Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka
You'll arrive in Osaka and head to your hotel to settle in. Your guide meets you in the lobby, and then you'll walk to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner where you'll get to know the other travelers on this trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner at a local Japanese restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Osaka)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner at local Japanese restaurant
- Day 2
Kyoto
After breakfast, you're heading to Arashiyama to see Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful gardens and the famous bamboo groves. You'll also check out Nonomiya Shrine. Later, your coach takes you to Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, which is a notable Zen temple. From there, you go to Fushimi Inari Shrine to see the iconic red torii gates before returning to Osaka for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Osaka)
Included Activities
- Tenryuji Temple visit
- Arashiyama bamboo groves exploration
- Nonomiya Shrine visit
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) visit
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
Landmarks Tenryuji Temple Nonomiya Shrine Kinkakuji Fushimi Inari Shrine 
- Day 3
Osaka to Ship
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide leads a sightseeing tour by private coach. You'll visit Osaka Expo '70 Park and see the Tower of the Sun monument, then head to the Floating Garden Observatory for 360-degree city views. You'll tour Osaka Castle, Japan's largest when built in 1583. Later you'll transfer to the Heritage Adventurer, an expedition ship, and relax over dinner on board for the start of your 11-night cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Relaxed dinner on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Heritage Adventurer)
Included Activities
- Osaka Expo '70 Park visit
- Floating Garden Observatory visit
- Osaka Castle visit
- Dinner on board Heritage Adventurer
Landmarks Tower of the Sun Floating Garden Observatory Osaka Castle - Day 4
Kinashi Bonsai Farm and Ritsurin Garden
You're departing from the pier and heading to Kinashi Bonsai Farm to learn about bonsai cultivation and see the artistry involved. Then you'll drive to Ritsurin Garden, Japan's largest Cultural Property Garden, which has six ponds, thirteen landscaped hills, and rock arrangements with Mt. Shiun in the background. This afternoon, there's an optional Pilgrim Tour available if you want to visit Zentsu-ji and Konzo-ji temples.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Kinashi Bonsai Farm visit
- Ritsurin Garden visit
Optional Activities
- Pilgrim Tour with visit to Zentsu-ji Temple and Konzo-ji Temple (additional expense)
Landmarks Kinashi Bonsai Farm Ritsurin Garden Zentsu-ji Temple Konzo-ji Temple - Day 5
Kurashiki
You're journeying to Kurashiki Historical Quarter District to see preserved Edo-era buildings. A traditional tea experience happens at Shinkei-En inside the Ohara Museum, which was Japan's first Museum of Western Art and holds works by El Greco and Monet among others. You'll take a leisurely walk through the Old Town, known as the Bikan Area, with its well-preserved architecture before returning to port.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Kurashiki Historical Quarter District visit
- Traditional tea experience at Shinkei-En
- Ohara Museum visit
- Old Town (Bikan Area) stroll
Landmarks Ohara Museum Kurashiki Historical Quarter District - Day 6
Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
Your coach heads to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which honors victims of the 1945 atomic bombing. You'll visit the Peace Memorial Museum, designed by architect Tange Kenzo, where pictures, movies, and displays tell the city's history. This afternoon, a Zodiac brings you to Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's three most scenic spots known for its 'floating' torii gate. You'll have a leisurely walk back to the port.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park visit
- Peace Memorial Museum visit
- Miyajima Island arrival
- Itsukushima Shrine visit
Landmarks Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine 
- Day 7
Ehime
This morning offers an optional Yusumizugaura and Pearl Farm Tour if that interests you. This afternoon, you'll check out the Museum of Ehime History and Culture to see artifacts and learn about the region's feudal past. You can wander through well-preserved streets in the historical area and see architectural details that tell stories of earlier eras.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Museum of Ehime History and Culture visit
Optional Activities
- Yusumizugaura & Pearl Farm Tour - Learn about pearl farming at Doi Pearl Farm and visit Yusumizu-ga-Ura Terrace field with boiled potatoes tasting (additional expense)
Landmarks Museum of Ehime History and Culture Doi Pearl Farm Yusumizu-ga-Ura Terrace - Day 8
Yakushima
You're driving to Yakusugi Land for a serene walk through the park surrounded by towering Yakusugi cedar trees, some thousands of years old. The Yakusugi Museum explains the natural history of Yakushima and these cedar trees. This afternoon, there's an optional Yakushima Chopsticks Making Tour available. Later, you'll head to Shitoko Gajumaru Banyan Park and walk through the area with its sprawling banyan trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Yakusugi Land visit and walk
- Yakusugi Museum visit
- Shitoko Gajumaru Banyan Park visit
Optional Activities
- Yakushima Chopsticks Making Tour - Create your own unique pair of chopsticks at a workshop (additional expense)
