fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Hidden Japan: from Hokkaido to Hiroshima Cruise

Hidden Japan: from Hokkaido to Hiroshima Cruise

From AUD $16,100

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Dreaming of an unforgettable journey through East Asia? Swan Hellenic invites you to explore the shores of Japan and Korea on a boutique small ship cruise from Otaru to Hiroshima. This expertly curated itinerary showcases a captivating blend of northern landscapes, ancient traditions, and dynamic port cities across Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
Sail through storied regions along the Sea of Japan, from Hokkaido’s Otaru to the rich cultural heritage of Ogi, Sado Island, Sakata, Maizuru, and Sakaiminato. In Busan, South Korea, discover vibrant markets and coastal charm before returning to Japan’s southern shores. Cruise the historic Kanmon Strait, uncovering centuries of maritime legacy along the way.
Your journey concludes in Hiroshima, a city of peace, resilience, and renewal. With immersive cultural encounters and breathtaking coastal scenery, this East Asia cruise with Swan Hellenic offers enriching exploration for curious, discerning travelers.

Trip Name
Hidden Japan: from Hokkaido to Hiroshima Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 115 meters Passenger Capacity: 158 Built: 2020-2021 The SH Minerva is a boutique expedition ship purpose-built for exploring far-flung destinations and remote polar regions in comfort and style. Crafted at Finland’s esteemed Helsinki Shipyard, she features a Polar Class PC5 ice-strengthened hull and advanced stabilisers, ensuring smooth sailing even in challenging waters. With just 158 guests served by 122 crew across nine decks, the atmosphere on board is intimate and welcoming. Elegant Scandinavian-inspired interiors, panoramic observation spaces, and a range of facilities – from the stargazing deck and library to the spa, heated outdoor pool, and fine dining venues – make every moment at sea a pleasure. Accommodation ranges from well-appointed oceanview staterooms to spacious premium suites, each offering thoughtful touches such as a flame-effect fireplace, Illy espresso machine, luxury toiletries, and complimentary binoculars for wildlife spotting. Many feature private balconies for uninterrupted views of the passing scenery. Attentive crew provide a warm, personalised service, ensuring that every guest feels at home while enjoying a journey that blends adventure with refined comfort. Whether navigating icy channels or gliding into sunlit harbours, the SH Minerva offers an unforgettable cruising experience.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Otaru
An important port on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Otaru retains original architecture. Restored warehouses along its canal, lined with Victorian street lamps, house restaurants and boutiques selling sake, music boxes and renowned Otaru glass. Rooted in the herring industry, the town's trading history is evident from Hokkaido's first railway line terminal to the Herring Mansion on the outskirts, once owned by wealthy herring fishermen.
Day 2 - Day 2 Hakodate
The city of Hakodate in Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island and is well-known for its seafood, for sale daily at the morning market. Mount Hakodate, reached by gondola. watches over the bustling city. While the area is rich in hot springs, it is best known for the famous snow monkeys who bathe in the hot springs of Yunokawa Onsen at the Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden.
Day 3 - Day 3 Sakata
Sakata, a port city on the Mogami river, thrived on rice and safflower trade. The traditional 1893 Sankyo Rice Storehouses, shaded by zelkova trees, are now a cultural hub with shops. The city's quiet streets feature preserved, wealthy Edo-era homes, including the Honma Museum of Art with fine art and gardens. South of the river, The Ken Domon Museum honours the famed photographer’s powerful work, including images of Hiroshima survivors.
Day 4 - Day 4 Sado Island, Ogi
Sado, Japan's sixth largest island, has a quaint port at Ogi known for tarai-bune, traditional wooden boats. The island is also famous for its world-renowned taiko drummers, continuing a rich cultural tradition. Once a place of exile for artists and academics, Sado now draws visitors to its rugged coasts, hidden beaches and lush terrain for outdoor activities.
Day 5 - Day 5 Maizuru
The port city of Maizuru in south-central Japan served as a major naval base and post-WWII repatriation port, where over 660,000 Japanese returned home - this history is remembered at the poignant Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum. Its scenic harbour, framed by forested hills, is overlooked by Goro Sky Tower atop Mt. Gorogatake. Brick Park evokes the city’s industrial past with Meiji-era warehouses housing the unique World Brick Museum.
Day 6 - Day 6 Sakaiminato
A haven for seafood lovers, manga fans and nature enthusiasts, Sakaiminto’s offerings are fairly eclectic for the seemingly slow-paced port town. Fish markets and world-class seafood restaurants line the streets, offering delights including local delicacy, Matsuba snow crab. You can also feast on Pacific bluefin tuna, Sakaiminto salmon, Natsuki rock oysters, swordtip squid and plenty more. The city was also once home to local hero, Shigeru Mizuki, a celebrated manga comic artist. Visit the Mizuki Shingeru museum for a fascinating insight into his life and the world of manga. Stretch your legs and enjoy a hike up the volcanic Mount Daisen, the highest mountain in the region (1730m). Or you may wish to take a gentler trek though the tranquil and restorative beech and cedar forests whilst connecting with nature and indulging in the Japanese pastime of ‘forest bathing’.
Day 7 - Day 7 Hagi
In Japan's feudal era, Hagi was governed by the powerful Mori Clan. Many old buildings are open to the public, bearing witness to the samurai who played a role in Japan's Meiji Restoration. Hagi is rich in shrines, temples, and historical artefacts. Hagi Castle's ruins are in Shizuki Park, famous for its spring cherry blossoms and the wooded slopes of Mt. Shizuki. Hagi Uragami Museum exhibits ukiyo-e woodblock prints and ceramics.
Day 8 - Day 8 Busan
Busan, South Korea's second city, blends beaches and mountains with boutiques, lively cafes and delicious seafood in food alleys. The 120m-tall Busan Tower offers a sense of the skyscraper cityscape. Six beaches, including Haeundae and Gwangalli, attract visitors year-round. Gamcheon Culture Village, previously a slum, is now a kaleidoscopic haven of art nestled on the coastal mountain foothills, affectionately dubbed the "Machu Picchu of Busan."
Day 9 - Day 9 Moji
Former trading hub Moji wonderfully mixes old-world architecture with natural beauty. Mojiko Retro district's western-style Meiji-era red brick buildings line the waterfront. Mekari Park offers panoramic views of the Kanmon Strait and Bridge. Across the sea in Shimonoseki, remnants of a traditional samurai residence and garden from the Edo era remain in Chofu. Further out, a modern reconstruction of the 17th-century Kokura Castle stands proudly.
Day 10 - Day 9 Cruising Kanmon Strait
Sailing through the Kanmon Strait is challenging with strong currents and an S-shaped bend. One of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the strait cuts a dramatic 38 km (24 mi) channel, narrowing to 700 m (0.4 mi) at its tightest point. The graceful Kanmon Bridge, a 1,068-m (3,504-ft) suspension bridge, spans the waterway between Honshu and Kyushu. Shimonoseki overlooks the strait from Honshu, while Moji district stands watch from Kyushu.
Day 11 - Day 10 Beppu
Beppu is best known for Jigoku Meguri ("Boiling Hells") - seven vivid geothermal springs too hot for bathing but offering stunning colours, bubbling mud and soaring steam. Nearby, Mount Takasaki's 1,500 wild Japanese macaques can be seen up close at Takasakiyama Monkey Park. A short trip away, Usuki features 60 stone-carved Buddhist statues in peaceful park grounds with feudal castle ruins and 1,000 cherry trees.
Day 12 - Day 11 Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a city of peace and resilience. The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vividly portrays the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Designed by Kenzō Tange and inaugurated in 1955, the museum serves as a global symbol of peace, featuring a solemn cenotaph bearing the victims' names and the Flame of Peace, lit in 1964. The Genbaku Dome stands as the sole original structure left at the blast site.
Day 13 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $16,100Oceanview D4
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $16,875Oceanview M4
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $19,275Balcony D5
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $20,100Balcony M5
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $20,875Balcony D6
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $28,125Suite
01-09-202611-09-2026AUD $32,125Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Enjoy expert-led excursions to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial, serene temples, and artisan workshops in Aomori.
    • Encounter welcoming locals in Busan’s art-filled alleys and traditional communities in Maizuru and Sakata.
    • Sail Kanmon Strait, visit Sado Island’s gold mines, and explore Hokkaido’s wild landscapes.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Japan
More of activity:
Asia Cruises