Superior Stateroom Deck 3
21 m²
3
The best of Japan
Osaka - Maizuru
Dates:
13/5/2024
to
21/5/2024
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Ponant invites you on a timeless journey around the fascinating and surprising Empire of the Rising Sun, where unbridled modernism and ancestral traditions form a delightful blend, where the history of the samurai rubs shoulders with the delicateness of the geisha, and where the aromas of the tea plantations intermingle with the fragrances of cherry blossom. From bustling Osaka, set sail aboard Le Soléal for 9 days to explore the heart of this country with a thousand traditions.
Following the currents, clinging to the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Le Soléal will sail west. At the foot of a tropical forest burgeoning with life, Tamano stands proudly in the middle of this enchanting environment. A significant commercial centre during the Edo era, it still bears the traces of traditional Japanese life in the 18th century, as the particular architecture of the town demonstrates.
Hiroshima does not seek to elicit strong emotions. Opposite the Inland Sea, only the Hiroshima Peace Memorial bears witness to past events in the city known as a “City of Peace”. It is resolutely future looking and you will be able to appreciate its modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere, the hustle and bustle of its lively streets and the tranquillity of its natural settings, such as the splendid Shukkei-en, the city’s historic gardens.
The jagged coastlines of the captivating Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, come into view, and the vermillion Torii of the emblematic Shinto Shrine of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unfolds before you in a lush forest setting. Time here seems stuck in the feudal era: the frenetic energy and modernity of the large Japanese metropolises make way for striking serenity and tranquillity, and hundreds of deer wander between its spiritual and architectural treasures.
Following a port of call filled with history on the island of Uwajima, Le Soléal will set sail for one of Japan’s most singular places, Kagoshima. Facing the captivating Mount Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Asia, and bordered by the majestic Kinko Bay, where the rays of sun bathe the surface of the ocean in colour, the former feudal city shelters the remains of this opulent era, as evidenced by the ruins of the castle of the Shimazu clan and its samurai.
Further north, Nagasaki remains in the world’s imagination as the symbol of nuclear horror. Fortunately, in the same way as Hiroshima, the city has become one the archipelago’s most peaceful towns as well as one of its most attractive. The warm and cosmopolitan city unveils its many riches throughout its narrow streets: the Oura Catholic Church and its gardens, the Suwa Shrine, the sumptuous Buddhist temples...
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.
At the whim of the trade winds in the Sea of Japan, Le Soléal will sail eastbound for the charming feudal city of Sakaiminato. Here you will get a real glimpse into medieval Japan and allow yourself to fall under the spell of the samurai residences edging the picturesque little streets of the old city.
For the last stage of this enchanted Japanese interlude, you will disembark in Maizuru, a captivating city nestled deep in a sound scattered with wild and lush islets.
Ref : SO130524
Your itinerary
Discovering the ‘Empire of the Rising Sun’, its culture, its ancestral traditions and iconic sites. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Miyajima Sanctuary and its vermillion Torii, the Hiroshima Peace...
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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.
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- New
LE CHAMPLAIN
LE BOUGAINVILLE
13/12/2024 to the 23/12/2024
LE BOUGAINVILLE
LE LYRIAL
3/3/2025 to the 21/3/2025
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
5/4/2025 to the 17/4/2025
*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.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- Discovering the ‘Empire of the Rising Sun’, its culture, its ancestral traditions and iconic sites.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Miyajima Sanctuary and its vermillion Torii, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
- Discovering Tamano, a former feudal domain with a surprising cultural heritage, and its famous “black castle”.
- The visits to the Peace Memorial and Peace Museum in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the martyred cities of the Second World War.
- The port of call on the island of Uwajima, with its strong feudal past and ancestral traditions.
- Sakaiminato or medieval Japan and the former homes of the Samurais.
- A passionate lecturer on board.
Ports of Call & Excursions
13 May 2024 - Osaka
Embarkation 13/5/2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 13/5/2024 at 10:00 pm
Like its big sister Tokyo, Osaka is the product of ancestral traditions and amazing technological innovations. And despite its size, its location on the Pacific Ocean give it a sense of serenity. The main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle, which stands proud in the midst of majestic skyscrapers. The lively streets of Dotomburi and the bizarre Shinsekai district attract thousands of locals and visitors. A multitude of restaurants offer menus full of regional specialities: takoyaki, made with octopus, and other succulent dishes such as kushikatsu kebabs.
14 May 2024 - Tamano
Arrival 14/5/2024 early morning
Departure 14/5/2024 evening
Located on the island of Honshu, hugging the banks of the Sento Inland Sea, Tamano is a popular destination thanks to its sun-drenched climate. Upon arrival, marvel at the way in which the city has been built along the coast at the foot of a deep, dark forest. In the area surrounding Tamano, stroll down the streets of Kurashiki, known as the 'white-walled city' in a nod to the pretty façades of the houses that line the streets of this ancient Edo-period trading town. Another major regional attraction is the Seto Ohashi bridge. Its 12.5 kilometres make it the world's longest double-decker bridge.
15 May 2024 - Hiroshima
Arrival 15/5/2024 early morning
Departure 15/5/2024 midday
Visiting Hiroshima is a moving experience. The town spreads along Honshu Island, along the inside coasts of Seto. While firmly focused on the future, Hiroshima doesn't forget its past, and a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome is a must. You'll enjoy the city's modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere and effervescent nightlife just as much as the peaceful stillness of its natural parkland areas such as splendid Shukkei-en, the town's historic garden.
15 May 2024 - Miyajima Island
Arrival 15/5/2024 early afternoon
Departure 15/5/2024 evening
At the heart of the Inland Sea, Miyajima, the “island sanctuary” will reveal its treasures. In the background you will see the Shinto Grand Sanctuary, whose entrance is guarded by a magnificent vermillion “Torii“. Considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in the Japanese islands, you will be transported by the unique character and the serenity of this sacred site.
16 May 2024 - Uwajima
Arrival 16/5/2024 early morning
Departure 16/5/2024 early afternoon
Located on the west coast of Shikoku island, Uwajima will delight lovers of history and traditional customs. The magnificent Uwajima Castle was built in the 17th-century by the powerful Date clan and has a beautiful ornamental garden and bridge. The much-visited Taga Shrine is dedicated to fertility and is full of phalluses. As for eating, you must taste jakoten, a local delicacy based on fried fish.
17 May 2024 - Kagoshima
Arrival 17/5/2024 early morning
Departure 17/5/2024 late afternoon
The seaside city of Kagoshima, at the south of Kyushu Island, ﾠis best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. A visit to this busy metropolis will remind you just how much the volcano is part of the inhabitants' everyday life: in the wake of the almost daily eruptions, a delicate layer of ash settles on everything. The top of a buried torii (traditional Japanese gate) measuring three metres that was 'swallowed up' by a giant lava flow in 1914 can still be seen. The power of nature will send a shiver down your spine.
18 May 2024 - Nagasaki
Arrival 18/5/2024 early morning
Departure 18/5/2024 late afternoon
Located on the north-west coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki will impress you by its rich heritage. Despite the destruction in 1945, you can visit several ancient sites, including the beautiful 19th-century Catholic Church of Oura and its garden, the sanctuary of Suwa Shrine or several Buddhist temples. A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum gives you insight into the extent of the damage caused by the nuclear attack. Close by, a walk in the Memorial Peace Park leads you to a collection of objets d'art offered as a gift from Japan to the world.
19 May 2024 - Busan
Arrival 19/5/2024 early morning
Departure 19/5/2024 early afternoon
With around four million inhabitants, Busan is the second largest metropolis on South Korea, after Seoul. This dynamic harbour city, located in the south-east, surrounded by the warm waters of the Sea of Japan, benefits from a mild, pleasant climate. You’ll find delightful simply to stroll around the lively streets and explore the city’s outstanding cultural heritage of art galleries, museums, and Buddhist sites, such as the Haedong Yonggungsa temple, which elegantly sits on the waterfront. Rich too in magnificent beaches and superlative natural landscapes, Busan’s peaceful atmosphere will win you over, as will its inhabitants, whom you’ll have the pleasure of meeting.
