Superior Stateroom Deck 3
21 m²
3
- Last staterooms
The best of Japan
Maizuru - Osaka
Dates:
14/05/2025
to
22/05/2025
Other available dates
days
nights on board
Gastronomic cruise with featured guest Japanese chef Mitsuru Tsukada.
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 Maizuru, set sail aboard Le Soléal for a cruise with a thousand traditions, with the exceptional presence onboard of the Japanese chef Mitsuru Tsukada. For 9 days, during various ports of call, you will have the opportunity to explore an unrivalled cultural heritage as well as an incomparable gastronomic heritage. On the programme: culinary activities, sake tasting, dinners featuring traditional flavours, discussions with the chef...
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, explore the picturesque city of Chiran and its ancestral history from Kagoshima, discover the cultural heritage of Nagasaki, or appreciate the natural jewels of Uwajima. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
At the whim of the trade winds in the Sea of Japan, Le Soléal will sail 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.
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.
Further south, 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...
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 the currents, clinging to the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, Le Soléal will sail east. At the foot of a tropical forest burgeoning with life, Tamano stands proudly in the middle of this enchanting environment. Last port of call of your journey, it still bears the traces of traditional Japanese life in the 18th century, as the particular architecture of the town demonstrates.
Ref : SO140525
Your itinerary
Gastronomic Cruise with featured guest Japanese chef Mitsuru Tsukada. During the cruise there will be a gala dinner, a dinner with entertainment, a lunch with sushi and a cooking demonstration by Chef Mitsuru...
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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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LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
LE BORÉAL
L'AUSTRAL
L'AUSTRAL
05/11/2025 to the 23/11/2025
LE CHAMPLAIN
03/12/2025 to the 13/12/2025
*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.
Discover all destinations
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
Mitsuru Tsukada
Born 1974 in Saitama, Japan. Mitsuru Tsukada spent his school days in an international environment and went to London to learn English.
While attending culinary school there, he decided to become a chef abroad with a strong passion for spreading Japanese cuisine to the world. After three years of training at a restaurant in Kumamoto Japan, he moved back to the UK.
He started his career under the world-renowned Japanese chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, and successfully held the positions of sous chef and chef de cuisine at Nobu London and Matsuhisa Athénée.
He also created a buzz at Matsuhisa Paris with a limited-time promotion, paving the way for the opening of the current restaurant.
In 2013, he moved to Geneva, Switzerland, to help launch the Japanese restaurant at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel.
In October 2022, he opened the restaurant Sachi at the Mandarin Oriental Geneva.
He is currently developing a consulting business to build bridges between foreign chefs interested in Japanese cuisine and Japanese chefs who aspire to work abroad.
Language spoken: English.
Photo credit: ARR
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
- Gastronomic Cruise with featured guest Japanese chef Mitsuru Tsukada.
- During the cruise there will be a gala dinner, a dinner with entertainment, a lunch with sushi and a cooking demonstration by Chef Mitsuru Tsukada.
- A cruise discovering the Empire of the Rising Sun, its culture, its ancestral traditions, its gastronomic heritage and its emblematic sites.
- A culinary exploration via highlights: dinners featuring Japanese flavours, gastronomic activities and demonstrations, sake tasting, and so on.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Miyajima Sanctuary and its vermillion Torii, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
- Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
- Sakaiminato or medieval Japan and the former homes of the Samurais.
- 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.
- Discovering Tamano, a former feudal domain with a surprising cultural heritage, and its famous “black castle”.
- A passionate lecturer on board.
*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Ports of Call & Excursions
14 May 2025 - Maizuru
Embarkation 14/05/2025 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 14/05/2025 at 18:00
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.
15 May 2025 - Sakaiminato
Arrival 15/05/2025 early morning
Departure 15/05/2025 late afternoon
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.
16 May 2025 - Busan
Arrival 16/05/2025 midday
Departure 16/05/2025 early evening
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.
17 May 2025 - Nagasaki
Arrival 17/05/2025 early morning
Departure 17/05/2025 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.
