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Peregrine Travel Centre

Japan, Between Tradition and Modernity Luxury Cruise

Japan, Between Tradition and Modernity Luxury Cruise

From AUD $10,370

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Description

Ponant has an ideal introduction to this captivating archipelago, inviting you on a timeless journey around the fascinating and surprising Empire of the Rising Sun, where unbridled modernism and ancestral traditions form a delightful blend, where the history of the samurai rubs shoulders with the delicateness of the geisha, and where the aromas of the tea plantations intermingle with the fragrances of cherry blossom. Dive into the heart of ancestral Japan, where each port of call unveils unsuspected treasures and unique moments.
Between temples imbued with spirituality, majestic volcanic landscapes and mystical forests, nature unveils all of its splendour. Fall under the spell of the local handicrafts, the refined flavours of thousand-year-old gastronomy, and a warm welcome that is deeply rooted in tradition. Explore sites steeped in serenity, witnesses to rich and poignant history, where each detail inspires contemplation.

Trip Name
Japan, Between Tradition and Modernity Luxury Cruise
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 Built: 2013 Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 132 staterooms and suites, with balconies, joined in 2013. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the luxury yachting world, with fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white. A refined ambience is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat's hull, while the central scuplture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea.  In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonomous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Busan
With around four million inhabitants, Busan is the second largest metropolis on South Korea, after Seoul. This dynamic harbour city, located in the south-east, surrounded by the warm waters of the Sea of Japan, benefits from a mild, pleasant climate. You’ll find delightful simply to stroll around the lively streets and explore the city’s outstanding cultural heritage of art galleries, museums, and Buddhist sites, such as the Haedong Yonggungsa temple, which elegantly sits on the waterfront. Rich too in magnificent beaches and superlative natural landscapes, Busan’s peaceful atmosphere will win you over, as will its inhabitants, whom you’ll have the pleasure of meeting.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Nagasaki
Located on the north-west coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki will impress you by its rich heritage. Despite the destruction in 1945, you can visit several ancient sites, including the beautiful 19th-century Catholic Church of Oura and its garden, the sanctuary of Suwa Shrine or several Buddhist temples. A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum gives you insight into the extent of the damage caused by the nuclear attack. Close by, a walk in the Memorial Peace Park leads you to a collection of objets d'art offered as a gift from Japan to the world.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Sakitsu, Unzen-Amakusa National Park
Facing the mythical island of Kyushu, between the Yatsushiro and Ariake seas, the island region of Amakusa both surprises and captivates. Composed of some one hundred verdant islets surrounded by stunning seabeds, the Japanese archipelago was once a refuge for many Christians fleeing the ban on Catholicism in the 17th century during the Edo period. Nestled on the shore of a cove opening onto the calm waters of Yôkaku Bay, Sakitsu is a charming fishing port. Immerse yourself in its Christian heritage, notably through a visit to its emblematic church blending Western and Japanese cultures. Rebuilt in 1934, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 4 - Day 3 - Unzen, Unzen-Amakusa National Park
Located in the north of the Shimabara Peninsula, the town of Unzen lies at the heart of Unzen-Amakusa National Park, Japan’s first national park, founded in 1934. Created to preserve the region’s culture and nature, this natural haven covering more than 280 km² (108 sq. miles) combines a spectacular volcanic environment with the landscapes of the Amakusa Islands. During this enchanting interlude, you will be able to discover the park’s legendary high-temperature hot springs, volcanic gas vents, and highly diverse wildlife. With impressive natural phenomena and open views over the sea, this stop offers an elegant immersion in one of the most emblematic environments of southern Japan.
Day 5 - Day 4 - Kagoshima
The seaside city of Kagoshima, at the south of Kyushu Island, ﾠis best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. A visit to this busy metropolis will remind you just how much the volcano is part of the inhabitants' everyday life: in the wake of the almost daily eruptions, a delicate layer of ash settles on everything. The top of a buried torii (traditional Japanese gate) measuring three metres that was 'swallowed up' by a giant lava flow in 1914 can still be seen. The power of nature will send a shiver down your spine.
Day 6 - Day 5 - Miyanoura, Yakushima
Miyanoura, on the unspoiled island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals a natural world of remarkable richness. Between mist-covered mountains, lush forests and wild coastlines, the island is home to majestic thousand-year-old cedar trees, some of which are said to have inspired the enchanting landscapes of the film Princess Mononoke. The spectacular Senpiro Falls, cascading down a vast granite monolith, is one of the island’s most iconic landmarks. Yakushima is also the guardian of ancestral craftsmanship, passed down through generations and deeply connected to its exceptional natural environment.
Day 7 - Day 6 - Uwajima
Located on the west coast of Shikoku island, Uwajima will delight lovers of history and traditional customs. The magnificent Uwajima Castle was built in the 17th-century by the powerful Date clan and has a beautiful ornamental garden and bridge. The much-visited Taga Shrine is dedicated to fertility and is full of phalluses. As for eating, you must taste jakoten, a local delicacy based on fried fish.
Day 8 - Day 7 - Kochi
The fourth largest island in the Nippon archipelago, Shikoku, is also the best preserved. Here, forests and oceans stretch as far as the eye can see. On the southern coast of the island, Kochi, the tranquil metropolis will quietly welcome you. You can enjoy a lively town, with many commercial centres and restaurants. On the menu, katsuo tataki, a local speciality with delicately grilled fish. But Kochi, overlooked by the benevolent shadow of its castle, also invites you to explore its magnificent Katsurahama beach, its museums and Buddhist temples, the site of a famous annual pilgrimage.
Day 9 - Day 8 - Katsuura
Located in a peaceful cove overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Katsuura is a true coastal paradise home to the largest number of natural open-air hot springs in the entire Wakayama Prefecture. Numerous rocky islets are scattered across the calm waters of this secluded bay, providing delicious local seafood for you to enjoy as you savour the fresh air of this timeless place. Katsuura is part of Japan’s largest peninsula, the Kii Peninsula, and home to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, one of the Kumano Sanzan, a religious complex dedicated to the three sacred mountains of Kumano. 
Day 10 - Day 9 - Osaka
Like its big sister Tokyo, Osaka is the product of ancestral traditions and amazing technological innovations. And despite its size, its location on the Pacific Ocean give it a sense of serenity. The main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle, which stands proud in the midst of majestic skyscrapers. The lively streets of Dotomburi and the bizarre Shinsekai district attract thousands of locals and visitors. A multitude of restaurants offer menus full of regional specialities: takoyaki, made with octopus, and other succulent dishes such as kushikatsu kebabs.
Day 11 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Superior Stateroom
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Deluxe Stateroom
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Deluxe Suite
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 5
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 6
07-10-202715-10-2027AUD $0Owner's Suite
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Deluxe Stateroom
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Deluxe Suite
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 5
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 6
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite
17-03-202825-03-2028AUD $0Superior Stateroom
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Superior Stateroom
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Deluxe Stateroom
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Deluxe Suite
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 5
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Prestige Suite Deck 6
04-05-202812-05-2028AUD $0Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • Travel to the heart of Japan to discover its many facets: its history and ancestral traditions, its unbridled modernism, its magnificent landscapes.
    • Exceptional heritage: the mountainous island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Nagasaki Peace Park; and Uwajima Castle.
    • Enjoy one included excursion per person per stop during your cruise, from a selection curated by our destination experts.

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