cruise
The Diamond Princess cruise Above : A morning mist engulfs
Mount Fuji , Japan
Shimizu ( Mount Fuji )
Shimizu is the gateway port to Mount Fuji , the most-climbed mountain in the world . No need to break a sweat to catch a great view , though — Shimizu Port has some of the best in town . Rising 12,388 feet above sea level , Japan ’ s tallest mountain is also an active volcano with a perfect volcanic cone , and a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Inspired by the beauty of Mount Fuji , head into town to the Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum for an in-depth look at Edo-period woodblock printing and painting ( made famous by artist Housaki ’ s works The Great Wave off Kanagawa and Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji ). If shrine fatigue has yet to set in , catch a ride on the ropeway or climb a zigzag of 1,000 stone steps up to the ornate complex of Japan ’ s oldest Tosho-gu Shinto shrine , the Kunozan Tosho-gu , built in 1618 as a mausoleum for Japan ’ s first Tokugawa shogun , Tokugawa Ieyasu .
For foodies looking to explore beyond their plate , Princess Cruises offers a unique tour visiting local trout and wasabi farms . This immerses visitors in rural farm life and is a must for travelers interested in first-hand cultural experiences and a homecooked community meal .
ESSENTIALS
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When to go : Japan ’ s cruise season runs from March through November , although outlier sailings may stop in Japan during other months . March and April kick off peak season , with many visitors hoping to experience Japan ’ s famed — and fleeting — cherry blossom season . Spring temperatures run slightly cool , between 40F and 65F , but by June it ’ s hot . Peak summer promises longer days , but humid highs in the low 90Fs can make day tours uncomfortable . Stunning fall foliage often reaches Tokyo and Kyoto in mid-October . Currency : Japanese yen , Korean won Language : Japanese and Korean , with basic English understood occasionally . Getting around : Japanese cities have highly efficient
metro and / or rail systems , and walking is easy and safe . Taxis can be hailed on the street , and Uber is now available in several cities .
BOOK IT NOW
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Board the award-winning Diamond Princess and experience a traditional Japanese bath , or onsen , the largest outdoor hot tub of its kind at sea . Take advantage of suite-only benefits in a Vista Suite , where you ’ ll enjoy enhanced amenities , ranging from priority embarkation and exit to a complimentary mini bar . Departs Tokyo , Japan , on May 6 , 2025 .
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To book your Japan cruise , contact our travel agency . images : awl images ; princess cruises . Illustration : Lis Watkins
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