Key points of Asuka II
- It is a passenger ship operated by NYK Cruises (a Nippon Yusen Group company) and is a leading Japanese-flagged cruise ship in Japan.
- With a gross tonnage of 50,444 tons and a passenger capacity of 872, all 436 cabins face the sea and are equipped with bathtubs.
- Onboard, Japanese is the primary language, and tipping is not required. You can enjoy a truly Japanese cruise experience, including a large public bath with an open-air bath on the top deck and the Japanese-style room "Yusen".
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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What kind of ship is the Asuka II?
The Asuka II was completed in 1990 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard as the "Crystal Harmony," and has been operating as the Asuka II of NYK Cruises since 2006. It is a Japanese-flagged ship with Yokohama as its home port.
In 2025, the new "Asuka III" will be launched, and the two ships will operate cruises departing from and returning to Japan.
Watch the Asuka II in a video
Basic data
| Operating company | NYK Cruises (NYK Group) |
|---|---|
| Completed | 1990 (Asuka II from 2006) |
| Gross tonnage | 50,444 tons |
| Overall length/width | 241 meters / 29.6 meters |
| Passenger capacity | 872 people |
| crew | Approximately 490 people |
| Number of rooms | 436 rooms (all rooms have ocean views and bathtubs) |
| Port of registry | Yokohama |
| construction | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki Shipyard |
Highlights on board the ship
- Grand Spa: A large public bath on the top floor. It features an open-air bath with ocean views.
- Japanese-style room "Yusen": A 12-tatami mat Japanese-style room with an alcove. It can be used for tea ceremonies and other events, and guests can relax on the veranda overlooking the sea.
- Restaurants include the main dining room "Four Seasons Dining Room," the buffet "Lido Cafe," and the Japanese restaurant "Umihiko." There is also "The Veil" for suite guests.
- Entertainment: The "Galaxy Lounge" where shows are performed, the "Hollywood Theater" cinema, the "Club 2100" dance hall, a library, a mahjong room, etc.
- Promenade Deck: Approximately 440 meters in circumference. You can take a stroll while enjoying the view of the sea.
Differences from other ships
| item | Asuka II | Foreign ships departing from or arriving in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Ship registry | Japan | Panama, Bahamas, Malta, etc. |
| Onboard language | Japanese | English and other languages (some flights also have Japanese announcements) |
| tip | Unnecessary | Many things are needed |
| sea route | You can only visit domestic ports. | It always calls at overseas ports. |
Under Japanese law, foreign-flagged ships cannot transport passengers directly from one Japanese port to another (cabotage regulations). Therefore, cruises departing from and arriving in Japan on foreign ships always have to stop at overseas ports, but the Japanese-flagged Asuka II can arrange cruises that only visit Japanese ports.
Operations in Japan
We operate cruises departing from and returning to ports such as Yokohama and Kobe, including cruises to ports throughout Japan, cruises to Asia, and round-the-world cruises. A passport is not required for cruises that only visit domestic ports.
Upcoming calls in Japan (next 60 days)
- Thu, Oct 1 TodayHakata PortArr. 08:30 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 3 – Mon, Oct 5 This weekHakata PortArr. 07:30 / Dep. 17:00
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekOsaka PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 10Kobe PortArr. — / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 11Kochi New PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 12Kobe PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. —
- Wed, Oct 14Ibaraki Port (Oarai/Hitachi-Naka)Arr. — / Dep. 17:00
- Thu, Oct 15Shimizu PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 16Toba PortArr. 07:30 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 17Yokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 20Tanegashima Island, Nishinoomote PortArr. 08:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Thu, Oct 22Nagasaki PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Fri, Oct 23仙崎港Arr. 07:30 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 25Akita PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 26Hakodate PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Tue, Oct 27 – Wed, Oct 28Ofunato PortArr. 10:00 / Dep. 09:00
- Thu, Oct 29Yokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 31Tanegashima Island, Nishinoomote PortArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major ports of call in Japan
- Yokohama Port15 calls
- Kobe Port5 calls
- Hakata Port5 calls
- Kanazawa Port5 calls
- Akita Port4 calls
- Toba Port4 calls
- Hakodate Port3 calls
- Otaru Port2 calls
- Niigata Port2 calls
- Tomakomai Port2 calls
- Shimizu Port1 call
- Sakaiminato1 call
- Kochi New Port1 call
- Nagasaki Port1 call
- Tokyo Port1 call
- Osaka Port1 call
- Iwakuni Port1 call
- Aomori Port1 call
- Kushiro Port1 call
- Sakata Port1 call
- Wakkanai Port1 call
- Aburatsu Port1 call
- Himeji Port1 call
- Tokushima Komatsushima Port1 call
- Ibaraki Port (Oarai/Hitachi-Naka)1 call
- Ofunato Port1 call
- Oga Funakawa Port1 call
- Ito Port1 call
- Mikawa Port, Gamagori1 call
This data compiles the number of port calls to Japanese ports based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the port's information page by clicking on the port name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Comparison with other ships isList of cruise ships coming to Japanfart.
FAQ
Q1Is a tip necessary?
It's not necessary.
Q2Is there a large public bath?
Yes, there is. The "Grand Spa" on the top floor has an open-air bath with a view of the sea.
Q3What are the differences from the Asuka III?
Asuka III is a new ship that entered service in 2025, and all of its cabins have balconies. Asuka II is a refurbished ship that was completed in 1990 and has facilities that have been popular for a long time, such as the Japanese-style room "Yusen".
Source/Reference Information
- NYK Cruises "Asuka II" (Official)
- Wikipedia “MS Asuka II” (ship history)
- NYK Travel "Onboard Facilities | Asuka II"
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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