Japan

Japan

Overview

With the world's sixth longest coastline, more than 6,800 islands and islets, Japan and its seamless blend of ancient customs, ultramodern living, neon-lit cities, temples, rich culture and wildlife-filled national parks is perfect for exploring by expedition ship.

Surrounded by the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the East China Sea, Japan's archipelago of volcanic islands stretches along a northeast/southwest axis located on the Pacific Ring of Fire resulting in a dramatic landscape best explored by sea.

Our Japan cruises offer the ultimate way of both exploring and experiencing the best Japan has to offer as we sail from iconic cities to remote coastlines and islands. Carefully curated, our voyages are designed to showcase contemporary cities, modern museums and art galleries alongside medieval castles, shrines and temples to world famous gardens, samurai legacy, hot springs, incredible cuisine, sake, art and more.

Highlights on our Beyond Japan's National Parks, Discover Eternal Japan and Exploring Aisa's Subtropical Islands include the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Uwajima's pearl precinct, the five-storey Pagoda of Miyajima, Mastue Castle, Japan's leading bonsai centre, Kanazawa's UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, Matsue and Hagi's ancient castles and temples including the famed 'Ninja Temple', South Korea's 'museum without walls' Gyeongju, rarely visited and otherworldly Dogojima Island, Noshiro's national treasure Juniko (12 Lakes), Japan's sacred Red-crowned Cranes (tancho) in Kushiro, the remote islands of Rebun and Rishiri, Hakodate's island-dotted lakes and Fort Goryokaku, remote Sado Island widely considered a perfect miniature version of Japan, Karatsu's medieval heritage, Ube and Uwajima's incredible gardens and shrines, Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, Takamatsu's proud bonsai history, the eco-paradise of Yakushima Island, the white sand beaches and coral gardens of Amami Oshima, Okinawa Island - the Hawaii of Japan, Hualien's world-famous Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge, Batan Island's harrowing WWII history, Vigan's fascinating architecture, the idyllic isles of Hundred Islands National Park, myriad wildlife and more.

We hope you will join us aboard Heritage Adventurer on an in-depth exploration of Japan's coastline and islands as we discover the unspoiled nature, primeval wilderness, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional customs and futuristic cities resplendent with their unique charms.

Plan your Japan Tour today. Questions or ready to book your Japan expedition? Please contact us today or call toll free and speak with a Japan Travel Specialist.

Overview

With the world's sixth longest coastline, more than 6,800 islands and islets, Japan and its seamless blend of ancient customs, ultramodern living, neon-lit cities, temples, rich culture and wildlife-filled national parks is perfect for exploring by expedition ship.

Surrounded by the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the East China Sea, Japan's archipelago of volcanic islands stretches along a northeast/southwest axis located on the Pacific Ring of Fire resulting in a dramatic landscape best explored by sea.

Our Japan cruises offer the ultimate way of both exploring and experiencing the best Japan has to offer as we sail from iconic cities to remote coastlines and islands. Carefully curated, our voyages are designed to showcase contemporary cities, modern museums and art galleries alongside medieval castles, shrines and temples to world famous gardens, samurai legacy, hot springs, incredible cuisine, sake, art and more.

Highlights on our Beyond Japan's National Parks, Discover Eternal Japan and Exploring Aisa's Subtropical Islands include the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Uwajima's pearl precinct, the five-storey Pagoda of Miyajima, Mastue Castle, Japan's leading bonsai centre, Kanazawa's UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, Matsue and Hagi's ancient castles and temples including the famed 'Ninja Temple', South Korea's 'museum without walls' Gyeongju, rarely visited and otherworldly Dogojima Island, Noshiro's national treasure Juniko (12 Lakes), Japan's sacred Red-crowned Cranes (tancho) in Kushiro, the remote islands of Rebun and Rishiri, Hakodate's island-dotted lakes and Fort Goryokaku, remote Sado Island widely considered a perfect miniature version of Japan, Karatsu's medieval heritage, Ube and Uwajima's incredible gardens and shrines, Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, Takamatsu's proud bonsai history, the eco-paradise of Yakushima Island, the white sand beaches and coral gardens of Amami Oshima, Okinawa Island - the Hawaii of Japan, Hualien's world-famous Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge, Batan Island's harrowing WWII history, Vigan's fascinating architecture, the idyllic isles of Hundred Islands National Park, myriad wildlife and more.

We hope you will join us aboard Heritage Adventurer on an in-depth exploration of Japan's coastline and islands as we discover the unspoiled nature, primeval wilderness, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional customs and futuristic cities resplendent with their unique charms.

Plan your Japan Tour today. Questions or ready to book your Japan expedition? Please contact us today or call toll free and speak with a Japan Travel Specialist.

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Japan Expeditions

Asian Island Odyssey: Exploring the Remote Tropical Islands of Japan, Philippines and Indonesia

Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, invites you on the ultimate tropical island-hopping cruise from Osaka, Japan, through the Philippines and Indonesia to Darwin, Australia, with multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and Karen Bass.

14 Jun 2023

Beyond Japan's National Parks: Japan Cruise Kanazawa to Otaru including Hokkaido & South Korea

The ultimate exploration of Japan’s wilderness, beyond its national parks and last frontier – Hokkaido. Translating in English to ‘Northern Sea Circuit’, Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost and least developed island, and a world away from the country’s more traditional and contemporary cities.

18 May 2023

Discover Eternal Japan: Expedition Cruising Sapporo to Kobe, Including South Korea

Set sail on an incredible voyage of discovery as we expedition cruise of Japan, 'the Land of the Rising Sun', which seamlessly blends ancient customs with ultramodern living as we cruise from iconic cities, to remote coastlines and islands experiencing medieval castles and temples, world famous gardens, beautiful landscapes, and ...

1 Jun 2023

Eternal Japan and South Korea: A Voyage from Kanazawa to Kobe

This fascinating itinerary offers the opportunity to visit ancient castles, serenely beautiful gardens and opulent temples and shrines combined with witnessing some of Japan's stunning natural landscapes. During our 11-day voyage aboard Heritage Adventurer we will visit the historic and serene castle town of Matsue and the ancient, anachronistic town ...

28 Apr 2023

Exploring Asia's Subtropical Islands: Expedition Cruising the Subtropical Islands of Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines

An unforgettable 15-day cruise exploring the remote wonderland of Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines' rarely visited, hard to reach, incredibly diverse and exotic subtropical islands from Osaka, Japan to Manila, Philippines with multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and ...

14 Jun 2023

Grand Pacific Odyssey: A Tropical Pacific Island Cruise from New Zealand to Japan

Set sail on a true adventure as we explore reef-fringed tropical islands, visit historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters cruising from New Zealand to Japan on the incomparable 29-day Grand Pacific Odyssey.

21 Mar 2024

Western Pacific Odyssey: Birding Cruise from New Zealand to Japan

New Zealand to Japan via Norfolk Island, New Caledonia and Melanesia Known in birding circles, simply as the ‘WPO', this expedition incorporates many of the key birding areas in the South West Pacific. First offered in 2007, it is now considered one of the ‘must do' expeditions for any birder ...

21 Mar 2024

Our ship: Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Exploration Cruising' due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland's Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration. Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer...

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14 Jul 2022
Pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has announced three new island-hopping voyages exploring the remote tropical islands ...READ MORE
10 May 2022
Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has added the intriguing islands of Japan to its 2023 schedule anno...READ MORE
01 Jun 2021
Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is proud to announce it will be operating the world-renowned Polar ex...READ MORE
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