Japan's Far Eastern island worlds

Culture, history, and nature—an intensive voyage of discovery on a small ship

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Southern Japan, including South Korea

from / to Osaka

12 days (11 nights)

MS Heritage Adventurer

12 days (11 nights) aboard a small ship (max. 140 passengers) from/to Osaka, cruising through the archipelago in southern Japan, with a day trip to Busan, South Korea, including a flight from Niigata to Osaka

+++ Up to 20% early-bird discount for trips in 2027 when booked by August 31, 2026 +++

Aboard the Heritage Adventurer, a small expedition ship with room for just 140 passengers, you will embark on an intensive voyage through Japan's southern islands. Discover Japan's iconic highlights as well as rarely visited islands and destinations off the beaten track.

Japan consists of 6,852 islands – and the best way to authentically explore its lesser-known regions is by ship. This journey uniquely combines culture, history, and nature: look forward to venerable castles, picturesque gardens, and magnificent temples and shrines – nestled in some of Japan's most impressive landscapes.

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Look forward to impressive destinations such as the historic and tranquil Matsue with its well-preserved castle, the Hagi, a small town steeped in samurai tradition and the peaceful, unspoiled island of YakushimaWith its majestic mountains and ancient forests, it is the complete opposite of the country's bustling cities. In Uwajima, one of the most important centers of Japanese pearl farming, visit a traditional pearl farm.

Other highlights of this multifaceted route include the famous Kenroku-en Gardens and the 28-hectare Koraku-en, one of the most beautiful formal gardens from the 17th century. In Yuushien Garden, you can experience the annual peony festival and, if possible, visit the fairytale-like private Kawachi Fuji Garden in Fukuoka and stroll through its world-famous wisteria tunnels.

In Nagasaki, immerse yourself in the city's turbulent history—from World War II to the era of international trade during Japan's isolation. Before you have the opportunity to explore important cultural sites such as the 16th-century Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in lively Fukuoka in northern Kyushu.

Another highlight is, of course, the trip to South Korea: You’ll spend a day in the laid-back metropolis of Busan, South Korea, which is known for its beautiful beaches, markets, mountains, and temples.

An immersive boat trip to the land of a thousand contrasts

Throughout the trip, you will be accompanied by experienced guest speakers and Japanese tour guides, who will greatly enhance your understanding of and enjoyment of this fascinating country.

Stephanie Gräf

Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

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Good to know

Arrival and departure: We offer a variety of customized travel packages including flights, hotels, transfers, and activities. We are also happy to suggest pre- and post-programs to extend your trip.

A heart for solo travelers: If you do not wish to have a single cabin, accommodation on board is possible in shared cabins. In this case, you will be accommodated with other travelers of the same gender.

Entry requirements: German citizens require a valid passport. The current entry requirements for Japan can be found here. The current entry requirements for South Korea are available from the German Foreign Office here.

Insurance: Taking out international health insurance policy with medical repatriation must be provided.

Medical questionnaire:You are required to completea medical questionnaire before departure.

HIGHLIGHTS

Nagasaki, with its Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and Dejima Island, is a city of remembrance and cosmopolitanism.
Yakushima, a jungle island and UNESCO Natural Heritage Site with mystical cedar forests and endemic animal species such as the Yakushima macaque
Traditional Japanese pearl culture in Uwajima
The magnificent gardens of Yuushien
Matsue Castle, one of Japan's last remaining original castles
The expansive Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Traditional pottery in Hagi

route

itinerary

Preliminary Information:
Your travel to and from Osaka is not included in the tour price.

Since our customers all have individual wishes for their trip, we are happy to book flights separately. Of course, the flights then become part of a secure package tour. We recommend an overnight stay in Osaka to cushion any irregularities with your flight or lost luggage. We are happy to organize everything for you on request. Please contact us.

Four Japanese geishas with red flowers in their hair and golden fans in their hands smile at the camera.

A Japanese house above a curved bridge with red railings

Day 1: Osaka

Today you’ll arrive in Osaka, Honshu’s largest port city, where modern architecture and a vibrant culinary scene stand alongside the 16th-century Osaka Castle. Head to your hotel, where you’ll spend the first night of the expedition. In the evening, you’ll meet your fellow travelers and expedition leader over dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Osaka & Boarding

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before exploring Osaka. Options here include a visit to Minoh Park and Osaka Castle. Covering an area of just 9.6 square kilometers (963 hectares), Minoh Park is one of Japan’s smallest national parks and is home to the iconic 33-meter-high Minoh Waterfall, as well as a diverse array of wildlife, including the Japanese giant salamander and the protected Mino monkeys.

