Islands of Japan & Southeast Asia
Japan is a seamless blend of ancient customs, ultramodern living, temples and shrines, incredible gardens, rich culture and wildlife-filled national parks.
Book Now & SAVE!
$1,250pp* with a Flight Credit + Suite Upgrade!*
20% on 2025 departures*
With the world's sixth longest coastline and more than 6,800 islands and islets, Japan's archipelago of volcanic islands and dramatic landscape is best explored by sea.
Our small ship luxury cruises to Southeast Asia offer the ultimate exploration of Japan with some of the most intriguing treasures of South Korea.
Join us aboard the luxurious 140-guest Heritage Adventurer as we discover remote coastlines and islands, unspoiled nature, cultural delights and futuristic cities resplendent with their unique charms.
About Heritage Expeditions
Ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets.
Experience
For over 35 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. Our mission is to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel.
Expert Team
Our team of naturalists, historians, biologists and ornithologists bring an enormous wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our expeditions, both in the field and onboard our ship during our lecture series.
Our Ship
Our new flagship, the 140-guest Heritage Adventurer, combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating with an international flair and luxury amenities. Enjoy spacious suites, elegant common areas and cuisine prepared by top chefs.
Introducing: Heritage Adventurer
Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) brings an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for our signature expeditions. Originally designed for 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure.
Indulge in an awe-inducing Observation Lounge with library, bar and sweeping 270-degree views, or relax the Oberservation Deck with 360-degree views and comfortable sun loungers. Reinvigorate in the heated salt water pool, well-equipped gym, enclosed hot tub, sauna and steam room. Savor daily international gourmet cuisine from talented chefs across two lavish restaurants, and settle into spacious and well-appointed accommodations each night.
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1991
Shipyard: Rauma, Finland
Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4
Accommodation: 140 guests
Length: 124 metres
Beam: 18 metres
Draft: 4.97 metres
Gross Tonnage: 8,378gt
Engines: 3,940 horsepower (x2)
Maximum Speed: 15 knots
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range: 8,600 nautical miles
Zodiacs: 14
Japan Season 2024
$1,250pp* Flight Credit + Suite Upgrade*!
Eternally Sacred Japan & South Korea: 11-day Japan Voyage Between Tokyo and Osaka, Including South Korea
12 DAYS
28 April – 9 May 2024 $1,250pp* Flight Credit + Suite Upgrade*
Tokyo-Kanazawa to Kobe, Japan
11 DAYS
15 - 25 April 2025 SAVE 20%**
28 May - 7 June 2025 SAVE 20%**
Tokyo-Kanazawa to Osaka, Japan
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Discover Kanazawa's master craftsmanship, lacquerware and Kutani pottery and Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's top three gardens
- Delve into Samuari and Geisha history and visit historic residences
- Visit Matsue, ‘the town of water,' and tour the Matsue Castle, a national treasure and 17th century castle
- Hagi's ancient temples and shrines, including ‘Ninja Temple', and old Samurai houses
- Wander among the excavated Buddhist temples, tombs and monuments at South Korea's Gyeongju 'museaum without walls'
- Haeinsa Temple,one of Koreas top temples and the Tripitaka Koreana carvings in the Janggyeong Panjeon building
- Iconic five-storied Pagoda Rurikoji Temple
- Visit Uwajima Castle and Japan's premier pearl producing farm
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima's famous Torii gate, Shinto Shrine and the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine
- Explore famed Koraku-en garden and Ohara Museum of Art featuring rare works by Matisse, Picasso and Renoir
*T&Cs apply, $1,250 per person in US$, AU$ & NZ$ or GBP£800 and EUR€800, new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, book Deck 5 Superior and upgrade to a Worsley Suite, book a Worsley Suite and upgrade to a Heritage Suite, when booked by 31 May 2024
**T&Cs apply, new bookings only, excludes landing fees and optional extras, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, limited availability or until sold out, when booked by 30 April 2024
Sacred Japan & South Korea: A Voyage from Osaka to Niigata - Tokyo, Including South Korea
10 DAYS
8 –17 May 2024 $1,250pp* Flight Credit + Suite Upgrade*
Osaka to Niigata
