Japan boasts its own luxury, all-inclusive cruise brand – Mitsui Ocean Cruises – which offers a unique opportunity to experience the essence of Japanese culture in a truly authentic way not possible on most overseas-based cruise lines.
This September, Mitsui Ocean Cruises will offer a sumptuous journey around the quieter southern islands of Japan when autumn foliage colours the landscape in radiant reds and glowing golds. And to help Australians be onboard, boutique cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, which exclusively represents Mitsui in Australia, is offering free return flights to Japan for bookings made by July 31, 2026.
The eight-night voyage aboard the elegant, 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji, formerly Seabourn Odyssey, sails from the cosmopolitan city of Kobe near Osaka on September 19, 2026. Circling Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, the cruise will connect guests intimately with Japan’s picturesque coastline, ancient temples, rich culture and dynamic cities where tradition meets cutting-edge innovation – all in one luxurious, seamless journey.
The round-trip itinerary from Kobe takes in Japan’s palate-pleasing food capital of Fukuoka, the hot springs and volcanic sand baths of Ibusuki, the beautiful subtropical island of Tanegashima with its breathtaking white-sand beaches and the enchanting old castles of Yatsushiro, plus the seafood markets of Busan in South Korea.
“Nobody knows Japan like the country’s own Mitsui Ocean Cruises which offers a completely bespoke way of discovering the country’s ancient and modern wonders on unique journeys imbued with depth, discovery, enrichment and also value-for-money,” said Cruise Traveller Managing Director, Joe O’Sullivan.
“Unlike a typical cruise around Japan, a journey with Mitsui Ocean Cruises is a curated, cultural discovery experience, blending small-ship intimacy and personal service with meaningful encounters and authentic local insight, appealing not only to cruise travellers, but also to lovers of culture, history, cuisine, nature, and small-group exploration. Mitsui also brings to the experience traditional ‘omotenashi’ service- the time-honoured, Japanese art of intuitive, meticulous and heartfelt hospitality.”
Free flight offer
The eight-night cruise aboard the elegant, all-suite Mitsui Ocean Fuji is available from A$7880 per person, twin-share, in a Veranda Suite with private balcony. Fares include excursions, authentic Japanese cuisine, selected onboard beverages, gratuities and Wi-Fi. Book through Cruise Traveller by July 31, 2026, to receive free return flights to Osaka from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
