Grand Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals

A city where you’ll find centuries-old culture jostling for position next to cutting-edge technology – a fabulous blend of history and modernity that has to be seen to be believed.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

From the 12th century to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kagoshima was the chief stronghold of the mighty Shimazu clan. The city lies at the top of the Satsuma Peninsula, a mountainous, geothermal wonderland of hot springs and geysers. The area is also rich in modern Japanese history: Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma samurai were leaders of the Meiji Restoration that toppled the shogun and restored the Emperor to power in 1868. In 1877, dissatisfied with the direction of the new government, Saigo led the Satsuma Rebellion, which ended in his death and the final defeat of the samurai. The symbol of Kagoshima is Sakura Jima - the volcanic island that sits just offshore. The volcano has erupted over 30 times in recorded history.

The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures. Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

There is a celebratory air in Akita, where year round festivals and street parades are colorfully integrated into daily life. A key city in the Tohoku region since medieval times, Akita was once a castle town of the Satake clan, but today is a vibrant, prosperous city that seamlessly honors its past but embraces its young energetic spirit. Noted for its burgeoning art community, there are several fine museums to explore including The Hirano Masakichi Art Musuem housing a collection of work by Western and Japanese artists, the Akita City Folklore Museum and the Kakunodate Samurai District, a living museum that showcases the samurai way of life. In the neighboring Oga Peninsula, the region's most famous icon, the terrifying Namahage, has it's won cultural center and festival ritual performed in his name. Surrounding the city, fertile farmland and rice fields produce some of the best sake in the country and nature lovers won't know which way to turn – to the west is the picturesque Sea of Japan and to the north, south and east, majestic mountain ranges including the UNESCO World Heritage sight of Shirakami-Sanchi proudly stand. A trip to the revolving observation center Mt. Kanpuzan Observatory solves the dilemma.

The capital of the Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan, Aomori derives much of its beauty from the apple orchards and cherry blossoms that encompass its landscape and the snow-covered Hakkoda Mountains that look on from a distance. Throughout its history, the city has been stricken with misfortune time and time again - in 1910, a fire destroyed Aomori, and during World War II, the city was left in ruins following an air raid - yet it always prevails. Aomori is cherished by many who believe a local legend that the grave of Jesus Christ lies within the southern part of Aomori prefecture. However, Aomori is perhaps best known for its renowned Nebuta Festival, an elaborate yearly event in which participants illuminate giant paper representations of samurai warriors, animals, and popular cartoon characters while parading them through the streets.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

Hitachinaka is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2020, the city had an estimated population of 154,663 in 64,900 households and a population density of 1547 persons per km². The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 26.1%. The total area of the city is 99.96 square kilometres.

A city where you’ll find centuries-old culture jostling for position next to cutting-edge technology – a fabulous blend of history and modernity that has to be seen to be believed.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

The capital of the Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan, Aomori derives much of its beauty from the apple orchards and cherry blossoms that encompass its landscape and the snow-covered Hakkoda Mountains that look on from a distance. Throughout its history, the city has been stricken with misfortune time and time again - in 1910, a fire destroyed Aomori, and during World War II, the city was left in ruins following an air raid - yet it always prevails. Aomori is cherished by many who believe a local legend that the grave of Jesus Christ lies within the southern part of Aomori prefecture. However, Aomori is perhaps best known for its renowned Nebuta Festival, an elaborate yearly event in which participants illuminate giant paper representations of samurai warriors, animals, and popular cartoon characters while parading them through the streets.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

Wedged between sea, sky and mountains, this small fishing port has been esteemed for centuries for its superb seafood. Here, the Sea of Japan yields up both crab and hon-maguro, the prized Bluefin tuna esteemed by gourmets around the world. Sakaiminato is also your gateway to a very ancient region of Honshu. West of the city lies Izumo-taisha, one of the oldest and holiest shrines in Shinto. This area is dotted with burial mounds from Japan's Bronze Age. The town of Matsue boasts the celebrated "Black Castle," a six-story, black-walled castle that home to a clan of the mighty Tokugawa dynasty that ruled Japan for over 250 years. And to the east rises the great snow-capped summit of Mt. Daisen, considered one of the four most scenic mountains in all Japan.

The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures. Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchi's reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son - a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma - played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration. Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan - and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.

Born as a 16th century castle town whose remains now lay scattered near a park and museum, Tokushima is best known for its colorful summer dance festival, the Awa Odori. But it may be Mother Nature who garners the most attention. Surrounded by 3,280-foot-tall mountains that hint at the wonders that lie beyond, the city is the perfect gateway to the mesmerizing Naruto whirlpools, the panoramic views from atop Mt. Bizan, and the spectacular gorges and vine bridges of Iya Valley. Whether you're entranced with the ways of the warrior, or under the spell of the extraordinary attractions, Tokushima offers exciting new experiences and unforgettable new adventures.

A day at sea aboard the Diamond Princess offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Begin your morning with a rejuvenating treatment at the Lotus Spa® or an invigorating workout at the Fitness Center, while young travellers dive into the excitement of Camp Discovery. Spend your afternoon lounging by one of the inviting pools, soaking in a tranquil hot tub, or enjoying a delectable lunch at one of the ship’s outstanding dining venues. As the day transitions to evening, embrace the magic of Movies Under the Stars®, followed by an elegant dinner at Sabatini’s or Kai Sushi, where every bite is a delight. Cap off your evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea, a dazzling performance at the Princess Theater, or an exhilarating night at Skywalkers Nightclub. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the Grand Casino. Each moment aboard the Diamond Princess is an invitation to create unforgettable memories at sea.

A city where you’ll find centuries-old culture jostling for position next to cutting-edge technology – a fabulous blend of history and modernity that has to be seen to be believed.