Description
Join the MS Caledonian Sky for this unusual voyage which focuses on the small islands and ports of southern Japan. However, before our exploration of Japan begins, we spend some time in Taiwan. Sitting between China and Japan it is a surprisingly beautiful island about half the size of Scotland. Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese nationalist leader and Mao’s great adversary crossed the sea from China with a million and more of his followers in 1949, together with many great treasures from the Forbidden City. These treasures are now housed in the magnificent National Palace Museum in the nation’s capital of Taipei which we will explore. We will also visit one of Taiwan’s natural wonders, the Taroko Gorge National Park.
After our time in Taiwan, we set sail cruising north and visit Japan’s intriguing and diverse islands including the subtropical Yaeyama and Amami Islands where a slower pace of life is enjoyed which contrasts to mainland Japan where we spend a further seven days.
Over the course of just thirteen nights we will be able to see a variety of cultures, natural wonders and architectural styles. Amongst the many highlights will be the iconic gardens of Koraku-en and Ritsurin, arriving in early spring the gardens and cherry blossoms will be just coming into bloom and the shrines and pagodas at Miyajima and Himeji Castle which harks back to an era dominated by feudal lords. For the natural world enthusiasts we will explore the natural and underwater worlds of the southern archipelago and for those who prefer a historical perspective, we will see the Peace memorial at Hiroshima and the remnants of the World War II battle at Okinawa. Our expert Guest Speaker and local guides will provide an insight into Japanese culture and history along the way.