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Bridge between islands in Okinawa, Japan

Cruise to Okinawa (Naha), Japan

Okinawa (naha) shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in okinawa (naha).

Ancient Kyueimon Gate in wall of Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan

Live Like a King

Ancient Kyueimon Gate in wall of Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shurijo Castle's bright red exterior is instantly striking. Destroyed and rebuilt many times over, this building offers you a sense of life during the Ryukyu Kingdom's golden years. Then, see the former residence of the Japanese king at the Shikinaen Gardens populated by tropical flora.

Beautiful Beach with resort in Okinawa, Japan

Where Sea Meets Sky

Beautiful Beach with resort in Okinawa, Japan

Explore the depths of the bay at Nami-no-ue Sea and Sky Park. With guided snorkeling tours and diving equipment, you can see 95 types of coral and 53 species of colorful fish. Finish up with a beach party and a barbeque under the golden sun.

A house of traditional construction in Okinawa, Japan

Okinawan Education

At Ryukyu Mura village, you'll find a recreated village and practical demonstrations of old crafts. The vibrant village welcomes visitors with dances and celebrations of traditional festivals and arts. Complete your day of learning at the Okinawa Prefecture Museum, home to a massive 85,000 artifacts dating to the 12th century.

Bowl of Okinawa Soba Soup with thick noodles in Okinawa, Japan

Local Cuisine

The food here is both distinctly Japanese and uniquely Okinawan, with Chinese and South Asian influences creating a cuisine all its own. Okinawa cruises allow you to try Okinawan soba (actually more reminiscent to udon noodles because they're so thick) served in a ramen-like pork broth and topped with slow-cooked pork spare ribs. Don't miss out on Agu, the Wagyu beef of pork, with its tender texture and sweet flavor.

Traditional Ryukyu Shisa Guardian Lion Clay Pottery in Okinawa, Japan

Many craft techniques are unique to Okinawa. Head to Kokusai-Dori (International Street) to browse for Ryukyan glass and lacquerware or colorful Shuri-ori textiles. On Tsuboya Yachimun-Dori Street, you can pick up intricate Tsuboya-yaki pottery — choose between decorative traditional statues or plates, bowls and other home-use items.

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Cruises to Okinawa, Japan

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Okinawa Japan Port Guide

Life is a little slower in the Okinawa prefecture, where the beaches are impossibly blue and the island offers something for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to foodies and everything in between. Scuba divers especially love the Okinawa area and Southwest Islands for its vibrant coral ecosystem and incredible limestone formations.

No Asia cruise would be complete without a stop in Okinawa, which has a long history of U.S. armed forces living on the island. Your Okinawa, Japan cruise ship will dock in Naha, the capital city of the Okinawa prefecture. In Naha, you’ll find a fascinating mix of Shinto shrines and landmarks dating back to the 14th century, like Shurijo Castle and the traditional Shikinaen Garden. Or, take an afternoon excursion to the former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, which is perfectly preserved as it was last left, before enjoying a reflective walk along the Okinawa Peace Park.

Please Note: While we don't currently sail to Okinawa, you can still discover the beauty of the country on one of our Japan cruises . Browse our cruises to Japan below.

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Top sights & attractions for cruises to okinawa, okinawa prefectural museum and art museum.

What better way to make yourself at home on a cruise to Okinawa, Japan than by exploring its arts and history? The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum should be the first sightseeing stop for art and culture lovers to see the region’s best contemporary art and exhibits dedicated to the history of the city.

Tamaudun Royal Mausoleum

This dramatic UNESCO World Heritage site is the tomb of a king dating back to 1501. Take in the splendor of the mausoleum, carved into and built on a hill in Okinawa, which is truly fitting for a king.

Valley of Gangala

Take a guided tour of this stunning valley before heading to the nearby Okinawa World on your Okinawa, Japan cruise. It’s a forest that grew with the collapse of a limestone cave. If you’re looking for nature unlike anywhere else in the world, Okinawa has it.

Shikinaen Garden

Tour another incredible UNESCO World Heritage site at Shikina-en Garden. It’s a former royal villa where a traditional Japanese garden still blooms beautifully. Nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts will appreciate Okinawa’s dedication to natural beauty.

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Top things to do in okinawa, head to the churaumi aquarium.

On your Okinawa, Japan cruise, you and the entire family will love this huge aquarium. The largest aquarium tank in the entire world is here, plus hundreds of species of tropical fish, coral, manta rays, and more.

Go Scuba Diving

Okinawa’s coast is incredible, and there’s no better way to see it than underwater. You’ll discover the unique caves and structures that draw thousands of scuba divers to Okinawa every year.

Have Fun at Okinawa World

Okinawa World is a quirky theme park destination showcasing the city’s unique qualities, including a reproduction of a typical village and traditional dance performances. While you’re there, check out the massive, somewhat spooky cave called Gyokusendo. It’s one of the longest limestone caves in Asia.

Explore the Kitchen of Okinawa

Foodies have to check out Makishi Public Market, a shopping area dedicated entirely to the freshest seafood and fruits in all of Okinawa. Live like a local and stroll through the market on the way to dinner and interact with the shopkeepers as you go.

Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Okinawa Cruise Port

Whether you’re shopping for the fresh catch of the day at Makishi Public Market or exploring Okinawa’s top-‍rated eateries, you’ll find that the highest quality sushi, sashimi, and traditional Japanese dishes rule the day in Okinawa. Freshness is the key quality of all the food here, especially at the tropical fruit shops that sell passionfruit and mango. After all, the cuisine here just might help you live longer, if you believe local legend.

