Join an extraordinary cruise that blends famous and lesser-known destinations in Japan, as well as a visit to South Korea's Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site. This 12-day voyage will take you to some of Japan's most impressive coastal treasures, including Shikoku Island and Yakushima Island, where you can explore beautiful nature, iconic gardens, ancient shrines, and castles. Visit historic sites such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Gyeongju's archaeological sites, and Nagasaki. This itinerary offers a rich blend of cultural, historical, and natural experiences, made possible by traveling aboard the Heritage Adventurer with a small group of like-minded passengers, Japanese guides, and guest speakers.
Highlights
Marvel at one of Japan's most famed gardens, Koraku-en
Explore the historic and serene castle town of Matsue
Visit a bonsai nursery in the small town of Kinashi
Enjoy the magnificent Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site
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 set sail tonight.
This morning, arrive in Takamatsu, located on Shikoku Island on the northern shores of the Seto Inland Sea. From here, visit the small town of Kinashi, which has a rich history of producing bonsai for 250 years. Explore the town, visit a bonsai nursery, and make your way to Ritsurin Garden, recognized as one of the most beautiful in Japan and built by feudal lords in the early Edo period. With a backdrop of the wooded Mount Shiun, wander along the paths of this historic landscape garden dotted with ponds, historic trees, and pavilions. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Takamatsu town.
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, 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 is also a chance to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, which includes rare works by Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir as well as collections from Japan’s famous Mingei movement, including ceramics by Hamada Shoji.
Arrive this morning in Hiroshima for your 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 this afternoon and explore the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, founded in the 6th century and dedicated to three sea goddesses.
This morning, arrive in Shikoku Island and the port of Uwajima, which is nestled deep within 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. 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. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe make your way to the Date Museum, which exhibits items dedicated to the Date family, who ruled Uwajima from the castle for 250 years during the Tokugawa period.
At sea, set sail for the very south of Kyushu and the island of Yakushima, which became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and has a particularly diverse flora. Spend the afternoon on a choice of nature walks in Yakusugi Land, a nature park populated by a number of the island’s ancient cedar trees, such as the Buddha Sugi, Futago Sugi, and Sennen Sugi, which are over 3,000 years old.
Arrive this morning in Nagasaki, the second city destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War II. Tour the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Museum, and Dejima Island, which was built during the Edo period to accommodate Portuguese Christian missionaries and prevent the propagation of their religion. It was also the residential quarters of the Dutch, the only foreigners allowed to trade in Japan during the Sakoku (isolation) period. For 200 years, until Japan reopened the country in the 19th century, Dejima was its only window to the world. With the reopening of the port to Westerners in the latter half of the 19th century, Nagasaki blossomed as a prosperous and sophisticated international city. Suitable housing was required for the sudden influx of foreigners who made their homes here, and many of the stone and clapboard residences that were built during this period survive today and are preserved in Glover Garden, which you can visit this afternoon. The best-known European-style residence here is Glover House, which was built in 1863 and was the setting for Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly.
Spend a relaxing morning at sea as you sail to Hagi, which was a minor fishing port until Mori Terumoto fortified it in 1604—and it was Mori Samurai that helped spark off the anti-Tokugawa revolt in the mid-19th century. It is now best known for its traditional pottery-making. This afternoon, explore the Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, the Jokamachi District, where you can find the old Samurai houses, and also take time to explore Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park, and Tokoji Temple.
Crossing over to South Korea, embark on a full-day excursion to magnificent Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site, which 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. This afternoon, enjoy a cultural performance of traditional dance.
Spend a leisurely morning at sea as you return to Japan and the port of Sakaiminato. This afternoon, there will be a choice of excursions. You may choose to 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. Alternatively, visit the Adachi Museum of Art, which is set in a beautiful natural environment and well known for both its superb Japanese gardens and its collection of contemporary Japanese paintings, comprising approximately 1500 of the country’s most highly regarded paintings produced after the Meiji period.
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 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 Kanazawa Castle house to explore. The fascinating open-air market displays a vast variety of items, from flowers to fish and local handicrafts. 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.
Day 12: Kanazawa | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark this morning after breakfast, there will be a complimentary coach to a central hotel or to the Komatsu Airport. To allow time for disembarkation procedures and travel from Komatsu, 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.
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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
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
11 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
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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days 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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
