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Cruises to Japan

Japan sailings are long on sea days and short on repeat ports, so a well-run ship carries the trip. These are the ships cruising Japan, ranked by our Vessel Class grade.

See all Japan sailings →

◆Which ship is right for you◆

Top of the class

This Large resort ship from Cunard Line leads every Japan vessel on our grade.

Travelers' favorite

Highest review score in the region: 4.6/5 across 537 published reviews.

Best for families

The top-graded Japan ship that earns our family tag on its own data.

Small-ship pick

Seven Seas Grandeur

The best-graded ship under 750 guests sailing Japan.

◆Best ships sailing Japan◆

Cunard Line · Luxury

Large resort ship (2,695 guests) · refit 2023 · Great service · Just refreshed · Spacious

Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury

Mid-size ship (930 guests) · Great food · Great service · New ship

Seven Seas Grandeur

Regent Seven Seas Cruises · Ultra-luxury

Small ship (744 guests) · new in 2023 · Great food · Great service · New ship

Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury

Mid-size ship (930 guests) · new in 2022 · Great service · New ship · Adults-only

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn Cruise Line · Ultra-luxury

Small ship (604 guests) · Great food · Great service · Spacious

Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury

Mid-size ship (930 guests) · Great food · Great service · Adults-only

Silversea Cruises · Ultra-luxury

Small ship (392 guests) · refit 2018 · Great food · Great service · Spacious

Celebrity Cruises · Premium

Large resort ship (2,910 guests) · Lots to do · New ship

MSC Cruises · Contemporary

Large resort ship (4,132 guests)

Celebrity Cruises · Premium

Large resort ship (2,918 guests)

MSC Cruises · Contemporary

Large resort ship (4,540 guests) · New ship

Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury

Mid-size ship (930 guests) · Great food · Great service · Adults-only

MSC Cruises · Contemporary

Large resort ship (4,488 guests)

Spectrum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International · Contemporary

Large resort ship (4,246 guests) · Lots to do · New ship

Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International · Contemporary

Large resort ship (4,180 guests) · Lots to do

◆Ports you’ll visit◆

Busan

Gamcheon's painted hillside, Jagalchi fish market, Haeundae Beach.

Okinawa

Shuri Castle, the vast Churaumi Aquarium, and coral beaches.

Osaka

Osaka Castle, neon Dot-onbori, and Kuromon street food.

Kobe

World-famous Kobe beef, herb gardens, and a historic sake district.

Nagasaki

Peace Park, hillside Glover Garden, and the Dejima trading post.

◆When to go◆

Japan's cruise season runs roughly March to November. Late March into April is cherry-blossom season — the marquee window, and the busiest. October and November bring autumn foliage and crisp, clear days. Summer is warm and humid with a typhoon risk from August.

Aug 20263 sailingsSep 202616 sailingsOct 202610 sailingsNov 20266 sailingsDec 20267 sailingsJan 20277 sailings

◆Common questions◆

When is the best time to cruise Japan?

Japan's cruise season runs roughly March to November. Late March into April is cherry-blossom season — the marquee window, and the busiest. October and November bring autumn foliage and crisp, clear days. Summer is warm and humid with a typhoon risk from August.

How long are Japan cruises?

The Japan sailings CruiseIndex tracks run 5 to 12 nights.

Which ports do Japan cruises visit?

Tracked Japan itineraries call at Busan, Okinawa, Osaka, Kobe and Nagasaki.

What is the best cruise ship in Japan?

Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line) currently holds the region's top Vessel Class grade, #2 in our fleet-wide ranking.

Vessel Class and Review Score scores are live and real. Fares shown on sailing pages are preview samples until the live fare feed arrives.