Cruising the Land of the Rising Sun

Northbound

Your explorations begin during your stay in Osaka and include nearby Nara and Kyoto – city of two thousand temples and shrines – and end in Tokyo; on your cruise, sightseeing excursions include Uno Ko, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Nagasaki… Uncover layers of Japanese culture – past and present; explore historic sights and trend-setting neighborhoods… attend a taiko drumming performance, a geisha performance, a sumo wrestling demonstration… and more.

You’ll explore the volcano Sakurajima, visit a pearl farm, tour modern and historic museums, and see how the Japanese produce one of their most popular beverages – Kirin beer. Travel in style aboard Le Soléal – with outside staterooms; a choice of chic or casual dining; and all-day complimentary beverages, including wine and spirits. And that’s just the beginning of the amenities and services onboard.

ONLY WITH TAUCK

Special Tauck Experiences include local cultural entertainment, a sumo wrestling demonstration, geisha and taiko performances and more.

Cruise prices are per person. All hotel and cruise ship accommodations, motor coach transportation, port charges, land excursions, admissions, entertainment, sightseeing, special dinners, porterage, and the services of the Tauck Directors, hotel and ship staff, and local guides and drivers are included. Bar & restaurant beverages are included throughout the day aboard ship, including house wine & spirits. Transportation from Kansai International Airport to the St. Regis, Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka or The Conrad Hotel Osaka according to your booking, is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least three weeks before the start of your tour. Transportation from the The Shangri-La Hotel Toyko, The Palace Hotel Tokyo or The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo to Tokyo’s Narita Airport according to your booking, is also included at the end of your cruise. Transportation to and from the airport may be shared with other Tauck guests.

Rates and schedules are not guaranteed until booked and will vary based on departure date.

ITINERARY

INCLUDED

INCLUDED HOTELS

Day 01 :

Arrive Osaka

Tour begins: The St. Regis Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka or The Conrad Osaka. A transfer is included from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport or Itami Airport to The St. Regis Osaka, The Ritz- Carlton, Osaka or The Conrad Osaka. After settling in to your hotel, depart for a Tauck Exclusive evening in Osaka that includes a welcome reception, a Geiko / Geisha cultural lecture and performance, and a welcome dinner.

MEALS – Dinner

LODGING The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka

LODGING The Conrad Osaka

LODGING The St. Regis Osaka

Day 02 :

Temples and traditions in Kyoto

Immerse yourself today in the loveliness of classic Kyoto, city of 2,000 temples and shrines. Like a divine dream the Zen Golden Pavilion, bathed in gold leaf and capped by a golden phoenix, sits in a landscape design meticulously preserved since the 1400s, with a strategically placed pond that hauntingly reflects the shimmering golden temple. Next visit the Sanjusagen-do, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District – officially called “Rengeo-in” (“Hall of the Lotus King”). After lunch at a local restaurant, attend a traditional Japanese Taiko drumming experience and explore more of Kyoto before returning to your hotel in Osaka (note that sightseeing days 2 and 3 may alternate.)

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 :

Exploring historic Nara

Head to the city of Nara this morning to visit Todai-ji (Eastern Great Temple), a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the city’s powerful Seven Great Temples. Its Great Buddha Hall houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site officially called the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” Todai-ji temple also serves as headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism in Japan. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Nara Park at the foot of Mount Wakakusa; established in the 14th century, it is one of the oldest public parks in Japan and is a national treasure – as are the more than 1,200 free-roaming wild sika deer that call the park home. Return to your Osaka hotel for an evening spent as you please.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch

Day 04 :

Osaka discoveries & embark Le Soléal

Begin the day with morning sightseeing in Osaka by motor coach, walking tour and visits to local markets. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a walking tour of Osaka’s Dotumburi district followed by some free time to explore as you wish. Then drive to the port of Osaka, where your yacht, Le Soléal, awaits. Begin your cruise along the southwestern coast of Honshu, the largest island in the Japanese archipelago, bound for Uno Ko and Naoshima.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

Day 05 :

Art, bicycling & beer in Uno Ko & environs

Anchor in Tamano (Uno Ko) and travel to the old merchant town of Kurashiki for a walking tour of its historic quarter, where warehouses, shops, and mills remain virtually unchanged by time. Another Kurashiki treasure, the Ohara Museum of Art, reveals a great collection of Western art. Enjoy a choice of three activities this afternoon. On one, you’ll ferry to the unique little island of Naoshima, exclusively devoted to art installations and the work of the world-class architect Tadao Ando. Another choice is a bicycle ride through Uno Ko. Beer is considered by many to be the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan and your third choice today is a visit to Kirin Yokohama Beer Village, one of nine factories of the Japan Kirin Group. Your tour winds its way around parts of the factory, offering views from above through observation windows of various parts of the manufacturing process – and includes the tasting bar, where you can sample Kirin beers. Back onboard ship, enjoy your captain’s farewell dinner tonight.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

