® japan #1 NORTH AMERICAN CRUISE LINE in JAPAN* uncover the stories of japan The ancient stories of Japan seem to echo even in modern day. Create spiritual connections with Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and meet the artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations. Travel between seaside villages crowned with enduring castles and dynamic cities lit by brilliant skylines. Sail far from your every day on board Diamond Princess® and be rewarded with an adventure that promises you will come back new.® *#1 International Cruise Line in Japan by Japan’s CRUISE Magazine Readers’ Poll. The contents of this brochure are accurate as of the date of printing and are subject to change. Please refer to princess.com for the most up-to-date information. 1 BOOK NOW! Contact your travel advisor | Call (852) 2952 8088 | Visit princess.com/japan step into history Sail with the #1 North American cruise line in Asia, voted “Best Asia Itineraries” by Porthole Magazine and experience the intriguing pagodas, colorful night markets and high-tech cities juxtaposed by sacred traditions that define this exciting country. seasonal spectacles Experience Japan’s magnificent seasons with Princess.® Wander through gardens filled with delicate cherry blossoms that signal the start of spring. Fireworks and floating lanterns light up the nights during summer festivals, and autumn is a wonderful time to experience the vivid foliage. more ashore travel with ease Our itineraries are crafted to We make traveling to Japan give you more opportunities easier and more comfortable than to experience the history, ever. From seamless flights and culture and flavors of the transfers to shore excursions region. With port calls that to all the luxurious amenities, are LATE NIGHT (departing you’ll feel right at home. Let us 9 p.m. or later), you can see handle every detail, so you can the sights during the day truly immerse yourself in this and experience the nightlife unforgettable destination. in the evening. SHARE YOUR STORY #comebacknew Connect with Princess and fellow Share stories of your Princess guests via Facebook, YouTube, adventures, watch videos Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. and much more. COVER: Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji, Kyoto, Japan. OPPOSITE PAGE: Fuji Shiba-Sakura Festival, Japan. THIS PAGE, IMAGES LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: Osaka Castle; Cable car, Hakodate, Japan; Diamond Princess®; Japanese geisha, Kanazawa, Japan; Sushi on board. 2 Steeped in history and brimming with modern technology, Japan’s rousing cities and traditional landmarks beckon to be RUSSIA explored and understood. Witness memorials that represent human resilience, temples that reflect Japan’s enduring culture explore the ports and bustling cities framed by towering skyscrapers. RUSSIA Korsakov Akita, Japan (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) Get to know Akita with a More Ashore Late Night port of call, timed to the harvest- themed Akita Kanto Festival with its incredible procession of 200 towering bamboo Sakaiminato, Japan Hokkaido poles adorned with lanterns. Otaru You’ll notice an array of whimsical ©JNTO characters in Sakaiminato: bronzed Vladivostok Busan, South Korea testaments to manga artist Shigeru Kushiro Stroll through markets and Mizuki. Access to fresh seafood and Kobe, Japan temples, drive along coastal classic Japanese gardens are also Though famous for succulent beef, it was also Hakodate vistas and contemplate South among the local highlights. know for Japanese art and culture during the Korea’s history at the 35-acre 8th century. In Kobe, visit Nofukuji Temple, UN Memorial Cemetery. which holds one of Japan’s three biggest Aomori Buddha statues. Miyako Akita Sakata Niigata Ishinomaki Toyama CHINA (Fushiki) Honshu JAPAN SOUTH Kanazawa KOREA Maizuru Tokyo Tsuruga (Yokohama) Hiroshima, Japan Kyoto Busan Sakaiminato Yokkaichi Shimizu The past will never be forgotten in Takamatsu Gamagori Hiroshima, destroyed and rebuilt Hiroshima Kobe Toba from the ashes. A peace memorial Matsuyama Osaka Kanmon Straits now stands tall and the proudly Shikoku Kumano Wakayama restored Hiroshima Castle tells of Hakata Kochi Tokushima (Fukuoka) the city’s history. Kyushu Sasebo Beppu Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) Miyazaki Nagasaki (Aburatsu) Kagoshima Taipei, Taiwan You can’t help but notice Taipei 101 towering boldly against the sky. Beyond this landmark, explore Buddhist temples, herb markets and a ©JNTO rich collection of Chinese art. CHINA Kagoshima, Japan Enjoy well-preserved samurai Okinawa houses, as well as nature’s Taipei wonders that include the U active Sakurajima volcano and (Keelung) Miyakojima Y S K D YU N thousands of hot springs. Xiamen R LA TAIWAN IS Okinawa, Japan Ishigaki Renowned as the birthplace of karate, this strategically located island also boasts rich