Kobayashi to oversee all sales and marketing activities in Japan
Tokyo (September 12, 2025) — Viking (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced the appointment of Atsushi Kobayashi as Managing Director of Viking Japan. Kobayashi will lead the company’s Japan office and oversee all sales and marketing activities in the country.
With Kobayashi’s appointment, Viking further strengthens its presence in the Japan market and reinforces its readiness to deliver its award-winning experiences to Japanese guests. Kobayashi brings more than 20 years of senior management experience in the Japanese travel industry, and throughout his career he has driven business growth and built a strong record of leading sales and marketing organizations. Drawing on his deep experience and leadership, Viking Japan will continue to advance its business development in the Japan market in a steady and deliberate manner.
Japan Round-Trip Cruises Tailored for Japanese Guests
Viking’s Japan round-trip cruises offer curious and well-traveled Japanese guests a meaningful, relaxed travel experience — combining in-depth exploration of culturally and historically rich ports of call with the comfort of the line’s award-winning onboard amenities. Guests are able to forge a deeper connection with each port through insightful cultural lectures, dining tailored for the Japanese palate (including Japanese cuisine), and the expert perspective of Viking’s Destination Guides. Each itinerary embodies Viking’s signature travel style: “exploring the world in comfort while engaging with the history and culture of each destination.”
In its inaugural season, more than 6,000 guests sailed with Viking, and onboard surveys returned an overall satisfaction rating of 96%. Viking has already established itself firmly as a destination-focused cruise line in the Japan market.
For its 2025–2026 Japan round-trip program, Viking will operate a total of 21 voyages aboard Viking Eden, including charter cruises. Itineraries will visit ports rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, with calls at UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, Mt. Koya, Himeji Castle, and the Hidden Christian-related sites of Amakusa. The line will also operate a Grand Asia Cruise calling at Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, and other ports.
Himeji Castle (Himeji)
Viking Eden: A Compact Ocean Ship Designed for Greater Discovery
Viking Eden offers nearly the same specifications as Viking’s award-winning ocean cruise ships, purpose-designed to deliver immersive journeys. Compact in size with 465 staterooms and a maximum capacity of 930 guests, the ship provides a more relaxed and comfortable environment, and her dimensions allow her to enter ports that larger vessels cannot.
Built in 2017 by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, Viking Eden blends refined Scandinavian modern design with world-class amenities. Every stateroom features a private veranda, public spaces are bright and open, and a diverse range of dining options — including Japanese cuisine — further enriches the onboard experience.
Viking Ocean Ship
About Viking Japan
Viking opened its Japan office in 2024. Trey Hickey, a longtime cruise industry veteran, serves as its head, and the office has established distribution partnerships with major Japanese travel agencies, enabling Japanese guests to book Viking voyages through familiar channels.
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications For more information, please visit viking.jp.
For more information, please visit www.vikingcruisesjapan.com.
Viking’s award-winning culture channel is available at www.viking.tv.
