Japan cruises take you to some of the country’s most extraordinary places. But what happens once you step off ship?
Our private transfer services for your off-shore excursions helps you cruise around Japan beyond the port: comfortably, smoothly, and at your own pace.
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Built for comfort and accessibility
Spacious vehicles, flexible pacing, and support for mobility aids make your trip smoother from start to finish.
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Coordinated with your cruise schedule
We plan around disembarkation and boarding times, so you won’t miss a thing—or feel rushed along the way.
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Local knowledge, handled with care
We handpick routes and stops based on years of on-the-ground experience in Japan’s cruise port regions.
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English-supported planning and coordination
You’ll have a dedicated English-speaking planner on hand to help you feel confident and informed.
Why choose private cruise transfers in Japan?
Cruises are relaxing. Disembarking often isn’t.
The moment you step off the ship, the comfort and structure of cruise life can vanish, especially in a country as fast-paced and unfamiliar as Japan. Public transport can be overwhelming. Group tours move too fast or too slow. And not every port has clear signage or accessible pick-up zones.
TokudAw specializes in cruise ground transport designed around your pace, preferences, and mobility needs. Each trip is pre-arranged, timed to your docking schedule, and led by a trusted local driver. No matter if you’re heading into the city, visiting cultural sites, or connecting to a hotel or airport, we make the journey as smooth as possible.
Our fleet includes spacious vans ideal for couples or small groups, with room for luggage and easy access for those with limited mobility. You’ll never need to deal with train stations or wait in long taxi queues. And if you need a guide, interpreter, or custom itinerary—we can arrange that too.
Japan cruise ports we serve
Local favorites
Taste: Monjayaki – a gooey, savoury pancake cooked on a hotplate and scooped up with tiny spatulas
Take home: Edo Kiriko cut glass – intricate, hand-etched tumblers with coloured crystal patterns
Yokohama (for Tokyo)
Yokohama is one of Japan’s busiest cruise ports, offering quick access to Tokyo, but the capital is sprawling, and the most meaningful experiences lie tucked between temples, backstreets, and green spaces.
Sightseeing highlights
Asakusa & Senso-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, framed by a colourful street market selling incense, yukata, and traditional snacks
Meiji Shrine & Harajuku – A peaceful forested shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji, set beside Harajuku’s quirky fashion boutiques and crêpe stands
Minato Mirai – A futuristic waterfront district in Yokohama itself, perfect for a short panoramic drive or museum stop if you want to stay closer to port
Local favorites
Taste: Sakuraebi – tiny cherry-blossom-coloured shrimp served raw, fried, or in tempura
Take home: Suruga bamboo tea strainers, handcrafted with intricate knotting and clean minimalist lines
Shimizu (Mt. Fuji Region)
Framed by mountains and sea, Shimizu is one of Japan’s most scenic ports, especially on clear days when Mt. Fuji rises above the harbour. The surrounding region is rich in both natural beauty and traditional crafts.
Sightseeing highlights
Miho no Matsubara – A pine-lined beach with panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, immortalised in ancient poetry and UNESCO-listed for its cultural significance
Nihondaira Ropeway – Ride above tea fields and forests to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, a vibrant resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu
Shimizu Fish Market – A bustling local market where you can try ultra-fresh tuna, shrimp, and wasabi products straight from the source
Local favorites
Taste: Yudofu – soft tofu simmered in delicate broth, a Kyoto temple specialty
Take home: Kyo-Yuzen silk furoshiki – ornate cloths used for wrapping gifts, or as beautiful table and wall decorations
Kobe/Osaka (for Kyoto day trips)
Kobe and Osaka ports provide access to Kyoto; home to some of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. As the former imperial capital, Kyoto is known for its elegant temples, tranquil gardens, and glimpses of geisha culture.
Sightseeing highlights
Fushimi Inari Shrine – Thousands of bright red torii gates lining forested trails, one of Japan’s most photographed spiritual sites
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – A Zen temple covered in gold leaf, sitting beside a tranquil pond surrounded by moss gardens
Arashiyama – A scenic district with a bamboo forest, riverside walks, and the historic Togetsukyo Bridge, even more stunning in spring and autumn
Local favorites
Taste: Katsuo no Tataki – bonito tuna seared over straw flames, sliced thin, and served with garlic, onion, and ponzu
Take home: Handmade Tosa washi – soft, fibrous paper perfect for cards, journals, or delicate lanterns
Kochi
Located on the island of Shikoku, Kochi is a relaxed, unpretentious city with a strong local identity. Its highlights include open-air markets, samurai history, and a wild stretch of coastline that’s never too far from view.
Sightseeing highlights
Kochi Castle – One of the few Japanese castles to retain its original keep and defensive walls, offering panoramic city views and preserved Edo-period architecture
Hirome Market – A lively indoor food hall where locals gather to eat katsuo no tataki (seared bonito), drink beer, and socialize
Katsurahama Beach – A rugged beach with crashing waves, a famous statue of samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, and a small aquarium tucked into the cliffs
Local favorites
Taste: Champon – a hearty noodle soup with seafood, pork, and vegetables in a creamy broth
Take home: Abura-shibori pressed flower art – delicate floral designs mounted on washi paper or accessories
Nagasaki
Nagasaki is a city shaped by exchange and resilience. Once Japan’s only international port, it became a cultural crossroads—and later, one of the country’s most sobering memorials to war.
