Ocean Discovery – Hakodate, Niigata & Busan

About this cruise

If you've got 20 nights to work with, this sailing from Tokyo on June 30, 2028 through Hakodate, Niigata and Busan, with additional stops along the Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan is genuinely one of the better ways to spend them. A few ports come in quick succession, which is great for sightseeing but means you'll appreciate the sea days when they arrive. Bullet trains visible from the harbour, cherry blossoms, and thousands of years of history. East Asia is a lot to take in. Don't rush through Kochi, which is known as Japan's castle town on the Shikoku coast. Around 10 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. Diamond Princess keeps you well fed. 12 places to eat, with 7 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. There are enough performances, events, and social mixers on a cruise this length that you couldn't do them all if you tried. And that's a good problem. This one's for people who really want to switch off. No half measures. Block out the calendar. If you can, add a night in Tokyo before boarding. It's a good city to wander. The timing works well too: warm evenings on deck, late sunsets, and a lively atmosphere. All told, 10 ports across 20 nights covers a lot.