Luxury Cruises

Asia Small Ship Vacations Packages

16 Days Treasures of Japan Tour Package

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: Contact Travelwizard


 

Day 2: Osaka/Kyoto, Honshu, Japan
Cross the International Date Line and arrive at Kansai Airport in Osaka. You are met by an representative and are transferred to your hotel in Kyoto. 'Kyoto Hotel Okura'

Day 3: Kyoto, Honshu
After breakfast, an orientation tour of Kyoto shows you the highlights of this city that was founded in the seventh century and now holds 20% of Japan's national treasures. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure. Gather with fellow travellers for dinner and an opportunity to meet the 'Odyssey' staff and lecturers. 'Kyoto Hotel Okura' - L

Day 4: Kyoto/Himeji/Embark clipper 'Odyssey'
Board one of Japan's famous shinkansen (bullet trains) for a visit to the town of Himeji. Explore the 16th-century Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site and a national treasure. The castle's name means "white egret," and the gleaming white walls that soar high above the plains below justify its name. Later this afternoon, embark the clipper 'Odyssey' at Himeji Port and set sail through the famed Inland Sea toward the port of Okayama. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 5: Okayama (Uno-Ko)/ Honshu
Disembark in Uno-Ko for a short drive to Bizen, where the famous pottery has been manufactured since the ninth century Explore the Ceramic Museum and have time to visit some of the exquisite shops. This afternoon, visit Koraku-en, a 17th-century formal garden with 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse. Later, reboard the ship in Uno-Ko. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 6: Hiroshima/Miya-jima
Arrive in Hiroshima this morning for a stop at the compelling Peace Memorial Park. View the cenotaph that contains the names of all the known victims of the atomic bomb. Return to the ship for lunch, then board a privately chartered ferry to Miya-jima. Considered one of Japan's top scenic wonders, Miya-jima provides a picture-postcard vista of the scarlet camphor-wood Torii gate at the entrance to the sacred Shinto Shrine. The shrine appears to float, mirrored in the glass-like waters at high tide. Go ashore to explore the Itsukushima-jinja Shrine, a World Heritage Site founded in the sixth century and dedicated to three sea goddesses. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 7: Oita/Yufuin/Nakatsu, Kyushu
Arrive at Oita port and depart by motorcoach for Usuki Daibutsu and the Usuki Stone Buddha. Continue to the charming town of Yufuin, nestled at the base of mountains reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. Observe quaint thatched roofed houses, rice fields and an interesting variety of onsen, the beautiful bathing pools found in many areas of Japan. Stop at the Folk Art Museum for demonstrations of glass blowing (the traditional craft of the area), weaving, and washi (paper-making by hand). This afternoon, head back to the ship, passing through the Kunisaki Peninsula, where ancient temples, shrines and stone Buddha sites abound. Time and weather permitting, visit the seventh-century Usa Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan. Rejoin the clipper 'Odyssey' in the town of Nakatsu. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 8: Tsushima Islands/Pusan, Korea
Experience an expedition stop - Japanese-style. The island of Tsushima, renowned for its rugged, unspoiled beauty, is actually two separate isles. Originally one, it was blasted apart in 1896 by the Japanese navy in order to let ships pass through. Now a 264-foot arched bridge connects the segments. If weather conditions permit, board Zodiacs to explore some of the other small towns and sites, including Watazumi Jiniya, built in AD 895 as a shrine to the god of the sea. The Mt. Eboshi Observatory offers a beautiful view of the coast and Aso-wan Bay. This afternoon, the ship sails toward Korea, arriving in Pusan late this evening for an overnight in port and an early start to Kyongju in the morning. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 9: Kyongju, Korea
Disembark for a full-day's excursion to magnificent Kyongju, a World Heritage Site often described as the world's finest open-air museum. As the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, Kyongju's cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium, when it began a thousand-year rule of Korea. Stroll through the reminders of the era - hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs and pagodas. Meanwhile, the ship's cultural historian provides enlightening discussions of the social, political, and cultural impact of the brilliant dynasty. There is time to explore the National Museum's exceptional collection of finely worked gold jewelry, metal weapons and distinctive pottery. Sit down to a lunch of Korean delicacies and watch a traditional dance performance. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 10: Matsue, Honshu
