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Journey To Japan (Ocean Adventurer)

Journey To Japan (Ocean Adventurer)

From AUD $10,990

Description

On your remarkable voyage, you will journey through the remote Northern Mariana Islands and the Japanese island groups of Ogasawara and Izu. Along the way, immerse yourself in WWII history and the raw nature of your surroundings. Explore Rota Island in the Marianas Archipelago, the ‘friendly island’ with palm-fringed beaches and aquamarine waters. See the prehistoric House of Taga stone pillars on Tinian Island, along with the historic WWII site where the Enola Gay was loaded with its atomic bomb payload to be dropped on Hiroshima. Visit significant WWII battle sights in the ‘War in the Pacific’ Parks across the Mariana Islands, and enjoy swimming hole grottos carved by erosion and hiking trails. Spot endemic bird species like the Marian fruit dove and white-throated ground dove and look for the near-extinct reed warbler. Explore the Ogasawara Island Group, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their diversity of natural flora and fauna and diverse ecosystem. Discover a secret WWII submarine base, see how the landscape is changed by volcanic eruptions, and enjoy hot springs and waterfalls within moss-draped forests. Be immersed in local culture at a Hachijo Taiko drum performance and kimono workshop and wander the ancient stone-walled laneways of the Hattori Residence. This voyage into Japan introduces you to rarely-visited islands where stories of nature, culture and history can be told.

Trip Name
Journey To Japan (Ocean Adventurer)
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 93.4 meters Passenger Capacity: 120 (60 staterooms) Built: 2019 Designed and built to be the most modern tropical expedition ship afloat, Coral Adventurer debuted in April 2019. She features comfortable Australian interiors, Xplorer tender mechanism, intimate guest experience, and personalized service. EXPEDITION CAPABILITIES > Two trademark Xplorer tenders seat all passengers for shore excursions > Six zodiacs for more intrepid exploration > Lecture lounge with multimedia for daily expedition briefings and presentations > Small on-board Library > Shallow draft and advanced navigation and propulsion systems MARINE IMMERSION > Navigator lounge in the bridge giving a vantage point of ship operations > Over 1000 sq m of open deck space including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views > Engine room tours and high level of crew interaction with guests > Barralong Room for hosting scientific research or exhibitions FOOD AND WINE FEATURES > Communal ‘wine table’ > Galley viewing window > Multiple indoor and outdoor bars, including our Explorer bar on the Vista Deck > Curated wine cellar featuring boutique wines and exceptional vintage Australian reds. GUEST COMFORT > All outside-facing guest cabins with en-suite bathrooms; majority have private balcony > Active stabilisers > Gym > Passenger elevator > Wi-Fi available in all guest areas

