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Sakura Seas: South Korea & Japan

Eastbound



Tour Description:

Sharing the storied coast of the Sea of Japan, South Korea and Japan reveal a compelling blend of ancient traditions and modern vitality. Begin with three nights in Seoul, exploring royal palaces, vibrant markets, and centuries-old cultural landmarks before traveling by high-speed train to Busan to embark on an 8-night cruise aboard Le Soleal.

Sail to historic Japanese ports rich in heritage and hospitality, including the fishing port of Sakaiminato, the castle town of Hagi, the hot springs of Beppu, pearl-farming Uwajima, sacred Miyajima and Hiroshima, and the art-inspired shores of Tamano. After disembarking in Osaka, journey by Shinkansen to Tokyo for a two-night stay in Japan's dynamic capital. Along the way, savor regional flavors and authentic cultural encounters that bring daily life vividly into focus.

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Dates & Pricing

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Monday 12 Apr 27 — Sunday 25 Apr 27Starting at $16,990Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Sharing the storied coast of the Sea of Japan, South Korea and Japan reveal a compelling blend of ancient traditions and modern vitality. Begin with three nights in Seoul, exploring royal palaces, vibrant markets, and centuries-old cultural landmarks before traveling by high-speed train to Busan to embark on an 8-night cruise aboard Le Soleal.

Sail to historic Japanese ports rich in heritage and hospitality, including the fishing port of Sakaiminato, the castle town of Hagi, the hot springs of Beppu, pearl-farming Uwajima, sacred Miyajima and Hiroshima, and the art-inspired shores of Tamano. After disembarking in Osaka, journey by Shinkansen to Tokyo for a two-night stay in Japan's dynamic capital. Along the way, savor regional flavors and authentic cultural encounters that bring daily life vividly into focus.



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 – $7,474 Value

ITINERARY

Arrive Seoul
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Conrad Seoul or Four Seasons Seoul. A transfer is included upon arrival from Incheon International Airport or 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
Enjoy a panoramic orientation drive through the city past landmark sites. Visit the National Folk Museum of Korea and the ornate 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace, meaning "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven." 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 on life during the Joseon Dynasty when you visit an open-air museum to view a typical hanok village. After a lunch of Korean specialties, enjoy free time to explore the city as you please. Dinner is included at leisure at your hotel this evening.

Seoul, past and present
Sightseeing continues today with a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. Featuring poignant multimedia exhibits, monuments and memorials, and machinery and artifacts from various wars, the museum presents a sobering look at wartime events that took place from 1950 to 1953. Continue to Namdaemun Market, South Korea's largest traditional market, renowned for its variety of goods and food alley. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore as you wish. Note: Sightseeing on days 2 and 3 may alternate, schedule permitting, but all sites will be visited.

Discover Busan / Embark ship
Board a high-speed train bound for the port city of Busan this morning and pause for lunch at a local restaurant before an orientation tour of local sights; discover Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its layered streets, twisted labyrinth-like alleys, and brightly painted houses. Nestled amidst mountains, beaches, and hot springs, Busan captivates with cultural treasures and scenic beauty everywhere you look. (Sightseeing may be adjusted based on final train schedules.) Embark your small ship this afternoon as you chart a course for Sakaiminato. Enjoy dinner onboard ship this evening at your leisure.

Cruise to Sakaiminato
Spend the morning at sea before arriving in Sakaiminato. Disembark for a choice of activities, including a visit to Matsue's Black Castle, a striking 17th-century fortress surrounded by a peaceful moat, offering panoramic views of the city and Lake Shinji. Or explore the Adachi Museum, renowned for its modern art and breathtaking Japanese gardens, meticulously designed to harmonize with each season and ranked among the finest in Japan. Set sail for Hagi as you enjoy the Captain's welcome dinner. 

Traditional charms of Hagi
Experience the charms of coastal Hagi today. A choice of excursions includes a walking tour through its former castle town and a visit to a wealthy merchant's mansion, followed by an opportunity to see prized Hagi pottery at the Yoshiga Taibi Museum with a visit to a workshop where you can see how the pottery is made completely by hand. Alternatively, visit a Shinto shrine and take part in a traditional calligraphy lesson, with tastings of fugu (puffer fish).   

