Sacred Japan & South Korea

Sacred Japan & South Korea 10 Days

Prices From £5,118pp
May Only | 9 nights

Up To 20% Discount!

Single Cabins Available

Sacred Japan & South Korea 10 Days

Aboard: Heritage Adventurer

Set sail on an all-inclusive, small-ship expedition through Sacred Japan & South Korea, where ancient traditions and ultramodern life sit side by side. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, you’ll cruise from headline cities to seldom-visited coastlines and islands best reached by sea on a journey shaped by culinary creativity, timeless gardens, and a deep sense of place.

From the floating torii gate of Miyajima and the moving memorials of Hiroshima to Kanazawa’s craft culture and the historic castles of western Japan, each day brings a fresh perspective. You’ll also step into South Korea for a captivating taste of Gyeongju’s UNESCO-listed heritage, while expert guest speakers and Japanese guides enrich every landing with insight, stories and local context.

Highlights

  • Discover Japan’s seamless blend of past and present, from iconic cities to quiet coastal communities
  • Reflect at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then enjoy Miyajima’s “floating” torii gate at high tide
  • Explore castle towns and cultural landmarks, including beautifully preserved historic districts and standout fortresses
  • Wander extraordinary gardens and national parks, from Kenrokuen and Koraku-en to peony-filled Yuushien and mountain landscapes
  • Taste local life through street-food culture, markets and regional specialities, from Osaka’s dining scene to Fukuoka’s yatai stalls
  • Uncover the rarely visited character of Sado Island, with traditions, scenery and the famous taraibune tub boats
  • Step into South Korea for a day of UNESCO heritage in Gyeongju, steeped in ancient history and Buddhist culture
  • Guided throughout by expert speakers and local guides

What's Included

  • Transfers to and from ship for arrival and departure
  • One night's hotel stay in Osaka pre-voyage
  • Flight from Osaka to Niigata pre-voyage
  • All meals on board ship, with wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner
  • All excursions shown in itinerary
  • Programme of expert lectures and talks

Up To 20% Discount!

Book select departures by 30th June and receive a 20% discount! Price shown includes discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st July 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. New bookings only, subject to availability. Discount applies to voyage cost only and does not apply to landing fees that are included in the trip cost. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Single Cabins Available

This vessel offers single occupancy cabins, which is a perfect option for solo travellers. Travelling alone is often the best way to see the world. No responsibilities, no difficult choices and no trying to please anyone else…just you, your itinerary and your adventurous spirit!

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Osaka
1Day

Osaka

Arrive independently to Osaka, Honshu’s bustling port city where bold modern design and an outstanding food culture sit side-by-side with the storied Osaka Castle, a legacy of Japan’s shogunate era. Settle into your included hotel and take time to unwind after your journey, ahead of the adventure to come.

This evening, meet your expedition team and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel, where you’ll be introduced to your guides and the journey ahead.

Fly to Niigata
2Day

Fly to Niigata

After breakfast at the hotel, take a short flight to Niigata, a lively port city celebrated for its winter snows, premium rice and sake, and restorative hot springs. If time allows, admire the elegant Bandai Bridge, a distinctive six-arched span clad in granite, recognised as a Nationally Important Cultural Property in 2004 and one of the city’s most photogenic landmarks.

This afternoon, meet your Captain and Expedition Team as you board the ship and settle in as your voyage begins.

Sado Island
3Day

Sado Island

Your first stop of your wonderful Islands of Japan cruise will see you explore Sado Island, a rugged and lesser-visited gem off the coast of Niigata. Shaped by the Osado and Kasado mountain ranges with the Kokunaka Plain between them, Sado was once used as a place of political exile, and this legacy helped cultivate a distinctive cultural and spiritual identity. Traditions here include Okesa folk songs, puppet theatre, Ondeko drumming and demon dances, and even Noh theatre introduced by notable exiles.

Sado is also celebrated for wildlife and striking coastal scenery, from the dramatic views of Senkakuwan Bay to the Ogi Peninsula. Keep an eye out for the Japanese crested ibis, now absent from the mainland, and don’t miss the chance to ride in the island’s iconic taraibune tub boats. Alongside natural beauty, the island’s story includes gold and silver mining, samurai-era influences, and unique agricultural and aquaculture practices, earning it a reputation as a “miniature Japan.” Today’s visits include the beautifully preserved Shukunegi Village (a National Important Preservation Area) and the Sado Island Taiko Centre, where you’ll learn more about the power and precision of traditional taiko drumming.

Kanazawa
4Day

Kanazawa

Choose how you’d like to spend today, with two standout options on offer. One is an excursion to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain village tucked deep in the Shogawa River Valley within Hakusan National Park. Enjoy easy walks in the surrounding landscape and discover the area’s distinctive culture, including its famous gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses, some more than 250 years old, engineered to shed heavy winter snow and traditionally built with large attic spaces once used for silkworm farming.

Alternatively, immerse yourself in Kanazawa, a celebrated centre for Japanese arts and refined craftsmanship. The city is known for Kutani porcelain, exquisite lacquerware, gold-leaf artistry, hand-painted silk and the tradition of Noh theatre dating back centuries. Wander cobbled lanes and craft galleries, visit the superb Edo-period Kenrokuen Garden (counted among Japan’s Three Great Gardens), and browse Omicho Market with its colourful mix of fresh produce, flowers, local foods and handmade goods.

