Grand Circle Japan

Trip Code:55426
(AUD) Twin Share from $4,759pp
Days 23
Nights 22

22-night Japan cruise from TYO to TYO aboard Sapphire Princess

  • 05 May 2028 – 27 May 2028
    from $4,759 pp twin share *

Additional Pricing Information

  • Interior from $4,759 pp twin share
  • Balcony from $7,519 pp twin share
  • Mini-Suite from $8,697.69 pp twin share

* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 – Tokyo, Japan (depart 04:00 PM):
    Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It’s a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.
  • Day 2 – At Sea:
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with all the experiences and amenities of your ship.
  • Day 3 – Hakodate, Japan (arrive 07:30 AM, depart 05:00 PM):
    It took Commodore Perry and American gunboat diplomacy to open Japan to the outside world after two centuries of self-imposed isolation. In 1859, the port of Hakodate became the first Japanese city fully opened to Westerners under the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Foreigners soon flocked to Hakodate, and today visitors wandering the cobblestone streets of the city’s Motomachi District can view their Western-style frame houses. Hakodate, once a fishing port famed for its high quality fish and shellfish, quickly became Hokkaido’s largest city and one of Japan’s most important ports. The Great Hakodate Fire of 1934 dealt the city a near fatal blow – a blow from which Hakodate was slow to recover. Today the city is Hokkaido’s third largest – surpassed by Sapporo and Asahikawa – but retains its foremost position as the finest Japanese producer of sushi’s raw product: the high quality seafood caught in Hokkaido’s cold waters.It may not compare to Tokyo’s Tsukiji’s Fish Market, but at Hakodate’s four-block-long Morning Market, vendors offer a stunning array of fresh fish and shellfish prized for sushi including salmon roe, sea urchin, scallops and crab. Restaurants and food stands prepare a wide arrange of dishes including domburi topped with fresh seafood.
  • Day 4 – Niigata, Japan (arrive 09:00 AM, depart 06:00 PM):
    Traditionally famous for rice making and sake production, Niigata is the place for gourmet aficionados. It is also well known for the seafood caught from the Sea of Japan. With this variety of the commodity produced locally, Niigata developed from the wealth gained through shipping and trade by Kitamae-bune, which were cargo ships operated along the Sea of Japan between Hokkaido and Osaka from mid-18th century to the end of the 19th century. To the south of Niigata is the Tsubame-Sanjo area famous today for metalworking. This derives from the production of Japanese nails used for Japanese traditional architecture. To discover Japanese craftsmanship, you will have the chance to visit the Suwada Open Factory. Also nearby is the religious center of Niigata in Yahiko. The Yahiko Shrine has gathered the devotion of the locals for more than a millennium.
  • Day 5 – At Sea:
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with all the experiences and amenities of your ship.
  • Day 6 – Busan, South Korea (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 03:00 PM):
    The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city’s bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia’s most sophisticated and venerable cultures.Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.
  • Day 7 – YS (arrive 08:00 AM, depart 06:00 PM)
  • Day 8 – At Sea:
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with all the experiences and amenities of your ship.
  • Day 9 – Kochi, Japan (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 04:00 PM):
    Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchi’s reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son – a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma – played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration.Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan – and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.
  • Day 10 – Osaka (for Kyoto), Japan (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 07:00 PM):
    For centuries, Osaka was Japan’s cultural and commercial gateway to Asia – the point of entry both for trade goods and, most importantly, cultural influences that shaped Japanese society. From tea to Zen, from art to science and philosophy, Osaka was Japan’s contact with the great East Asian cultures that flourished in China and Korea. The city reached its zenith in the late 16th century, when the great feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi made Osaka his capital. Toyotomi was master of Japan, and an immense administrative and commercial center rapidly developed around Osaka Castle. After Toyotomi’s death, the nation’s seat of power shifted from Osaka to a sleepy little fishing village called Edo – modern Tokyo. While overshadowed by Tokyo, Osaka remains Japan’s second largest city and a vital commercial center.Modern Osaka is home to monuments from Japan’s past including Toyotomi’s immense castle and the Sumiyoshi Shrine. The city is also your gateway to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient imperial capital and the nation’s cultural and spiritual center.
  • Day 11 – Nagoya, Japan (arrive 11:00 AM, depart 08:00 PM):
    Perched on Honshu’s central coast, Nagoya is the fourth largest urban center in Japan. It is also a perfect illustration of the Japanese national story. Japan’s colorful history and love for tradition are embodied in the mighty donjons of Nagoya Castle, built by the first Tokugawa shogun. Two celebrated shrines – one Shinto, the other Buddhist – are found in the city center. Yet Nagoya also embodies Japan’s love of modernity and its thirst for technological innovation. The city is home to the very model of a major multinational corporation – Toyota. Tradition and change. Esthetics and innovation. In its own quiet manner Nagoya embodies the essence of the Japanese way. Toyota’s corporate headquarters are located just outside Nagoya in Toyota City (23 miles), while the company’s excellent museums and factories are scattered about the city and environs. Toyota began life as a manufacturer of industrial looms. Toyota Motor Corporation was spun off from its parent company in 1937.
  • Day 12 – SH (arrive 08:00 AM, depart 05:00 PM)