20 May 2024 - Sakaiminato
Arrival 20/5/2024 early morning
Departure 20/5/2024 early evening
Located on the south-west coast of Honshu Island, the busy fishing port of Sakaiminato celebrates the comic writer and artist Shigeru Mizuki, who was born here. As well as a museum a dedicated tourist route leads through streets and squares that feature 134 bronze statues representing his beloved characters. This isn't the only thing Sakaiminato has to offer; try some local seafood specialities and enjoy the stunning views of Mt Daisen and the Yumigahama peninsula.
21 May 2024 - Maizuru
Arrival 21/5/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 21/5/2024 at 8:00 am
Located on the western coast of Honshu island, in the province of Kyoto, the charming town of Maizuru boasts one of Japan’s most exquisite closed bays. A climb to the observatory allows to appreciate the splendour of this inlet scattered with tiny wild islands. Visitors can also admire the treasures of traditional architecture by visiting the temple of Enryu-ji or the Tanabe-jo castle. The town also bears traces of a rich military past, which you can see in the old arsenals of the navy, red brick buildings that today house a museum.
Historical Kurashiki
Located in the western part of Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki is known for the lovely, white walls of its buildings. This city developed as a port town along the Kurashiki River.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. The atmosphere of the Edo period is preserved in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area along the Kurashiki River, which still contains old storehouses that point to a time when this city was a vital location for the distribution of goods throughout Japan. The houses are known for their white walls and black tile roofs and are a reason why Kurashiki is sometimes called the “white-wall town”. The area also includes numerous museums and sightseeing spots. All electrical wires are buried beneath the ground so there is nothing to mar the view of the buildings. Many of the buildings you will have seen before entering the museum were originally rice granaries built in the late 18th century. The tiled roofs, white-washed walls, and black-tiled walls with lattice windows were characteristic of Kurashiki.
From amongst the variety of local museums, you will visit the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft, which contains a collection of over 10,000 objects collected by Mr. Kichinosuke Tonomura, the first president of the museum. The museum displays a wide range of everyday objects such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, baskets, wood and metal objects, drawings and paintings....
Next, walk to the Ohashi Family Old Merchant House, this 200-year-old merchant's house was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1978. The Ohashi family built their wealth by salt farming and financial business in the Edo period (1603-1867). The main wing is simple and solid; a fire-resistant architecture with a gated terrace, which was a privilege reserved for high-class families, is proof of their outstanding prosperity in the area.
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This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) of walking, mostly over flat terrain, as well as some cobblestone streets. You will be asked to remove your shoes when visiting the Ohashi House and the Gangukan Japanese The Kurashiki Folk Art Museum is closed on Mondays, so the visit will be replaced by the Gangukan Japanese Toy Folk Museum. This museum houses a collection of old toys such as hand-painted kites, carp-shaped windsocks called "koinobori", etc.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Ritsurin Garden & Bonsai Nursery
You will depart from Tamano Port to enjoy the rich culture of Kagawa Prefecture. You will start with a visit of the Ritsurin Garden. One of Japan's finest parks, Ritsurin Garden is a world-class cultural heritage property that encompasses 185 acres and includes six ponds, 15 bridges and 13 hills in a park design offering great variety. This Edo-period park has been designated a spot of special scenic beauty and there are said to be more than sixty separate views within the park, which took over one hundred years to construct. The name "Ritsurin" means "chestnut woods" and shows that the entire park area was once covered with chestnuts in years past.
Next you will head to Yashimaji Temple Museum. It is said to have been founded by the Chinese monk, Ganjin-Wajo in 754. Later, Kobo Daishi moved it to its present location. It is the 84th temple visited on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage.
After the visit, you will enjoy a typical Japanese lunch in a local restaurant.
Your last visit of the day will take you to Bonsai Kandaka Shojuen Garden. In the garden, there is a famous huge pine bonsai named "Dohyo-iri” (ring-entering ceremony) whose lower branches cover a considerable area of ground. You will marvel at the various masterpiece bonsai.
You will then return by coach to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of moderate walking. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or those using a wheelchair. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €180
According to availability, price per passenger.Saijo Sake Street walking tour
Sake is Japan's national drink, an alcoholic beverage which is made from fermented rice. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, often depending on the weather and the type of food with which it is being consumed. Saijo has long been a prime location for sake production, largely due to the high-quality spring water in its vicinity. The well water of the breweries originates from mountains 3km outside of Saijo. The quality of the water changes as it makes its way to the town, and the calcium and magnesium content in the well water becomes three times higher than that of the mountain spring water.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Saijo Sake Street. Upon your arrival, your guided walking tour through the main brewery district will start. The area is recognizable by the number of red brick chimneys poking into the sky. Saijo's sake industry began at the turn of the 20th century, so many of the buildings in the area have an old-world charm. There are nine breweries in Saijo Sake Street. You will visit two of them and learn about the production process, followed by some tasting of different varieties of Sake.
On the way back the pier, a photo stop will be made at Hiroshima Castle. It is a good example of a castle built on a plain in the centre of a city as opposed to hilltop and mountaintop castles. Its main keep is five stories tall, and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. The castle tower was designated a National Treasure in 1931, but it was destroyed by the atomic bomb. Total renovation was completed in 1989.
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This tour involves little walking. Guests must be at least 20-years old to be served alcoholic beverages in Japan.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Remembering Hiroshima
In the years just following the atomic bomb blast on 6 August 1945, scientists doubted if Hiroshima could ever live again. Yet modern Hiroshima rose like a phoenix from its own ashes, and less than five decades since its obliteration, it is a vibrant city with a population of one million and growing.
From the pier, you will reach the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Consisting of two buildings, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. Its main focus though is on the events of 6 August: the dropping of the bomb and its outcome in human suffering. The personal details displayed are quite upsetting and serve to remind us that we should not take peace for granted.
Then, you will walk from the museum to the Atomic Bomb Dome, passing by the Peace Memorial Park. This park is hugged by rivers on both sides. The large, leafy space is criss-crossed by walkways and dotted with memorials. Its central feature is the long tree-lined Pond of Peace leading to the cenotaph. This curved concrete monument holds the names of all the known victims of the bomb. Just north of the road through the park is the Children’s Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old at the time of the atomic bomb. When Sadako developed leukaemia at 11 years of age, she decided to fold 1,000 orizuru (paper cranes). In Japan, the crane is the symbol of longevity and happiness, and she believed if she achieved that target she would recover. Her story inspired a nationwide spate of paper-crane folding that continues to this day.
Continue to the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower. Officially opened in September 2016, it is located beside the Atomic Bomb Museum. The 50-metre-tall tower is one of the few tall buildings around the Peace Memorial Park and offers a great view of the surroundings, including the less commonly seen view of the A-Bomb Dome from above. The Orizuru Square on the 12th floor is a station where you can try to fold orizuru. These cranes can be kept as a souvenir or dropped down into the Orizuru Wall, a glass panel wall that will one day be filled up with these folded cranes.
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This tour involves approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of walking. Wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour includes sensitive material including graphic pictures and displays on the atrocities of war.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Itsukushima Shrine & cooking
Upon your tender landing, a short walk will bring you to the place where you will learn how to make the local Momiji Manju. This is the area's most popular souvenir, a small maple-leaf shaped cake filled with sweet bean paste. After this fun, hands-on experience, continue to the Itsukushima Shrine for a visit.
The shrine was established in 593, the first year of the reign of Empress Suiko, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current torii was erected in 1875 after the original one was destroyed. The shrine's torii rises 48 feet (16 metres) above the sea. Its columns, made of camphor, are 30 feet (10 metres) in circumference and are supported by smaller pillars, which are buried in the seabed.
The construction of the sanctuary, consisting of structures on piles and pontoons, is owed to the sacred status of the island. Visitors were not allowed to disembark on the island; when they arrived by boat, they passed under the torii and floating dock on the pontoons. The Noh theatre, which also stands on stilts, is located right by the temple.
After your visit to the shrine, you will then return to the pier.
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This tour is done solely on foot and involves approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of walking. The instructions to make the sweets will be given in Japanese and then translated by your guide. Part of the Itsukushima Shrine is currenty undergoing restoration work.