18 May 2025 - Kagoshima
Arrival 18/05/2025 early morning
Departure 18/05/2025 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.
19 May 2025 - Uwajima
Arrival 19/05/2025 midday
Departure 19/05/2025 evening
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.
20 May 2025 - Hiroshima
Arrival 20/05/2025 early morning
Departure 20/05/2025 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.
20 May 2025 - Miyajima Island
Arrival 20/05/2025 early afternoon
Departure 20/05/2025 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.
21 May 2025 - Tamano
Arrival 21/05/2025 early morning
Departure 21/05/2025 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.
22 May 2025 - Osaka
Arrival 22/05/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 22/05/2025 at 07:00
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.
Matsue Castle and 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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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 1.25 mile (2 km) of walking over sometimes wet, slippery tiles. To reach the Sanctuary, you normally have to walk the 108 steps down and back up, but a path without steps has just been laid out, so that the 108 steps up and down can be avoided. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Ground Zero and 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 Hamamachi 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).
- This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of walking over flat terrain (including steps and elevators).
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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. A gourmet break will be offered.
After the visit, return to the ship.
- This tour involves approximately 1.25 miles (2 km) of walking and 150 steps.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hiroshima Museum and Peace Memorial Park
Discover the Hiroshima of past and present by visiting the moving Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park.
In the years that followed the explosion of the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945, scientists doubted that Hiroshima would live again one day. However, modern Hiroshima rose from its ashes like a phoenix and, less than five decades after its destruction, is now a dynamic city whose population is growing steadily.
From the pier, you will go the touching Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Made up of two buildings, the museum recounts the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. However, it focuses on the events of 6 August 1945: the dropping of the bomb and its consequences in terms of human suffering. The personal details exhibited are deeply moving and a reminder that peace must not be taken for granted.
You will then walk from the museum to the A-Bomb Dome, via the Peace Memorial Park. This large green space, criss-crossed with alleyways and dotted with memorial monuments, is bordered by rivers on either side. The central element is the long Pond of Peace, edged with trees, leading to the Cenotaph. This saddle-shaped concrete monument contains the names of all the known victims of the bomb. To the north of the road crossing the park, there is the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped. When Sadako developed leukaemia aged 11, she decided to fold 1,000 orizuru (paper cranes). In Japan, the crane symbolises long life and happiness and she thought that she would get better if she reached this goal. Her story inspired a national wave of paper crane folding that has continued to this day.
This visit involves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. This visit includes sensitive materials, particularly graphic images and presentations of the atrocities of war.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Historic 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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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
Gastronomy & Wine
Succumb to the pleasures of fine dining as you enjoy the delights dreamed up or selected by the most talented sommeliers and Michelin-starred chefs of their generation. They will share with you their passion for the art of eating through gala dinners, tastings, workshops and fascinating talks. Special attention will be paid to the wines offered to you during these Gastronomy and Wine cruises: an exclusive wine list, expert wine and food pairings... As you visit the carefully selected ports of call in cities with a rich cultural heritage, the exceptional culinary and wine-tasting experiences are sure to surprise you.
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
12/05/2025 - FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (PRE) + HERITAGE OF OSAKA 1N (POST)
4,185 €
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12/05/2025 - FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (PRE) + TOKYO, BETWEEN MODERNITY AND TRADITION 4N (POST)
7,140 €
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09/05/2025 - FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + KYOTO AND NARA, IMPERIAL HERITAGE 4N (PRE) + HERITAGE OF OSAKA 1N (POST)
6,730 €
Find out moreDISCOVER 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 – Osaka
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 Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT.
Lunch, afternoon, and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Osaka/Miyama/Maizuru
Breakfast before check-out to start your day of visit in 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).
You will then be transferred to the port of Maizuru to embark on board your ship
Your hotel:
With its modern architecture, the hotel Centara Osaka is a stunning 33-story visual masterpiece located in the heart of Namba, the city's vibrant entertainment and shopping district.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in Standard room at the Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standard (or similar), including breakfast.
