Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

OTSU, Japan, March 10 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a sightseeing ship parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 8, 2025. (Kyodo)

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a sightseeing ship parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 8, 2025.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

Three Gorges Tourism

Three Gorges Tourism

YICHANG, CHINA - APRIL 18, 2024 - A cruise ship operated by Three Gorges Tourism Group on the Yangtze River carries tourists for sightseeing in Yichang, Hubei province, China, April 18, 2024.

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists apply for temporary entry permits at the Tianjin Dongjiang border inspection station in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists prepare to go sightseeing after completing passenger clearance procedures in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists apply for temporary entry permits at the Tianjin Dongjiang border inspection station in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists walk to board a coach at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists line up to pass through passenger clearance procedures at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A staff member provides foreign tourists with guide materials about payment methods in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on April 7, 2024 shows cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docking at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

CHINA-TIANJIN-INT'L CRUISE HOME PORT-FOREIGN TOURISTS (CN)

(240407) -- TIANJIN, April 7, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Foreign tourists board a coach at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's Tianjin Municipality on April 7, 2024. Cruise ship Serenade of the Seas docked at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in north China's port city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, with over 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions aboard. The ship will dock at Tianjin for two days and one night, carrying over 800 crew members and over 1,800 tourists. Most of the tourists will go sightseeing in the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has welcomed 22 cruise ships and seen 68,000 tourist visits so far this year, according to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Passengers enjoy the view from the deck of the "Aurora" sightseeing ship in waters off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 30, 2023, as cruise season began a year after a tour boat that departed from the same port sank with 26 on board.

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

The "Aurora" sightseeing ship is pictured in Shari, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 30, 2023, as cruise season began a year after a tour boat carrying 26 people that departed from the same port sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula.

#CHINA-DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL-HOLIDAY (CN)

#CHINA-DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL-HOLIDAY (CN)

(230623) -- XIANGYANG, June 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo shows tourists aboard a ship for night sightseeing of an ancient town in Xiangyang City, central China's Hubei Province, June 22, 2023. People go out for various activities during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday across the country. (Photo by Yang Dong/Xinhua)

CHINA-ZHEJIANG-RURAL TOURISM (CN)

CHINA-ZHEJIANG-RURAL TOURISM (CN)

(230613) -- NINGHAI, June 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists disembark from a ship after offshore sightseeing in Qiangjiao Town of Ninghai County, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2023. Qiangjiao is a marine peninsula town with rich natural and tourism resources. In recent years, the local government has made great efforts to promote all-in-one tourism, connecting islands, scenic spots, and villages, and has launched coastal tourism attractions, effectively boosting rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Passengers enjoy the view from the deck of the "Aurora" sightseeing ship in waters off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 30, 2023, as cruise season began a year after a tour boat that departed from the same port sank with 26 on board.

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

Hokkaido's Shiretoko tour boats start cruises

The "Aurora" sightseeing ship is pictured in Shari, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 30, 2023, as cruise season began a year after a tour boat carrying 26 people that departed from the same port sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a gold-colored key cast out onto Lake Biwa from a sightseeing ship during a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, on March 4, 2023.

Luxury liner Sun Princess visits Otaru, northern Japan

Luxury liner Sun Princess visits Otaru, northern Japan

SAPPORO, Japan - The 77,000-ton Sun Princess, a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. of the U.S., makes a port call in Otaru, Hokkaido, on June 28, 2014, prior to departure for an eight-day cruise around sightseeing spots in the northernmost Japanese prefecture and Sakhalin, Russia.

Luxury facilities of Sun Princess cruise ship opened

Luxury facilities of Sun Princess cruise ship opened

SAPPORO, Japan - A casino aboard the 77,000-ton Sun Princess, a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. of the U.S., is unveiled to the press at Otaru port in Hokkaido on June 28, 2014, prior to departure for an eight-day cruise around sightseeing spots in the northernmost Japanese prefecture and Sakhalin, Russia.

Passengers disembark from cruise ship in Sakaiminato

Passengers disembark from cruise ship in Sakaiminato

YONAGO, Japan - Passengers are seen going ashore from Diamond Princess cruise ship for sightseeing on June 16, 2014, in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan.

Disaster area kids invited for cruise

Disaster area kids invited for cruise

IWAKI, Japan - Nursery school children in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, feed seagulls aboard a sightseeing ship in the sea off the city on April 25, 2012. They were invited on a tour on the day that the vessel, which operates from a port in the city, resumed regular cruises for the first time since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Ship removed from roof

Ship removed from roof

OTSUCHI, Japan - The sightseeing ship Hamayuri is lifted by cranes to be removed from the roof of an inn (back) in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on May 10, 2011. The sight of the vessel on the rooftop had been seen as symbolizing the devastation of the March 11 disaster since it was brought there by a tsunami.

U.S. Navy's Blue Ridge makes port call in Nagoya

U.S. Navy's Blue Ridge makes port call in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan - Capt. Stephen Maynard (R, front) of the U.S. Navy's Blue Ridge receives flowers at Nagoya port, Aichi Prefecture, on March 12 as the ship made a port call to allow crewmembers to go sightseeing and participate in goodwill activities.

Cruise ship departs for N. Korean tour

Cruise ship departs for N. Korean tour

The Hyundai Kumgang, a cruise ship operated by South Korea's Hyundai Business Group, sets sail from Tonghae port on the east coast of South Korea on Nov. 18 for its first official sightseeing trip to North Korea's Mt. Kumgang. The first tourist ship service between North and South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953, is expected to become a major means of private-sector inter-Korean exchanges.

