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China by Land, Japan by Sea
Itinerary overview
You begin in Shanghai, where garden pavilions, historic streets and the modern skyline sit side b...
Your holiday then continues east to Japan, where Diamond Princess becomes your base for Toba, Osa...
On board, you’ll find restaurants, bars, lounges, entertainment, pools and open deck space, along...
Arrive in Shanghai and transfer to your hotel, with time to unpack, freshen up, and adjust to the...
Start in Shanghai’s Old Town and Yu Garden, where ponds, pavilions, and carved rooftops give you ...
Spend the morning at leisure before flying west to Xi’an, moving from China’s modern coast to one...
Today centres on the Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s most important archaeological sites, wit...
Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the station for the train north-east to Beiji...
Begin in Tian’anmen Square before continuing into the Forbidden City, the vast palace complex tha...
Start at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once came to pray for good harvests, before taking ...
Transfer to the airport for your flight east to Tokyo, linking the escorted China section with th...
Travel to Yokohama, the port city just south of central Tokyo, and board Diamond Princess. Once o...
Toba sits on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, south-west of Tokyo, and is closely linked wi...
Osaka lies in the Kansai region, one of Japan’s most culturally important areas, and the port giv...
Kochi is on Shikoku, one of Japan’s four main islands, and has a strong regional character centre...
Hiroshima is one of the most significant calls on the itinerary, with Peace Memorial Park and the...
Today brings scenic cruising through the Kanmon Straits, the narrow waterway between Honshu and K...
Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and adds a different country to the cruise. Set on the...
Next is Nagasaki, which sits on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, and has on...
Spend the day on board Diamond Princess as the ship continues through Japanese waters. After seve...
Shimizu sits on Japan’s Pacific coast and is best known as a gateway to Mount Fuji. When conditio...
Escorted group tour
You begin in Shanghai, where garden pavilions, historic streets and the modern skyline sit side by side, before travelling inland to Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors and north to Beijing for the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall. The China section is fully escorted, with local guiding, included sightseeing, internal travel, selected meals and well-placed hotels woven through the journey.
Land of the Rising Sun
Your holiday then continues east to Japan, where Diamond Princess becomes your base for Toba, Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, the Kanmon Straits, Busan, Nagasaki and Shimizu. The cruise makes this part of the holiday fantastically straightforward: you unpack once, settle into the same cabin each evening, and arrive somewhere new on most mornings.
Ship details
On board, you’ll find restaurants, bars, lounges, entertainment, pools and open deck space, along with details that feel especially suited to the region, including Japanese dining and Izumi, the ship’s Japanese-style bathhouse, inspired by the ritual of an onsen and designed for some time to slow down between days ashore.
Shanghai
Arrive in Shanghai and transfer to your hotel, with time to unpack, freshen up, and adjust to the time difference before the escorted tour begins. You’ll meet your guide and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, giving you a relaxed first introduction to the group and the days ahead.
Shanghai
Start in Shanghai’s Old Town and Yu Garden, where ponds, pavilions, and carved rooftops give you a sense of the city’s traditional side, then continue to the Former French Concession, an area known for leafy streets, cafés, and early 20th-century villas. Later, head to the Bund, Shanghai’s famous waterfront, before boarding a private Huangpu River cruise with soft drinks, sparkling wine, and seasonal fruit included. It is a great way to understand the city’s layout, with the historic riverfront on one side, the towers of Pudong on the other, and the Huangpu River running between them.
Shanghai to Xi’an
Spend the morning at leisure before flying west to Xi’an, moving from China’s modern coast to one of its great ancient capitals. On arrival, transfer to the Grand Mercure Xi’an on Renmin Square, a well-placed hotel inside the old city walls, with a heritage-style feel, courtyard gardens, and easy access to Xi’an’s historic core. Later, explore the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque before dinner at a local restaurant.
Xi’an
Today centres on the Terracotta Warriors, one of China’s most important archaeological sites, with an early start planned where possible to help you arrive before the busiest part of the day. You’ll see the ranks of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots created to guard China’s first emperor in the afterlife, and there may also be the chance to meet archaeologists connected with the site. Later, visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, take part in a dumpling-making class with dinner, and finish the evening with the Tang Dynasty Show from upgraded seats.
