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A traditional Japanese garden featuring manicured trees, a pond, and a smooth conical hill.

Yatsushiro, Japan

Cruises to Yatsushiro

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Things to do in Yatsushiro

Yatsushiro might not be on your bucket list yet, but it should be. Nestled along the Kuma River and packed with history, flavors and a full-on stairway to heaven (literally 777 steps up a mountain), this port blends rich past, local culture and natural beauty into one quietly jaw-dropping day.

Explore things to do in Yatsushiro
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  • A woman with a camera walks through a busy indoor market, passing stalls filled with fresh seafood on ice while shoppers browse and vendors stand behind the counters.

    Visit the covered honmachi shopping arcade for pottery, snacks and a crash course in Yatsushiro fashion trends.

  • A long stone staircase rises through a dense forest, bordered by mossy rocks, ferns, and massive tree trunks under bright green foliage.

    Climb the famed 777 mountain steps and catch panoramic views that’ll make you forget how many times you asked “How much farther?” on the way up.

  • Close-up of fresh red basashi sashimi arranged on a blue plate with shredded daikon, shiso leaves, lemon, and a small portion of grated ginger.

    Taste the extremes of regional cuisine, from banpeiyu citrus to basashi (maybe don’t look up what it is until after you’ve tasted it).

  • A narrow pathway curves between massive stone ramparts and neatly trimmed shrubs, with tall trees rising behind the weathered castle walls.

    Explore a shrine built into castle ruins, then stop by a local kiln to see how Yatsushiro’s signature blue-gray pottery is still made today.

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Shore excursions to explore in Yatsushiro

There’s more to Kyushu than castles and gardens, but those are a pretty solid place to start. These curated excursions hit all the right notes, whether you're a sucker for samurai lore or just here for the Shochu tasting.

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  • Kumamoto Castle’s multi-tiered black and white wooden towers sit atop massive stone walls, with ornate curved roofs and a leafy tree in the foreground under a clear sky.

    Best of Kumamoto

    Start with the icon: Kumamoto Castle. Originally built in 1607, this fortress still holds its ground in both stature and spirit. Your guide leads you along the stone walls and scenic grounds, and the views from the towers are as grand as the history they oversee. After a local lunch that doesn’t mess around, you’ll unwind in Suizenji Garden. Think koi-filled ponds, miniature Mount Fuji and 17th-century serenity served in landscape form.

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  • A smoking volcanic crater on Mount Aso sends white plumes into the sky above dark rocky slopes, with golden grasslands stretching across the foreground.

    Mt. Aso & Shirakawa Spring

    Start slow with a stop at Shirakawa Spring. Then it’s off to Kusasenri, a sweeping grassland set against the backdrop of Japan's largest active volcano. A trip to the Aso Crater delivers heat, power and that delicious volcanic majesty. You’ll have time to breathe it all (sulfur and all) in before heading back to port with your camera full and your brain still processing what you just saw.

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  • A traditional Japanese garden featuring arched stone bridges, manicured trees, a reflective pond, and a smooth conical hill under clear blue skies.

    Highlights of Kumamoto

    For a slightly shorter hit list, this version still checks the big boxes. You’ll marvel at the exterior of Kumamoto Castle and stroll through the artful calm of Suizenji Garden. It’s a condensed dose of historic beauty that doesn’t skimp on the storytelling.

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  • Dozens of large clay fermentation jars wrapped in thick straw mats are stacked neatly along a hallway inside a shochu brewery.

    Hitoyoshi & Shochu Brewery

    This tour runs on fermentation and folklore. Start at Kamada factory for miso and soy sauce magic, then roll over to the Kuma Shochu Spirit Museum to learn about the regional spirit with a cult following (one taste and you will understand why). Round it out with a walk through the Aoi Aso Shrine — a national treasure with centuries of Shinto soul etched into its woodwork and walkways.

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EXPLORE ALL Yatsushiro SHORE EXCURSIONS

Explore itineraries with cruises to Yatsushiro

The cruise port sits about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Yatsushiro’s city center, and stepping off the ship feels like stepping into a quietly buzzing neighborhood of hidden gems. As an emerging destination along Japan cruise itineraries, this gateway to explore the Kumamoto area skips the tourist crowds and brings you closer to local life. You can spend your day visiting traditional gardens, sampling regional cuisine or diving into Yatsushiro’s rich pottery heritage. The streets hum with authenticity and (if you happen to be there on the third Sunday in October) the annual fireworks display over the bay proves this town knows how to celebrate.

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Mount Hinoyama

8-Day Sea of Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals

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Kamarura

12-Day Japan Explorer Cherry Blossoms

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Nebuta festival

19-Day Grand Circle Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals

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Discover Yatsushiro on your next cruise

This isn’t your typical port call. Yatsushiro is an authentic Japanese experience away from larger crowds, blending historical sites, local villages and natural beauty into something that feels both grounded and surprising. Whether you're sipping Shochu, exploring sacred shrines or hiking to Umenoki Todo Falls, the region delivers culture with a side of scenery. Princess Cruises® gives you the perfect base for it all, pairing immersive shore time with luxurious shipboard downtime.

Cruises to Yatsushiro
Elevated view of Kumamoto Castle’s wooden and tile-roofed tower surrounded by lush trees, with a distant city and forested mountains under a clear sky

Capture sweeping views of Kumamoto Castle as its elegant tiers rise above bright trees and a sprawling city framed by deep green mountains.

A large outdoor statue of Kumamon, the black bear mascot with red cheeks, stands playfully on one leg in an open plaza with trees and clear skies in the background.

Snap a photo with Kumamon as the beloved mascot strikes a joyful pose against a bright blue sky.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

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Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


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Cruises to Yatsushiro FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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  • Cruise Plus hotel packages

    Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

    Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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