Culture & History of the Okinawa Cruise Port

The island of Okinawa has linked Japanese trade with China, Korea, and the West throughout history, and the port town of Naha has built itself up around the tourism and trade industries along the way. One interesting fact about the people of Okinawa is their life spans. They live, on average, longer than people living in any other part of the world, possibly due to their fresh, rich diet which is high in seafood and Omega-3. As a result, Okinawa and the Southwest Islands have fascinated cultural anthropologists for years.

Okinawa Port Facilities & Location

When your cruise to Okinawa, Japan docks at the Naha pier, you can hop on the free wifi, get your bearings, grab some cash from the nearby ATM, or ask for help or recommendations at the tourism information desk. From there, the options to explore Okinawa are endless. .

Transportation in Okinawa

It’s about a five to ten-minute taxi ride from the cruise port to the center of Naha, and it’s relatively easy to hail a cab from the cruise terminal. There’s also a monorail from Kenchomae Station which is a short walk from the pier. When cruise ships come into port, there tend to be free shuttles to downtown Okinawa.

Shopping Near the Okinawa Cruise Port

The better shopping in the Naha and Okinawa area isn’t immediately near the cruise pier. You’ll have a more opportunities for shopping if you hop on the shuttle bus to Kokusaidori. It’s also only a 10-minute walk from the pier. Shopping, cafes, bars, and restaurants are concentrated along a mile-long drag called International Road. Enjoy clothing from the boutiques or take a leisurely tea break when you get tired of shopping.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

Tipping isn’t customary in Japan, particularly tipping your tour guide, taxi driver, or restaurant waitstaff. Best practice is to ask if the person who is serving you is comfortable with receiving a tip, but even then, it’s uncommon in Japan. The official Japanese currency is the yen, and the best way to get around financially in Japan is to take out cash rather than rely on a credit card. Many credit cards aren’t accepted here, and cash is still king in Japanese culture.

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Capital of Okinawa Prefecture, the town of Naha is located on the south-west of the island. You will love its lively atmosphere, particularly along Kokusai Dori, otherwise known as 'international street'. The picturesque Makishi Public Market, nicknamed 'Naha's kitchen' offers a profusion of colourful fish, Okinawan foodstuffs and local spices and you can sample delicacies cooked on the spot.

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Cruises from/to Okinawa (Naha), Japan

Okinawa (naha), japan cruise port.

Okinawa is a chain of islands that lies between Taiwan and Japan. Though part of Japan, Okinawa and its people are very independent with their own special customs and traditions. You may be familiar with Okinawa because of the World War II battle where the U.S. suffered severe casualties while taking control of the islands. What you may not know, however, are a lot of the other things for which Okinawa is known. For example, this island chain is home to the longest-living population – out of 100,000 people, 34 have lived to be 100 or more. Okinawa is also the birthplace of karate, the most famous of the martial arts. Outlined below are suggestions for how to make the most of your time in the cruise port of Okinawa, Japan:

  • Go diving off the coast. The waters surrounding Okinawa are rich with coral, sea turtles and tropical fish.  
  • Visit the Okinawa version of Colonial Williamsburg at Ryukyu Mara. This is a village where you’ll see the cuisine, crafts and lifestyles of Okinawans from centuries ago.  
  • Get some insight into the Battle of Okinawa at Peace Memorial Park. This park is meant to teach visitors about what occurred on the islands and to always remember those who lost their lives.  
  • Take a walk among the beautiful Shikinaen Gardens. This land was once home to the kings of Okinawa and here you’ll see wooden palace buildings.

Top 10 Cruises to Okinawa (Naha), Japan

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Naha, Okinawa Excursion

What to expect, what you'll get.

Visit some of the must-sees in Naha, like the vermillion Shurijo Castle and do some fun shopping in bustling Kokusai Dori Street. It is an excellent one-day tour for cruise ship passengers and visitors to Okinawa. They are looking to explore the capital of the islands in more depth.

Our Japan shore adventures are created by Western destination experts who live in Japan combined with local Japanese tour specialists to showcase all the best attractions in Japan and provide a unique understanding of Japan from a Western point of view. This is why our Japan tour packages are the most comprehensive and unparalleled.  

  

  • Tour Shurijo Castle, a designated World UNESCO Heritage Site
  • Join a glass-blowing class and get creative
  • See the beautiful Shikinaen Garden

Join our guided tour in a chartered vehicle and visit Naha's top sightseeing spots. See the beautiful Shikinaen Garden and the Shurijo Castle, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Sample tasty Okinawan cuisine and try your skills in a glass-blowing class during our Naha shore excursion.  

Cruise passengers : You may get this excursion for FREE if you book the cruise through us or transferring your existing reservation to us (meaning we are your travel agent who booked the cruise for you with nothing changed). Please contact us to learn how. 

Naha Shore ADVENTURE

Explore the capital of Okinawa, Naha City, for a day. Enjoy the colorful, tropical feel, and explore the local history, culture, and cuisine. Try your skills in a glass-blowing class.

  *Departure times may vary. 

09:00 Depart from Naha Port

09:30 Visit Shurijo Castle, a World Heritage Site from 2000, which has served the proud and dignified Ryukyu Kingdom and the Shikina-en Garden, the royal garden in Okinawa Note: Shurijo Castle was damaged in a fire that broke out on its premises on October 31, 2019. Renovation began immediately, and the Castle is open to visit, however some areas remained closed off. 

11:30 Head to Suitenrou for lunch

12:00 Have lunch at Suitenrou, and enjoy a traditional Japanese set (self-pay)

13:30 Head to Naha City International Art and Craft

14:00 Reach Naha City International Arts and Crafts Center. Enjoy the exhibition and a workshop where you will blow and create your own glasswork!