Total : €50
According to availability, price per passenger.Itsukushima Shrine & zazen meditation
Upon your tender landing, a 30-minute walk will bring you to the Daisho-in Temple, which is located at the foot of the thickly forested Mount Misen and is one of the most famous temples in Miyajima. There, you will meet a resident Buddhist monk who will perform a 30-minute meditation session with you.
Zazen is the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice. In fact, Zen is known as the “meditation school” of Buddhism. Basically, zazen is the study of the self.
Next, you will visit the Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine was established in 593, the first year of the reign of Empress Suiko, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current torii was erected in 1875 after the original one was destroyed. The shrine's torii rises 48 feet (16 metres) above the sea. Its columns, made of camphor, are 30 feet (10 metres) in circumference and are supported by smaller pillars, which are buried in the seabed.
The construction of the sanctuary, consisting of structures on piles and pontoons, is owed to the sacred status of the island. Visitors were not allowed to disembark on the island; when they arrived by boat, they passed under the torii and floating dock on the pontoons. The Noh theatre, which also stands on stilts, is located right by the temple.
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This tour is done solely on foot and involves approximately 2.15 miles (3.5 km) of walking and 200 steps. During the meditation session, you will be seated cross legged on a zafu cushion keeping your back straight. The monk only speaks Japanese, your guide will translate the comments of the monk.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.Highlights of Uwajima
Uwajima is located deep inside Uwajima Bay, with its coast facing the Bungo Channel in southwestern Ehime. Since the early 17th century, the city has flourished as a castle town of the Date family.
Upon your arrival, your first visit will be to the beautiful terraced fields of Yusu Mizugaura. “Plough a way to heaven”: such is the epithet given to describe the character of the steep mountain slope that has been transformed with stacked stones into a staircase farmland climbing high above the bay. The majestic scenery has been selected as an important cultural landscape and one of a hundred famous views of rural Japan.
Next, you will visit Doi Pearl. The Uwajima Pearl is one of the highest graded pearls in the world. During your visit, you will learn about the method for pearl culturing, as well as about the production and distribution of pearls. After a lecture, you will have a chance to shop for your own pearls.
Your final stop will be to Nanraku-en Garden for a Tea Ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is a choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means placing all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. You will have a chance to see an authentic tea ceremony performance.
After the visit, return to the ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1.8 miles (2 km) of walking and 150 steps. You will be asked to remove your shoes to attend the tea ceremony.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Uchiko Old Town
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Uchiko.
Located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Uwajima, the pleasant town of Uchiko is a vestige of traditional, rural Japan. Uchiko was once a prosperous centre of wax and paper production. One of the town's main attractions, the Kamihaga Residence, explores this historical industry.
Next, enjoy a guided walk along Yokaichi. This street in Uchiko, where most of the town's attractions can be found, is lined with preserved historical building and houses. This historical district looks just as it did over 100 years ago, when wealth and prosperity came to Uchiko through its wax trade.
The Omori Candle Maker continues a long-established tradition, and you will have the opportunity to witness the delicate work that goes into making Japanese handmade candles. Your guided walk will continue to the old pharmacy that is a museum of commercial and domestic life. You will see the various scenes that would have been commonplace in the pharmacy displayed by dolls dating back to 1921.
Another symbol of Uchiko is found outside of the old district: Uchiko-za is a full-scale kabuki theatre equipped with trap doors, hidden entrances and a rotating stage.
Reboard your coach for the one-hour drive back to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) of walking. The candlemaker is closed on Tuesday and Friday, another visit will be scheduled on those days. You will be asked to remove your shoes for the visit of some locations.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.A trip to Chiran
Board your coach for the one-hour southbound drive to Chiran, sometimes called “Little Kyoto” in reference to all the samurai residences that have been preserved there. Several houses have been preserved alongside their beautiful gardens, all dating back to around 250 years old.
The gates to the residences, with the moss-covered stone walls, hedges and black tile roofs help recapture the flavour of the Edo Period. Many of the residences are still being used by descendants of the samurai, although some gardens have remained open to the public. Though small in size, each garden is a fine example of “borrowed landscaping”, in which surrounding mountains and scenery have been made part of the garden design.
Not far from the Chiran Samurai Residences is the Peace Museum or Tokko Heiwa Kaikan. Dedicated to the young kamikaze pilots who trained near Chiran before embarking on suicide missions against Allied sea vessels in World War II, the museum commemorates the bravery and sad sacrifice of these young Japanese men, and makes a plea for world peace.
Return to Kagoshima and the ship following your detailed visit to Chiran.
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This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking, mostly over flat terrain. Photography is not allowed inside the Chiran Peace Museum.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.Miyama pottery town & Shochu distillery
For more than 400 years, Miyama has been the most prolific producer of Satsuma ware in Kagoshima. In Miyama, the fires of the kilns never die. Even today, the fires continue to burn, producing works with the same technique and spirit as the masters of old.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Chin Jukan Pottery House in Miyama. This pottery produces exceptional Satsuma ware and has a proud history spanning four centuries. These works are world-renowned for their technical brilliance and an aesthetic sense that shines throughout in every detail of the production process. At the pottery house, you will see the climbing kiln and store house, before being allotted some time for shopping.
Next, learn about shochu, a Japanese distilled beverage with less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically distilled from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar, though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients, such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes or even carrots. Typically, shochu contains 25% alcohol by volume, which is weaker than whisky or standard-strength vodka but stronger than wine and sake.
The Kinzan-gura Distillery is the only distillery in Kagoshima, where the shochu is housed, fermented and stored in a mine roadway. This 75-mile (120 km) long mine roadway was dug over 350 years and keeps a constant temperature throughout the year, providing the optimum environment for the storage and ageing of the beverage. A short trolley ride will take you to the fermentation house in the mine. Here, learn how traditional shochu is made. After the visit, you will have some time for a tasting and maybe to purchase a bottle of Shochu.
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This tour involves very little walking. The average temperature inside the old mine roadway is 19 °C or 66 °F. This tour is not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia and nyctophobia.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Ground Zero & atomic bomb museum
From the pier, board your coach for a short drive to the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park, commemorating the city's destruction by the atomic bomb dropped on 9 August 1945. Although “Fat Man”, the name given to the second bomb dropped on Japan, missed its target by over a mile and a half, it levelled nearly half the city. The park's main attraction is its collection of statues and sculptures donated by countries and groups all over the world. This includes the massive Peace Memorial Statue depicting a man with his right arm pointing to the sky to indicate the continued threat of nuclear destruction.
After a short walk, you will reach Ground Zero, the hypocentre of the catastrophe marked by a sober black pillar. Then visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, with over 900 artefacts indicative of the city's devastation. But more than just a commemoration, the museum promotes peace by denouncing the abomination of war and by tracing the evolution of the use of atomic weapons.
After visiting the Peace memorial site, you will have some leisure time to spend at Hamanomachi Arcade, which is one of Nagasaki’s largest shopping areas. See the craft shops, restaurants, and local food stalls.
Enjoy the scenic drive through Dejima, a man-made island completed in 1635 that served as the only trading post where foreigners were allowed to exchange goods during the Edo era, when Japan was closed to the outside world. The Dutch, who were permitted to trade at that time, lived on the island. Driving by Chinatown, you will see the Chinese-style gate and various architecture and decorations from the coach (no stop included).
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This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 3 miles (4 km) of walking over flat terrain (including steps and elevators).
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.Nagasaki historical tour
From the pier, a short transfer will bring you to the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, which is one of the few museums in Japan based on "Overseas Exchange". The museum holds approximately 48,000 pieces in its precious collections, including historical documents and arts & crafts that tell the story of how Nagasaki developed as the sole window opened to foreign countries during the period of national isolation.
Next, continue to Dejima Island; a Dutch outpost that served as Japan's only contact point with the Western world for over 200 years. Dejima Museum of History portrays the history of Dejima, the manner of daily life for the Dutch who lived there, and how the trading system worked between Japan and the Netherlands.
