Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan – departs 08:00 PM Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshū. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area. Yokahama offers a wide variety of attractions. The historic port area is Kannai. Next to the waterfront Yamashita Park is Yokohama Marine Tower, the tallest inland lighthouse in the world. Further inland lies Yokohama Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in Japan and one of the largest in the world. Nearby is Yokohama Stadium, the Silk Center, and the Yokohama Doll Museum. The Isezakichō and Noge areas offer many colourful shops and bars. The futuristic Minato Mirai 21 harbourside redevelopment offers many points of interest. The highlights are the Landmark Tower which is the tallest building in Japan, Queen's Square Yokohama (a shopping mall) and the Cosmo Clock 21, which was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world when it was built in 1989 and which also doubles as "the world's biggest clock". Things to See & Do * Chinatown * Bay Stars Stadium * Minato Mirai Area * Marine Tower * Yamahsita Park

Cruising onboard MS Westerdam.

Kochi is the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku island of Japan. The smallest of Japan's Big Four, Shikoku lies to the south of Honshu. This mountainous inner regions offer some good hiking. It is also the home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The main attraction in Kochi is Kochi Castle which is one of the few original white castles in Japan. Other attractions include the mountain Godaisan which holds a public park with views of the city, and is home to stop 31 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Chikurin-ji, as well as the Makino Botanical Garden. Things to See & Do * Kochi Castle * Makino Botanical Garden * The Museum of Art Kochi * Tosa Shrine * Harimayabashi Bridge

Kagoshima is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwestern tip of the Kyūshū island of Japan, and the largest city in the prefecture. With a history of around 670 years, it has been called the 'Naples of the Orient', because of its magnificent scenery that features the active volcano of Sakurajima. Sakurajima can be reached by ferry in a matter of minutes. It regularly emits ash, leaving visitors looking grey. Yunohira Lookout is a two hours hike or 15 minutes drive from Sakurajima harbor and gives you a good view both to Kagoshima harbor and Sakurajima volcano. The city of Kagoshima features large shopping districts and malls, is served by trams, and has many restaurants featuring Satsuma Province regional cuisine. A large, modern aquarium has been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano. The Sengan-en (Isoteien) Japanese garden is just outside the city. Things to See & Do * Sakurajima Volcano * Tsurumaru Castle * Kagoshima Prefectural Museum of Culture * Ishibashi Park * Kagoshima Botanical Garden

Nagasaki is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. It is most infamously known for the nuclear bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing a total of over 100,000 people. Six days later Japan surrendered, officially ending World War II. The Peace Park, Peace Statue, and the Atomic Bomb Museum were created to commemorate the 1945 Atomic bomb tragedy. Today Nagasaki is a popular tourist destination with many interesting and beautiful places to visit. Among them are Glover Garden, former 19th Century home of a British merchant where hillside gardens overlook the harbor. It is a pleasant collection of relocated European style homes built for foreign traders and diplomats when Japan was opened to world after the Meiji Restoration of the mid 19th century. The Sofuku-ji – temple was constructed in 1629 by Chinese residents of Nagasaki, this temple is one of the best examples of Ming Dynasty architecture in the world. Even in China itself there are few surviving structures that display Ming Dynasty architecture as well as Sofuku-ji. Things to See & Do * Glover Garden * Atomic Bomb Museum * Nagasaki Peace Park * Sofuku-ji - temple * Lantern Festival (mid Jan – mid Feb) Kobe is most famous for its Kobe beef and Arima Onsen (or "hot springs"). Notable buildings include the Ikuta Shrine as well as the Kobe Port Tower. It is well known for the night view of the city, from mountains such as Mount Rokkō, and Mount Maya as well as the coast. Kobe also features many serene gardens, ponds and ancient shrines. Historical museums house myriad ceramics, artifacts and Namban - a collection of barbarian art. Kobe also hosts many festivals amidst a labyrinth of futuristic towers, skyscrapers, trendy restaurants, shopping outlets and the Akashi Kaiyo - the world's longest suspension bridge. Things to See & Do * Western style houses * Sake breweries * Mt Rokko and its rock garden * Waterfront area * Kobe Port tower

Busan is a city located in the south-eastern province of South Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world. Busan has some historic sights, beautiful beaches, healing hot springs and inspirational nature reserves. Each autumn, the city conducts an international film festival. Visitors will also want to see the Beomeo-sa Temple, one of the country's five Great Temples. Haeundae Beach is one of Busan's most popular attractions; people come from all over the country, particularly in late July and early August. The city is also famous for its seafood. The Busan fish market has a huge selection of fresh seafood in the early morning. Although primarily known as a port, the city has many steep hills, creating a very unusual mix of mountains and ocean. Things to See & Do * Beomeo-sa Temple * Yonggung-sa Temple * Haeundae Beach * Busan Museum of Modern Art * Beaches & hot springs Around 700 vessels of all sides pass through on a daily basis. In August each year the local spectacle with over 10,00 sky rockets fired from both sides Passenger and car ferries link the port cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu, as do trains and bridges. Fukuoka is the capital of Fukuoka prefecture and the largest city on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It is a modern city; most of its buildings are new. The city has two centres: one in Hakata and one in Tenjin. A subway connects most of its main attractions. Fukuoka is a charming city with scenic coastlines, shrines and relics of the aborted Mongolian invasion, festivals, great shopping, dining and sightseeing. Attractions include the Sky Dream, one of the world’s largest ferris wheels, Fukuoka Castle, Ohori Park art gallery and the newly opened National Museum in nerby Dazaifu. Things to See & Do * ACROS building * Ohori Park * Fukuoka tower * Sky Dream Fukuoka ferris wheel * Kyushu National Museum

Cruising onboard MS Westerdam.

Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers. Kenrokuen Garden is by far the most famous part of Kanazawa. Originally built as the outer garden of Kanazawa castle, it was opened to the public in 1875. It is considered one of the "three most beautiful gardens in Japan" and is filled with a variety of trees, ponds, waterfalls and flowers stretching over 25 acres (100,000 m²). Other attractions in Kanazawa include the Kanazawa castle site, Omicho Market, the Higashi Geigha district and the Oyama shrine. If you are looking for a great little bar, try Cambio Cafe and Bar Silk Building 2F Katamachi 2-2-14 Kanazawa. Takayuki is a great host. A good value modern cuisine Japanese restaurant worth a visit is the A.K.A (atelier kitchen for artisan) located 12-10-42 RENN Bldg 1F in the old Samari district. Things to See & Do * Kenroku-en Garden * Kanazawa Castle Site * Nagamachi Samurai District * Ninja Temple * Kazuemachi – geisha houses

Niigata is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It lies on the northwest coast of Honshū, the largest island of Japan, and faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island. Located at the mouth of Japan's longest river, the Shinano River, this water abundant city has long flourished as a water transportation hub and is a base for international exchange. The Port of Niigata offers the Shinano River Cruise where visitors can see the city from a waterbus with an open-air deck. The cruise is offered three times each day. The Northern Culture Museum is worth a visit, as is the Tsukioka Carillon Park, located next to the Tsukioka Hot Springs. It is filled with the sounds of chimes, and the Carillon Culture Hall has an exhibit of swords made by Akitsugu Amata, a National Living Treasure. The Houzuki-no-sato Onsen (hot bath) is located within the park. Not quite 50 kilometers across the Sea is the island of Sado. This beautiful island was once an exile location for political dissidents, including Emperor Juntoku. It is a wonderful get-away with quaint fishing villages, green hills, and rocky coasts. Things to See & Do * Sado island * Shinano river cruise * Northern Culture Museum * Tsukioka Carillon Park * Echigo hillside park

Spend the day onboard MS Westerdam.

Otaru is a city and port in Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination. Otaru Canal is the symbol of this city. The gaslights and stone warehouses along the canal producing a beautiful nightscape popular with young couples. There are many cafes, museums, restaurants & shops as well as the brewery restaurant belonging to Otaru Beer. Painters and other artists set up their easels etc. Things to See & Do * Otaru Canal * Steam Clock * Otaru Music Box Museum * Tenguyama Ropeway * Sakai-machi-dori shopping area

Aomori is the capital city of the Aomori Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan. It lies between the Mutsu Bay and the beautiful Hakkoda Mountains. While Aomori has four distinct seasons, it boasts one of the highest amounts of snowfall for large cities in Japan. Attractions include Sannai-Maruyama historical site tours, believed to have been first settled 5500 years ago. Guided tours are available year round. The annual Nebuta Festival is said to be the biggest “fire festival” in Japan. Taking place over several weeks in August, a big parade with lit lantern floats and dancers in costumes ends each day. The Yotei-maru Ferry connected Aomori to Hokkaido before the Seikan Tunnel was opened. Today, it’s a slightly dilapidated, but charming, museum near the train station. The real deck area is a beer garden during the summer. Things to See & Do * Nebuta Festival – Aug 2 - 7 * Aspam Center * Aomori Prefectural Museum * Nebutanosato Museum * Sannai-Maruyama historical site tour

Hakodate is a city and port located in Oshima, Hokkaido, Japan. It the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture, and the biggest city in south Hokkaido. The port was opened in 1859 and faces out onto the Tsugaru Strait that divides Hokkaido and Honshu. There are many attractions available for visitors to Hakodate, including Mount Hakodate, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the sea. Other attractions include Motomachi, the city’s historic district. It contains many historical buildings such as churches and public halls. Fort Goryōkaku in the Port of Hakodate was Japan’s first western-style fortress. Visitors will find a small museum there featuring local history. The nearby Goryōkaku Tower (Japanese) is a 90-meter viewing platform that offers views of the star-shaped fort and contains dioramas describing the Enomoto and Ezo Republic as well as the fort’s place in the city’s history. At the Port of Hakodate’s are Red Brick Warehouses which were constructed in the late Meiji era. Today, they house seafood restaurants and commercial facilities. Visitors can board The Blue Moon, a wonderful bay cruise, near the warehouse area. Things to See & Do * Mt Hakodate viewing deck * Goryokaku-koen Park * Motomachi historic district * Fort Goryokaku * Red brick warehouses at the port of Hakodate

Spend the day onboard MS Westerdam.

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan – arrives 06:30 AM