- 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).
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- 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.
- Personal expenses.
- Visa costs, if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
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 12:00 a.m.
- 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).
- Please be aware that a double room with a king size bed is not common in Japan. Most of the hotels do offer double rooms with twin beds. The double room king size bed is not guaranteed at the hotel.
- 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:
Hotel Centara Osaka
2 Chome-11-50 Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward
Osaka, 556-0011, Japan
Telephone : (+81) 6 6616 9945
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 : 640 €
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 Good Nature Kyoto 4* 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
You will then be transferred to the port of Maizuru to embark on board your ship.
Your hotel:
The Good Nature Kyoto, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a true oasis of well-being. Each room is thoughtfully designed to provide a tranquil space, featuring breathtaking views of the city or the surrounding gardens. Experience serenity and comfort in a setting that embraces both nature and culture.
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 Good Nature Kyoto 4* 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 Good Nature Kyoto 4* 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.
- Please be aware that a double room with a king size bed is not common in Japan. Most of the hotels do offer double rooms with twin beds. The double room king size bed is not guaranteed at the hotel.
- 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:
Hotel Good Nature Kyoto
318-6 Inari-cho, kawaramachidori shijosagaru,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Telephone : (+81) 75 352 6730
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 : 3,790 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Matsue Castle and 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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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 1.25 mile (2 km) of walking over sometimes wet, slippery tiles. To reach the Sanctuary, you normally have to walk the 108 steps down and back up, but a path without steps has just been laid out, so that the 108 steps up and down can be avoided. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Ground Zero and 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 Hamamachi 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).
- This tour is mainly a walking tour and involves approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of walking over flat terrain (including steps and elevators).
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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. A gourmet break will be offered.
After the visit, return to the ship.
- This tour involves approximately 1.25 miles (2 km) of walking and 150 steps.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hiroshima Museum and Peace Memorial Park
Discover the Hiroshima of past and present by visiting the moving Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park.
In the years that followed the explosion of the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945, scientists doubted that Hiroshima would live again one day. However, modern Hiroshima rose from its ashes like a phoenix and, less than five decades after its destruction, is now a dynamic city whose population is growing steadily.
From the pier, you will go the touching Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Made up of two buildings, the museum recounts the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. However, it focuses on the events of 6 August 1945: the dropping of the bomb and its consequences in terms of human suffering. The personal details exhibited are deeply moving and a reminder that peace must not be taken for granted.
You will then walk from the museum to the A-Bomb Dome, via the Peace Memorial Park. This large green space, criss-crossed with alleyways and dotted with memorial monuments, is bordered by rivers on either side. The central element is the long Pond of Peace, edged with trees, leading to the Cenotaph. This saddle-shaped concrete monument contains the names of all the known victims of the bomb. To the north of the road crossing the park, there is the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped. When Sadako developed leukaemia aged 11, she decided to fold 1,000 orizuru (paper cranes). In Japan, the crane symbolises long life and happiness and she thought that she would get better if she reached this goal. Her story inspired a national wave of paper crane folding that has continued to this day.
This visit involves approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes. This visit includes sensitive materials, particularly graphic images and presentations of the atrocities of war.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Historic 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.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
HERITAGE OF OSAKA (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of an unforgettable day to discover the historical and cultural heritage of Osaka, Japan's first capital. This programme will be a pleasant conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 - Osaka
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will board the coach for a full day sightseeing tour of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and the biggest merchant city in Western Japan.
You will start your exploration with a visit of the Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle was a monumental fortification constructed, upon the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to be the strongest and enclosed by tremendous stone walls 12 kilometres in length. The castle took three and a half years to complete and required 30 000 to 40 000 men. It played a major role in the unification of Japan. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers.
Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant (Japanese style).
Following lunch, some free time will allow you to wander the streets of Osaka.