The Oura Catholic Church, is both the oldest Gothic-style wooden building and oldest church in Japan and is the only Western artefact that has been designated a national treasure. The church was founded by French priest Bernard Petijean, who would go on to dedicate it to the martyrdom of the 26 saints in Japan in 1597. Though Christianity had been banned in Japan from even before that time, in 1865 Petijean was approached by local farmers whose families had kept their faith alive in secret through the centuries. The white marble statue of the Holy Mother at the entrance of Oura Catholic Church was placed there in commemoration of these hidden Christians.
Afterwards, visit Glover Garden: situated on a picturesque hillside overlooking Nagasaki Port, you will find a number of late 19th and early 20th century Western-style buildings gathered together. These gardens are said to be the setting for the opera "Madame Butterfly".
Reboard your coach and drive back to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1.9 miles (3 km) of walking. There are approximately 40 steps to climb during the visit to the Oura Church and many stairs to reach Glover Gardens. Shoes must be removed for the visit of some locations.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Tea ceremony & temple culture
A 45-minute drive will bring you to the GwangMyeongsa Temple. After a guided visit of the temple, experience a traditional tea ceremony.
The art of the Korean Tea Ceremony has been passed down for more than 1,000 years and is known for its graceful etiquette, refined beauty, and almost meditative state of personal harmony.
Tea Culture was originally one of the six offerings (with incense, flower, lantern, fruit, and rice) to Buddha. Brewing and drinking tea is considered as befitting the practice of the eight virtues taught by Buddha. The Temple's tea ceremony is a form of meditation which aims to purify the soul and become one with nature. It will be a unique experience of learning and practising how to enjoy the culture of tea ceremony following a monk's or tea master's guidance.
After the ceremony, sit down with a Buddhist Monk (if available) to ask questions and gain insight into temple life. This excursion provides a truly unique opportunity for those seeking an inspired, authentic and moving look at the Korean heritage.
Before returning to the ship, enjoy some time at leisure at the Gukje Market. Following the Korean War, refugees who fled to Busan set up stalls in order to make a living, this is how the market started. Browse through its many alleyways which stocks a wide variety of goods.
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This tour is only conducted in English, there will be no translation into French. The tour is limited to 60 guests. Walking is limited to 0.6 mile (1 km) but involves some steps and inclines. If the GwangMyeongsa Temple is not accessible due to a religious ceremony, it will be replaced by another temple. Participants need to sit on the floor for 30-40 minutes during the tea ceremony. Only a limited number of chairs are provided. Your English-speaking guide will act as translator during the ceremony and question & answer session with the Monk. If the monk is called for official religious affairs, he will not be able to guide during the tea ceremony and the time normally spent for questions and answers will be replaced by more time at the Gukje Market.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Haedong Yonggungsa & fish market
A 45-minute drive from the port will bring you to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. En route, you will cross the Gwangan Grand Bridge. With its 4.6-mile length, it is the country’s longest suspension bridge, offering wide views on the Oryuk Islets, Dongbaek Island and the Dalmaji Hill.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is located on the seaside. Unlike other temples, which are normally located in the mountains, this Buddhist temple is situated near the sea. This temple was originally built in 1376 and then reconstructed in 1970 using all the colours that were traditionally used in the structure. The birth of Buddha, celebrated in April-May (following the lunar calendar), offers spectacular night-time views as the temple area is surrounded with lit lanterns. Haedong Yonggungsa is one of three sacred places related to the Goddess Buddha. There are 108 steps down to the Temple, the number of steps representing 108 anguishes in the life in Buddhism. So, you can pray to be out of the 108 anguishes, step by step, 108 times.
Back in Busan, you will visit the Jagalchi Fishery Market located next to the Fisherman’s Wharf. This market was established by women peddlers during the Korean War. Today the market rivals many in the world, with a rich variety of fresh catches from shellfish to exotic seaweeds and carved filets, ready to cook.
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This tour involves approximately 1.24 mile (2 km) of walking over sometimes wet, slippery tiles. To reach the Sanctuary, you will have to walk the 108 steps down and back up. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.Matsue Castle & paper making experience
Board your coach for a one-hour drive to Matsue Castle. Built in 1611 and still symbol of Matsue City, the Matsue Castle is the only remaining castle structure on the Japan Sea Coast, offering commanding views of Lake Shinji-ko and Mount Oyama.
The castle is unique in that the second floor is wider than the first-floor base. Most of the original building has been destroyed through time, but the stone wall and six-floor donjon remains. Besides the great view from the top floor, the castle features a museum of swords and samurai armours.
Next, visit Abe Eishiro Memorial hall. This municipal museum contains documents and materials about the life and times of Abe Eishiro (1903-1985), master craftsman in hand-made Japanese paper (washi).
Washi is a style of paper that was first made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibres from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry, but can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat as well. The word washi comes from wa (Japanese) and shi (paper). As a Japanese craft it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Washi paper is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp and is used in many traditional arts.
During your visit, you will be able to try the ancient art of making washi paper.
On the way back to the pier, drive through Mizuki Shigery Road where you will see some of the many bronze statues depicting famous manga characters.
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This tour includes approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) of walking over uneven terrain and 200 steps. There are no elevators at the Matsue Castle. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. You will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the castle and Abe Eishiro hall.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Adachi Museum & Yushien Garden
You will first proceed to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi. Zenko Adachi founded the museum in 1970, purposefully combining his passions for Japanese art and garden design. Its ceramics collection includes works by such masters as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Kanjiro Kawai, but the museum's gardens are also quite famous.
Adachi collected pines and stones from all over the country, creating a beautiful garden filled with love and passion. The garden has been ranked as the best in the Traditional Japanese Garden category since 2003. You will discover the extensive collection of nearly 1,000 items of pottery, wood carvings, and Japanese paintings dating from as early as 1912.
You will then head forDaikon Island, surrounded by Lake Nakaumi. A volcanic eruption formed this small island, home to the lovely Yushien Garden. Many flowers bloom here seasonally, and a riot of colour attracts visitors in the spring and early summer when the peonies are at their best. Bright-green foliage in perfectly-manicured surroundings makes the garden beautiful every day of the year.
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This tour involves approximately 1.24 mi (2 km) of walking with about 20 steps. Photography is not allowed inside the Adachi Museum of Art. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.Le Soléal
Like Le Boréal and L’Austral, the two sister ships that preceded it, Le Soléal further reaffirms PONANT's signature approach: to take passengers to the farthest reaches of the planet onboard modern ships offering top-of-the-range services.
An elegant appearance and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a luxury setting.
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
12/5/2024 - FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + A GLIMPSE OF OSAKA (PRE)+ DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (POST)
€3,450
Find out moreA GLIMPSE OF OSAKA
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Osaka
Meet at Kansai International airport, arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will board the coach for a full day tour of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and the biggest merchant city on the West coast of the Land of the Rising Sun.
After a one-hour drive, you will make a stop at Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine. The entire Sumiyoshi Taisha classified “National Treasure”, dating from the third century and rebuilt from the nineteenth century, is dedicated to the four kami gods, of the sea and sea voyage, agriculture, diplomacy and waka poetry. The Empress Jingu (169-269), known for her conquest of Korea, is also worshiped. In the past, sea merchants would stop in Osaka to pray to Sumiyoshi Taisha, before returning to their ships.
A Japanese style lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
You will then be transferred to the port of Osaka to embark on your ship.
Your programme includes:
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Lunch (Japanese style) with beverage package (water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or 1 Japanese tea).
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Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
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Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
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Personal expenses.
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Visa if necessary.
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Tips for the driver and local guide.
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Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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The local currency is the yen. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip, or you can use your credit card to withdraw yen from the cash machines (note that only Japan Post Bank & Seven Eleven machines accept foreign credit cards).
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To visit temples, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees).
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There will be long walk on unpaved and bumpy roads with some stairs. Many steep steps involved.
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This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.
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Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum of weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage of a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €420
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.KYOTO AND NARA, IMPERIAL HERITAGE (4 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of four unforgettable days between Kyoto and Nara to discover the ancient imperial capitals. Immerse yourself in traditional Japan, between temples, meditation, Geisha dances and tea ceremony. This programme, rich in experience, will be the perfect prelude to your embarkation.
