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.
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 the Philippines, Taiwan and 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.
Japan Season 2024
Join us on one of these extraordinary voyages
Eternal Japan and South Korea: A Voyage from Tokyo to Osaka
12 DAYS
28 April – 9 May 2024 EARLY BIRD SALE - SAVE 20%
Tokyo-Kanazawa to Kobe, 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
PROMO: Japan Early Bird Sale - SAVE 20%, book by 31 August 2023, t&cs apply
Sacred Japan & South Korea: A Voyage from Osaka to Niigata - Tokyo, Including South Korea
10 DAYS
8 –17 May 2024
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
Japan's National Parks, Art & Culture: A Circumnavigation of Honshu, Osaka to Osaka, including South Korea
16 DAYS
24 May – 8 June 2024
Kobe to Kobe
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
Undiscovered Philippines and Indonesia: Cruising the Remote Islands of the Philippines and Indonesia, Manila to Darwin
15 DAYS
22 Jun - 6 Jul 2024 EARLY BIRD SALE - SAVE 20%
Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Discover tropical islands, snorkel pristine reefs, visit historic sites and experience forgotten cultures and incredible wildlife encounters
- Explore the 'Galapagos of Asia' Sibuyan Island
- Travel with multi-award-winning BBC and National Geographic wildlife filmmakers Neil Nightingale (former head of the BBC Natural History Unit) and Karen Bass*.
- Visit the 'Whale Shark Capital of the World' and swim with these gentle giants at Donsol
- Experience the power of Catandayagan Falls
- Discover the 'eight wonder of the world', Bohol Island's Chocolate Hills
- Snorkel the 'mother of all living coral reefs'
- Tojoman Lagoon/Sohoton Jellyfish Sanctuary
- Bucas Grande Island's iconic Blue Lagoon
- See the smallest primate in the world the saucer-eyed Tarsier
- Visit the Sultan of Ternate's palace and learn history of the Spice Islands
- Wildlife-filled Tangoko Nature Reserve, Banggai, Taliabu, Buru, Banda Neira and Tanimbar Islands
PROMO: Japan Early Bird Sale - SAVE 20%, book by 31 August 2023, t&cs apply
