The Spirit of Japan

Your Japanese adventure begins in Tokyo – one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, where ancient temples and futuristic skylines coexist in effortless harmony. Check into your 4-star hotel and let the city draw you in. The temples of Asakusa, the fashion streets of Harajuku, the controlled chaos of Shibuya crossing – Tokyo rewards every instinct.

A second full day in one of the world’s great cities. The Tsukiji outer market for breakfast, the serenity of the Meiji Shrine, the panoramic views from the Tokyo Skytree, an afternoon in the galleries of Roppongi – or simply more of whatever Tokyo offered you yesterday. Tonight, a last dinner in the city before the ship awaits.

Your private transfer delivers you to the port this afternoon, where Celebrity Millennium is waiting. Board, settle in and raise a glass as she departs at 4:30 PM – Tokyo Bay opening up ahead as the journey begins.

A first, peaceful day at sea as Celebrity Millennium heads southwest toward Osaka. The spa, the pool deck, the restaurants – a perfect introduction to life aboard before Kyoto’s extraordinary ports appear tomorrow.

The ship arrives into Osaka – gateway to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient imperial capital. Two days here is one of the great privileges of this itinerary. Today, the highlights: Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing the hillside, the gold-leaf perfection of Kinkaku-ji, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Late September brings the first hints of autumn colour to the temple gardens – Japan at one of its most beautiful moments.

A second full day to go deeper into Kyoto’s quieter character – the neighbourhood temples that appear without fanfare on side streets, the covered markets of Nishiki, the ancient machiya townhouse cafes of Gion. Or spend the day in Osaka, where the castle, the markets and Dotonbori’s legendary street food scene are more than enough to fill the hours. With departure at 6:00 PM, the evening is yours to spend however Kyoto moves you.

Kochi is Japan without the crowds – and all the better for it. The relaxed capital of Shikoku Island rewards slow travel. The historic Kochi Castle, dating to the 1600s, is one of Japan’s few original remaining fortresses. The Sunday Market along Otesuji Street is the longest-running market in Japan. The region’s signature katsuo no tataki – lightly seared bonito with garlic and ginger – is reason enough to come ashore. Eleven hours to explore at your own pace.

A restful day at sea as the ship crosses the Korea Strait toward Busan. The spa, the pool, a long lunch – a welcome pause between two outstanding runs of ports.

Busan is South Korea’s second city and one of the most vibrant port cities in Asia. Its dramatic setting – where steep hills plunge directly into the sea – gives it a character entirely distinct from Seoul. The ancient Beomeo-sa Temple sits in a forested mountain valley above the city, Gamcheon Culture Village is a labyrinth of pastel-painted houses on a hillside, and the Jagalchi fish market is an experience for every sense. Ten hours to discover it all.

Nagasaki is one of the most historically layered cities in Japan, and a day here stays with you. The Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum bear witness to the events of 9 August 1945 with quiet dignity. Nagasaki also carries centuries of Chinese and Portuguese influence visible in the Chinatown district, the Dutch-era Dejima island and the extraordinary Glover Garden overlooking the harbour. Eleven hours to absorb it all.

Kagoshima is Japan’s most dramatic port, presided over by Sakurajima – an active volcano that dusts the city with ash and reminds everyone that Japan sits on one of the most geologically active places on earth. The volcano is accessible by a short ferry from the port. The Sengan-en garden, built by the Shimazu clan in 1658 with Sakurajima as its borrowed landscape, is one of Japan’s finest. Ten hours to explore this extraordinary city.

A final sea day before the last remarkable ports of call. The restaurants, the spa, the open deck as Celebrity Millennium makes her way north along the Japanese coast – a last chance to savour everything the ship offers before Tokyo approaches.

On a clear October morning, Mt Fuji is extraordinary – perfectly conical, its snow line beginning to descend as autumn takes hold, presiding over the landscape with a serene authority that has inspired Japanese art and poetry for centuries. Eleven hours ashore opens up the Fuji Five Lakes region for closer views, the ancient Miho no Matsubara pine grove, or simply the pleasure of standing on deck as the ship docks and letting the moment happen.

Celebrity Millennium returns to Tokyo in the early morning – the city’s skyline appearing on the horizon as 12 extraordinary nights at sea draw to a close. For those with time in Tokyo before flying home, the city always rewards one last wander.

Disembark this morning and farewell Celebrity Millennium. Japan has a way of leaving a deep impression – the temples, the food, the extraordinary attention to detail in everything – and most visitors start planning their return before they have even left.