Have questions? We're here.
Mt. Fuji framed by Lake Kawaguchiko and cherry blossoms

Japan Cruises

Travel made your way ™
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Japan trip. Call 800.344.6118
Start Planning My Trip
Talk with an expert
Small ship cruises through Japan's beautiful coastal towns and villages are the perfect way to experience the country's stunning natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. From Hagi, famous for its samurai culture and ancient castles, to Kurashiki, known for its scenic canals and beautifully preserved Edo-period charm, each port of call offers something unique and memorable. You can also enjoy the natural beauty of Kanazawa and Matsue on a hiking excursion through rugged mountain scenery, explore ancient archaeological sites, and experience traditional Japanese culture firsthand. Our top 20 Japan cruises start from $2,000 to $67,153 for cruises of 6 to 20 days. Contact one of Adventure Life's trip planners to start planning your cruise to Japan.
Filter (20 Results)
  • Start Date
    Months
    Years
  • Length
    to
  • Price
    to
  • Activity Levels
  • Experiences
  • Activities
  • Ships
  • Destinations
    • Japan
Seaside Buddhist temple in Busan
from $10,100
EXPLORE

Discover the Islands of Japan

Roundtrip Osaka - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore historic Osaka Castle
  • Tour a pearl farm in Uwajima
  • Walk the forests of Yakushima
  • Wander colorful streets in Busan
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Osaka
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise on the Heritage Adventurer to discover vibrant Osaka, historic Kyoto, and serene Yakushima Island, along with other iconic sites in Japan and South Korea. Experience traditional culture, samurai history, and World War II insights while enjoying beautiful landscapes and beaches.
Cruise Details
0
Cherry blossoms frame Osaka castle
from $8,150
EXPLORE

Springtime Splendor in Japan Cruise

Osaka Roundtrip - 10 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Visit Osaka Castle landmark
  • Miyajima Torii Gate views
  • Oki Islands coastal landscapes
  • Shimonoseki seafood market visit
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Osaka
Activity Level
Variable
Explore Japan on a 10-day expedition cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer. Travel from Osaka through Hiroshima, Miyajima, Hagi, Oki Islands, Matsue, Shimonoseki and Tamano. Visit castles, temples, gardens and markets, walk historic districts and explore coastal landscapes across the Seto Inland Sea and Sea of Japan.
Cruise Details
0
Colorful sunset over Kagoshima, Japan
from $11,806
EXPLORE

The Best of Japan

Osaka to Busan - 9 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Miyajima floating torii
  • Explore Hiroshima Peace Park
  • Hike Yakushima cedar forests
  • See Nagasaki atomic bomb memorial
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Busan
Activity Level
Variable
Embark in Osaka on a 9-day Japan’s Inland Sea and southern islands cruise aboard Le Soleal. Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima’s iconic torii gate, Beppu hot springs, Uwajima Castle, Yakushima’s ancient cedar forest, and Nagasaki’s historic sites.
Cruise Details
0
Sunset over Nagasaki
from $29,990
No SS
EXPLORE

Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture

16 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Resolution
  • Enjoy castles and samurai district
  • Discover ancient ruins of Gyeongju
  • Visit Matsue's art museum
  • See Naoshima, the art-filled island
  • Tour three Japanese gardens
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Kyoto
Activities
Hiking
Activity Level
Variable
Experience a 16-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, exploring Japan and South Korea's cultural and historic sites. Visit Himeji Castle, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, Naoshima's art attractions, and Gyeongju's ancient temples. Discover samurai heritage in Matsue, scenic gardens, and traditional villages.
Cruise Details
0
Brilliant color in Hokkaido
from $22,000
Save 5%
EXPLORE

