Azamara Japan & South Korea Cherry Blossom Season Cruise with Kobe & Tokyo Stays, All Meals Onboard & $1,500 Flight Credit
The ultimate Japan itinerary awaits! From the historic waters of Kobe to the soaring skyscrapers of Tokyo and the legendary gardens of Kanazawa, a trove of wonders are ready to be discovered on this 13-night cruise. Your experience begins with one night of pre-cruise accommodation in Kobe before embarking on an unforgettable odyssey that will take you past the country’s sparkling southernmost shores, South Korea’s sunny Busan, and the length of Japan’s west coast. Departing during cherry blossom season, you’re guaranteed a chance to see some remarkable pink blooms in action. Return south for two nights of post-cruise accommodation in Tokyo’s lively Shinjuku district, an ideal spot to sample the city’s nightlife and entertainment.
Throughout your cruise, make use of the fabulous facilities onboard – specialty restaurants, a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art spa, enrichment programs and classes and Broadway-style entertainment await. You’ll enjoy all-inclusive onboard dining, onboard drinks and five-star Azamara service throughout, plus a $1,500 Luxury Escapes flight credit to help get you to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Your journey takes you to: Kobe, Japan – Kochi – Hiroshima – Kitakyushu – Sasebo – Busan, South Korea – Sakaiminato, Japan – Kanazawa – Niigata – Akita – Aomori – Tokyo.
Need different dates? See our exclusive Azamara Asia sailings here .
Your cruise includes:
- 13 nights cruising onboard Azamara Pursuit
- $1,500 Luxury Escapes credit per person for use toward international flights
- One nights of pre-cruise accommodation in Kobe, with breakfast
- Two nights of post-cruise accommodation in Tokyo, with breakfast
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard in a choice of restaurants
- Select standard spirits, international beers and wines, soft drinks and speciality tea and coffee onboard
- Complimentary onboard entertainment, including full-stage musicals and live bands
- Complimentary AzAmazing Evening℠ event
- Self-service laundry onboard
- Shuttle service to and from port communities, when available
- Concierge services onboard for guidance and reservations
- Onboard gratuities
Dining
- Discoveries Restaurant
- Windows Cafe
- Mosaic Cafe
- The Wine Cellar
- The Patio & Swirl Top
- Discoveries Bar
- Cabaret Lounge
- Sunset Bar
- Pool Bar
Specialty Dining
- Aqualina
- Prime C
Activities
- The Sanctum Spa
- Fitness centre
- Pool
- Sun deck
- Library
- Card room
- Photo Shop
- Indulgences
- The Journey Shop
Surcharges may apply to select facilities and services
Your cruise begins in Kobe and ends in Tokyo.
Your cruise departs from Kobe Cruise Terminal at 8pm on Day 2 and arrives in Tokyo at 8am on Day 15, with one night of pre-cruise accommodation and two nights of post-cruise accommodation included. You will be advised of boarding times ahead of departure; please ensure you arrive in time for boarding.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. Please do NOT book your flights until your cruise is confirmed.
Airport and cruise port transfers are NOT included in your package, please plan accordingly.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visas Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Day 1: Kobe, Japan
Irasshaimase, and Welcome to Japan!
Your journey begins in the city of Kobe. Famous for its exceptional beef, the city is also home to a fascinating historic port, excellent mountain gardens and charming hot springs. Kobe offers the perfect base to explore everything the region of Kansai has to offer, including Osaka’s neon-drenched streets and mouth-watering street eats, Nara’s deer-filled wilderness and Kyoto’s ancient temples and teahouses, all less than an hour away by bullet train.
Make your own way to your pre-cruise accommodation at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. Positioned directly on the waterfront, the hotel offers easy access to the Kobe Cruise Terminal.
After check-in, explore the city at your leisure.