Matsue
5Day

Matsue

Arrive this afternoon into Sakaiminato, the gateway to Matsue, often called “the town of water,” thanks to its setting between Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi. From here, we plan to visit Matsue Castle, a designated national treasure and one of the few mostly original castles from the 17th century still standing in Japan.

There are also several enticing alternatives today. Head into Daisen-Oki National Park to explore Mount Daisen, long associated with Buddhist culture and once linked to thousands of warrior monks. Weather permitting, enjoy sweeping views from the Ogamiyama Shrine area before visiting the impressive Daisenji Temple. Garden lovers may prefer Yuushien Garden, a classic circuit-style landscape of ponds, streams, waterfalls and stone lanterns, famed for seasonal blooms including more than 250 varieties of Japanese peony. Art enthusiasts can opt for the Adachi Museum of Art, renowned for its meticulously designed gardens and outstanding collection of modern Japanese paintings.

Ulsan, South Korea
6Day

Ulsan, South Korea

Cross the Sea of Japan today to Ulsan, then travel onwards to Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed treasure and former capital of the Silla Dynasty. With roots stretching back to the first millennium, Gyeongju is often described as a “museum without walls,” where Korea’s ancient past and Buddhist heritage are woven into the landscape.

Stroll among historic sites such as Tumuli Park with its royal tombs and excavated monuments, and visit the celebrated Bulguksa Temple with its exquisite stonework and serene setting. If time allows, see the striking Woljeonggyo Bridge, then switch gears to modern-day local life by sampling Korean flavours along Hwanglidangil Road, a stylish, traditional-inspired street lined with eateries, cafés and shops. Round out the day with a peaceful walk through the Taehwagang Bamboo Forest for a refreshing dose of green calm.

Fukuoka, Japan
7Day

Fukuoka, Japan

Arrive in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s largest city, where two historic centres meet across the Naka River. The former castle town of Fukuoka to the west and the mercantile heart of Hakata to the east. Today’s visit showcases a lively, modern city with a strong sense of place, from creative public art and atmospheric ruins to breezy coastal parks and the much-loved yatai (open-air) food stalls that light up the streets after dark.

There may also be opportunities to venture further afield. Options can include Kitakyushu and handsome Kokura Castle, a visit to the TOTO Museum, or the beautifully photogenic Kawachi Wisteria Garden when in season. Alternatively, see Nanzoin Temple with its enormous reclining bronze Buddha, and visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, set among ponds, bridges and gardens famous for their plum trees and deep links to Japanese scholarship and culture.

Hiroshima & Miyajima
8Day

Hiroshima & Miyajima

Arrive in Hiroshima, a city that carries the weight of its past yet feels unmistakably forward-looking, vibrant, welcoming, and full of life. Today we plan to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, where moving exhibits and memorials honour those affected by the atomic bombing on 6 August 1945, including the cenotaph and the ever-burning Flame of Peace.

Later, travel to Miyajima Island and, where possible, time our visit for high tide to see the famous torii gate appear to “float” on the water. Often regarded as one of Japan’s most scenic places, Miyajima is also home to the atmospheric Daisho-in Buddhist temple. Wander the shoreline and village streets, sample local treats such as freshly prepared oysters and ice cream, and enjoy the views as native sika deer roam freely near the shrine and waterfront.

Tamano/Uno-Ko
9Day

Tamano/Uno-Ko

On our last full day onboard, we’ll stop at Uno-ko, where we’ll head to Koraku-en, one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. Created in the 17th century and often translated as the “garden of pleasure after,” this expansive landscape invites unhurried wandering across lawns, ponds and pathways, with wonderful views towards the striking Okayama Castle nearby.

This afternoon continues to Kurashiki, where the beautifully preserved merchant quarter lines a willow-fringed canal alive with koi. Admire the whitewashed wooden warehouses with their traditional black-tiled roofs and soak up the town’s timeless atmosphere. If you’d like to lean into the arts, there’s the option to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, home to notable works by artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Renoir, alongside important pieces connected to Japan’s Mingei folk-art movement, including ceramics by Shōji Hamada. Alternatively, art lovers may choose a full-day excursion to Naoshima, Japan’s famed “art island”, to explore cutting-edge architecture and museums such as Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House, plus iconic installations including Yayoi Kusama’s instantly recognisable pumpkins.

Osaka - Disembark
10Day

Osaka - Disembark

This morning you return to Osaka. After breakfast and disembarkation, a complimentary coach transfer will be provided to a central hotel or onward to Kansai International Airport or Osaka Itami (Osaka International) Airport.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Heritage Adventurer
Mid range vessel

Heritage Adventurer

Previously known as the MS Hanseatic, the Heritage Adventurer is a renowned authentic expedition ship. Purpose-built with ice-strengthened hull, the vessel combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Designed to match Heritage’s signature experiential expedition travel, the ship accommodates up to 140 guests in welcoming and spacious cabins that feature outside views, separate lounge areas, TVs, en-suite bathrooms and double or twin beds.

Communal areas include a lounge, two restaurant areas including an al-fresco bistro, gym and spa, lecture theatre, library, passenger lifts and outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Japan adventure for you.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Sheena’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

As Senior Travel Expert, Simon has an absolute wealth of experience in adventure travel in some of the most fascinating places in the world. With in-depth knowledge and fantastic organizational skills, Simon’s first-hand experience and genuine passion drive him to work to create your perfect itinerary.

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Outside the uk
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Call us
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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