military history sites, the vermilion Shurijo Castle and the always buzzing Kokusai Street. Hong Kong VIETNAM Cai Lan 3 BOOK NOW! Contact your travel advisor | Call (852) 2952 8088 | Visit princess.com/japan Pacific Ocean Chan May Equator Equator Indian Ocean Steeped in history and brimming with modern technology, Princess is a proud Japan’s rousing cities and traditional landmarks beckon to be RUSSIA partner of the Japan explored and understood. Witness memorials that represent National Tourism human resilience, temples that reflect Japan’s enduring culture Organization. and bustling cities framed by towering skyscrapers. RUSSIA Korsakov (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) Aomori, Japan The Nebuta Festival in August is an Otaru, Japan event beyond compare. Marvel at Hokkaido larger-than-life illuminated floats Otaru On the island of Hokkaido, Otaru depicting historical and mythological is a favorite for those in search of Japanese characters, accompanied by Vladivostok Japanese whisky, while the nearby taiko drummers and joyful dancers. Kushiro capital of Sapporo was the host city of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Hakodate ©JNTO Aomori Miyako Kanazawa, Japan Akita A UNESCO City of Crafts and Tokyo, Japan Folk Art, Kanazawa is an Sakata ideal stop to collect delicate Immerse yourself in Japan’s electrifying capital where Niigata embroidery, gold leaf and Ishinomaki modern skyscrapers Toyama porcelain gifts, or to enjoy the ©JNTO traditions of geisha row houses dominate the skies, and CHINA (Fushiki) Honshu and tea ceremonies. busy streets harbor ancient JAPAN temples and shrines. SOUTH Kanazawa KOREA Maizuru Tokyo Tsuruga (Yokohama) Kyoto Busan Sakaiminato Yokkaichi Shimizu Takamatsu Gamagori Hiroshima Kobe Toba Matsuyama Osaka Kanmon Straits Shikoku Kumano Wakayama Hakata Kochi Tokushima (Fukuoka) Kyushu Sasebo Beppu Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) Miyazaki Nagasaki (Aburatsu) Kagoshima ©JNTO Osaka, Japan Tokushima, Japan This modern city offers a window ©JNTO into history, where Shinto shrines CHINA Festival-themed voyages in and centuries-old castles still Kochi, Japan August include the Tokushima stand — including the region’s most Awa Dance Festival, a colorful Beyond the region’s beaches and famous landmark, Osaka Castle. Okinawa spectacle of dance that dates caves, a late-night stay lets you Taipei back to the 1500s. U experience the Kochi Yosakoi Dance (Keelung) Miyakojima Y S K D Festival — one of Japan’s largest YU N Xiamen R LA TAIWAN IS festivals featuring performances with Ishigaki “naruko” wooden clappers. Hong Kong VIETNAM 4 Cai Lan Pacific Ocean Chan May Equator Equator Indian Ocean BEST port spotlights SHORE EXCURSIONS Not only does Princess® escort you to Japan’s most incredible port cities, we take you deeper into its storied regions. These stunning ports of call are the gateway to Japan’s islands that lie CRUISE CRITIC off the beaten path and reward with revered history and pristine natural wonders. EDITORS’ PICKS EXCLUSIVE ©JNTO Hakodate Excursion Explore Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido, hakodate with its seafood-rich Morning Market and historic THE HERRING VILLAGE & hokkaido warehouse district. A More Ashore Late-Night FOLKLORIC PERFORMANCE call allows you to access a truly memorable event: Enjoy a music performance, watching the city sparkle as the Mt. Hakodate a walking tour of downtown ropeway cable car ascends the summit. and a delicious noodle lunch. Kanazawa Excursion Sail during the spring to experience Kenrokuen, kanazawa one of Japan’s most treasured gardens. Wander GOLD LEAF ART & honshu through the narrow, winding streets of the JAPANESE SWEET MAKING samurai district, known as Nagamachi Samurai Make tea ceremony sweets House Row, which sits at the foot of the and your own gold leaf art on Kanazawa Castle. a half-day cultural experience. Kyoto Excursion FUSHIMI-INARI TAISHA & TEMPLES Explore the Fushimi-Inari Founded in 778, Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto Taisha Shrine; the Kiyomizu kyoto is one of the most celebrated in Japan and Temple, a UNESCO World renowned for its great veranda, supported by Heritage Site; and the Ryoanji (osaka) hundreds of pillars, which sticks out over the Temple, also a UNESCO honshu breathtaking hillside, towering over Kyoto. World Heritage Site. 5 BOOK NOW! Contact your travel advisor | Call (852) 2952 8088 | Visit princess.com/japan Kagoshima Excursion IBUSUKI SAND BATH & CHIRAN SAMURAI HOUSES This full-day tour takes Kagoshima stands out with the crater and you south to the Satsuma kagoshima lava fields of Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most Peninsula, a wonderland kyushu active volcanoes. Tour Kagoshima’s shochu of hot springs, where you’ll factories and learn how grains and vegetables experience a therapeutic create one of Japan’s spirited elixirs. sand bath and enjoy