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Tokyo

One of the places included in this itinerary.

Akita, Japan

Say the word Akita and you would be forgiven for thinking immediately of the lovable dog of the same name. But in fact, visitors to Akita will be treated not to a friendly furry face, rather to a beautiful city located on the northern tip of the island, around 500 km north of Tokyo. Lucky visitors will arrive in time for the superb sakura (cherry blossom), and surely there can be no sight more lovely than the elegant dip of the cherry trees alongside ancient Samurai residences. Akita is also home to a 2km tunnel of blossoming trees that run along the banks of the Hinokinai River, which is said to “bring a grown man to his knees and weep at its beauty”. If to you, Japan is synonymous with peace and serenity, then a trip to one of the onsens is a superb bucket list experience. Buses and taxis are easily available in the centre of town that will take you to Mizusawa, Oyu and Oyasukyo hot springs, some of the loveliest onsens in the country. Some of the superb sights in Akita are: Senshu Park, on the former site of Kubota Castle, the elegant red-brick folk Museum (housing works by block printer Katsuhira Tokushi (1907-1971) and metalwork by Sekiya Shiro (1907-1994) and the Old Kaneko Family Home. The Akita Museum of Art opened in 2012 and is home to the largest canvas painting in the world, Events of Atika, by Foujita (1886-1968). The painting measures a staggering 3.65 x 20.5 m (12 x 67 ft). The Museum also has many works by European masters such as Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt and Picasso.

Kanazawa

Dive into feudal Japan! Fascinating Kanazawa is a real gem thanks to its elegant houses, the historic districts dedicated to pleasure, its proud white castle and the Kenrokuen garden. On an MSC cruise you will get to know this city, a much appreciated destination also for it handicrafts: the Kaga-Yuzen silk kimonos, Wajima's lacquer-ware and Kutani and Ohi ceramics are all exquisite. At the foot of the castle lies the district of Nagamachi, which you can visit on an excursion: the area preserves a historic atmosphere with its Samurai residences characterised by their "mud walls", private wooden entrance gates, narrow lanes and water canals. Kenrokuen, the green area surrounding the castle, is a real discovery: ranked as one of the "three most beautiful landscaped gardens" in Japan alongside Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama. Its colours change depending on the season. Teambuoco Shima and Kaikaro theatres are the two chaya districts open to the public: these areas once hosted exclusive restaurants whose guests were entertained by Geishas. Shirakawa-Go was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 and is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri, some of which are more than 250 years old. That is wooden houses with steep thatched roofs, whose shape recalls the palms of the Buddhist monks joined together in prayer. In actual fact the roofs are designed to withstand the heavy snowfall during the winter.

Price tracking

Today’s fare, in context

Price history

Cheaper than 47%

30 days

Fare details

Price history by cabin type
Cabin	Current	Lowest	Highest
Inside	$1,227	$1,085 on Jun 27	$1,430 on Mar 26
Oceanview	$1,455	$1,391 on May 23	$1,676 on Apr 7
Balcony	$2,052	$1,655 on Jun 20	$2,445 on Mar 26
Suite	$2,732	$2,595 on Jul 3	$3,055 on Mar 26

○ = last seen (sold out or delisted). · Verified 2 hours ago.

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Cabin grades

Lines step when the price changed; a gap means sold out or no public fare that day. Plot up to 6 at once.

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,277

$116 / night

Fare rows

Interior Two Lower Beds

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,277

$116 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Oceanview

from $1,505

$136 / night

Fare rows

Oceanview Two Lower Beds (Obstructed View)

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,505

$136 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Balcony

from $2,127

$193 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Two Lower Beds

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,127

$193 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Suite

from $2,832

$257 / night

Fare rows

Mini Suite with Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,832

$257 / night

per person · incl. taxes & fees

Prices verified Sep 1, 2026

The journey

11 nights, in order

Day by day

The full itinerary

12 scheduled calls

Your ship

Sapphire Princess

As you set your sights on the wonders of the world, let Sapphire Princess indulge your every whim. Over 700 balconies, world-class gourmet dining and dazzling entertainment options are just the beginning of your sea-going adventure. Dance the night away, enjoy casino gaming or relax and rejuvenate body and mind at the Lotus Spa.

5★ 115,875 GT 2,670 Passengers Built 2004

Sapphire Princess