Accommodation: Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel (Moderate Double North View Room) or similar
Day 2: Kobe, Japan (Embark Azamara Pursuit)
Spend the morning exploring Kobe before making your own way to the Azamara Pursuit. The ship will be docking overnight in the city, ensuring you’ve got plenty of time to take in Kobe’s most famous sights – eat your way through Chinatown, wander through Kitano-cho’s historic streets or admire the cascading waters of Nunobiki Falls.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Kobe
With another day at leisure in Kobe, you’ll have the perfect chance to explore Osaka or Kyoto, both less than an hour from the coast by bullet train.
Called ‘the nation’s kitchen,’ bustling Osaka is the undisputed food capital of Japan. Grab a meal in Dotonbori, the city’s legendary dining and nightlife precinct – you can tell what each restaurant specialises in by the giant animatronic above each store – or head to ultra-hip Americamura for a glimpse of the city at its wackiest.
Kyoto – once the country’s Imperial capital – still stands proud as the country’s cultural heart. It’s legendary for its well-preserved temples, traditional teahouses and serene Zen gardens. Highly recommended is a visit to Fushimi Inari, the head shrine of Inari, kami (or god) of foxes, rice, sake and business. Its mountainous trail, passing through thousands of bright-red torii gates, is the kind of extraordinary experience you can only find in Kyoto.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Kochi
Depart the island of Honshu for Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s major islands and arguably its spiritual centre. Your first stop is Kochi, capital of the prefecture of the same name and a city renowned for its friendliness and hospitality to visitors. Visit the castle of Kochi-jo for a look at one of the country’s best-preserved historic castles. For lunch, be sure to try the city’s most famous dish: katsuo no tataki, or lightly grilled and sliced bonito tuna, served with spring onions, ginger, garlic and soy sauce.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Hiroshima
Return to Honshu and stop in at Hiroshima. Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which today serves as a symbol of enduring peace. Built around the now-infamous Atomic Bomb Dome – the only structure left standing when the atomic bomb was dropped – the museum offers an extraordinary, if harrowing, glimpse into the horrors of nuclear warfare.
After working up an appetite, why not head to a local restaurant for one of the city’s signature dishes – okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury pancake made with egg, cabbage, soba noodles, pork or seafood and lashings of delicious umami-rich sauce.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kitakyushu
The island of Kyushu’s northernmost city, Kitakyushu has historically been one of Japan’s most vital industrial and maritime hubs. Echoes of the Meiji era – the period from 1868 to 1912 when Japan modernised at a rapid pace – can be felt everywhere in the city, with red-brick warehouses and European-inspired architecture a common sight. For something a little different, check out the TOTO Museum, dedicated to honouring the humble porcelain toilet and Kitakyushu’s place in plumbing manufacture throughout the 20th century.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Sasebo
Today, visit Sasebo, the second-largest city in Nagasaki prefecture and historically the heart of Japan’s shipbuilding and defense program. Visit the Maritime Self-Defence Force Sasebo Museum to discover more about this location’s WWII history. See historical naval vessels and a unique air raid shelter redesigned as a primary school, or visit Kujukushima Zoo and Botanical Garden Mori Kirari for a relaxed day surrounded by nature.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Busan, South Korea
Ann-yeong, and Welcome to Korea!
Stop today at the beloved coastal city of Busan. One of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations, Busan offers something for everyone, with beaches, temples and a world-class dining scene all on offer. On arrival, begin your day of leisure in the city with a visit to the Gamcheon Culture Village – a colourful slice of the city that’s famous for its vivid street art, charming atmosphere and profound history – or head to Haeundae Beach and soak up some time in the sun.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Sakaiminato, Japan
Return to Japan and enter the picturesque Tottori prefecture, famous for its bird-watching, nature cycling and seawater hot springs. Backed by the sacred vision of Mount Daisen, the city features prominently in the country’s folklore and ghost tales, but don’t let that put you off – with a legendary seafood scene known for its fresh crab and buttery-rich tuna, it’s also a foodie’s wonderland.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa spellbinds visitors with its fascinating museums, top-notch sushi scene and extraordinary imperial garden, Kenrokuen, widely considered one of the best in Japan. With a rich past and easy-going atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this city is beloved by all who visit.
