Circle Japan Collector Cruise

Day 1 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sun 29 March 2026 / Depart: Sun 29 March 2026 at 18:00

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Himeji

Arrive: Tue 31 March 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 31 March 2026 at 18:00

Himeji is a city in Hy?go prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. It has one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. At one point, in the late 1500s, it was the largest castle in all of Asia. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other attractions in Himeji include Engy?-ji Temple, Seppiko-san Mountain, Himeji Central Park (a safari park), Himeji City Tegarayama Botanical Garden, and Koko-en Garden. Things to see and do: * Himeji Castle * K?koen Garden * Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History * Senhime Shrine * Engyo-ji Temple

Day 4 - Kochi, Japan

Arrive: Wed 01 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 01 April 2026 at 17:00

High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market.

Day 5 - Hiroshima

Arrive: Thu 02 April 2026 / Depart: Thu 02 April 2026

Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy of the recent past. In addition to the memorials to the events of World War II, there are an array of shrines and temples, as well as the city’s reconstructed castle, which was originally founded in the 16th century.Nature lovers will be charmed by the historic Shukkei-en Garden, commissioned in 1620, and Miyajima island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. The city is home to a number of art institutions, including the Hiroshima Museum of Art, which houses a collection of Impressionist and Japanese oil paintings, the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the quirky Mazda Museum. There is also an array of excellent restaurants and bars—the city is known for its okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake—as well as a popular oyster festival each year.

Day 5 - Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait

Day 6 - Busan, South Korea

Arrive: Fri 03 April 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Fri 03 April 2026 at 18:00

South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot springs and nearby mountains crossed with hiking trails and dotted with temples. Cultural highlights include the Gamcheon Cultural Village; the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built into the side of a cliff; and Art Street in Sinchang-dong, which hosts art competitions, exhibitions and cultural events such as the annual Busan International Film Festival. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the famed cliffs of Taejongdae Park, while the white sand beaches at Gwangalli and Haeundae are ideal places to relax by the seashore. Foodies will love Busan, too, not just for its excellent restaurants but also for the many atmospheric markets: the low-key Millak Hoe Town Market, tourist spots like Jagalchi Fish Market and the market at Haeundae with its ramshackle stalls selling gukpab (a traditional rice soup).

Day 7 - Sakaiminato

Arrive: Sat 04 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 04 April 2026 at 17:00

Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro (a character who’s everywhere in contemporary Japan), and gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, site of the famous “Black Castle.”

Day 8 - Tsuruga, Japan

Arrive: Sun 05 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 05 April 2026 at 17:00

This sleepy little port city is home to the intimate Kehi Shrine, with its red-lacquered Torii gate and koi pond. Learn about the fascinating history of the town at the Tsuruga Museum. Dine on grilled seafood like a local at Nihonkai Sakana Machi.

Day 9 - Toyama

Arrive: Mon 06 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 06 April 2026 at 17:00

Day 10 - Sakata, Japan

Arrive: Tue 07 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 07 April 2026 at 18:00

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - Otaru, Japan

Arrive: Thu 09 April 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 09 April 2026 at 16:00

Located on the Sea of Japan just north of Sapporo, Otaru is one of Japan's most picturesque cities. Stroll along the historic Otaru Canal built in 1914; visit Herring Mansion, the lavish home built in 1922 for a wealthy herring fisheries owner; and explore Sapporo's Nijo Ichiba Market for a glimpse of the local lifestyle and enthusiastic trade negotiations. Sample shore excursions: Otaru & the Herring Mansion; The Otaru Gourmet: Sushi & Sake; The Best of Sapporo.

Day 13 - Hakodate

Arrive: Fri 10 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 10 April 2026 at 23:00

From the lively morning market of Asa-ichi, to the unparalleled views from Mount Hakodate, discover the history of the first Japanese port opened to international trade. Walk the ruins of the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku, the first of its kind in Japan, learn about local Ainu culture or simply feast on the abundance of fresh seafood this city is famous for.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sun 12 April 2026 at 08:30 / Depart: Sun 12 April 2026 at 20:00

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

Day 16 - Omaezaki

Arrive: Mon 13 April 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 13 April 2026 at 16:00

Day 17 - Kobe

Arrive: Tue 14 April 2026 at 08:30 / Depart: Tue 14 April 2026 at 18:00

This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobe's famed wineries.

Day 18 - Kochi, Japan

Arrive: Wed 15 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 15 April 2026 at 15:00

High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market.

Day 19 - Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait

Day 19 - Fukuoka

Arrive: Thu 16 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 16 April 2026 at 16:00

Day 20 - Sokcho, South Korea

Arrive: Fri 17 April 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Fri 17 April 2026 at 20:00

Day 21 - At Sea

Day 22 - Kanazawa

Arrive: Sun 19 April 2026 / Depart: Sun 19 April 2026

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It's known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts. Kenrokuen Garden, begun in the 17th century, is celebrated for its classic landscape designs incorporating ponds and streams.

Day 23 - Sakata, Japan

Arrive: Mon 20 April 2026 at 10:00 / Depart: Mon 20 April 2026 at 18:00

Day 24 - At Sea

Day 25 - Otaru, Japan

Arrive: Wed 22 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 22 April 2026 at 17:00

Located on the Sea of Japan just north of Sapporo, Otaru is one of Japan's most picturesque cities. Stroll along the historic Otaru Canal built in 1914; visit Herring Mansion, the lavish home built in 1922 for a wealthy herring fisheries owner; and explore Sapporo's Nijo Ichiba Market for a glimpse of the local lifestyle and enthusiastic trade negotiations. Sample shore excursions: Otaru & the Herring Mansion; The Otaru Gourmet: Sushi & Sake; The Best of Sapporo.

Day 26 - Aomori

Arrive: Thu 23 April 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 23 April 2026 at 16:00

Most Japanese used to think of Aomori merely as the place you caught the ferry to when you were going to Hokkaido. By the time you’d gotten here, they figured, you were pretty much at the edge of the civilized world. The small Tsugaru Strait that separates Honshu from Hokkaido isn’t big—only about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) at its narrowest point—but it’s ecologically important: Hokkaido has animals related to northern Asia, whereas Honshu’s are more closely related to southern Asia’s. The strait is also famous for sudden, very rough weather and for no shortage of shipwrecks. The city was flattened in World War II, so there isn’t much history left to see. Still, it’s a lovely area, not much congestion or development, and because the town is still the major gateway to Hokkaido, the city has money to spend on architecture and parks. Its setting on the edge of Mutsu Bay means you will often be surprised by lovely water views through the buildings. The old way of thinking of Aomori is over. Aomori may not be quite what most people think of when they plan a Japan trip, but it is what Japan thinks of when they consider where they got the new century right.

Day 27 - Hakodate

Arrive: Fri 24 April 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 24 April 2026 at 18:00

From the lively morning market of Asa-ichi, to the unparalleled views from Mount Hakodate, discover the history of the first Japanese port opened to international trade. Walk the ruins of the star-shaped Fort Goryokaku, the first of its kind in Japan, learn about local Ainu culture or simply feast on the abundance of fresh seafood this city is famous for.

Day 28 - At Sea

Day 29 - Tokyo

Arrive: Sun 26 April 2026 at 08:30 / Depart: Sun 26 April 2026

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo's historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.