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Peregrine Travel Centre

Wonders of Japan Cruise

Wonders of Japan Cruise

From USD $18,995

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Description

Experience scenic, compelling Japan, visiting unique ports and rarely seen wilderness areas in luxury on board exclusively chartered ‘Le Soleal.’ Listen to fascinating lectures from A&K’s award-winning Expedition Team and choose from a variety of enriching experiences en route.

Trip Name
Wonders of Japan Cruise
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 Built: 2013 Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 132 staterooms and suites, with balconies, joined in 2013. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the luxury yachting world, with fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white. A refined ambience is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat's hull, while the central scuplture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea.  In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonomous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.  

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ARRIVE OSAKA, JAPAN
Cross the International Dateline and arrive at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration, meet your A&K representative and transfer to your tranquil Kyoto hotel, situated in a historic area of Higashiyama Shichijo. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Alternately, with insight from our experts, set out to explore Kyoto at your own pace. This culturally rich former capital features over 2,000 temples and shrines, 17 of which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Because the city largely avoided bombing during World War II, its historic aura remains intact
Day 2 - Day 2 KYOTO | CULTURAL WONDERS
Today, choose from three excursions, such as an enlightening tour of Kyoto, where you visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple); attend a talk about Zen Buddhism at Tenryuji Temple; and explore the Heian Shrine. Or, you may visit historic Nara, the first Japanese capital, including Houryuji, the country’s oldest temple. Alternately, pay a visit to a tea factory and attend a traditional tea ceremony, followed by visits to Byodoin Temple and Uujigami Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gather this evening for a welcome reception with fellow guests, and the A&K specialists and local guides who will be accompanying you on this enriching voyage.
Day 3 - Day 3 OSAKA | THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy the morning at leisure or join a guided walking tour of the temples in the surrounding Higashiyama Shichijo district. After lunch, transfer from Kyoto to Osaka, where you board luxurious ‘Le Soleal,’ your floating home for the next 11 nights. Throughout your journey, enjoy access to experts both on board and ashore, as well as ongoing conversations with our Expedition Team.
Day 4 - Day 4 TAKAMATSU | EXPLORE YOUR WAY
Arrive this morning in Takamatsu, gateway to Shikoku Island. Choose from an array of intimate, thoughtfully planned excursions. Whether revolving around nature, gastronomy, arts or culture, each has been designed to reveal Japan at its most authentic. You may, for example, travel to Naoshima Island by ferry for a full-day excursion, celebrating its architecture and art museums. Visit the breathtaking hillside Chichu Art Museum and stop at Benesse House, a complex featuring unique work by Japanese and international artists. Alternately, board a high-speed boat to Shodoshima, or Shodo Island, the heart of Japan’s olive-growing industry for a full-day tour. You may otherwise remain on Shikoku Island, experiencing Takamatsu’s most acclaimed features. Begin with a visit to Ritsurin Park, one of Japan’s finest gardens. After taking in the pond, bridge and hill-stippled setting, attend a hands-on udon noodle-making demonstration to gain insight into this local culinary art. Spend the rest of the day at your own pace in the lovely port of Takamatsu, with time to explore the shops and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Return to the ship at leisure.
Day 5 - Day 5 HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA | HIROSHIMA & THE TORII GATE
Arrive in the port of Hiroshima, where you may opt to visit the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, its cenotaph containing names of the known victims of the atomic bomb. Then, take a speedboat ride to Miyajima Island to witness the scarlet Torii Gate at the entrance to the sacred Shinto Shrine. Or take a full-day excursion through Hiroshima, visiting the Hiroshima Castle and Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, where you attend a private talk with an atomic bomb survivor. Alternately, spend a full day on the tranquil island of Miyajima, including the Itsukushima-Jinja, the shrine complex listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure. Ascend Mount Misen by cable car for a hike. Then, admire the Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate. Return to your vessel and continue sailing through the Kamnon Strait en route to the Korea Strait.
Day 6 - Day 6 KARATSU | ANCIENT TRADING POST
This afternoon, ‘Le Soleal’ arrives at the port of Karatsu. Once an early trading post between Japan and mainland Asia, Karatsu still maintains its medieval heritage. Visit Karatsu Castle, known as the “flying crane castle.” Pay a visit to the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, which houses the floats and artifacts used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi autumn festival, recently inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. You may also visit Ningyo Joruri (puppet theater) and the Nakazato Taroemon Kiln, a ceramic studio that has been active since the late 16th century. Alternatively, visit the Kitahata Shige region to meet green tea farmers, along with the chance to pick your own tea leaves.
Day 7 - Day 7 GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA | KOREAN CAPITAL
Disembark and spend a full day exploring Gyeongju, South Korea, ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gyeongju’s cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium. Witness its excavated monuments, temples, tombs and pagodas, gaining insight from your cultural historian. Then, unearth the treasures of the National Museum, which houses an exceptional collection of jewelry, weapons and pottery. Sit down to a lunch of Korean delicacies, and witness a traditional dance performance. Alternately, gain insight on South Korean culture and join a special visit to the Hyundai Motor factory.