Day 1 - Osaka/Kyoto
Meet at Osaka International airport. You will be greeted by our local representative off your flight provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent.
Transfer from the airport to the Okura Kyoto 5* hotel selected by PONANT.
Lunch, afternoon, and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Kyoto
Breakfast.
The tour will take you first to take part in Zazen, seated Zen meditation. Zazen is a way of training for monks to obtain enlightenment. It is considered the heart of Zen Buddhist practice. You will sit in the silent room separated from the ordinary life. Also, you will have a chance to experience Japanese tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is one of the most representative forms of Japanese beauty, and participating in a ceremony is one of the best ways to come into contact with the Japanese sense of spirituality.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Then, you will proceed to Kiyomizu Temple; kiyoi mizu means "pure water" or "spring water". Kiyomizu Temple is noted for its cliff top Main Hall with a broad wooden veranda offering a panoramic view of Kyoto and environs. The veranda is supported on a towering scaffold of wood. The Main Hall has been designated a National Treasure.
Enjoy some time at leisure to purchase souvenirs in the nearby shopping streets.
After your visit, you will return to your hotel to freshen up.
Before your transfer to enjoy a Japanese kaiseki dinner (consisting up of several small courses), you will stop in Gion, one of Kyoto's historic districts, with beautiful traditional houses. It is the city's Geiko district (geisha are known as Geiko in Kyoto).
Enjoy a Kaiseki dinner which is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, with a Maiko (an apprentice geisha in Kyoto) and a Geiko (a full-fledged artist known as Geisha outside of Japan) who will perform.
You will then be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 - Kyoto
Breakfast.
The tour will take you first to Kinkakuji Temple, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. It is a temple dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third of the Ashikaga Shoguns, built a retirement estate there in 1398. After his death in 1419, the grounds were turned into a Buddhist temple for the Rinzai sect. The only building to remain standing of Yoshimitsu's estate was the Golden Pavilion. The upper stories are covered in gold leaf and the roof is topped by a bronze phoenix. It was listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1994.
You will then arrive at Ryoan-ji Temple, literally "The Temple of the Dragon at Peace". It belongs to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The name of the temple evokes its famous 15th-century rock garden, considered one of the masterpieces of Japanese Zen culture. It is the country's most-visited rock garden.
Enjoy a Japanese style lunch served in a local restaurant.
After lunch, you will proceed to Arashiyama region, located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, and the Tenryuji Temple, founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339. As a temple related to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Godaigo, the temple is held in high esteem.
Stroll through the 14th Century landscape garden, featuring Ryumon Falls and a stone bridge. This garden is part of part of the « Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto » and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it that if one day a fish were to swim up the Ryumon Falls, it would turn into a dragon. Enjoy a stroll through the bamboo groves, a natural beauty that is one of the region's main attractions.
Transfer back to your hotel for a short break to freshen up.
Enjoy a Japanese Shabu-shabu dinner served in a local restaurant. For your meal, a pot of boiling water to cook food will be placed on your table. You will dip thin slices of beef and fresh vegetables into a pot of broth several times for few seconds. "Shabu-shabu" is the sound of the meat swished in the broth.
You will then be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Kyoto
Breakfast.
You will start your day with an immersion in Japanese tradition. Through the transcendent thumping rhythms, you will discover the art of the taiko, the large drum sculpted from elm or keyaki (zelkova or Japanese elm) wood. The word "taiko" also designates the way of playing the drum, meaning that the instrument and the way of playing its music are thus inextricably linked. Legend has it that the divinity of mirth, Uzume, helped the gods bring light to earth by drawing the goddess of sun, Amaterasu, out of her cave. To do this, she danced on a barrel, thus creating the taiko.
Then, dressed in kimono, a symbol of Japanese culture, you'll enjoy Japanese calligraphy, considered the art of achieving longevity and mastery of body and mind. Buddhist monks use calligraphy as a form of meditation. Dressed in kimono, symbol of Japanese culture.
A lunch will be served in a local restaurant (Japanese menu).
Optional activity (additional supplement): Fushimi-inari Shrine and dinner - limited to 35 participants.
Dinner will be at leisure if you have not chosen the optional activity.
Extend your day of discovery by letting yourself be tempted by an all-new experience that will plunge you into traditional Japan.
You will leave the hotel with your guide by private car.
First, you will arrive at Fushimi-Inari Shrine. This is the site where you can see hundreds of vermillion torii gates lining up, making a tunnel, one of the most iconic views in the country. Fushimi-Inari is the head shrine of some 40,000 Inari shrines located throughout the land. It was founded in 711 and is dedicated to five Shinto deities.
Then, you will be transferred to a restaurant for your Tempura dinner.
You will be drive back to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Kyoto/Nara/Osaka
Breakfast before check-out.
To start your day, you will set off to meet the monumental bronze Buddha, who takes centre stage in the heart of the Todai-ji Temple. The building rises majestically in Nara Park. Commissioned in 743 by Emperor Shômu when Nara was the imperial capital of Japan, it took eight years to build and was restored during the Edo era. Standing 47 metres (150 feet) high and with enormous wooden pillars , the ancestral Great Buddha Hall remains the world's largest wooden building, earning its inclusion on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Then, you will continue with a visit of Nara's most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha. Established in 768 and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, its vermilion-red lacquered buildings form a striking contrast with the surrounding vegetation. Nearly two thousand bronze and stone lanterns line the sanctuary, and a thousand metal lanterns hang along the corridors.
Before lunch, you will stroll through the Isui-en Garden, a traditional Japanese garden created at the end of the 17th century as the private garden of a rich merchant and opened in the middle of the 19th century. Meticulously planned and maintained, it reveals the art of Japanese garden design, seeking balance and harmony while paying homage to the beauty of nature. It consists of two spaces: Minami Shin-en, in the heart of which you will discover a pond, a waterfall and a tea house; and Kita Shin-e, consisting of a bamboo grove, a small stream and a variety of flowering cherry trees and Japanese maples.
Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant.
You will then be transferred to the port of Osaka to embark on board your ship. It is approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive.
Your hotel:
The Okura Kyoto reveals Kyoto's traditional Japanese beauty, between simplicity and elegance, to offer a new vision of luxury by combining traditional and contemporary.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 4-night accommodation in Standard room at the Okura Kyoto 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standards (or similar), breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverages package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 glass of wine + 1 Japanese tea).
- Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- The services of a local English-speaking guide.
- Hospitality desk at the hotel, the day of your arrival.
Your programme does not include:
- Lunch and dinner on day 1, dinner on day 4.
- Personal expenses.
- Visa if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
- Early check-in upon arrival at your hotel.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
- Official hotel check-out time is 11:00 a.m.
- For guests booking an early flight schedule, we suggest an optional package (with extra fees) in order to have an early check-in at the Okura Kyoto 5* hotel. If you would like to have access to your room before official check-in time, please contact your travel agent for further detail.
- The local currency is the yen. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip, or you can use your credit card to withdraw yen from the cash machines (note that only Japan Post Bank & Seven Eleven machines accept foreign credit cards).
- You will have to take off your shoes before entering any of the temples. During visits, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees).
- There will be long walk on unpaved and bumpy roads with some stairs. Many steep steps involved. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.
- Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum of weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage of a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).
Contact of your hotel:
Hôtel Okura Kyoto
Kawaramachi-Oike Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto 604-8558 Japan
Telephone : 81 75 211 5111
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €3,290
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Historical Kurashiki
Located in the western part of Okayama Prefecture, Kurashiki is known for the lovely, white walls of its buildings. This city developed as a port town along the Kurashiki River.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area. The atmosphere of the Edo period is preserved in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area along the Kurashiki River, which still contains old storehouses that point to a time when this city was a vital location for the distribution of goods throughout Japan. The houses are known for their white walls and black tile roofs and are a reason why Kurashiki is sometimes called the “white-wall town”. The area also includes numerous museums and sightseeing spots. All electrical wires are buried beneath the ground so there is nothing to mar the view of the buildings. Many of the buildings you will have seen before entering the museum were originally rice granaries built in the late 18th century. The tiled roofs, white-washed walls, and black-tiled walls with lattice windows were characteristic of Kurashiki.
