Name: Coastal Japan & Korea: Wartime History and Samurai Heritage Cruise
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: M1027051812

Cruise Only

What`s included

Perfect for travellers who are independent and happy doing their own thing before and after their cruise.

Solo travelers: book via enquiries@swanhellenic.com

Price From

€ 10,700

Per Person

Lowest fare available

book your cruise

What’s INCLUDED:

Your selected stateroom;
All meals onboard;
Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise;
24-hour room service;
Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers;
One selected shore excursion per port of call;
All expedition landings;
Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available);
Gym, sauna, pool;
24/7 self service laundry;
Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep;
In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot;
Memory Package;
Onboard gratuities & port taxes.

The following services are not included:

Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk);
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included);
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply).

Wave 2026 - Cruise Only

What`s included

The perfect way to start your next journey with added value.

Elevated Expeditions bring upgraded Wi-Fi and onboard credit to elevate every step of your voyage.

Solo travelers: book via enquiries@swanhellenic.com

Price From

€ 9,750

Per Person

Lowest fare available

book your cruise

What’s INCLUDED:

Discounted rate
Complimentary 300$ On Board Credit on Ocean View and Balcony staterooms, 500$ on Suites
Complimentary Gold Wi-fi on Ocean View and Balcony staterooms, Platinum Wi-fi on Suites
Your selected stateroom;
All meals onboard;
Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise;
24-hour room service;
Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers;
One selected shore excursion per port of call;
All expedition landings;
Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available);
Gym, sauna, pool;
24/7 self service laundry;
Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep;
In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot;
Memory Package;
Onboard gratuities & port taxes.

The following services are not included:

Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk);
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included);
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply).

FURTHER INFORMATION ON PRICING

Please read these travel conditions carefully before booking your package tour, because you accept them as binding with your booking.
Learn more here

YOUR TRIP

Set sail on a journey tracing the length of Japan from the atomic legacy of Hiroshima to the wild frontiers of Hokkaido - an ultimate exploration of the maritime crossroads where ancient history, artistic heritage, and dynamic modern culture converge across Japan and South Korea. This deep-dive into regional contrasts navigates the dramatic Kanmon Strait and traces a route through culturally rich ports and islands accessible only by sea, culminating in the scenic shores of Hokkaido.

Your journey begins on Japan's western coast in the samurai heartland of Hagi and the artistic Noto port of Wajima, famed for its thousand-year-old lacquerware. Sail to the historic, resilient cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Cross the sea to Busan, South Korea's vibrant coastal hub, then explore the volcanic south in Kagoshima before heading north to Hakodate and the charming gateway of Otaru. Along the way, discover cultural enclaves like Sado Island (Ogi) and mainland ports including Uwajima, Sakaiminato, Maizuru, and Sakata.

Engage in onboard lectures on East Asian history and artistic traditions, refine your skills in photography workshops, and choose from exceptional shore excursions: visiting historic castles and samurai districts in Hagi, exploring Wajima's ancient morning market, reflecting at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, experiencing Busan's lively seafood markets, and discovering the canal-lined streets of Otaru. Every stop reveals new wonders in history, heritage, and human spirit: an unforgettable adventure across one of the world's most historically and culturally rich seas.

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Trip Highlights

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Sail the scenic Kanmon Strait, a storied waterway between Honshu and Kyushu lined with history and vibrant maritime life.

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Step back in time in Gyeongju, where ancient temples, royal tombs, and centuries-old artefacts reveal Korea’s storied past.

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Visit Miyajima Island to see the iconic “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Itinerary

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Hiroshima is a city of peace and resilience. The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vividly portrays the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Designed by Kenzō Tange and inaugurated in 1955, the museum serves as a global symbol of peace, featuring a solemn cenotaph bearing the victims' names and the Flame of Peace, lit in 1964. The Genbaku Dome stands as the sole original structure left at the blast site.

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Uwajima, a bustling coastal city, is anchored by the elegant Uwajima Castle, one of twelve Edo-period survivors, with spectacular cityscapes for hikers ascending to its keep. The Tensha-en Garden is a tranquil space with bamboo groves, towering culms and seasonal blooms. In the nearby village of Uchiko, the Old Quarter's streets are lined with well-preserved wooden houses and merchant buildings, frozen in time from the 18th and 19th centuries.

