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Kyoto Temple

Treasures of Japan with South Korea

Example 13 Day Cruise
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Discover the incomparable treasures of Japan as you cruise the Inland Sea, exploring the cultural highlights, natural attractions, and dramatic coastlines of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands. From imposing castles and timeless villages to a moving exploration tour of Hiroshima, from elegant court dancers and sacred Shinto shrines to exquisite formal gardens, your voyage presents an intricate tapestry of Japanese riches. In addition, enjoy a full day excursion to Kyongju, Korea, a World Heritage Site encompassing hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas.
Japanese gardenCity of HagiThe city of HiroshimaKyoto Temple
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Osaka, Honshu, Japan / Kyoto

Cross the International Dateline and arrive in Osaka. Transfer to your hotel in Kyoto.

Day 2: Kyoto

After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of Japan’s lovely cultural capital, Kyoto. Founded in the 8th century, Kyoto was the Emperor’s residence for more than one thousand years. Today, its historic shrines, monuments, art, and architectural landmarks represent nearly 20 percent of Japan’s national treasures. Among the tour highlights is a walk through the serene Sagano Bamboo Grove. Visit the Heian-jingu Shrine and its gardens, built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto; the 12th-century Sanjusangen-do Temple, housing the Thousand-Armed Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy; and the exquisite Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its sacred waterfall. After lunch in the city return to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Meet your expedition team tonight during an orientation dinner. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 3: Kyoto / Kobe / Embark Clipper Odyssey

Depart Kyoto this morning on board one of Japan’s famed shinkansen, bullet train, for the trip to Kobe. Back-dropped by the Rokko Mountains, this important port city has been entirely rebuilt since the 1995 earthquake and international trade and commerce continue, as they have for centuries. Board motorcoaches for a drive to the spectacular city overlook on the verdant slopes of Mount Rokko. In town visit the Kobe City Museum where exhibits focus on international cultural exchange between East and West. Later this afternoon embark the Clipper Odyssey and set sail this evening into the fabled Inland Sea.

Day 4: Okayama (Uno-Ko) / Kurashiki

Disembark this morning in Okayama Uno-Ko and drive to the nearby town of Kurashiki, first established as an administrative center for the Shogunate in the early 17th century. The village evolved into a regional commercial center for rice, sake, and cotton and its name translates from kura, “warehouse” and shiki, “village.” Today the old village is a historic jewel, its black-tiled warehouses fronting a willow-lined canal which is criss-crossed with old stone bridges. The O’Hara Museum, whose collections were started by a local textile magnate, houses works by Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Picasso, Matisse, and other Impressionists. Return to Uno-Ko and enjoy a walk through one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, Koraku-en, a 17th-century formal garden encompassing 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse. This afternoon reboard the ship and sail for Hiroshima.

Day 5: Uno-Ko / Naoshima

Naoshima is known for its many contemporary arts museums. Visit the Benesse House Museum, with interesting displays that combine art and nature through the collaborative efforts of many world-renowned artists and architects. The Chichu Art Museum (literally, “in the earth”) houses a number of site-specific installations by James Turrell and Walter De Maria, and paintings by Claude Monet. The Ie (or House) Project takes empty houses scattered about residential areas, and turns the spaces themselves into works of art, weaving in the history and memories of the period when the houses were people’s homes.ed by bridges and walkways.

Day 6: Miyajima / Hiroshima

Considered one of Japan’s scenic wonders, Miyajima, “shrine island,” offers a superb vista of the scarlet Torii, a giant camphor-wood gate at the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine and a sacred site of pilgrimage. At high tide it appears to float in the surrounding waters. Take Zodiacs ashore to explore the World Heritage Site shrine, sacred both to Shintoism and Buddhism.
After lunch join a tour of Hiroshima and visit the compelling Peace Memorial Park located in the heart of the city. A World Heritage Site, the park and its monuments are dedicated to the hope for world peace; an arch-shaped cenotaph includes the names of all the known victims of the atomic bomb.

Day 7: Uwajima, Shikoku Island

Uwajima Castle was built in the early 17th century and is one of only 12 surviving castle towers built in the Edo Period. The castle houses a small museum which includes armor, furnishings, and archives of the Date family. Then stroll though Tensha-en, a traditional Japanese landscape garden constructed in 1868 as the retreat of the Date’s seventh lord, Munetada. You will also visit the Flying Squirrel Temple. The temple’s abbot is a well-known inventor and photographer and many of his creations will be on display.

Day 8: Oita, Kyushu Island / Nakatsu

Today disembark in Oita to view the Usuki Stone Buddhas, carved during the 12th – 14th centuries. Continue to Yufuin, a hot spring resort town, for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards you may choose to stroll around town and perhaps browse through the charming folkcraft shops. Or choose to take a dip in one of the hot springs at a traditional onsen. A short drive brings you to Usa Shrine, founded in the early eighth century, its Main Shrine structure is designated a National Treasure. The tour ends at Nakatsu where you reboard the ship in time for dinner.

Day 9: Hagi, Honshu

tDisembark in Hagi this morning to visit this exquisite medieval samurai town which served as the capital of the local daimyo, feudal lords, between 1603 and 1868. Stroll through the serene Tokoji Temple and burial site of the daimyo which is surrounded by thousands of stone lanterns. Hagi is also world-renowned for its pastel-glazed pottery and you will have the opportunity to watch a master-potter at work.

Day 10: Matsue

The coastline along the north shore of Honshu offers splendid views of craggy rock faces and rugged shores sculpted by waves. Matsue, the “town of water,” is nestled between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. Visit the cultural attractions of the town which include the Matsue Castle and a 250-year-old samurai house complete with tatami rooms. Afterwards take a drive though photogenic countryside to a rural village known for traditional Japanese paper-making.

Day 11: Ulsan, South Korea

After lunch on board disembark in the bustling port of Ulsan. From here you travel overland to visit the lively harbor-side Jagalchi fish market in Busan. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight pier side.

Day 12: Gyeongju

Magnificent Gyeongju, considered by UNESCO as one of the world’s ten most historically significant sites, is often described as a “museum without walls.”As the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, Gyeongju’s cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium when the dynasty began its rule of Korea after conquering and uniting divergent monarchies. The cultural flowering of Gyeongju reached its artistic pinnacle in the 8th century as craftsmen created masterpieces in wood, metal, stone, and pottery.

Day 13: Busan / Disembark / Return Home

After breakfast disembark and transfer to the airport for your independent flight home

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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