Discover, Plan & Go!

From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Culture Japan is a nation with a history, culture, and beauty unlike any other in the world. Tour ancient wooden castles where shoguns once ruled. Explore the ruins, tombs, temples and shrines of the Shilla kingdom in Kyongju. Visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Approach the famous red torii of Itsukushima Shrine at high tide, when the magical gates seem to float on the sea. Stroll through the famous gardens of Ritsurin Koen and Korakuen.

Each of the places you'll explore presents new insights into a realm that has fascinated travelers for millennia.

Enjoy breathtaking scenery & Mind-opening cultural experiences. Enjoy wonderful food and wine & Congenial companionship. Taken separately, each is a delightful experience. Combined onboard the 114-passenger, Spirit of Oceanus in Japan, they make each day a celebration, each evening a special occasion. Your voyage to Japan is filled with highlights. You'll visit stunning gardens and serene temples. You'll share a craftsman's delight in his work, and a child's pleasure in an ancient story. And, along the way, you'll form new friendships you'll treasure always.

Day 1 - Depart for Japan

Day 2 - Arrive in Japan

Transfer from Osaka airport to Kobe where you'll spend the night at the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental.

Accommodations: Meriken Park Oriental

Included Meals: none

Day 3 – Kobe

Enjoy historic attractions of this port city, one of the first to begin accepting foreign traders following Japan's two and a half centuries of isolation. The highlight of your visit: a trip to spectacular white Himeji Castle. Board the Spirit of Oceanus, and sail in the early evening.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 4 - Okayama / Kurashiki

Indulge yourself in Zen perfection as you tour Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous, and participate in an ancient tea ceremony. Visit the Ohara Museum, which hosts an eclectic mix of classical European, Chinese, and Japanese folk art. At Ohashi House, tour the home of wealthy merchants. Have a stroll the charming lanes of Kurashiki, along canals crisscrossed by humpbacked stone bridges and bordered by willow trees.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Takamatsu/ Cruising the Inland Sea

Ritsurin Koen was designed at the bequest of an early 17th century feudal lord, who envisioned a fantastic garden set against the beautiful backdrop of Mt. Shiun. Shikokumura Village gives you a glimpse into peasant life in the Edo period. Spend the afternoon cruising the Inland Sea. Designated a national park, the Inland Sea is an area of great natural beauty with its emerald green waters dotted with thousands of islands.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Miyajima / Hiroshima

Itsukushima is one of the most important Shinto shrines. View the famous red torii gates as we anchor just offshore, and tour the shrine with a Shinto priest. In Hiroshima, a city now devoted to peace, tour the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Peace Memorial Museum.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 – Beppu

Go to Jigoku (The Hells) this morning, the supreme onsen (hot springs) in Japan. Here you can contemplate geysers, mud ponds, and pools dyed strange colors by minerals, or take the opportunity for a hot soak, Japanese style. Visit Yufuin, renowned for its traditional handicrafts, and its Folk Art Museum, where you can view indigo dying, glass blowing, and paper making. Set sail for Nagasaki through the Shimonoseki Strait.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 – Nagasaki

In this second city destroyed by an A-bomb in World War II, tour the Atomic Bomb Museum, Glover Garden (built by an enterprising Scotsman who helped overthrow the shogunate), and Oura Catholic Church, which inspired Japan's secret Christians to emerge from centuries in hiding.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Pusan / Kyongju

Step into the world of Korea's Shilla dynasty in the ruins of Kyongju. A thousand years ago, this open-air museum was their capital, sparkling with palaces and gardens. Today, the ruins and burial mounds bring to life memories of a 900-year rule that lasted from the time of Julius Caesar to Charlemagne.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 – Hagi

Japan's revolution began here in Jokamachi's old samurai residential quarter, where you'll tour a samurai's home. Yoshida Shrine is a monument to one of the last of the samurai, killed by the shogun for attempting to ensure Japan's survival by opening up to the West. Also visit Daisho Temple, the resting place of the two first Mori daimyo and all the even-numbered daimyo (odd-numbered daimyo were laid to rest on the other side of the Matsumoto river). Make an optional visit to a pottery studio for pastel-glazed pottery once reserved for the samurai.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Izumo Taisha / Matsue

Anchor off Izumo for a visit to Izumo Taisha, Japan's oldest and largest Shinto shrine. Be greeted by local dancers as we enter Matsue to tour the famous wooden Matsue Castle and the Hearn Museum, dedicated to Lafcadio Hearn, a distinguished author who introduced Japan to the rest of the world.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 – Kanazawa

Spend a full day exploring Kanazawa, including its traditional silk industry. Developed during the Edo period, Yuzen silk is characterized by its distinctive use of natural motifs, and is popular throughout Japan for formal kimonos. You'll also visit Seisonkaku Villa, built by the 13th lord Maeda for his mother, and Omicho Market, a favorite destination for Kanazawa shoppers since the feudal period. Feast your eyes on breathtaking Kenrokuen Garden, known as one of the three most beautiful in Japan, and adjoining Gyokusenen Garden.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Niigata / Toyko

Disembark and transfer to the train station for your bullet train ride to Tokyo, complete with a traditional Bento Box lunch. Enjoy a city tour en route to your hotel, the historic Imperial Hotel, and spend the balance of the day at your leisure.

Accommodations: Imperial Hotel

Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 14 – Tokyo

Transfer to Narita Airport for your flight back home. Additional nights in Tokyo can be arranged.

Accommodations: n/a

Included Meals: none

Reverse Itinerary: Day 1 Depart for Japan

Day 2 Arrive in Japan

Day 3 Tokyo / Niigata

Day 4 Kanazawa

Day 5 Matsue / Izumo Taisha

Day 6 Hagi

Day 7 Pusan / Kyongju

Day 8 Nagasaki

Day 9 Beppu

Day 10 Hiroshima / Miyajima

Day 11 Takamatsu/ Cruising the Inland Sea

Day 12 Okayama / Kurashiki

Day 13 Kobe

Day 14 Osaka / Departure

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Land Cost Includes: Five nights hotel accommodations with breakfast included, $415 per person which covers all taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. all airport/ hotel transfers, Japan cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Japan; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1000 per person is required to confirm. Cancellations made more than 90-days prior to departure are subject to a $250 per person fee. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout the South Pacific is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in zodiacs. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.