The San-In coastline along the north shore of Honshu offers splendid views of craggy rock faces and rugged shores sculpted by waves. The 'Odyssey' cruises inland to explore the stunning natural landscapes: Izumu Plain, with serene lakes, clear rivers, and a backdrop of high mountains; and Matsue, the "town of water," nestled between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. Choose to explore either the cultural attractions of town -including a 250-year-old samurai house complete with tatami (straw mat) rooms and Matsue Castle - or the rich countryside. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 11: Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a thriving center of the arts, long known for its lacquerware, outstanding collectible pottery of the Kutani style, gold-leaf workmanship, delicate hand-painting of silk for kimonos and Noh theater dramas. The narrow and winding cobblestone streets have a quaint photogenic charm. Stroll past traditional houses, museums, galleries, and samurai and geisha houses. Wander through the fascinating open-air market, displaying everything from fresh flowers to fish to local handicrafts. Continue your sightseeing at the ruins of Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among the country's top gardens. Sophisticated, centuries-old botanical designs have created an artful aura of seclusion and contemplation. A serene teahouse perches on a small peninsula in the middle of a pond, while carved stone lanterns line the footpaths. Observe Kanazawa's pond residents -spot-billed duck, gray heron and other waterfowl. Along the ocean shore you may spot grebe, eastern reef heron and ancient murrelet. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 12: Sado-ga-shima
Sado Island, well off the beaten path of most travellers, possesses both the pastoral charm of its verdant rice paddies and bamboo groves, and the dramatic beauty of surf-pounded seacoasts. Political exiles, deposed emperors and intellectuals were once "banished" to live in this beautiful setting. Explore the western side of Sado, Japan's fifth largest island, then cross via a scenic skyline drive before arriving in the town of Ryotsu. En route, stop to visit a sake brewery and examine the Sado Gold Mine in Aikawa. Board the ship for a dockside lunch in Ryotsu. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the town on your own. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 13: Noshiro/Aomori, Honshu
Disembark in Noshiro and travel to the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, where you can go hiking, birding and photographing the flora and wildlife. Pass through the mountain plateau region of Hachimantai with its panoramic views and magnificent virgin forests. Stop en route at the Great Drum House to see the drums used in the Tsuzureko Shrine Festival. Continuing toward Lake Towada, see the magnificent ancient caldera lake formed by the eruption of a volcano, and hike on paths through the thick, deciduous forests. Pass a third area of the park, the Hakkoda Mountains, known for their hot springs. If time permits, visit the 5,500-year-old Sannai-Maruyama ruins before reboarding the ship in Aomori. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 14: Muroran, Hokkaido
Begin an exciting day of sightseeing at Muroran on Hokkaido Island. Travel overland to Shikotsu-Toya National Park and Lake Toya. Hot springs surround the lake, and deer and other animals reside on a large island reachable by ferry. Birders have a field day, as June at Lake Toya is prime season to see blue-and-white flycatcher, narcissus flycatcher, Japanese green pigeon and Japanese grosbeak. Reboard 'Odyssey' in Muroran to set sail for Otaru. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 15: Otaru/Sapporo
Arrive in Otaru, a coastal port city known for an interior canal lined by historic buildings, by mid-afternoon. Then travel to Sapporo to see the city's highlights, including the symbolic Clock Tower, the university and the charming red-brick Old Prefectural Office. Stop in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, to see flowers in full bloom before returning to the ship for a farewell dinner. 'Odyssey' - B, L, D

Day 16: Otaru, Hokkaido/Disembark/Tokyo/Los Angeles
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport. Fly to Los Angeles via Tokyo and arrive midday on the same day due to crossing the International Date Line.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

12/08

Asia Small Ship Cruise Vacations

Book or Plan Your Asia Small Ship Cruise Vacation Here