The ports of Miyazaki are set to welcome 18 cruise calls this year, Yoshiaki Takatori, marketing director of the Miyazaki Prefecture Tourism Association, told Cruise Industry News.

“The record for the most cruise calls was in 2017, with 30 calls, marking a peak in cruise tourism for the region. Looking ahead to 2026, a total of 24 cruise calls are scheduled across the ports of Miyazaki Prefecture,” said Takatori.

Among visitors scheduled is Ponant’s Le Soleal, with four calls.

Located at the mouth of the Oyodo River, Miyazaki Port serves as the maritime gateway to southern Kyushu. Historically known as Akae Port, it was redeveloped in the mid-20^th century and designated as an important port in 1973.

Today, it functions as a logistics hub, connecting to Kobe via ferry and supporting both cargo and passenger services. The port features a dedicated cruise ship berth designed to accommodate large passenger vessels.

The Star Navigator is scheduled to arrive at the port of Aburatsu in Nichinan City on Nov. 15.

According to Takatori, the ship’s arrival will bring a significant boost to local tourism, cultural exchange and international visibility for Nichinan and the surrounding areas.

“This visit is part of a broader initiative to position Aburatsu as a key destination in regional cruise routes, especially for ships departing from Keelung, Taiwan,” Takatori said.