Art of Japan

Day 1 Busan, South Korea

Some of the restaurants here are locally famous, with family recipes handed down the generations. Jagalchi Market is a great place to find a bargain and nearby crowded Haeundae beach has to be seen to be believed.

Day 2 Fukuoka

A feast for art lovers with the Kyushu National Museum - the striking architecture of the exterior is reflected in the innovative technology inside. The brilliant Museum of Contemporary Asian Art has a unique collection of over two and a half thousand works. Kyushu Ceramic Museum has valuable and extensive collections housed in a striking modern glass gallery in the hills.

Day 3 Kagoshima, Kyushu Island

On the south western tip of Kyushu we find the city of Kagoshima. Dominating the harbor upon our arrival is the stratovolcano Sakurajima. This volcano is located in the Aira caldera, which was formed in an enormous eruption 22,000 years ago. Sakurajima itself is believed to have formed around 13,000 years ago. The 1914 eruption of Sakurajima linked the volcano to the mainland, as it is today. The volcano is still active today with regular plumes of ash rising from the cone.

Kagoshima has a long proud Samarai history and the port has played a significant role throughout history. It is said that Kagoshima was the birth place of the Japanese Industrial revolution. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) it was forbidden for Japanese citizens to travel abroad, however several young men from this region were believed to have traveled to England and the United States, returning to share their insights into western science and technology, and giving a kick start to the industrial revolution that followed.

Optional Excursion: Ibusuki Art & Culture Experience. Please contact us for rates.
Included Expedition
We will begin our day by boarding our coaches, then crossing the harbour by ferry, to visit the observation area for the Sakurajima Volcano. After viewing Sakurajima we will proceed to an unusual feature of the area, the Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath Park. With great views over the caldera-harbour, you can soak your feet in the geothermally heated water running through hundreds of metres of foot baths in the ultimate natural foot spa.

We will visit the Senganen Japanese Garden and one time home of the Shimadzu family, feudal lords of this domain. We will be met by Edo Period Samurai re-enactors. Continuing further afield we will visit the former Samurai residences of Chiran, where the streets are lined with ponds full of Japanese Koi Carp and finally onto the Chiran Peace Park, documenting the history of the infamous Kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Day 4 Miyajima, Inland Sea

Itsukushima is the correct name for the island essentially known by all as Miyajima (Shrine Island), which is sacred within both Shintoism and Buddhism. It is one of the most revered locations for Japanese people and is a popular place for weddings. Orion II will slowly approach the island and it's holy mountain of Misen San from across an unusually misty sea. The large vermillion colored O-Torii that symbolizes the entrance gate to the shrine is one of the most recognizable images of Japan. Torii (literally "bird perch") are traditional Japanese gates most commonly found at the entrance of, or within, a Shinto shrine marking the transition from the sacred to the profane. The sprawling Itsukushima shrine appears to float on the water during high tides. Several other shrines and temples are dotted around the island. There is also a great shopping district beside the main shrine. Oysters are a favorite product of Miyajima and vendors sell freshly shucked oysters up and down the main street. Sika Deer wander freely not only through the forested areas but also through out the town and the grounds surrounding the shrine. (Visit to Miyajima will usually try to be timed on the high tide so may be either morning or afternoon)

The Itsukushima shrine, it's grand Torri gate and the general town area are accessed on foot after a short walk from the Zodiac landing beach. It is in the Itsukushima shrine, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage area, where our local guides will explain to us the significance of this location. After the performance you can take a guided hike through the forested area of Miyajima, explore more of the temples and shrines, or wander through the main street with it's shopping and eating establishments.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS IN JAPAN IT IS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE TO UDERTAKE THE SACRED KAGURA DANCE AND MUSIC PERFROMANCE IN THE SHRINE AT MIYAJIMA AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. WE ARE WORKING TO HOLD THIS EVENT ONBPOARD THE SHIP AS AN ALTERNATIVE. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY PRESENT.

Optional Excursion: Sea Kayak the O-Torii Gate of Miyajima. Please contact us for rates.

Day 5 Uno Ko, Honshu Island

Uno Ko (Uno Port) is a small coastal port that gives us access to areas such as Okayama and Kurashiki. Korakuen, a 17th century formal garden encompassing 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse is one of the most significant formal gardens of Japan, with Okayama castle towering high above it. Kurashiki is a historic city of 400,000 people, located further to the west of Okayama sitting on the Takahashi River, on the coast of the Inland Sea. Before the days of modern port facilities, rice and other goods were offloaded onto small boats from ships anchored offshore, which would travel into the center of Kurishiki via the river and then further offload their goods into store houses lining the river banks. In recent times these abandoned storehouses have been converted to museums, galleries, cafes and boutiques. With the scenic river & cobblestone streets adding to the atmosphere, Kurashiki has a unique charm to it. Leaving Uno mid-afternoon gives us a chance to enjoy some daylight cruising in the Seto Inland Sea.

From the port we will travel by coach to both Okayama and Kurashiki today. In Okayama we will spend time exploring the world famous Korakuen gardens, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and participate in a tea ceremony in the gardens. In 1687, the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered the construction of Korakuen, finally completed in 1700, it has retained its original appearance to the present day. In Kurashiki we will visit a traditional family house dating back to the 17th century and also visit the Ōhara Museum of Art. Established in 1930 by Magosaburō Ōhara, the museum houses works by El Greco, Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, and Renoir. The collection also presents fine examples of Asian and contemporary art. We will have free time in Kurashiki to explore the cobblestone streets and the boutique shops lining the river. Today's inclusive tour also includes a formal Japanese lunch in Kurushiki.

Optional Excursion: Naoshima - Artists Paradise. Please contact us for rates.

Days 6-7 Naoshima, Honshu Island

Virtually every space on the island seems to house artistic expression. The Chichu Art Museum is a superb modern gallery with installations by James Turrell, Walter De Maria and paintings by Claude Monet. Benesse House doubles as a contemporary art museum and hotel.

Day 8 Takamatsu, Shikoku Island

At the Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum, Orion guests will have the opportunity to visit the residence of this noted 20th century sculptor, and then enjoy the serenity of the extensive sculpture garden designed by Isamu Noguchi himself.

We’ll also visit the tea house and Sanuki Folk Craft Museum of Ritsurin Garden, one of the most beautiful historical gardens in Japan.

Day 9 Kobe, Japan

Prior to disembarkation you have the option to purchase a coach transfer from the port in Kobe to hotels in Osaka and Kyoto or to Kansai International Airport. Please see the expedition team onboard of you wish to arrange one of these transfers.

There are regular flights from Tokyo airport to Kobe airport.