From amongst the variety of local museums, you will visit the Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft, which contains a collection of over 10,000 objects collected by Mr. Kichinosuke Tonomura, the first president of the museum. The museum displays a wide range of everyday objects such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, baskets, wood and metal objects, drawings and paintings....
Next, walk to the Ohashi Family Old Merchant House, this 200-year-old merchant's house was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1978. The Ohashi family built their wealth by salt farming and financial business in the Edo period (1603-1867). The main wing is simple and solid; a fire-resistant architecture with a gated terrace, which was a privilege reserved for high-class families, is proof of their outstanding prosperity in the area.
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This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) of walking, mostly over flat terrain, as well as some cobblestone streets. You will be asked to remove your shoes when visiting the Ohashi House and the Gangukan Japanese The Kurashiki Folk Art Museum is closed on Mondays, so the visit will be replaced by the Gangukan Japanese Toy Folk Museum. This museum houses a collection of old toys such as hand-painted kites, carp-shaped windsocks called "koinobori", etc.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Ritsurin Garden & Bonsai Nursery
You will depart from Tamano Port to enjoy the rich culture of Kagawa Prefecture. You will start with a visit of the Ritsurin Garden. One of Japan's finest parks, Ritsurin Garden is a world-class cultural heritage property that encompasses 185 acres and includes six ponds, 15 bridges and 13 hills in a park design offering great variety. This Edo-period park has been designated a spot of special scenic beauty and there are said to be more than sixty separate views within the park, which took over one hundred years to construct. The name "Ritsurin" means "chestnut woods" and shows that the entire park area was once covered with chestnuts in years past.
Next you will head to Yashimaji Temple Museum. It is said to have been founded by the Chinese monk, Ganjin-Wajo in 754. Later, Kobo Daishi moved it to its present location. It is the 84th temple visited on the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage.
After the visit, you will enjoy a typical Japanese lunch in a local restaurant.
Your last visit of the day will take you to Bonsai Kandaka Shojuen Garden. In the garden, there is a famous huge pine bonsai named "Dohyo-iri” (ring-entering ceremony) whose lower branches cover a considerable area of ground. You will marvel at the various masterpiece bonsai.
You will then return by coach to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of moderate walking. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or those using a wheelchair. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is limited to 35 participants.
Total : €180
According to availability, price per passenger.Saijo Sake Street walking tour
Sake is Japan's national drink, an alcoholic beverage which is made from fermented rice. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, often depending on the weather and the type of food with which it is being consumed. Saijo has long been a prime location for sake production, largely due to the high-quality spring water in its vicinity. The well water of the breweries originates from mountains 3km outside of Saijo. The quality of the water changes as it makes its way to the town, and the calcium and magnesium content in the well water becomes three times higher than that of the mountain spring water.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Saijo Sake Street. Upon your arrival, your guided walking tour through the main brewery district will start. The area is recognizable by the number of red brick chimneys poking into the sky. Saijo's sake industry began at the turn of the 20th century, so many of the buildings in the area have an old-world charm. There are nine breweries in Saijo Sake Street. You will visit two of them and learn about the production process, followed by some tasting of different varieties of Sake.
On the way back the pier, a photo stop will be made at Hiroshima Castle. It is a good example of a castle built on a plain in the centre of a city as opposed to hilltop and mountaintop castles. Its main keep is five stories tall, and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. The castle tower was designated a National Treasure in 1931, but it was destroyed by the atomic bomb. Total renovation was completed in 1989.
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This tour involves little walking. Guests must be at least 20-years old to be served alcoholic beverages in Japan.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Remembering Hiroshima
In the years just following the atomic bomb blast on 6 August 1945, scientists doubted if Hiroshima could ever live again. Yet modern Hiroshima rose like a phoenix from its own ashes, and less than five decades since its obliteration, it is a vibrant city with a population of one million and growing.
From the pier, you will reach the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Consisting of two buildings, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. Its main focus though is on the events of 6 August: the dropping of the bomb and its outcome in human suffering. The personal details displayed are quite upsetting and serve to remind us that we should not take peace for granted.
Then, you will walk from the museum to the Atomic Bomb Dome, passing by the Peace Memorial Park. This park is hugged by rivers on both sides. The large, leafy space is criss-crossed by walkways and dotted with memorials. Its central feature is the long tree-lined Pond of Peace leading to the cenotaph. This curved concrete monument holds the names of all the known victims of the bomb. Just north of the road through the park is the Children’s Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old at the time of the atomic bomb. When Sadako developed leukaemia at 11 years of age, she decided to fold 1,000 orizuru (paper cranes). In Japan, the crane is the symbol of longevity and happiness, and she believed if she achieved that target she would recover. Her story inspired a nationwide spate of paper-crane folding that continues to this day.
Continue to the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower. Officially opened in September 2016, it is located beside the Atomic Bomb Museum. The 50-metre-tall tower is one of the few tall buildings around the Peace Memorial Park and offers a great view of the surroundings, including the less commonly seen view of the A-Bomb Dome from above. The Orizuru Square on the 12th floor is a station where you can try to fold orizuru. These cranes can be kept as a souvenir or dropped down into the Orizuru Wall, a glass panel wall that will one day be filled up with these folded cranes.
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This tour involves approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of walking. Wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour includes sensitive material including graphic pictures and displays on the atrocities of war.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Itsukushima Shrine & cooking
Upon your tender landing, a short walk will bring you to the place where you will learn how to make the local Momiji Manju. This is the area's most popular souvenir, a small maple-leaf shaped cake filled with sweet bean paste. After this fun, hands-on experience, continue to the Itsukushima Shrine for a visit.
The shrine was established in 593, the first year of the reign of Empress Suiko, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current torii was erected in 1875 after the original one was destroyed. The shrine's torii rises 48 feet (16 metres) above the sea. Its columns, made of camphor, are 30 feet (10 metres) in circumference and are supported by smaller pillars, which are buried in the seabed.
The construction of the sanctuary, consisting of structures on piles and pontoons, is owed to the sacred status of the island. Visitors were not allowed to disembark on the island; when they arrived by boat, they passed under the torii and floating dock on the pontoons. The Noh theatre, which also stands on stilts, is located right by the temple.
After your visit to the shrine, you will then return to the pier.
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This tour is done solely on foot and involves approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of walking. The instructions to make the sweets will be given in Japanese and then translated by your guide. Part of the Itsukushima Shrine is currenty undergoing restoration work.
Total : €50
According to availability, price per passenger.Itsukushima Shrine & zazen meditation
Upon your tender landing, a 30-minute walk will bring you to the Daisho-in Temple, which is located at the foot of the thickly forested Mount Misen and is one of the most famous temples in Miyajima. There, you will meet a resident Buddhist monk who will perform a 30-minute meditation session with you.
Zazen is the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice. In fact, Zen is known as the “meditation school” of Buddhism. Basically, zazen is the study of the self.
Next, you will visit the Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine was established in 593, the first year of the reign of Empress Suiko, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current torii was erected in 1875 after the original one was destroyed. The shrine's torii rises 48 feet (16 metres) above the sea. Its columns, made of camphor, are 30 feet (10 metres) in circumference and are supported by smaller pillars, which are buried in the seabed.
The construction of the sanctuary, consisting of structures on piles and pontoons, is owed to the sacred status of the island. Visitors were not allowed to disembark on the island; when they arrived by boat, they passed under the torii and floating dock on the pontoons. The Noh theatre, which also stands on stilts, is located right by the temple.
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This tour is done solely on foot and involves approximately 2.15 miles (3.5 km) of walking and 200 steps. During the meditation session, you will be seated cross legged on a zafu cushion keeping your back straight. The monk only speaks Japanese, your guide will translate the comments of the monk.
Total : €55
According to availability, price per passenger.Highlights of Uwajima
Uwajima is located deep inside Uwajima Bay, with its coast facing the Bungo Channel in southwestern Ehime. Since the early 17th century, the city has flourished as a castle town of the Date family.
