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Le Soleal, 7 Night Cultural and Natural Treasures of Japan by Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Maizuru, Japan to Hakodate, Japan

Cruise Le Soleal, 7 Night Cultural and Natural Treasures of Japan by Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys ex Maizuru, Japan to Hakodate, Japan
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Soleal
Destination Asia
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Maizuru, Japan onboard Le Soleal
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 21 May 2024
Cruise Description In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This 8-day voyage along Japan's northern coast from Maizuru offers a superb introduction to its traditions and customs through a wide variety of carefully curated shore excursions in each port of call—an opportunity for you to sample widely among feudal castles, Buddhist temples, modern art, tea ceremonies, artisanal crafts, landscape gardens, and the wonders of nature.

The richness from which to choose is immediately apparent in your first port of call, Sakaiminato, where options include Matsue Castle, built entirely of pine in 1611; the Adachi Museum of Art, displaying the great masters of modern Japanese painting and sculpture; a demonstration of the ancient craft of making paper (washi) from tree bark; and Yushien Garden, a landscape garden in traditional style, famous for its peonies.

The South Korean port of Busan offers a similar range of experiences: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built in 1376 overlooking the sea; the Busan Museum of Art, featuring an outdoor sculpture garden as well as exhibits of contemporary Korean artists; Gyeongju Historic Areas, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site representing the flowering of Silla culture between the 7th and 10th centuries; and a Korean Tea Ceremony at the Hongbeopsa Temple, famous for having the largest Buddha statue in Asia.

A day at sea brings you to Kanazawa and a chance to explore world famous Kenroku-en Garden, recognized as one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan because it possesses 'the six qualities of a perfect garden'. Kanazawa is also known for its impeccably-preserved samurai and geisha districts, and for its handicrafts, especially its lacquer, pottery, gold, and silk—all of which you will be invited to experience and enjoy.

The final two ports of call — Ogi, on Sado Island, and the small town of Sakata — are where Japan's natural beauty takes center stage. An excursion to Senkaku-wan Bay Ageshima Yuen Park on Sado Island is a landscape photographer's dream, as are Mt. Haguro, part of the trinity of sacred mountains known as the Dewa Sanzan, and Mt. Chokai and Tamasudare Falls outside of Sakata. But as always on this cruise, alternatives abound, this time in the form of a Folk Museum and Sake Brewery in Ogi and a photography museum and aquarium featuring jellyfish in Sakata.

Your cruise ends in Hakodate on the island of Hokkaido.
Sailing Dates
21 May 2024
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
SP3 AU $18,470 AU $10,270 AU $6,170
DEL AU $18,580 AU $10,990
PR4 AU $20,520 AU $12,040
PR5 AU $21,470 AU $12,550
PR6 AU $22,620 AU $13,180
PS6 AU $42,270 AU $23,080 AU $11,800
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
21 May 2024 Maizuru, Japan 6:00 PM
22 May 2024 Sakaiminato, Japan 7:00 AM 1:00 PM
23 May 2024 Busan, (Pusan) South Korea 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
24 May 2024 At Sea    
25 May 2024 Kanazawa, Japan 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
26 May 2024 Ogi, Niigata Japan 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
27 May 2024 Sakata, Japan 7:00 AM 3:30 PM
28 May 2024 Hakodate, Japan 8:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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