Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka
You'll arrive in Osaka and connect with your Travelmarvel representative who'll get you sorted. From there it's a transfer to the Heritage Adventurer where you'll settle into your cabin. Once you're unpacked, you'll have time to get to know other travelers over a relaxed dinner on board, nothing too formal, just a chance to meet everyone starting this trip.
- Meals
- Dinner (Relaxed dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Heritage Adventurer
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Shikoku Mura and Ritsurin Garden
Start the morning at Shikoku Mura, an open-air museum where traditional Edo and Meiji-period buildings have been relocated from across Shikoku Island so you can walk through them. After that you'll head to Ritsurin Garden, which is one of Japan's most celebrated gardens with its 400 years of history. You'll see six ponds, arched bridges, and a traditional teahouse there, all set against Mount Shiun which creates a beautiful backdrop for photos.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Shikoku Mura open-air museum
- Visit Ritsurin Garden
Landmarks/POIs Shikoku Mura Ritsurin Garden Mount Shiun - Day 3
Hiroshima and Miyajima Island
The morning takes you to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where you'll pay respects at this significant site. Next you'll visit the Peace Memorial Museum to learn about the city's history through photos and films. After lunch back on the ship, a Zodiac takes you out to Miyajima Island for a scenic walk to Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see that famous red 'floating' Torii gate up close, which is really the highlight of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board ship), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
- Lunch on board ship
- Zodiac ride to Miyajima Island
- Scenic walk to Itsukushima-jinja Shrine
Landmarks/POIs Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum Miyajima Island Itsukushima-jinja Shrine - Day 4
Beppu Hot Springs
Beppu's geothermal landscape is the focus here. You'll visit Chinoike Jigoku with its vivid crimson waters and Umi Jigoku with its striking cobalt-blue pool. Then head to Kannawa Village to experience 'Jigoku Mushi,' a traditional cooking method using geothermal heat. If you prefer something different, there's an alternative option to explore Kitsuki Castle Town and hike to Kumano Magaibutsu where Japan's largest stone Buddhas are carved into volcanic cliffs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
- Visit Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)
- Visit Kannawa Village
- Experience Jigoku Mushi traditional cooking
Optional Activities
- Visit Kitsuki Castle Town (Little Kyoto of Kyushu)
- Guided hike to Kumano Magaibutsu stone Buddhas
Landmarks/POIs Chinoike Jigoku Umi Jigoku Kannawa Village Kitsuki Castle Town Kumano Magaibutsu - Day 5
Hagi Castle Town and Yoshiga Taibi Museum
You'll drive to Shizuki Park to explore the ruins of Hagi Castle, a National Historic Site built back in 1604. After that a gentle stroll through the park lets you take in seasonal blooms. Later you'll visit the Yoshiga Taibi Museum, which focuses on an influential painter who mixed traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western techniques. The collection shows his artistic evolution and it's worth the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hagi Castle ruins and Shizuki Park
- Visit Yoshiga Taibi Museum
Landmarks/POIs Hagi Castle Shizuki Park Yoshiga Taibi Museum - Day 6
Busan, South Korea
You're transferring to Busan, South Korea's second largest city, and the day is yours to explore however you'd like. Some people relax at Haeundae Beach while others head to Jagalchi Market for fresh local seafood. Gamcheon Culture Village with its colorful houses and narrow alleyways is popular if you want to take photos. It's nice to have this freedom to check out what interests you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Busan
Optional Activities
- Swim or stroll at Haeundae Beach
- Explore Jagalchi seafood market
- Visit Gamcheon Culture Village
Landmarks/POIs Haeundae Beach Jagalchi Market Gamcheon Culture Village - Day 7
Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle is on the schedule, one of the 12 original castles from the feudal era and known as the 'black castle' for its dark-colored stone construction. From there it's a short walk to the Matsue History Museum, which is designed to look like a samurai residence. You'll explore the castle's 400-year history and learn about the culture of the surrounding town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Matsue Castle
- Visit Matsue History Museum
Landmarks/POIs Matsue Castle Matsue History Museum - Day 8
Tateiwa Rock and Tango Silk Historical Museum
You'll drive along the scenic, rugged coastline of Kyoto Prefecture to see Tateiwa Rock, a striking 20-meter monolith that formed from ancient magma. A gentle coastal walk follows with panoramic views of the Sea of Japan. Later in the afternoon you'll head to Yosano town to visit the Tango Silk Historical Museum where you can watch live demonstrations of traditional Tango chirimen silk weaving.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Tateiwa Rock
- Gentle coastal walk
- Visit Tango Silk Historical Museum
- Live demonstrations of traditional silk weaving
Landmarks/POIs Tateiwa Rock Tango Silk Historical Museum Sea of Japan - Day 9
Kanazawa Gardens and Samurai District
The day starts at Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan's most celebrated landscape gardens from the 17th century with its ponds, streams, scenic bridges, and seasonal flora. Next you'll visit nearby Kanazawa Castle, which was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan and has impressive gates and watchtowers. You'll finish with a stroll through the Nagamachi Samurai District where traditional Edo-period residences and earthen walls line the streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kenroku-en Garden
- Visit Kanazawa Castle
- Stroll through Nagamachi Samurai District
Landmarks/POIs Kenroku-en Garden Kanazawa Castle Ishikawa-mon Gate Gojukken Nagaya storehouse Nagamachi Samurai District - Day 10
Kanazawa to Tokyo
You'll transfer to Kanazawa Station and board the iconic Shinkansen bullet train heading to Tokyo. During the journey you'll have a delectable bento box lunch while taking in views of the Japanese landscape as it passes by. Once you arrive in Tokyo, it's a transfer to either the airport or your hotel to wrap up the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delectable lunch immaculately presented in a bento box showcasing regional culinary delights)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Kanazawa Station
- Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo
- Lunch in bento box during train journey
- Transfer to airport or Tokyo hotel