Upon your arrival, your first visit will be to the beautiful terraced fields of Yusu Mizugaura. “Plough a way to heaven”: such is the epithet given to describe the character of the steep mountain slope that has been transformed with stacked stones into a staircase farmland climbing high above the bay. The majestic scenery has been selected as an important cultural landscape and one of a hundred famous views of rural Japan.
Next, you will visit Doi Pearl. The Uwajima Pearl is one of the highest graded pearls in the world. During your visit, you will learn about the method for pearl culturing, as well as about the production and distribution of pearls. After a lecture, you will have a chance to shop for your own pearls.
Your final stop will be to Nanraku-en Garden for a Tea Ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is a choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means placing all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. You will have a chance to see an authentic tea ceremony performance.
After the visit, return to the ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1.8 miles (2 km) of walking and 150 steps. You will be asked to remove your shoes to attend the tea ceremony.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Uchiko Old Town
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Uchiko.
Located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Uwajima, the pleasant town of Uchiko is a vestige of traditional, rural Japan. Uchiko was once a prosperous centre of wax and paper production. One of the town's main attractions, the Kamihaga Residence, explores this historical industry.
Next, enjoy a guided walk along Yokaichi. This street in Uchiko, where most of the town's attractions can be found, is lined with preserved historical building and houses. This historical district looks just as it did over 100 years ago, when wealth and prosperity came to Uchiko through its wax trade.
The Omori Candle Maker continues a long-established tradition, and you will have the opportunity to witness the delicate work that goes into making Japanese handmade candles. Your guided walk will continue to the old pharmacy that is a museum of commercial and domestic life. You will see the various scenes that would have been commonplace in the pharmacy displayed by dolls dating back to 1921.
Another symbol of Uchiko is found outside of the old district: Uchiko-za is a full-scale kabuki theatre equipped with trap doors, hidden entrances and a rotating stage.
Reboard your coach for the one-hour drive back to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) of walking. The candlemaker is closed on Tuesday and Friday, another visit will be scheduled on those days. You will be asked to remove your shoes for the visit of some locations.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.A trip to Chiran
Board your coach for the one-hour southbound drive to Chiran, sometimes called “Little Kyoto” in reference to all the samurai residences that have been preserved there. Several houses have been preserved alongside their beautiful gardens, all dating back to around 250 years old.
The gates to the residences, with the moss-covered stone walls, hedges and black tile roofs help recapture the flavour of the Edo Period. Many of the residences are still being used by descendants of the samurai, although some gardens have remained open to the public. Though small in size, each garden is a fine example of “borrowed landscaping”, in which surrounding mountains and scenery have been made part of the garden design.
Not far from the Chiran Samurai Residences is the Peace Museum or Tokko Heiwa Kaikan. Dedicated to the young kamikaze pilots who trained near Chiran before embarking on suicide missions against Allied sea vessels in World War II, the museum commemorates the bravery and sad sacrifice of these young Japanese men, and makes a plea for world peace.
Return to Kagoshima and the ship following your detailed visit to Chiran.
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This tour involves approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of walking, mostly over flat terrain. Photography is not allowed inside the Chiran Peace Museum.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.Miyama pottery town & Shochu distillery
For more than 400 years, Miyama has been the most prolific producer of Satsuma ware in Kagoshima. In Miyama, the fires of the kilns never die. Even today, the fires continue to burn, producing works with the same technique and spirit as the masters of old.
From the pier, board your coach for the one-hour drive to Chin Jukan Pottery House in Miyama. This pottery produces exceptional Satsuma ware and has a proud history spanning four centuries. These works are world-renowned for their technical brilliance and an aesthetic sense that shines throughout in every detail of the production process. At the pottery house, you will see the climbing kiln and store house, before being allotted some time for shopping.
Next, learn about shochu, a Japanese distilled beverage with less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically distilled from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar, though it is sometimes produced from other ingredients, such as chestnut, sesame seeds, potatoes or even carrots. Typically, shochu contains 25% alcohol by volume, which is weaker than whisky or standard-strength vodka but stronger than wine and sake.
The Kinzan-gura Distillery is the only distillery in Kagoshima, where the shochu is housed, fermented and stored in a mine roadway. This 75-mile (120 km) long mine roadway was dug over 350 years and keeps a constant temperature throughout the year, providing the optimum environment for the storage and ageing of the beverage. A short trolley ride will take you to the fermentation house in the mine. Here, learn how traditional shochu is made. After the visit, you will have some time for a tasting and maybe to purchase a bottle of Shochu.
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This tour involves very little walking. The average temperature inside the old mine roadway is 19 °C or 66 °F. This tour is not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia and nyctophobia.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Ground Zero & atomic bomb museum
From the pier, board your coach for a short drive to the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park, commemorating the city's destruction by the atomic bomb dropped on 9 August 1945. Although “Fat Man”, the name given to the second bomb dropped on Japan, missed its target by over a mile and a half, it levelled nearly half the city. The park's main attraction is its collection of statues and sculptures donated by countries and groups all over the world. This includes the massive Peace Memorial Statue depicting a man with his right arm pointing to the sky to indicate the continued threat of nuclear destruction.
After a short walk, you will reach Ground Zero, the hypocentre of the catastrophe marked by a sober black pillar. Then visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, with over 900 artefacts indicative of the city's devastation. But more than just a commemoration, the museum promotes peace by denouncing the abomination of war and by tracing the evolution of the use of atomic weapons.
After visiting the Peace memorial site, you will have some leisure time to spend at Hamanomachi Arcade, which is one of Nagasaki’s largest shopping areas. See the craft shops, restaurants, and local food stalls.
Enjoy the scenic drive through Dejima, a man-made island completed in 1635 that served as the only trading post where foreigners were allowed to exchange goods during the Edo era, when Japan was closed to the outside world. The Dutch, who were permitted to trade at that time, lived on the island. Driving by Chinatown, you will see the Chinese-style gate and various architecture and decorations from the coach (no stop included).
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This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 3 miles (4 km) of walking over flat terrain (including steps and elevators).
Total : €80
According to availability, price per passenger.Nagasaki historical tour
From the pier, a short transfer will bring you to the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture, which is one of the few museums in Japan based on "Overseas Exchange". The museum holds approximately 48,000 pieces in its precious collections, including historical documents and arts & crafts that tell the story of how Nagasaki developed as the sole window opened to foreign countries during the period of national isolation.
Next, continue to Dejima Island; a Dutch outpost that served as Japan's only contact point with the Western world for over 200 years. Dejima Museum of History portrays the history of Dejima, the manner of daily life for the Dutch who lived there, and how the trading system worked between Japan and the Netherlands.
The Oura Catholic Church, is both the oldest Gothic-style wooden building and oldest church in Japan and is the only Western artefact that has been designated a national treasure. The church was founded by French priest Bernard Petijean, who would go on to dedicate it to the martyrdom of the 26 saints in Japan in 1597. Though Christianity had been banned in Japan from even before that time, in 1865 Petijean was approached by local farmers whose families had kept their faith alive in secret through the centuries. The white marble statue of the Holy Mother at the entrance of Oura Catholic Church was placed there in commemoration of these hidden Christians.
Afterwards, visit Glover Garden: situated on a picturesque hillside overlooking Nagasaki Port, you will find a number of late 19th and early 20th century Western-style buildings gathered together. These gardens are said to be the setting for the opera "Madame Butterfly".
Reboard your coach and drive back to your ship.
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This tour involves approximately 1.9 miles (3 km) of walking. There are approximately 40 steps to climb during the visit to the Oura Church and many stairs to reach Glover Gardens. Shoes must be removed for the visit of some locations.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Tea ceremony & temple culture
A 45-minute drive will bring you to the GwangMyeongsa Temple. After a guided visit of the temple, experience a traditional tea ceremony.
The art of the Korean Tea Ceremony has been passed down for more than 1,000 years and is known for its graceful etiquette, refined beauty, and almost meditative state of personal harmony.
