On this 13-day voyage aboard Le Soleal, discover the Land of the Rising Sun, which lives at the pace of its huge cities and the serenity of its gardens. Japan opens its doors to you and lifts the veil on its ancestral culture, a blend of secular temples, Zen gardens, and Samurai castles. From Hong Kong to Osaka, and passing through the most remarkable isles of the Nippon Archipelago, witness unusual landscapes, culture, and a mixture of rich traditions as you journey to ancient civilizations.
Highlights
See 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kumano Sanzan, Mt Fuji & Shuri-jo Castle
Arrive at ports of call when the cherry trees are in blossom
Visit Aburatsu, the Nichinan coast, and Obi Castle, from the Edo period
Explore the Chikurin-ji Meditation Temple and its gardens from Kochi
Experience Tokyo, the hectic capital and its Japanese culture
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Capital of Okinawa prefecture and the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Naha is a modern, active city with a rich history. Do not miss the visit to the famous Shuri-jo Castle, built in the 14th century, a political, religious and cultural center of the archipelago until 1879. Entirely renovated in the style of the original, it is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architectural style is clearly different from that of the classic Japanese castles and presents a quite unique structure, a blend of Chinese and Japanese styles and the traditional art of Okinawa. The site also includes a number of monuments of great artistic interest, which take you on a journey to the heart of this mysterious civilization.
Capital of the prefecture of the same name, Kochi is a typical and welcoming small town whose relaxed atmosphere is full of the charm of southern Japan. Located on the delta of the Kagami River, also known as the “mirror river” for the purity of its water, it offers visitors its traditional districts and a large number of historical monuments. When Le Soléal calls here, discover the Chikurin-ji Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site dating from the 8th century. The general consensus is that there are few places as beautiful as this secular temple, particularly when the trees are clad in their delicate floral springtime robes. Do not miss the opportunity to admire the famous five-story pagoda, its delightful Zen garden, as well as the treasure room, home to 17 Buddhist statues and listed as Important Cultural Property.
At the foot of Mount Fuji, over twenty or so hectares where tea plantations grow alongside fields of bamboo, the Nihondaira Natural Park is a kingdom. Overlooking the city of Shimizu, the vegetation forms a natural sound barrier, and only birdsong disturbs the serene silence. From this verdant idyll, where the wide emerald vales offer a picture postcard setting, the majestic silhouette of the most beautiful volcano in the world culminates at 3,775 meters: in the pantheon of sacred mountains in Japan, Mount Fuji is the master. Do not miss the elegant profile of this solitary, snow-capped cone, a magnificent natural location listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
If Japan is a country with a unique culture combining secular traditions and leading edge technologies, nowhere is this more evident than in Tokyo. The Japanese love to say that in this city “the present clings to the past yet flirts continuously with the future”. A city in perpetual movement, Tokyo draws visitors into a whirlwind of sensations, odors, and noises that are unfamiliar and fascinating. During your cruise, visit the heart of the most bustling of capitals, offering unique contrasts from futuristic towers to ancient sanctuaries, hip neighborhoods to vast green spaces, and suit- clad businessmen to young women in traditional attire. Allow yourself to fall under its unalterable charm and its old-time atmosphere, and make the most of its ancestral traditions and its many World Heritage monuments.
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Superior Stateroom
The Superior Stateroom has a capacity of up to 3 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds.
Deluxe Stateroom
The Deluxe Stateroom has a capacity of up to 2 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and a private balcony.
Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
The Prestige Stateroom on Deck 4 has a capacity of up to 2 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and a private balcony.
Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
The Prestige Stateroom on Deck 5 has a capacity of up to 2 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and a private balcony.
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
The Prestige Stateroom on Deck 6 has a capacity of up to 2 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and a private balcony.
Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suite has a capacity of up to 2 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and a private balcony.
Prestige Suite Deck 5
The Prestige Suite on Deck 5 has a capacity of up to 4 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and an 8m² private balcony.
Prestige Suite Deck 6
The Prestige Suite on Deck 6 has a capacity of up to 4 passengers per cabin, with a king-sized bed or twin beds and an 8m² private balcony.
Prestige suites are two staterooms interconnected internally and via the balcony. They can be connected, and in order to have the suite, you must book both rooms together.
Owner Suite
The Owner's suite is situated on Deck 6 with a capacity up to 2 passengers per cabin. With a king-sized bed, it has been decorated by French interior designers and provides you with a breathtaking panoramic sea view.
Notes
Please note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and are subject to change without notice.
Discounts are available for children sharing a cabin with two adults and third adult passengers in select cabin categories. Please contact us for details.
Single travelers can opt for a solo cabin - supplements start at 50%.
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!
