Ultimate Knitting Cruise Spring 2027: Japan Style

MARCH 26 – APRIL 11, 2027
Round-trip from Tokyo, Japan

Registration Opens July 6th, 2025

Pack your needles and your walking shoes—we’re headed to Japan (and South Korea!) for a once-in-a-lifetime blossom-filled knitting adventure on board the Holland America Westerdam.

We’ll cruise around the coast of Japan at the perfect time of year—cherry blossom season—exploring historic cities, peaceful gardens, and centuries-old traditions. The focus of this trip is clear: gardens, traditional handicrafts, and fiber arts. We'll visit the Tokyo bead district, delve into sashiko and indigo dyeing, eat delicious local delicacies, visit historic temples, and soak in the inspiration of Japan's artistry and natural beauty. And of course, you’ll have plenty of time to knit, learn, connect, and create onboard.

I’ll be designing a special project just for this cruise, and you'll receive everything you need to bring it to life while we travel. If you’ve been dreaming of Japan, now’s the time to turn that dream into a Lola-led reality.

Itinerary:

March 26 – Arrive Tokyo, Japan
March 27 – Tokyo Day Tour including Bead and Fabric Districts and National Gardens!
March 28 – Embarkation m.s. Westerdam in Tokyo

March 29 – Day at Sea

March 30 – Osaka, Japan

March 31 – Kochi, Japan

April 1 – Hiroshima, Japan

April 2 – Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait

April 3 – Busan, South Korea

April 4 – Sakaiminato, Japan

April 5 – Tsuruga, Japan

April 6 – Toyama, Japan

April 7 – Sakata, Japan

April 8 – Aomori, Japan

April 9 – Hakodate, Japan

April 10 – Day at Sea

April 11 – Disembark in Tokyo, Japan

Includes:

• 2 nights in a Tokyo hotel (TBD) before the cruise – time to acclimate, explore, and connect with our group
• Transfer to the ship on embarkation day
• 3 private, handcraft/garden-focused tours (1 in Tokyo on March 27th that will include the bead district), 2 TBD
• A knitting project designed just for this cruise
• A goody bag with yarn and supplies to bring that project to life
• Three onboard knitting classes with Laura and Lola
• Nightly knit nights with Lola in our own private room
• All shipboard meals, port charges, and taxes

Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Tokyo
• Meals in Tokyo 
• Travel insurance (required)
• Optional shore excursions beyond our private tours
• Alcohol and specialty dining on board
• Bead, craft, and yarn, splurges (you know it’s going to happen)

Want to be part of this unforgettable knitting journey through Japan?

Spaces are limited—registration will open to all on July 6th. Check back here for that link!
Prices start at $5299 pp/based on double occupancy.

Let’s go check out the cherry blossoms with full hearts and project bags. I can’t wait to explore Japan with you.