I have been on Japan via many generations of transport − bullet trains, buses, ferries, subways − but by far the best way to see the country is from the water. You can’t experience this from land, which is where a Japan cruise will give you a unique view. Perhaps it makes one feel some kind of subtle magic, since you never just arrive, you cruise up to each destination, towns and peaks and coasts receding slowly ahead of you. Here’s what I learned first-hand, for those of you who have been secretly wondering whether this route is worth it,
The Coastline Sets the Tone
- The first thing I noticed was just how clean, and dramatic, Japan’s coastline really is.
- Sharp cliffs. Quiet bays. Fishing towns situated directly on the water.
- It all seems serene and well-ordered from the deck, exactly what you would expect from Japan.
Navigating these fringes allowed for an understanding of the nation’s pulse. You quickly realize just how varied the landscape really is on a Japan cruise − something you miss travelling at speed between cities by train.
Tokyo: The Next Stop Where the Magic Resumes
The skyline rose before us as we neared Tokyo, like a trailer for the full-length feature ahead.
Landing here first felt right.
Bright lights. Endless food options. Temples from thousands of years ago tucked away between buildings that have only been standing for a few generations.
Not an overwhelming excitement, but excitement nonetheless.
My little pro tip for those starting their Japan cruise in Tokyo has to be:
Venture into the noise and then to the stillness. They coexist beautifully.
Kyoto: A Completely Different Pace
My biggest surprise stop was Kyoto (also only so-called ‘stopped’ way into Osaka or Kobe) as for you. I knew it would be peaceful but after the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the contrast hit harder.
I roamed through forests of bamboo, stood under temple gates, observing locals from afar as they went about their rituals quietly yet with skill.
Everything felt intentional.
Taking a Japan cruise makes making this change a breeze. Sail one night, and wake to a land of a different mood.
Hiroshima: The Most Meaningful Stop
Hiroshima has a power that is difficult to explicate. It allowed me to reflect, to admire and to acknowledge the resilience of the city to rebuild itself in a graceful and hopeful way as I walked through the Peace Park.
Then we experienced the quiet beauty of Miyajima Island, the ideal antidote to a reflective morning.
One stop like that and you’ve already surpassed what a typical cruise in Japan could hope to gain from any number of ports of call.
Northern Japan Brings the Adventure
Going north, one just sees another view.
The markets of Hakodate, the mountains of Sapporo, the winds of the coast − everything is cooler, wider, freer.
Hokkaido is Japan’s wild side, a perfect antidote after days of temples, cities, and old stops.
Get Out in the Field. Final Tips from a Survivor
A Japan cruise is one of the best ways to experience the country if your idea of a trip involves a combination of culture, scenery, history, and comfort. You can learn, enjoy and explore without the hassle of packing your bags every single day and finding/arranging travel logistics.
I have been to Japan many times but getting views of it from the water really has opened my eyes to how gorgeous and diverse it really is.
And would I do it again if I were to sail it?
Absolutely − without hesitation.
