What I Wished I’d Known BEFORE Doing My Japan Cruise!

We are only ever likely to go to Japan once in our lives and so it's important to get it right. While I didn't get everything 100% spot on, I now know what future cruisers to Japan need to know to avoid my mistakes, work around downsides, and ensure they have the best time.

For bonus & exclusive content (including videos, articles, eBooks and more) become a channel member or patron:
---------------------------------------------------

Check out my cruise-themed T-shirts and products:
---------------------------------------------------

My social media:
---------------------------------------------------

ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 101 cruises I have done to date.

#Japancruisetips #JapanCruisingTips #cruisetipsandtricks

00:00 Start
00:42 Challenge 1: Seeing Right Sights
08:21 Challenge 2: Experiencing Japanese Culture
10:15 Challenge 3: Going It Alone
13:12 Challenge 4: Cultural Sensitivity

[gilbydog]

Interesting that Regent Seven Seas didn't have enrichment talks on a Japan cruise. That's a big miss from an ultra-luxury cruise line.

[tanukiboy]

With regard to self touring, one of the great things about Japan is that you never need to worry about wandering into a "bad area" and being robbed or harassed, and if you get lost or lose something, somebody will help you out. If you lose your wallet, just go to a police box and they will make calls and help you track it down. Most likely, some kind person will have already turned it in at a nearby police box or train station and you'll get your wallet back pretty quickly -- with all the money and cards still inside.
The safe and friendly culture of Japan makes it so much more relaxing and enjoyable to wander around and explore places off the beaten track.

[SusanP-dh]

I just returned yesterday from my second cruise of Japan on Holland America and they had lectures on Japanese history and on culture as well as port talks for people who wanted to tour on their own. These included tips on what to see, how to get there and what it will cost. I’ve found Holland America always emphasizes the destination with history and culture a priority.

[glennaa]

I spent a week or so in Japan in the Spring touring around on my own. It's a great place but over-tourism is an issue. I would suggest, though, that 7-11 and convenience stores in general are a huge part of Japanese and Asian culture. 7-11 is even Japanese owned these days

[gregorysims]

I thoroughly enjoyed an Osaka to Vancouver cruise on the Statendam in 2007. I booked four extra nights in Osaka which was my favorite part of the trip. Public transport was safe and easy. My full day side trip to Kyoto was perfect. I loved the restaurants with their plastic menu displays in the windows. And was amazed by the packaging and boxing when I bought a single slice of cake in a bakery. People were always friendly and helpful, and I was touched by high school kids offering an arm when I was ascending a long flight of stairs. I have no idea if things have changed dramatically since 2007, but I loved my cruise. My advice is to go while you are able. There was lots of walking and lots of stairs.

[peterhurley]

One tip for hotels pre and post cruise: if you go away from western branded hotels you will tend to save a lot of money. Japanese chains such as Dormy Inn in my experience can be half the price or less as compared to western brands (which tend to skew to luxury western brands). I saw the interior of the Hilton Tokyo on Gary's clips and while that's a nice hotel, it's definitely one of the more expensive properties in that area. The Citadines in Kabukicho about a 15 min walk away from it is less than 1/3 the price for a few nights next month. The Citadines isn't as luxurious of a hotel for sure but it's perfectly fine and I think better located for tourism.

[texasboy]

We did a lot of homework for our two-week cruise, which really made the trip much better. You can't do enough study before you go. We fly in 3 days before to see some of the sites before the ship, which allowed us to see how the big cities are.

[HICARO]

I LOVE Japan. I love seeing people experience it for the first time, it’s like watching children in Disneyland as people usually love the experience. I’ve been to Japan 6 times and 3 times as a solo traveler. All the points you mentioned are spot on, especially regarding mobility and being respectful. Japan is a place where things will be easier if you are mobile and follow the rules. Also do research before you go to maximize your time there. Enjoy!

[tstidm]

This is a very fair explanation of Japanese culture. One thing you misunderstand is that 7-Eleven is vastly superior in Japan than in the US/Europe. There is fresh Japanese food that you can heat there or take to a park or office for a quick easy meal/snack. They also discourage eating while walking.

[mpTraveller]

I highly recommend walking tours in Tokyo and Kyoto. They helped to fill in the missing pieces and were very well done … guides were excellent.

[Rosenburge]

The blast museum in Nagasaki is one of the top museums I've ever done. It's an absolute must.

[sl]

So many points covered, a very interesting video and one I'll be viewing again, thank you Gary.

[calumshaw]

Totally agree with you Garry. Something we won't fail to arrange next time we visit Japan. It was our biggest mistake on the 14 night Japan cruise; not organising excursions from many of the port cities which were very poor tourist destinations, however our 10 day pre cruise land content was fabulous. Two must see inclusions you didn't mention are Miyajima Island a short ferry hop from Hiroshima and walking through & dining in Pontocho Alley Kyoto, both offer life time memories other than the fabulous castles and shrines/temples.

[karenoshea]

I did the Regent Cruise of Japan last month. The excursions were included in the cost. It was absolutely fantastic. A good mix for all interests.
The guides were lovely, locals who were excited to be guiding us.
With any cruise it pays to research your excursions before booking.
I loved that most places we went we were the only cruise ship in the port.
A bit of research about the history of Japan before you go helps.

[idee]

Loved your coverage of Japan cruises with specific, usable information.

[seaotter]

Japanese 7-11s are far superior to western ones... I dont seen the convenience stores as a sign of westernization at all (doesn't mean the other indicators arent accurate). If you skip 7-11, Lawson, and Family Mart when visiting Japan then I think you're missing out on a bit of local culture.

[mooman]

Thanks for the great tips for Japan. So looking forward to our visit in March/April. Also looking forward to enjoying the immersion into the culture of politeness there. I wish we could manage that level of courtesy in public in the US! 😃👍

[helenorgarycrevonis]

Good info. Some of it clearly obvious, read about the sights and history of the place before booking, at home, that will allow you to understand what you are visiting. Also, timing of the year is important, skip the cherry blossoming and you will be rewarded with lower crowds.

[ApeApes]

Gary, I enjoyed your insights about cruising around Japan. I may be taking a Tokyo to Vancouver cruise in 2025, and I’m a bit nervous. You see, I lived in Japan for two years in the early 1980s, and I know it has changed in many ways. Seeing the country slowly while living there is a very different experience from popping in and out of ports. And I no longer speak the language!

BTW, there were 7-11s in Japan forty years ago, even outside Tokyo in the smaller cities.

[Paradise-on-Earth]

very inspiring and VERY helpful! Thank you so much, once more!