Then, you will proceed to Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the most famous in Japan and the representative of its lineage throughout the peninsula. Its history begins in 211, even before Buddhism arrived in the country. It is one of the oldest spiritual sites built on Japanese soil. The main pavilion has been classed as a "National Treasure" thanks to its unique Shinto architecture. Goshogozen, the site's most sacred location, nestles among the centenary cedar trees. This is where the gods are said to have appeared for the first time. Reconstructed from the 19th century onwards, it is dedicated to the four Kami divinities of the sea and sea travel, agriculture, diplomacy and waka poetry. Empress Jingu (169-269), known for her conquest of Korea, is also venerated here. In the past, maritime merchants used to stop in Osaka to pray at Sumiyoshi Taisha, before embarking again aboard their ships.
After this visit, you will be transferred to the Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT.
Check-in.
Enjoy a dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
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:
With its breathtaking modern architecture, the Centara Osaka Hotel is a 33-storey visual masterpiece in the heart of Namba, the city's lively leisure and shopping district.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in Standard room at the Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standards (or similar), breakfast included.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 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 departure.
Your programme does not include:
- Personal expenses.
- Visa costs, if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
- Late check out according to your flight schedule.
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 2:00 p.m.
- Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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:
Hotel Centara Osaka
2 Chome-11-50 Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward
Osaka, 556-0011, Japan
Telephone : (+81) 6 6616 9945
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 : 890 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.TOKYO, BETWEEN MODERNITY AND TRADITION (4 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Osaka/Tokyo
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will be transferred by coach to Osaka airport for your domestic flight selected by PONANT to Tokyo.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local representative.
You will depart the Tokyo airport by coach for the Okura Tokyo 5* hotel selected by PONANT, for checking in.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant of your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Tokyo
Breakfast.
You will first visit the National Museum of Tokyo which houses the world's largest collection of Japanese art, as well as ancient pottery, religious sculptures, Samurai swords, kimonos and many other objects.
Then, you will go to the very popular district of Asakusa for lunch, where the traditional atmosphere of Tokyo lives on.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant (Japanese menu).
After lunch, you will visit the famous Senso-ji Buddhist temple constructed in the 7th century. The main hall was first built in 645 to house a small golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, that fishermen had hauled out in their nets several times. After the large Kaminarimon gate, you will walk down the long arcade called Nakamise-dori, before discovering a five-story pagoda, the highest one after the To-jin Temple south of Kyoto.
On the way back to your hotel, you will stop at the Imperial Palace Plaza. This historic treasure is built on the site of the former Edo castle, which, at its peak, was the largest in the world. Only the moats and the ramparts remain today. The main building is well-hidden in a small forest and is not visible.
You will have dinner in the restaurant of your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 – Tokyo
Your first visit will be devoted to Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken, in 1914. The shrine spreads over 700,000 square meters covered by a forest of 120,000 trees of 365 species donated by people from all over Japan. For many Japanese the shrine is both a spiritual home and an oasis in Tokyo.
Then, you will have some time to stroll around Omotesando Street. This avenue, "the front approach", originally served Meiji Shrine. It is one of the most fashionable areas of Tokyo with numerous high-endly qualified brand shops and sophisticated restaurants.
On your way to a local restaurant for your lunch, you will cross the globally famous Shibuya Crossing. Known as the largest crossing in the world, it embodies the bubbling, modern and prosperous metropolis. For the Japanese, the Shibuya Crossing is also the story of Hachiko. This dog would wait here for its master every afternoon at the same time, even after his death. The junction thus represents the two essential qualities of the Japanese: loyalty and perseverance.
You will have lunch in a local restaurant.
Optional activity (additional supplement): Afternoon visit in Tokyo - limited to 35 participants.
This optional activity requires a minimum of 10 participants to be privatized.
Extend your day of discovery and let yourself be tempted by an all-new experience that will plunge you into traditional Japan.
Take a private car with your guide.
First, meet with a craftsman who will teach you about Kintsugi (“golden joinery”), the art of handling gold leaf with grace. Kintsugi is the art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful pieces of art.
