NEW TRIP
A Voyage from Tokyo to Kobe aboard the Heritage Adventurer
A Voyage through Japan and South Korea
Overview
Discover the unspoiled nature of Japan, with its primeval wilderness, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional villages, and futuristic cities. In this “Land of the Rising Sun,” set sail to experience medieval castles and temples, beautiful landscapes, and a strong cultural history. Explorations aboard the 140-guest Heritage Adventurer bring you beyond the well-known highlights to remote stretches of coastline and islands rarely experienced by most tourists. Historical highlights include the five-story Pagoda of Miyajima, the 17th century Matsue Castle, the sobering Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with its eternal Flame of Peace, and the Jokamachi District with its old Samurai houses, Hagi Castle ruins, and beautiful Zen Tokoji Temple. You'll also spend time in South Korea visiting the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju—the “museum without walls,” and moor at Uwajima, one of Japan's premier pearl producers, with the opportunity to visit one of the city's traditional pearl farms. Nature highlights include magical Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, the formal 17th century Koraku-en garden, and excursions to Daisen-Oki and Hakusan national parks.
Arrive: Tokyo, Japan
Depart: Osaka, Japan
Highlights
- Explore contemporary cities and modern museums alongside medieval castles and shrines from the Edo-period
- Visit galleries and meet local artists including learning the fascinating art of Japanese paper making
- See a traditional pearl farm at Uwajima
- Walk in Daisen-Oki and Hakusan national parks
- In South Korea, visit the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Arrive at Japan's famed neon-lit capital, Tokyo, where tradition meets ultramodern and towering skyscrapers sit alongside ancient temples. Make your way to the hotel where the group will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening meet your fellow voyagers and expedition guides over dinner at the hotel.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling by Shinkansen, the “bullet train,” to Kanazawa. This afternoon, board the Heritage Adventurer and settle into life on board. You will also be introduced to your expedition team and learn the plans for the voyage as the ship moors overnight.
Options today include exploring the historic mountain settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, high in the remote mountains of the Shogawa River Valley in Hakusan National Park. Take in the sights on mountain walks and experience the unique cultural traditions including the region's iconic Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. They were designed to withstand the heavy snow in winter and provide a large attic space for cultivating silkworms. Alternatively, explore the rich art center of Kanazawa, discovering some of the unique styles of Japanese art. Kanazawa is rightly famous for its Kutani-style pottery, exquisite lacquerware, gold-leaf workmanship, hand painted silk, and classical Noh dance-drama performed since the 14th century. Wander winding cobblestone streets, elegant restaurants, and craft galleries, and visit the impressive Edo-period Kenrokuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and explore the Omicho Market offering everything from flowers to crafts and food.
Set sail toward the port of Sakaiminato and the entry point to Matsue, known as “the town of water” due to being situated between Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi. A highlight of the visit will be Matsue Castle, a national treasure and one of Japan's few largely intact 17th century castles. Other options today may include exploring Daisen-Oki National Park, steeped in beauty and history—it's also the home of rare flora and fauna including the giant salamander, visiting the picturesque Yuushien Garde, the Adachi Museum of Art, learning about the art of Japanese paper making at the Yakumo-mura village, or perhaps you may wish to spend some time exploring the picturesque streets and local canals.
Relax on board while sailing south to Hagi, originally a minor fishing port but now famously known for its traditional pottery making, which you will have a chance to learn about. You will also have the opportunity to discover the Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, including the famed “Ninja Temple,” the Jokamachi District with its old Samurai houses, Hagi Castle ruins at Shizuki Park, and beautiful Zen Tokoji Temple.
Today, cross the Sea of Japan to Ulsan in South Korea where the plan is to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gyeongju. The capital of the Shilla Dynasty and dating back to the first millennium, Gyeongju is known as “the museum without walls” and is full of ancient Korean history and Buddhist culture. Enjoy strolling through hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas, and experience Korean delicacies, cultural performances, and visit the National Museum with its gold jewelry, metal weapons, and distinctive pottery. Today provides a perfect taste of the best South Korea has to offer.
From the ship's berth in Masan, head inland to the Haeinsa Temple. Regarded as one of the three great temples in Korea, it was first settled in 802AD and its name derives from a verse in a Buddhist Sutra as “reflections on a smooth sea.” In the 13th century when Korea was at war with the Mongols, the government commissioned the Tripitaka Koreana, a complete copy of Buddhist scriptures, in the hope of Buddha's intervention in the war. They were carved onto 81,258 double-sided wooden blocks and stored on floor to ceiling shelves in the Janggyeong Panjeon building. You will also visit the main worship hall of the temple. Returning to Masan this afternoon you may wish to visit the vibrant fish market selling the daily catch.
After a leisurely morning at sea, return to Japan and the port of Ube for an exploration of the historic, southern Yamaguchi prefecture. There will be a choice of tours and you may wish to travel inland to visit the picturesque five-storied Pagoda of Rurikoji Temple and the surrounding park. Dating back to 1442, the pagoda was built in memory of Yoshihiro Mori Terumoto who ruled the area during this period. Alternatively, drive to Hofu Tenmangu, believed to be the oldest Tenmangu in Japan, having been built in 903 at the site where the court officials and scholar Sugawara Michizane stopped on his way to Fukuoka following his exile. Afterwards, visit the museum that houses more than 20,000 national treasure items, including swords, armory, calligraphy, and scrolls. You will then have a chance to explore the beautiful gardens.
This morning, land on Shikoku Island and the port of Uwajima situated deep inside the sawtoothed coast of Uwajima Bay. The city of Uwajima is emerging as the nation's largest pearl cultivation center and you will learn the process of implanting, harvesting, extracting, and sorting pearls on a visit to a pearl farm. You will also see Uwajima Castle, which is built on top of the hill with panoramic views over the town and harbor and the Tenshaen Garden, built in the Samurai era. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
Despite its history, including being the site of the world’s first atomic bomb attack on August 6, 1945, Hiroshima is a vibrant and thriving cosmopolitan community. You will visit the beautiful Peace Park and Museum, with its somber cenotaph containing names of atomic bomb victims, and the permanently lit Flame of Peace. After visiting the Peace Park, travel to Miyajima Island, considered one of Japan’s most scenic spots and the location of the Torii Gate and the Daisho-in Buddhist temple. For those after a nature fix, ascend Mount Misen on Miyajima Island by cable car and enjoy a hike, admiring the views below of the Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate.
From the port of Uno-Ko you will visit one of Japan's most famed gardens, Koraku-en, which translates as “garden of pleasure after.” This 17th century formal garden has 28 acres to explore. This afternoon, continue to Kurashiki where you'll explore the old merchant quarter and its fine 17th century wooden warehouses painted white with traditional black tiles, along a canal framed with weeping willows and filled with koi. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Ohara Museum of Art that includes rare works by Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir as well as collections from Japan's renowned Mingei movement including ceramics by Hamada Shoji.
Sail back into Kobe, and after breakfast there will be a complimentary transfer to a central hotel or to the Osaka airport. To allow time for disembarkation procedures and travel from Osaka, we do not recommend booking flights departing before 1:00 pm.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.