| Day 1 | Depart USA
Depart the US on your overnight flight. |
| Date: 09-May-2021, Sun |
| Day 2 | Kyoto / Maizuru, Japan
Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers. |
| Date: 10-May-2021, Mon |
| Day 3 | Kanazawa, Japan
The main attraction of Kanazawa is Kenrokuen, considered one of Japan’s three best landscaped gardens. The city also boasts many historical attractions and escaped the air raids of WWII so the Old Town district, including Kanazawa Castle, the Nagamachi Samurai District and the Higashi Chaya District remain in good condition. |
| Date: 11-May-2021, Tue |
| Day 4 | Sakaiminato, Japan
This delightful small port city has two major claims to fame – the Matsuba crab, considered one of their culinary icons and anime. Sakaiminato was the hometown of Japanese manga artist Shigeru Mizuki who passed in 2015 but whose artistic creations inhabit the Sakaiminato streets. One road named after the artist offers 2,625 feet (800 meters) of his creations. A visit to the Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery is also worth the effort. |
| Date: 12-May-2021, Wed |
| Day 5 | 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: 13-May-2021, Thu |
| Day 6 | 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: 14-May-2021, Fri |
| Day 7 | Moji, Japan
Looking at the Moji skyline the Mojiko Retro Observation Tower won’t be missed. At 338 feet (103 meters) it provides impressive views of this attractive town. Many of the buildings are Western-style and a walk along the waterfront will reveal some remarkably well-preserved structures. This is also home to the TOTO Museum of Toilets, unique to Japan and the only one of its kind in the world. |
| Date: 15-May-2021, Sat |
| Day 8 | Beppu, Japan
This is one of Japan’s most famous hot springs resorts, with more hot springs than any other resort in the country and offers many options for baths – hot water, mud, sand and steam. The Hells of Beppu are another hot springs attraction for viewing but not bathing. Beppu is also home to the Takasaki Monkey Park full of wild Japanese macaques and Mount Tsurumi. |
| Date: 16-May-2021, Sun |
| Day 9 | Uwajima, Japan
This small coastal city is one of the top pearl producers in Japan. It is home to the hilltop Uwajima Castle, one of the last 12 remaining original castles from the Edo Period (1603-1867). Local food specialties here include Taimeshi (rice and sea bream) and Jakoten (fish cakes). |
| Date: 17-May-2021, Mon |
| Day 10 | 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: 18-May-2021, Tue |
| Day 11 | Uno, Tamano, Japan
Today will be memorable as you cruise the Inland Sea to Tamano. Very few ships cruise here so you’ll be able to spot the art that seems to be everywhere. Visit the nearly 8-mile-long Seto Ohashi double-decker bridge, the longest one in the world. And find Korakuen Garden, considered one of the three best landscaped gardens in Japan, or take the short ferry ride to Naoshima Island, known for its modern art museums. |
| Date: 19-May-2021, Wed |
| Day 12 | 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 |
