Day 1 (OCT 24, 2025): Kobe, Japan

Departs 7:00pm

One of the first cities in Japan opened to trade, Kobe has a cosmopolitan air that includes a venerable Chinatown and a section of 19th-Century Western-style buildings in the Kitano neighborhood. Many visitors ascend looming Mt. Rokko via the Shinkobe Ropeway, for panoramic views over the city and the glass-domed Nunobiki Herb Garden on the slopes. The Arima Onsen hot springs right in Kobe is one of Japan's most famous spas.

Day 2 (OCT 25, 2025): Wakayama, Japan

Wakayama is home to some of Japan’s most sacred sites including the Kongobuji Temple UNESCO world heritage site. Explore Mt. Koya, the center of Shingon Buddhism, a key start location for one of the routes on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path, and an iconic temple town nestled in the mountains among the trees, which turns a vibrant red and yellow in the fall. Explore the culinary history of soy sauce in Yuasa Town, the rumored birthplace of soy sauce in Japan, indulging your palette in soy sauce tastings; and your curiosity in tours of the local soy sauce factories/breweries. Explore much of the preserved architecture from the Edo Period in the designated “Historic Preservation District of Traditional Buildings” before contemplating the eternal serenity of Yosuien Garden, a designated “Special Place of Scenic Beauty”, hosting a large tranquil seawater pond surrounded by evergreen trees.

Day 3 (OCT 26, 2025): Takamatsu, Japan

Takamatsu is located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands, in the Kagawa Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea. The Ritsurin Koen garden, first built in the Edo period, survives, and makes a welcome oasis in the city, with a folk museum, rest houses and a tranquil tearoom among lakes, hills and groves of cherry trees that bloom in the spring and flame into color in the autumn. There is also a lovely Yashima Temple halfway up the mountain, and at the top, an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city and port.

Day 4 (OCT 27, 2025): Cruising the Sea of Japan

The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea set off from the Pacific Ocean by the Japanese Archipelago, the Korean Peninsula, the Sakhalin Islands, and Russia. Due to its inclusion by these land masses, it has practically no tide changes. Very few rivers empty into it, and their water amounts to less than one percent of the sea’s content. The sea’s salinity is less than the adjacent Pacific as well. In the geologic past, the Sea of Japan was a landlocked body of water. The Sea of Japan has no large islands, bays or capes.

Day 4 (OCT 27, 2025): Scenic Cruising Kanmon Strait

Kanmon Straits is a narrow channel of water that separates Honshu and Kyushu, two of Japan's main islands, while connecting the Sea of Japan with the Inland Sea. The strait has long played an important role in Japanese maritime history; the Shimonoseki Campaign ended Japanese feudal rule over the region, thus opening Japan to the West and transforming it into an international trading hub. Twin 19^th-centry lighthouses mark the port cities that face each other across the channel: Moji, Kyushu and Shimoneseki on Honshu, where you can still see cannons used during the naval campaign. Some 700 ships pass through Kanmon Straits on a daily basis; underground tunnels allow both cars and pedestrians to walk between the two ports. 

Day 5 (OCT 28, 2025): Busan, South Korea

Home to approximately 3.4 million people, Busan is a fast-moving coastal metropolis that guarantees you’ll never have the same experience twice. History enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the stunning historical treasures of Beomeosa Temple, a serene oasis nestled within the city, with a rich heritage that dates back over 1,300 years. No trip is complete without strolling through Yongdusan Park to take in panoramic views while marveling at the iconic Busan Tower, a symbol of the city's aspirations and dynamism. Busan's culinary scene is a highlight of any visit. Savor the city's diverse gastronomy by exploring its bustling markets like Jagalchi Fish Market, where you can feast on freshly caught seafood, and indulge in delectable Korean street food. The city's natural beauty is another compelling reason to visit, with its pristine beaches like Haeundae Beach offering a tranquil escape by the sea. For those seeking a glimpse of Busan's ecological diversity, Dongbaek Island's ecological park features coastal walks and panoramic ocean views. Whether you’re drawn to studying the city's past and or its constant evolution, this destination appeals to a wide range of interests and tastes.

Day 6 (OCT 29, 2025): Sakaiminato, Japan

Renowned for its bounty of fresh seafood, Sakaiminato is a fishing town backed by mountains in the Honshu region. Izumo Grand Shrine is one of Japan’s most important Shinto temples, and the six-story, black Matsue Castle is one of the oldest surviving Tokugawa Samurai castles. View the snow-capped Mount Daisen, the vermilion, elaborately carved Hinomisaki temples or soak in the Kaike Onsen hot springs by the sea. The Adachi Museum holds a collection of modern Japanese art, while the Tottori Flower Road is a 124-acre flower garden. On the streets, a number of statues commemorate the Yokai figures created by the locally-born manga artist Mizuki Shigeru.

