In summer 2022, Princess Cruises is due to sail out of homeports Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe (Osaka-Kyoto) on various itineraries spanning from Japan's southern Okinawa Islands to the northernmost Hokkaido Island.
On sale since December 15, 2020, Diamond Princess schedule offers a total of 35 ex-Japan departures during season 2022 (May-September), visiting 31 ports/destinations in 4 countries, including 10 UNESCO sites. Sailings range from 5 to 19 days.
Highlights of the Japan experience with Princess Cruises feature:
- Easy & Accessible: Princess Cruises offers English-speaking guides and shore trips so passengers can enjoy all of the local culture and popular sites. Diamond Princess guests enjoy delicious regional dishes along with familiar comfort food. They can relax knowing they'll be transported to a brand new destination each night.
- Festivals: With nine opportunities to visit local festivals, passengers can experience some of the country’s world-famous festivals like Kyoto Gion Festival featuring hand-crafted “Yama” and “Hoko” floats constructed every year without the use of nails, as well as watch a display of 10,000 fireworks during Kumano Fireworks Festival. Featured festivals also include Aomori Nebuta Festival, Osaka Tenjin Festival, Akita Kanto Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, Tokushima Awa Dance Festival.
- Temples, Shrines & Palaces: Passengers can delight in the abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including temples and shrines like the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, Buddhist monuments, and Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
- Vibrant Cities: In Tokyo, passengers enjoy shopping in Ginza district or explore the Imperial Palace plaza. The line's 2022 season includes the maiden port call to Hitachinaka, for quick access to the temples and shrines of Nikko. 10 ports provide More Ashore late-night stays including Osaka (Kobe), Akita, Aomori, Tokushima, and Kochi on Summer Festival dates.
- Natural Wonders, Gardens & Onsens: Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Passengers can also choose to take part in a traditional tea ceremony while overlooking Mt.Fuji or enjoy the health benefits and relaxing atmosphere of an “onsen” (hot spring bath).
The Japan-built Diamond Princess ship offers an experience connected to the local Japanese culture. Passengers dine on authentic cuisine at Kai Sushi, enjoy regional entertainment and folkloric shows, soak in a traditional Izumi bath - Japan's largest bath at sea.
For travellers with more time to explore the country, the "Highlights of Japan" cruisetour combines an 8-9-10-day voyage with 2 nights in Kyoto City and 3 nights in Tokyo City.