Autumn Reverie: Japan's Hidden Gems Cruise

Day 1 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sat 09 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 09 October 2027

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Osaka

Arrive: Mon 11 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 11 October 2027 at 20:00

Day 4 - Scenic Cruising Kanmon Straits

Day 5 - Busan, South Korea

Arrive: Wed 13 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 13 October 2027 at 16:00

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and the country's seaside connection to Japan and the West. Lovely urban scenery, the Pusan International Film Festival, and near-by hot springs has made Busan a popular leisure destination. Busan has the sophistication of a major city, as well as famous beaches that lure visitors from all over the world. The city is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose economic success often obscures, to Westerners, one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.

Day 6 - Sakaiminato

Arrive: Thu 14 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Thu 14 October 2027 at 18:00

Renowned for its bounty of fresh seafood, Sakaiminato is a fishing town backed by mountains in the Honshu region. Izumo Grand Shrine is one of Japan’s most important Shinto temples, and the six-story, black Matsue Castle is one of the oldest surviving Tokugawa Samurai castles. View the snow-capped Mount Daisen, the vermilion, elaborately carved Hinomisaki temples or soak in the Kaike Onsen hot springs by the sea. The Adachi Museum holds a collection of modern Japanese art, while the Tottori Flower Road is a 124-acre flower garden. On the streets, a number of statues commemorate the Yokai figures created by the locally-born manga artist Mizuki Shigeru.

Day 7 - Tsuruga, Japan

Arrive: Fri 15 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 15 October 2027 at 17:00

Tsuruga is a port city in central Japan. By the waterfront, the early-20th-century Red Brick Warehouse has a large-scale diorama of the historic city. Nearby, Kehi Jing? Shrine has a grand red torii gate. Kehi no Matsubara is a white-sand beach backed by pine trees. To the east, Nakaikemi-shicchi Wetland is known for birdlife and dragonflies. North of the city, ferries run to Mizushima, a tiny uninhabited island.

Day 8 - Toyama, Japan

Arrive: Sat 16 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Sat 16 October 2027 at 18:00

Toyama is a coastal city on Japan’s main island, Honshu. In the center, Toyama Castle Park has a restored castle dating to the 1500s, plus small museums of history and art. The nearby Toyama Glass Art Museum displays striking contemporary works. Rakusui-tei is an art museum in a traditional home with a formal garden. On the Fugan Canal, Kansui Park has views of the distant Tateyama mountains.

Day 9 - Sakata, Japan

Arrive: Sun 17 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 17 October 2027 at 18:00

Sakata is a city on the northwest coast of Japan’s Honshu Island. In the center, Sankyo Soko is a group of warehouses built in 1893. One now contains the Historical Museum of Shonai Rice. The Honma Museum of Art includes antiques displayed in a 19th-century villa. The Ken Domon Museum of Photography is dedicated to the revered social realist photographer. North of the city, trails lead to up Mount Ch?kai volcano.

Day 10 - Aomori

Arrive: Mon 18 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 18 October 2027 at 22:00

Located on the northernmost harbor of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori is the traditional departure point for Hokkaido Island. It is famous for its summer Nebuta Matsuri festival, and has a museum that recaptures the color and pageantry for those who visit in other seasons. Explore the earliest prehistoric cultures of Japan at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, or visit the Aomori Museum of Art for a look at more contemporary works. Nearby Hirosaki boasts a 17th Century castle. Visit either the Auga or the Furukawa public fish market, where you can create your own version of a donburi rice bowl with pristinely fresh local seafood.

Day 11 - Hakodate

Arrive: Tue 19 October 2027 at 08:00

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 12 - Hakodate

Depart: Wed 20 October 2027 at 18:00

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 13 - Miyako,Iwate, Japan

Arrive: Thu 21 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 21 October 2027 at 17:00

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sat 23 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 23 October 2027

Day 16 - At Sea

Day 17 - Scenic Cruising Kanmon Straits

Day 18 - Sokcho, South Korea

Arrive: Tue 26 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Tue 26 October 2027 at 19:00

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Kanazawa

Arrive: Thu 28 October 2027 at 07:00

One of Japan’s best-preserved cities, Kanazawa escaped war damage and natural disasters to reward visitors with a wealth of architecture as an important clan castle town from the mid-17th century until the middle of the 19th. The mighty Kanazawa Castle did not survive intact, but its famous Ishikawa Gate, the Sunjikken Longhouse and lavish Kenrokuen Garden hint at the grandeur. Of special note are the surviving Higashi Geisha District and Samurai District streets. The Temple area holds the Myoryuji Temple with its hidden passages and secret doors giving it the nickname the Ninja Temple. The Oyamajinja Shrine is a later addition, its three-story gate with impressive stained glass windows reveal a Dutch influence. Museums worth exploring include the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, with examples of the arts and crafts using the pure gold decoration for which the region is famous. Another museum celebrates the Buddhist philosopher D. T. Suzuki, credited with introducing Zen philosophy to the West, and a striking 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearby Mt. Utatsu is renowned for its Three Shrines. VIEW CRUISES

Day 21 - Kanazawa

Depart: Fri 29 October 2027 at 17:00

One of Japan’s best-preserved cities, Kanazawa escaped war damage and natural disasters to reward visitors with a wealth of architecture as an important clan castle town from the mid-17th century until the middle of the 19th. The mighty Kanazawa Castle did not survive intact, but its famous Ishikawa Gate, the Sunjikken Longhouse and lavish Kenrokuen Garden hint at the grandeur. Of special note are the surviving Higashi Geisha District and Samurai District streets. The Temple area holds the Myoryuji Temple with its hidden passages and secret doors giving it the nickname the Ninja Temple. The Oyamajinja Shrine is a later addition, its three-story gate with impressive stained glass windows reveal a Dutch influence. Museums worth exploring include the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, with examples of the arts and crafts using the pure gold decoration for which the region is famous. Another museum celebrates the Buddhist philosopher D. T. Suzuki, credited with introducing Zen philosophy to the West, and a striking 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearby Mt. Utatsu is renowned for its Three Shrines. VIEW CRUISES

Day 22 - Niigata, Japan

Arrive: Sat 30 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 30 October 2027 at 18:00

Day 23 - Akita, Japan

Arrive: Sun 31 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 31 October 2027 at 18:00

Day 24 - Aomori

Arrive: Mon 01 November 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 01 November 2027 at 22:00

Located on the northernmost harbor of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori is the traditional departure point for Hokkaido Island. It is famous for its summer Nebuta Matsuri festival, and has a museum that recaptures the color and pageantry for those who visit in other seasons. Explore the earliest prehistoric cultures of Japan at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, or visit the Aomori Museum of Art for a look at more contemporary works. Nearby Hirosaki boasts a 17th Century castle. Visit either the Auga or the Furukawa public fish market, where you can create your own version of a donburi rice bowl with pristinely fresh local seafood.

Day 25 - Hakodate

Arrive: Tue 02 November 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Tue 02 November 2027 at 21:00

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 26 - Miyako,Iwate, Japan

Arrive: Wed 03 November 2027 at 10:00 / Depart: Wed 03 November 2027 at 19:00

Day 27 - Sendai, Japan

Arrive: Thu 04 November 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 04 November 2027 at 18:00

Day 28 - Hitachinaka, Japan

Arrive: Fri 05 November 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 05 November 2027 at 17:00

Day 29 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sat 06 November 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 06 November 2027