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Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour Kobe Tokyo 2021
13 DAYS FROM ONLY $5,899
Country:
Japan
Embark:
Kyoto
Disembark:
Tokyo
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Login to your AccountKyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour Kobe Tokyo 2021
Examine Kyoto’s majestic temples and storied Nijo Castle in detail as part of a 2-night inland stay, or explore the Zen temple of Tenryuji in scenic and peaceful Arashiyama, one of the most popular destinations in the city. It’s a perfect journey for those who love Japan, and adventurous travelers who want to go further inland to explore the distinctive culture and history of Kyoto.
| Day | Activity | Arrive |
| Depart | ||
| Day 1 | Depart USA | |
| Day 2 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | |
| Day 3 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | |
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | |
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 5 | Takamatsu, Japan | 07:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 6 | Hiroshima, Japan | 08:00 AM |
| 05:00 PM | ||
| Day 7 | Karatsu, Japan | 11:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 8 | Busan, Korea, Republic Of (South) | 07:00 AM |
| 04:00 PM | ||
| Day 9 | Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Cruising | 06:00 AM |
| 07:30 AM | ||
| Day 9 | Nagasaki, Japan | 10:00 AM |
| 07:00 PM | ||
| Day 10 | Kagoshima, Japan | 09:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 11 | At Sea | |
| Day 12 | Shingu, Japan | 07:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 13 | Shimizu, Japan | 08:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | ||
| Day 14 | Tokyo, Japan | 08:00 AM |
| Day | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Depart USA | ||
| Day 2 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | ||
| Day 3 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | ||
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | ||
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan | 06:00 PM | |
| Day 5 | Takamatsu, Japan | 07:00 AM | 06:00 PM |
| Day 6 | Hiroshima, Japan | 08:00 AM | 05:00 PM |
| Day 7 | Karatsu, Japan | 11:00 AM | 06:00 PM |
| Day 8 | Busan, Korea, Republic Of (South) | 07:00 AM | 04:00 PM |
| Day 9 | Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Cruising | 06:00 AM | 07:30 AM |
| Day 9 | Nagasaki, Japan | 10:00 AM | 07:00 PM |
| Day 10 | Kagoshima, Japan | 09:00 AM | 06:00 PM |
| Day 11 | At Sea | ||
| Day 12 | Shingu, Japan | 07:00 AM | 06:00 PM |
| Day 13 | Shimizu, Japan | 08:00 AM | 06:00 PM |
| Day 14 | Tokyo, Japan | 08:00 AM |
Tour Highlights
• From Shimizu view the artistic inspiration that is Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain
• With extra time to discover Kyoto’s sites, see Kinkakuji Castle, known as the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle, a UNESCO site with ornate wood carvings
• Discover the scenic beauty of Japan’s Inland Sea, where few ships go
• Visit the UNESCO site of Shingu, Kamikura-jinja Shrine, a part of the Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
• Highlights to find in Busan include Gyeongju, a UNESCO site and 1,500-year-old Tongdosa Temple
• Tour around Osaka’s landmark castle
| Day | Activity / Description |
| Day 1 | Depart USA Depart the US on your overnight flight. |
| Date: 17-May-2021, Mon | |
| Day 2 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Date: 18-May-2021, Tue | |
| Day 3 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Date: 19-May-2021, Wed | |
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Date: 20-May-2021, Thu | |
| Day 4 | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Date: 20-May-2021, Thu | |
| Day 5 | Takamatsu, Japan The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island’s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan’s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes. |
| Date: 21-May-2021, Fri | |
| Day 6 | Hiroshima, Japan Largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during WWII, Hiroshima today is a modern city on the island of Honshu. The Hiroshima Memorial Peace Arch, a UNESCO site commonly referred to as the Atomic Dome, commemorates the 1945 event. One feature is a colorful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wish for peace was told in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Also worth seeing is the Hiroshima Museum of Art displaying paintings from Monet, Van Gogh, Fujishima and Asai and the UNESCO red torii of Miyajima. |
| Date: 22-May-2021, Sat | |
| Day 7 | Karatsu, Japan Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle’s history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November. |
| Date: 23-May-2021, Sun | |
| Day 8 | Busan, Korea, Republic Of (South) The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples. Also of interest is South Korea’s largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues. |
| Date: 24-May-2021, Mon | |
| Day 9 | Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Cruising Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since. (Visibility depends on weather conditions.) |
| Date: 25-May-2021, Tue | |
| Day 9 | Nagasaki, Japan Notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII, Nagasaki has memorialized the event at the city’s Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park. The museum tells the story of the events leading up to the bombing and the park, located at the center of the bomb blast, houses a beautiful 30-foot tall fountain symbolizing peace. Other highlights to see are the Glover Gardens and Dejima Museum, which was originally an artificial island. |
| Date: 25-May-2021, Tue | |
| Day 10 | Kagoshima, Japan The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots. |
| Date: 26-May-2021, Wed | |
| Day 11 | At Sea |
