Unknown Japan and South Korea

Day 1 : Incheon, South Korea

Set sail this evening from Incheon, the bustling port city an hour’s drive from the capital city of Seoul.

Day 2 : At sea

A day at sea to relax, explore your ship, and connect with fellow guests.

Day 3 : Busan, South Korea

At the south-eastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, the city of Busan conjures up the many faces of Asia. Here, traditional ceremonies and historic temples still have their place alongside more modern aspects. A trip on the Sky Capsule, a four-seater elevated rail carriage, offers impressive views of Busan’s coastline and hills. The city is known for its relics of the old Silla dynasty and sacred sites in the form of colourfully embellished temples. Get a sense of the Koreans’ close relationship with nature along the dramatic coastline with its small suspension bridges.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– Visit to Gyeongju – UNESCO World Heritage Site
– Busan – pure nature and history
– Traditional tea ceremony

Day 4 : Fukoka, Japan

Experience the fast pace of Japanese civilisation, whose origins date back to 300 BC. The authentic atmosphere is particularly apparent at the rustic Yatai street stalls, where locals slurp ramen and swap recipes. Fukuoka is an attractive city with modern highlights including the enormous Canal City shopping and entertainment centre, which has an artificial canal flowing through it. Cultural and historic gems like the Dazaifu Temple stand as testament to the city’s importance in the seventh century, when it was the political and cultural centre of Kyushu Island. The history of the Futsukaichi Onsen hot springs go back just as far and still today offer a great place for a relaxing bath.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– Kokura Castle – symbol of Kitakyushu City
– Karatsu – a hidden gem in Saga
– Impressions of Japanese beverage delicacies: the art of sake brewing and tea cultivation
– Fukuoka’s highlights: Japanese gardens and Dazaifu shrine
– In the footsteps of the gods: Miyajidake and Kashiigu shrines
– Adventure trail up Mount Tempai
– Izakaya – popular Japanese meeting place

Day 5 : Hiroshima

Hiroshima symbolises a very eventful period in modern history. Tracing the tragic events of 1945 takes you to the Peace Memorial Park. Experience Hiroshima as an impressive place of historic reflection, as well as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. Hiroshima Castle, also known as Rijo, is a prefect example of Japanese architecture in the traditional pagoda style and its museum tells the story of the samurai. With its variety of miniature landscapes, the Shukkeien Garden displays Japanese landscape gardening as an art form: pause for a while at the tea houses and Koi carp ponds to find inner peace and serenity.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– Hiroshima, witness to global history
– Unknown Hiroshima: Shukkeien Garden and Mitaki temple
– Enchanting Iwakuni
– Saijo – the sake district in Higashi-Hiroshima with sake tasting

Day 6 : Hiroshima > Miyajima

The picturesque coastline of the sacred island of Miyajima has inspired both art and literature. On an independent shore visit, discover its allure and one of Japan’s famous landmarks: the Itsukushima Shrine, one of the most photographed places in the country and a symbol of the ancient veneration of nature characteristic of Shintoism. At high tide, its 16 m high Torii, a red gate made of camphor wood, reflects in the water and appears to float there.

Day 7 : Beppu

During lectures and talks on board, your experts will also talk about Japan’s location on a geological fracture zone of four tectonic plates. The resulting hydrothermal activity is the basis for the onsen baths with healing hot springs. The spa city of Beppu demonstrates how bathing rituals shape Japanese culture. Onsen are a great place to relax and unwind and enjoy their healing properties.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– The Kunisaki Peninsula
– The hot springs of Beppu
– Traditional culture in Kitsuki and Beppu
– Usuki castle town
– In a small group: hike along Lake Shidaka

Day 8 : At sea

A chance to relax and reflect on the journey thus far.

Day 9 : Maizuru

Charming red brick buildings, former naval buildings and numerous museums reflect the importance of this port during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904/05 and the city’s development into a naval base. Here, your understanding of the Far Eastern world of faith will also unfold like a “crane spreading its wings”, which is what the name Maizuru means. The city is the perfect starting point for visiting the spiritual centre of the country: Kyoto* – the old imperial city with countless temples and lavishly decorated shrines is a highlight of this cruise.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– Kyoto, the old imperial city
– Nature experience on the “Bridge to heaven” – the Amanohashidate sandbar
– Myotsu-ji and Jingu-ji temples
– Temples, tea and old shrines in the picturesque town of Uji

Day 10 : Kanazawa

Famed for is gold leaf production, which has been perfected here over the centuries, the city has an international reputation as the “gold leaf capital”. The architecture and cultural history of the town have a glitter of their own. In the traditional geisha district, you can visit many of the well-preserved tea houses from the Edo period. Another district offers an insight into the lifestyle of the samurai, with historic houses, traditional Japanese gardens, tatami mats and original furniture. By contrast, the famous Kenrokuen Garden perfectly combines spaciousness and seclusion, artistry and tradition, coolness and harmony.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– The historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
– Kanazawa with Kenrokuen Garden, tea district and samurai house
– Kenrokuen Garden with tea ceremony
– Takayama – the “Little Kyoto” of the Japanese Alps

Day 11 : Sado Island

In Japan, fishing is considered a male domain, but on Sado Island, women have carved out a niche for themselves in the fishing industry: they fish from flat, round, wooden barrel boats – a unique cultural heritage. With the increasing mechanisation of fishing, the number of women fishing from these barrel boats has fallen sharply. Nevertheless, efforts are being made to preserve this unique tradition and pass it on to future generations.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– Island tour of Sado
– Gold island of Sado: gold mine visit
– Traditional taiko drumming class and barrel boat trip
– E-bike tour along the coast

Day 12 : Akita

As in many regions of Japan, the samurai caste was once an important part of society in Akita Prefecture – the samurai were feudal rulers and warriors known for their loyalty and military service. Explore the city’s old samurai district of Kakunodate with its traditional architecture. The Akita, an ancient Japanese dog breed, is said to have been the samurai’s faithful companion. In 1931, it was declared a national treasure by Emperor Hirohito. The Akita Museum of Art is a more modern creation: the iconic building with a free-standing staircase and triangular skylight was designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– In the footsteps of the samurai: Akita and the samurai district
– Excursion to Japan’s deepest lake with boat trip
– Discover Akita with market visit and Senshu Park
– Oga Peninsula: scenic tour to the land of the Namahage demons

Day 13 : Hakodate

At the south-eastern tip of Hokkaido lies the city of Hakodate, dominated by its local mountain at 335 m above sea level. From its summit or from the Goryokaku Tower, you can enjoy beautiful views of the city with its famous star-shaped fortress. Hakodate was one of the first Japanese ports to open to foreign ships in 1854. This led to the development of the historic Motomachi district, with its 19th-century buildings in the European style. Also of architectural interest is the Future University Hakodate designed by Tokyo architect Riken Yamamoto.

Optional shore excursions on offer today (additional cost) may include:
– City tour of Hakodate with market visit and Goryokaku Fort
– Visit to Onuma National Park

Day 14 : Tomakomai

Arrive in your final port this morning and disembark.