Japan’s Western Shores: Ancient Traditions and Natural Beauty

Osaka to Sapporo - 16 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Resolution
  • Explore Osaka castle and gardens
  • See Miyajima floating torii views
  • Niigata sake tasting experiences
  • Hokkaido historic fishing villages
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Otaru
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 16-day Japan and South Korea cruise aboard National Geographic Resolution visiting Osaka, Miyajima, Busan, Kanazawa, Sado Island, Aomori, and Sapporo. This itinerary combines cultural landmarks, UNESCO World Heritage sites, regional cuisine, scenic coastlines, and local traditions across northern Japan and Korea for cultural experience.
Cruise Details
0
Osaka's city lights after sunset
from $8,150
EXPLORE

Sacred Japan and South Korea

Niigata to Osaka - 10 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore remote Sado Island
  • Wander Kanazawa's gardens
  • Tour historic Matsue Castle
  • Discover ancient Gyeongju
  • Admire Miyajima's torii gate
  • Visit Hiroshima's Peace Park
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Osaka
Activities
Village Visits, Archaeological Site Visits, Wildlife Viewing, Urban Exploration
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on a 10-day cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer along Japan's west coast from Niigata to Osaka, with a call in Ulsan, South Korea. Visit Sado Island's Taiko drumming heritage, Kanazawa's gardens, Hiroshima's Peace Park, Miyajima's torii gate, and Gyeongju's Silla ruins.
Cruise Details
0
Temple garden in Busan, South Korea
from $10,100
EXPLORE

Discover the Islands of Japan

Tokyo to Osaka - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Heritage Adventurer
  • Explore vibrant Tokyo highlights
  • Visit Matsue Castle
  • Explore Busan's streets and temple
  • Walk among ancient cedar trees
  • Study pearl cultivation in Uwajima
Starts / Ends
Tokyo / Osaka
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on an 11-day cruise through Japan and South Korea aboard the Heritage Adventurer and discover historic sites, UNESCO landmarks, bustling markets, and serene gardens. Travel via bullet train, explore charming villages, visit famous cities like Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Busan, and delve into natural wonders such as Yakushima Island.
Cruise Details
0
Night view of Kobe Port, Japan
from $11,765
Save 20%
EXPLORE

Far East Mystique

Kobe (Osaka) Roundtrip - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Atlas Adventurer
  • Explore Kyoto Temples
  • Visit Hiroshima Memorials
  • Discover Yakushima Forests
  • Experience Jeju Volcanoes
Starts / Ends
Kobe / Kobe
Activities
Whale Watching
Activity Level
Variable
Experience a 13-day roundtrip cruise from Kobe to Kobe aboard Atlas Adventurer. Explore Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Beppu, Yakushima, Sasebo, Jeju Island, Kagoshima, and Japan's scenic coastline while discovering UNESCO World Heritage sites, castles, temples, volcanic landscapes, hot springs, gardens, and coastal islands.
Cruise Details
0
Cherry blossoms frame Osaka castle
from $15,600
EXPLORE

Tokyo to Tokyo

Roundtrip Tokyo - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Silver Moon
  • Witness the iconic Shibuya crossing
  • Experience Osaka Kuromon Market
  • Visit Kochi Makino Botanical Garden
  • Wander Busan colorful alleyways
Starts / Ends
Tokyo / Tokyo
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on a 15-day East Asian cruise from Tokyo aboard the Silver Moon, visiting Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Busan, Kanazawa, Hakodate, and Miyako. Enjoy sightseeing, local cuisine, and beautiful landscapes before concluding your journey back in Tokyo.
Cruise Details
0
Osaka's city lights after sunset
from $15,150
EXPLORE

Authentic Japan

Osaka to Busan - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Explore Busan’s cultural treasures
  • Explore Osaka's vibrant cityscape
  • Tour Himeji’s iconic castle
  • View Takamatsu’s famous gardens
Starts / Ends
Osaka / Busan
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 13-day cruise across Japan and South Korea aboard Le Soleal, starting in Osaka and ending in Busan. Explore iconic destinations like Himeji Castle, Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, and Miyajima's Torii Gate.
Cruise Details
0
Seaside Buddhist temple in Busan
from $9,290
EXPLORE