15:30 Head to Naminoue Shrine

16:00 Visit Naminoue Shrine which is dedicated to Nirai Kanai, the land of gods similar to Heaven and source of all life

16:30 Head back to Naha Port

17:00 Reach Naha Port

Starting Point

Not included.

  • English-speaking guide
  • Private transportation (private cab, Toyota Alphard, Hi-Ace van - depending on the number of passengers)
  • Glass blowing experience
  • Admission fees
  • Local lunch
  • Any personal expenses incurred

 Naha Port  Tondocho 2-1, Naha, Okinawa 900-0035  

SAILING NEXT YEAR? EARLY BOOKING IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

 We highly recommend that you book our shore excursions now if you will be taking a cruise in 2024. 2023 has already seen large crowds, and 2024 will see even more. We expect many tourists will be unable to book their shore excursions in 2024, so please make your plan as soon as possible. 

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Naha (Okinawa Island Japan)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Naha cruise port

Region Asia

Local Time 2024-05-11 15:33

Port Naha cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Naha, Okinawa Island Japan. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Naha is a port city and capital of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture (country's southernmost). The city has population around 320,000 (metro over 1,18 million) and covers land area approx 39 km2 (15 mi2). The port is on East China Sea, located on Okinawa Island's southern coast.

The city was officially established in May 1921. It is Okinawa Prefecture's economic, education and political center. The rebuilt Shuri Castle (former royal palace of Ryukyu Kingdom) is one of the finest Okinawan castles and among Naha's most important historical sites. The palace with its series of underground tunnels served as a command post for the Japanese military during WW2 (1939-1945). The castle was destroyed at the end of the war (in 1945) by the US forces. Today, Shuri Castle is reconstructed and registered as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The covered with beautiful mangrove woods Lake Man is another tourist attraction. The lake is located on the boundary of Tomigusuku city and is Ramsar-listed. Ramsar Convention (aka Convention on Wetlands) is an international treaty for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is named after Ramsar city in Iran, where the Convention on Wetlands was signed in 1971.

An interesting fact is that Naha-te (aka Nawate) is a type of martial art that developed here.

By 2021, Okinawa government targets around 2 million foreign cruisers. Statistics for 2016 showed that Japan received a total of 2017 cruise ship calls, of which Okinawa got the biggest share (388). In 2017, Port Naha handled 515 ship calls. On Okinawa Island there are 4 other ports that plan to become cruise port destinations.

Naha cruise terminal

Naha cruise port terminal address is "Tondocho 2-1 Naha, Okinawa, 900-0035 Japan". The facility is managed by Naha Port Authority.

Cruise ships in Naha dock at Berth 8. The nearest to the cruise port international airport is located approx 4 km (2,5 mi) west of downtown (city hall), or 10-min car drive distance. The nearest to the cruise terminal train station (Kencho-mae) is at 15-min walking distance.

On August 29, 2018, Naha Port Authority announced a public tender for building a second cruise ship berth via public-private project and all major cruise companies were invited to participate. The target is Naha to become a homeport destination, also serving flycruise programs. The second berth could be operational by 2022. Among the companies that submitted proposals for the project were RCCL (Royal Caribbean), Carnival Corporation, MSC and GHK (Genting).

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SUNSET CRUISE with Catamaran

sea cruise okinawa

Enjoy the breathtaking sunset over the East China Sea aboard a catamaran boat that offers enormous space and comfortable seating. Indulge in a tranquil moment, surrounded by the panoramic view of Halekulani Okinawa from the open deck, as the sun gently sinks on the horizon, illuminating the ocean with its ever-changing colors.

Contact / Reservation

Tel:+81-98-953-8600 Activity Reservation (9:00AM-5:00PM)

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Contact us:+81-98-953-8600 Room reservations direct line:+81-98-953-8686 【10:00AM-6:00PM】 Restaurant reservations direct line:+81-98-953-9530 【10:00AM-6:00PM】 SpaHalekulani reservations direct line:+81-98-953-8555 【10:00AM-8:30PM】

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Naha, Okinawa Japan

The port of Naha located on the island of Okinawa. Naha is the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island with its beautiful beaches is very popular with Japanese and foreign tourists.

Shuri Castle was the center of power and residence of the rulers of the archipelago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to the richness of Ryukyu culture.

The U.S. Army established a base in the island following World War II. Although the territory was returned to Japan in 1972, the Americans retained a presence in the archipelago. This military base is part of the defense system provided for in the US-Japan Security Treaty.

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Useful Information

Tipping is not a custom in Japan.

Japanese yen - 1.5, 10 and 100 yen coin and 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen notes.

Credit cards are generally accepted. For cash, you will have to make withdrawals at the exchange offices or at the 7-Eleven counters, as the counters of Japanese banks do not accept foreign cards.

Time difference

from New York: +14h

from San Francisco: +16h

from London: +9h

Where is located the Port of Naha Cruise Terminal

Naha Port is a 20-minute walk from Kokusai-Dori St., a commercial street where you will find many shops and restaurants. To get there, leaving the port, walk along Matsuyama-Dori St.

If there are several ships, you may be docked in a more industrial part of the port at Pier #7.

Travelling around the Naha, Okinawa Cruise Port

Activities in naha, okinawa, neighborhoods, kokusai street.

This shopping street in the heart of Naha has many shops and restaurants as well as a farmer’s market.

Shuri Castle

This castle was the royal residence of the Ryukyu Kingdom. There are exhibits on the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed several main buildings in 2019.