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Depart Guam
Board Coral Adventurer at Guam at 4:00pm for a 7:00pm departure. Settle into your cabin and relax as we set sail across the Pacific Ocean. This evening, join the Captain’s welcome drinks and meet your crew and fellow guests as the sun sets.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 14: Expedition Cruising
These are expedition itineraries covering remote regions. Your Captain and Expedition Team may make changes to the daily schedule when necessary to maximise guest experience. Below are the highlight destinations of your voyage.The MarianasThe Mariana Islands were first settled around 2000 BC by ancient seafaring people who journeyed in outrigger canoes who sailed across the vast expanse of the open Pacific where they settled in The Marianas.ROTAAs the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and blessed with picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches and aquamarine waters that invite snorkelling and kayaking, Rota is known as the ‘friendly island’ with its relaxed ambience. Learn about WWII history at the Old Japanese Cannon which overlooks Mount Tapingot, known as ‘wedding cake mountain’ with its multi-layered topography resembling a wedding cake.TINIANSee the prehistoric House of Taga stone pillars on Tinian Island along with the historic WWII site where the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay was loaded with its atomic bomb payload to be dropped on Hiroshima.SAIPANSaipan and the Mariana Islands were the location of WWII battles with many Japanese armaments and bunkers now important historic sites with ‘War in the Pacific National Park’s designation. Visit the American Memorial Park along with Laderan Banadero and learn of the thousands of Japanese soldiers and civilians who took their own lives towards the end of WWII, thus avoiding capture by US Forces.Take a walk to swimming hole grottos carved by erosion and enjoy hiking trails to lookout points. Spot endemic bird species like the Marian fruit dove and white-throated ground dove and look for the near-extinct reed warbler. At the marine conservation park of Managaha Island, enjoy snorkelling, diving and kayaking.Iwo JimaOur introduction to Japan is the volcanic island of Iwo Jima where the WWII Battle of Iwo Jima took place along with the site of AAP photographer Joe Rosental’s famous photo Raising the Flag which was photographed on Mt. Suribachi. Explore the Ogasawara Island Group (sometimes called the Bonin Islands), which are known as the ‘Galapagos of the Orient’ and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their diversity of natural flora and fauna and diverse ecosystem.ChichijimaThe largest of the Ogasawara Islands, mountainous Chichijima with its subtropical forests is rimmed by steep rocky cliffs that bound pristine white-sand beaches. Populations of humpback and sperm whales frequent the ocean during annual migrations, along with year-round pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins.Swimmers, snorkelers and kayakers may have the opportunity to see these graceful creatures up close in the wild, should they choose to interact with human visitors. Nesting turtles and large populations of sea birds may be seen at Minamijima Island, a small uninhabited island with an eroded tunnel carved into a cliff connecting a scenic bay to the ocean beyond the island.HahajimaHahajima is one of only two inhabited islands (Chichijima being the other) in the Ogasawara Island Group. Like Chichijima Island, Hahajima too is home to unique flora and fauna. Walking trails crisscross the long, narrow island offer the opportunity to (potentially) see bird species such as the protected bonin honeyeater and boobies along with Indigenous plants seen nowhere else such as sekimon trees. Limestone karsts and caves with their exposed tree roots overhead can be walked through, while Ross Museum and the history Okimura Cemetery offer insight into the lives of islanders who once lived here.Muko Jima and TorishimaThe uninhabited outcrop of Muko Jima and nearby Torishima is the habitat and an important nesting site for a colony of black-footed albatrosses and Laysan albatrosses. Cruise past the active volcano of Torishima Island which houses a weather station and volcanic research station and is also a bird sanctuary. As well as albatrosses, Tristrams storm petrels, common kestrels and blue rock thrush may be sighted, along with whales and dolphins in the sea.Sofu GanCruise past the volcanic deserted island of Sofu Gan, also known as Lot’s Wife, an isolated basalt pillar that rises from the ocean.HachijojimaOn Hachijojima Island visit a secret WWII submarine base, see the landscape changed by volcanic eruptions and enjoy hot springs and waterfalls within moss-draped forests. At the Hattori Residence be immersed in local culture with a Kashitate dance and Hachijo Taiko drum performance, learn about kimono traditions and wander the ancient stone-walled laneways of this historical site. Mikurajima, Miyake Jima and ToshimaThe entire island of Mikurajima is designated as a national park with a lively pod of Indo Pacific Bottlenose dolphins visiting regularly, with a potential opportunity to swim with these wild creatures. On the island, walking trails pass through stands of forest while a memorial to the shipwrecked crew of the Viking marks the assistance islanders gave during the 1863 tragedy. Ancient shrines pay tribute to the strong spiritual connections of the 300 or so people who live on the island.Swim with wild Indo Pacific Bottlenoses dolphins at the national park island of Mirkurashima, explore the volcanic hiking trails on Miyake Jima Island and look for birds amongst forests of brightly-coloured blossoming camelia trees on Toshima Island.
Day 3 - Day 15: Arrive Tokyo
Our voyage ends in the Japanese capital of Tokyo. Disembark Coral Adventurer at 8:30 am and bid farewell to new-found friends, the Master and crew.
Day 4 - Please Note:
This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Throughout the expedition, we may make changes to the itinerary as necessary to maximise your expeditionary experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may affect the operation of the vessel. The itinerary includes the possibility of interaction with wild animals and this interaction is subject to the presence of this wildlife on the day.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $10,990CORAL DECK STATEROOM
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $12,990PROMENADE DECK STATEROOM
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $15,500EXPLORER DECK BALCONY STATEROOM
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $16,485CORAL DECK STATEROOM SOLE
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $16,800BRIDGE DECK BALCONY STATEROOM
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $19,485PROMENADE DECK STATEROOM SOLE
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $21,990BRIDGE DECK BALCONY SUITE
04-10-202118-10-2021AUD $23,250EXPLORER DECK BALCONY STATEROOM SOLE

Inclusions

    • Experience the vibrantly coloured fabric as the craftspeople reveal the process of dying the silk threads, spinning and weaving that results in lengths of fabric suitable for the elegant kimono and obi, at Kihachijo Meyu Workshop
    • Visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ogasawara Islands, known as the ‘Galapagos of the Orient’ for its unique ecosystem.
    • See the historic WWII site where Enola Gay departed from with its atomic bomb payload bound for Hiroshima.
    • Cruise past Iwo Jima and Mt Suribachi, the location of famous photograph ‘Raising the Flag’.
    • Visit the famed Hattori Residence and experience the Kashitate dance and Hachijo Taiko drumming by local performers.
    • Admire from a safe distance active Torishima volcano.
    • See short-tailed albatrosses and their nesting sites on Tori-shima Island.
    • Learn about the unique geology, botany and wildlife of the region and look for whales, dolphin, tuna and sea turtles.

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