🌸 10 Nt Japan in Bloom | Sapphire Princess

Mar 26 - Apr 8, 2028

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Heather Ruggles

Ruggles & Routes Travel Co

Overview

There are trips you take, and then there are trips that change you. Japan in cherry blossom season is the latter. This 10-night voyage aboard Sapphire Princess moves through some of the most beautiful, culturally layered destinations in the world. For a few extraordinary weeks each spring, Japan transforms into something truly magical. Cherry blossoms blanket parks, castles, temple grounds, and city streets in shades of soft pink, creating one of the most celebrated seasons anywhere in the world.

This journey combines the energy of Tokyo, the beauty of Japan's coastal cities, the history of Hiroshima, and even a visit to South Korea, all while enjoying the comfort of Sapphire Princess. With two nights in Tokyo before sailing and ten unforgettable nights exploring Japan's most fascinating ports, this itinerary was designed to balance iconic highlights with places many travelers never experience.

From ancient shrines and castle towns to vibrant food markets and breathtaking spring scenery, every day offers something different. Unpack once, settle in, and experience Japan at one of the most beautiful times of year.

Day 1 · Sun, Mar 26 · ✈️ Travel to Tokyo

Today is yours for traveling. Rest well. Japan awaits.

Airfare is not included in this package, but getting you there is absolutely part of the conversation. You have a few great options. You are welcome to book your own flights independently, I can search and book airfare on your behalf from virtuall...

Day 2 · Mon, Mar 27 · Arrive Tokyo, Japan

Discover Tokyo Before You Sail

Your Japan adventure begins before you ever step aboard Sapphire Princess. After traveling across the Pacific, you'll arrive in Tokyo on Monday with two nights and a full day to immerse yourself in one of the world's most fascinating cities. This ...

Tokyo

4:00PM

Tokyo is one of those cities that somehow manages to be everything at once: ancient and futuristic, chaotic and serene, wildly indulgent and deeply refined. You might find yourself standing in a centuries-old shrine one moment and browsing a seven...

Day 3 · Tue, Mar 28 · Explore Tokyo, Japan

Explore Tokyo

Tokyo is one of those cities that genuinely earns its reputation. It moves fast, it looks incredible, and somehow it never feels chaotic, just alive. A full day here before you set sail gives you the chance to settle in, shake off the jet lag, and...

Day 4 · Wed, Mar 29 · 🚢 Embarkation Tokyo, Japan

About Your Cruise Line - Princess Cruises

Set sail to incredible destinations with service you’ll love, at an unmatched value.

About Your Ship - Sapphire Princess

From sumptuous dining to captivating diversions, discover the many riches of this gem

As you set your sights on the wonders of the world, let Sapphire Princess indulge your every whim.

The Japan Moments You'll Remember

• Watching cherry blossoms drift through a temple garden • Seeing Mount Fuji appear on the horizon • Sailing through the Kanmon Straits • Walking beneath the floating Torii gate at Miyajima • Eating ramen in Tokyo at midnight • Discovering a tiny ...

Cabin Options

Starting at $2,169

Mar 29 – Apr 8 · Check in: 1:00PM

4 room options

Your stateroom aboard Sapphire Princess is your private retreat between ports. Every category is thoughtfully appointed with comfortable bedding, 24-hour room service, and all the essentials you need to rest well and recharge for the next day's ad...

Day 5 · Thu, Mar 30 · Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya

7:00AM – 3:00PM · 8hr

Nagoya sits comfortably in the middle of Japan, geographically and culturally. It tends to fly under the radar in a way that actually works in your favor. Fewer crowds, more breathing room, and a city that is quietly proud of what it has to offer....

Day 6 · Fri, Mar 31 · Osaka, Japan

Osaka

8:00AM – 8:00PM · 12hr

Osaka has a well-earned reputation as Japan's most fun city, and it lives up to it. The locals are famously warm and outgoing. The kind of people who will give you restaurant recommendations before you even finish asking the question. The city run...

Day 7 · Sat, Apr 1 · Kochi, Japan

Kochi

9:00AM – 5:00PM · 8hr

Kochi is the kind of place that reminds you how much of Japan most travelers never get to see. Tucked along the Pacific coast of Shikoku island, it is laid-back, green, and genuinely welcoming with a local pride that is immediately apparent. Kochi...

Day 8 · Sun, Apr 2 · Aburatsu, Japan

Aburatsu

7:00AM – 4:00PM · 9hr

Aburatsu is a small port town in Miyazaki Prefecture, on the sun-drenched southeastern coast of Kyushu. It is a genuinely lovely surprise. The pace here is unhurried, the welcome is warm, and the scenery is the kind that makes you want to stay lon...

Day 9 · Mon, Apr 3 · Yatsushiro, Japan

Yatsushiro

7:00AM – 4:00PM · 9hr

Yatsushiro is a quiet port city on the western coast of Kyushu, sitting along the shores of the Yatsushiro Sea. It does not get a lot of fanfare, but that is part of its appeal. This is everyday Japan, and there is something genuinely refreshing a...

Day 10 · Tue, Apr 4 · Busan, South Korea

Busan

8:00AM – 5:00PM · 9hr

Busan is South Korea's second city, and it competes with no one. It has its own distinct energy and absolutely no interest in being a smaller version of Seoul. It is a port city with real personality: mountains that tumble down toward the sea, col...

Day 11 · Wed, Apr 5 · ⚓️ Day at Sea

Cruising by the Kanmon Straits

2:30PM – 4:30PM · 2hr

Head to an outdoor deck 30 minutes before entering the straits and have your camera ready. This is one of the most scenic sail-through experiences of the entire voyage and often becomes an unexpected highlight for travelers. The Kanmon Straits pas...

Day 12 · Thu, Apr 6 · Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima

7:00AM – 5:00PM · 10hr

Hiroshima is a city that carries its history with quiet dignity and remarkable grace. The events of August 1945 are present and acknowledged. The Peace Memorial Park and the preserved Atomic Bomb Dome are among the most moving sites in all of Japa...

Day 13 · Fri, Apr 7 · ⚓️ Day at Sea

A day to breathe, reflect, and soak in the last stretch of ocean before Tokyo. Use it well.

Sea days are where the ship becomes the destination. Sapphire Princess gives you plenty of ways to fill the time or do absolutely nothing at all, both are equally valid. Settle into a lounge chair by the pool with a good book, treat yourself to a ...

Day 14 · Sat, Apr 8 · Diembarkment - Tokyo, Japan

✈️ Travel Home or Extend Your Japan Adventure

As your cruise comes to an end, your journey doesn't have to. Most travelers wait years to visit Japan. Since you're already here, consider extending your journey by a few days. Many travelers choose to spend a few additional days exploring Japan ...

Ready To Join This Route

This is the part where it gets exciting! To hold your spot, complete the Traveler Information Form below and I'll reach out with everything you need to move forward. Pricing and availability are confirmed once your deposit is received, so the soon...

Why I LOVE This Trip

Japan has been on my list for a long time, and when I found this sailing I knew it was the one. Cherry blossom season is genuinely fleeting. Experiencing it from the comfort of a Princess ship, with a different incredible port every morning, is ex...

Pricing

All pricing is per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted. A deposit is required to lock in your cabin and confirm current rates. Interior: from $2,169 per person (double) Oceanview: from $2,469 per person (double) Balcony: from $...

Important

Pricing is per stateroom, based on double occupancy. Airfare and the Tokyo pre-stay are not included but can absolutely be added. Cherry blossom season varies slightly each year based on weather conditions. This itinerary has been selected during ...

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