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Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea
Eastbound
Tour Description:
Sharing the storied coast of the Sea of Japan, South Korea and Japan blend past and present in a head-turning array of ancient cultural treasures, timeless traditions and innovative technologies that speak volumes about daily life. Spend three nights exploring the soul of South Korea in Seoul from a luxury city-center hotel before visiting Busan and embarking on an 8-night cruise aboard Le Soléal to the island nation of Japan.
Sail to historic ports of call steeped in history and hospitality, including the important fishing port of Sakaiminato, the castle town of Hagi, the hot springs resort of Beppu, Uwajima, known for its cultured pearls, peace-inspired Hiroshima, the Edo-merchant town of Kurashiki nearby the port of Tamano, Kobe of beef and brewery fame, and Kyoto, on an optional excursion before a two-night stay in the heart of Tokyo. And discover a taste of daily life – and world-renowned cuisine – wherever you go.
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Dates & Pricing
| Friday 10 Apr 26 — Thursday 23 Apr 26 | Starting at $16,490 | Get a Quote | |
| Sunday 26 Apr 26 — Saturday 09 May 26 | Starting at $16,490 | Get a Quote |
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing
Sharing the storied coast of the Sea of Japan, South Korea and Japan blend past and present in a head-turning array of ancient cultural treasures, timeless traditions and innovative technologies that speak volumes about daily life. Spend three nights exploring the soul of South Korea in Seoul from a luxury city-center hotel before visiting Busan and embarking on an 8-night cruise aboard Le Soléal to the island nation of Japan.
Highlights
You have a choice of hotel accommodation for nights 1, 2 & 3 and 12 & 13 – Fairmont Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13 or The Four Season Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Palace Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13 or The Conrad Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo nights 12 & 13
Enjoy traditional Japanese cultural entertainment, a dramatic sumo wrestling demonstration, and a fascinating Taiko drumming performance as athletic as it is rhythmic
All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers
Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $6,876 Value
Sail to historic ports of call steeped in history and hospitality, including the important fishing port of Sakaiminato, the castle town of Hagi, the hot springs resort of Beppu, Uwajima, known for its cultured pearls, peace-inspired Hiroshima, the Edo-merchant town of Kurashiki nearby the port of Tamano, Kobe of beef and brewery fame, and Kyoto, on an optional excursion before a two-night stay in the heart of Tokyo. And discover a taste of daily life – and world-renowned cuisine – wherever you go.
Highlights
You have a choice of hotel accommodation for nights 1, 2 & 3 and 12 & 13 – Fairmont Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13 or The Four Season Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Palace Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13 or The Conrad Seoul nights 1, 2 & 3 and The Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo nights 12 & 13
Enjoy traditional Japanese cultural entertainment, a dramatic sumo wrestling demonstration, and a fascinating Taiko drumming performance as athletic as it is rhythmic
All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers
Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $6,876 Value
ITINERARY
ITINERARYArrive Seoul
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Conrad Seoul or Four Seasons Seoul. A transfer is included upon arrival from ICN Incheon International Airport or GMP Gimpo International Airport to the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Conrad Seoul or Four Seasons Seoul, premier hotels ideally located in the heart of the city. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.
The soul of 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 2 and 3.
Seoul, past and present
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.
Discover Busan / Embark ship
Board a bullet train bound for the port city of Busan this morning, enjoying a panoramic drive of the city before lunch at a local restaurant. Nestled amidst mountains, pristine beaches, and steaming hot springs, Busan captivates 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 embarking your small ship this afternoon. Chart a leisurely course to Sakaiminato this evening. Note: sightseeing may change depending on the train schedule.
Cruise to Sakaiminato
Spend the morning at sea en route to 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. Disembark for a choice of activities today, including a visit to Matsue's Black Castle or the Adachi Museum, renowned for its modern art and stunning gardens. Your ship sets sail for Hagi this evening.
Traditional charms of Hagi
On a choice of excursions today, discover the quiet charms of coastal Hagi, a gem of a castle town lined with beautifully preserved samurai-era residences and merchants' homes. The town grew up around Hagi Castle, built in 1604; today, its ruins rest within Shizuki Park, celebrated for spring cherry blossoms and forested mountain slopes. Hagi is also renowned for its stoneware pottery, an art form dating to the early 17th century. Hagi ware—one of Japan's most celebrated ceramic traditions—is prized for its earthy textures and understated beauty. Join a local guide for a walking tour of town, including a visit to the 400-year-old Kikuya Residence and the Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum, where Hagi pottery is still made by hand. Alternatively, explore one of the world's largest limestone cave systems at Akiyoshidai Plateau, accompanied by a geoguide who brings the region's remarkable geology to life. 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 Beppu late this afternoon.
Beppu on Kyushu Island
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.
Discover Uwajima
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 ceremony.
Miyajima Island & Hiroshima
Board a ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, best known for its "floating" torii gate. Return by ferry to the mainland for a choice of sightseeing excursions in Hiroshima. Visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial, or enjoy a panoramic drive through the city with a photo stop at the A-Bomb Dome, followed by a visit to Orizuru Tower for a bird's-eye view of Hiroshima. Ashore, enjoy a traditional okonomiyaki lunch, featuring savory, layered pancakes.
Art, bicycling or beer on Tamano
Dock in Tamano for a choice of excursions that cater to your interest. Travel to the old merchant town of Kurashiki for a walking tour of its charming historic quarter and a visit to the City Art Museum. Ferry to the art island of Naoshima, devoted to the work of architect Tadao Ando and renowned for its contemporary art museums. Enjoy a bicycle ride* through Tamano town. Or visit a craft brewery and sample local beers.
Kobe or Kyoto
Dock in Kobe, a vibrant port city in central Japan renowned for its signature marbled beef and dramatic setting, with mountains rising behind the harbor. Choose how you wish to spend the day, with each excursion including a taiko drumming experience. Explore Kobe itself with visits to a sake brewery museum and either the Bamboo Museum or Takenaka Carpentry Museum, paired with a scenic cable car ride up Mount Rokko. Alternatively, travel to Kyoto, home to some 2,000 temples and shrines, for a full-day sightseeing excursion that includes the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), meticulously preserved since the 1400s, Sanjūsangen-dō Temple, and lunch. A third option journeys to Nara, Japan's ancient capital, to visit Tōdai-ji Temple—home to the Great Buddha—followed by lunch. Return to Kobe this evening and join us onboard for the captain's farewell dinner.
Disembark in Osaka / Tokyo
Disembark your small ship in Osaka after breakfast this morning and board the Shinkansen Bullet Train bound for a two-night stay in Japan's vibrant capital city, Tokyo. Enjoy a bento-boxed lunch on a panoramic drive to your luxury hotel, where the rest of the day is free to experience the sights as you wish.
Meiji Shrine, Edo Museum & Sumo wrestling
Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, honoring the deified spirits of Japan's Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, and enjoy a guided tour of the newly renovated Edo Museum, schedule permitting. Join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight featuring traditional music and an unforgettable sumo wrestling demonstration that has to be seen to be believed.
Journey home
Tour ends: Tokyo. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo or the Palace Hotel, Tokyo to Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.
