Hidden Islands of Japan Cruise
October 2010 (dates coming soon!)

Join us for an unforgettable holiday journey as we explore the beautiful islands of Japan. Discover castle towns, age-old samurai dwellings, primeval forests and the lovely inland sea on this 11-night trip.

Starting in the historic city of Kobe, we cruise to the ancient castle town of Okayama, home to Korakuen garden - one of Japan’s three most famous gardens. We sail on to the idyllic island of Miyajima and pay a moving visit to nearby Hiroshima, a thriving city devoted to peace.  A leisurely day at sea sailing through Saikai National Park and Kujukushima (“Ninety-Nine islands”) follows. We sail on to the island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site blanketed in nearly 2,000 species of Japanese cedar, and home to a Jumon-sugi tree estimated to be 7,000 years old. We also visit Nagasaki and tour the gardens of the famous Glover Mansion. Other ports include the pottery town of Hagi and Kyongju, in South Korea.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1-2 UK/JAPAN
Transfer from Kansai International Airport to Kobe where you'll spend the night at the lovely Kobe Okura Hotel.

Day 3- KOBE
Enjoy the 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 will be a trip to spectatular Himeji Castle. Board the Spirit of Oceanus, and sail in the early evening.

Day 4- OKAYAMA/KURASHIKI
Tour the beautiful stroll garden of Korakuen, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens. Visit the Ohara Museum, which hosts an eclectic mix of classical European, Chinese, and Japanese folk art. Tour the home of wealthy merchants at Ohashi House, and stroll the charming lanes of Kurashiki, along canals crisscrossed by humpbacked stone bridges and bordered by willow trees.

Day 5- MIYAJIMA/HIROSHIMA
Itsukushima is one of the most important shrines in Shinto. See 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.

Day 6- DAY AT SEA
A leisurely cruise through Saikai National Park and the Kujukushima Islands (literally the "Ninety-Nine Islands") off the west coast of Kyushu. This delightful and rarely explored part of Japan offers many beautiful sights.

Day 7- YAKUSHIMA
Yakushima Island became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, and its natural wonders will astound you. Yakushima has a particularly diverse flora, with some 1,900 species and subspecies, including ancient specimens of the sugi (Japanese cedar). It also contains a remnant of an ancient warm-temperate forest that is unique to this region. We spend our time here on nature walks, taking in the exquisite beauty of Japan.

Day 8- KAGOSHIMA
Kagoshima is Kyushu's southernmost, major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city is often compared to its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree lined streets, and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius. Kagoshima is best known for its Satsuma pottery and silk.

Day 9- NAGASAKI
In this second city destroyed by an A-bomb in World War II, tour the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden, built by an enterprising Scotsman who helped to overthrow the shogunate.

Day 10 ULSAN/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.

Day 11- 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 being laid to rest on the other side of the Matsumoto river.

Day 12- 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 emerald green waters dotted with thousands of islands.

Day 13– KOBE
After a short tour of Kobe, transfer to Kansai International Airport and stay in a Kansai Airport Hotel for your final night in Japan.

Day 14– Japan/LONDON
Transfer to Kansai airport.

Price includes:

• 10 nights aboard The Spirit of Oceanus on a  full board basis
• 1 night accommodation in Kobe on a bed & breakfast basis
• 1 night accommodation at Kansai Airport on a bed & breakfast basis
• All shore excursions
• Transfers
• Gratuities
• Cruise West Tour Manager
• Port taxes

Not included: Travel insurance

Hidden Islands of Japan Cruise
TOUR DATE: October 2010 (dates coming soon!)

For your information, prices below refer to the 2009 tour and are subject to change for 2010.

Prices Per Person
(Based on double occupancy)

• To make a booking, a deposit of 10% per person is required.
• The balance of the price of the trip must be made 12 weeks prior to departure.
• Full terms and Conditions

All price estimates are based on current rates of exchange and are subject to availability.

TO BOOK NOW
download a Reservation Form
CALL 020 7766 5267
OR EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk

INSURANCE
Details of Japan Journeys travel insurance policy are below.
All passengers should click here to obtain a quote. We recommend you select the best coverage possible i.e. Platinum protection

It is a condition of booking that you must have insurance cover at least equivalent to that described above.

For insurance details click here for a full Summary of Cover offered by our Platinum level protection.
If you would like to book your insurance through Japan Journeys, please do so using this link:

TO BOOK NOW, CALL 020 7766 5267 OR EMAIL info@japanjourneys.co.uk

NB. Ports subject to change and local weather conditions. All special offers are subject to availability

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TO BOOK NOW, CALL 020 7766 5267