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Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour
May 16, 2028 — May 27, 2028
Starting from
TOKYO → OSAKA, KYOTO
11 Nights on Star Seeker
From the tranquil Zen beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple to the neon plasma screens and incessant press of pedestrians throughout Tokyo’s Shibuya Station, this tour throughout Japan combines pristine natural beauty with cosmopolitan contrasts. Nibble on the freshest of fish paired with soy sauce and wasabi in the famous Shimizu Fish Market. Meander among East Asian relics and prehistoric stone tools in Busan’s museums, and royal tombs in Gyeongju, one of South Korea’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sip green tea in the peaceful shade of the scenic Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, or participate in a formal tea ceremony. Examine Kyoto’s storied Nijo Castle in detail as part of an inland stay, or explore the Zen temple Todai-ji in Nara. This is a perfect journey for those who love Japan, and adventurous travelers who want to go further inland to explore the culture and history of Kyoto.
Popular Highlights
From Shimizu, view the artistic inspiration that is Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain.
With extra time to discover Kyoto's sites, enjoy guided tours of Kinkaku-ji’s Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle, a UNESCO site with ornate wood carvings.
Discover the scenic beauty of Japan’s Inland Sea, exclusive to small yachts.
Visit Shingu’s Kumano Hayatama Taisha, a UNESCO site, part of the Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.
Highlights to find in Busan include 1,500-year-old Tongdosa Temple, a UNESCO site in Gyeongju.
Don a kimono and participate in a traditional tea ceremony.
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There are as many Tokyos to discover as there are interests. Cuisine? It has more Michelin stars than any other city. Culture? Kabuki theater and sumo wrestling are just the beginning. Shopping? The posh boutiques of Ginza lie on one end of the spectrum, workshops that hand-craft samurai swords at the other
Most notably known as the city you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from. This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan's largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea.
The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots.
Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since.
Notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII, Nagasaki has memorialized the event at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park. The museum tells the story of the events leading up to the bombing and the park, located at the center of the bomb blast, houses a beautiful 30-foot tall fountain symbolizing peace. Other highlights to see are the Glover Gardens and Dejima Museum, which was originally an artificial island.
The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples. Also of interest is South Korea's largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues.
Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle's history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November.
Fold a paper crane to leave at the Atomic Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Hiroshima Castle to see three trees that survived the bombing that destroyed the castle itself. Or head to Miyajima, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, for a look at the vermillion Itsukushima Shrine floating in the sea - yet another World Heritage Site.
This picturesque port city is one of Windstar's iconic hidden harbors. Tomonoura is part of the Setonanikai National Park and features an endearing old-fashioned townscape. One of its thriving industries is the production of "homeishu," a medicinal liquor with 16 different herbs in it, said to promote longevity.
The Inland Sea of Japan, known as the Setonaikai or Seto Inland Sea, is a beautiful National Park dotted with hundreds of islands, small coastal towns, and the occasional large modern bridge. We’ll take advantage of our small size to traverse the more narrow routes of the inland sea during the daytime, allowing guests to experience the scenic beauty of this area.
Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers.
