Land of the Rising Sun: Japan by Land & Sea.
14 Days.
On this up-close-and-personal look at Japan, with a day in South Korea, our triumvirate of marvelous experts adds depth and meaning to all we see and do. Along the way, meet performers, artists, geishas and maikos, and other interesting characters that bring to life all that is Japan—past, present, and future.
Begin in Tokyo to get a handle on the nation’s rich history. The Edo-Tokyo Museum illustrates the evolution of this 400-year-old city. Step inside a sumo "stable" for a glimpse of the skill of these revered wrestlers before we leave Tokyo behind and board a “bullet” train to the port city of Niigata. Here, embark our 128-passenger ship, the Clipper Odyssey.
There are farmers to meet on Sado Island, noodles to make, and world-renowned drummers to get to know.
Get familiar with the life and training of a geisha in the artistic city of Kanazawa. Learn about Japanese modern art at Matsue's wonderful Adachi Museum. What—you don't know who Yokoyama Taikan is? You should.
An old merchants’ quarter in medieval Hagi gives us a glimpse of samurai days gone by. Hear the story of one Yoshida Shoin, a local samurai hero with a mission that would change the course of Japan for generations to come.
Then cruise the Korean Strait, and anchor in Busan (Pusan), South Korea, our gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Gyeongju, ancient seat of the Shilla Kingdom.There's time in one of the most glorious of all Buddhist temples in the nation, Bulguksa, home to seven national treasures and a beloved UNESCO World Heritage site.
Back in Japan, Hiroshima allows us some insight into Japan's postwar rebuilding efforts.
On Miyajima Island, examine a sixth-century shrine whose torii (wooden gateway) appears to float on the sea. While we're here, take a lesson in some traditional Japanese arts.
Compare and contrast the Bikan, ancient quarter of the city of Kurashiki, with the one we visited in Hagi. We especially love the kura here, 17th-century wooden warehouses with terrific black-and-white exteriors.
The national treasures in Kyoto are countless. Ditto Nara. While this journey does give you a bit of time in Kyoto, we urge you to add the Kyoto and Nara extension at the end of the main tour to dig deeper into these two cities cum living museums. For information on the extension, read on about our Extension to Kyoto & Nara. 5 Days below.
Extension to Kyoto & Nara. 5 Days.
At the conclusion of our Japan cruise, why not get a bit more of Japan on a visit to two very important historic cities—Kyoto and Nara? There are temples to explore, gardens to stroll, museums to peruse. At one of our favorites, the Miho, I. M. Pei has outdone himself with architecture that's out of this world.
Learn about traditional kimono dressing, with a chance to wear one yourself, if you choose. Visit the world's oldest wooden building, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a vast collection of Buddhist sculpture.
You can choose to stay four nights in a Westin (western-style accommodations) or spend some or all of your overnights at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, for a firsthand taste of old Japan. Get the kinks out in a traditional communal bath (men and women bathe separately).
To request a detailed itinerary for this journey (and others), click here.