Japan remains one of the world's most sought-after tourist destinations and has long held a prominent place on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With the start of this year's Japanese season aboard the HANSEATIC Inspiration, the cruise line is once again focusing on routes connecting Japan's four main islands, from intensive expedition and nature experiences to new culinary and cultural excursions between Japan and Alaska.
The combination of ancient culture, modern cities, breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and exceptional cuisine continues to make Japan one of Asia's most captivating cruise destinations. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has made Japan a cornerstone of its itinerary, offering guests an immersive experience of the country's diverse facets on both its expedition and luxury ships, from sprawling metropolises to remote coastal regions and charming traditional ports.
The expedition fleet's itineraries around Japan have become one of the program's highlights in recent years. The routes, continuously optimized and venturing off the beaten path, combined with the crews' experience and the onboard experts' knowledge, allow for an in-depth exploration of the country's culture, history, and nature, whether through hikes across volcanic landscapes or visits to small fishing ports.
Guests particularly benefit from the advantages offered by these small and agile expedition ships, capable of accessing both famous cities and cultural centers as well as lesser-known locations and remote regions.
In addition, the expedition ships, with a maximum capacity of 230 passengers, feature sturdy Zodiac boats that allow disembarkation in places without port infrastructure, further enhancing the exploration experience.
With the start of the season, passengers on the HANSEATIC inspiration will be able to enjoy a particularly unique itinerary: a cruise that connects the four major islands of Japan —Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku— in a single trip.
This route offers an exceptionally comprehensive view of Japan's cultural and scenic diversity, from the urban centers of Honshu to the volcanic landscapes of Kyushu. Between vibrant cities, traditional temples, and virtually untouched coastlines, travelers can experience all facets of Japan both from the ship's spacious decks and through numerous guided excursions.
The itinerary between Otaru and Seward also offers a unique combination of expedition destinations between Asia and Alaska, traversing Hokkaido, the Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. This route along the Pacific Ring of Fire combines nature experiences in the habitat of cranes, whales, bears, and sea eagles with an immersion into the lives of local communities.
Among the highlights of the excursion program is an exclusive trolling fishing experience, a traditional Alaskan fishing method. In small groups, travelers will sail through waters renowned for their abundant fishing, observe whales, sea otters, and seabirds, and, with a bit of luck, try to catch a Chinook salmon. The fresh catch will then be prepared on board, offering an authentic "sea-to-table" experience amidst the Alaskan landscape.
Over the next few years, Japan will continue to be one of the main attractions in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' program.
In 2027 and 2028, the HANSEATIC spirit will sail between Japan, South Korea, and the Pacific Islands on a total of five itineraries. Meanwhile, the luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 will complete the offering with two additional cruises each, focusing on the contrasts between futuristic cities, traditional culture, and spectacular natural landscapes.
EUROPA 2 also focuses on offering exclusive destination experiences. The itinerary between Tokyo and Hong Kong will include a carefully curated cultural and artistic program within the art2sea format.
Thanks to collaborations with collectors, creatives, and cultural figures, guests can discover the art and cultural scene of Japan and China from a unique perspective. Private conversations both onboard and ashore will offer fresh insights into contemporary art, society, and cruise culture.
The itinerary will also include exclusive visits to prominent cultural spaces such as the Kirishima Open Air Museum, the 798 Art Zone art district in Beijing, and other selected museums, studios, and private collections.
- Discover the lesser-known sides of Japan and South Korea aboard the HANSEATIC spirit: a blend of Korean cultural diversity and Japan's relatively unexplored west coast. Travelers will experience firsthand the contrast between tradition and technological modernity. The cruise will sail from Incheon (Seoul) to Tomakomai from June 13 to 26, 2027 (13 days), with PLATINUM fares starting from €12,710 per person based on double occupancy, including travel package.
- On board the EUROPA 2, guests will be able to explore Japanese culture and the great Chinese metropolises on an art2sea voyage between Tokyo and Hong Kong, from May 15 to June 2, 2027 (18 days), with fares starting from 14,030 euros per person in double occupancy.
- Finally, in 2028 the EUROPA will offer an itinerary between Yokohama and Ho Chi Minh City from March 20 to April 8 (19 days), exploring everything from centuries-old temples and Zen gardens to vibrant shopping streets and futuristic cities of Southeast Asia.
