East Asian Legends
From $6,154 per person
11 days
Ship: Star Seeker
From $6,154 per person
11 days
Ship: Star Seeker
Discover the surprising diversity of East Asian cultures as you make your way from Osaka and Kyoto’s traditional Japan, full of ancient temples and tea houses, to southern Japan’s Ryukyu Islands with their subtropical beaches and unique culture formed from their time as part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The Ryukyu Kingdom was an independent kingdom in East Asia that existed from the 15th to the 19th century, known for its trade hub and intricate castle designs. On Amami Island, instead of sake you’ll find <em>kokuto shochu</em> made of brown sugar, and instead of brightly colored kimonos find complex patterns in earth tones made with a mud-dyed technique that’s been unchanged for 1,300 years. Shop for distinctive and colorful Ryukyu glass in Okinawa, once made from the old bottles discarded by U.S. troops. Explore the historic homes in Ishigaki’s Yaima Village, an open-air museum of traditional Ryukyu-style houses. Taiwan was once called Formosa, and for good reason. The word means “the beautiful,” and just beyond the urban landscape lie bamboo forests, tropical jungles, simmering hot springs, and waterfalls. In the capital, Taipei, browse the National Palace Museum’s massive collection of Chinese art treasures or head to the old-town market where you’ll find Chinese medicine apothecaries, traditional handicrafts and more. An overnight in Hong Kong reveals a culture that blends Chinese and British colonial influences. Take a sampan to the floating city of Aberdeen past red-sailed junks. Admire the colonial architecture along Garden Road and listen for the noon-day gun, a tradition established by the British in the 1860s. It’s a cultural montage that makes each of these ports unique, flavoring everything from the architecture to the delectable street food.
Day-by-day description of your cruise and cruise activities.
Osaka
Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. 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.
Amami Island
The tropical small port of Amami Island is well-known in Japan for the top-quality silk and dyes produce the highest-end kimonos. The white-sand beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters of Amami are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Amami is also known for Keihan, its unique chicken rice dish.
Okinawa (Naha)
Renowned for its scenic beauty, rich history and unique Chinese, Japanese and Korean culture, Okinawa is famous for its ceramic wares. Tsuboya Potter Museum is the place to visit to learn about this beautiful artform. You’ll also want to see Shuri Castle & Shureimon Gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Kokusai Street, the main shopping area.
Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki City is the southernmost Japanese city located closer to Taiwan than the main islands of Japan. Well known by Japanese tourists for the clear waters and coral reefs, the island is ringed by beaches offering excellent snorkeling, swimming and diving. The emerald-green water of Kabira Bay, a top sightseeing spot famous for the cultivation of black pearls is here, which you can view on a glass bottom boat trip as swimming is not allowed.
Keelung (Taipei)
The modern metropolis and capital city of Taiwan is an interesting mix of Japanese, Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures. The skyline is dominated by the 1,671-foot, 101-storied, bamboo-shaped skyscraper, Taipei 101. Other highlights of Taipei include the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park, Martyrs’ Shrine which is an excellent example of classical Ming Dynasty architecture, and the Confucius Temple.
Hong Kong
Our ship docks right in the heart of Hong Kong’s harbor, putting you at the center of all manner of attractions. Watch sampans and junks glide through the waters of Aberdeen. Soak in the towering skyscrapers, peaceful green hillsides and world-famous Harbour from the top of Victoria Peak. Pursue bargains at Stanley Market. Have your fortune told at the Temple Street Night Market. Visit Lantau Island where a giant bronze Buddha holds court.
Hong Kong
Our ship docks right in the heart of Hong Kong’s harbor, putting you at the center of all manner of attractions. Watch sampans and junks glide through the waters of Aberdeen. Soak in the towering skyscrapers, peaceful green hillsides and world-famous Harbour from the top of Victoria Peak. Pursue bargains at Stanley Market. Have your fortune told at the Temple Street Night Market. Visit Lantau Island where a giant bronze Buddha holds court.
Halong Bay (Hanoi)
Halong Bay is our gateway to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam about 3.5 hours away but well worth the visit. Hanoi boasts a fascinating blend of East and West with lots of Chinese influences and French design. Highlights include the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Thirty-Six Streets District in Old Town Hanoi, and Hoa Lo Prison, known widely as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Explore the mystical landscape of Halong Bay by charming traditional fishing junk.
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