Sightseeing highlights
Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum – A moving memorial to the lives lost in 1945, featuring powerful sculptures and historical exhibits
Dejima – A restored trading post that once housed Dutch merchants during Japan’s centuries of isolation, complete with reconstructed buildings and artifacts
Glover Garden – A hillside collection of colonial-era homes with panoramic harbour views and tales of international traders and early industrialists
Local favorites
Taste: Kurobuta pork – rich and tender, often served as shabu-shabu or tonkatsu.
Take home: Satsuma-yaki ceramics – rustic pottery with natural ash glazes, used for teaware and home décor.
Kagoshima
Facing the active volcano of Sakurajima, Kagoshima is known for its dramatic landscapes and volcanic hot springs. It also has deep samurai roots and a distinctive southern charm.
Sightseeing highlights
Sakurajima – Still smoking, this volcano looms across the bay and can be viewed from multiple lookout points or visited by ferry.
Sengan-en – A beautifully preserved feudal villa and garden once owned by the Shimadzu clan, complete with bamboo groves, teahouses, and views of Sakurajima.
Shiroyama Observatory – A hilltop vantage point offering sweeping views over Kagoshima city and the volcano beyond.
Local favorites
Taste: Ikameshi – squid stuffed with rice, traditionally prepared for long train journeys.
Take home: Hakodate glass – colorful, hand-blown pieces ranging from tableware to tiny art objects.
Hakodate (Hokkaido)
Once a key international trading port, Hakodate still feels distinct from the rest of Japan. It blends Meiji-era architecture with northern landscapes and famously fresh seafood.
Sightseeing highlights
Goryokaku Fort – A rare star-shaped fortress built in the 19th century with a moated park that bursts into color during cherry blossom season.
Mt. Hakodate – Reachable by ropeway, this peak offers one of Japan’s most celebrated night views, with the city lights curving between two bays.
Morning Market – Just a short walk from the port, it’s packed with local delicacies like sea urchin, crab, and ikura rice bowls.
Local favorites
Taste: Anything apple! From dried slices to sparkling cider, thanks to Aomori’s status as Japan’s apple capital.
Take home: Tsugaru lacquerware – created using a centuries-old layering technique, each piece is hand-polished and often features vivid, multicolored swirls.
Aomori
Located at the northern tip of Honshu, Aomori is defined by rugged landscapes, deep winters, and a vibrant folk culture. It’s also home to Japan’s most famous summer festival.
Sightseeing highlights
Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse – Dedicated to the Nebuta Matsuri, this museum displays towering illuminated floats and offers hands-on activities like taiko drumming.
Hirosaki Castle – A three-story castle set in a vast park with over 2,000 cherry trees, especially striking in late April during full bloom.
A-Factory & Bay Area – A modern shopping and dining complex housed in repurposed warehouse buildings along the waterfront, known for its craft cider and apple-based treats.
The best Japan cruises to consider for your trip
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Regent Seven Seas
Regent’s Tokyo itineraries offer a blend of cultural depth and refined luxury, often beginning or ending in the capital. Expect immersive excursions, fine dining, and smaller port stops across Japan.
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Celebrity Millennium
A popular ship for Japan itineraries, Celebrity Millennium sails roundtrip from Tokyo or Yokohama, stopping in cities like Hakodate, Kobe, and Kagoshima. The ship blends contemporary design with Japanese coastal discovery.
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Diamond Princess
Built in Japan and often based in Yokohama, the Diamond Princess is known for its regional focus—highlighting local cuisine, hot springs, and seasonal festivals during multi-stop journeys around the country.
Travel at your own pace
Japan’s cruise ports are full of remarkable sights, but they’re not always easy to reach. Long walks, steep terrain, unfamiliar signage, and packed trains can turn a day ashore into a logistical challenge, especially for travellers with mobility concerns.
Our vehicles are spacious and easy to get in, with room for walkers, wheelchairs, or simply a more relaxed ride. We choose routes that minimize unnecessary walking and adapt to your pace, be it fewer stops or longer breaks between them. If you need assistance getting from the ship to your vehicle, we’ll coordinate with port staff ahead of time to guarantee a smooth handover.
Some of the most rewarding experiences in Japan are also the quietest: a moment of stillness beneath shrine gates, the sound of waves on a pine-fringed beach, the craft of a glassmaker passed from one generation to the next. We believe accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be part of the experience at every stage.
FAQs
Can I book a transfer if I’m taking a Japan cruise from the USA?
Yes. Many of our guests join Japan cruises that depart from or return to international ports. Whether you're flying in early or extending your stay post-cruise, we can coordinate transfers to suit your full itinerary.
Can you pick us up directly from the cruise terminal?
Yes. At most ports, we can meet you right at the terminal exit. Where port regulations require a short shuttle ride to the main gate, we’ll coordinate this in advance and guide you through the process.
What if I use a wheelchair or have limited mobility?
We work with vehicles that are easy to access and suitable for passengers with mobility challenges. Let us know your needs when booking, and we’ll make sure everything is in place for a smooth journey.
Do your drivers speak English?
While not all drivers are fluent, our English-speaking trip planners provide full coordination, contact numbers, and translated instructions. English support is always available if needed during your journey.
How far are the ports from major cities like Tokyo or Kyoto?
Some cruise ports (like Yokohama or Kobe) are 30–90 minutes away from major cities. We plan travel times carefully to ensure you have enough time for sightseeing, meals, and return boarding without rushing.
Extend the journey beyond the shore
With private Japan transfers tailored to your schedule, comfort, and interests, you can step off the ship and into the heart of the country - at your own pace, and on your own terms.
