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Japanese ancestral traditions and legendary shrines

Osaka - Maizuru

Dates:
22/5/2025
to  3/6/2025

13
days
12
nights on board
Starting from*
€12,320
per person

Recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, traditional Japanese cuisine is like the country: captivating in its contrasts and beauty. From Osaka, let yourself be carried away on a veritable sensorial and culinary exploration of the Empire of the Rising Sun, in partnership with Cuisine et vins de France and with the exceptional presence of Christian Le Squer, three Michelin stars chef and 5 Toques in the Gault & Millau guide and Philippe Bourguignon, France's best sommelier in 1978 and a member of the Académie du Vin de France.

Gala dinners, 4-hands menu, culinary demonstrations, Interview… Set off aboard Le Soléal for a brand-new 13-day gastronomic cruise during which a love of good food punctuates the scenery, where the history of the samurai rubs shoulders with the delicacy of the geisha, and where the fragrances of the tea plantations mingle with the perfumes of the cherry blossoms.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, visit Himeji’s emblematic castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the Itsukushima Shrine from the island of Miyajima, and discover the fortified town of Hagi, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

At the whim of the trade winds in the Sea of Japan, Le Soléal will sail towards the southern tip of the island of Kyushu. The gateway to the enchanting Ise Bay and its sumptuous ria coast, Toba invites you to enjoy a unique moment in this historic city, residence of the Imperial family. Among other things, you will have the opportunity to admire the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, Ise-jingu. In Shingu, walk the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodō, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connecting several religious sites nestling in tropical nature.

After a unique port of call in the historic city of Himeji,the jagged coastlines of the captivating Miyajima Island come into view. The vermillion Torii gate of the emblematic Shinto Shrine of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unfolds before you in a lush forest setting. Further south, Beppu, famous across the archipelago for its hot volcanic springs, invites you to discover its green and peaceful valley, home to almost 60 stone buddhas, carved into the cliffside between the 12th and 14th centuries.

Then you will sail to South Korea, a small peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Japan, and discover Busan, South Korea’s second city. A place of great contrasts, Busan offers a spectacular view over its port, as well as over the ancient district of Chalgachi.

After you explore the charming feudal city of Karatsu, Le Soléal will continue its crossing of the Seto Inland Sea to drop anchor on the island of Honshu, in Hagi.  This town will win you over with its narrow streets, traditional houses, and the former residences of Japanese warriors from this feudal town, whose mythical Shizuki Castle, erected in the 17th century, emerges as a symbol. Further north, Izumo emerges before you. Here, discover Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s most emblematic shrines, dedicated to the kami Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, god of medicine, agriculture and commerce.

Then, the port of call in Tottori will seem like the unexpected interlude of your cruise. With good reason, since this ancient, fortified town is home to Japan’s largest sand dunes. Bright sunshine, ochre dunes edged by the Sea of Japan, camels with a captivating gait... Here, in this majestic landscape where wind waves rise to caress the sand giants, time seems to stand still. Along the shores of the Prefecture of Kyoto, you will be swept away by the picturesque towns that populate it. Ine with its old-world authenticity, Miyazu with its enchanting bay: they offer a unique and stunning experience.

In your journey’s final port of call, you will disembark in the charming city of Maizuru.


Ref : SO220525


Your itinerary

Your itinerary - Japanese ancestral traditions and legendary shrines

Gastronomic cruise in partnership with Cuisine et Vins de France and with the exceptional presence of 3-star chef Christian Le Squer, awarded 5 Toques in the Gault & Millau guide and Philippe Bourguignon,...


View detailed itinerary

Your trip in detail

Contact Us

1300 737 178
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

Partner - Christian Le Squer

Our guest of honour

Partner - Christian Le Squer

Christian Le Squer

Find out more

Partner - Cuisine et Vins de France

Our partner

Partner - Cuisine et Vins de France

Cuisine et Vins de France

Find out more

Choose your stateroom

Choose your stateroom

Superior Stateroom Deck 3
 

(21 m²)

Fully booked

Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
 

(18 m²)

From €13,350 per person

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
 

(18 m²)

Fully booked

Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
 

(18 m²)

Fully booked

Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
 

(18 m²)

Fully booked

Deluxe Suite Deck 6
 

(27 m²)

Fully booked

Prestige Suite Deck 5
 

(37 m²)

Fully booked

Prestige Suite Deck 6
 

(37 m²)

Fully booked

Owner's Suite Deck 6
 

(45 m²)

Fully booked



Complete your trip

Complete your trip

Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.


Additional services


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Contact Us

1300 737 178
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.