| Date: 27-May-2021, Thu | |
| Day 12 | Shingu, Japan For over 1,000 years pilgrims have traveled to the Kumano Region to pray at the three Sacred Kumano Shrines. In Shingu you can see the Hayatama Shrine and the Kamikura Shrine. Both of these shrines are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Kamikura Shrine sits on Mount Kamikurayama and requires climbing 538 steps to reach it. |
| Date: 28-May-2021, Fri | |
| Day 13 | Shimizu, Japan Most notably known as the city you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from. This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan’s largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea. |
| Date: 29-May-2021, Sat | |
| Day 14 | Tokyo, Japan There are so many interesting things about Tokyo it is not possible to list them here and you will want to plan to extend your stay. This is the place for excellent and unlimited shopping choices and from where new fashion trends seem to spring. It offers excellent cuisine and has earned mention on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Even though Tokyo’s neon-lit streets make it seem modernistic, it also prides itself on retaining its shogun past, carrying on sumo tournaments and kabuki productions. Tokyo is also committed to providing green spaces in the city or on the outskirts, quickly reached by train. |
| Date: 30-May-2021, Sun |
| Day | Date | Activity / Description |
| Day 1 | 17-May-2021, Mon | Depart USA Depart the US on your overnight flight. |
| Day 2 | 18-May-2021, Tue | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Day 3 | 19-May-2021, Wed | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Day 4 | 20-May-2021, Thu | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Day 4 | 20-May-2021, Thu | Kobe, Kyoto, Japan Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden. |
| Day 5 | 21-May-2021, Fri | Takamatsu, Japan The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island’s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan’s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes. |
| Day 6 | 22-May-2021, Sat | Hiroshima, Japan Largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during WWII, Hiroshima today is a modern city on the island of Honshu. The Hiroshima Memorial Peace Arch, a UNESCO site commonly referred to as the Atomic Dome, commemorates the 1945 event. One feature is a colorful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wish for peace was told in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Also worth seeing is the Hiroshima Museum of Art displaying paintings from Monet, Van Gogh, Fujishima and Asai and the UNESCO red torii of Miyajima. |
| Day 7 | 23-May-2021, Sun | Karatsu, Japan Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle’s history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November. |
| Day 8 | 24-May-2021, Mon | Busan, Korea, Republic Of (South) The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples. Also of interest is South Korea’s largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues. |
| Day 9 | 25-May-2021, Tue | Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Cruising Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since. (Visibility depends on weather conditions.) |
| Day 9 | 25-May-2021, Tue | Nagasaki, Japan Notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII, Nagasaki has memorialized the event at the city’s Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park. The museum tells the story of the events leading up to the bombing and the park, located at the center of the bomb blast, houses a beautiful 30-foot tall fountain symbolizing peace. Other highlights to see are the Glover Gardens and Dejima Museum, which was originally an artificial island. |
| Day 10 | 26-May-2021, Wed | Kagoshima, Japan The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots. |
| Day 11 | 27-May-2021, Thu | At Sea |
| Day 12 | 28-May-2021, Fri | Shingu, Japan For over 1,000 years pilgrims have traveled to the Kumano Region to pray at the three Sacred Kumano Shrines. In Shingu you can see the Hayatama Shrine and the Kamikura Shrine. Both of these shrines are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Kamikura Shrine sits on Mount Kamikurayama and requires climbing 538 steps to reach it. |
| Day 13 | 29-May-2021, Sat | Shimizu, Japan Most notably known as the city you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from. This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan’s largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea. |
| Day 14 | 30-May-2021, Sun | Tokyo, Japan There are so many interesting things about Tokyo it is not possible to list them here and you will want to plan to extend your stay. This is the place for excellent and unlimited shopping choices and from where new fashion trends seem to spring. It offers excellent cuisine and has earned mention on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Even though Tokyo’s neon-lit streets make it seem modernistic, it also prides itself on retaining its shogun past, carrying on sumo tournaments and kabuki productions. Tokyo is also committed to providing green spaces in the city or on the outskirts, quickly reached by train. |
With only 212 guests, a Star Pride cruise will make you feel like you're on board your own private yacht almost as soon as you step aboard. The sitting area of your spacious, newly refurbished suite gives you an expansive ocean view — making it a welcome retreat. When you're ready to make an appearance, the lounges, club, casino and library are waiting to be explored. Take some "you" time in the tranquil WindSpa . . . enjoy a dip in the pool . . . work off that decadent dessert in the Fitness Center . . . and, of course, you are always welcome to visit the Bridge to examine navigation charts with the Captain. Star Pride is large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach.