About the cruise guide
- This guide compiles helpful information for your cruise trip, from preparing for your first cruise to choosing a ship, pricing, and how to spend your time at ports of call.
- We will be adding more content that will be useful for both those boarding in Japan and cruise passengers from overseas visiting Japanese ports.
For first-time visitors
- First Cruise: The Process from Boarding to DisembarkingFrom boarding procedures and luggage check-in to onboard payments and tipping, preparations the night before disembarking, and customs on disembarking day.
- Cruise packing checklistItems to bring, clothing, things useful in the cabin, bags for ports of call, and items that cannot be brought on board.
Choosing a ship
- List of cruise ships coming to JapanThis article provides a comparison table of 32 cruise ships that depart from or call at Japanese ports. It also explains the differences between Japanese and foreign ships and how to choose the right ship for you.
- Cruise ship arrivals scheduled for this week and next week.A list of cruise ships arriving at Japanese ports, organized by date. Includes arrival and departure times. Useful for sightseeing and photography of cruise ships.
- Cruise ship reviews and introductionsThis section includes basic data for each ship, highlights on board, major ports of call in Japan, and videos.
Rates and reservations
- Estimated cruise fares and best time to visitEstimated price per night, what's included and not included in the price, and tips for traveling cheaply.
Enjoying the ports of call
- A practical guide for port calls (for cruise passengers from overseas).: Landing permission, return time, money, transportation, duty-free, manners, emergency contact information.
- Typhoons and Cruises: A Guide to Port Dodges and Route Changes: Periods and regions prone to typhoons, refunds and compensation in case of port cancellations, and preparations for typhoon season.
- Guide for Crew StaffTo crew members working at Japanese ports: Information on crew disembarkation permits, visas for boarding in Japan, duty-free shopping, and shopping near the terminal.
- Port of Call GuideThis guide provides information on approximately 100 cruise ports in Japan, including access to the city from the docking location, sightseeing spots, and maps of nearby shops.
- Port town cuisineLocal cuisine to enjoy at each port of call.
Last updated: September 30, 2026