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Hagi's Samurai houses, Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park and Tokoji Temple
- Pure Water Temple Kiyomizudera, one of Japan's most revered temples and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- Culturally rich Sado Island - puppet theater, okesa folk songs, ondeko drumming and Noh theatre
- Explore Kobe's Buddhist temple Sanjusangen-do renowned for its 1,001 statues of the goddess of mercy Kannon, and the ultimate torii gate, experience Fushimi Inari Shrine
- 17th century Matsue Castle and Adachi Museum of Art
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens inlcuding Kenroku-en Garden
- Remote Sado Island home to the Japanese Crested Ibis, iconic taraibune tub boats, stunning natural scenery, Samurai warrior culture and unique agri- and aqua-culture practices
*T&Cs apply, $1,250 per person in US$, AU$ & NZ$ or GBP£800 and EUR€800, new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, book Deck 5 Superior and upgrade to a Worsley Suite, book a Worsley Suite and upgrade to a Heritage Suite, when booked by 31 May 2024
Japan's National Parks, Art & Culture: A Circumnavigation of Honshu, Osaka to Osaka, including South Korea
16 DAYS
24 May – 8 June 2024 $1,250pp* Flight Credit + Suite Upgrade*
14 - 29 May 2025 SAVE 20%**
Osaka to Osaka
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Circumnavigation of Japan's main island Honshu and exploration of its wilderness, arts, culture and rich history
- Explore Japan's most sacred shrine complex Ise Jingū with 125 different shrines including grand shrine Kotai Jingū
- Meet Japan's iconic amulet-wearing ama divers
- Discover Japan Geopark Izu Oshima Island's unique natural and human history
- Visit Japans famed island-dotted seascapes of Matsushima and Argo Bays
- Impressive lakes, hot springs and volcanic wonderland of Shikotsu-Toya National Park
- Visit two of Japan's best contemporary art museums - Hachinhoe Art Museum and the Towada Art Center
- Explore stunning Lake Towada, a 2,000-year-old flooded double caldera, in Towada Hachimantai National Park
- Discover the Kakunodate Samurai District, a living museum that showcases the samurai way of life
- Admire art island Naoshima's architecture and galleries including Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House
- Experience the flora of famed Japanese gardens Mifuneyama Rakuen and Ritsurin Park
- Look for Asiatic black bears and the rarely seen gigantic lotus Euryale Ferox at Bandai-Asahi National Park and Fukushimagata Wetlands
- Celebrate Japan's internationally-renowned magna culture at Ishinomaki
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- Explore Kobe's Buddhist temple Sanjusangen-do renowned for its 1,001 statues of the goddess of mercy Kannon, and the ultimate torii gate experience Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Explore the wilderness, beaches and history of Dogojima Island
*T&Cs apply, $1,250 per person in US$, AU$ & NZ$ or GBP£800 and EUR€800, new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, book Deck 5 Superior and upgrade to a Worsley Suite, book a Worsley Suite and upgrade to a Heritage Suite, when booked by 31 May 2024
**T&Cs apply, new bookings only, excludes landing fees and optional extras, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, limited availability or until sold out, when booked by 30 April 2024.
Discover The Islands Of Japan: A 12-day Voyage of Japan Between Tokyo & Osaka, Including South Korea
12 DAYS
24 April – 5 May 2025 SAVE 20%*
4 – 15 May 2025 SAVE 20%*
Osaka to Tokyo & Tokyo to Osaka
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Hagi's Samurai houses, Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park, Tokoji Temple & Akiyoshido Cave
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- 17th century Matsue Castle and Adachi Museum of Art
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens inlcuding Kenroku-en, Yuushien Kawachi Wisteria Gardens
- Fukuoka's Kokura Castle, Dazaifu Tengmangu Shrine and Nanzoin Temple's reclining bronze Buddha
- Nagasaki's Deijima Island, Peace Memorial Park and Glover Garden
*T&Cs apply, new bookings only, excludes landing fees and optional extras, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, limited availability or until sold out, when booked by 30 April 2024.
For all voyages, exact landings depend on weather and ice conditions and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed; however, our 35+ years of experience in operating expeditions mean that we are well equipped to make the most of the conditions at the time. Past trip logs and species lists are available for all expeditions.
