Name: Hidden Japan: from Hokkaido to Hiroshima
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: M2526090110

Cruise Only

What`s included

Perfect for travellers who are independent and happy doing their own thing before and after their cruise.

Solo travelers: book via enquiries@swanhellenic.com

Price From

€ 9,800

Per Person

Lowest fare available

book your cruise

What’s INCLUDED:

Your selected stateroom;
All meals onboard;
Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise;
24-hour room service;
Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers;
One selected shore excursion per port of call;
All expedition landings;
Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available);
Gym, sauna, pool;
24/7 self service laundry;
Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep;
In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot;
Memory Package;
Onboard gratuities & port taxes.

The following services are not included:

Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk);
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included);
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply).

FURTHER INFORMATION ON PRICING

Please read these travel conditions carefully before booking your package tour, because you accept them as binding with your booking.
Learn more here

YOUR TRIP

Dreaming of an unforgettable journey through East Asia? Swan Hellenic invites you to explore the shores of Japan and Korea on a boutique small ship cruise from Otaru to Hiroshima. This expertly curated itinerary showcases a captivating blend of northern landscapes, ancient traditions, and dynamic port cities across Japan, South Korea, and beyond.

Sail through storied regions along the Sea of Japan, from Hokkaido’s Otaru to the rich cultural heritage of Ogi, Sado Island, Sakata, Maizuru, and Sakaiminato. In Busan, South Korea, discover vibrant markets and coastal charm before returning to Japan’s southern shores. Cruise the historic Kanmon Strait, uncovering centuries of maritime legacy along the way.

Your journey concludes in Hiroshima, a city of peace, resilience, and renewal. With immersive cultural encounters and breathtaking coastal scenery, this East Asia cruise with Swan Hellenic offers enriching exploration for curious, discerning travelers.

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Trip Highlights

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Enjoy expert-led excursions to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial, serene temples, and artisan workshops in Aomori.

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Encounter welcoming locals in Busan’s art-filled alleys and traditional communities in Maizuru and Sakata.

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Sail Kanmon Strait, visit Sado Island’s gold mines, and explore Hokkaido’s wild landscapes.

Itinerary

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An important port on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Otaru retains original architecture. Restored warehouses along its canal, lined with Victorian street lamps, house restaurants and boutiques selling sake, music boxes and renowned Otaru glass. Rooted in the herring industry, the town's trading history is evident from Hokkaido's first railway line terminal to the Herring Mansion on the outskirts, once owned by wealthy herring fishermen.

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The city of Hakodate in Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island and is well-known for its seafood, for sale daily at the morning market. Mount Hakodate, reached by gondola. watches over the bustling city. While the area is rich in hot springs, it is best known for the famous snow monkeys who bathe in the hot springs of Yunokawa Onsen at the Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden.

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Sakata, a port city on the Mogami river, thrived on rice and safflower trade. The traditional 1893 Sankyo Rice Storehouses, shaded by zelkova trees, are now a cultural hub with shops. The city's quiet streets feature preserved, wealthy Edo-era homes, including the Honma Museum of Art with fine art and gardens. South of the river, The Ken Domon Museum honours the famed photographer’s powerful work, including images of Hiroshima survivors.

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Sado, Japan's sixth largest island, has a quaint port at Ogi known for tarai-bune, traditional wooden boats. The island is also famous for its world-renowned taiko drummers, continuing a rich cultural tradition. Once a place of exile for artists and academics, Sado now draws visitors to its rugged coasts, hidden beaches and lush terrain for outdoor activities.

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The port city of Maizuru in south-central Japan served as a major naval base and post-WWII repatriation port, where over 660,000 Japanese returned home - this history is remembered at the poignant Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum. Its scenic harbour, framed by forested hills, is overlooked by Goro Sky Tower atop Mt. Gorogatake. Brick Park evokes the city’s industrial past with Meiji-era warehouses housing the unique World Brick Museum.

