2024 departure: Japan's lush natural splendours will be on full
display as you cruise Toyama. Freshwater springs feed this
spectacular bay, a bay so scenic, it belongs to the UNESCO-endorsed
Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.
Visitors from around the globe come to this region to see the
ancient villages, thatched-roof farmhouses, and incredible snow
corridor. Even if you don't make it out to the countryside on a
Toyama cruise, there's plenty to see and do in this coastal city.
Visit the Toyama Castle, an impressive reconstruction of the 1543
original. Take the railway up to Mount Tateyama, the highest
mountain in the range, or cruise through a cherry blossom tunnel on
the Matsukawa River.
Whatever activity you do, take time to savour the region's
renowned seafood.
2025 departure: Located along the rugged coast of the Sea of
Japan, Niigata is loved for its natural beauty and high-quality
sake. The port acts as a gateway to serene Sado Island, once a
place to send political exiles. The island is now a vacation
destination and home of the last wild Japanese Crested Ibis (Toki),
a large, delicate bird with rosy plumage. Toki Forest Park offers a
chance to learn more about conservation efforts and to view the
birds.
If you don't want to make the trip to Sado, there's plenty to do
near the Niigata cruise port. Art and history enthusiasts can look
at paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and more at the Northern
Culture Museum. Or step back in time at the Minatopia Niigata City
History Museum, a cluster of late 19th-century Western-style
buildings along the serene Shinano riverbank. Pristine landscapes
surround Niigata. Unwind in open-air thermal hot springs and
refresh with a stroll through a forest, known as shinrinyoku or
forest bathing. See the breathtaking rice fields of the Tokamachi
area, especially resplendent after rainfall. Or head to the Kiyotsu
Gorge, a canyon with a tunnel that winds along the river.