Beppu on Kyushu Island
Dock in Beppu this morning, home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs), for your choice of activities. View two of the "Hells of Beppu" on a locally guided walking tour; experience the healing baths at a local onsen; or drive to Usuki town for a walking tour with a visit to a former samurai residence and an opportunity to see the Usuki Stone Buddhas, a national treasure. Cruise toward Uwajima this evening.

Discover Uwajima
Visit Uwajima today and enjoy a choice of excursions. Visit a family-owned pearl farm and tour an open-air museum, or, enjoy a guided walk through Nanrakuen Garden, including a calligraphy demonstration and a tea experience. Your ship charts a course for Miyajima Island this evening.

Miyajima Island & Hiroshima
Disembark ship in Miyajima for a locally guided excursion to Itsukushima Shrine. Board a ferry to the mainland and drive to Hiroshima. After a traditional okonomiyaki lunch, choose a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Memorial, embark on a panoramic tour of the city with a photo stop at the A-Bomb Dome, or tour the Museum of Fude Art for an informative brush making experience.   

Art, bicycling or beer on Tamano
Dock in Tamano for a choice of excursions. Travel to Kurashiki for a walking tour and visit the Kurashiki City Museum. A historic city with white-walled warehouses, willow-lined canals, and stone bridges, Kurashiki is renowned as the birthplace of denim jeans in Japan. Alternatively, ferry to the art island of Naoshima for a visit to the Benesse House Museum and River Gallery with a local guide; choose to sample local beer during a visit to a nearby brewery; or explore the sights of Tamano on a guided bicycle excursion. 

Kobe, Nara, or Kyoto
Enjoy a choice of excursions when you dock in Kobe today. Visit Kobe's Sake Brewery Museum and Mt. Rokko Ropeway; drive to the ancient capital of Nara for a visit to Todaiji Temple, followed by lunch; or journey to Kyoto to see the Golden Pavilion and Sanjusangendo, with lunch at a local restaurant. All excursions include a hands-on lesson in taiko drumming.

Disembark in Kobe / Tokyo
Disembark ship in Osaka and board the Shinkansen bullet train bound for a two-night stay in Tokyo. Enjoy a traditional bento box lunch aboard as you travel. Arrive mid-afternoon and check into your ideally located city center hotel. The evening is free for you to explore the sights and have dinner on your own.

Meiji Shrine, Edo Museum & Sumo wrestling
Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, set in a serene forested setting, on a locally guided tour, and enjoy an insightful tour of the newly renovated Edo Museum, schedule permitting. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch and independent exploration, before joining us for a farewell reception and dinner featuring traditional music and a sumo wrestling demonstration.

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.

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

Pavlus Travel is the largest seller of Tauck Tours worldwide, trusted by Tauck travelers for expert guidance, priority access, and consistently lower overall trip costs. Travelers researching Tauck often ask: Is Tauck worth the price? What’s included? Are Tauck tours truly all-inclusive? Can I get better airfare or hotels when booking Tauck? The answer is yes—especially when booked through Pavlus. Tauck Tours are known for fully guided, all-inclusive luxury journeys featuring top-tier hotels, exclusive cultural access, immersive sightseeing, and exceptional tour directors. When you book Tauck with Pavlus Travel, you receive exclusive Tauck expertise, discounted premium-class and economy airfares, and preferred pre- and post-tour hotel rates—benefits not available when booking directly. Our scale, long-standing relationship with Tauck, and negotiated pricing deliver greater value without changing the Tauck experience. Whether you’re comparing Tauck Europe tours, Tauck river cruises, Tauck small ship cruises, or Tauck land journeys, Pavlus Travel helps you choose the right itinerary, dates, and accommodations while ensuring you don’t overpay. There are no service fees, no shortcuts, and no compromises—just expert Tauck planning and better pricing. For travelers searching online for the best Tauck tour prices, Tauck tour reviews, or the most trusted Tauck travel agent, Pavlus Travel remains the clear choice.