With Japan reopening to tourists for the first time since 2020, Azamara is pleased to offer new travel experiences that allow guests to delve deeper into this trendy destination, including new pre- and post-trip shore excursions, as well as new shore excursions in the inaugural port, Niigata.
Travelers are invited aboard Azamara's Intensive Japan Voyages, including the 15-night consecutive Japan Voyage aboard the Azamara Quest in March, to discover the hidden secrets of Japan's local culture and history through new experiences such as wine tastings at a local miso and soy sauce factory in Akita, kayaking through mangroves in Ishigaki, exploring Seiben Garden in Aomori, and much more. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the cruise line's inaugural new home port of Niigata, known for its picturesque mountains and expansive rice paddies, as it sits on the Sea of Japan.
Azamara will also offer a special three-night land trip before or after the cruise to Historic Tokyo and Hakone Hot Springs, where guests can immerse themselves in Tokyo's traditions while traveling back in time to the samurai era of Edo. Famous for its hot springs, natural beauty, and views of Lake Ashinoko and nearby Mount Fuji, guests can enjoy an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan in Hakone to rejuvenate body and soul with an authentic onsen (hot spring) bath, learn the dynamics of samurai aesthetics through batto (sword handling) and tea ceremony, and experience local ritual traditions such as taiko drumming lessons at a nearby drum shop in Asakusa.
