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The great success of 2018 has pushed Costa Crociere to confirm for the new year all Costa Neoromantica itineraries departing from Tokyo between Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Russia.
In particular for the country of Rising Sun. six new itineraries are planned thanks to the collaboration with Jnto, the Japanese Tourism Board. All cruises include a stop at Tokyo (departure or passage) and will allow you to discover the uncontaminated charm of the island state. On board the Costa neoRomantica, you can cross the Sea of Japan and visit suggestive places such as Okinawa, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Miyakojima, Fukuoka and Arita
Completely renovated in 2012, Costa neoRomantica is smaller in size than the other ships in the fleet available to the Genoese company. Luxurious and colorful interiors, cabins on the highest decks, Samsara spa with 111 cabins, casino, disco, theatre, the Condotti gallery for shopping, the large Piazza Italia bar and the Show Lounge Bar 'Cabaret Vienna' with dance floor, library and internet point. In this atmosphere of relaxation and maximum availability, cruises in Japan will allow you to get to know cities like Okinawa which still maintains its exclusive charm with dream atolls and very warm waters. About 300 kilometers southwest of the main island of Okinawa, there is Miyakojima, famous for very clear surrounding waters, among the most transparent in Japan. The place is among the favorites of divers from all over the world.
Don't miss the stop in Nagasaki, which went down in history as the site of the atomic bombing which occurred during the Second World War. Among the beauties to visit is the Oura Cathedral, in neo-Gothic style and declared a National Treasure of Japan, the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park with the enormous Prayer Statue. In the same prefecture there is Sasebo, a coastal town that over time has become a military port of fundamental importance. It is known in particular for the beauty of its panoramas and for its Kujukushima Islands, the archipelago of 99 islands (in reality there are more than 200) which extends for about 25 km following the coast of Nagasaki ken. Some itineraries proposed by Costa Crociere also include a stop in Arita, known as the city of porcelain. Produced around 400 years ago, the city introduced this tradition after kaolin – the essential mineral for making porcelain – was found in a local mountain. At the time, craftsmen with the necessary skills were brought from Korea to the country so as to spread the practice. The city and the isolated mountain village of Okawachiyama were the two main production sites. A dive into the past among furnaces and artisan workshops.
Finally, the focal point of the itineraries is Fukuoka, one of the largest cities in Japan. Divided in two by the Naka River, it is home to numerous museums, art galleries and theatres. It also hosts many sporting events and professional festivals, most notably the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a two-week 700-year celebration held every July, which features colorful parades in traditional costumes. Among the places to visit is the Santuario Sumiyoshi-jinja dedicated to the protective deities of sailors and the Fukuoka Castle, Also known as Castello di Maizuru. Perched atop a high stone foundation overlooking the Naka River, exploration includes views of some of the original castle gates, turrets and towers within the vast castle grounds as well as the ruins of a one-time guesthouse used for the arrival of diplomats, the only one of its kind in Japan.