You will have the opportunity to learn all about the history of this elegant craft and even practice it and bring your creation home.
At the end of the afternoon, your dinner will be at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 – Tokyo
Breakfast.
Optional activity (additional supplement): Sumo stable - limited to 15 participants.
This optional activity is subject to various changes due to training situations.
Arriving at the sumo stable, watch the wrestlers train in the art of this ancient Japanese sport. Sumo wrestling began as a religious ritual before becoming an elite sport. It is believed that sumo first originated as part of a Shinto religious ceremony to welcome in the new year. Professional sumo developed during the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
Enjoy the sight of these traditional outfits and setting, while you take in the precise movements of the sumo wrestlers in action.
Then, you will enjoy an intimate experience in the heart of the Bonsai Museum. Through the art of Kunio Kobayashi, the museum's founder, you will be initiated in this traditional horticultural practice. Apprentices from around the world will tell you about the history of the art of cutting bonsai, a symbol of harmony and serenity.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
After lunch, the next visit will be devoted to the Hamarikyu Gardens. Overlooked by the skyscrapers of the Shidome business district, this traditional Japanese garden was created in the 17th century and has been designated both a Special National Historic Site and a Special National Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese Ministry of Culture. It features the only seawater pond dating back to the Edo era in Tokyo. In this calm and soothing oasis, you will enjoy the experience of a tea ceremony in the Nakashima-no-ochaya tea house.
You will then be transferred to the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center. Shochu is an authentic spirit that originated in Japan. Produced mainly in southern Japan for over 500 years, it resulted from a combination of the basic sake brewing technique and the distillation method. The development of this unique method itself underlines the history of shochu. The oldest record of its use in alcohol production dates back to 800-750 BC in both India and Ethiopia. By the 13 and 14th centuries, it had reached China and several Southeast Asian countries. The technique entered the modern-day Japanese archipelago around the 15th century through trades between the southern islands and surrounding countries.
You will be driven to your hotel for a time at leisure to freshen up and rest before dinner.
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.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 – Tokyo
After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.
You will then be transferred to the 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 Okura Tokyo reveals Tokyo'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 Prestige room at the Okura Tokyo 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standard (or similar), breakfast included.
- A domestic flight: Osaka airport – Tokyo airport in economy class on a regular airline.
- 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 and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Dinner on day 3.
- Personal expenses.
- Visa costs, if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
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 12:00 a.m.
- 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).
- The optional activity afternoon in Tokyo requires a minimum of 10 participants to be privatized.
- The optional activity sumo stable is subject to various changes due to training situations.
- Talking during the training is not allowed as it may distract a wrestler and cause injuries. In order to respect the sumo wrestlers and their traditions, please communicate with the guide using the written notes.
- The visiting duration may be shortened depending on the health conditions of the wrestlers or by the stables decision. The sumo visit might also be cancelled on a short notice due to wrestlers health conditions or by the stable`s decision.
- You will have to take off your shoes before entering any of the temples. To visit temples, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees).
- No inner visit of the Imperial Plaza is possible for civilians. The palace is not visible but you will have the opportunity to witness the great historical Nijubashi Bridge.
- There will be long walk on unpaved and bumpy roads with some stairs. This programme is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.
- Please be aware that a double room with a king size bed is not common in Japan. Most of the hotels do offer double rooms with twin beds. The double room king size bed is not guaranteed at the hotel.
- 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:
Okura Tokyo
2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku
Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Telephone : (+81) 3 3582 0111
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 : 3,870 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (PRE) + HERITAGE OF OSAKA 1N (POST)
Total : 4,185 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + DISCOVER THE VILLAGE OF MIYAMA 1N (PRE) + TOKYO, BETWEEN MODERNITY AND TRADITION 4N (POST)
Total : 7,140 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.FLIGHTS FROM/TO PARIS + KYOTO AND NARA, IMPERIAL HERITAGE 4N (PRE) + HERITAGE OF OSAKA 1N (POST)
Total : 6,730 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.