Surrounded by sea, the island nation of Japan has long been a stopping place for ocean voyages, absorbing itinerant cultural influences and making them uniquely Japanese. The port cities were often home to samurai, the clan chieftains, and the great feudal lords, who, while fending off foreign rule, were trading with the outside world. These ports then formed the filter through which external influences passed to the interior.

While other visitors make long overland journeys, we will anchor right offshore many places we visit, including Izumo Taisha, the most important Shinto shrine in Japan. We will also cruise right past the red torii at Miyajima at high tide, giving you an unforgettable view of the famous "floating" gates.  Encounters reserved exclusively for those who believe, as we do, that the best way to experience an island nation is not by land, but by sea.

Come with us as we explore the rich historical and cultural tapestry that is Japan in the same way its adopted influences arrived—by ship.