After a few unforgettable days in Tokyo, we boarded Norwegian Spirit for a 10-night cruise around Japan and South Korea. 

With ports nearly every day, this itinerary offered an amazing way to see a huge slice of Japan without constantly packing and unpacking. Even better? We managed to book a Penthouse Suite at a surprisingly good price—and it completely elevated the experience.

Our Ship: Norwegian Spirit

The Norwegian Spirit isn’t a brand-new ship, but after a $100 million makeover in 2020, you’d never guess its age. The décor is elegant, modern, and surprisingly upscale. With just 2,000 passengers, it felt peaceful and uncrowded—even during sea days.

We loved the quieter vibe. Entertainment was lacking compared than you’ll find on Norwegian’s newer megaships, but that suited this itinerary perfectly.  

We stayed in an Aft Penthouse Suite, and it may be one of the best cabins we’ve ever cruised in. The suite had a separate bedroom, a spacious living area, a dining table, and a huge bathroom complete with a deep bathtub, rainfall shower, and L'Occitane amenities. It felt more like a boutique hotel than a ship cabin.

The balcony was long (though not super deep), with incredible views over the ship’s wake—especially during sailaways. 

Booking the suite also came with a slew of perks, including butler service and concierge access, daily breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s, the ship’s steakhouse, and priority boarding and disembarkation. We also received daily snacks (yes, even chocolate strawberries), access to a private seating area in the theatre, and the ability to order room service from any restaurant on board.

Shimizu for Mount Fuji

This serene little port took us by surprise—it’s easily one of the most peaceful and beautiful places we’ve visited in Japan.  

We started with the Nihondaira Ropeway ride over the forest, offering sweeping valley views. From there, we visited a centuries-old mountain shrine in a quiet woodland setting and several picture-perfect viewpoints where Mount Fuji finally revealed herself. 

We ended the day at a black-sand beach with a postcard-worthy view of the mountain and a stop at a local fish market, where David braved some mystery seafood. Ben opted for matcha ice cream instead—no regrets.  

Nagoya

Rainy but brilliant, Nagoya delivered one of the most fascinating port days of the trip.  

We visited Nagoya Castle, full of history, impressive architecture, and peaceful gardens. Lunch was miso tonkatsu—breaded pork cutlet with a rich, dark sauce.

The afternoon wrapped up with a surprisingly engaging visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum, where we learned the brand actually started with textiles. The weather couldn’t dampen the experience—this port combined local history, food, and a bit of industrial Japan in a really engaging way.

Kobe (For Kyoto & Osaka)

While docked in Kobe, we headed off for a very different kind of cultural experience: Universal Studios Japan. 

The park was enormous, clean, and wonderfully themed. We explored Super Nintendo World, rode Donkey Kong Minecart Madness (fun), Mario Kart (underwhelming), and Yoshi’s Adventure (adorable). There were snacks galore, from minion curry buns to strawberry churritos, and we made time for classics like Hollywood Dream Coaster, Jaws, and Space Fantasy (surprisingly amazing).

We booked a VIP pass to beat the crowds, which included a guided tour and fast access to key attractions. It’s not cheap, but it was worth it for such a short port stop. Back on board, we skipped the dining room and had a room service dinner in our suite while watching the sunset over Kobe. A perfect end to a high-energy day.

Kochi

Kochi turned out to be a real hidden gem. The port is compact and very easy to navigate, and we decided to explore independently. The shuttle dropped us right in the city centre, near the famous Kochi Castle, one of only a handful in Japan with its original wooden keep intact.

We climbed to the top for sweeping city views, then wandered through the beautifully preserved rooms inside. Afterwards, we strolled through Hirome Market, a buzzing food hall where locals gather for lunch. Ben tried a local specialty: Katsuo no Tataki (seared bonito), while David went straight for a soft-serve ice cream. This stop felt authentically local and wonderfully low-key—a great place to slow down and take it all in.

Matsuyama

Matsuyama is best known for its castle and ancient hot springs.  

We took the scenic cable chair up to Matsuyama Castle, and it was unlike anything we’ve done before. Instead of a cable car, we were seated in single open-air chairs with no safety bars—just a seatbelt across the lap and our feet dangling freely above the hillside. It was both thrilling and slightly terrifying, but also one of the most unique and fun experiences of the trip. The view on the way up was stunning, and we couldn’t stop laughing (and nervously clinging on).

At the top, the castle was beautiful—peaceful, authentic, and full of atmosphere. It’s one of those places that rewards you for slowing down and soaking it all in.

Afterward, we wandered around the Dogo Onsen area, known for being one of Japan’s oldest hot springs and rumoured to have inspired the bathhouse in Spirited Away. Even without going in for a soak, the area was worth exploring. Traditional wooden inns, cute little shops, and a relaxed vibe made it feel like a step back in time.

Beppu

Beppu was one of the most anticipated stops on our itinerary—and it didn’t disappoint. Known for its bubbling hot springs and surreal volcanic landscape, it felt completely different from anywhere else we’d been in Japan.

Beppu is home to the famous “Seven Hells,” a popular local attraction that showcases dramatically different hot spring colours, steam vents, and volcanic bubbling pools. We didn’t have time to visit them this trip, but they’re quirky, a bit kitsch, and very Beppu—we’d love to check them out next time.

We’d pre-booked a private onsen bath—a must if you have tattoos or want to wear swimwear (as we did). We had our own little steaming stone tub, complete with towels, toiletries, and an optional cold plunge. The water was scalding but amazing, and the entire setup was beautifully maintained. It was incredibly relaxing and such a memorable experience.

Sasebo

Our final Japanese port, Sasebo, surprised us in the best way. Nestled in the lush, tropical-feeling south of Japan, it felt completely different to the other ports we’d visited. The atmosphere was calmer, greener, and more laid-back—a perfect place to wind down.

Our first stop was Yumihari Park, a hilltop observatory with jaw-dropping views over the bay and the “99 Islands.” The landscape was so misty and dramatic it felt like stepping into a painting. We could even spot our cruise ship from the top, surrounded by rolling green hills and colourful spring blooms. It was peaceful, almost completely free of tourists, and a real treat.

For lunch, we visited a tiny local restaurant where we finally got to try Iaki Ramen—a creamy, rich, slightly salty pork and egg broth dish that reminded us of Japanese-style carbonara. We added gyoza dumplings, chicken bites, and rice to round out one of our favourite meals of the trip.

After lunch, we visited a beautiful Buddhist temple, where we enjoyed traditional green tea while overlooking a serene garden. It was quiet, spiritual, and incredibly peaceful—one of those rare moments of stillness that really stay with you.

We wrapped up our day with a visit to Nagushiyama Park, another spectacular viewpoint offering sweeping vistas of the 99 Islands below. A gentle rain started to fall, but it only added to the tranquil mood. Surrounded by birdsong and nature, it felt like the perfect final port day before our sea day and onward journey to South K