EXCURSION CHOICES – Cycling Excursion in Uno K

Day 06 :

Today’s Hiroshima & a visit to a shrine or the Mazda factory

In your next port of call, Hiroshima, you’ll set off on a morning sightseeing tour and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and sites associated with the WWII atomic bomb blast of August 1945. After lunch at a local restaurant serving regional fare, you can choose to visit the iconic Miyajima-Itsukushima Shrine that seems to float on water (a photographer’s dream); or take a tour of the local Mazda factory. Sail on to Uwajima tonight.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

Day 07 :

Choices galore in Uwajima

Spend a morning in a rural area around the port city of Uwajima on Shikoku, with a choice of three excursions. One takes you into the countryside to visit a pearl farm – where you’ll view a hatchery and see farmers working on bamboo rafts from which baskets of pearl oysters are suspended in the water for culturing – and the 16th-century Dairakuji temple, known as Musasabi-dera (“Flying Squirrel Temple”) for the wild flying squirrels that live there, for an eclectic tour led by a Buddhist monk. Another explores Nanrakuen Garden, the largest traditional garden on Shikoku, presenting a series of beautiful gardens based on themes of “mountain, village, city, and sea;” your guided visit includes a walk through the exquisitely maintained gardens, a calligraphy demonstration and a tea ceremony. A third choice includes a visit to a series of danbata (terraced fields) that form a “staircase” on a steep mountain slope, appearing to roll right down the hillside and into the sea; and a walk through the forest to a beautiful waterfall in Yakushidani Canyon outside Uwajima. Return to your ship for lunch, and sail on to Kagoshima.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

EXCURSION CHOICES – Danbata Terraces & Waterfall Walk

Day 08 :

From a volcano to a peace museum in Kagoshima

Kagoshima lies on the southwestern tip of Japan’s southernmost main island, Kyushu. Excursion choices include a short ferry ride across the bay to see Sakurajima (“Cherry Blossom Island”), an active volcano; take a guided scenic drive and stop at its visitor information center to learn about Sakurajima’s volcanic history… and immerse your feet in a volcanic hot spring. Or visit Sengan-en Garden, a traditional Japanese garden and stately home in Kagoshima, passed down in the Shimadzu family for over 350 years. The charming garden boasts spectacular views of Sakurajima across the bay, while the house provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of a powerful feudal lord. Third choice, in Chiran, is a visit to this well-preserved samurai district’s Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots, on the site of a former airstrip used by Kamikaze pilots during World War II. Return to the ship late afternoon.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

EXCURSION CHOICES – Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze

Day 09 :

A day in Nagasaki

Arrive in Nagasaki for another day of historic sights: the Nagasaki Peace Park, filled with notable monuments and memorials; and the Atomic Bomb Museum. After lunch aboard the ship you have a choice of a visit to the Glover Gardens, an al fresco museum memorializing the Europeans who settled in Nagasaki in the late 19th century, and the Dejima Museum; or the Nagasaki Ropeway up Mount Inasa. Set sail this evening for South Korea.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

EXCURSION CHOICES – The Nagasaki Ropeway on Mt. Inasa

Day 10 :

Sail on to Busan in South Korea

Your crossing of the Strait of Korea to Busan, South Korea, today is a perfect time to enjoy some of the amenities aboard ship. After docking in Busan, city sightseeing includes the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, honoring troops from many nations who fell during the Korean War; and a tour of the renowned Jagalchi Fish Market, a traditional seafood market on Busan’s waterfront, and the largest in the country. In Korea as in Japan, seafood has been a mainstay of local cuisine for millennia, and your visit to this vast cooperative market offers an in-depth look at this longstanding cultural tradition. Return to the ship this afternoon and set sail for Sakaiminato.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

Day 11 :

Sakaiminato and Matsue’s Black Castle

Your yacht arrives in Western Japan’s fishing industry center, Sakaiminato, for a visit to the Adachi Museum. Following lunch, you can take an excursion to Matsue, known as “the water city” for its river, canals, and setting on two lakes and the Sea of Japan (weather permitting, take in a great view of the city and beyond from its feudal fortress; visit the Black Castle, which presides over the city in solemn majesty); or enjoy free time in Sakaiminato to pursue your own interests. Tonight say goodbye to captain and crew of your Tauck small ship at the captain’s farewell dinner.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING – Le Soléal

EXCURSION CHOICES – Exploring Sakaiminato at Leisure

Day 12 :

Bullet Train to Tokyo – and Ginza

After disembarking your small ship in Maizuru, take a scenic drive to Kyoto to board the Bullet Train for a quick trip to Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. Walking from your premier Tokyo hotel, your guide introduces the luxury shopping district of Ginza. Enjoy dinner and time to check out this remarkable city on your own.