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A haven for seafood lovers, manga fans and nature enthusiasts, Sakaiminto’s offerings are fairly eclectic for the seemingly slow-paced port town. Fish markets and world-class seafood restaurants line the streets, offering delights including local delicacy, Matsuba snow crab. You can also feast on Pacific bluefin tuna, Sakaiminto salmon, Natsuki rock oysters, swordtip squid and plenty more. The city was also once home to local hero, Shigeru Mizuki, a celebrated manga comic artist. Visit the Mizuki Shingeru museum for a fascinating insight into his life and the world of manga. Stretch your legs and enjoy a hike up the volcanic Mount Daisen, the highest mountain in the region (1730m). Or you may wish to take a gentler trek though the tranquil and restorative beech and cedar forests whilst connecting with nature and indulging in the Japanese pastime of ‘forest bathing’.

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In Japan's feudal era, Hagi was governed by the powerful Mori Clan. Many old buildings are open to the public, bearing witness to the samurai who played a role in Japan's Meiji Restoration. Hagi is rich in shrines, temples, and historical artefacts. Hagi Castle's ruins are in Shizuki Park, famous for its spring cherry blossoms and the wooded slopes of Mt. Shizuki. Hagi Uragami Museum exhibits ukiyo-e woodblock prints and ceramics.

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Busan, South Korea's second city, blends beaches and mountains with boutiques, lively cafes and delicious seafood in food alleys. The 120m-tall Busan Tower offers a sense of the skyscraper cityscape. Six beaches, including Haeundae and Gwangalli, attract visitors year-round. Gamcheon Culture Village, previously a slum, is now a kaleidoscopic haven of art nestled on the coastal mountain foothills, affectionately dubbed the "Machu Picchu of Busan."

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Former trading hub Moji wonderfully mixes old-world architecture with natural beauty. Mojiko Retro district's western-style Meiji-era red brick buildings line the waterfront. Mekari Park offers panoramic views of the Kanmon Strait and Bridge. Across the sea in Shimonoseki, remnants of a traditional samurai residence and garden from the Edo era remain in Chofu. Further out, a modern reconstruction of the 17th-century Kokura Castle stands proudly.

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Sailing through the Kanmon Strait is challenging with strong currents and an S-shaped bend. One of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, the strait cuts a dramatic 38 km (24 mi) channel, narrowing to 700 m (0.4 mi) at its tightest point. The graceful Kanmon Bridge, a 1,068-m (3,504-ft) suspension bridge, spans the waterway between Honshu and Kyushu. Shimonoseki overlooks the strait from Honshu, while Moji district stands watch from Kyushu.

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Beppu is best known for Jigoku Meguri ("Boiling Hells") - seven vivid geothermal springs too hot for bathing but offering stunning colours, bubbling mud and soaring steam. Nearby, Mount Takasaki's 1,500 wild Japanese macaques can be seen up close at Takasakiyama Monkey Park. A short trip away, Usuki features 60 stone-carved Buddhist statues in peaceful park grounds with feudal castle ruins and 1,000 cherry trees.

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Hiroshima is a city of peace and resilience. The Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vividly portrays the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Designed by Kenzō Tange and inaugurated in 1955, the museum serves as a global symbol of peace, featuring a solemn cenotaph bearing the victims' names and the Flame of Peace, lit in 1964. The Genbaku Dome stands as the sole original structure left at the blast site.

This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

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YOUR SUITE TYPE

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Oceanview D4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m2 (215ft2) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

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Oceanview M4

20 m²

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Balcony D5

25 m²

Balcony Staterooms measure 25m2 (269ft2) – including a 5m2 (54ft2) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

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Balcony M5

25 m²

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Balcony D6

25 m²

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Suite

40 m²

Suites feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and walk-in shower – and a 10m2 (108ft2) private balcony.

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Premium Suite

47 m²

Premium Suites have a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – walk-in wardrobe, and a 12m2 (129ft2) private balcony.

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