Treasures of Japan and South Korea by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Busan - Osaka - 9 Day Itinerary aboard Le Soleal
  • Explore vibrant Busan
  • Walk samurai streets
  • Sail Kanmon Straits
  • Admire sacred torii
Starts / Ends
Busan / Osaka
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on a 9-day cruise from Busan to Osaka aboard Le Soleal, exploring South Korea and Japan’s cultural and coastal highlights. Discover Busan’s temples, Sakaiminato’s folklore, historic Hagi, scenic Kanmon Straits, Beppu’s onsen, sacred Miyajima, Hiroshima, Tamano, and vibrant Osaka.
Cruise Details
0
Colorful sunset over Kagoshima, Japan
from $11,765
Save 20%
EXPLORE

Shinto Shores & Samurai Legacies

Kobe Roundtrip - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Atlas Adventurer
  • Explore Kochi Castle
  • Visit Miyajima Shrine
  • Experience Beppu Onsen
  • Discover Busan Culture
Starts / Ends
Kobe / Kobe
Activities
Local Market Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Discover Japan on this 13-day cruise Kobe Roundtrip aboard Atlas Adventurer. Visit historic castles, Buddhist temples, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Beppu's geothermal hot springs, coastal villages, scenic islands, Kagoshima's volcanic landscapes, Busan in South Korea, and enjoy a day of scenic coastal navigation.
Cruise Details
0
1-12 of 20 Results
  • 1
  • 2

Relax. We've got this.

Talk with an expert trip planner 800.344.6118

Plan My Trip
Kevin Moore employee headshot
Kevin M.
A young woman walks through a field of flowers
Japan

Chat Japan with a specialist

Our team is waiting and ready to talk with you about your next adventure. So go ahead and book an appointment with one of our specialized trip planners.

Let's Chat
800.344.6118

Where is your next adventure?

Contact Chat Call
TrustScore 4.9 | 1046 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
total score
Based on 1046 reviews on
review score
3 months ago
Visiting Japan entailed a lot of research and detail but having Adventure-Life manage all that allowed us to fully enjoy every day of it. The team assigned to us tailored our trip for the length and activities we wanted, handled all intricate details, collaborated with their local partners, and answered all our questions timely. They stuck to timelines and were quick to address any unexpected changes without sacrificing trip experience. Trip documents were a bit overwhelming but only because it was an international, multi-city visit with various activities. It was time-consuming to review, but all our questions from it were answered quickly and clearly. That level of service made our Japan trip one of our favorite memories.
Asper C
review score
9 months ago
Accommodating, friendly, and quick with communications. Mary Curry is a star! Love planning with her
Marjorie Abrahams
review score
9 months ago
Always professional and timely response
customerGL
review score
11 months ago
Ease of scheduling and fully informed from the start
Susan Hogg-Wise
review score
1 year ago
Erin does a great job listening to our interests and laying out a couple different options to work with. Then she is just as thorough with the fine details getting all itinerary in place.
Magen H.

Why Travel With Us?

Seamless Trip Planning

We guide you through every detail beyond the cruise—from flights to pre- and post-trip stays—so your journey feels effortless.

Rewards That Go Further

Secure your 5% Past Traveler Rewards across a wide range of ships and destinations - not a single brand and not just cruises.

Unbiased Cruise Expertise

We're not tied to any one cruise line, so you receive honest guidance on the best ship and itinerary for you—not a sales pitch.

As Featured In

USA Today
Los Angeles Times
Travel Weekly
Outside
National Geographic Traveler
The New York Times
Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler
National Geographic

How it Works

Connect

No cost, no commitment. Talk with our experts about your dream trip.

Plan

Share your travel style—we match you with the right itinerary or create one just for you.

Book

Lock in knowing every detail is handled and you’re fully supported.

Travel

Enjoy a seamless journey—and unlock 5% off your next adventure.

Kevin Moore employee headshot
Kevin M
Plan My Trip
We love travel, talk with an expert 800.344.6118