Cruising Japan & exploring Seoul: the Gion Festival & so much more!

Japan and Asia are incredibly popular right now—and for good reason! One of the smartest (and most relaxing) ways to explore the region is on a cruise. You get to experience multiple destinations throughout the country, without juggling train schedules, language barriers, or constantly packing and unpacking. It’s seamless, scenic, and seriously convenient.

I created this itinerary for a client and friend, Joyce, who wanted the full experience: a cruise through Japan, the Gion Festival in Kyoto, and a taste of Seoul before heading home. I built the trip around a perfectly timed Japanese ocean cruise that checks all the boxes—and then some. This is Joyce’s itinerary for next month, and one like it could just as easily be yours. So let’s walk through what your next unforgettable trip could look like:

The perfect Japan cruise itinerary

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Tokyo

Your journey begins with a flight to Japan—passport in hand, excitement in your gut.

Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo

Stay: The Yokohama Bay Hotel TokyoExcursion: Tokyo Night Views Photo Walk

After arriving, your driver takes you to the Yokohama Bay Hotel, recommended by me because it’s perfectly located near the cruise port. That night, head out on a Tokyo Night Views Photo Walk, where you’ll explore the city’s after-dark charm while a professional photographer captures the magic. Neon lights, skyline shots, back alley surprises? Your photo album is off to a great start!

Day 3: Tokyo Tour + Embark the Ship

Excursion: Private 5-hour walking tour of TokyoShip: Celebrity Millennium

Spend the morning discovering Tokyo with a private guide—visiting serene shrines, bustling neighborhoods, and hidden local gems—all prompted by what you are interested in seeing. Then it’s time to board the Celebrity Millennium, your elegant home for the next 12 nights.

Day 4: Mount Fuji (Shimizu)

Wake up near one of Japan’s most iconic sights. Join an excursion to Miho-no-Matsubara for forested coastal views of Mount Fuji, visit a tea plantation, or simply enjoy the sight from the ship’s deck—camera at the ready, of course.

Day 5: Day at Sea

Today: a full day to relax. Lounge by the pool, visit the spa, or sip cocktails while gazing at the horizon. This is your time to settle into cruise life.

Day 6: Kyoto (Maizuru)

Excursion: Kyoto Gold Highlights Tour + Gion Festival evening events

Today is the highlight for many travelers: Kyoto. You'll explore shimmering temples like the Golden Pavilion, walk the same paths as ancient samurai, and dive into the evening magic of the Gion Festival—a vibrant celebration of parades, lanterns, and street food that’s been held for over 1,000 years. This festival is only held once a year, in July, and you’re fortunate enough to experience it!

Day 7: Kobe

You can either return to Kyoto for more festival fun or explore Kobe’s own delights—sake tastings, herb gardens with panoramic views, and yes, melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef.

Day 8: Kochi

In Kochi, you’ll find fewer crowds and lots of charm. Visit Kochi Castle, stroll the waterfront, or check out a local market for fresh seafood and regional specialties.

Day 9: Hiroshima

An emotional but essential stop. Tour the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, stand before the Atomic Bomb Dome, or ferry to Miyajima Island to see the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 10: Day at Sea

Another deep breath day. Nap. Spa. Journal. Take a dip in the pool. Watch the waves. You’ve earned it.

Day 11: Nagasaki

History feels alive in Nagasaki. Visit Glover Garden for sea views and European architecture, or learn about the city’s layered cultural past through temples and cathedrals. Both Nagasaki and Hiroshima were flattened by atomic bombs in World War II; visit the peace monument and feel the history.

Day 12: Jeju, South Korea

This lush, volcanic island is like a Korean Hawaii. Explore lava tubes, chase waterfalls, or take in dramatic coastal cliffs. Or go quirky—Jeju is home to several offbeat museums (including one entirely dedicated to teddy bears).

Day 13: Kagoshima

With the live Sakurajima volcano puffing away in the distance, Kagoshima is dramatic in the best way. Soak in an onsen (hot springs), visit the Sengan-en samurai estate, or stroll the gardens overlooking the bay.

Day 14: Day at Sea

One last day to enjoy shipboard life before heading inland again.

Seoul in 3 days

Day 15: Disembark in Tokyo → Fly to Seoul

Stay: Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae

After disembarking, you’ll hop a short flight to Seoul and settle into the Mercure Ambassador in the lively, artsy neighborhood of Hongdae—known for its cafés, street murals, and energy.

Day 16: Seoul Walking Tour + Night Market Food Crawl

Excursions: Private half-day city tour + evening “After Dark & Street Food” experience

Explore Seoul’s historic heart by day—from palaces to traditional markets—then dive into the electric street food scene after dark. You’ll try crispy Korean pancakes, sizzling skewers, spicy rice cakes, and maybe a few surprises you can’t pronounce (yet).

Day 17: DMZ Excursion

Today you visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone. You’ll stand at an observation post looking into North Korea, walk through the Third Tunnel, and take in the strange beauty of one of the world’s most tense borders. It’s eye-opening, sobering, and absolutely worth your time.

Day 18: Fly Home

Check out, grab one last bite of bulgogi, and board your flight home—full of photos, with a full heart, and plenty of stories to tell.

Sound Like Your Kind of Trip?

This itinerary isn’t just about seeing places. It’s about experiencing them—savoring, exploring, learning, and connecting. And the best part? I take care of every last detail so you can show up and soak it in.

If you’re ready to make this your story instead of just someone else’s, reach out. I’ll help you build the version that’s perfect for you.