Japan Intensive: Hiroshima, Kobe & Tokyo

Pricing is based on departure date: 28 April 2028

Departing Tokyo, this cruise visits Hakodate, Sakata, Toyama, Maizuru, Sakaiminato, and Busan, with highlights including Mount Hakodate night views, Toyama Bay seafood, and Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village. It continues to Kitakyushu, Hiroshima, Osaka, Tokushima, and Shimizu, featuring Kokura Castle, Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima’s floating torii gate, Dotonbori nightlife, Naruto whirlpools, and Mt. Fuji views. The itinerary ends with an overnight in Yokohama for time in the city’s dining and shopping districts.

What to Expect on an Azamara Cruise?

Always Included

• A variety of dining venues and 24-hour room service
• Beer, wine and spirits throughout the day and evening
• Signature AzAmazing Evenings
• Unlimited self-service laundry
• Onboard gratuities

Always Expected

• Overnight stays and extended time in port
• Unique and iconic destinations
• A relaxed experience with fewer crowds
• Warm and attentive service

Itinerary Map

Itinerary Highlights

Tokyo
Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Toyosu Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don't forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.

Hakodate
Hakodate overflows with historic architecture and steamy hot springs . Located along Hokkaidos southwestern tip, its the perfect spot to begin exploring this islands unique history and culture during your vacation. Cruise to Hakodate and start your day at the morning Hakodate-Asaichi, or Morning Market, and tuck into a hearty kaisendon, a bowl of ultra-fresh sashimi fish over steamed rice. Then, relax with a soak in the Yunokawa hot springs on Hakodates outskirts, or check out Goryokaku Fort ? the nearby tower lets you take in a birds-eye view of the star-shaped design surrounded by a moat. And dont leave without taking in the million-dollar views of the city from atop Mt. Hakodate.

Toyama
Along the meandering bullet train tracks of the Hokuriku Arch lies Toyama prefecture, famous for its mountainous surroundings that ensure an abundance of pure spring water for its inhabitants. As much as Toyama is well-known for landmarks such as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine snow wall that draws troves of visitors a year, and the Kurobe Gorge that opens up its natural beauty on a sunny day, dig deeper into the heart of the prefecture and youll discover hidden gems sprawled along its streets.

Maizuru
The gentle seaside city of Maizuru will win you over with its quaint collection of mountainside temples, pristine beaches and historical museums. Cruise to Kyoto and check out Maizuru Red Brick Park, a series of warehouses that today serve as a museum, and be transported to a Cold War-era spy thriller. See the nearby Amanohashidate sandbar, a 3-kilometer-long isthmus that connects the bay in a picturesque stretch of white sand and pine trees.

Sakaiminato
A busy port in Tottori Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, Sakaiminato is a gateway to some of Japans best nature and slow-paced, traditional culture. Head to Daisen Oki National Park, where you can hike up volcanic Mount Daisen, stopping for a rest inside Daisen-ji Buddhist temple, which lies halfway to the summit. In Sakaiminato city, walk along Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with statues inspired by Japanese comic legend Shigeru Mizukis characters pop into the museum of the same name to see the artists original comics. Cruise to Sakaiminato and drive out to Matsue Castle finished in 1611, its one of the oldest still-standing castles in Japan and continue on to the ancient Shinto shrine at Izumo Taisha.

Busan (Pusan)
Despite its status as Korea's second largest city, Pusan (or Busan) does not neglect the country's obsession with nature. The city's undulating hills result in an unusual mix of forested slopes, rugged beaches, lurching cliffs and hot springs. Pusan's seafood is legendary.

Hiroshima
A bustling metropolis dotted with leafy parks and ancient shrines, Hiroshima is a city with deep historical significance that has its eyes on the future. Here, youll find rebuilt traditional castles standing next to modern skyscrapers. Get a better understanding of the citys place in 20th-century history at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Walk mindfully through the Peace Park area see the Cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims and the towering Peace Flame monument overlooking a reflecting pool. Then, check out nearby Miyajima Island: See Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, a floating shrine gate based on a 6th-century original. Cruise to Hiroshima, Japan and hike Mount Misen the summit offers quiet temples and dramatic views of the surrounding peaks.

Kobe
Perched on a hill sloping down to the sea, Kobe is a maritime gateway to one of Japans most metropolitan cities. Mt. Rokko dominates the skyline from the summit, you can glimpse one of the best views in all Japan. Of course, Kobes also famous for breeding Wagyu cows that produce some of the highest-quality beef in the world. The stuff is so delicious that almost every restaurant in the area stocks it. Cruise to Japan and make your visit a full foodie mission and stop off at Osaka to indulge in the local tradition of kuidaore "eat until you drop."

Shimizu
The skyline at Shimizu port is dominated by one of Japans most distinctive sites: snow-capped Mt. Fuji. Head to Miho-no-Matsubara, a pristine beach flanked by a picturesque pine grove, where you can take in some of the clearest views of Japans tallest mountain. Cruise to Mt. Fuji and take the one-hour drive from the port to Fuji itself for some hiking the mountain is relatively approachable climb appropriate even for beginners, and you dont have to hike all the way to the summit. Dont miss the ancient shrines that surround this volcanic landmark: Visit Fujisan Hongu Sengentaisha shrine, built to appease Fujis volcanic deity. Or see Kunouzan Toshogu shrine, a masterpiece of Japanese lacquer and woodwork.

Yokohama
Yokohama is easily accessible from Tokyo, but there's enough to see and do here that it's worth more than a day trip. Visit Minato Marai 21, a popular, modern neighborhood with great shopping and tons of restaurant options. TripAdvisor travelers also recommend stopping at Big Wharf (Osanbashi Pier), a uniquely shaped pier with spectacular views.

Your Ship: Azamara Pursuit

Azamara Pursuit offers an intimate cruising experience designed for destination-focused journeys. Its smaller size allows it to visit ports that may be inaccessible to larger ships, while guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation, varied dining, relaxing public spaces and evening entertainment onboard.

Dining Experiences
Enjoy open-seating dining and changing nightly selections at Discoveries Restaurant. For specialty dining, Aqualina serves Italian-inspired cuisine, while Prime C specialises in steak and seafood. More casual meals and refreshments are also available at venues such as The Patio and Windows Café.

Relaxation & Wellness
Spend time relaxing beside the pool or visit the onboard spa for a selection of treatments. Guests can also stay active at the fitness centre or simply enjoy the ship’s outdoor decks and ocean surroundings.

Entertainment & Social Spaces
The Cabaret Lounge presents professional live performances and musical entertainment. During the day and evening, guests can also relax, read or meet fellow travellers in the ship’s bars, lounges and shared social spaces.

Intimate Destination Cruising
With fewer guests and a more compact design than many larger cruise ships, Azamara Pursuit provides a relaxed onboard atmosphere while taking travellers closer to the destinations featured throughout the journey.

Tokyo, At Sea, Hakodate, Sakata, Japan, Toyama, Maizuru, Sakaiminato, Busan (Pusan), Kitakyushu, Japan, Hiroshima, Kobe, Tokushima, Shimizu, Tokyo

All fares are displayed in AUD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.