Yamaguchi
Iwakuni Port (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
From Shinminato South Wharf, it's about a 10-minute ride to JR Iwakuni Station. Then, head to Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Japan's three most famous bridges.
Okinawa
Ishigaki Port (Okinawa Prefecture)
From the cruise pier in the Shinminato area, take a shuttle bus to the city center and the outlying island terminal. You can then take a boat to Taketomi Island and other destinations.
Saga
Imari Port (Saga Prefecture)
We docked at Imari Port. We visited Okawachi-yama, the village of the Nabeshima clan's kilns, and saw Imari beef.
Ibaraki
Ibaraki Port (Oarai/Hitachi-Naka) (Ibaraki Prefecture)
The ship docks at either Oarai Port or Hitachinaka Port. Visit Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, and enjoy a bowl of raw whitebait rice.
Miyazaki
Hososhima Port (Miyazaki Prefecture)
It's about a 10-minute drive from Hososhima Port to Hyuga City Station. Experience the curvature of the Earth at Cape Hyuga and enjoy Hososhima rock oysters.
Ehime
Imabari Port (Ehime Prefecture)
The gateway to the Shimanami Kaido on the Shikoku side. A town famous for its sea castle, Imabari Castle, Imabari towels, and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
Hyogo
Himeji Port (Hyogo Prefecture)
From Shikama Wharf, it's about a 25-minute bus ride to JR Himeji Station. Then, head to Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site.
Okinawa
Miyako Island, Hirara Port (Okinawa Prefecture)
We docked at the cruise pier in Hirara Port, Miyako Island. We then headed to the emerald green Yonaha Maehama Beach.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima Port (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Visit two World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima/Itsukushima Shrine. Passenger ships dock at Ujina Foreign Trade Wharf, while larger ships dock at Itsukaichi Wharf.