Circumnavigation of Japan

Sapporo, Hokkai, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Windstar Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Tsuruga, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding October through April, when cooler temperatures and lower humidity create ideal conditions. Cruise lines including Princess Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

The Oki Islands, a UNESCO Global Geopark in Japan's Sea of Japan, combine 25-million-year geological drama — from the Tsūtenkyō natural bridge to obsidian cliff faces — with ancient Shinto shrines, traditional bull sumo, and exceptional seafood including grilled sazae turban snails and raw rock oysters. Must-dos include the Kuniga Coast boat tour, the 2,000-year-old sacred cedar, and tasting iwagaki oysters. April through November provides the widest range of cultural and natural experiences.

Sakaiminato is a charming Sea of Japan fishing town famous for its yokai manga heritage along the Mizuki Shigeru Road and some of Japan's finest fresh crab and seafood. Visit for the bronze-statue-lined streets, excursions to sacred Mount Daisen, and the award-winning Adachi Museum of Art gardens.

Busan, a bustling port city in South Korea, is known for its stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include visiting the iconic Jagalchi Fish Market for fresh seafood and exploring the ancient sites of Gyeongju. The best time to visit is during the mild spring or autumn months when the weather is pleasant and local festivals abound.

Jeju is South Korea's volcanic island paradise, where the UNESCO-recognized Haenyeo women divers harvest seafood without breathing apparatus, Hallasan volcano rises as the nation's highest peak, and the Manjanggul lava tube stretches seven kilometers underground. Visit April through June via Holland America Line or Silversea for summit crater lakes, black pork feasts, and the 'Island of the Gods' that South Koreans consider their most precious natural treasure.

Nagasaki is a historically rich port city on Japan's Kyushu island, shaped by centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese influence — offering visitors the Glover Garden heritage district, the moving Peace Park, and the spectacular Mount Inasa night panorama. Must-do experiences include tasting the city's signature champon noodle soup and exploring the atmospheric hillside lanes lined with stone churches and Chinese temples. The best months to visit are March through May for mild weather and cherry blossoms, or October through November when autumn colours set the surrounding hills ablaze.

Yakushima is a UNESCO-listed island south of Kyushu where ancient cedar forests up to seven thousand years old inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. Must-dos include hiking to the Jōmon Sugi cedar, exploring moss-draped forests at Yakusugi Land, and tasting grilled flying fish. March through May and October through November balance lower rainfall with comfortable temperatures.

Uwajima is a Shikoku castle town renowned for one of Japan's twelve original Edo-period castles, a unique bull sumo tradition, and exceptional sea bream served as sashimi over rice in the distinctive Uwajima tai-meshi style. Must-do experiences include climbing the original wooden castle keep, attending a togyu bull sumo tournament, and tasting the local pearl oysters and citrus. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage provide the most picturesque visiting seasons.

Shimizu is Japan's premier Mount Fuji gateway port on Suruga Bay, where a storied tea-trading heritage meets exceptional coastal cuisine — most notably the prized sakura ebi cherry blossom shrimp found nowhere else. Visitors should not miss the UNESCO-listed Miho no Matsubara pine grove for iconic Fuji views and the vibrant Kashi no Ichi fish market for the freshest tuna and whitebait in Japan. The ideal window stretches from late March through May, when cherry blossoms frame the snowcapped volcano and spring's first tea harvest perfumes the hillsides.

Tokyo's port is a vibrant gateway to both cultural and culinary experiences, uniquely blending traditional Japanese heritage with modern innovation. Must-do experiences include savoring fresh sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market and exploring the natural beauty of Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The best season to visit is spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, transforming the city into a picturesque landscape.

The Miyako Islands are Japan's tropical paradise, a cluster of coral islands 300 kilometers southwest of Okinawa renowned for "Miyako Blue" waters, world-class white sand beaches like Maehama and Sunayama, and spectacular inter-island bridges spanning turquoise seas. Visitors should snorkel Yoshino Beach's coral gardens, drive the 3.5-kilometer Irabu Bridge, and taste Miyako soba and local goat cuisine. April-June and October-November offer ideal weather with warm seas and lower humidity.

Okushiri is a remote volcanic island off southwestern Hokkaido, celebrated for its legendary sea urchin, dramatic coastal rock formations, and the resilient spirit of its small fishing community. Visitors should explore the iconic Nabetsuru Rock, soak in oceanfront hot springs, and savor what many consider Japan's finest uni. The island is best visited between June and September when calm seas ensure comfortable tendering from cruise ships.

Sapporo, Hokkai, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. Cruise lines including Windstar Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.