Immerse yourself in the unique heritage and culture of Japan and the serene beauty of South Korea on this remarkable voyage aboard the 118-passenger MS Island Sky. Sailing from Kanazawa, our comprehensive exploration offers a marvellous balance of ancient castles, serenely beautiful gardens and opulent temples and shrines combined with witnessing some stunning natural landscapes and the futuristic city of Tokyo. So many of Japan’s and South Korea’s treasures are accessible from the coast and our ten night cruise allows you to immerse yourself in the myth and mystique of these ancient lands whilst returning each evening to the peace and comfort of the all-suite MS Island Sky.
Amongst the many highlights will be our visit to the historical city of Kanazawa with its traditional crafts and the 17th century Matsue Castle, one of only a dozen original castles in Japan. We will also discover the shrines and pagodas of Miyajima and see the Peace Memorial at Hiroshima. For the garden enthusiasts we will visit one of Japan’s most famed gardens, Koraku-en and on Shikoku Island, one of Japan’s more traditional islands, we will learn about bonsai cultivation and explore the beautiful Ritsurin Garden which dates from the early Edo Period. In addition to our partial circumnavigation of Japan, our course takes us past the southeastern tip of South Korea where we will spend a day in Gyeongju, the ‘Museum Without Walls’ and visit the Haeinsa Temple, considered one of the three great temples in Korea. We will also discover the picturesque coastal city Yeosu, which translates to ‘beautiful waters’, from where there will be the opportunity to visit the fortress town of Naganeupseong or to explore the area’s natural beauty including wildlife viewing at Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve.
During our voyage we will be able to witness a variety of cultures, natural wonders and architectural styles and all of this will be achieved with great ease in the company of just over 100 fellow, like-minded passengers. In addition, helping us understand all we will see and experience will be our expert Guest Speaker and Japanese guides who will travel on board with us and will add immeasurably to your enjoyment and understanding of this captivating region.
- Gyeongju’s UNESCO Silla Heritage, South Korea: Explore Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site and open-air museum of the Silla Dynasty, with its ancient temples, tombs, and pagodas, complemented by a National Museum visit and traditional Korean dance performance.
- Kanazawa’s Kenroku-en Garden and Artisanal Heritage: Discover Kanazawa’s artistic legacy, including the iconic Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan’s top three gardens, and explore cobblestone streets filled with lacquerware, Kutani pottery, and historic samurai residences.
- Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial and Miyajima’s Torii Gate: Visit Hiroshima’s poignant Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, then sail to Miyajima to see the iconic scarlet Torii gate of the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, via Zodiac landings.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Fly by scheduled flight to Tokyo.
Arrive and transfer to our central hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
After breakfast in the hotel, a morning city tour will include the Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple. Continue to the train station to join the bullet train to Kanazawa where, on arrival, we will transfer to the MS Island Sky.
Kanazawa is a thriving centre of the arts, long known for its lacquer ware, outstanding collectable pottery of the Kutani style, gold leaf workmanship, delicate hand painting of silk for kimonos and Noh theatre dramas. The narrow and winding cobblestone streets have a quaint photogenic charm with old fashioned streetlamps and wooden lattice windows hiding elegant restaurants and craft galleries. Around each bend is a traditional house, museum, art gallery, craft shop, historic samurai residence and even a geisha house to explore. The fascinating openair market displays a vast variety of items from flowers to fish and local handicrafts. Next to the Kanazawa Castle ruins, we will visit one of Japan’s premier highlights, the famed Kenroku-en Garden, ranked among the country’s top three gardens. Alternatively, you can choose to head towards the mountains and explore the town of Inami, built by expert wood carvers, whose magnificent craftsmanship can be seen in Zuisenji Temple. Today the town is home to 120 woodworking studios, with craftsmen keeping the traditional practice alive. From here we will drive to Gokayama where we will see the traditional gassho-zukuri style houses, which are still used today as homes. Walking through the village here we will experience the history and heritage of Japan.
From the port of Sakaiminato we visit Matsue, the ‘town of water,’ which nestles between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. We will visit the cultural attractions of the town including the 17th century Matsue Castle before enjoying a boat ride on the local canals. Alternatively visit the Adachi Museum of Art which is set in a beautiful natural environment and well known for both its superb Japanese gardens and its collection of contemporary Japanese paintings, comprising approximately 1,500 of the country’s most highly regarded paintings produced after the Meiji period. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail for South Korea this afternoon.
Crossing over to South Korea we embark on a full day excursion to magnificent Gyeongju, a World Heritage Site, which is often described as the world’s finest open-air museum embracing ancient Korean history and Buddhist culture. As the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, Gyeongju’s cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium. Today, as we stroll through some of the hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs and pagodas, there will be time to explore the National Museum with its exceptional collection of finely worked gold jewellery, metal weapons and distinctive pottery. At lunchtime, we will sample Korean delicacies and enjoy a cultural performance of traditional dance.