MEALS – Breakfast, Lunch

LODGING Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

LODGING Palace Hotel Tokyo

LODGING Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo

Day 13 :

From shrines to sumo in Tokyo

Plunge into an eclectic day in cosmopolitan Tokyo with a visit to the Meiji Shrine – honoring the deified spirits of Japan’s Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, who died in 1912 and 1914, respectively – plus a guided tour of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Lunch is at a local restaurant before an afternoon spent poking around on your own. Finish the day in style with our farewell reception and dinner at Happo-en with traditional music and what’s sure to be a highlight of your cruise adventure in Japan, an unforgettable sumo wrestling demonstration that has to be seen to be believed.

MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

LODGING Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

LODGING Palace Hotel Tokyo

LODGING Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo

Day 14 :

Journey home

Tour ends: Tokyo. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, Shangri La Hotel, Tokyo or Palace Hotel, Tokyo to Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

MEALS Breakfast

Osaka

The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka

One of the premier hotels in Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka is located in the prestigious district of Nishi-Umeda, within walking distance to ancient city sights, business and shopping districts, and close to its treasured cultural heart. Pass through the Gateway of Western Japan and marvel at ancient traditions that punctuate the ultra-modern landscape that includes one of the city’s most elegant five star hotels. Evoking an 18th century English manor house, the hotel features a 450-piece art and antique collection, fitness center, spa, and fabulous guest rooms. A wide range of amenities and services contribute to a memorable experience; guest room amenities include Egyptian cotton linens, down comforters, goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows, marble bathroom, lighted makeup mirror and hair dryer, plush terry robes, computer, Internet, audio/visual and digital audio player plug-ins, DVD player, in-room safe, fully stocked refreshment cabinet, Nespresso machine and more. The fine dining restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka include an impressive global culinary repertoire that ranges from the French restaurant, La Baie, to the Lobby Lounge that serves traditional afternoon tea. Enjoy authentic Cantonese cuisine in Xiang Tao, Japanese specialties in Hanagatami and Italian favorites in Splendido. And The Bar invites you to indulge in signature cocktails and a selection of more than 150 malt whiskies.

The Conrad Osaka

Conrad Osaka is your “address in the sky” in Japan’s second-largest city. With a commanding presence on Nakanoshima between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, this sleek luxury hotel offers incredible views of the water and Osaka from all guest rooms and public areas. The hotel resides on the highest floors of Nakanoshima Festival West Tower, home to shops, restaurants and an art museum. Festival Hall is next door, easily reached via underground link. Conrad Osaka’s spacious, stylish guest rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and a digital control panel for your lighting, curtain and temperature preferences. More luxuries for your stay include four restaurants and lounges, including all-day dining and a Sky Bar; the chic and tranquil Conrad Spa and salon overlooking the city; a wedding chapel and pillar-free event space with stunning views of Osaka and environs; and a heated indoor 20-meter pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.

The St. Regis Osaka

Enjoying Osaka’s most coveted address on Midosuji Avenue, the Champs Élysées of Osaka, The St. Regis Osaka opened its doors in 2010 and is the first international luxury hotel to open in the city in 13 years. Guest rooms welcome with a flat-screen HD TV with satellite and cable channels, Pioneer Blu-ray DVD/CD player, down comforter, 300-thread-count sheets and a pillow menu, expresso machine, fully stocked minibar, complimentary bottled water, in-room safe, individual climate control, a rainforest shower and separate soaking bathtub, bathrobes and slippers and a hairdryer. The Exercise Room is equipped with everything required for a satisfying workout, including TechnoGym, treadmills, bikes, weight training and free weights. If relaxation is more appealing, you’ll find out it at IRIDIUM offering spa treatments and views of the Osaka skyline. Enjoy light fare at The St. Regis Terrace, northern Italian cuisine at La Veduta, distinctive French flavors in the bistro atmosphere of Rue d’Or or try a specialty cocktail like a “Shogun Mary” at The St. Regis Bar.

Le Soléal

Le Soléal sports 6 decks that include Le Restaurant Gastronomique, the elegant main dining room serving French and international cuisine; the casual Le Grill Restaurant; three lounges offering evening entertainment, bars and access to the open decks; Le Théâtre hosting informative lectures and entertainment; a Fitness and Beauty Corner; a Medical Center; and multiple observation areas. Elevators serve all passenger decks. Staterooms (ranging in size from 200 to 210 sq. ft.) and suites (ranging in size from 301 to 398 sq. ft.) have ocean views; 95% have private balconies. Staterooms are decorated by French designers, offering individually controlled air conditioning, twin beds converting to a queen-size bed (or one queen-size bed), DVD / CD player, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe and minibar.

