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An Immersion in Japanese Culture (Le Laperouse)

An Immersion in Japanese Culture (Le Laperouse)

From AUD $10,930

Description

Quintessential Collection Included Cruise Package

Created specially for like-minded travellers.

Japan is a country pulled in two radically different directions. It deeply honors its past while rushing headlong into the future. Hyper-modernity exists next to the quiet serenity of ancient shrines and gardens.

On this voyage you will discover both of these aspects of Japan as they are reflected in the art, culture, music, and gardens of its towns and cities. The traditional aesthetic is seen in the architecture and adornments of the Buddhist and Shinto shrines you will visit throughout the journey. The modernist impulse is evident in the architecture of the cities through which you will travel and is also represented in the arts on display in the Adachi Museum in Sakaiminato and the Busan Museum of Art.

After an included guided tour in Nagasaki, you will be hosted for a specially arranged traditional Shippoku lunch and Geisha performance. Sampling Japanese food and drink; experiencing traditions of music and dance; viewing art both ancient and modern; walking through modern cities and admiring ancient shrines – these are the elements of your immersion in the culture of Japan.

To enhance your cruise experience, enjoy discussions with art historian Timon Screech and landscape design experts Holly and Osamu Shimizu, who will join you on this cruise.

In addition, delight in onboard music performances by Reison Kuroda, master player of the shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute).

Trip Name
An Immersion in Japanese Culture (Le Laperouse)
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Lapérouse will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Lapérouse has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 OSAKA
Like its big sister Tokyo, Osaka is the product of ancestral traditions and amazing technological innovations. And despite its size, its location on the Pacific Ocean give it a sense of serenity. The main historic landmark is the 16th-century Osaka Castle, which stands proud in the midst of majestic skyscrapers. The lively streets of Dotomburi and the bizarre Shinsekai district attract thousands of locals and visitors. A multitude of restaurants offer menus full of regional specialities: takoyaki, made with octopus, and other succulent dishes such as kushikatsu kebabs.
Day 2 - Day 2 TAMANO
Located on the island of Honshu, hugging the banks of the Sento Inland Sea, Tamano is a popular destination thanks to its sun-drenched climate. Upon arrival, marvel at the way in which the city has been built along the coast at the foot of a deep, dark forest. In the area surrounding Tamano, stroll down the streets of Kurashiki, known as the 'white-walled city' in a nod to the pretty façades of the houses that line the streets of this ancient Edo-period trading town. Another major regional attraction is the Seto Ohashi bridge. Its 12.5 kilometres make it the world's longest double-decker bridge.
Day 3 - Day 3 HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Visiting Hiroshima is a moving experience. The town spreads along Honshu Island, along the inside coasts of Seto. While firmly focused on the future, Hiroshima doesn't forget its past, and a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome is a must. You'll enjoy the city's modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere and effervescent nightlife just as much as the peaceful stillness of its natural parkland areas such as splendid Shukkei-en, the town's historic garden.At the heart of the Inland Sea, Miyajima, the “island sanctuary” will reveal its treasures. In the background you will see the Shinto Grand Sanctuary, whose entrance is guarded by a magnificent vermillion “Torii“. Considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in the Japanese islands, you will be transported by the unique character and the serenity of this sacred site.
Day 4 - Day 4 UWAJIMA
Located on the west coast of Shikoku island, Uwajima will delight lovers of history and traditional customs. The magnificent Uwajima Castle was built in the 17th-century by the powerful Date clan and has a beautiful ornamental garden and bridge. The much-visited Taga Shrine is dedicated to fertility and is full of phalluses. As for eating, you must taste jakoten, a local delicacy based on fried fish.
Day 5 - Day 5 KAGOSHIMA
The seaside city of Kagoshima, at the south of Kyushu Island, ᅠis best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. A visit to this busy metropolis will remind you just how much the volcano is part of the inhabitants' everyday life: in the wake of the almost daily eruptions, a delicate layer of ash settles on everything. The top of a buried torii (traditional Japanese gate) measuring three metres that was 'swallowed up' by a giant lava flow in 1914 can still be seen. The power of nature will send a shiver down your spine.
Day 6 - Day 6 NAGASAKI
Located on the north-west coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki will impress you by its rich heritage. Despite the destruction in 1945, you can visit several ancient sites, including the beautiful 19th-century Catholic Church of Oura and its garden, the sanctuary of Suwa Shrine or several Buddhist temples. A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum gives you insight into the extent of the damage caused by the nuclear attack. Close by, a walk in the Memorial Peace Park leads you to a collection of objets d'art offered as a gift from Japan to the world.
Day 7 - Day 7 BUSAN
With around four million inhabitants, Busan is the second largest metropolis on South Korea, after Seoul. This dynamic harbour city, located in the south-east, surrounded by the warm waters of the Sea of Japan, benefits from a mild, pleasant climate. You’ll find delightful simply to stroll around the lively streets and explore the city’s outstanding cultural heritage of art galleries, museums, and Buddhist sites, such as the Haedong Yonggungsa temple, which elegantly sits on the waterfront. Rich too in magnificent beaches and superlative natural landscapes, Busan’s peaceful atmosphere will win you over, as will its inhabitants, whom you’ll have the pleasure of meeting.
Day 8 - Day 8 SAKAIMINATO
Located on the south-west coast of Honshu Island, the busy fishing port of Sakaiminato celebrates the comic writer and artist Shigeru Mizuki, who was born here. As well as a museum a dedicated tourist route leads through streets and squares that feature 134 bronze statues representing his beloved characters. This isn't the only thing Sakaiminato has to offer; try some local seafood specialities and enjoy the stunning views of Mt Daisen and the Yumigahama peninsula.
Day 9 - Day 9 MAIZURU
Located on the western coast of Honshu island, in the province of Kyoto, the charming town of Maizuru boasts one of Japan’s most exquisite closed bays. A climb to the observatory allows to appreciate the splendour of this inlet scattered with tiny wild islands. Visitors can also admire the treasures of traditional architecture by visiting the temple of Enryu-ji or the Tanabe-jo castle. The town also bears traces of a rich military past, which you can see in the old arsenals of the navy, red brick buildings that today house a museum.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $10,930Deluxe Stateroom
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $12,150Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $12,730Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $13,350Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $18,420Deluxe Suite
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $24,810Prestige Suite Deck 5
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $26,020Prestige Suite Deck 6
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $27,290Privilege Suite
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $29,940Grand Deluxe Suite
12-06-202120-06-2021AUD $31,420Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A series of lectures and discussions aboard ship with art historian Timon Screech and landscape design experts Holly and Osamu Shimizu.
    • Onboard music performances by Reison Kuroda, master player of the shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute).
    • An included guided tour of Nagasaki.
    • An included, specially arranged traditional Shippoku lunch and Geisha performance.
    • Three UNESCO World Heritage sites en route: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and Itsukushima Shinto Shrine.
    • Optional excursions in Tamano, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Busan (South Korea), and Sakaiminato, featuring art museums, markets, gardens, and food and drink experiences, among others.

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