, Aomori derives much of its beauty from the apple orchards and cherry blossoms that encompass its landscape and the snow-covered Hakkoda Mountains that look on from a distance. Throughout its history, the city has been stricken with misfortune time and time again - in 1910, a fire destroyed Aomori, and during World War II, the city was left in ruins following an air raid - yet it always prevails.Aomori is perhaps best known for its renowned Nebuta Festival, an elaborate yearly event in which participants illuminate giant paper representations of samurai warriors, animals, and popular cartoon characters while parading them through the streets.
- 4
Muroran, Japan
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.
Travelers familiar with Honshu and Kyushu will find the island of Hokkaido a welcome contrast. Relatively unspoiled, Hokkaido offers dramatic landscapes ranging from dense forests and hot springs to active volcanoes and serene lakes nestled in calderas. To travelers familiar with the thronged streets of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, Hokkaido presents a soothing change of pace.Sapporo was a reflection of the "new" Japan of the Meiji Restoration. The city received international attention when it hosted the 1972 Winter Olympic Games.
- 5
Hakodate, Japan
Arrives 07:30 am, departs 05:00 pm.
It took Commodore Perry and American gunboat diplomacy to open Japan to the outside world after two centuries of self-imposed isolation. In 1859, the port of Hakodate became the first Japanese city fully opened to Westerners under the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Foreigners soon flocked to Hakodate, and today visitors wandering the cobblestone streets of the city's Motomachi District can view their Western-style frame houses. Hakodate, once a fishing port famed for its high quality fish and shellfish, quickly became Hokkaido's largest city and one of Japan's most important ports. The Great Hakodate Fire of 1934 dealt the city a near fatal blow - a blow from which Hakodate was slow to recover. Today the city is Hokkaido's third largest - surpassed by Sapporo and Asahikawa - but retains its foremost position as the finest Japanese producer of sushi's raw product: the high quality seafood caught in Hokkaido's cold waters.It may not compare to Tokyo's Tsukiji's Fish Market, but at Hakodate's four-block-long Morning Market, vendors offer a stunning array of fresh fish and shellfish prized for sushi including salmon roe, sea urchin, scallops and crab. Restaurants and food stands prepare a wide arrange of dishes including domburi topped with fresh seafood.
- 6
At Sea
- 7
Sakaiminato, Japan
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.
Wedged between sea, sky and mountains, this small fishing port has been esteemed for centuries for its superb seafood. Here, the Sea of Japan yields up both crab and hon-maguro, the prized Bluefin tuna esteemed by gourmets around the world. Sakaiminato is also your gateway to a very ancient region of Honshu. West of the city lies Izumo-taisha, one of the oldest and holiest shrines in Shinto. This area is dotted with burial mounds from Japan's Bronze Age. The town of Matsue boasts the celebrated "Black Castle," a six-story, black-walled castle that home to a clan of the mighty Tokugawa dynasty that ruled Japan for over 250 years. And to the east rises the great snow-capped summit of Mt. Daisen, considered one of the four most scenic mountains in all Japan.Also a common sight ashore are the Yokai - approximately 100 bronze statues of supernatural characters as imagined by famed manga comic author Shigeru Mizuki, who was born in Sakaiminato. The Yokai have become synonymous with the town and delight visitors at every turn.
- 8
Busan, South Korea
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.
The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.
- 9
Nagasaki, Japan
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.
For most travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horror and the inhumanity of war. An estimated 75,000 people perished in 1945 when the city became the second target of a nuclear attack. Today, Nagasaki's Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum draw visitors from around the world.But this beautiful city on Kyushu offers other sights. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. For three centuries, Nagasaki was Japan's sole window on the world. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly."
- 10
Kagoshima, Japan
Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.
From the 12th century to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kagoshima was the chief stronghold of the mighty Shimazu clan. The city lies at the top of the Satsuma Peninsula, a mountainous, geothermal wonderland of hot springs and geysers. The area is also rich in modern Japanese history: Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma samurai were leaders of the Meiji Restoration that toppled the shogun and restored the Emperor to power in 1868. In 1877, dissatisfied with the direction of the new government, Saigo led the Satsuma Rebellion, which ended in his death and the final defeat of the samurai.The symbol of Kagoshima is Sakura Jima - the volcanic island that sits just offshore. The volcano has erupted over 30 times in recorded history.
- 11
At Sea
- 12
Tokyo, Japan
Arrives 06:00 am.
Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It's a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- MedallionClass® experience
- Broadway-style entertainment
- Multicourse dining and casual venues
- Fitness facilities
- Youth and teen clubs (ages 3–17)
Common questions about this voyage
How long is this journey?
When can I travel?
What is generally included?
Book this cruise
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
You might also like
Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms
- Cruise aboard the Diamond Princess with MedallionClass experience
- Enjoy Broadway-style entertainment and multicourse dining onboard
- Access fitness facilities, youth and teen clubs during your journey
Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms
- Enjoy Broadway-style entertainment and multicourse dining on board
- Experience the MedallionClass® service for a seamless cruise
- Access fitness facilities, youth clubs, and more for all ages
Hokkaido Cherry Blossoms
- Cruise the scenic Hokkaido region
- Explore the unique blend of ancient and modern in Busan
- Enjoy the MedallionClass experience onboard