Historical sites

Old japanese navy underground headquarters .

Site of a former underground Japanese Navy command base. Here you will find a museum with artifacts from wartime and you can see the tunnels.

Makishi Public Market

Public market where you can taste the local flavors.

Fukushuen gardens

Chinese-style gardens built in 1992 to mark 10 years of friendship between the cities of Naha and Fukushu (China).

Naminoue Beach

This beach is a short distance east of the cruise port.

Okinawa Peace Park !

Exhibitions on the history of Okinawa up to The Second World War.

Okinawa World

This historical amusement park showcases the history and culture of Okinawa. You will also find the Gyokusendo cave which dates back 300,000 years.

Ryukyu Mura

Theme Park on traditional Ryukyu culture.

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Useful References

  • Tourism Board - Naha, Okinawa
  • Tourism Board - Japan
  • Naha, Okinawa on Wikipedia
  • Japan on Wikipedia
  • Travel Advice and Advisories (Government of Canada)

For details or to book an excursion, visit our page:

Alternative:

https://www.viator.com/en-CA/Naha_Okinawa/d4666-ttd?pid=P00045706&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=morebutton

Hong Kong Hong Kong

Keelung (Taipei) Taiwan

Nagasaki Japan

Osaka Japan

Shanghai China

Shimizu (Mount Fuji) Japan

Tokyo Japan

Yokohama (Tokyo) Japan

Other cruiseports in the area

  • Keelung (Taipei)
  • Naha, Okinawa
  • Shimizu (Mount Fuji)
  • Yokohama (Tokyo)

More World Destinations

  • Adriatic Sea
  • Canada and New England
  • Central America
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Northern Europe
  • Norwegian Fjords
  • Panama Canal
  • South America

sea cruise okinawa

  • Okinawa at a Glance
  • World Heritage
  • Traditional Culture
  • Food & Longevity
  • Wonderful Nature
  • Beach information
  • Okinawa Main Island
  • Kume Island
  • Kerama Islands
  • Miyako Islands
  • Yaeyama Islands
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Heritage & Tradition
  • Flavors of Okinawa
  • Shopping & Relaxation
  • Activities & Experiences
  • Okinawa Life
  • Recommended Trips
  • Getting to Okinawa
  • Getting Around
  • Useful Information
  • When to Visit
  • Accommodations

okinawa beach information

  • Beach Information

Find your own slice of paradise in Okinawa’s blue waters and beachside resorts

Okinawa is surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, and each island has an abundance of picture-perfect beaches to explore. Enjoy marine activities or just relax and watch the sunset on a beautiful white sand beach. Go whale watching on a pleasure cruise, hop on a banana boat, or paddle through the surf in a sea kayak. Join a snorkeling or diving tour to explore the aquatic world beneath the waves. From secluded beaches to luxury beachside resorts with every amenity, there is a beach in Okinawa to suit everyone.

In the event of an emergency at sea, dial 118 to contact the Japan Coast Guard.

okinawa northern beaches

Beaches of Northern Okinawa

Enjoy the lush beauty and sparkling seaside of northern Okinawa

okinawa central southern beaches

Beaches of Central and Southern Okinawa

Enjoy the sun and surf on beautiful beaches in central and southern Okinawa

kume miyako yaeyama beaches

Beaches of Kume Island, the Miyako Islands, and the Yaeyama Islands

Enjoy the pristine beaches of Okinawa’s remote islands

diving spots in okinawa

EXPLORE MORE OF OKINAWA

family trip northern okinawa

Sailing the East China Sea: Japan, Okinawa, And Taiwan

  • Get inspired by the possibilities.
  • Build your ideal trip.
  • Experience Japan’s Himeji Castle, historic towns of Ozu and Uchiko, and “floating” torii gate at Miyajima
  • Explore Naoshima, an island transformed by art and cutting-edge architecture
  • Snorkel the coral reefs of Kerama Island
  • Hike among ancient cedar trees in Yakushima’s rainforest
  • Visit Shodoshima, a 400-year-old culinary mecca
  • Village Visits
  • Archaeological Site Visits
  • Small Ship Cruises

Full Itinerary

Day 1: osaka, japan | kobe, day 2: kobe | himeji.

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Okayama | Kurashiki

Day 4: naoshima and shodoshima islands, day 5: miyajima island and hiroshima, day 6: shikoku island: uchiko and ozu, day 7: yakushima island, day 8: amami oshima island, day 9: naha, okinawa | kerama islands, day 10-12: miyako & yaeyama islands.

  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Day 13: Keelung, Taiwan

Day 14: taipei | home.

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

National Geographic Resolution

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

Initial deposit is 15% of cabin fare and may vary by program, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx, or check

See our general terms and conditions:

  • Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

  • Lindblad Expeditions - Reservation Terms & Conditions - Lindblad Expeditions

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

  • 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Complimentary Parka - available only for the duration of the voyage.
  • Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard the ship. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors that are available for purchase.
  • Crew gratuities
  • Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media.
  • Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
  • Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary 
  • Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
  • Guidance and company of leading expedition staff
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
  • Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
  • 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
  • Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
  • Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
  • The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic  where available
  • Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
  • 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces 
  • Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor
  • Travel Insurance
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Yokohama (Tokyo) / Japan

Tokyo , officially  Tokyo Metropolis , one of the 47 prefectures of Japan, has served as the Japanese capital since 1869. As of 2014, the Greater Tokyo Arearanked as the most populous metropolitan area in the world. The urban area houses the seat of the Emperor of Japan, of the Japanese government and of the National Diet. Tokyo forms part of the Kantō region on the southeastern side of Japan's main island, Honshu, and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo was formerly named Edo when  Shōgun  Tokugawa Ieyasu made the city his headquarters in 1603. It became the capital after Emperor Meiji moved his seat to the city from Kyoto in 1868; at that time Edo was renamed Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolis formed in 1943 from the merger of the former Tokyo Prefecture  and the city of Tokyo. Tokyo is often referred to as a city but is officially known and governed as a "metropolitan prefecture", which differs from and combines elements of a city and a prefecture, a characteristic unique to Tokyo.