Xi’an to Beijing
Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the station for the train north-east to Beijing, arriving later in the afternoon. Travelling overland gives you a better sense of the distance between two of China’s historic capitals, while keeping the journey comfortable and straightforward. On arrival, transfer to the Park Plaza Wangfujing, a central base close to the Wangfujing area and well placed for Beijing’s major sights, before a Peking duck dinner.
Beijing
Begin in Tian’anmen Square before continuing into the Forbidden City, the vast palace complex that housed Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. Your guide will help provide context for the scale, symbolism, and stories behind the courtyards, halls, and gates. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Summer Palace, where gardens, pavilions, and lake views show the more leisurely side of imperial life, with a boat ride included when conditions allow.
Beijing and the Great Wall
Start at the Temple of Heaven, where emperors once came to pray for good harvests, before taking part in a Tai Chi lesson. After lunch, travel north from Beijing to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a return cable car trip. Mutianyu is known for its restored watchtowers, mountain views, and easier access, making it a great choice for taking in the Wall without making the day feel too heavy. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner, marking the end of the China touring section.
Beijing to Tokyo
Transfer to the airport for your flight east to Tokyo, linking the escorted China section with the Japan cruise. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in before embarkation the following day. This overnight stay keeps the connection to the cruise smooth, with time between the international flight and boarding the Diamond Princess.
Tokyo/Yokohama
Travel to Yokohama, the port city just south of central Tokyo, and board Diamond Princess. Once on board, settle into your cabin and get familiar with the ship, which has dining rooms, casual dining, bars, lounges, a theatre, open decks, and pool areas. The ship becomes your base for the next stage of the journey.
Toba, Japan
Toba sits on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, south-west of Tokyo, and is closely linked with the sea. It is known for its coastal scenery, pearl heritage, and its connection to Ise-jingu Shrine, one of Japan’s most significant Shinto sites. As the first port of call, it gives the cruise a gentler opening and introduces a more coastal, regional side of Japan.
Osaka, Japan
Osaka lies in the Kansai region, one of Japan’s most culturally important areas, and the port gives access to both Osaka itself and nearby Kyoto. Osaka is known for food, commerce, lively neighbourhoods, and its castle, while Kyoto offers temples, gardens, and former imperial streets. The day gives you a choice between a busy modern city and one of Japan’s great historic centres.
Kochi, Japan
Kochi is on Shikoku, one of Japan’s four main islands, and has a strong regional character centred around Kochi Castle. The city is also linked with Sakamoto Ryoma, an important figure in Japan’s move towards the modern era. Markets, local food, and a coastal setting give this stop a different feel from the larger ports on the route.
Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima is one of the most significant calls on the itinerary, with Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome at the centre of the city’s modern history. You could also visit Miyajima Island, known for Itsukushima Shrine and its famous torii gate, which appears to stand in the water at high tide.
Kanmon Straits, Japan
Today brings scenic cruising through the Kanmon Straits, the narrow waterway between Honshu and Kyushu, two of Japan’s main islands. This is a helpful point on the route, as the ship moves from the Hiroshima area towards the western side of Japan. Time on deck gives you the clearest view of the coastline and one of the country’s key maritime passages.
Busan, South Korea
Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and adds a different country to the cruise. Set on the south-east coast of Korea, it is known for markets, temples, modern towers, harbour views, and a fabulous food culture. The change in language, food, and cityscape gives this call a distinct place within the wider East Asia route.
Nagasaki, Japan
Next is Nagasaki, which sits on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands, and has one of the country’s most distinctive histories. For centuries, it was a key point of contact with the outside world, which helped shape its international influences, harbour setting, and hillside cityscape. Today, the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum are central to many visits, while Glover Garden, Dejima, and the harbour views add further context to the city’s trading past.
At Sea
Spend the day on board Diamond Princess as the ship continues through Japanese waters. After several port days, this gives you time to make more of the ship, whether that means a slower breakfast, time on deck, a spa treatment, or an onboard activity.
Shimizu, Japan
Shimizu sits on Japan’s Pacific coast and is best known as a gateway to Mount Fuji. When conditions are clear, the views towards Fuji give this final port a fantastic sense of location, while the surrounding area also offers shrines, coastal scenery, and tea country. It is a fitting final call before the ship returns towards Yokohama.
Tokyo/Yokohama
Arrive back in Yokohama and disembark after breakfast.
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