Tea Culture was originally one of the six offerings (with incense, flower, lantern, fruit, and rice) to Buddha. Brewing and drinking tea is considered as befitting the practice of the eight virtues taught by Buddha. The Temple's tea ceremony is a form of meditation which aims to purify the soul and become one with nature. It will be a unique experience of learning and practising how to enjoy the culture of tea ceremony following a monk's or tea master's guidance.
After the ceremony, sit down with a Buddhist Monk (if available) to ask questions and gain insight into temple life. This excursion provides a truly unique opportunity for those seeking an inspired, authentic and moving look at the Korean heritage.
Before returning to the ship, enjoy some time at leisure at the Gukje Market. Following the Korean War, refugees who fled to Busan set up stalls in order to make a living, this is how the market started. Browse through its many alleyways which stocks a wide variety of goods.
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This tour is only conducted in English, there will be no translation into French. The tour is limited to 60 guests. Walking is limited to 0.6 mile (1 km) but involves some steps and inclines. If the GwangMyeongsa Temple is not accessible due to a religious ceremony, it will be replaced by another temple. Participants need to sit on the floor for 30-40 minutes during the tea ceremony. Only a limited number of chairs are provided. Your English-speaking guide will act as translator during the ceremony and question & answer session with the Monk. If the monk is called for official religious affairs, he will not be able to guide during the tea ceremony and the time normally spent for questions and answers will be replaced by more time at the Gukje Market.
Total : €90
According to availability, price per passenger.Haedong Yonggungsa & fish market
A 45-minute drive from the port will bring you to the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. En route, you will cross the Gwangan Grand Bridge. With its 4.6-mile length, it is the country’s longest suspension bridge, offering wide views on the Oryuk Islets, Dongbaek Island and the Dalmaji Hill.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is located on the seaside. Unlike other temples, which are normally located in the mountains, this Buddhist temple is situated near the sea. This temple was originally built in 1376 and then reconstructed in 1970 using all the colours that were traditionally used in the structure. The birth of Buddha, celebrated in April-May (following the lunar calendar), offers spectacular night-time views as the temple area is surrounded with lit lanterns. Haedong Yonggungsa is one of three sacred places related to the Goddess Buddha. There are 108 steps down to the Temple, the number of steps representing 108 anguishes in the life in Buddhism. So, you can pray to be out of the 108 anguishes, step by step, 108 times.
Back in Busan, you will visit the Jagalchi Fishery Market located next to the Fisherman’s Wharf. This market was established by women peddlers during the Korean War. Today the market rivals many in the world, with a rich variety of fresh catches from shellfish to exotic seaweeds and carved filets, ready to cook.
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This tour involves approximately 1.24 mile (2 km) of walking over sometimes wet, slippery tiles. To reach the Sanctuary, you will have to walk the 108 steps down and back up. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €85
According to availability, price per passenger.Matsue Castle & paper making experience
Board your coach for a one-hour drive to Matsue Castle. Built in 1611 and still symbol of Matsue City, the Matsue Castle is the only remaining castle structure on the Japan Sea Coast, offering commanding views of Lake Shinji-ko and Mount Oyama.
The castle is unique in that the second floor is wider than the first-floor base. Most of the original building has been destroyed through time, but the stone wall and six-floor donjon remains. Besides the great view from the top floor, the castle features a museum of swords and samurai armours.
Next, visit Abe Eishiro Memorial hall. This municipal museum contains documents and materials about the life and times of Abe Eishiro (1903-1985), master craftsman in hand-made Japanese paper (washi).
Washi is a style of paper that was first made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibres from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry, but can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat as well. The word washi comes from wa (Japanese) and shi (paper). As a Japanese craft it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Washi paper is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp and is used in many traditional arts.
During your visit, you will be able to try the ancient art of making washi paper.
On the way back to the pier, drive through Mizuki Shigery Road where you will see some of the many bronze statues depicting famous manga characters.
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This tour includes approximately 1.3 miles (2 km) of walking over uneven terrain and 200 steps. There are no elevators at the Matsue Castle. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. You will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the castle and Abe Eishiro hall.
Total : €95
According to availability, price per passenger.Adachi Museum & Yushien Garden
You will first proceed to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi. Zenko Adachi founded the museum in 1970, purposefully combining his passions for Japanese art and garden design. Its ceramics collection includes works by such masters as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Kanjiro Kawai, but the museum's gardens are also quite famous.
Adachi collected pines and stones from all over the country, creating a beautiful garden filled with love and passion. The garden has been ranked as the best in the Traditional Japanese Garden category since 2003. You will discover the extensive collection of nearly 1,000 items of pottery, wood carvings, and Japanese paintings dating from as early as 1912.
You will then head forDaikon Island, surrounded by Lake Nakaumi. A volcanic eruption formed this small island, home to the lovely Yushien Garden. Many flowers bloom here seasonally, and a riot of colour attracts visitors in the spring and early summer when the peonies are at their best. Bright-green foliage in perfectly-manicured surroundings makes the garden beautiful every day of the year.
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This tour involves approximately 1.24 mi (2 km) of walking with about 20 steps. Photography is not allowed inside the Adachi Museum of Art. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Total : €110
According to availability, price per passenger.DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of one day to explore a traditional Japanese village surrounded by mountains. This programme will be a pleasant conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 – Maizuru/Miyama/Osaka
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
You will depart the port for the village of Miyama.
In Miyama, there remain many thatched houses surrounded by beautiful mountains and streams. The scenery is one of a typical Japanese farm village that was once seen everywhere in Japan and has become very rare today. The area is now a Traditional Architecture Preservation Area. Some of the houses are still lived in by locals, some are turned into a small museum.
First, you will visit the Miyama Folklore Museum. Step inside a traditional thatched roof house to see how life was in the old days in the Kyoto countryside. On the premises, there are approximately 200 items on display such as traditional farming devices and so on gathered from the local area.
Your next stop will be the Little Indigo Museum. Established in 2005 by Hiroyuki Shindo, it is an Indigo studio with a collection of indigo-dyed textiles. Also, there is a gallery with Shindo’s Indigo pieces. He has been creating indigo pieces in Miyama since 1981, and his works have been exhibited in Japan and abroad. The museum building is a village house built in 1796 during the Edo period. The characteristic roof with seven pairs of saddles indicates that this house was once lived in by a village headman. There is a museum shop, giving you the opportunity to purchase your favourite small indigo-dyed pieces.
Then you will have some free time to stroll around Miyama’s Thatched Village. As you walk around, you will see an old-fashioned post box, stone deities. You can go and see a 400-year-old horse-chestnut tree at a local Inari Shrine, or have some coffee at a local café, or just simply walk around admiring the lovely houses. Enjoy getting lost in this beautiful village and make sure to take lots of lovely pictures.
A lunch will be served in a local restaurant (Japanese menu).
After your refreshing stroll in Miyama, you will reboard your coach and head for Osaka.
You will be transferred to your 5* hotel Imperial Osaka selected by PONANT.
Check-in.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant of your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Osaka
After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.
You will be transferred to Kansai International Airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
The Imperial Osaka hotel welcome you into a patrician atmospere of beguiling and care. Accommodations overlook fascinating cityscapes and the meandering Okawa River below, in spring alive with cherry blossoms.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.Your programme includes:
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1-night accommodation in Superior room at the Imperial Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standard (or similar), including breakfast.
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Lunch (Japanese style) with beverages package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee or 1 Japanese tea).
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Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
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Services of a local English-speaking guide.
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Hospitality desk at the hotel, the day of your departure.
Your programme does not include:
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Lunch on day 2.
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Personal expenses.
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Visa costs, if necessary.
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Tips for the driver and local guide.
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Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
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Official hotel check-in time is 2:00 p.m.
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Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.
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Late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis, according to your flight schedule. Contact your travel agent for further detail.
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The local currency is the yen. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip, or you can use your credit card to withdraw yen from the cash machines (note that only Japan Post Bank & Seven Eleven machines accept foreign credit cards).
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Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).
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Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).
Contact of your hotel:
Imperial Osaka Hotel
8-50, Temmabashi 1-Chrome, Kita-Ku,
Osaka 530-0042
Telephone: 81 6 6881 1111
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €700
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + A GLIMPSE OF OSAKA (PRE)+ DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (POST)
Total : €3,450
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.