For over a century, Mitsui Ocean Cruises has navigated the extensive 18,000-mile coastline of Japan, presenting tourists with an in-depth exploration of the nation's rich history, cultural traditions, and artistic heritage. This legacy has positioned the Mitsui Ocean brand as a leader in destination expertise throughout Japan.
As part of an ongoing commitment to enhancement, the company has collaborated with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT) and local port and tourism boards. This cooperation has resulted in a refreshed shore excursion program for both ships - Nippon Maru and Mitsui Ocean Fuji, providing new and immersive experiences at Japan’s diverse ports of call.
With 150 ports available, Japan leads the world in cruise accessibility, a factor that, alongside Mitsui Ocean's smaller vessels, allows for ongoing refinement of guest excursions.
MLIT, which oversees Japan’s port infrastructure, is committed to promoting sustainable port development and regional revitalization through cruise tourism, actively supporting Mitsui Ocean Cruises in creating high-quality, culturally enriching shore excursions. The port and tourism boards, made up of local experts, have collaborated with Mitsui Ocean to create a range of new, authentic experiences for the 2024-2025 season.
Season's highlights include:
- Fugu Restaurant and Usuki Castle Town (Beppu): Guests will travel to the Usuki Stone Buddhas, where 60 stone Buddha sculptures - 59 of which are national treasures - are preserved. Afterward, guests can savor a pufferfish lunch, a specialty of the region, followed by a guided walking tour through Usuki Castle Town, visiting historical sites such as the Usuki Castle ruins, Inaba Family Suburban Residence, and Nogami Yaeko Literature Museum.
- Okonomiyaki in-Depth (Hiroshima): This excursion features Hiroshima’s renowned okonomiyaki, a layered savory pancake. Mitsui Ocean Fuji guests will have an exclusive reservation at the long-established restaurant Micchan, offering an opportunity to experience the authentic preparation and flavor of okonomiyaki while learning about its cultural significance.
- Shikoku Pilgrimage Walk (Sakaide): Guests will walk the historic 550-meter pilgrimage route to Negoro-ji Temple, experiencing a segment of the Shikoku pilgrimage. A knowledgeable guide will provide context on the pilgrimage’s significance, and a monk will offer insights into the temple’s history and grounds. The excursion also includes a visit to Ritsurin Park, an Edo-period hospitality garden where guests can appreciate traditional Japanese landscaping.
- Zentsuji Temple with Monk (Takamatsu): At Zentsuji Temple, the birthplace of Kobo Daishi, guests will be guided by a monk through the temple precincts, including the Five-Storied Pagoda, a culturally significant property that will be opened specially for Mitsui Ocean Fuji guests.
These new shore excursions will be offered during Mitsui Ocean Fuji ship’s inaugural season (2024-2025), beginning with the maiden voyage from Yokohama on December 1st, 2024.
Mitsui Ocean Fuji is Japan's most luxurious all-suite cruise ship with capacity 458 passengers and volume 32477 GT-tons.
Now available for booking, the inaugural season will include Debut Cruises (December 2024–January 2025), a New Year’s cruise, Spring and Golden Week Cruises (April–May 2025), and a 66-day Grand Asia Cruise (May–July 2025).