When a cruise line launches, most travelers focus on the ship, suites, or itinerary. But after sailing with Mitsui Ocean Cruises on the new MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, I think the real story is the food.
The luxury cruise market is crowded with lines boasting Michelin-inspired menus and celebrity chef partnerships. Mitsui has taken a different approach. Instead of trying to outdo Seabourn, Regent, or Silversea with over-the-top dining experiences, they’ve created something far more interesting: a culinary program that genuinely reflects Japan. Something NO other cruise line traveling through Japan is doing! And that alone is why if I ever cruise Japan again, it will 100% be with Mitsui Ocean cruises (stay tuned, I’m working on a group offer!)
A Taste of Japan at Sea
At the heart of the dining program is omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of hospitality that emphasizes anticipation, thoughtfulness, and care. You see it throughout the ship, from the presentation of dishes to the use of seasonal ingredients and regional flavors.
Adding credibility to the program is renowned Chef Kiyomi Mikuni, whose signature “Japonisée” style blends Japanese ingredients with classic French techniques. The result isn’t fusion for the sake of fusion. Instead, it feels refined, balanced, and uniquely Japanese. If you opt into the specialty restaurant, be prepared for a mouthwatering experience. The one and only time a specialty restaurant at sea has really impressed me. Mitsui brings high end restaurant quality to the inland sea.
Expect dishes featuring premium seafood, beautifully prepared meats, meticulously crafted sauces, and presentations that look more like a fine Tokyo restaurant than a cruise ship dining room. Oh and the best part, whenever Mitsui does formal night, DO NOT miss the main event. It’s a delicious wagyu beef dinner where the thinly sliced beef is like butter and just melts away in your mouth. Is this really a dinner on a cruise line? My tastebuds danced in excitement, pinch me I’m dreaming!
The Best Part? You Always Have Options
One aspect of Mitsui’s dining strategy that I particularly appreciate is that guests are never locked into a single dining style or cuisine. Let’s say Restaurant Fuji, the ship’s main dining room, is featuring a traditional Japanese dinner. Maybe you’re in the mood for sushi, seasonal seafood, and regional specialties. Great. But what if your travel companion wants something different? While the main dining room may be highlighting Japanese cuisine, Terrace Restaurant Hachiyo offers a broad international buffet with dishes from around the world, including Western comfort foods, salads, grilled items, pasta, and rotating global specialties. Breakfast had a spread of both westerns and asian meals too. Choose what you prefer
The reverse is true as well. On evenings when Restaurant Fuji serves a Western-inspired menu, guests can still enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine elsewhere on the ship, including ramen, tempura, curries, seafood specialties, sushi offerings, and other traditional favorites.
One night in the main dining room was Japanese, I could not resist myself! Again 10/10 a perfect meal with flavors from Japan.
It’s a surprisingly smart approach, because Mitsui recognizes the guests do not want to be locked in to just one cuisine or type of food. It also means there’s something to eat for everyone, even the most picky eaters!
Many cruise lines, especially smaller ships, force everyone into essentially the same dining experience each night. Mitsui recognizes that travelers have different tastes, and sometimes even the same traveler wants something different depending on the day. Choose between 3 different restaurants or room service.
After a busy shore excursion, you may want a buffet and a bowl of ramen. The following evening you may be ready for a refined multi-course Japanese dinner. Mitsui allows you to choose without sacrificing quality.
For adventurous eaters, it creates endless opportunities to explore Japanese cuisine. For less adventurous guests, it provides a comfortable fallback option. Then, for couples with different dining preferences, it may eliminate the nightly “where should we eat?” debate altogether. If all else fails or your hungry later order room service with a spread of club sandwiches, udon, sushi and more
Hokusai Fine Dining Raises the Stakes
For those looking for something even more elevated, Mitsui offers Hokusai Fine Dining, a specialty restaurant showcasing Chef Mikuni’s culinary vision. HOKUSAI Fine Dining is a 5 course “Japonais” (French & Japanese fusion)
Past menus have included Bluefin tuna tartare, lobster with caviar, Wagyu beef with foie gras and truffles, artisan cheeses, and carefully selected wine pairings. It’s the type of restaurant that would be notable on land, let alone at sea. The wine pairing brings world class wines to food so divine that you won’t want the experience to end! Yes there’s a modest upcharge for this experience (Free for penthouse and suites), and this is 100% worth it.
I wrote more about this experience in my Mitsui Ocean cruise review. By far one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had at sea and a great use of the old Seabourn TK Grill. This was elevated, delicious, fresh and the quality and presentation was epic! Some photos of my delicious meal below. I did the wine pairing and it was worth every cent.
Small Touches & Tea Service
Beyond the restaurants, Mitsui excels in the details. Guests will find Japanese pastries, specialty coffees, afternoon tea, locally sourced teas, regional sake, Japanese whisky, fresh sandwiches, and seasonally inspired cocktails throughout the ship. These small touches help make food part of the overall travel experience rather than simply something scheduled between excursions
Even the Tea service is quintessential Japanese’s. Offer a fun filled box of treats representing Japan. From a Mt Fuji match cheesecake to other regional inspired dishes, Mitsui is proud of the country they call home and the food shows it!
Final Thoughts
What impresses me most about Mitsui Ocean Cruises is its confidence in it’s food and service. Rather than creating a generic luxury cruise experience designed to please everyone, the line embraces its Japanese identity while still offering enough variety to satisfy international travelers. The result is a dining program that feels authentic, approachable, and refreshingly different.
In an industry where many luxury cruise menus are becoming increasingly interchangeable, Mitsui Ocean Cruises has managed to create something memorable. The only cruise line traveling within Japan and bringing Japenese culture to land and sea.
When you’re ready to experience Japan by Land and Sea and have a real Japanese immersion from food to excursion, nightly entertainment and with a ship that’s 80-90% Japanese clientele, this is your opportunity. Contact me, your favorite Virtuoso Travel Advisor to book your Mitsui Ocean Cruise and enjoy private perks such as discounts and additional onboard credit.
