Japan by Sea

Upon arrival in Osaka, transfer to Kyoto and check in to our hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is free to rest, recover, and explore independently.

Take advantage of the atmosphere of Golden Week—the celebration of four national holidays celebrated by individuals and families all over Japan—in Kyoto. Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Kyoto together in the festive season before a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Visit Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) in the early morning. Marvel at the shimmering central pavilion covered in bright gold leaf. After lunch together, travel to the Miho Museum, built into a mountain slope near Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture and considered one of the master achievements of famed American architect I.M. Pei with its innovative skylights and windows that create a shifting pattern of light and shadow. Return to Kyoto for dinner at leisure.

Begin the day with a visit to a tea garden to learn about the production of this culturally significant beverage. Then, head for historic Nara, capital of Japan from 710–784, only 74 years but a consequential period when Buddhism became firmly established within Japan. Visit Todai-ji, famous for its monolithic seated bronze statue of the Great Buddha. Enjoy an independent lunch in Nara before embarking our ship.

Enjoy a full-day visit to Naoshima Island, a mecca for innovative art and contemporary architecture. Tour three world-class museums, including the just-opened Naoshima New Museum of Art, all designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Visit Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House Museum, stopping for an unforgettable gourmet lunch. Return to the ship for dinner.

Cruise to Hiroshima this morning to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum for education, reflection, and remembrance of the atomic bombing during World War II. Return to lunch on board, then travel ashore by Zodiac to Miyajima Island. Visit the 6th-century Itsukushima Shinto Shrine with its iconic vermilion torii (gateway) that appears to float on the sea at high tide.

In the morning, transfer by zodiac and choose between Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum to learn about the highly-acclaimed Hagi Yaki ceramics and see potters at work or Akiyoshido Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Japan. Have lunch on the ship, then return to shore to learn about Japan’s medieval heritage in Hagi Castle Town, home to well-preserved samurai and merchant quarters.

From the South Korean port of Ulsan, drive inland to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Gyeongju, ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, which lasted for nearly 1,000 years (57 BCE–935 CE). Explore the Gyeongju National Museum, devoted largely to Silla artifacts, and visit Bulguksa, one of South Korea’s most beautiful Buddhist temples, with intricate paintings inside and out and a pair of 6th-century pagodas. After a lunch of Korean barbecue, visit the Hyundai Motors Ulsan Plant, one of the world’s largest, before returning to our ship. (Note that Hyundai, as a private company, may change or limit factory access based on circumstances at the time).

After a morning cruise back across the Korea Strait, arrive at the port of Sakaiminato. Choose from a visit to Matsue Castle, one of the few surviving original castles in Japan, built in the early 1600s, or a drive through lush countryside to visit the Adachi Museum of Art with its collection of contemporary Japanese works set in exquisite, highly manicured traditional gardens.

Call at the artistic center of Kanazawa to see Kenroku-en Garden, considered one of Japan’s finest landscape gardens. The name means “garden combining six” and reflects the six themes of a perfect garden: spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, abundant water, and panoramic views. Enjoy tea during a classic teahouse ceremony, then choose between afternoon visits to the D.T. Suzuki Museum and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

This morning, transfer by Zodiac to remote Sado Island, home base for the taiko drumming group, Kodo (“heartbeat”). Attend a drumming workshop followed by a short performance by several of the resident drummers. Next, take a guided walking tour through the picturesque fishing village of Shukunegi, where more than 100 traditional Edo-period houses line the narrow streets. Return to the ship for a Captain’s farewell reception and dinner.

Dock this morning in Niigata and experience one of Japan’s iconic bullet trains as we travel to Tokyo. After lunch together, proceed to the Meiji Shrine complex, a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, located in a tranquil 175-acre forest. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Visit Tsukiji Outer Market, and then experience time in the Ginza shopping district to pursue our own interests. Gather for a farewell teppanyaki dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to either Haneda or Narita airports for flights returning home.