Landmarks Yakusugi Land Yakusugi Museum Shitoko Gajumaru Banyan Park - Day 9
Nagasaki
You're driving to the Atomic Bomb Museum to reflect on 1945's impact and understand Nagasaki's experience and peace efforts. Then you'll see Urakami Cathedral, known for its unusual architecture and post-war rebuilding, which features bombed stone statues and a surviving bell. This afternoon, there's an optional traditional Nagasaki Kenban Geisha performance if you'd like to attend.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Atomic Bomb Museum visit
- Urakami Cathedral visit
Optional Activities
- Nagasaki Kenban traditional Geisha performance (additional expense)
Landmarks Atomic Bomb Museum Urakami Cathedral - Day 10
Hagi
You'll drive from the port to Hagi Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully preserved feudal Japanese town. You'll walk down old streets seeing samurai residences and merchant homes, then explore the Hagi Reverberatory Furnace, a legacy of the Meiji Industrial Revolution. After lunch, you'll go through the Samurai Quarter, tour Samurai House, and visit Toko-ji Temple founded in 1691. An optional kimono try-on and stroll awaits before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Hagi Old Town walk
- Hagi Castle Town exploration
- Hagi Reverberatory Furnace visit
- Samurai House visit
- Toko-ji Temple visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Kimono Experience - Visit a local kimono store, learn about and wear traditional kimonos, then stroll through Hagi's Old Town in kimono (additional expense)
Landmarks Hagi Old Town Hagi Castle Hagi Reverberatory Furnace Toko-ji Temple - Day 11
Busan (South Korea)
From the port at Ulsan, there's an option to visit Busan, which has a laid-back feel and deep cultural roots. You can explore the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village with its distinctive Lego-like houses, then head to Yongdusan Park on a mountain shaped like a dragon's head. The mountain has shrines and monuments that help tell Busan's history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Highlights of Busan - Visit Gamcheon Culture Village and explore Yongdusan Park with its shrines and monuments (additional expense)
Landmarks Gamcheon Culture Village Yongdusan Park 
- Day 12
Matsue
You're diving into feudal Japanese history by visiting one of Japan's 12 original castles. The main tower has survived fires, earthquakes, and Meiji-period demolitions. A short walk takes you to Matsue History Museum, designed to look like a samurai residence, with detailed information about the castle's 400-year history and national treasures inside. There's an optional visit to the Adachi Museum of Art as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Matsue Castle visit
- Matsue History Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Adachi Museum of Art visit - Explore this museum celebrated for exceptional Japanese gardens and extensive collection of modern Japanese art (own expense)
Landmarks Matsue Castle Matsue History Museum Adachi Museum of Art - Day 13
Kanazawa
You're starting at Omicho Market, established during the Edo Period and part of Kanazawa's food culture for over 300 years, showing fresh seafood and local delicacies. Then you'll drive to Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens with ponds, bridges, and teahouses. Historic Kanazawa Castle with late 16th century Maeda clan origins sits adjacent to the garden. Lunch happens on board your ship, then you head into the Nagamachi Samurai District to see well-preserved residences and narrow lanes. Gold Leaf crafting is optional if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board ship)
Included Activities
- Omicho Market visit
- Kenroku-en Garden visit
- Kanazawa Castle visit
- Nagamachi Samurai District visit
- Lunch on board ship
Optional Activities
- Gold Leaf Experience - Learn about producing gold leaf, discover the tools used in Gold Leaf crafts, and create a personal item to take with you as a souvenir
Landmarks Omicho Market Kenroku-en Garden Kanazawa Castle Nagamachi Samurai District - Day 14
Kanazawa to Tokyo
You'll disembark the ship and transfer to Kanazawa Station. The iconic bullet train (shinkansen) takes you from Kanazawa to Tokyo with a regional lunch box served while traveling and views of the Japanese landscape along the way. Once you arrive in Tokyo, you'll transfer to your hotel and check in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delectable lunch box on bullet train)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Kanazawa Station
- Bullet train journey from Kanazawa to Tokyo with lunch box
- Day 15
Tokyo
After breakfast, you're exploring Tokyo starting with Meiji Shrine, which honors Emperor Meiji and is popular for traditional Japanese weddings. You'll visit the Imperial Palace on the former Edo Castle site, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in central Tokyo. Then you'll head to Asakusa, Tokyo's Old Town, to see Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon), the city's oldest temple. You can walk through Nakamise shopping street leading to the temple, which has offered traditional snacks and souvenirs for centuries. You'll have the afternoon free at your hotel, then a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant completes the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Meiji Shrine visit
- Imperial Palace visit
- Sensoji Temple visit
- Nakamise shopping street exploration
- Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Imperial Palace Sensoji Temple - Day 16
Departure from Tokyo
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Haneda Airport to begin your journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