Day 7 (OCT 30, 2025): Tsuruga, Japan

Located in the Fukui Prefecture of Honshu, Tsuruga has long been a trading hub with continental Asia. Its opulent Kehi Shrine, dating from 702, features a 36-foot-high woodentorii gate ranked among the finest in Japan, while renovated machiya (historic wooden townhouses) along Museum Street now house quaint shops and cafés. Take a stroll through serene Yokokan Garden, go forest bathing among thousands of pines at Kehi no Matsubara, decorate your own washi paper at the Papyrus House, and scale the Tojinbo Cliffs for phenomenal views. Jurassic Park fans head to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in nearby Katsuyama; ranked among the world’s best, it displays more than 40 full-sized skeletons and a number of all-too-real dinosaur robots. Tsurgua is famous for its ramen and excellent sushi; try the Echizen crab, grilled mackerel, and fugu (pufferfish).

Day 8 (OCT 31, 2025): Day at Sea

Day 9 (NOV 1, 2025): Niigata, Japan

Nestled along the captivating shores of the Sea of Japan, Niigata awaits to envelop you in the crimson and golden hues of Japan’s fall foliage walking through Yahiko Park, Akasakayama Park, or visit the grounds of the Kimura Tea Ceremony Museum or Saito Villa for beautiful fall scenery as well as Confidential cultural immersion. Plunge into the rejuvenating embrace of open-air thermal hot springs of Tsukioka Onsen and Iwamuro Onsen or partake in the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku, a soul-soothing forest bathing experience. Explore the awe-inspiring Kiyotsu Gorge, where a tunnel winds along the river, offering a captivating journey through nature’s wonders.

Day 10 (NOV 2, 2025): Akita, Japan

The vibrant heart of the expansive Akita Prefecture in northern Tohoku stands out as a unique destination where modernity entwines with tradition. Sheltered along the enchanting Sea of Japan coast, Akita boasts a captivating blend of modern and old, with a cityscape that showcases an intriguing contrast of architectural styles. Immerse yourself in the pristine natural beauty as you walk through lush amber forests and soak in the tranquil vistas of immaculate crystal lakes or absorb the serene ambience of the Sea of Japan; daydreaming and beachcombing. For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, Akita's hot springs, known as onsen, provide a therapeutic escape. These onsen resorts, set against stunning mountain backdrops, invite you to soak in mineral-rich waters, providing the perfect setting for unwinding and rejuvenating the senses. One of the gems in Akita's cultural crown is the historic town of Kakunodate, celebrated for its preservation of one of Japan's most intriguing samurai districts. As you stroll through its well-preserved streets, you'll encounter traditional samurai residences and the enchanting sight of cherry blossom trees in full bloom, offering a timeless journey into the past.

Day 11 (NOV 3, 2025): Hakodate, Japan

This important port on Japan’s northern Hokkaido Island was the first to be opened to European and American trade. The result of this is a trove of Western-style buildings in the suburb of Motomachi that gives the impression of a movie set. The bell of the distinctive Haristo Greek Orthodox church is designated one of Japan’s official treasured “100 soundscapes.” Hokkaido is famous for its hot springs, much beloved by the Japanese. Yunokawa Hot Spring enjoys a commanding view of the sea, and its botanical garden is home to the Japanese macaques called “snow monkeys” because of their habit of soaking in the hot springs during the northern winter. Goryokaku is a 150-year old star fortress that holds the Magistrate’s Office, an excellent example of traditional Japanese architecture. Get a panoramic view from the observation platform atop the Goryokaku Tower.

Day 12 (NOV 4, 2025): Day at Sea

Day 13 (NOV 5, 2025): Yokohama, Japan

The port of Yokohama provides seamless access to Tokyo, Japan’s capital and the most populous city on earth. There is more than enough variety in Tokyo to occupy a lifetime. Peruse the historic and immaculate Imperial Palace and Gardens before hitching an enchanting rickshaw ride through the lanterns and statues of the Asakusa district and its Sensoji Temple. Roam the city on a scavenger hunt for architectural oddities such as the Skytree Tower and the Tokyo Dome entertainment complex. Ever the paradise of cultural contrasts, Tokyo offers both classical entertainment like traditional kabuki performances, or the astonishing quirkiness of the teenaged fashion, cosplay and anime-fans along Takeshita Dori in Shinjuku.