In support of the revitalisation of the Japanese tourism industry Costa Cruises will not only be resuming its Japanese itineraries in the near future, but will also introduce new destinations.

Between August and October Costa Classica, sailing from Shanghai, will depart on no less than 12 cruises to South Korea and Japan.

The cruise liner’s first four-day cruise will leave on the 26th August. Ports of call include Cheju in South Korea and Fukuoka, after which the ship will return to its home port of Shanghai.

Costa was the first major cruise line to introduce cruises to China. The company has been running a number of cruises between China and Japan for the past five years.

Three Japanese destinations feature prominently in these itineraries: Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Kagoshima. There are four-day cruises to Cheju (South Korea) and Fukuoka, a five-day cruise to Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Cheju and a six-day cruise to Kagoshima, Fukuoka and Pusan in South Korea.

In 2012 Costa will expand its capacity in the Asian and Far Eastern market by introducing the 75,200 ton Costa Victoria. She will replace Costa Classica, which is a much smaller vessel.

These Costa Victoria cruises will, for the first time, feature cabins with verandas – offering passengers the luxury of admiring the stunning scenery of the Far East from the comfort of their own cabins.

The cruise ship will visit an array of exciting new destinations: from Wakayama with its huge hot spring resort to the tropical heaven that is Miyazaki/Hosohima. The ship will also take in the sightseeing paradises of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kanto, and will visit Osaka, the country’s second biggest city.