See Japan’s ancient and modern wonders during cherry blossom season

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Tokyo (for Yokohama)

   Yokohama, Japan

   

   Yokohama is where your cruise departs and is one of Japan's buzziest, and most cosmopolitan, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities, and you can soak in its unique atmosphere as you wander its fashionable streets.

   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. It's also within easy reach of Hakone National Park, where on a clear day you'll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji.

   You'll board your ship, the elegant Westerdam as your 14-night cruise begins.

   Meals - Dinner
2. Day

   2

   Day at sea

   At Sea, Japan

   You'll spend the day at sea on board the glorious Westerdam. There's plenty to keep you entertained on this spectacular ship. Perhaps you'll choose to head to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon for some pampering, or stop by at Explorations Central, play a game of pickleball with amazing top-deck views, or head to the Explorations Central, where experts will teach you more about the locations you'll be visiting.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day

   3

   Kobe

   Kobe, Japan

   Kobe is well known around the world for its expensive marbled, melt-in-the-mouth cuts of meat. Like everything else in town, Kobe beef is all in the details. Among the Japanese, Kobe is considered exotic: "If you can't go to Paris, go to Kobe." And it does make a nice break from Osaka's relentless pace. Order a steak, find a window booth and watch the details.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day

   4

   Kochi

   Kochi, Japan

   

   Your next stop is Kochi, a gem on the Pacific Ocean. One of the city's main attractions is Kochi Castle, one of the few castles in Japan to have maintained its original wooden structure. This 17th-century castle sits high on a hilltop where it was once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. You'll explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, before dining on authentic sushi at the nearby Hirome Market.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. Day

   5

   Hiroshima

   Hiroshima, Japan

   

   Today's stop is in Hiroshima, in southwest Japan. Set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers, and some to more than one million inhabitants, Hiroshima is perhaps most famous as the site of the explosion of the world's first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This tragedy is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

   In addition to the war memorials, there is 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.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day

   6

   Scenic Cruising

   At Sea, Japan

   The Kanmon Strait is a narrow channel of water that separates two of Japan's main islands, Honshu and Kyushu. The channel has long been important to maritime transportation and cargo ships, as it connects the Sea of Japan and the Inland Sea. The port at Kitakyushu (Moji Port) is historic and attractive, serving as a gateway to Honshu and Kyushu for centuries as well as an important international trade hub since the late 19th century. A highlight of the Kanmon Strait is an annual fireworks display - the largest in Japan - with more than 13,000 rockets fired from both sides of the strait. The spectacle draws more than a million visitors every August.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7. Day

   7

   Busan, South Korea

   Busan, South Korea

   

   Today you'll arrive in Busan, South Korea. The country's second largest city after Seoul, Busan combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes.

   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).

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8. Day

   8

   Sakaiminato

   Sakaiminato, Japan

   

   Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, a character who's everywhere in contemporary Japan. This city is also the gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, where you can visit the famous 'Black Castle' in the Japanese Alps.

   Some other activities and excursions you can choose from today include visits to Yushien Garden, a traditional water gardens known for displays of vibrant peonies, the Adachi Museum with its collection of modern Japanese art, and the Izumo-taisha, one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9. Day

   9

   Tsuruga

   Tsuruga, Japan

   

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

   Other activities you can participate in today include a visit to Hikone Castle and Nagahama, a discovery of the Eiheiji Temple and Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins, and a chopsticks-making lesson.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10. Day

    10

    Toyama

    Toyama, Japan

    

    Japan's lush natural splendours will be on full display as you cruise Toyama. Freshwater springs feed this spectacular bay, a bay so scenic, it belongs to the UNESCO-endorsed Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.

    Visitors from around the globe come to this region to see the ancient villages, thatched-roof farmhouses, and incredible snow corridor. Even if you don't make it out to the countryside on a Toyama cruise, there's plenty to see and do in this coastal city. Visit the Toyama Castle, an impressive reconstruction of the 1543 original. Take the railway up to Mount Tateyama, the highest mountain in the range, or cruise through a cherry blossom tunnel on the Matsukawa River.

    Whatever activity you do, take time to savour the region's renowned seafood.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11. Day

    11

    Sakata

    Sakata, Japan

    Sakata is a riverside jewel in the Yamagata Prefecture. Located in the shadow of Mount Chōkai, it is known for its sublime natural scenery and historical sites.

    Sakata was a prosperous port during the Edo era due to its location on the Mogami River. Encounter several styles of traditional Japanese architecture from the 1700s at the Homma Historical Residence. Another place to explore old Japan is the Sankyo Soko Storehouse, a rice warehouse with 12 attractive storehouses dating back to 1893.

    Watch daily dance performances at Sōmarō, a Maiko tea house. Visit Japan's first museum of photography - the Ken Domon Museum. It houses the works of Ken Domon, a photographer who redefined realism. A scenic drive along the coast or into the mountains is a lovely way to get to know Sakata.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12. Day

    12

    Aomori

    Aomori, Japan

    Traditionally, Aomori was simply the place you caught the ferry to when you were going to Hokkaido; at one time it was considered that 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, 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.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13. Day

    13

    Hakodate

    Hakodate, Japan

    

    Today you'll explore Japan's 'wild west' - Hokkaido. Hokkaido is the only spot among Japan's primary islands where a non-Japanese indigenous culture has survived relatively intact, at least as an identity if not a lifestyle. You'll see cornerstones of Ainu culture here, like the beautiful attush robes and a distinct cuisine.

    Activities you can choose from today include a trip to a local market, a visit to Goryokaku Park, and an exploration of Onuma Quasi-National Park.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
14. Day

    14

    Day at Sea

    At Sea, Japan

    You'll have another day at sea today to make the most of Westerdam's facilities before the end of your cruise. Perhaps you'll spend time in Explorations Central, deepening your knowledge of the places you've visited on this unforgettable cruise.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15. Day

    15

    Yokohama

    Yokohama, Japan

    

    You'll dock back in Yokohama early this morning. If you have a late flight, you might choose to spend some more time exploring the region.