9 Night Best Of Japan Cruise

The 9 Night Best Of Japan Cruise is a 9-night Asia & Indian Ocean cruise aboard Spectrum of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. Departing Hong Kong, China on January 3, 2028, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $1,292 per person.

Length: 9 nights
Departs: Jan 3, 2028
Returns: Jan 12, 2028
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 4

from $1,292

$143 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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from $1,292 pp

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Itinerary

Day 1 Jan 3, 2028 Hong Kong, China Departs 16:00 A spectacular, serrated skyline of soaring towers and neon lights, Hong Kong is a vibrant, immersive metropolis and cultural hub. Dramatic harbour-front light shows transform the waterfront’s gleaming buildings into a colourful canvas – best seen from the Star Ferry, when the Symphony of Lights blares into life each evening. A city where future and tradition collides - perhaps best illustrated by the skyscrapers that feature gaping holes, designed to allow spirit dragons to soar from the hills to the waterfront unimpeded. View less Wander flowing shopping streets, wade through sprawling markets and soak up the neon glory of this one-of-a-kind city - which continues to reach for the sky. Hong Kong's dense jumble of activity is one of its main appeals, but once you've felt the thrill of rising to towering observation decks, to see the soaring city from above, it's surprisingly easy to find peace among Hong Kong's intense urban wonders. Victoria Peak is the highest point and it offers staggering views down over the city and harbour. The Peak Tram funicular can ferry you to the top, to the vantage point which was historically adored by the rich for the cooler air found here, away from the busy bustle of the city streets. Many elaborate temples add a tranquil element to Hong Kong’s whirr, and Tin Hau temple has a surprisingly urban location, considering its dedication to the Goddess of the Sea. It did once occupy the shorefront, but the city's growth saw land reclaimed from the sea around it, leaving the temple marooned inland. Having been leased to the British for 99 years, milky tea is a revered tradition here - enjoy your cup with a serving of local dim sum.While it's easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today's Hong Kong, you need only walk or board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese but no less high-energy. You'll discover the real Hong Kong to the east of Central, too, in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and—depending on fate and the horse you wager on—one of Hong Kong's luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse. Kowloon sprawls across a generous swath of the Chinese mainland across Victoria Harbour from Central. Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, is packed with glitzy shops, first-rate museums, and eye-popping views of the skyline across the water. Just to the north are the teeming market streets of Mong Kok and in the dense residential neighborhoods beyond, two of Hong Kong's most enchanting spiritual sights, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery. As you navigate this huge metropolis (easy to do on the excellent transportation network), keep in mind that streets are usually numbered odd on one side, even on the other. There's no baseline for street numbers and no block-based numbering system, but street signs indicate building numbers for any given block. Hong Kong, China port guide Search cruises visiting Hong Kong, China

Day 5 Jan 7, 2028 Osaka 09:00 – 19:00 10.0 hrs ashore The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Osaka photo — Day 5 Jan 7, 2028 Osaka 09:00 – 19:00 10.0 hrs ashore The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Day 6 Jan 8, 2028 Kochi, Japan 07:00 – 18:00 11.0 hrs ashore An MSC cruise will take you to Kochi, situated in the prefecture of the same name, on the island of Shikoku. You can visit Kochi castle on an excursion; it is one of the twelve Japanese castles to have survived fires, wars and other catastrophes of the post-feudal age. It was built between 1601 and 1611. What you can see of the building today however, dates back to 1748, the year in which the castle was rebuilt after a fire. Curiosity: its main tower was not used only for military purposes, but it was also the residence of noble families. Quite unusual, since the nobility would usually reside in other parts of the castle. The wooden interior is typical of the traditional style of the Edo period. Near Kochi harbour is the picturesque beach of Katsurahama. In the local restaurants you can eat Katsuo, a type of tuna which is typical to Japanese waters, cut into slices and lightly grilled on straw fuelled fire which gives it a slightly smoky flavour. Seventy kilometres from Kochi there is an unusual tourist attraction, the ancient Kazurabashi Bridge, 45 meters wide and 2 metres wide, it stretches 14 metres above the waters of the river Iya. Today, the bridge – which is made from Actinidia arguta wood, a kind of vine similar to a kiwi plant – is reinforced with steel wires. It should not be missed for the surrounding landscape and the brief but thrilling walk it offers. Closer to Kochi is the wonderful Oboke gorge: we cross the river Yoshino on a boat and marvel at how over hundreds of millions of years the river has eroded the rocks of the Shikoku mountains shaping the stone into bizarre shapes. Kochi, Japan port guide Search cruises visiting Kochi, Japan

Day 7 Jan 9, 2028 Kagoshima 10:00 – 19:00 9.0 hrs ashore One of Japan's most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano's cone – a legendary active volcano that broods, churns and puffs out ash nearby. A pretty old-time ferry chugs across the still waters to the gently sloping foothills of the volcano's cone, and it's easy to imagine where the comparisons with its sister city Naples materialised, as you sail the glorious sweeping Kinko Bay, below beaming sunshine, towards the immense volcanic spectacle. View less This is certainly no historic relic, and the volcano remains revered and feared, with the most dramatic recent eruption taking place in 1914, and spewing out a new bridge of land into the sea. Make the most of the geothermal activity in the area by indulging in a stress-simmering black sand bath. Incredibly relaxing, you'll be submerged in the warm sand, as you feel your muscles relaxing in the heat, and rejuvenating blood pumping around your body. Enjoy a privileged view of the iconic volcano's loom from the terraced garden of Senganen Garden. Built in 1658, this elegant, traditional garden has belonged to the Shimadzu family for 350 years. Wander the gardens - which bloom with Japan's renowned cherry tree blossoms and feature tiny bridges looping over ponds and rock pools - before sitting back and sipping a wholesome green matcha latte. Elsewhere, museums offer Feudal Era and Satsuma Province history, as well as insights into the Kamikaze squadrons of World War II. Lake Ikeda is also close by, so be sure to keep an eye out for the legendary Issie monster. Kagoshima port guide Search cruises visiting Kagoshima

Kagoshima photo — Day 7 Jan 9, 2028 Kagoshima 10:00 – 19:00 9.0 hrs ashore One of Japan's most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano's cone – a legendary active volcano that broods, churns and puffs out ash nearby. A pretty old-time ferry chugs across the still waters to the gently sloping foothills of the volcano's cone, and it's easy to imagine where the comparisons with its sister city Naples materialised, as you sail the glorious sweeping Kinko Bay, below beaming sunshine, towards the immense volcanic spectacle. View less This is certainly no historic relic, and the volcano remains revered and feared, with the most dramatic recent eruption taking place in 1914, and spewing out a new bridge of land into the sea. Make the most of the geothermal activity in the area by indulging in a stress-simmering black sand bath. Incredibly relaxing, you'll be submerged in the warm sand, as you feel your muscles relaxing in the heat, and rejuvenating blood pumping around your body. Enjoy a privileged view of the iconic volcano's loom from the terraced garden of Senganen Garden. Built in 1658, this elegant, traditional garden has belonged to the Shimadzu family for 350 years. Wander the gardens - which bloom with Japan's renowned cherry tree blossoms and feature tiny bridges looping over ponds and rock pools - before sitting back and sipping a wholesome green matcha latte. Elsewhere, museums offer Feudal Era and Satsuma Province history, as well as insights into the Kamikaze squadrons of World War II. Lake Ikeda is also close by, so be sure to keep an eye out for the legendary Issie monster. Kagoshima port guide Search cruises visiting Kagoshima

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 71-day span: $1,292 · range $1,292–$1,405

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,292

$143 / night

Fare rows

Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,292

$143 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,339

$148 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,339

$148 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,353

$150 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,367

$151 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,395

$155 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,409

$156 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior with Virtual Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,423

$158 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $1,489

$165 / night

Fare rows

Ocean View Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,489

$165 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,536

$170 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,564

$173 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,592

$176 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,732

$192 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $1,629

$181 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,629

$181 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Obstructed Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,676

$186 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Obstructed Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,704

$189 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Oceanview Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,915

$212 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,915

$212 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,929

$214 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,943

$215 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,943

$215 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,971

$219 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,999

$222 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,999

$222 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,027

$225 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View with Large Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,083

$231 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,285

$365 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $2,411

$267 / night

Fare rows

Suite - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,411

$267 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Silver Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,473

$274 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Silver Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,755

$306 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sky Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,285

$365 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,987

$443 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,830

$536 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Loft Suite with Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,375

$708 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ultimate Family Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $24,636

$2,737 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 25, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Royal Caribbean and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 40 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Ocean View with Large Balcony	1C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	1D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	1E	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	2C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	2D	Balcony
Obstructed Ocean View Balcony	2E	Balcony
Studio Ocean View Balcony	2F	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	3C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	3D	Balcony
Ocean View with Large Balcony	4C	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	4D	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	5D	Balcony
Sky Balcony	BY	Balcony
Connecting Oceanview Balcony	CB	Balcony
Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed	XB	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony Quad Gty	XQ	Balcony
Interior with Virtual Balcony	1U	Inside
Interior	1V	Inside
Interior with Virtual Balcony	2U	Inside
Interior	2V	Inside
Studio Interior	2W	Inside
Interior	3V	Inside
Interior	4V	Inside
Connecting Interior	CI	Inside
Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed	ZI	Inside
Interior Quad Gty	ZQ	Inside
Ocean View	1N	Oceanview
Ocean View	2N	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	3M	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	4M	Oceanview
Ocean View Stateroom - Guaranteed	YO	Oceanview
Ocean View Quad Gty	YQ	Oceanview
Grand Loft Suite with Balcony	GL	Suite
Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom	GS	Suite
Silver Junior Suite	J1	Suite
Silver Junior Suite	J4	Suite
Sky Junior Suite	JY	Suite
Owner's Suite	OS	Suite
Ultimate Family Suite	US	Suite
Suite - Guaranteed	WS	Suite