Explore Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, enjoy the view from the main tower, and bring to life the dramatic tales of warlords and Osaka’s fascinating history. Alternatively, take a trip to Kyoto, where you can discover the city’s spiritual heritage at the 12th-century Sanjūsangen-dō Temple with its 1,001 statues.

In the late afternoon, you’ll board the Heritage Adventurer, where your captain and the expedition team will welcome you

In Koraku-en Garden, a small bridge spans a pond where koi fish frolic.

Day 3: Tamano / Uno-Ko

From Uno-Kō Harbor, you’ll visit one of Japan’s most famous gardens, Kōraku-en, whose name translates to “Garden of Future Delights.” This formal 17th-century garden spans 28 acres and features walking paths, ponds, and plum and cherry trees.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your journey to Kurashiki. There, you’ll explore the old merchant district with its 17th-century wooden warehouses, painted white and topped with traditional black tile roofs. Along a canal lined with weeping willows and teeming with koi carp, you’ll experience a particularly atmospheric setting.

You can also visit the Ohara Museum of Art, which features rare works by Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir, as well as collections from the famous Japanese Mingei movement, including ceramics by Hamada Shōji.

Day 4: Uwajima

Your destination today is Shikoku Island and the port city of Uwajima, nestled deep within the rugged coastal landscape of Uwajima Bay. The city of Uwajima is rapidly emerging as the country’s largest center for pearl farming.

During a visit to a pearl farm, you’ll learn about the entire process—from implanting the nuclei to harvesting the pearls, and then opening and sorting them. You’ll also visit Uwajima Castle, which sits on a hill and offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and the harbor, as well as Tenshaen Garden, which was laid out during the samurai era.

The afternoon is free

A suspension bridge in an ancient, deep green cedar forest

Day 5: Yakushima

Today you will travel to the southernmost tip of Kyūshū to the island of Yakushima, which became Japan’s first UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993 and is renowned for its exceptionally diverse flora.

You’ll spend the afternoon enjoying a selection of nature walks in the Yakusugi region of Yakushima National Park. The island is home to the endemic Yakushima macaque and is home to many of the famous millennia-old cedars, including the Buddha-Sugi, the Futago-Sugi, and the Sennen-Sugi, which are over 3,000 years old.

Day 6: Nagasaki

This morning you will arrive in Nagasaki—the second city, after Hiroshima, to be destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. You will visit theimpressive Peace Park, theAtomic Bomb Museum, and the artificialisland of Dejima. Dejima was built during the Edo period to house Portuguese Christian missionaries and prevent the spread of Christianity. Later, it became a residential and trading center for the Dutch—the only Europeans permitted to trade with Japan during the country’s policy of national isolation (Sakoku). For over 200 years, Dejima was Japan’s sole window to the world, until the country reopened in the 19th century.

With the reopening of the port to Western trade, Nagasaki developed into a prosperous, cosmopolitan city. Numerous stone and wooden residences in the Western style were built for the influx of international merchants and diplomats. Many of these houses can be seen today inGlover Garden, which you will visit in the afternoon. Of particular note is Glover House—built in 1863 and known as the setting for Puccini’s operaMadame Butterfly.

Round flower beds, behind them a single-story house in Japanese style

A potter's wheel; you can see two hands shaping the clay upwards.

Day 7: Hagi

Hagi was an insignificant fishing port until Mori Terumoto had it fortified in 1604. It was ultimately the samurai of the Mori clan who played a key role in the uprising against the Tokugawa shogunate in the mid-19th century. Today, Hagi is best known for itstraditional pottery.

In the morning, you’ll explore theTeramachi districtwith its many temples and shrines, as well as the Jokamachi district, home to oldsamurai residences. You’ll also have time to visitHagi Castle, Shizuki Park, and Tokoji Temple.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to the area surrounding the city to visitthe Yoshika Taibi Memorial Museum, which houses an important collection of Hagiyaki ceramics. This highly prized ceramic art was used primarily for tea ceremonies during the Edo period.

Alternatively, exploreAkiyoshido Cave, an impressive underground cave system formed from 300-million-year-old limestone.

Day 8: Busan – A Side Trip to South Korea

Today, you’ll cross the Sea of Japan to the South Korean metropolis of Busan, known for its beautiful beaches, lively streets, Buddhist temples, cinematic heritage, mountains, and South Korea’s largest fish market. This coastal city is rightly famous for its seafood, surfing scene, and street food.

Among today’s attractions is a stroll through the winding alleys of Gamcheon Culture Village, which is adorned with numerous murals and works of art created by the residents themselves. Its colorful houses have earned it the nickname “the Santorini of South Korea.”

