Osaka, Sapporo, Buscan & Mt. Fuji from Tokyo Cruise

Day 1 - Tokyo

Arrive: Wed 23 October 2024 / Depart: Wed 23 October 2024 at 16:00

Once a sleepy fishing village, Yokohama is now one of Japan's largest ports and your gateway to Tokyo. Ancient traditions and historic sites blend into modern culture, crafting a city unlike anywhere else. In Tokyo, you can walk among both neon-glowing skyscrapers and regal temples. Browse stores showcasing the latest advances in technology or retreat to one of the tranquil gardens surrounding the Imperial Palace. Savour traditional cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and witness the centuries-old sport of sumo wrestling. This cosmopolitan hub offers a vast selection of attractions and activities and a wealth of culturally and historic sites. Whether this is your first or fifth visit to the city, Tokyo will captivate your imagination.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Sapporo (Muroran/Hokkaido)

Arrive: Fri 25 October 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Fri 25 October 2024 at 19:00

Considering its population was just seven in 1857, Sapporo is one of Japan's youngest major cities. Hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics gave the city a lot visibility. Catch a chair lift to the top of a ski jump to Okurayama Observatory for incredible views of Sapporo below. Or, head to the Historic Village of Hokkaido just outside the city to tour around 60 buildings dating from 1868 to 1926, which are set up as a typical town as well as fishing, farming and mountain villages. Alternatively, pay a visit to Noboribetsu to pamper yourself in healing, mineral-rich hot springs.

Day 4 - Hakodate

Arrive: Sat 26 October 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Sat 26 October 2024 at 18:00

The best view of Hakodate is seen from high atop its namesake mountain. Ride the gondola to the observation deck and gaze down at the spectacular vista below. Immerse yourself in history within the star-shaped walls of Fort Goryokaku and explore the site of famous battles that transformed Japan. Work up an appetite strolling along the city's sloping streets and enjoy a mouth-watering seafood rice bowl (kaisen-don) from the Hakodate Morning Market.

Day 5 - Akita, Japan

Arrive: Sun 27 October 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 27 October 2024 at 16:00

Day 6 - Kanazawa

Arrive: Mon 28 October 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 28 October 2024 at 17:00

Head to Kanazawa and the Ishikawa Prefecture and you step back in time to the Edo Period (1603 to 1886), the height of samurai culture. Thankfully, Kanazawa was the second-largest city (after Kyoto) to make it through World War II intact. As a result, parts of the old castle town, including the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in pretty good condition. Keep your camera ready to capture the rows of teahouses in the historic Geisha district. Kanazawa also boasts attractive temples, a wide variety of museums and a lively market dating back to 1721. About an hour away is Kaga Onsen, healing hot springs that are well worth a day trip.

Day 7 - Busan, South Korea

Arrive: Tue 29 October 2024 at 14:30 / Depart: Tue 29 October 2024 at 21:00

Busan - South Korea's second largest city - is a harmonious blend of age-old culture and contemporary metropolitan flair. The downtown skyline and Bampo Bridge are two of Busan's visual wonders. The old-world Buddhist temples and vintage structures preserve the essence of Korean history and culture. Equally captivating is the abundance of Busan's natural landscape, from miles of unspoiled beaches to expansive mountainous terrain. Busan is also home to one of the largest trading ports in the world, and its growing popularity in tourism and commerce makes this South Korean city a must-see destination.

Day 8 - Kanmon Straits, Japan

Arrive: Wed 30 October 2024 / Depart: Wed 30 October 2024

The Kanmon Straits or the Straits of Shimonoseki is the stretch of water separating Honshu and Kyushu, two of Japan's four main islands. On the Honshu side of the strait is Shimonoseki and on the Kyushu side is Kitakyushu, whose former city and present ward, Moji, gave the strait its "mon".

Day 8 - Beppu

Arrive: Wed 30 October 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Wed 30 October 2024 at 16:00

As you approach the coastal town of Beppu, it might appear as if the town were smoldering. In reality, it's steam escaping from its many hot springs, Beppu's claim to fame-along with hot spring experiences, from mud baths to sand baths. Their most famous, Hell circuit (Jigoku), are only for admiring, not bathing. Beppu Park, in the city's centre, offers green space and a vibrant Japanese garden. In spring, cherry blossoms attract thousands of visitors; in fall, autumn leaves do the same. Tomonaga Panya, a local bakery since 1916, has an English menu and a signature delicacy, wanchan (doggie) bun. Guests love its custard filling and raisin face.

Day 9 - Himeji

Arrive: Thu 31 October 2024 at 11:30 / Depart: Thu 31 October 2024 at 19:00

Himeji is a city in the Kansai region of Japan. It’s known for the sprawling, centuries-old, white Himeji Castle, one of the few original castles from Japan’s feudal period. The top floor of the 6-story main keep offers views over the extensive castle grounds. The Nishi-no-Maru section of the complex contains royal residential quarters. Next to the castle, K?ko-en is a traditional Edo-style garden.

Day 10 - Osaka

Arrive: Fri 01 November 2024

Situated between mountains and the sea, Kobe is Japan's sixth-largest city and a port bustling with culture and fine cuisine. Named after its origin, famous Kobe beef is one of the delicacies to enjoy at the many gourmet restaurants. Don't miss the chance to visit Ikuta Shrine - one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines - or tour a museum to learn about local culture. For sweeping views of the vibrant city, explore one of the nearby mountainsides through a diverse selection of activities.

Day 11 - Osaka

Depart: Sat 02 November 2024

Situated between mountains and the sea, Kobe is Japan's sixth-largest city and a port bustling with culture and fine cuisine. Named after its origin, famous Kobe beef is one of the delicacies to enjoy at the many gourmet restaurants. Don't miss the chance to visit Ikuta Shrine - one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines - or tour a museum to learn about local culture. For sweeping views of the vibrant city, explore one of the nearby mountainsides through a diverse selection of activities.

Day 12 - Shimizu

Arrive: Sun 03 November 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Sun 03 November 2024 at 19:00

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Shimizu is one of the most beautiful ports in Japan. Walk through the pine groves of Miho, home to a 650-year-old Japanese black pine, or enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the lush, forested hill of Nihondaira. Take in the seascapes on a bay cruise, or learn of undersea delights at Japan's first sushi museum, and get a glimpse at feudal life in Japan in 200 BC at the archaeological site of Toro. Shop for traditional Japanese wooden handcrafts and fabrics unique to the region, and sample some yokan, a sweet jellied confection.

Day 13 - Tokyo

Arrive: Mon 04 November 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 04 November 2024

Once a sleepy fishing village, Yokohama is now one of Japan's largest ports and your gateway to Tokyo. Ancient traditions and historic sites blend into modern culture, crafting a city unlike anywhere else. In Tokyo, you can walk among both neon-glowing skyscrapers and regal temples. Browse stores showcasing the latest advances in technology or retreat to one of the tranquil gardens surrounding the Imperial Palace. Savour traditional cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and witness the centuries-old sport of sumo wrestling. This cosmopolitan hub offers a vast selection of attractions and activities and a wealth of culturally and historic sites. Whether this is your first or fifth visit to the city, Tokyo will captivate your imagination.