Cruising the East: A Japan & South Korea Adventure

Trip overview

Bustling Streets of Tokyo

In May 2025, we set off on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through Japan and South Korea. We began in Tokyo, where we stayed in the heart of Shibuya at the Shibuya Stream hotel and jumped right into the city’s energy. Shibuya is one of the best areas to stay in Tokyo because it perfectly captures the city’s vibrant energy, youthful spirit, and unbeatable convenience. We explored immersive art at TeamLab Planets, took in panoramic views from Shibuya Sky, and of course, my favorite 7/11. Trust me on this one. We hopped around to other areas of Tokyo like Ginza, Ueno, and Shinjuku, where we experienced the nightlife of Golden Gai and hidden local bars. Some highlights included go-karting through the streets in costume, a wild food tour that pushed our comfort zones, and a ramen and gyoza-making class. Getting around was seamless thanks to Japan’s efficient public transportation—we navigated it with ease to get just about everywhere.

Tokyo street food tour

Go carting through the streets of Shibuya

After five days in Tokyo, we boarded our Celebrity Cruise and sailed to multiple ports across Japan. We visited Hakodate, Aomori, Kochi, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Mt. Fuji, each offering something unique—fish markets, mountaintop views, ancient temples, bustling shopping streets, and peaceful shrines.

Celebrity Millennium in Aomori, Japan

Ebisubashi Bridge, Osaka, Japan

In South Korea, we spent the day in Busan, exploring a cliffside temple, enjoying authentic Korean BBQ, and walking through a vibrant hillside market. One of the most unforgettable moments was seeing Mount Fuji at sunset from our balcony and again during a scenic tram ride to a breathtaking overlook.

View of Mt. Fuji from our ship

Life on board was just as exciting. We made fast friends, danced at silent discos, competed in trivia, enjoyed live shows, and sipped cocktails at the martini bar. We celebrated our anniversary with rose petals and towel swans in our cabin and found little moments of joy throughout each day—from spontaneous karaoke to laughing over late-night pizza. The blend of culture-rich excursions by day and relaxing fun by night made the entire trip feel perfectly balanced.

This trip was the perfect combination of adventure and ease, giving us a deeper appreciation for both Japan’s and South Korea’s beauty, cuisine, and kindness. For clients looking for a culturally immersive journey without the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking, a cruise like this is a dream way to explore Asia.

Castle in Kochi, Japan

• Book private transport for arrival and departure transfers

• Use an Airalo eSIM for easy and affordable mobile data

• Download Google Translate and Google Maps offline

• Use the Mobile Suica card for public transportation

• Save key locations in your Google Maps favorites

• Carry a passport card if eligible for quick ID

• Use a currency converter calculator app for local shopping

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Japan and South Korea pages.