Day 8 - Day 8 MATSUE, JAPAN | VERDANT GARDENS
Return to Japan and disembark at Sakaiminato to visit Matsue, the “town of water,” nestled between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. Choose to explore the countryside, pausing at the Peonies Village to wander through its picturesque Yuushien Garden. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting historic Matsue Castle, one of Japan’s few remaining medieval castles, built in original wooden form. Alternately, visit the garden-frocked Adachi Museum of Art, which melds the founders’ passions for art and garden design. Following a traditional lunch at a ryokan (inn), visit Yakumo-mura village to learn about the art of Japanese papermaking.
Day 9 - Days 9 - 10 KANAZAWA | IMMERSION INTO THE ARTS
Spend the day exploring the thriving art center of Kanazawa, known for its Kutani-style pottery and gold-leaf workmanship. Choose from various experiences that allow you to traverse its winding cobblestone streets. Perhaps see traditional houses, museums and galleries, and the Higashi Chaia geisha district. Or, choose a more active excursion that includes a hike in Kakusenkei Gorge; lunch at a local restaurant; and an onsen (spa) experience in the Yamanaka Onsen district, or a visit to scenic Shirakawa-go and the Shogawa River Valley. The next day, wander through its Omicho Market at your leisure, which features everything from fresh flowers to fish and local handicrafts. Tonight, join fellow guests for a private dinner event with live entertainment.
Day 10 - Day 11 SADO-GA-SHIMA | KODO TAIKO DRUMMERS
Travel off the beaten path and arrive at pastoral Sado Island, with its rice paddies, bamboo groves, and surf-pounded seacoasts. Political exiles, deposed emperors and intellectuals were once “banished” to live in this beautiful setting. Today, opt for a nature excursion to Ogi Peninsula and its lighthouse, or a relaxing Taraibune tub-boat tour. Later, enjoy an exclusive, private performance by the fabled Kodo taiko drummers. Return to your ship and set sail for the west coast of Japan’s mainland.
Day 11 - Day 12 NOSHIRO/AOMORI | PICTURESQUE CALDERA LAKE
Disembark in Noshiro and head to Towada-Hachimantai National Park, passing en route through the panoramic mountain plateau region of Hachimantai, part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Visit the Great Drum House to witness the drums used in the Tsuzureko Shrine Festival. Then, hike or take a boat ride at the ancient caldera of Lake Towada, formed by the eruption of a volcano. For a more in-depth nature experience, you may choose a trekking excursion to Juniko Lake alongside an A&K naturalist and a national park nature guide. Later this afternoon, re-board your vessel in Aomori.
Day 12 - Day 13 OTARU | HISTORIC CANAL
Arrive in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Shortly after lunch, disembark in Otaru, a picturesque city known for its canal, well-preserved architecture, handicrafts, sake distilleries and stunning views of Mount Tengu. You may opt to take a historical and cultural tour of the city, once a prosperous fishing village. At the impressively crafted “Herring Mansion,” learn the history of the prominent Aoyama family. Afterward, discover Otaru’s storied glassmaking and visit a sake distillery, where you may sample its rice wine. End with a visit to the city’s historic canal; once filled with fishing barges, it is now lined with museums and shops. Or, choose to visit Mount Tengu by gondola, taking in panoramic views of Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay. During a nature walk, you may see the 100-year-old cherry tree. Then, visit the Tengu House, where nearly 700 goblin masks from throughout Japan are exhibited. After your descent back to the city, partake in a hands-on glassmaking workshop and head to see the famous canal. Spend the evening in port in Otaru.
Day 13 - Day 14 DEPART SAPPORO
After breakfast on board ‘Le Soleal,’ disembark in Otaru, where you transfer to the airport in Sapporo. Board your homebound flight, join the post-cruise group extension to Tokyo or continue onward with your independent travels.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 1 - Classic Balcony Stateroom
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 2 - Deluxe Balcony Stateroom
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 3 - Premier Balcony Stateroom
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 4 - Superior Balcony Stateroom
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 5 - Prestige Balcony Suite
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 6 - Premier Two-Room Balcony Suite
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 7 - Prestige Two-Room Balcony Suite
30-05-201912-06-2019USD $0Category 8 - Owners Suite

Inclusions

    • Discover Japan in a way only possible by small ship, visiting unique ports and off-the-beaten-path wilderness areas and unpacking only once
    • Cruise aboard luxurious, exclusively chartered ‘Le Soleal,’ with no more than 199 guests for optimal comfort
    • Gain incomparable insight into Japan as you travel in the company of A&K’s award-winning team, local experts and guides
    • Travel with peace of mind knowing all shore excursions, gratuities, transfers, all meals and most drinks on board, and daily recaps and briefings are included
    • Spend two nights in culture-rich Kyoto, choosing from fascinating excursion options and staying in the historic heart of the city
    • Visit Gyeongju, South Korea, ancient dynastic capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • Reflect on Japan’s turbulent history and witness its miraculous resurgence at Hiroshima
    • Set out on incomparable art experiences, perhaps visiting the Chichu Art Museum, O’Hara Museum of Art and the Adachi Museum of Art
    • Witness a private performance by the world-renowned Kodo taiko drummers
    • Enjoy fascinating onboard lectures and presentations on Japanese history, art, culture, gardens, nature and culinary traditions, led by our knowledgeable enrichment specialists
    • Choose from a wide array of included shore excursions, which delve deeper into Japan’s culture, architecture, arts, history, geology, economy and natural wonders

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