Eternally Sacred Japan & South Korea

Day 1

Osaka

Arrive at Honshu’s largest port city Osaka where modern architecture and a vibrant dining scene are nestled alongside the 16th Century shogunate Osaka Castle, and make your way to your hotel where you will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening meet your fellow voyagers and expedition guides over dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

Osaka

Breakfast at the hotel before exploring Osaka, visiting such famous sites as Minoh Park and Osaka Castle. Minoh Park is one of Japan’s smallest National Parks with an area of just 9.6 sq kms. It is home to the 33-metre high Minoh Waterfall and diverse wildlife including Japanese Salamander and protected Mino Monkeys. Explore Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, take in the views from Osaka Castle Main Tower and relive dramatic stories of warlords and Osaka’s fascinating history. Then it’s time to board your cruise ship the Heritage Adventurer for lunch and a warm welcome from the Captain and Expedition Team as you set sail for Takamatsu.

Day 3

Takamatsu

The historic port of Takamatsu on Shikoku Island is considered the ‘Gateway to Shikoku’, although more recently locals have been calling it ‘Udon Kingdom’. Those with an interest in plants will enjoy a visit to Ritsurin Park, considered one of Japan’s finest gardens. We will also visit Kinashi, one of Japan’s main bonsai production centres, where you will learn about traditional methods of growing bonsai. If you are interested in history and art you may wish to take a full day excursions to Naoshima Island, known for its architecture and art museums, including Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House, featuring work by Japanese and international artists.

Day 4

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Despite its tragic history as the site of the world’s first atomic bomb attack on the 6 August 1945, Hiroshima is a vibrant and thriving cosmopolitan community. We plan to visit the beautiful Peace Park and Museum, with its sombre cenotaph containing names of atomic bomb victims, and the permanently lit ‘Flame of Peace’. After visiting the Peace Park we will travel to Miyajima Island, considered one of Japan’s most scenic spots and the location of the Torii Gate and the Daisho-in Buddhist temple. For those after a nature fix, ascend Mount Misen on Miyajima Island by cable car and enjoy a hike, admiring the views below of the Shinto Shrine and Torri Gate.

Day 5

Uwajima

This morning we land on Shikoku Island and the port of Uwajima situated deep inside the sawtoothed coast of Uwajima Bay. The city of Uwajima is emerging as the nation’s largest pearl cultivation centre and we will learn the process of implanting, harvesting, extracting and sorting pearls on a visit to a pearl farm. We will also see Uwajima Castle which is built on top of the hill with panoramic views over the town and harbour and the Tenshaen Garden, built in the Samurai era. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 6

Shimonoseki

After a leisurely morning sailing to Shimonoseki Port, facing the 650-metre-wide Kanmon Straits at the western end of Japan’s main island Honshu. Surrounded by water on three sides, Shimonoseki is famous for its seafood and is also known as ‘Japan’s Pufferfish/Fugu Capital’ – the potentially deadly local delicacy requiring takumi-level preparation by specially trained Fugu chefs. Other highlights include city’s iconic Kanmon Bridge spanning Honshu and Kyushu Islands, the world famous Karato Fish Market and the beautiful Akama Shinto Shrine built to honour drowned child Emperor Antoku. Excursions today include an exploration of Mekari Park with its mural depicting the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, Kokura Castle and its rich history, and the beautiful Shiranoe Botanical Garden accompanied by its resident gardeners.

Day 7

Hagi

Hagi was a minor fishing port until Mori Terumoto fortified it in 1604 and it was Mori Samurai that helped spark off the anti-Tokugawa revolt in the mid-19th century. Today it is better known for its traditional pottery making. This morning we will explore the Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, the Jokamachi District, where we find the old Samurai houses and also take time to explore Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park and Tokoji Temple. This afternoon travel to the outskirts of the city and the Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum which is dedicated to a large collection of Hagiyaki pottery which was highly prized in the Edo period as wares for tea ceremonies. Alternatively, discover the natural wonders of 300 million year old limestone Akiyoshido Cave.

Day 8

Ulsan, South Korea

Today we cross the Sea of Japan to Ulsan in South Korea where we plan to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju. The capital of the Silla Dynasty and dating back to the first millennium, Gyeongju is known as ’the museum without walls’ and is full of ancient Korean history and Buddhist culture. Enjoy strolling through hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs and pagodas, and experience Korean delicacies, cultural performances, and visit the National Museum with its gold jewellery, metal weapons, and distinctive pottery. Today provides a perfect taste of the best South Korea has to offer.

Day 9

Matsue

This morning we arrive at the port of Sakaiminato, entry point to Matsue, known as ‘the town of water’ due to being situated between Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi. We plan to visit Matsue Castle, a national treasure and one of Japan’s few largely intact 17th Century castles. Other options today may include exploring Daisen-Oki National Park, steeped in beauty and history it’s also the home of rare flora and fauna including the giant salamander, visiting the picturesque Yuushien Garden (the April departure coincides with the iconic annual Yuushien Peony Festival where we plan to experience the spectacle of more than 30,000 of the colourful blooms floating on serene ponds and lining the traditional garden’s paths in a floral carpet), the Adachi Museum of Art, learning about the art of Japanese paper making at the Yakumo-mura village, or perhaps you may wish to spend some time exploring the picturesque streets and local canals.

Day 10

Kanazawa

Options today include exploring the historic mountain settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, high in the remote mountains of the Shogawa River Valley in Hakusan National Park. Take in the sights on mountain walks and experience the unique cultural traditions including the region’s iconic Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old, designed to withstand the heavy snow in winter and provide a large attic space for cultivating silkworms. Alternatively explore the rich art centre of Kanazawa discovering some of the unique styles of Japanese art. Kanazawa is rightly famous for its Kutani-style pottery, exquisite lacquerware, gold-leaf workmanship, hand painted silk, and classical Noh dance-drama performed since the 14th Century. Wander winding cobblestone streets, elegant restaurants, craft galleries and visit the impressive Edo-period Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and explore the Omicho Market boasting everything from flowers, to crafts and food.

Day 11

Kanazawa/Tokyo

After breakfast and final farewells board a Shinkansen ‘bullet train’ to Tokyo Station where your tour ends. To allow time for disembarkation procedures and travel from, we do not recommend booking flights departing before 1500 hours.