Key points of Asuka III
- This passenger ship, operated by NYK Cruises (part of the Nippon Yusen Group), entered service on July 20, 2025. It is attracting attention as a newly built ship by a Japanese passenger shipping company.
- With a gross tonnage of 52,265 tons and a passenger capacity of 680, all cabins have balconies.
- This ship is designed to appeal to Japanese tastes, featuring a large public bath with an open-air bath overlooking the sea, and six restaurants, including the Japanese restaurant "Umihiko."
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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What kind of ship is the Asuka III?
Asuka III is a new passenger ship operated by NYK Cruises, the same company that operates the Japanese passenger ship Asuka II. It is a Japanese-flagged ship with Yokohama as its home port, and together with Asuka II, it operates cruises departing from and returning to Japan.
Onboard announcements and meals are primarily in Japanese, making it a comfortable experience even for first-time cruisers. All 351 cabins have ocean-view balconies, and there are also "solo balcony" cabins for solo travelers.
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Basic data
| Operating company | NYK Cruises (NYK Group) |
|---|---|
| Launch | July 20, 2025 |
| Gross tonnage | 52,265 tons |
| Overall length/width | 230 meters / 29.8 meters |
| Passenger capacity | 680 people |
| crew | Approximately 490 people |
| Number of rooms | 351 rooms (all with balconies) |
| Port of registry | Yokohama |
Operations in Japan
The ship primarily operates Japan-wide cruises departing from and returning to Yokohama, as well as shorter cruises visiting ports throughout Japan. Along with the Asuka II, it is a ship that can be frequently seen in ports throughout Japan.
In addition to the Western-style main dining room "Four Seasons Dining Room" and the buffet "EMS Garden," there are also reservation-only Japanese restaurants "Umihiko," French restaurant "Noblesse," Italian restaurant "Al Mare," and grill restaurant "Papenburg."
Upcoming calls in Japan (next 60 days)
- Thu, Oct 1 TodayKobe PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 3 This weekShimizu PortArr. 08:00 / Dep. 22:00
- Sun, Oct 4 This weekYokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 6 This weekTanegashima Island, Nishinoomote PortArr. 07:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekNagasaki PortArr. 08:00 / Dep. 21:00
- Thu, Oct 8Kagoshima PortArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 10Yokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 11Toba PortArr. 07:30 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 13Yokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Thu, Oct 15Hososhima PortArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 16 – Sat, Oct 17Matsuyama PortArr. 08:10 / Dep. 06:50
- Mon, Oct 19 – Tue, Oct 20Yokohama PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Wed, Oct 21Ibaraki Port (Oarai/Hitachi-Naka)Arr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 23Kobe PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sat, Oct 24Hososhima PortArr. 10:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Mon, Oct 26Kobe PortArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 27 – Wed, Oct 28Hiroshima PortArr. 18:00 / Dep. 15:00
- Thu, Oct 29Hakata PortArr. 08:30 / 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 Port14 calls
- Kobe Port9 calls
- Hakata Port5 calls
- Shimizu Port3 calls
- Kochi New Port3 calls
- Hakodate Port3 calls
- Hiroshima Port2 calls
- Otaru Port2 calls
- Muroran Port2 calls
- Hososhima Port2 calls
- Toba Port2 calls
- Ogasawara Islands, Futami Port2 calls
- Nagasaki Port1 call
- Kagoshima Port1 call
- Matsuyama Port1 call
- Beppu Port1 call
- Shodoshima Island, Sakate Port1 call
- Kushiro Port1 call
- Wakkanai Port1 call
- Kitakyushu Port/Moji1 call
- Yokkaichi Port1 call
- Wakayama Shimotsu Port1 call
- Ibaraki Port (Oarai/Hitachi-Naka)1 call
- Ofunato Port1 call
- Abashiri Port1 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
Q1What are the differences between Asuka III and Asuka II?
Asuka III is a new ship that entered service in 2025, and all cabins have balconies. It is larger than Asuka II (gross tonnage 52,265 tons) and has more restaurants. Both are Japanese ships operated by NYK Cruises, and Japanese is the primary language on board.
Q2Does the Asuka III have a large public bath?
Yes, there is. The "Grand Spa" has an open-air bath with a view of the sea.
Source/Reference Information
- NYK Cruises "Asuka III" (Official)
- NYK Cruises: "Notice Regarding Changes to the Asuka III Ship Overview and Number of Solo Balcony Cabins"
- TRAICY: "Luxury cruise ship 'Asuka III' to begin service on July 20th"
Photos are currently being prepared. Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues through reviews or inquiries.
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