Ship departs at 6pm.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Niigata
Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, Niigata dazzles with its superb sake, picturesque rice fields and rich heritage. Highly recommended is a visit to the city’s Marinepia Nihonkai Aquarium, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the underwater kingdoms beneath the surface of the Sea of Japan.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Akita
Snow-kissed Akita offers the quintessential northern Japan experience, with a serene hot springs and magnificent seafood restaurants backed by tall mountains and the shimmering Sea of Japan. For the perfect cosy day inside, head to The Akita Museum of Art, home to the world’s greatest collection of works by renowned Japanese-French artist Leonard Foujita.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Aomori
Apples, apples, apples – Aomori is renowned for its fruit production, and a stop at Honshu’s northernmost city offers the ideal chance to sip your way across the city’s dazzling range of juices and cider. It’s also known for the annual Aomori Nebuti Matsuri, one of the country’s most renowned summertime festivals. For a closer look at the tradition, head to the Nebuta Warasse museum, dedicated to preserving the city’s traditional charms.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: At Sea
Finally, a full day at sea – the perfect time to really indulge in the facilities onboard Azamara Pursuit. Watch the turquoise waters pass you by as you lounge on deck, work out in the state-of-the-art onboard fitness centre, sip a drink poolside or visit Sanctum Spa (surcharges apply) for a moment of bliss. Alternatively, take your tastebuds on a culinary journey at one of the onboard restaurants and end your day at sea with exciting live entertainment from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
Accommodation: Azamara Pursuit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Tokyo (Disembark)
Your cruise comes to an end today at approximately 8am as your ship docks in Tokyo. On arrival, make your own way to your accommodation, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, located in the heart of bustling Shinjuku, Tokyo’s beloved dining and nightlife hub.
Enjoy a full day in Tokyo to explore one of Asia’s most fascinating metropolises. In between the ultra-modern skyscrapers, you’ll find pockets of history in the form of ancient shrines and tranquil gardens in Asakusa and Ueno, including Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. Closer to the city centre, Tokyo Station stands as a stunning example of Meiji-era architecture, and the Imperial Palace is a short wander away.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Standard Room) or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16: Tokyo
After breakfast, another day in Tokyo awaits.
While you can let the day take you where it will, you might wish to rise early and visit Tsukiji Outer Market, a bustling hub selling fresh seafood and other local delicacies, for the freshest sushi in the world, or head to Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree for unforgettable views of the sprawling city. Scramble among the crowds through Shibuya Crossing, shop your way through Akihabara or Harajuku or spend the day wandering through Yoyogi Park, home to the magnificent Meiji-jingu shrine.
Accommodation: Keio Plaza Hotel (Standard Room) or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17: Tokyo
After one final breakfast, it’s time to say sayonara to Japan. Make your own way to Haneda International Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
IMPORTANT: Purchasing this deal does not complete your booking. A member of the Cruise Team will process your booking and email the cruise line confirmation to your chosen email address. You will then be required to complete your online check-in and print your e-ticket and baggage tags; you will also be able to add drink packages, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments etc.
This Cruise package is valid for the following departure dates:
- April 19 2025 (cruise departs April 20 2025)
Booking Process
- Select which package option you would like, taking care to choose the correct cabin option
- Click on the green ‘Check Availability’ tab
- Using the plus or minus adjust the number of people you would like to book then click the ‘View Available Dates & Prices’ tab
- Click the blue ‘Select’ button then the green ‘Review & Payment’ tab at the bottom right of the screen
- Fill out your preferred payment method and click the green ‘Pay Securely Now’ tab
- Once your order is complete, you will receive your Luxury Escapes automated booking summary email (this is not your cruise confirmation), and you will be prompted to complete your Traveller Details within 48 hours of purchase
- Once your traveller forms are completed they will be sent to the Luxury Escapes Cruise Concierge team, who will then contact you to advise if your cruise is confirmed
- Should you require assistance with your cruise, please contact our Cruise Concierge team at cruises@luxuryescapes.com who will be happy to assist with any of your queries and who will support you right up until you return from your journey
IMPORTANT: The Twin-Room Package is valid for ONE PERSON (based on twin room). You must purchase TWO PACKAGES.
Solo Traveller Surcharge: Solo travellers must pay a surcharge and packages are subject to availability. Please contact Luxury Escapes to enquire.
Please note that packages cannot be split.
AMENDMENTS & CHANGES
Name Change or Corrections
- Name corrections may incur a fee.
- Name changes are not permitted.
48-Hour Change of Mind ‘No Questions Asked’ Refund Guarantee:
- All cruise bookings have a 48-hour ‘Change of Mind Guarantee’ where any monies paid (less unrecoverable costs) within 48 hours of the initial purchase date will be refunded – no questions asked.
- Bookings outside the 48-hour ‘Change of Mind’ window will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
Cabin Sizes and Bedding Configuration
This cruise includes the following cabin types:
- Interior Stateroom: 14sqm, with a queen bed, convertible to twin single beds.
- Oceanview Stateroom: 13sqm, with a queen bed, convertible to twin single beds, and a porthole window.
- Veranda Stateroom: 20sqm, with a queen bed, convertible to twin single beds, and a private veranda.
Pre-/Post-Cruise Accommodation:
- Kobe — Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel (Moderate North View Room) or similar
- Tokyo, Japan — Keio Plaza Hotel (Standard Room) or similar
IMPORTANT:
- Cabins are on a ‘guarantee’ basis and will be allocated by the cruise line closer to sailing. Specific cabin, deck and location requests cannot be accommodated.
- Some cabins may have obstructed views and/or porthole window.
- Maximum room capacity is one adult for solo travellers, two adults for twin-share cabins/suites/staterooms or four people for quad-share cabins.
- Wheelchair accessible cabins are not available. They are on application only prior to purchase. Surcharges may apply.
- Please contact the Luxury Escapes sales team on sales@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Inclusions
- 13 nights cruising onboard Azamara Pursuit
- $1,500 Luxury Escapes credit per person for use toward international flights
- One nights of pre-cruise accommodation in Kobe, with breakfast
- Two nights of post-cruise accommodation in Tokyo, with breakfast
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard in a choice of restaurants
- Select standard spirits, international beers and wines, soft drinks and speciality tea and coffee onboard
- Complimentary onboard entertainment, including full-stage musicals and live bands
- Complimentary AzAmazing Evening℠ event
- Self-service laundry onboard
- Shuttle service to and from port communities, when available
- Concierge services onboard for guidance and reservations
- Onboard gratuities
Exclusions
- Visas
- International flights
- Single supplement
- Meals/drinks not stated in the itinerary/inclusions
- Speciality dining
- Shore excursions
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Dining inclusions do not include drinks (unless otherwise stated). Menus are subject to change without notice
- Airport and cruise port transfers
- City taxes or resort fees may apply and are payable directly to the hotel on arrival
Onboard Dining
- Dining times onboard can vary between sailings. We ask for your preference, however, your preferred dining time may not be available. We suggest that you speak with the maître d’ once onboard.
- Included dining is available at the following restaurants: Discoveries Restaurant, Windows Café, Mosaic Café, The Patio and Swirl & Top.
- Surcharge applies to speciality dining at Aqualina and Prime C.
Age Restrictions
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied, in the same or connecting cabin/suite/stateroom, by a parent or other responsible adult over the age of 21 for the duration of the voyage.
- Infants under 12 months cannot be accommodated onboard. Please note, that there are no children’s facilities on board.
- Guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or later at any time during the cruise cannot be accommodated due to safety concerns. Pregnant guests under 24 weeks must provide a doctor’s letter upon request confirming fitness to travel and estimated due date.
Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Luxury Escapes recommends purchasing travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.
Itinerary
- In the event of strikes, lockouts, riots, weather conditions or mechanical difficulties, or for any other reason, any scheduled sailing or port of call may be subject to change.
- Some itineraries may include tender ports.
Passenger Restrictions
- Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied, in the same or connecting cabin, by a parent or other responsible adult over the age of 21 for the duration of the voyage.
- Infants under 6 months cannot be accommodated onboard.
- Guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or later at any time during the cruise cannot be accommodated due to safety concerns. Pregnant guests under 24 weeks must provide a doctor’s letter upon request confirming fitness to travel and estimated due date.
Passports & Visas
- A visa may be required. It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they’re holding a current visa for the countries they’re visiting. If the traveller is on a non-Australian passport, a valid re-entry visa may be required.
- Important: Please start arranging your visa at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and processing time.
- A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers (including children and infants).
Health & Vaccinations
- Travellers are advised to check recommended vaccinations with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccinations require 30 days or more to be effective.
- Proof of vaccination is not usually required unless you are coming from an infected area.
- Proof of Yellow Fever vaccinations is required for entry into some countries, in particular in Africa. Please check with your health professional that you hold the appropriate vaccination entry requirements for your destination.
- Guests may be required to provide evidence of proof of vaccination against COVID-19 from our ground operator prior to embarkation. Please contact the Luxury Escapes Cruises Concierge team on cruises@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
Important: The hotel, transportation and/or destination you are travelling to may have health, insurance and vaccination requirements in place. Please ensure you stay up to date with any requirements prior to your departure.
Currency Onboard and Tipping
- The currency onboard is US$
- Tipping and gratuities to stateroom attendants, dining and bar staff are included in the cruise fare. Service charges to non-dining and bar/wait staff or onshore are not included and will be at your discretion, should you wish to tip these crew members. As a guide, approx. US$10 – US$15 per person, per day, is the industry standard.
Fitness Requirements
- Travellers should have a good level of physical fitness and mobility and must be able to negotiate uneven surfaces and climb stairs.
- Disability access is limited during the cruise, please consider this when making your booking.
- Travellers acknowledge that they are required to have a good level of health and fitness to undertake any activities in this package. Further, travellers acknowledge and agree that neither Luxury Escapes nor the third-party provider will be able to provide medical or other assistance in the event that they are unable to complete any aspect of the tour as a result of their health or physical condition (nor is Luxury Escapes liable for any loss, damage, expense, injury or death arising from such).
Surcharges
Any prices quoted exclude specific costs/measures which may be introduced at a later stage as a result of Government changes due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions. Our trusted third-party suppliers will inform guests of these changes as soon as possible.
COVID-19 Safe Plan:
- Azamara Cruises is committed to providing guests with peace of mind while you cruise, which is why they have elected a healthy sail panel to ensure the wellbeing of guests and crew, as well as the communities the ship will visit.
- For more information on their onboard health protocols, see the website here.
Deposits
The deposit amount is 25% and the final payment date is due 130 days prior to embarkation. Please note: other deposit options may be available on your package which differ from the above and which will be outlined in the ‘fine print’ and payment section of the specific package.
PLEASE NOTE: Luxury Escapes reserves the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to website’s terms and conditions.
Cruise itineraries are not guaranteed and are subject to change. While the cruise line will make all reasonable efforts to provide a cruise in accordance with the published schedules and itineraries, factors such as weather, mechanical difficulties or other unforeseen circumstances may affect scheduled itineraries.
Package inclusions are correct at the time of purchase. Refer to your booking summary email for details.
Please note this cruise is operated by (enter cruise line), one of our trusted partners. You will be contacted post-purchase with further details.