Cruise and uncover the wonders of Japan and South Korea

Itinerary

1. Days

   1-2

   Fly from London to Tokyo, Japan

   Tokyo, Japan

   Fly from London to Tokyo. Upon arrival, transfer to your four-star hotel for an overnight stay. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the sights of the city. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world's best shops, museums and restaurants. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side.

2. Day

   3

   Embark Noordam in Yokohama, Japan

   Yokohama, Japan

   After breakfast, transfer to the port of Yokohama and board Noordam for your 14-night cruise. Yokohama is one of Japan's liveliest and most international destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities.

3. Day

   4

   Shimizu, Japan

   Shimizu, Japan

   Widely regarded as one of Japan's most beautiful ports, Shimizu affords peerless views of Mount Fuji on a clear day and claims the scenic Miho-no-Matsubara pine forest as a backdrop. The temperate climate and rich culture have made it one of the country's prime sightseeing destinations. A few of the main attractions include Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpu Castle (built in 1586) and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The broader region offers plenty in the way of picturesque coastal landscapes, tea plantations and a wealth of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

4. Day

   5

   Osaka, Japan

   Osaka, Japan

   Osaka was flattened during the war and during the reconstruction, they forgot to include much in the way of parks or green space, and the sheer amount of concrete and steel sights can get overwhelming. But Osaka has its attractions and interesting things to do. Busy markets, the visual noise of neon and nonstop action on shopping streets offer insight into the city's energy. Osaka is less than an hour from some of the most beautiful temples, shrines and ancient Japanese tourist attractions in the world, waiting in the old capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

5. Day

   6

   Day at sea

   At Sea, Japan

   During your time at sea, you'll have plenty to keep you occupied including five entertainment venues, three complimentary restaurants, ten bars and lounges and six relaxation and fitness venues.

6. Day

   7

   Hiroshima, Japan

   Hiroshima, Japan

   Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. It's famous as the site of the explosion of the world's first atomic bomb - sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy of the recent past - there are an array of shrines and temples, as well as the city's reconstructed castle. Nature lovers will be charmed by the historic Shukkei-en Garden and Miyajima island. The city is known for its okonomiyaki, a type of savoury pancake, as well as a popular oyster festival each year.

7. Day

   8

   Scenic Cruising – Kanmon Strait

   Kanmon, Japan

   The Kanmon Strait is a narrow channel of water that separates two of Japan's main islands, Honshu and Kyushu. The channel has long been important to maritime transportation and cargo ships, as it connects the Sea of Japan and the Inland Sea. The battle between the US and Japanese navies that presaged the Shimonoseki Campaign in 1863 took place here, and the cannons used during the campaign can today be seen near Shimonoseki's port. The port at Kitakyushu (Moji Port) is equally historic and attractive, serving as a gateway to Honshu and Kyushu for centuries as well as an important international trade hub since the late 19th century.

8. Day

   9

   Busan, South Korea

   Busan, South Korea

   Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Cultural highlights include the Gamcheon Cultural Village; the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built into the side of a cliff; and Art Street in Sinchang-dong. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the famed cliffs of Taejongdae Park, while the white sand beaches at Gwangalli and Haeundae are ideal places to relax by the seashore. Foodies will love Busan, too, not just for its excellent restaurants but also for the many atmospheric markets: the low-key Millak Hoe Town Market, tourist spots like Jagalchi Fish Market and the market at Haeundae with its ramshackle stalls selling gukpab (a traditional rice soup).

9. Day

   10

   Sakaiminato, Japan

   Sakaiminato, Japan

   Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro (a character who's everywhere in contemporary Japan), and gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, site of the famous "Black Castle".

10. Day

    11

    Maizuru, Japan

    Maizuru, Japan

    Located in the scenic Maizuru Bay, this Japanese city is home to the Goro Sky Tower from which you can enjoy views over the islands of the bay, and the ruins of Tanabe Castle in Maizuru Park.

11. Day

    12

    Kanazawa, Japan

    Kanazawa, Japan

    Located on the shores of the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa is a bustling hub and its historic buildings provide a glimpse of old Japan. Of the three teahouse (chaya, in Japanese) neighbourhoods, the most famous is the charming Higashi Chaya District. Contemporary Kanazawa has its attractions, too. Sophisticated restaurants serve delicious Kaga cuisine, which highlights the bounty of the sea. Shops sell Kaga-nui pottery, Kutani porcelain and other handicrafts. Major sights include Kenrokuen, a 17th-century garden that is a high point of landscape design in Japan, and Kanazawa Castle and its park. Nearby, there are hot springs to bathe in and the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park.

12. Day

    13

    Day at sea

    Sea of Japan (East Sea), Japan

    During your time at sea, you'll have plenty to keep you occupied including five entertainment venues, three complimentary restaurants, ten bars and lounges and six relaxation and fitness venues.

13. Day

    14

    Hakodate, Japan

    Hakodate, Japan

    If Japan ever had a wild west, it was Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the only spot among Japan's primary islands where a non-Japanese culture manages to survive relatively intact. Get a taste of that unique culture in Hakodate, the capital city of this northern island.

14. Day

    15

    Miyako, Japan

    Miyako, Iwate, Japan

    Set against a ruggedly beautiful coastline, Miyako is home to Jodogahama Beach, a picturesque pebble beach with rock outcroppings. Go for a swim, then stop at Miyako Fish Market for a tasty lunch.

15. Day

    16

    Hitachinaka, Japan

    Hitachinaka, Japan

    Hitachinaka offers some wonderful places to restore and rejuvenate. Walk the trails of Hitachinaka Nature Forest or Hitachi Seaside Park, where large swaths of seasonal flowers cover rolling hills.

16. Day

    17

    Disembark and departure

    Tokyo, Japan

    Disembark Noordam in Yokohama and transfer to Tokyo airport for your return flight to London.