Asuka Cruise
Asuka Cruise: the back story
The back story
About Asuka Cruise: the back story
Asuka Cruise is the cruise brand of NYK Cruises, based in Yokohama. Since the first Asuka sailed in 1991, its ships have carried a distinctly Japanese style of hospitality, and in 2026 the line marks its 35th anniversary with two ships, ASUKA II and ASUKA III.
Thirty-five years at sea
The story begins in 1991 with the first Asuka. ASUKA II followed, and the newest ship, ASUKA III, now sails alongside her. NYK Cruises, established in January 1989 and headquartered in the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, runs both, and in 2026 celebrates 35 years of Asuka cruising.
Two ships, two characters
ASUKA II, 50,444 GT, carries 872 guests in 436 cabins, every one facing the sea and with a bath. Dinner is a course menu, and there are Royal and Japanese-Western suites. ASUKA III, 52,265 GT, gives every cabin a private balcony, offers six restaurants and lets you choose where to dine according to the day’s mood, with an ‘elegant casual’ dress code in the evening.
Sail through the seasons of Japan.
Japan at the table
Breakfast can be a Japanese tray of small dishes or a buffet. Umihiko, the line’s sushi restaurant, serves Edomae sushi for an extra charge; on ASUKA III there is French at Noblesse, Italian at Al Mare and the Grill Restaurant Papenburg. Suite guests can have breakfast, lunch and dinner served in their rooms.
The bath with a view
The most Japanese thing on board may be the bath. ASUKA III’s Grand Spa sits at the very bow, an observation bath looking ahead along the ship’s course and an open-air bath facing the sea, and ASUKA II has an open-air bath of its own. Art is part of the ship too: ASUKA III’s Gallery Café is built around Hiroshi Senju’s fresco ‘Waterfall on Colors’.
Where they sail
The ships follow Japan’s seasons, from cherry blossom and summer fireworks to autumn leaves and winter illuminations, sailing from Yokohama, Kobe and Hakata. Longer voyages go further: a 2027 round-Japan Discovery Cruise of about 10,000 km on ASUKA III, a 2027 Pacific Discovery Cruise, and an anniversary Oceania grand cruise to New Zealand.
Our advice: choose ASUKA III for balconies and choice, ASUKA II for classic course dinners and shows. Either way, time your cruise for a festival or the autumn colours, and leave room in the day for the open-air bath.
Why it's on our list
- Since 1991
- NYK Cruises, Yokohama
- Two Japanese-flagged ships
- 35th anniversary in 2026
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Asuka Cruise: the back story before you go.