In mid-February, one of the world's largest cruise ships, resembling a floating skyscraper, arrived at the city of Fukuoka, releasing some 5,000 Chinese tourists who then boarded more than 100 awaiting shuttle buses.
The port of Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture saw a record 245 cruise ship port calls last year, the most nationwide. The port expects 400 arrivals this year.
Most of the cruise ship tours from China last about five days, touring East Asia and increasing port calls in Okinawa and Kyushu.