14-Day Exploring Japan's Fall Foliage Cruise

Day 1 - Tokyo

Arrive: Fri 27 October 2028 / Depart: Fri 27 October 2028 at 19:00

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - Scenic Cruising Kanmon Straits

Day 4 - Sokcho, South Korea

Arrive: Mon 30 October 2028 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 30 October 2028 at 19:00

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Kanazawa

Arrive: Wed 01 November 2028 at 07:00

One of Japan’s best-preserved cities, Kanazawa escaped war damage and natural disasters to reward visitors with a wealth of architecture as an important clan castle town from the mid-17th century until the middle of the 19th. The mighty Kanazawa Castle did not survive intact, but its famous Ishikawa Gate, the Sunjikken Longhouse and lavish Kenrokuen Garden hint at the grandeur. Of special note are the surviving Higashi Geisha District and Samurai District streets. The Temple area holds the Myoryuji Temple with its hidden passages and secret doors giving it the nickname the Ninja Temple. The Oyamajinja Shrine is a later addition, its three-story gate with impressive stained glass windows reveal a Dutch influence. Museums worth exploring include the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, with examples of the arts and crafts using the pure gold decoration for which the region is famous. Another museum celebrates the Buddhist philosopher D. T. Suzuki, credited with introducing Zen philosophy to the West, and a striking 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearby Mt. Utatsu is renowned for its Three Shrines. VIEW CRUISES

Day 7 - Kanazawa

Depart: Thu 02 November 2028 at 18:00

One of Japan’s best-preserved cities, Kanazawa escaped war damage and natural disasters to reward visitors with a wealth of architecture as an important clan castle town from the mid-17th century until the middle of the 19th. The mighty Kanazawa Castle did not survive intact, but its famous Ishikawa Gate, the Sunjikken Longhouse and lavish Kenrokuen Garden hint at the grandeur. Of special note are the surviving Higashi Geisha District and Samurai District streets. The Temple area holds the Myoryuji Temple with its hidden passages and secret doors giving it the nickname the Ninja Temple. The Oyamajinja Shrine is a later addition, its three-story gate with impressive stained glass windows reveal a Dutch influence. Museums worth exploring include the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, with examples of the arts and crafts using the pure gold decoration for which the region is famous. Another museum celebrates the Buddhist philosopher D. T. Suzuki, credited with introducing Zen philosophy to the West, and a striking 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. Nearby Mt. Utatsu is renowned for its Three Shrines. VIEW CRUISES

Day 8 - Niigata, Japan

Arrive: Fri 03 November 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 03 November 2028 at 18:00

Day 9 - Akita, Japan

Arrive: Sat 04 November 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 04 November 2028 at 18:00

Day 10 - Aomori

Arrive: Sun 05 November 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 05 November 2028 at 22:00

Located on the northernmost harbor of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori is the traditional departure point for Hokkaido Island. It is famous for its summer Nebuta Matsuri festival, and has a museum that recaptures the color and pageantry for those who visit in other seasons. Explore the earliest prehistoric cultures of Japan at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, or visit the Aomori Museum of Art for a look at more contemporary works. Nearby Hirosaki boasts a 17th Century castle. Visit either the Auga or the Furukawa public fish market, where you can create your own version of a donburi rice bowl with pristinely fresh local seafood.

Day 11 - Hakodate

Arrive: Mon 06 November 2028 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 06 November 2028 at 21:00

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 12 - Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Arrive: Tue 07 November 2028 at 10:00 / Depart: Tue 07 November 2028 at 19:00

Miyako Island is 300 km south of Okinawa island, and is famous for its beaches, said to be Japan’s most beautiful. Maehama beach is for swimmers, while Yoshino has great coral reefs for snorkelers and the white-sand Sunayama has dramatic rock formations. Cape Higashi-Hennazaki is a long, narrow cape with the picturesque lighthouse at the end. The city’s Botanical Garden boasts over 1600 tropical varieties. Nakasone Tuyumya was an important leader of Miyako and the Okinawan people in the 16th century. Near the port in Hirara is memorial to him and his descendants, a designated national cultural asset. At the island’s north end, the graceful Ikema Ohashi bridge leads to the small Ikema Island.

Day 13 - Sendai, Japan

Arrive: Wed 08 November 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 08 November 2028 at 18:00

Day 14 - Hitachinaka, Japan

Arrive: Thu 09 November 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 09 November 2028 at 17:00

Day 15 - Tokyo

Arrive: Fri 10 November 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 10 November 2028