Planning My First Trip to Japan: A Spring Cruise Adventure with Princess Cruises
For years, Japan has been high on my travel bucket list—and in April 2026, I’m finally making it happen! Even better? I’ll be exploring Japan (and a bit of South Korea) by cruise, sailing on the Diamond Princess with Princess Cruises.
This will actually be my first trip to Asia, and I’m excited (and honestly, a little nervous) to experience the culture, food, and sights of Japan for the first time. But cruising feels like the perfect way to ease into it: unpack once, see multiple cities, and enjoy some built-in downtime between busy port days.
The Itinerary: 10 Days of Springtime Exploration
I’ll be sailing on the 10-Day Hokkaido Spring Flowers Cruise, round trip from Tokyo. The cruise runs from April 19 to April 29, 2026, and here’s the schedule:
Date
Port
Time
Sunday, April 19
Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan
Departs 3:00 PM
Monday, April 20
At Sea
Tuesday, April 21
Nagasaki, Japan
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 22
Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday, April 23
At Sea
Friday, April 24
At Sea
Saturday, April 25
Hakodate, Japan
7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, April 26
Muroran, Japan
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Monday, April 27
Aomori, Japan
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 28
At Sea
Wednesday, April 29
Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan
Arrives 6:30 AM
I’m also planning to fly into Tokyo a few days early to explore the city before the cruise begins. Since this is a round-trip sailing, there’s no stress about booking complicated one-way flights. Just a relaxing start and finish in Tokyo!
Why This Cruise?
When I first started planning, I was looking at multiple Princess itineraries—some of which included Busan, South Korea, a spot I’ve been curious about since helping a family member plan a trip there. But in the end, this itinerary won me over for a few reasons:
A chance to catch late cherry blossoms in the northern ports
Plenty of sea days for rest and recharge (I like a balance between busy ports and relaxing onboard days)
Unique stops like Jeju, South Korea, and lesser-visited Japanese cities
Plus, Princess is known for their Japan cruises. The Diamond Princess is specially designed for this region, and I’m looking forward to checking out Kai Sushi onboard, and the Izumi Japanese Bath—the largest of its kind at sea!
The Ports I'm Most Excited About
I’ll be traveling with my in-laws on this trip, and since I’m the designated trip planner, I’ve already started thinking about what we might do in each port. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on my radar:
Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki is filled with layers of history. From the Shimabara Castle & Samurai Village to the Atomic Bomb Museum, there’s plenty to see here for anyone interested in culture and history. I’m looking forward to diving into both.
Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea
I originally hoped to visit Busan, but I’m actually really excited about Jeju! It’s often compared to Hawaii, with lush landscapes and blooming canola flowers in the spring. I’m especially interested in checking out the Yeomiji Botanical Garden—perfect for a springtime visit.
Hakodate, Japan
I’ve heard amazing things about the Hakodate Morning Market, where vendors serve up some of the freshest seafood you can find. I’ll definitely be sampling sushi here. There’s also a tram ride up Mt. Hakodate for panoramic views of the city and harbor, and I plan to make time for that too.
Muroran, Japan
This stop is all about the scenery. Muroran is surrounded by dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, and some excursions even include a trip to Sapporo. While I’m bummed the botanical garden is closed on Sundays, the Sapporo Beer Museum is open—so I guess I’ll survive 😉
Aomori, Japan
Our final port before returning to Tokyo, and a strong contender for my favorite. Aomori is known for its apple orchards and (fingers crossed) cherry blossoms during our visit. I’m hoping to explore Hirosaki Castle Park and Seibien Garden—both spots look absolutely stunning in the spring.
Rolling the Dice with My Cabin
This time around, I took a bit of a gamble on my stateroom. Normally I like to hand-pick my cabin, but this cruise is popular and selling fast. Since I’m traveling solo and Princess was running a sale on the solo supplement, I booked an interior guarantee cabin. That means I won’t find out my actual cabin number until just before the cruise—but I’m okay with the mystery! I had an interior cabin on my Alaska cruise and loved how cozy it was. Plus, sometimes people get surprise upgrades when final assignments are made, so who knows?
Counting Down
I’m already dreaming about Tokyo ramen, sea day naps, and watching the sunrise from a quiet deck. There’s something magical about mixing cultural exploration with cruise ship comfort, and this trip feels like the perfect way to dip my toes into Asia for the first time.
Have you cruised with Princess in Japan? Or visited any of these ports? I’d love to hear your tips—or must-eat sushi spots—before I go!