From our berth in Masan we head inland to the Haeinsa Temple. Regarded as one of the three great temples in Korea, it was first settled in 802 AD and its name derives from a verse in a Buddhist Sutra as ‘reflections on a smooth sea’. In the 13th century when Korea was at war with the Mongols, the government commissioned the Triptaka Koreana, a complete copy of Buddhist scriptures, in the hope of Buddha’s intervention in the war. They were carved onto 81,258 double sided wooden blocks and stored on floor to ceiling shelves in the Janggyeong Panjeon building. After a traditional Korean lunch we will visit the Hapcheon Museum. On our way back to Masan we will stop in Okjeon to explore the ancient tombs that give an insight into Korea’s early history and customs.
This morning, we arrive into Yeosu whose name means ‘beautiful (Yeo) waters (su)’ and this picturesque coastal city lives up to the name. The city and surrounding area has a rich history paired with beautiful scenery and coastline. We will use Yeosu as our base to explore the local area with a choice of tours this morning. You can choose to visit the historic Naganeupseong Walled Town which contains a fortress town of over 59,504 square metres in size. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered the best preserved fortress town in the country. We will walk through this preserved town learning of its history, witness the traditional craftsmen at work and see the traditional houses, some of which are still occupied. Many families have lived in the village for generations keeping this traditional lifestyle alive. Alternatively we will delve into the natural beauty of the area with a visit to Suncheon. We will start at Suncheon Bay National Garden, a stunning landscape of themed gardens, flower fields and ecofriendly design showcasing Korea’s commitment to sustainability. From here we will travel by Skycube (a driverless electric train) to Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, one of South Korea’s most important ecological sites, home to reed fields, mudflats and migratory birds. We will walk along the boardwalks taking in this stunning setting hoping to catch sight of some of the wildlife that inhabits the area. After lunch on board the afternoon is free to explore Yeosu and a shuttle bus will run from the ship to a central point in the city.
After a morning at sea sailing back to Japan, we arrive into the city of Kitakyushu, located on the island of Kyushu. Here we will visit the Kokura Castle, which was originally built in 1602 but rebuilt in 1959 and is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese Garden. From here we will stop at the Moji Port Retro Area which is home to a number of historic buildings from the 19th century. The port was designated a special trade port due to its proximity to China and flourished with financial institutions and merchant companies. The architecture is a mix including western style buildings which always come as a bit of a surprise. There will also be the chance to visit the TOTO Museum which showcases the company’s products, the most famous being its electronic toilets which are hard to miss when visiting Japan, and Japan’s passion and drive for electronics.
Arrive this morning in Hiroshima for our visit to the compelling Peace Memorial Park. The park is dotted with memorials, including the Cenotaph which contains the names of all the known victims of the atomic bomb and the permanently lit “Flame of Peace”. Just outside the park, the Atomic Bomb Dome is a haunting reminder of the destructive forces that were unleashed on the city being one of the few original buildings to survive. In the museum we will see photos, videos and victim’s personal effects relating to the bomb. Over lunch we sail to Miyajima. Considered one of Japan’s top scenic wonders, Miyajima provides a picture postcard vista of the scarlet Torii gate, the giant camphor wood gates at the entrance to the Shinto Shrine. We will use the vessel’s Zodiacs to go ashore and explore the Itsukushima Jinja Shrine, founded in the 6th century and dedicated to three sea goddesses.
From the port of Uno-Ko we will visit one of Japan’s most famed gardens, Koraku-en, which translates as ‘Garden of pleasure after’. This 17th century formal garden has 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees. After a Japanese lunch in a local restaurant, we will continue to the former residence of the Nozaki family. This mansion was built by Nozaki Buzaemon during the Edo period and is famed for his ‘Salt Farm Kingdom’. This huge estate is split into the family’s living area, different gardens as well as storehouses and tea ceremony pavilions. The residence takes you back to the Edo period with its exquisite architecture and decorations.
Arriving during the night we awake in Takamatsu, located on Shikoku Island on the northern shores of the Seto Inland Sea. This morning we visit the small town of Kinashi which has a rich history of producing bonsai for 250 years. We will explore the town, visit a Bonsai nursery and make our way to Ritsurin Garden, recognised as one of the most beautiful in Japan and built by feudal lords in the early Edo Period. With a backdrop against the wooded Mount Shiun, we will wander along the paths of this historic landscape garden dotted with ponds, historic trees and pavilions. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Takamatsu town.
We will disembark this morning and transfer to Kansai Airport for the scheduled flight to London.
Arrive today.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Island Sky
| Length: | 90 Metres |
|---|---|
| Built/Refurbished: | 1992/2018 |
With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is capable of carrying many more but instead the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.
There is a high ratio of crew to passengers- the friendly crew of 75 crew and Scandinavian captains are experienced mariners, having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels and who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. When choosing the vessel for your next voyage of discovery, you can select a ship with endless entertainment and impersonal service or come with us where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, guest speakers, informative port briefings from our cruise director and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship.
Your SuiteOnboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring marble-topped vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a mini-fridge, flat screen television with inbuilt DVD player which can also play CDs and a telephone in each suite. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Other facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. The suites on each deck have their own colour theme. Soft hues and blended tones enhance the traditional maritime style making the passenger accommodation an inviting and relaxing place to be.
Your SpaceThe spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. The onboard library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. There is also WI-FI access throughout the vessel. Outside there is a rear sun deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade, a bar and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a Jacuzzi and further observation and sun deck. There is also a small hairdressers on board with appointments made on request.
Your DiningAnother benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