Tunisia welcomes 1st cruise ship with tourists since COVID-19 outbreak

STORY: Tunisia welcomes 1st cruise ship with tourists since COVID-19 outbreak DATELINE: March 24, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:41 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of cruise ship docking at La Goulette port 2. various of Tunisian welcoming foreign tourists STORYLINE: A cruise ship from Europe docked at the port of La Goulette in Tunis, Tunisia on Wednesday and hundreds of foreign tourists disembarked for sightseeing in Tunisia. It is the first foreign cruise ship to dock in Tunisia since the outbreak of COVID-19. The Tunisian Tourism Ministry announced in a statement in early March that it would strengthen safety and hygiene management to provide a good environment for tourists. The ministry said that the tourism industry in Tunisia will gradually recover from the impact of COVID-19 in 2022. More than 40 cruise ships are planned to dock at Tunisian ports this year, bringing a large number of foreign tourists to Tunisia and contributing to local economic development. Xinhua News Agency corres

Driverless sightseeing ship

Driverless sightseeing ship

A driverless sightseeing ship has a test sailing between the Sarushima uninhabited island and the city of Yokosuka, eastern Japan, on Jan. 11, 2022.

One of Asia's largest cruise ships arrives at western Japan port

One of Asia's largest cruise ships arrives at western Japan port

Passengers head out on a sightseeing tour from the Quantum of the Seas, one of Asia's largest cruise ships, that arrived at the Sakai port in the western Japanese prefecture of Tottori on May 23, 2016. The 350-meter-long, 168,000-ton ship is carrying around 4,600 mostly Chinese tourists. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

One of Asia's largest cruise ships arrives at western Japan port

One of Asia's largest cruise ships arrives at western Japan port

Passengers head out on a sightseeing tour from the Quantum of the Seas, one of Asia's largest cruise ships, that arrived at the Sakai port in the western Japanese prefecture of Tottori on May 23, 2016. The 350-meter-long, 168,000-ton ship is carrying around 4,600 mostly Chinese tourists. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asia's largest cruise ship arrives at Sakaiminato

Asia's largest cruise ship arrives at Sakaiminato

Quantum of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in Asia, arrives at a port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 2, 2015. About 120 sightseeing buses waited at the port to carry some 4,700 passengers, mostly Chinese, aboard the ship, which left Shanghai on June 29. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shiretoko to mark 10th anniv. of world natural heritage listing

Shiretoko to mark 10th anniv. of world natural heritage listing

Tourists aboard a sightseeing cruise ship off the Shiretoko Peninsula on the eastern tip of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido listen to a guide's explanation about the ecology of killer whales on May 23, 2015. Shiretoko will mark the 10th anniversary of its registration as a world natural heritage site in July. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Excursion ship Mashu Maru breaks ice on Lake Akan

Excursion ship Mashu Maru breaks ice on Lake Akan

Sightseeing cruiser Mashu Maru breaks the ice on Lake Akan in Kushiro in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido on April 16, 2015, to forge a course ahead of the start of its full-fledged operation in May. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Excursion ship Mashu Maru breaks ice on Lake Akan

Excursion ship Mashu Maru breaks ice on Lake Akan

Sightseeing cruiser Mashu Maru breaks the ice on Lake Akan in Kushiro in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido on April 16, 2015, to forge a course ahead of the start of its full-fledged operation in May. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Cruise ships with Chinese tourists pour into Japan

Cruise ships with Chinese tourists pour into Japan

Photo taken Feb. 19, 2016, shows Chinese tourists heading for sightseeing after disembarking from a cruise ship in Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shiretoko to mark 10th anniv. of world natural heritage listing

Shiretoko to mark 10th anniv. of world natural heritage listing

A killer whale swims near a sightseeing cruise ship off the Shiretoko Peninsula on the eastern tip of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on May 25, 2015. Shiretoko will mark the 10th anniversary of its registration as a world natural heritage site in July. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Arashiyama

Arashiyama

Arashiyama is viewed from the northern bank of Hozu River, facing south. A few small sightseeing boats and yakata boats are visible. The water flows gently and the water level is relatively low. A promenade lined with small trees is visible on the other side of the river. A torii gate can also be seen on the right.==Date:unknown, Place:Kyoto, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number52‐4‐0]

Ship removed from roof

Ship removed from roof

OTSUCHI, Japan - The sightseeing ship Hamayuri is lifted by cranes to be removed from the roof of an inn (back) in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on May 10, 2011. The sight of the vessel on the rooftop had been seen as symbolizing the devastation of the March 11 disaster since it was brought there by a tsunami. (Kyodo)

Disaster area kids invited for cruise

Disaster area kids invited for cruise

IWAKI, Japan - Nursery school children in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, feed seagulls aboard a sightseeing ship in the sea off the city on April 25, 2012. They were invited on a tour on the day that the vessel, which operates from a port in the city, resumed regular cruises for the first time since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo)

Luxury liner Sun Princess visits Otaru, northern Japan

Luxury liner Sun Princess visits Otaru, northern Japan

SAPPORO, Japan - The 77,000-ton Sun Princess, a cruise ship operated by Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. of the U.S., makes a port call in Otaru, Hokkaido, on June 28, 2014, prior to departure for an eight-day cruise around sightseeing spots in the northernmost Japanese prefecture and Sakhalin, Russia. (Kyodo)

Passengers disembark from cruise ship in Sakaiminato

Passengers disembark from cruise ship in Sakaiminato

YONAGO, Japan - Passengers are seen going ashore from Diamond Princess cruise ship for sightseeing on June 16, 2014, in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

Japan's largest lake marks tourist season start

Japan's largest lake marks tourist season start

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people on a sightseeing ship watching a gold-colored key floating in water of Lake Biwa in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, during a ceremony to mark the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 9, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo