JAPAN IN DEPTH BOUTIQUE EXPEDITION CRUISE
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JAPAN IN DEPTH BOUTIQUE EXPEDITION CRUISE
Neon-lit cities, jagged skyscrapers; paths running under
vermilion torii gates that lead to sublime Shinto shrines; ancient
forests; smoking volcanoes; centuries-old Buddhist temples
hidden within a maze of alleyways: it’s no wonder that Japan
tops a travel wish list. Explore this intriguing country on a
luxurious 12-day cruise to spectacular locales, including Kobe,
Takamatsu, Hiroshima, Kagoshima and Yokohama. As if all that
wasn’t enough, dip into South Korea with its tea plantations,
ancient temples, trendy neighbourhoods and idyllic off-shore
islands. Experience both countries in style and comfort, aboard
a luxurious ship crewed by a passionate and knowledgeable
team. ITINERARY
DAY 1, KOBE
Your 12-day luxury expedition cruise starts in Kobe on Osaka Bay. It’s famed
for its beef, but there’s so much more to discover about this buoyant port city:
a vibrant music scene, memorable museums, a laid- back atmosphere and, of
course, an urban waterfall. The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, which
narrates the story of Japanese architecture and woodworking, is excellent. For
an art fix, visit the Tadao Ando-designed Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and
the Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art. The Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake Memorial Museum is moving. And for views of, firstly, the Nunobiki
Falls, and then the urban sprawl and even the Seto Inland Sea (on a good
day), ride the Shin- Kobe Ropeway to the mountain-top observation deck,
then wander downhill through the Nunobiki Herb Garden. Having explored if
timings allow, board your ship and settle into your cabin or stateroom. Take
time to explore your home from home’s luxurious facilities.
DAY 2, HIMEJI
Castles have a timeless allure for travellers. They allow visitors to live out their
fairytale fantasies, but also showcase staggering architecture and show off
stunning locations. Himeji Castle is easily one of the most recognisable
castles in Japan, and it’s the primary reason that this city in the Hyogo
Prefecture is on the tourist trail. UNESCO-listed Himeji-jo is the finest surviving
example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. A fortification on
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the hilltop site was initially built in 1346 by Akamatsu Sadanori. Then in This beautiful historic city, located at the southwestern tip of Honsho, is more
1601, Ikeda Terumasa was handed control of the site, and following a than just a feast for the eyes. Surrounded on three sides by ocean, the Seto
nine-year remodelling programme, Himeji took on its present form. Unlike Inland Sea, the Hibiki-nada Sea, and the Sea of Japan, Shimonoseki is
many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or famous for its fugu (also known as puffer or blowfish). This Japanese delicacy
fire and survives today as one of the country’s twelve original castles. Also is so poisonous that even a small mistake in preparation could be fatal – and
called Shirasagi-jo (White Heron Castle), due to its white outer walls, this Shimonoseki is Japan’s ‘pufferfish capital’. Visit the Karato Ichiba fish market
place is a national treasure and serves a monument to the glories of an earlier to see this fish being sold, prepared and even eaten. Other attractions in and
age. around the city include The Kaikyokan Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum;
Akama-jingu Shinto shrine; Kozan-ji Buddhist temple, a designated ‘National
DAY 3, TAKAMATSU Treasure of Japan’ that dates from 1327; the 1,780-metre-long Tsunoshima
Bridge, which connects the island of Tsunoshima (part of Shimonoseki city)
Arrive this morning in Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, on the with Honshu.
island of Shikoku. The city offers a refreshing small-city perspective on
Japanese urban life. A day in Takamatsu wouldn’t be complete without a trip
DAY 6, BUSAN
to Ritsurin Park, one of Japan’s most exquisite gardens. An expansive space,
Ritsurin was begun by a feudal lord in the 17th century and took 100 years to Disembark and spend a day exploring Busan, South Korea’s second city.
establish. Visitors should dedicate several hours to these immaculately Seoul’s languid little sister, Busan is home to miles of beaches, rugged
maintained gardens, where shaded clearings give way to sun-dappled paths, mountains, and delicious seafood. Moreover, there’s also kinetic energy here
which wind around pretty ponds and lead to bright red bridges over gentle that can be enjoyed in its cafes, boutiques and arts scene. Where to start in
streams. Enclosed within the garden are the Sanuki Folkcraft Museum and this dynamic city? How about from above? From the 120-metre Busan Tower,
several lovely teahouses in which visitors can sip matcha. Another park, you can really get a sense of the cityscape. Head to the beach, there are six to
Tamamo-koen, contains the ruins of the city’s 16th-century castle choose from, including Haeundae and Gwangalli. Gamcheon Culture Village,
Takamatsu-jo. Like many of Japan’s castles, it was decommissioned in 1869 once a slum, is a colourful haven of art. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a
following the Meiji Restoration, and nowadays only several original turrets, beautiful beachside Buddhist temple. And Jagalchi is the largest fish market in
some walls and a moat survive. the country. All that and so much more besides.
DAY 4, MIYAJIMA & HIROSHIMA DAY 7, JEJU
Disembark for a poignant day of memorials and shrines. Your first port of call Spend today exploring the island that is known as the ‘Hawaii of Korea’. Jeju,
is the tranquil Miyajima Island, site of the iconic red floating torii gate of the located in the Korea Strait just off the southern tip of the peninsula, is the
Itsukushima Shinto shrine, and the Daisho-in Buddhist shrine. Ascend sacred country’s largest island. An incredibly popular vacation spot for Koreans, there
Mount Misen by cable car for the island’s most beautiful walk, amidst a are white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters to admire, the world’s most
primaeval forest. Take a moment to admire the views of the torii gate and the extensive lava tube cave system to explore, and Hallasan, the island’s
Shinto shrine from above. Then it’s off to Hiroshima when you might like to dormant volcano and Korea’s highest mountain to climb. Aside from the
visit Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which natural beauty, there are also other delights to be enjoyed including drinking
was designed by Kenzo Tange and inaugurated in 1955. The museum is now in the Osulloc Tea Museum, seeing the dol hareubang (basalt grandfather
a national and international symbol for peace. Reflect on the bombing as you statues) and exploration of the culture of the haenyeo. These female free
gaze at the sombre cenotaph containing the names of the victims. See the divers dive up to 10 metres underwater to gather shellfish such as abalone or
Flame of Peace lit in 1964, and the iconic Genbaku Dome, the only structure sea urchins.
left standing at the blast site. Or you might opt to discover Japan’s
breath-taking architecture at the reconstruction of feudal Hiroshima Castle, DAY 8, SASEBO
also known as Carp Castle.
Disembark to explore Sasebo’s international charms. The second-largest city
in the Nagasaki Prefecture, Sasebo is the site of a large U.S. military base.
DAY 5, SHIMONOSEKI
Savour the American influence as you tuck into an eponymous hamburger.
Then it’s off to the Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch-themed park which celebrates
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historical relations between the Netherlands and Japan dating back to 1609 DAY 12, YOKOHAMA
when the Dutch opened a trading post in Hirado, not far from Sasebo. Despite
all that, today’s essential exploration is of the Kujukushima island, located in Your Japan In Depth cruise ends today in Yokohama. Having disembarked
Sakai National Park. Though called the ‘99 Islands’, there are 208, mostly after breakfast, be sure to explore if you have time before beginning your
uninhabited. As you cove-hop, you may recognise the views from The Last journey home or onwards. Japan’s second-biggest city, Yokohama lies within
Samurai movie, in which they had a starring role. the greater Tokyo area, but it’s an unmissable destination in its own right. Its
happening harbour, Minato Mirai 21, was redeveloped in the 1980s. This
DAY 9, KAGOSHIMA neon-lit space includes the Landmark Town, Japan’s tallest building when it
opened in 1993. Ascend to the 69th floor to visit the ‘Sky Garden’ for views of
Spend today in Kagoshima – Japan’s friendliest city, located on the southwest the bay, the Cosmo World Ferris Wheel and even Mount Fuji. Also on the
tip of Japan’s Kyushu Island. Visitors enjoy the hospitable welcome, but also waterfront is the Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum. Still, if you don’t fancy that,
wandering the palm-lined streets and enjoying the mild climate. Beyond this you could opt instead to visit the Kirin Beer Factory or the Shin-Yokohama
small city’s mix of classic Japanese architecture and modern high-rise Ramen Museum. And if all that’s whetted your appetite, make your way to
structures, Kagoshima also has a notable spattering of Art Deco buildings, Chinatown, reputedly Asia’s largest with more than 200 restaurants from
which celebrate this architectural period’s optimism and hope. Look beyond which to choose.
the building tops, and you’ll see Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano on an
island just three miles away that dominates the skyline here. It regularly Please Note:
smokes – visit one of the observation points for dramatic views. You can get
there by ferry. Other good volcano-viewing spots are mountain-top Shiroyama Itineraries are subject to change.
park’s look-out point and Sengan-en Garden, a coastal garden that includes
ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove.
DAY 10, AT SEA
Day 10 gives you the chance to relax and watch the world go by, as you cruise
from Kagoshima to Shingu. Spend the day at sea savouring the ship’s
facilities and learning about Japan’s many facets from the knowledgeable
onboard experts. Listen to an enriching talk, indulge in a relaxing treatment at
the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down-time in your
cabin, share travel reminiscences with newly found friends: the options are
numerous.
DAY 11, SHINGU
Disembark today in a small city of about 30,000 residents on the southeast
coast of the Kii Peninsula. Shingu, which is synonymous with shrines, is home
to Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine. Together with Kumano Hongu Taisha and
Kumano Nachi Taisha, it’s one of the three Kumano Sanzan Shrines
connected by the Kumano Kodo. This ancient pilgrimage route has been
designated a world heritage site by UNESCO, and it’s been twinned with the
Camino de Santiago. Hayatama Taisha is dedicated to Hayatama-no-Okami,
the god said to rule the workings of nature and, by extension, all life. The
current building is a reconstruction, but the site on the Kumano Riverbank
dates to at least the 12th century. While paying homage at this renowned
place, you’ll notice a massive Asian bayberry tree, believed to be eight
centuries old.
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YOUR SHIP: MINERVA
YOUR SHIP: Minerva
VESSEL TYPE: Expedition Ship
LENGTH: 115 meters
PASSENGER CAPACITY: 152
BUILT/REFURBISHED: 2020-2021
Arriving in November 2021, our 5 star elegant Scandi-design
boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will
be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage. >Your Wellbeing
Introducing SH Minerva The safety & happiness of our guests is paramount to our
Our brand new ship has been designed to journey to off the 120-strong crew on board as well as our passionate expedition
beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and team who'll be serving up thrilling shore excursions and lasting
comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull memories.
combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as Cabin Types
smooth as possible. Our 76 cabins including 6 suites have all the amenities you will
Sophisticated Elegance need to feel comfortable including dressing gowns, hairdryers,
We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, personal safes and minibars. Our stylish cabins all have desks,
relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views a dressing area and comfy seating. En suite bathrooms all
throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view. feature glass-enclosed rain showers.
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INSIDE YOUR SHIP
Balcony. From Oceanview
Premium Suite Suite
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PRICING
21-May-2022 to 01-Jun-2022
Oceanview 16515 AUD pp
Balcony. From 18234 AUD pp
Suite 23877 AUD pp
Premium Suite 27413 AUD pp
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