Experience all-inclusive luxury cruise travel on an unforgettable 11-day exploration of Japan, ‘the Land of the Rising Sun’ with Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising. Our voyage Eternally Sacred, Japan & South Korea has been carefully curated to showcase Japan’s seamless blend of ancient customs and ultramodern living, culinary creativity, arts and gardens as we cruise from iconic cities to seldom visited remote coastlines and islands best explored by sea aboard our purpose-built expedition flagship Heritage Adventurer.

Historic highlights on our journey include the five-storey Pagoda of Miyajima, the 17th Century Matsue Castle, the sobering Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with its eternal Flame of Peace, Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, including the famed
‘Ninja Temple’, the Jokamachi District with its old Samurai houses, Hagi Castle ruins and beautiful Zen Tokoji Temple, and Japan’s iconic Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate. During our expedition we will also explore Japan’s traditional and contemporary art as we visit galleries and meet local artists including an option to visit Japan’s ‘art island’ Naoshima, and a day in South Korea’s Ulsan exploring UNESCO World Heritage Site Gyeongju - the ‘museum without walls’ and visiting the Haeinsa Temple, considered one of the three great temples in South Korea. We’ll also moor at Uwajima, one of Japan’s premier pearl producers with the opportunity to visit one of the city’s traditional pearl farms.

For those with a passion for nature we plan to visit Daisen-Oki and Hakusan National Parks, Kenrokuen Garden – one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Samurai-era Tenshaen Garden and one of Japan’s most famed gardens the 28-acre formal 17th Century Koraku-en garden and visit one of Japan’s main bonsai centres at Kinashi. At Yuushien Garden, guests on our April departure can experience the iconic Yuushien Peony Festival.

Helping us understand all we will see and experience, and travelling with us throughout the voyage, will be our expert Guest Speakers and Japanese guides who will add immeasurably to your enjoyment and understanding of this captivating country. We hope you can join us for this rare opportunity to join this in-depth exploration around the coastline and islands of Japan, as we discover the unspoiled nature, primeval wilderness, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional villages and futuristic cities resplendent with their unique charms.  
Note: voyage HA250415 departing 15 April operates in reverse, Starting in Tokyo with a transfer and hotel night in Kanazawa and disembarking in Osaka.