The 23 Special Wards of Tokyo were formerly Tokyo City. On July 1, 1943, it merged with Tokyo Prefecture and became Tokyo Metropolis with an additional 26 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture, and the Izu islandsand Ogasawara islands south of Tokyo. The population of the special wards is over 9 million people, with the total population of Tokyo Metropolis exceeding 13.8 million. The prefecture is part of the world's most populous metropolitan area called the Greater Tokyo Area with over 38 million people and the world's largest urban agglomeration economy. As of 2011, Tokyo hosted 51 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, the highest number of any city in the world at that time. Tokyo ranked third (twice) in the International Financial Centres Development Index. The city is home to various television networks such as Fuji TV, Tokyo MX, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, Nippon Television, NHK and the Tokyo Broadcasting System.

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Okinawa / Japan

Okinawa Prefecture  is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It encompasses two thirds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) long. The Ryukyu Islands extend southwest from Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu (the southwesternmost of Japan's four main islands) to Taiwan. Naha, Okinawa's capital, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

Although Okinawa Prefecture comprises just 0.6 percent of Japan's total land mass, about 75 percent of all United States military personnel stationed in Japan are assigned to installations in the prefecture. Currently about 26,000 U.S. troops are based in the prefecture.

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A New Pacific Arsenal to Counter China

With missiles, submarines and alliances, the Biden administration has built a presence in the region to rein in Beijing’s expansionist goals.

By John Ismay ,  Edward Wong and Pablo Robles April 26, 2024

U.S. officials have long seen their country as a Pacific power, with troops and arsenals at a handful of bases in the region since just after World War II.

U.S. military or partner bases

But the Biden administration says that is no longer good enough to foil what it sees as the greatest threat to the democratic island of Taiwan — a Chinese invasion that could succeed within days.

The United States is sending the most advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan and has established a new kind of Marine Corps regiment on Okinawa that is designed to fight from small islands and destroy ships at sea.

The Pentagon has gained access to multiple airfields and naval bases in the Philippines , lessening the need for aircraft carriers that could be targeted by China’s long-range missiles and submarines in a time of war.

The Australian government hosts U.S. Marines in the north of the country, and one of three sites in the east will soon be the new home for advanced American-made attack submarines. The United States also has a new security agreement with Papua New Guinea.

Potential submarine bases

Xi Jinping, China’s leader, and other officials in Beijing have watched the U.S. moves with alarm. They call it an encirclement of their nation and say the United States is trying to constrain its main economic and military rival.

Since the start of his administration, President Biden has undertaken a strategy to expand American military access to bases in allied nations across the Asia-Pacific region and to deploy a range of new weapons systems there. He has also said the U.S. military would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion.

On Wednesday, Mr. Biden signed a $95 billion supplemental military aid and spending bill that Congress had just passed and that includes $8.1 billion to counter China in the region. And Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled to Shanghai and Beijing this week for meetings with Mr. Xi and other officials in which he raised China’s military activity in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, calling it “destabilizing.”

Mr. Xi told Mr. Blinken on Friday that the United States should not play a “zero-sum game” or “create small blocs.” He said that “while each side can have its friends and partners, it should not target, oppose or harm the other,” according to an official Chinese summary of the meeting.

Earlier in April, the leaders of the Philippines and Japan met with Mr. Biden at the White House for the first such summit among the three countries. They announced enhanced defense cooperation, including naval training and exercises, planned jointly and with other partners. Last year, the Biden administration forged a new three-way defense pact with Japan and South Korea.

President Biden, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan walk down a White House red carpet.

President Biden held a trilateral meeting earlier this month with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines at the White House.

Yuri Gripas for The New York Times

“In 2023, we drove the most transformative year for U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific region in a generation,” Ely S. Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said in a statement following an interview.

The main change, he said, is having American forces distributed in smaller, more mobile units across a wide arc of the region rather than being concentrated at large bases in northeast Asia. That is largely intended to counter China’s efforts to build up forces that can target aircraft carriers or U.S. military outposts on Okinawa or Guam.

These land forces, including a retrained and refitted U.S. Marine littoral regiment in Okinawa, will now have the ability to attack warships at sea.

For the first time, Japan’s military will receive up to 400 of their own Tomahawk cruise missiles — the newest versions of which can attack ships at sea as well as targets on land from over 1,150 miles away.

The Pentagon has also gained access rights for its troops at four additional bases in the Philippines that could eventually host U.S. warplanes and advanced mobile missile launchers, if Washington and Manila agree that offensive weaponry can be placed there.

The United States has bilateral mutual defense agreements with several allied nations in the region so that an attack on the assets of one nation could trigger a response from the other. Bolstering the U.S. troop presence on the soil of allied countries strengthens that notion of mutual defense.

In addition, the United States continues to send weapons and Green Beret trainers to Taiwan, a de facto independent island and the biggest flashpoint between the United States and China. Mr. Xi has said his nation must eventually take control of Taiwan, by force if necessary.

“We’ve deepened our alliances and partnerships abroad in ways that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago,” Kurt Campbell, the new deputy secretary of state, told reporters last year, when he was the top Asia policy official in the White House.