Tokyo

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo

A “tower of contemporary luxury” in the center of the city awaits you at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, where you’ll find a stunning panorama surrounding you, no matter where you look. A sense of space, created by expansive glass walls, pervades guest rooms that are among the largest in all of Japan. The hotel’s defining style, reflected in each guest room, is that of futuristic luxury, enhanced with specially made fabrics and textiles that reflect the Japanese reverence for nature. Each offers an in-room interactive entertainment system providing integration of personal electronics such as iPod, MP3 and laptops, 45-inch LCD TV receiving over 50 channels, 450-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and plush terry bathrobes plus Japanese kimono-style robes, high-tech in-room safe with built-in charger and more to ensure a pleasant, comfortable stay. Cycle “through the sky” 38 floors above the city in the state-of-the-art Fitness Centre or indulge in a bit of pampering calm in the Spa in the Sky. If tea is your thing, you’ll find Nirvana in the Sense Tea Corner, offering more than 20 different types in a relaxed and serene atmosphere, while the Mandarin Bar entices with signature cocktails as well as spirits to suit any taste. Dining options range from fine “Edo-mae” sushi at Sushi Sora, casual dining with an Italian flair at Ventaglio to Michelin-star Chinese cuisine and amazing city views at Sense and fine dining at Signature, which has earned a Michelin star for its contemporary French menu. The readers of Travel + Leisure placed the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo on the list of the 500 World’s Best hotels and voted it the #1 hotel in Japan.

Palace Hotel Tokyo

With a legacy going back more than half a century, the award-winning Palace Hotel Tokyo is heir to some of the city’s most exclusive real estate in the heart of Tokyo’s Marunouchi district. With an imitable perspective on the city and a tranquil moat-side location adjacent to the Imperial Palace gardens, the hotel opened in 2012 following a complete three-year rebuild. From the distinctive omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) you’ll encounter upon arrival to subtle Japanese touches throughout, the wholly Japanese-owned and managed hotel presents guests with an experience of the city rivaled only by its incomparable views. Cozy guest rooms offer breathtaking views of the city’s most glorious gardens and the surrounding skyline. Highlights include spacious balconies and terraces; a separate seating area which can be used as either a dining table or a work space; and open-style bathrooms with separate soaking tub and shower, complete with dual rain and handheld shower heads and bath amenities by Anne Semonin. Each guest room is equipped with minibar; complimentary mineral water, coffees and teas and daily newspaper; Imabari bath linens; bathrobes & slipper; hair dryer; electric kettle; in-room safe with built-in power outlet; 46-inch LCD TV; 16-inch LCD TV in the bathroom; Blu-ray / DVD / CD player; multi-language TV channels; built-in international power socket; and multi-functional VoIP telephone and voicemail. Whether it’s French fine dining and art-deco elegance at Crown, authentic Japanese at Wadakura or refined Chinese at Amber Palace, each of Palace Hotel Tokyo’s seven destination restaurants promises a culinary experience as original and memorable as its setting. And for true relaxation, evian SPA TOKYO’s offers a full range of treatments within a space designed as a metaphorical reflection of the journey evian® natural mineral water takes through the Alps. Featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on compelling vistas, the Alpine-inspired space is beautifully juxtaposed with its natural setting; on a clear day, snow-capped Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance.

Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo

Voted the top spot among the Best 100 hotels in the World by Institutional Investor in 2013 – and #1 among the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the World in TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award in 2012 – Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is perched on the top 11 floors of a 37-story building adjacent to Tokyo Station; the Imperial Palace, Nihombashi and Marunouchi business districts, and famous Ginza shopping belt are all but a stone’s throw away. Guest rooms, offering panoramic views stretching from Imperial Gardens to Tokyo Bay to the new Tokyo Sky Tree, are furnished with the utmost consideration, featuring Japanese-inspired bathrooms and other details. Guests will appreciate the state-of-the-art exercise gym and a heated indoor swimming pool overlooking the city. Make an appointment at CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La to indulge in lavish spa treatments based on ancient Asian curative traditions and rituals. The hotel distinguishes itself as an exceptional dining destination with two world–class restaurants – the Italian restaurant Piacere, offering exquisite food and fine wines with panoramic views over the Imperial Gardens; and the Japanese restaurant Nadaman, setting a new standard for dining in Tokyo.

Tauck Guests enjoy complimentary Internet access in guest rooms!