On this 11-day tour, explore Japan's unique heritage, culture, and stunning natural landscapes aboard the Heritage Adventurer, the perfect vessel for a voyage through the 'Land of the Rising Sun'. Visit ancient castles, serene gardens, and opulent temples and shrines in Matsue, Hagi, Miyajima, and Koraku-en. Discover lesser-known areas such as Shikoku Island, where you'll learn about pearl cultivation, and visit the picturesque five-storied Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple. The itinerary also includes a day in Gyeongju, South Korea, to visit the 'Museum Without Walls' and the Haeinsa Temple. Immerse yourself in the myth and mystique of these ancient lands each evening in the comfort of the vessel.
Highlights
Discover the charming five-story Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple
Visit one of the three great temples in Korea, the Haeinsa Temple
Explore the historic and serene castle town of Matsue
Marvel at one of Japan's most famed gardens, Koraku-en
Visit the 'Museum Without Walls' in Gyeongju, South Korea
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet fellow travelers at the designated meeting point and transfer to Heritage Adventurer, where your captain and expedition team will welcome you aboard. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as you spend the night on board.
Kanazawa is a thriving center of the arts, long known for its lacquerware, outstanding collectable pottery of the Kutani style, gold-leaf workmanship, delicate hand painting of silk for kimonos and painted silk, and classical Noh theatre dramas. The narrow and winding cobblestone streets have a quaint, photogenic charm, with old-fashioned streetlamps and wooden lattice windows hiding elegant restaurants and craft galleries. Around each bend is a traditional house, museum, art gallery, craft shop, historic Samurai residence, and even a Geisha house to explore. The fascinating open-air market displays a vast variety of items, from flowers to fish and local handicrafts, and next to the Kanazawa Castle ruins is one of Japan’s premier highlights, the famed Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among the country’s top three gardens.
From the port of Sakaiminato, visit Matsue, the "town of water," which nestles between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. Visit the cultural attractions of the town, including the 17th-century Matsue Castle, before enjoying a boat ride along the local canals. After lunch on board, spend the afternoon at leisure or visit the Adachi Museum of Art, which is set in a beautiful natural environment. The museum is reknown for its superb Japanese gardens and collection of contemporary Japanese paintings, comprising some 1,500 of the country’s most highly regarded paintings produced after the Meiji period.
Hagi was a minor fishing port until Mori Terumoto fortified it in 1604 and it was Mori Samurai that helped spark off the antiTokugawa revolt in the mid-19th century. Today it is better known for its traditional pottery making. This morning, explore the Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, the Jokamachi District, where you find the old Samurai houses, and also take time to explore Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park, and Tokoji Temple. Return to the vessel for lunch, and this afternoon is free to relax or perhaps travel to the outskirts of the city and the Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to a large collection of Hagiyaki pottery, which was highly prized in the Edo period as wares for tea ceremonies.
Crossing over to South Korea, embark on a full-day excursion to magnificent Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site that is often described as the world’s finest open-air museum, embracing ancient Korean history and Buddhist culture. As the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, Gyeongju’s cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium. Today, as you stroll through some of the hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas, there will be time to explore the National Museum with its exceptional collection of finely worked gold jewelry, metal weapons, and distinctive pottery. For lunch, sample Korean delicacies and enjoy a cultural performance of traditional dance.
From your berth in Masan, head inland to the Haeinsa Temple. Regarded as one of the three great temples in Korea, it was first settled in 802 AD, and its name derives from a verse in a Buddhist Sutra as "reflections on a smooth sea." In the 13th century, when Korea was at war with the Mongols, the government commissioned the Tripitaka Koreana, a complete copy of Buddhist scriptures, in the hope of Buddha’s intervention in the war. They were carved onto 81,258 double-sided wooden blocks and stored on floor-to-ceiling shelves in the Janggyeong Panjeon building. Visit the main worship hall of the temple. Returning to Masan this afternoon, you may wish to visit the vibrant fish market selling the daily catch.
After a leisurely morning at sea, return to Japan and the port of Ube for your exploration of the historic, southern Yamaguchi prefecture. There will be a choice of tours, and you may wish to travel inland to visit the picturesque five-story Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple and the surrounding park. Dating back to 1442, the pagoda was built in memory of Yoshihiro Mori Terumoto, who ruled the area during this period. Alternatively, drive to Hofu Tenmangu, believed to be the oldest Tenmangu in Japan, having been built in 903, at the site where court officials and scholar Sugawara Michizane stopped on his way to Fukuoka following his exile. Afterwards, visit the museum, which houses more than 20,000 national treasure items, including swords, armoury, calligraphy, and scrolls. Have a chance to explore the beautiful gardens.
This morning, land on Shikoku Island and the port of Uwajima situated deep inside the sawtoothed coast of Uwajima Bay. The city of Uwajima is emerging as the nation’s largest pearl cultivation center, and visitors can learn about the processes of implanting, harvesting, extracting, and sorting pearls on a visit to a pearl farm. You can also see Uwajima Castle, which is built on top of the hill with panoramic views over the town and harbor, and the Tensha-en Garden, built in the Samurai era. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.
Arrive this morning in Hiroshima for a visit to the compelling Peace Memorial Park. The park is dotted with memorials, including the Cenotaph, which contains the names of all the known victims of the A-bomb, and the permanently lit "Flame of Peace." Just outside the park, the A-Bomb Dome is a haunting reminder of the destructive forces that were unleashed on the city, being one of the few original buildings to survive. In the museum, see photos, videos, and the victims’ personal effects relating to the bomb. Over lunch, sail to Miyajima, which is considered one of Japan’s top scenic wonders and provides a picture-postcard vista of the scarlet Torii gate, the giant camphor wood gates at the entrance to the Shinto Shrine. You can use zodiacs to go ashore and explore the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, founded in the 6th century and dedicated to three sea goddesses.
From the port of Uno-Ko, visit one of Japan’s most famed gardens, Koraku-en, which translates as "garden of pleasure after." This 17th-century formal garden has 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees. This afternoon we will continue to Kurashiki, where you can explore the old merchant quarter and its fine 17th-century wooden warehouses painted white with traditional black tiles, along a canal framed with weeping willows and filled with koi. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, which includes rare works by Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir as well as collections from Japan’s renowned Mingei movement, including ceramics by Hamada Shoji.
Day 11: Kobe | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning, sail into Kobe, Japan’s seventh-largest city and third-largest port. Considered one of Japan’s most beautiful cities, Kobe was rocked by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995, which killed more than 5,000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Today, the city is completely rebuilt, though a few signs of the terrible event remain. After breakfast, there will be a complimentary coach to a central hotel or to the Osaka airport. To allow time for disembarkation procedures and travel from Osaka, booking flights departing before 1300 hours is not recommended.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,895
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Superior Triple
Superior Triple Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, two single beds, and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Main Deck Triple
Main Deck Triple Cabins on Deck 3 is a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, two single beds, and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Deck 4 Superior
Superior Cabins on Deck 4 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Deck 5 Superior
Superior Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Main Deck Single
Main Deck Single Cabins on Deck 3 is a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Superior Single
Superior Single Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Worsley Suite
Located on Deck 6, Worsley Suites are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable chaise-style lounge suite, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage, and a flat-screen entertainment system.
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Heritage Suite
Located on Deck 6, Heritage Suites are an expansive 44m2 and feature large double panoramic windows, king bed, large living area with a sofa, coffee table, and chairs, and grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub, and shower, large writing desk, floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage and a flat-screen entertainment system.
Notes
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
10 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl.
dinner/breakfast)
All expedition shore excursions
Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
Discovery Fund / Government Landing Fees
Program of lectures by noted naturalists
Landing Fees
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Required Visas if applicable
Laundry
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Complimentary Parka - available only for the duration of the voyage.
Complimentary boot rental is available. However, due to the limited supply of boots available aboard the ship, it is recommended that you bring your own rubber boots for best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available.
Map
When to Go
Jan
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Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
