DETAILS
Experience the timeless splendor of Japan and South Korea, featuring three nights in Kyoto and a seven-night, five-star cruise across the full length of the historic Inland Sea of Japan. Enjoy excursions to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 17th‑century Himeji Castle, Japan’s largest surviving feudal complex; Hiroshima’s poignant Peace Memorial Park; Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine; and in Gyeongju, South Korea, the ancient Silla Kingdom Royal Burial Mounds and the glorious Bulguksa Temple, the embodiment of Buddhist utopia on Earth. Pre- and post-cruise extensions to Tokyo and Osaka and Nara are also planned.
- Pricing from
- $8,495
Reserve early and SAVE up to $2,000!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Apr 25, 2026 - May 7, 2026
Pre‑Program Option – Iconic Tokyo – April 22 to 26 (Program Begins: April 23)
Tour the Tokyo National Museum, one of the largest art museums in the world, and enjoy a Yakatabune dinner cruise on the Sumida River. Choose between a full‑day excursion to Hakone, home to majestic Mount Fuji, or an in-depth exploration of old and new Japan. Pass through Tokyo’s Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) to visit the seventh-century Senso-ji Temple. Wrap up with a journey aboard the memorably high‑speed Shinkansen, or bullet train.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $2,195
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $2,895
Post‑Program Option – Osaka and Nara – May 7 to 9 (Program Ends: May 9)
This vibrant, bustling port city is the second largest in Japan. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the tranquil and distinctive city of Nara. Visit the Todai-ji, with its imposing 50-foot bronze Buddha, and the iconic Horyu‑ji, one of the world’s oldest wooden structures. Tour the Osaka History Museum, with its fascinating exhibits and lovely views of Osaka Castle. Continue to the Umeda Sky building and up to the Sky Garden Observatory for incredible city views.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $1,395
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,795
Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1&2
Home City/ Osaka, Japan/Kyoto
Arrive at Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami International Airport. Transfer to the deluxe, centrally located Kyoto Hotel Okura. Spend your first evening at leisure and make your own plans for dinner.
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day 3
Kyoto
Visit two UNESCO-inscribed Zen Buddhist temples today. Ryoan-ji, established in 1450, features a world-famous rock garden. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is a visual feast, boasting two stories covered in gold leaf. This evening, join your fellow passengers for a Welcome Reception, followed by dinner on your own.
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day 4
Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera looks over the city from its perch in the eastern hills. After touring the temple, walk through the surrounding charming neighborhood, where the streets are lined with traditional shops and restaurants. This afternoon, visit the castle Nijo-jo, a prime example of samurai residential architecture. Stroll through the gardens and marvel at the beautiful ancient pine trees.
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day 5
Kyoto/Osaka/Embark ship
Learn about traditional Noh drama — often involving choral music, dancing, stylized acting, archetypal themes, and performers in elaborate masks and costumes — and enjoy a performance. Transfer to the port in Osaka and embark Heritage Adventurer, a first-class expedition ship. Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner on board.
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day 6
Miyajima/Hiroshima
Walk to one of Japan’s most iconic sites, the Itsukushima Shrine. The imposing vermilion Torii gate appears to float above the Seto Inland Sea. At Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, learn about the events of August 6, 1945, when the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb during WWII. See the iconic domed Peace Memorial — the only building that withstood the blast — and talk with the family member of a Hiroshima survivor.
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day 7
Hagi
Explore UNESCO-inscribed Hagi, a well-preserved castle town. Stop at Toko-ji, a complex of Zen Buddhist temples in a forested compound. Continue to Kikuya-ke and tour the traditional home and beautiful grounds. At the Hagi Uragami Museum, marvel at the impressive collection of woodblock prints by master artists Hokusai and Hiroshige.
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day 8
Sakaiminato/Matsue
Visit the Adachi Museum, with its large collection of 20th-century art and award-winning garden. See Matsue-jo, often called the “black castle” for its dark-tiled roof and dark exterior.
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day 9
Ulsan, South Korea
Visit the UNESCO-inscribed Gyeongju Historic Areas — comprised of pagodas, sculptures, tumuli and ruins of temples and palaces. During your excursion, stop in Bulguksa Temple, the center of Korea’s Buddhist culture. Tour the Gyeongju National Museum, with precious archaeological artifacts, including gold jewelry, pottery, art and more. Stop for lunch, where you’ll enjoy a performance of traditional music and dance. Finally, visit a fifth-century tomb and discover its many artifacts.
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day 10
Nagasaki, Japan
This historic port city is an important international trade hub set on a natural harbor at the base of rolling mountains. Like Hiroshima, its name is synonymous with the atomic bombing that took place here in 1945. Today, choose between two included excursions: visit the Museum of History & Culture and Peace Park and learn its fascinating story. Or tour the Atomic Bomb Museum. This museum covers the bombing as a story, with exhibits. reconstructing the events leading up to and following the explosion. See the nearby Peace Park and Oura Cathedral as well. Both excursions finish with a visit to lovely Glover Garden. As you tour the mountainside grounds, take in scenic views of the harbor below.
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day 11
Fukuoka
Japan’s sixth-largest city, Fukuoka, is known as Japan’s ramen capital and with an abundance of fresh seafood, supports a vibrant foodie culture. Explore Dazaifu Tenmangu, a famous shrine that is home to over 6,000 plum trees. Pass through the Tori gate and stroll two lovely arched bridges to cross a pond, built in the shape of the Japanese character for a heart, before arriving at the shrine itself. Continue to the Kyushu National Museum, which aims to examine Japan through an Asian point of view.
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day 12
Uno Ko
Stroll through the charming Bikan District — the old merchant quarter, where white-walled homes, shops and storehouses preserve the ambiance of an important trading port. Visit the tranquil Koraku-en garden, an iconic retreat dating from the late 1600s. This lovely green space is recognized throughout Japan as one of the top three parks in the country. Join your fellow passengers this evening for a Farewell Reception and Dinner.
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day 13
Osaka/Disembark/Return to Home City
Disembark in Osaka and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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