Princess Cruises expands in Japan

Following the Seasons

Princess Cruises expands in Japan, unveiling its most immersive Asia journeys yet.

Spanning 2027 and 2028, this sweeping new program is a carefully created feast of Japan and Southeast Asia at their most vivid – during cherry blossom, festival season and the golden glow of autumn foliage.

Cruising with Princess is, quite simply, a preferable way to see Asia.

Japan, reimagined at sea

For the first time, two ships – Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess – will homeport in Tokyo for the full season, opening up a deeper connection to Japan’s cultural heart.

This is not a fleeting introduction. Across 85 departures and 52 itineraries, voyages stretch from seven to 29 days, tracing the arc of the Japanese archipelago and calling at 41 destinations. From the neon pulse of Tokyo to the historic gravitas of Kyoto (via Osaka), the program is designed to reveal the country in layers.

These journeys follow the seasons. In spring, itineraries track the fleeting bloom of cherry blossoms as they move north across the islands. In autumn, they linger in regions where maple leaves burn crimson against temple roofs and mountain backdrops.

Late-night port calls – across places like Aomori, Hakodate and Hiroshima – allow the experience to extend beyond daylight hours, when cities soften and traditions come alive.

As Matthew Rutherford, Vice President Asia Pacific, notes, “Australia is a key source market for our Japan program, with strong and growing demand from travellers seeking culturally rich, immersive experiences.” He adds that Japan’s diversity – with more than 50 ports across the archipelago – continues to drive its appeal, particularly as travellers look beyond the major hubs.

When festivals light up the night

Japan’s great festivals are immersive and deeply rooted in community. Recognising this, Princess Cruises has shaped its itineraries to align with some of the country’s most iconic celebrations.

Sailings coincide with events such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the Tokushima Awa Odori Festival and the high-energy Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival. New for the season is the inclusion of the Osaka Bon Odori Festival, bringing guests into the joyful swirl of traditional dance beneath lantern-lit skies.

There are fireworks over the sea in Kumano, vibrant parades in Hakodate, and moments where travel becomes participation rather than observation.

A deeper sense of place

Beyond the festivals, these voyages offer rare access to Japan’s cultural and natural treasures. Guests can stand before the elegance of Himeji Castle, reflect at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, or glimpse the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji rising above Shimizu.

Elsewhere, more unexpected discoveries await – from the alpine beauty of Lake Towada to the windswept drama of the Oga Peninsula. Across the season, itineraries include access to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each adding depth to the journey.

This emphasis on regional discovery is deliberate. As Michael Mihajlov, Director Destination Management, explains, “When you go beyond the major cities you really start to understand the country on a deeper level… including smaller, more remote ports allows guests to experience Japan’s diverse geography, regional cultures and, most importantly, its people.”

Onboard, that connection continues. Regional cuisine takes centre stage, from Edomae-style sushi crafted by renowned chef Makoto Okuwa to dishes inspired by the ports visited. Cultural enrichment – tea ceremonies, performances and storytelling – ensures the destination is never left behind at the dock.

Southeast Asia, seamlessly connected

Complementing the Japan program is a collection of longer, destination-rich voyages through Southeast Asia – journeys designed for those who prefer to travel slowly and deeply.

Operating aboard Diamond Princess, these itineraries connect Japan with Southeast Asia’s great cities and cultural landmarks, spanning up to 28 days and crossing multiple countries in a single, fluid voyage. From the cosmopolitan energy of Singapore to the layered history of Bangkok and the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City, the region unfolds in rich contrast.

Experiences are as diverse as the landscapes. There are sampan rides through the Mekong Delta, encounters with the towering Batu Caves, and moments of quiet reflection at temples and shrines that have shaped the region’s spiritual identity for centuries.

Natural beauty is ever-present – limestone karsts rising from emerald waters at James Bond Island, palm-fringed beaches in Koh Samui, and lush botanical gardens that speak to the region’s biodiversity.

A journey defined by taste

If there is one thread that ties these voyages together, it is flavour.

In Japan, it is the precision of sushi, the depth of ramen broth, the delicacy of tempura. In Southeast Asia, it becomes something altogether more exuberant – fragrant bowls of pho, sizzling plates of Pad Thai, the sweet-savoury complexity of nasi lemak.

Markets, street food stalls and local kitchens offer insight into daily life, while onboard dining reflects the regions visited, creating a seamless culinary narrative that travels with you.

The luxury of time

What sets this program apart is not just its scale – 96 departures across 61 itineraries – but its intent.

These are journeys designed for travellers who want more than a snapshot. More time in port. More meaningful connections. More opportunities to witness a destination at its most authentic – whether that is beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, in the glow of a summer festival, or on a slow approach to a tropical coastline.

As Rutherford observes, Japan offers the cultural depth of Europe, but with far greater proximity for Australian travellers – and when experienced by sea, it becomes something even more compelling: seamless, immersive and profoundly enriching.