Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea - Westbound

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo or the Palace Hotel, Tokyo. A transfer is included upon arrival from Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport to the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo or the Palace Hotel, Tokyo, premier hotels ideally located in the heart of the city. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.

Begin your exploration of Japan's dynamic capital with a locally guided visit to serene Meiji Shrine, set amid a forested oasis in the heart of the city. Continue with an insightful guided visit to the Edo Museum or the Japan National Museum. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch and independent exploration, then dine at your hotel this evening at your leisure.

Board the Shinkansen bullet train bound for Osaka today, enjoying a traditional bento box lunch aboard as you travel. Upon arrival, take a short panoramic drive en route to the pier and embark your small ship to begin your cruise.

Dock in Osaka for a choice of excursions. Journey to Kyoto to visit the Golden Pavilion and Sanjusangendo, or travel to the ancient capital of Nara for a visit to Todaiji Temple. A third option offers a locally guided visit in Kobe featuring a sake brewery museum and Mt. Rokko. Each excursion includes a hands-on lesson in taiko drumming. Return to the ship and gather for the Captain's welcome dinner this evening.

Dock in Tamano for a choice of excursions. Travel to Kurashiki for a walking tour and time to visit the Kurashiki City Art Museum, or ferry to the art island of Naoshima for a visit to the Benesse House Museum and River Gallery with a local guide. Alternatively, sample local beer during a visit to a nearby brewery, or explore the sights of Tamano on a guided bicycle excursion.

Disembark in Miyajima for a locally guided visit to Itsukushima Shrine, then board a ferry to the mainland and drive to Hiroshima. After a traditional okonomiyaki lunch, choose a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Memorial, embark on a panoramic tour of the city with a photo stop at the A-Bomb Dome, or tour the Museum of Fude Art for an informative brush making experience. Return to the ship for dinner onboard this evening.

Dock in the famous spa resort city of Beppu this morning. Located on Kyushu Island between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it's home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs) that together produce more hot spring water than any other onsen resort in the country. In addition to conventional hot water baths, visitors can enjoy sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, steam baths that are heated by the steam of a hot spring, and mud baths. Enjoy an opportunity to experience them your way today on a guided visit that lets you see the "Hells of Beppu," nationally designated a "place of scenic beauty," or an opportunity to experience the healing waters of the hot springs like the locals do, clothes off. A third choice drives you to Usuki Castletown to view the ruins of its historic castle and its well-preserved Samurai district. Visit the impressive Inaba Family Villa and former Samurai residence, designated a National Tangible Cultural property. Continue on the Usuki Stone Buddhas, created between 794 and 1185 and the only stone Buddhas to be designated as a national treasure. Return to the ship for lunch and time at leisure and set sail for Uwajima tonight.

Enjoy a choice of excursions in Uwajima, Japan's main center for cultured pearls. Visit a family-owned pearl farm in the countryside to learn about skill and precision it takes to produce the oyster-grown pearls and tour a local open-air museum. Or, visit Nanrakuen Garden on a guided walk, followed by a calligraphy demonstration and a traditional tea experience. Chart a course for Hagi late afternoon.

On a choice of excursions today, experience the charms of coastal Hagi, a gem of a castle town lined with traditional well-preserved samurai-era residences and merchants' homes. The seaside town grew up around Hagi Castle, built in 1604; today the castle ruins are set Shizuki Park, known for its spring cherry blossoms and forested mountain slopes. The town is also known for its stoneware pottery, an art form dating back to the early 1600s; Hagi ware is one of the most famous pottery types in Japan and is characterized by its earthy texture. Join our local guide for a walking tour of the town; visit the 400-year-old Kikuya Residence and the Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum, renowned for its Hagi pottery, still made by hand; or explore one of the largest limestone caves in the world at Akiyoshidai Plateau, learning about the geologic attributes of the area with a geoguide. Another option visits Shoin-Jinja Shinto Shrine, followed by a former schoolhouse for a hands-on calligraphy lesson and a tasting of fugu (puffer fish), a regional delicacy. Set sail for Sakaiminato this evening.

Disembark for a day of sightseeing in Sakaiminato. Located in western Japan, Sakaiminato has been known an important fishing port since the Middle Ages, serving as trading hub between Continental Asia and the archipelago for centuries. A choice of activities today includes a visit to Matsue's Black Castle or the Adachi Museum, renowned for its modern art and stunning gardens. Your ship sets sail for Busan, South Korea, early this afternoon.

Nestled amidst mountains, pristine beaches, and steaming hot springs, Busan captivates with its cultural treasures, diverse landscapes and ocean-fresh seafood, displayed in markets teeming with every species of fish imaginable. Enjoy a tour of the town, including the Jalgachi Fish Market and the Gamcheon Culture Village, before boarding a bullet train bound for Seoul.

Ranked among the World's Best Cities by Forbes Magazine, Seoul is a global pop powerhouse rooted in cultural traditions that date back to the 1300s when it served as the capital city of Korea. Today, this charismatic South Korean capital celebrates its timeless heritage in lively street markets, ancient palaces, royal tombs and historical shrines set against a modern-day backdrop of towering skyscrapers, high-tech subways and futuristic plazas. Enjoy a panoramic orientation drive through the city past landmark sites and visit the ornate 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace, meaning "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven," and the Folk Museum on the grounds of the palace. An enduring symbol of Korea's rich history and the Joseon Dynasty, the palace offers a glimpse into Seoul's royal heritage and cultural traditions. Enjoy a different perspective of life during the Joseon Dynasty when you visit an open-air museum showcasing a typical Hanok village to view its well-preserved traditional houses. After a lunch of Korean specialties, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure and join us for dinner tonight. Please note: Sightseeing activities may alternate on days 12 and 13.

Sightseeing continues today with a visit to the Korean War Memorial. Featuring poignant multimedia exhibits, monuments and memorials honoring fallen soldiers, and machinery and artifacts from various wars, the museum presents a sobering look at the wartime events that took place from 1950 to 1953. Explore the museum inside and out, including the fighter jets, rocket launchers, artillery batteries, and tanks that line the grounds. Experience a look at local life during a visit to bustling Namdaemun Market, the largest and oldest market in South Korea; it offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and shops selling everything from food and fashion to trinkets. After lunch, enjoy free time to experience the sights of Seoul on your own and join us tonight for our farewell dinner.

Tour ends: Seoul. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Conrad Seoul or Four Seasons Seoul to ICN Incheon International Airport or GMP Gimpo International Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.