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Kagoshima, on the southwest tip of Japan’s Kyushu Island, is home to several glassmakers and potteries where artisans specialise in making Satsuma pottery and delicately cut Kiriko glassware. This city is a mix of classic Japanese architecture, modern high-rises and a spattering of Art Deco buildings. Observation points around the city provide dramatic views of Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano on a nearby island that regularly smokes.

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Though devastated by an atomic blast in 1945, this resilient harbour city of Nagasaki still stands. The Atomic Bomb Museum and adjoining Peace Memorial Hall document the tragic history. A cable car ascends Mount Inasa for sweeping city views, while leafy Glover Garden features historic Western mansions. On tiny artificial Dejima Island, reconstructed 17th-century warehouses recall the former Dutch trading post.

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Busan, South Korea's second city, blends beaches and mountains with boutiques, lively cafes and delicious seafood in food alleys. The 120m-tall Busan Tower offers a sense of the skyscraper cityscape. Six beaches, including Haeundae and Gwangalli, attract visitors year-round. Gamcheon Culture Village, previously a slum, is now a kaleidoscopic haven of art nestled on the coastal mountain foothills, affectionately dubbed the "Machu Picchu of Busan."

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A haven for seafood lovers, manga fans and nature enthusiasts, Sakaiminto’s offerings are fairly eclectic for the seemingly slow-paced port town. Fish markets and world-class seafood restaurants line the streets, offering delights including local delicacy, Matsuba snow crab. You can also feast on Pacific bluefin tuna, Sakaiminto salmon, Natsuki rock oysters, swordtip squid and plenty more. The city was also once home to local hero, Shigeru Mizuki, a celebrated manga comic artist. Visit the Mizuki Shingeru museum for a fascinating insight into his life and the world of manga. Stretch your legs and enjoy a hike up the volcanic Mount Daisen, the highest mountain in the region (1730m). Or you may wish to take a gentler trek though the tranquil and restorative beech and cedar forests whilst connecting with nature and indulging in the Japanese pastime of ‘forest bathing’.

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The port city of Maizuru in south-central Japan served as a major naval base and post-WWII repatriation port, where over 660,000 Japanese returned home - this history is remembered at the poignant Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum. Its scenic harbour, framed by forested hills, is overlooked by Goro Sky Tower atop Mt. Gorogatake. Brick Park evokes the city’s industrial past with Meiji-era warehouses housing the unique World Brick Museum.

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Wajima, a port town on the northern Noto Peninsula, is famed for its Wajima-nuri lacquerware, which is renowned for its durability and displayed at the Museum of Lacquer Art. The thousand-year-old daily Asaichi (Morning) Market is the primary hub, buzzing with locals selling fresh seafood, produce and the distinctive lacquerware. Nearby, Kiriko Hall displays huge illuminated festival floats, some 15 metres tall, used in summer celebrations

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Sakata, a port city on the Mogami river, thrived on rice and safflower trade. The traditional 1893 Sankyo Rice Storehouses, shaded by zelkova trees, are now a cultural hub with shops. The city's quiet streets feature preserved, wealthy Edo-era homes, including the Honma Museum of Art with fine art and gardens. South of the river, The Ken Domon Museum honours the famed photographer’s powerful work, including images of Hiroshima survivors.

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The city of Hakodate in Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island and is well-known for its seafood, for sale daily at the morning market. Mount Hakodate, reached by gondola. watches over the bustling city. While the area is rich in hot springs, it is best known for the famous snow monkeys who bathe in the hot springs of Yunokawa Onsen at the Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden.

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An important port on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Otaru retains original architecture. Restored warehouses along its canal, lined with Victorian street lamps, house restaurants and boutiques selling sake, music boxes and renowned Otaru glass. Rooted in the herring industry, the town's trading history is evident from Hokkaido's first railway line terminal to the Herring Mansion on the outskirts, once owned by wealthy herring fishermen.

This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

Choose

YOUR SUITE TYPE

View mode

Number of Guests:

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Oceanview D4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m2 (215ft2) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

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Oceanview M4

20 m²

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Balcony D5

25 m²

Balcony Staterooms measure 25m2 (269ft2) – including a 5m2 (54ft2) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

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Balcony M5

25 m²

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Balcony D6

25 m²

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Suite

40 m²

Suites feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and walk-in shower – and a 10m2 (108ft2) private balcony.

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Premium Suite

47 m²

Premium Suites have a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – walk-in wardrobe, and a 12m2 (129ft2) private balcony.