What Deters China?

Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, said in an interview in Taipei that the strengthened alliances and evolving military force postures were critical to deterring China.

“We are very happy to see that many countries in this region are coming to the realization that they also have to be prepared for further expansions of the P.R.C.,” he said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

To some Chinese military strategists, the U.S. efforts are aimed at keeping China’s naval forces behind the “first island chain” — islands close to mainland Asia that run from Okinawa in Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines.

U.S. military assets along these islands could prevent Chinese warships from getting into the open Pacific waters farther east if conflict were to break out.

Leaders in China’s People’s Liberation Army also talk of establishing military dominance of the “second island chain” — which is farther out in the Pacific and includes Guam, Palau and West Papua.

First Island Chain

Second Island Chain

philippines

But several conservative critics of the administration’s policies argue that the United States should be keeping major arms for its own use and that it is not producing new ships and weapons systems quickly enough to deter China, which is rapidly growing its military .

Some American commanders acknowledge the United States needs to speed up ship production but say the Pentagon’s warfighting abilities in the region still outmatch China’s — and can improve quickly with the right political and budget commitments in Washington.

“We have actually grown our combat capability here in the Pacific over the last years,” Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. said in an interview before becoming the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on May 3. “But our trajectory is still not a trajectory that matches our adversary. Our adversaries are building more capability and they’re building more warships — per year — than we are.”

Mr. Paparo said new American warships were still more capable than the ones China is building, and the U.S. military’s “total weight of fires” continued to outmatch that of the People’s Liberation Army, for now.

Fighter jets are seen through windows on an aircraft carrier.

Warplanes on the flight deck of U.S.S. Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, during a joint U.S. and Japanese military exercise in the Philippine Sea in January.

Richard A. Brooks/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty , a Cold War-era arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow, prohibited land-based cruise or ballistic missiles with ranges between 311 miles and 3,420 miles. But after the Trump administration withdrew from the pact, the United States was able to develop and field a large number of small, mobile launchers for previously banned missiles around Asia.

Even with the deployment of new systems, the United States would still rely on its legacy assets in the region in the event of war: its bases in Guam, Japan and South Korea, and the troops and arms there.

All of the senior U.S. officials interviewed for this story say war with China is neither desirable nor inevitable — a view expressed publicly by Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. But they also insist that a military buildup and bolstering alliances, along with diplomatic talks with China, are important elements of deterring potential future aggression by Beijing.

Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, told Mr. Blinken on Friday in Beijing that “the negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building, and the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions.” He warned the United States “not to interfere in China’s internal affairs, not to hold China’s development back, and not to step on China’s red lines and on China’s sovereignty, security and development interests.”

U.S. military or

partner bases

The new deterrent effort is twofold for American forces: increasing patrolling activities at sea and the capabilities of its troop levels ashore.

To the former, the Pentagon has announced that U.S. Navy warships will participate in more drills with their Japanese counterparts in the western Ryukyu Islands near Taiwan and with Filipino ships in the South China Sea, where the Chinese coast guard has harassed ships and installations controlled by the Philippines .

Three people watch a ship in low light.

A swarm of Chinese militia and Coast Guard vessels chased a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea last year.

Jes Aznar for The New York Times

To the latter, Marine Corps and Army units already in the Pacific have recently fielded medium- and long-range missiles mated to small, mobile trucks that would have been prohibited under the former treaty.

These trucks can be quickly lifted by Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft or larger cargo planes to new locations, or they can simply drive away to evade a Chinese counterattack. A new flotilla of U.S. Army watercraft being sent to the region could also be used to reposition troops and launchers from island to island.

In an interview last year with The New York Times, Gen. David H. Berger, then the Marine Corps’ top general, said the service had begun analyzing strategic choke points between islands where Chinese forces were likely to transit throughout the Pacific. He said the service had identified sites where Marine assault forces like the new Okinawa-based littoral regiment could launch attacks on Beijing’s warships using these new weapons.

Philippines

Partner bases

The Pentagon announced in February last year a new military base-sharing agreement with Manila, giving U.S. forces access to four sites in the Philippines for use in humanitarian missions, adding to the five sites previously opened to the Pentagon in 2014. Most of them are air bases with runways long enough to host heavy cargo planes.

Plotting their locations on a map shows the sites’ strategic value should the United States be called upon to defend their oldest treaty ally in the region , if the Philippines eventually agrees to allow the U.S. military to put combat troops and mobile missile systems there.

One, on the northern tip of Luzon Island, would give missile-launching trucks the ability to attack Chinese ships across the strait separating Philippines from Taiwan, while another site about 700 miles to the southwest would allow the U.S. to strike bases that China has built in the Spratly Islands nearby.

In 2023, the United States committed $100 million for “infrastructure investments” at the nine bases, with more funds expected this year.

The Pentagon has forged closer military ties with Australia and Papua New Guinea , extending America’s bulwark against potential attempts by the Chinese military at establishing dominance along the “second island chain.”

The Obama administration moved a number of littoral combat ships to Singapore and deployed a rotating force of Marines to Darwin, on Australia’s north coast, giving the Pentagon more assets that could respond as needed in the region.

Last year, the Biden administration greatly elevated its commitment to Australia, which is one of America’s most important non-NATO allies.

A submarine seen just above the surface of the water in front of a ship.

The U.S.S. North Carolina, a Virginia-class submarine, docking in Perth, Australia, last year.

Tony Mcdonough/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A new multibillion dollar agreement called AUKUS — for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States — will permanently transfer some of the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack subs to Canberra . The location of the new bases for those subs has not been announced, but the first group of Australian sailors who will crew them graduated from nuclear power training in America in January.

These stealthy submarines, which can fire torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles, will potentially add to the number of threats Beijing faces in case of a regional war.

Just north of Australia, an agreement in August gave U.S. forces more access to Papua New Guinea for humanitarian missions and committed American tax dollars to update military facilities there.

To Admiral Paparo, this growing network of partnerships and security agreements across thousands of miles of the Pacific is a direct result of what he calls China’s “revanchist, revisionist and expansionist agenda” in the region that has directly threatened its neighbors.

“I do believe that the U.S. and our allies and partners are playing a stronger hand and that we would prevail in any fight that arose in the Western Pacific,” the admiral said.

“It’s a hand that I would not trade with our would-be adversaries, and yet we’re also never satisfied with the strength of that hand and always looking to improve it.”

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A Whole Bunch of F-22s Are Flocking to This Tiny Island on China's Doorstep

As a game of geopolitical chess plays out, America’s top fighters are now just minutes from the action.

a jet taking off

  • The U.S. Air Force recently deployed Virginia-based F-22 Raptors to Kadena Air Base.
  • Kadena, Japan is just 400 miles from mainland China.
  • The Air Force is pushing more stealthy fifth-generation fighters closer to China, which is great in peacetime but not so great in wartime.

A Visit From the Raptors

According to Air & Space Forces Magazine , F-22 Raptors of the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing, began touching down on Okinawa last month. The trip from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia to Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa is a distance of 7,766 miles, nearly a third of the way around the world. A typical F-22 squadron includes between 18 and 21 of the stealthy fighters.

Kadena Air Base has hosted U.S. fighter aircraft since the end of World War II. In 1979, the base received F-15 fighter jets, and the air superiority fighters have been a continuous presence at the base ever since. In 2023, the Air Force began withdrawing the two F-15C/D squadrons on the island. The F-15s have been replaced by fighters from elsewhere, temporarily rotating through the base, including F-16s, F-35s, and F-22s. This mirrors the overall Pentagon strategy of rotating forces to trouble spots, such as sending Army brigades to Eastern Europe, allowing entire units to gain field experience in potential combat zones.

A Frontline Base

us and japan to begin talks on futemna airbase relocation issue

The deployment is meant to buttress Kadena Air Base’s defenses. Kadena, a U.S. base on a Japanese island in the Ryukyu Islands, is just 400 miles from mainland China and borders the East China Sea. The East China Sea is a major exercise area for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, also known as the Chinese Air Force, with Chinese fighters and bombers regularly passing through the area.

A map published by Newsweek shows the flight paths of not only Chinese, but also Russian aircraft over the East China Sea, with activity both south of Okinawa in the Miyako Strait and also flights over the Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by both Japan and China.

The F-22s won’t be the only fifth-generation stealth fighters in the region. Wuyishan Air Base, in China’s Fujian province, was until recently home to nearly 50 obsolete Shenyang J-6W fighters converted to armed drones and the 41st Aviation Brigade, which counted more than 30 Shenyang J-11A fighters, 2 J-11BS fighters, and two Russian-made Su-27UBK fighters. In late November 2023, according to the Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute , six Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” fighter jets were spotted at Wuyishan Airbase. The J-20, introduced in 2012, is China’s first fifth-generation fighter jet and emblematic of the country’s dramatic military buildup. CASI speculates the 41st Brigade is trading in its older jets for J-20s.

Wuyishan is 200 miles from the Chinese coastline, on the East China Sea. The distance between Kadena and Wuyishan is only 600 miles. It is entirely possible that the F-22 Raptor deployment is a response to the J-20 deployment, and that Raptors and Mighty Dragon pilots might encounter one another in international airspace. The Air Force could learn a lot about the J-20 by openly confronting it in the air, and the F-22, a matchless air superiority fighter, is the ideal plane to do this. The more aggressive the confrontations, the more it will learn the capabilities of Chinese pilots and aircraft like the J-20.

Lessons From Desert Storm

2023 changchun air show kicks off

In 1991, China watched as the United States and its Coalition allies rapidly destroyed the Iraqi military in a combined, coordinated air-land-sea campaign. The attack, with its heavy use of precision-guided weapons and air power, upended everything Chinese military planners knew about modern warfare.

The People’s Liberation Army came away from Desert Storm with two lessons. One was that their country’s military, organized and equipped along the same lines as the Iraqi military, was just as vulnerable to a Western-style attack. The second was that the U.S. and its allies relied heavily on overseas bases to support the attack, and without them, the Pentagon could not have projected its military power.

china wwii parade

In the event of war, the PLA can be expected to attack U.S. bases in the Western Pacific region. This includes Kadena, which is within short-range ballistic missile and cruise missile attack range. China would need to attack U.S. bases even if the main target were Taiwan, to prevent them from being used to flow forces from North America to Taiwan’s rescue. The assumption is that an attack on Taiwan would instantly draw in the United States, so the quicker the bases were taken out the better. This would also likely draw in Japanese forces as the attacks would take place on Japanese soil. All of this makes an invasion of Taiwan considerably more complex than it appears.

The Pentagon, and the Air Force in particular, seem reluctant to permanently base fifth-generation fighter jets like the F-22 and F-35 on Okinawa. If Kadena is attacked on Day One of what would likely become World War III, it might be better if the air base was empty, with aircraft flying in only after Chinese attacks had slowed. In the meantime, however, Air Force pilots have the opportunity to cycle through Kadena, gaining firsthand knowledge of the area and Chinese military air operations.

The deployment of F-22s to a tiny island off the coast of China comes with both opportunities and risks. Short of war, the risks are small, but if war were to break out, the risk could include the loss of billions in irreplaceable fighter jets to a rain of Chinese missiles. It’s one of many decisions the Air Force will have to weigh as the U.S.-China relationship grows sour, and the two countries must thread their way between peace and war.

Headshot of Kyle Mizokami

Kyle Mizokami is a writer on defense and security issues and has been at Popular Mechanics since 2015. If it involves explosions or projectiles, he's generally in favor of it. Kyle’s articles have appeared at The Daily Beast, U.S. Naval Institute News, The Diplomat, Foreign Policy, Combat Aircraft Monthly, VICE News , and others. He lives in San Francisco.

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    13. A half-day tour to explore the blue waters of the Kerama Islands by kayaking around Zamami Island. Explore uninhabited islands and deserted beaches with a two-seater sit-on-top kayak. Take in the views from the top of the canoe, then snorkel in the natural waters and observe the marine life. 2 hours 30 minutes.

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    Valley of Gangala. Take a guided tour of this stunning valley before heading to the nearby Okinawa World on your Okinawa, Japan cruise. It's a forest that grew with the collapse of a limestone cave. If you're looking for nature unlike anywhere else in the world, Okinawa has it.

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    Age and Pregnancy Restrictions. Minimum age to sail: Infants must be at least 12 months old to be eligible to travel. Pregnancy Restrictions: Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's 'Fit to Travel' note is required prior to sailing, stating how far ...

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    Age and Pregnancy Restrictions. Minimum age to sail: Infants must be at least 12 months old to be eligible to travel. Pregnancy Restrictions: Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's 'Fit to Travel' note is required prior to sailing, stating how far ...

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    World cruise leg: Asia with Zuiderdam. 44 nights from February 08, 2024. Cruise from Honolulu to Singapore visiting 14 ports including Naha, Kobe and Hong Kong. Cruise in inside cabin per person. €6199. Asia with MSC Bellissima. 4 nights from February 10, 2024. Round trip from/to Naha visiting Ishigaki and Keelung. 8.3.

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    Age and Pregnancy Restrictions. Minimum age to sail: Infants must be at least 12 months old to be eligible to travel. Pregnancy Restrictions: Royal Caribbean International cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's 'Fit to Travel' note is required prior to sailing, stating how far ...

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    12:00 Have lunch at Suitenrou, and enjoy a traditional Japanese set (self-pay) 13:30 Head to Naha City International Art and Craft. 14:00 Reach Naha City International Arts and Crafts Center. Enjoy the exhibition and a workshop where you will blow and create your own glasswork! 15:30 Head to Naminoue Shrine.

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    Naha cruise port terminal address is "Tondocho 2-1 Naha, Okinawa, 900-0035 Japan". The facility is managed by Naha Port Authority. Cruise ships in Naha dock at Berth 8. The nearest to the cruise port international airport is located approx 4 km (2,5 mi) west of downtown (city hall), or 10-min car drive distance.

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    Where is located the Port of Naha Cruise Terminal. Naha Port is a 20-minute walk from Kokusai-Dori St., a commercial street where you will find many shops and restaurants. To get there, leaving the port, walk along Matsuyama-Dori St. If there are several ships, you may be docked in a more industrial part of the port at Pier #7.

  18. Beach Information

    Okinawa is surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, and each island has an abundance of picture-perfect beaches to explore. Enjoy marine activities or just relax and watch the sunset on a beautiful white sand beach. Go whale watching on a pleasure cruise, hop on a banana boat, or paddle through the surf in a sea kayak. Join a snorkeling or ...

  19. 14-Day Sailing the East China Sea: Japan, Okinawa, And Taiwan Cruise

    Located just off the mainland, the island of Miyajima is home to one of Japan's most iconic sites: Itsukushima Shrine. This World Heritage site is a shrine to women built in the sixth century and known for its crimson torii gate that seems to float on the sea at high tide.Spend the afternoon in Hiroshima, the epicenter of the world's first nuclear bomb attack in 1945, now rebuilt as a ...

  20. Sea cruise Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan Mon 23 Oct 2023

    Sea cruise, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan Mon 23 Oct 2023 - Tue 31 Oct 2023, departure from Yokohama (Tokyo) / Japan, on a comfortable cruise ship Diamond Princess, 8 nights unforgettable emotions for a price from - +38 (050) 336-99-90; English

  21. Naha Okinawa Japan Cruise Port

    Location: You will be docked in Naha New Port, about a 20 minute walk from downtown. Shuttles to downtown in general available. They drop you off very close to the monorail. It is about a mile walk to the monorail. Printable map to take along. Cruise calendar for this port. Watch a destination video.

  22. U.S. Builds Web of Arms, Ships and Bases in the Pacific to Deter China

    The United States is sending the most advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan and has established a new kind of Marine Corps regiment on Okinawa that is designed to fight from small islands and ...

  23. U.S. F-22 Raptors Stationed at Kadena Amid Rising Tensions With China

    The deployment is meant to buttress Kadena Air Base's defenses. Kadena, a U.S. base on a Japanese island in the Ryukyu Islands, is just 400 miles from mainland China and borders the East China Sea.

  24. Seabourn Begins 2024 Alaska Cruise Season

    After the Alaska cruise season ends, the Seabourn Odyssey will be retired from service with the cruise line. To commemorate its retirement, Seabourn is offering a 22-day Farewell Voyage departing from Seattle on September 2. It'll travel to Alaska before sailing to Hokkaido and ending in Yokohama, Japan.