Japan opened to tourists for the first time since 2020, and now the ultra-premium travel brand Azamara is offering a new travel experience.
With the addition of pre-/post-cruise activities and shore tours at the first call port Niigata, the itinerary will allow vacationers to delve deeper into the unique country.
Mangrove kayaking in Ishigaki, wine tastings in a local miso/soy sauce factory in Akita, and exploring the Seiben Garden in Aomori are some of the experiences that visitors can expect on the nearly sold-out Japan Country Intensive cruises, like Azamara Quest’s back-to-back 15-night Japan Intensive Voyage this month.
Niigata is the first port of call, allowing guests to spend a day in a region noted for its vast rice fields and majestic mountains.
Azamara will also provide an exclusive 3-night land journey to Historic Tokyo and Hot Spring in Hakone. Guests can immerse themselves in the customs of Tokyo and experience life in samurai-era Edo.
Those staying the night in a ryokan in Hakone, known for its hot springs and views across Lake Ashinoko of Mount Fuji, can relax in an authentic onsen (hot spring) bath as well as gain insight into the nuances of samurai aesthetics with a tea ceremony and batto (swordsmanship).
Tourists visiting Japan will take advantage of the long ski season, but cruise companies highlight the country’s splendor during other times of the year.
Oku Hokkaido is a popular place to go skiing/snowboarding in the winter due to its abundance of options. The summer months, on the other hand, provide relief from the heat and ideal conditions for trekking/visiting the island’s national parks.