  • Day 13 – Tokyo, Japan (arrive 06:00 AM, depart 04:00 PM):
    Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It’s a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.
  • Day 14 – Nagoya, Japan (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 03:00 PM):
    Perched on Honshu’s central coast, Nagoya is the fourth largest urban center in Japan. It is also a perfect illustration of the Japanese national story. Japan’s colorful history and love for tradition are embodied in the mighty donjons of Nagoya Castle, built by the first Tokugawa shogun. Two celebrated shrines – one Shinto, the other Buddhist – are found in the city center. Yet Nagoya also embodies Japan’s love of modernity and its thirst for technological innovation. The city is home to the very model of a major multinational corporation – Toyota. Tradition and change. Esthetics and innovation. In its own quiet manner Nagoya embodies the essence of the Japanese way. Toyota’s corporate headquarters are located just outside Nagoya in Toyota City (23 miles), while the company’s excellent museums and factories are scattered about the city and environs. Toyota began life as a manufacturer of industrial looms. Toyota Motor Corporation was spun off from its parent company in 1937.
  • Day 15 – Osaka (for Kyoto), Japan (arrive 08:00 AM, depart 08:00 PM):
    For centuries, Osaka was Japan’s cultural and commercial gateway to Asia – the point of entry both for trade goods and, most importantly, cultural influences that shaped Japanese society. From tea to Zen, from art to science and philosophy, Osaka was Japan’s contact with the great East Asian cultures that flourished in China and Korea. The city reached its zenith in the late 16th century, when the great feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi made Osaka his capital. Toyotomi was master of Japan, and an immense administrative and commercial center rapidly developed around Osaka Castle. After Toyotomi’s death, the nation’s seat of power shifted from Osaka to a sleepy little fishing village called Edo – modern Tokyo. While overshadowed by Tokyo, Osaka remains Japan’s second largest city and a vital commercial center.Modern Osaka is home to monuments from Japan’s past including Toyotomi’s immense castle and the Sumiyoshi Shrine. The city is also your gateway to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient imperial capital and the nation’s cultural and spiritual center.
  • Day 16 – Kochi, Japan (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 03:00 PM):
    Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchi’s reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son – a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma – played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration.Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan – and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.
  • Day 17 – Kagoshima, Japan (arrive 09:00 AM, depart 06:00 PM):
    From the 12th century to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kagoshima was the chief stronghold of the mighty Shimazu clan. The city lies at the top of the Satsuma Peninsula, a mountainous, geothermal wonderland of hot springs and geysers. The area is also rich in modern Japanese history: Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma samurai were leaders of the Meiji Restoration that toppled the shogun and restored the Emperor to power in 1868. In 1877, dissatisfied with the direction of the new government, Saigo led the Satsuma Rebellion, which ended in his death and the final defeat of the samurai.The symbol of Kagoshima is Sakura Jima – the volcanic island that sits just offshore. The volcano has erupted over 30 times in recorded history.
  • Day 18 – YS (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 04:00 PM)
  • Day 19 – Busan, South Korea (arrive 08:00 AM, depart 05:00 PM):
    The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city’s bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia’s most sophisticated and venerable cultures.Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.
  • Day 20 – JP (arrive 05:00 AM, depart 07:00 AM)
  • Day 21 – Hiroshima, Japan (arrive 07:00 AM, depart 05:00 PM):
    On August 6, 1945, human history was irrevocably altered when the American bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The bomb was code-named “Little Boy,” but its detonation left half the city in ruins and aflame. Today, Hiroshima is a monument not only to the destructive forces harnessed by men but also to the indomitable will of the human spirit to overcome tragedy. At the heart of the city lies Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome. The gutted walls of the city’s old Industry Promotion Hall and the skeletal frame that supported its copper dome, vaporized in the blast, are instantly recognizable symbols of Hiroshima.Travelers to Hiroshima will discover a more serene note at nearby Miyajima Island. One of the top-three scenic spots of Japan, the island is home to ancient Itsukushima Shrine, a designated National Treasure.
  • Day 22 – At Sea:
    Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with all the experiences and amenities of your ship.
  • Day 23 – Tokyo, Japan (arrive 06:00 AM):
    Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It’s a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.

Highlights

  • Sail roundtrip from Tokyo aboard the Sapphire Princess.
  • Visit 10 ports including Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Osaka.
  • Enjoy included onboard meals and entertainment.

22-night Japan cruise from TYO to TYO aboard Sapphire Princess

Inclusions

  • MedallionClass® experience
  • Broadway-style entertainment
  • Multicourse dining and casual venues
  • Fitness facilities
  • Youth and teen clubs (ages 3–17)

FAQs

How long is this journey?

This itinerary runs for 23 days and 22 nights.

When can I travel?

Departures are currently scheduled between 05 May 2028 and 27 May 2028, subject to live availability.

What is generally included?

Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.

Provided by: Princess Cruises

Fine Print

Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more details.

(AUD) Twin Share from $4,759pp
Days 23
Nights 22

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