Stroll through the countless aisles of the Jagalchi Fish Market and sample local specialties. As one of the few Buddhist temples located right by the sea, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple—accessible via 108 steps—offers the chance to have at least one wish granted through sincere prayers.

A defiant Japanese building with a wide walkway

Day 9: Matsue

Today you will arrive at the port of Sakaiminato. It serves as the gateway to Matsue, also known as the “City of Water” due to its picturesque location between Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi. The itinerary includes a visit to the impressive Matsue Castle, a National Treasure and one of the few 17th-century castles in Japan that has been largely preserved in its original form.

Another exciting option for today is exploringDaisen-Oki National Park—a region brimming with natural beauty and historical significance that is also home to rare plant and animal species, such as the giant salamander. Alternatively, visit the enchantingYuushien Gardenor theAdachi Museum of Art, with its unique blend of art and garden landscaping. Those interested in traditional crafts can learn more about the art of Japanese papermaking inthe village of Yakumo-mura.

Day 10: Kanazawa

Today, there are two very interesting options to choose from:

Explore thehistoric mountain village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled high in the remote mountains of the Shogawa Valley within Hakusan National Park. Take walks through the mountain landscape and discover the region’s unique cultural traditions. Particularly impressive are the Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are over 250 years old. With their steep thatched roofs, they withstand heavy snowfall, and silkworms were once raised in the spacious attics.

Alternatively, explore the vibrantarts hub of Kanazawa, known for its diverse traditional art forms. The city is famous for its Kutani ceramics, intricate lacquerware, elaborate gold-leaf finishes, hand-painted silk, and the classical Noh theater, which has been performed since the 14th century. Stroll through winding cobblestone alleys, visit elegant restaurants, arts and crafts galleries, and theimpressive Edo-period Kenroku-en Garden—one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. TheOmicho Marketinvites you to browse its selection of flowers, handicrafts, and culinary delights.

Two white birds with long black beaks in the grass

Day 11: Sado Island

Today, you will explore the remote island of Sado off the coast of Niigata. It consists of the Osado and Kosado mountain ranges, which flank the Kokunaka Plain. Sado was once a place of political exile and today boasts a rich cultural and religious life that includes puppet theater, Okesa folk songs, Ondeko drum rituals, and demon dances, as well as Noh theater—all shaped by some of the most famous figures exiled there.

The island is home to the Japanese crested ibis, which is extinct on the mainland, as well as the iconic Taraibune tubs, which you can experience for yourself. This remote island combines stunning natural scenery with attractions such as Senkakuwan Bay and the Ogi Peninsula, as well as wilderness and wildlife with a rich history, including gold and silver mining, samurai culture, and unique forms of agriculture and aquaculture. Sado is therefore often regarded as a “miniature version of Japan.”

Visit the village of Shukunegi, a nationally designated cultural heritage site, and learn more about the traditional art of taiko drumming at the Sado Taiko Center.

Day 10: Niigata/Osaka

In the morning, you’ll arrive in the bustling port city of Niigata, known for its snow, rice, sake, hot springs, and the six-arch Bandai Stone Bridge, whose granite structure was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2004 and is one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks.

Enjoy breakfast before heading to Osaka Itami Airport.

A Japanese house in a garden with large stones

The daily programs described here are for your guidance. The itinerary may vary due to local weather conditions, last-minute permit procedures, and organizational requirements.Theexpedition leader on board will determine the final itinerary and daily program. Flexibility is of utmost importance during our expedition-style voyages.

DATES & PRICES

Request your trip here!

Submit questions via email Arrange a callback Call now: +49 201 85890960

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April 25, 2027 – May 6, 2027

From €9,988 €7,991 per person

12 days/11 nights

MS Heritage Adventurer (Maximum occupancy: 140)

Osaka Niigata

20% early-bird discount for new bookings made by August 31, 2026

Includes flight from Niigata to Osaka

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April 25, 2027 – May 6, 2027 (12 days/11 nights)

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Summary

German-speaking

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Information

Included services:

One night's hotel accommodation (corresponding to your booked cabin on board) in Osaka on day 1, including dinner and breakfast
Charter flight from Niigata to Osaka
Transfer to the ship
Accommodation on board during the sea voyage, including full board
House beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner
All shore excursions and activities
Lecture program with renowned guest lecturers
Port fees, permits, and landing fees

Not included in the price:

International or domestic flights
Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary
Costs for passport, visas, etc.
travel insurance
All personal expenses, including alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of meals), gratuities, laundry service, personal clothing, medical expenses, or telephone charges

Important: