Japan by land & sea

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tokyo.

After passing through customs and luggage collection, you'll be met by an airport guide who will give you your trip documents and direct you to the private car that will take you to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at leisure, resting and relaxing after your flight.

You'll spend the morning with one of our guides for an orientation. They will run through your trip and offer any local advice to you so you can enjoy the country with confidence. You'll then get a tour of Tsukiji outer market, followed by a hands-on sushi-making experience.

Enjoy the day at leisure exploring Tokyo or the surrounding area. You may choose to take the train to Kamakura, a seaside town south of Tokyo. Kamakura is dotted with dozens of Buddhist temples, including Kotoku-in, home to the towering Great Buddha statue.

You will make your way to Hakone today by bullet train. This quiet town will give you a nice contrast to the bustling big cities in Japan. You will also have the opportunity to stay in a traditional ryokan accommodation. Ryokan are Japanese inns that are renowned for their service and the traditional food they serve. Most ryokans in Hakone have natural hot spring baths for guests to enjoy thanks to geothermal springs around Mount Fuji.

Today you can enjoy the area and towns of the Hakone National Park. The village of Hakone-machi sits right on the lake nestled in the hills near Mt. Fuji. You can also take the ferry across the lake and enjoy the scenery and vistas around Hakone. If the weather is clear, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

Today, your private driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to the port. Here, you’ll board your Silversea ship, ready to settle into your cabin ahead of your departure this evening. You could begin your voyage with a glass of champagne before heading to one of the onboard restaurants for dinner.

Your cruise begins with a full day at sea, providing an ideal opportunity to get to know the Silver Moon as you sail southwest along the Japanese coast. You might like to browse the onboard boutiques, or head up to the pool deck to swim or unwind on a lounger with panoramic ocean views.

The first port of call on your cruise is Osaka, where your ship will dock overnight. This gives you plenty of time to explore the city your way. This could mean discovering its history at Shitenno-ji temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine, and Osaka Castle, whose tiered silhouette looms over the landscape. Or, wander the lively, neon-lit streets of Dotonbori in downtown Osaka to immerse yourself in the region’s enviable culinary scene.

On your second day in Osaka, you might like to take a day trip to nearby Kyoto. Here, you can stroll through seemingly endless tunnels of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Admire the gilded wonder of Kinkaku-ji temple (golden pavilion), its gleaming main hall reflected in the mirror-like pond below. Discover the intricately decorated halls of Nijo Castle. Or, wander amid the towering blue-green stalks of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as they sway in the breeze.

You’re back at sea for today. You might like to take the opportunity to enjoy a spot of pampering in the onboard Zagara spa. You’ll find a range of treatments available, from massages to facials, plus a sauna and steam room. Alternatively, work up a sweat in the fully-equipped gym.

Your next port of call is Hiroshima. As well as visiting the poignant Peace Memorial Park and Museum to reflect on the city’s past, we recommend taking a tour of Miyajima Island. Here, you’ll see the “floating” red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and have the chance to hike the scenic, deer-dotted slopes of Mount Misen. Back in the city, your specialist can suggest the best spot to sample okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s signature pancake-like dish filled with vegetables, meat, and noodles.

Today, after sailing through the slender, S-shaped Kanmon Strait, you arrive in the city of Fukuoka. During your time here, you could sample local ramen at one of the city’s renowned yatai (open-air food stalls), take in the views from the observation deck of Fukuoka Tower, or explore the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. Alternatively, head out of the city to stroll the scenic grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where red bridges arch over a koi-filled pond fringed by plum trees.

After sailing west overnight, you wake up in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea. Here, you can browse an array of local goods at Gukje Market, relax on the golden sands of Haeundae — the country’s most popular beach — or join a tour of temples and royal tombs in Gyeongju, the country’s “museum without walls”. Your specialist can recommend a local restaurant where you can tuck into a traditional Korean barbecue dinner before you return to your ship this evening.

Today, you voyage east across the Sea of Japan. You might like to start the morning with a coffee and pastry in the Arts Café, before losing yourself in a novel in the Observation Library. And, as evening falls, you can watch the sunset in your wake from the Panorama Lounge, or head to the S.A.L.T. Bar to sip a cocktail inspired by the destinations on your cruise.

This morning you arrive in Kanazawa, a city rich in culture and artistic heritage. A highlight here is Kenroku-en — its combination of ponds, bridges, and flowering trees places it among the top three landscape gardens in Japan. You might also like to visit the preserved geisha and samurai districts, explore the elegant Kanazawa Castle, or attend an authentic tea ceremony. Alternatively, take part in a gold leaf workshop to try your hand at the city’s traditional craft.

Today, you sail north along the western coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island. Tonight, you could dance the night away at a themed party or karaoke evening, or attend a stage show in the glamorous Venetian Lounge. For something more intimate, take a seat in Dolce Vita to sip a glass of wine and listen to live piano music.

You spend today in Aomori, a compact city framed by forested peaks. It’s best known for its spectacular annual Nebuta Matsuri festival, where giant illuminated floats parade through the streets. You can visit the Nebuta Warasse Museum to learn more and view some floats up close. Alternatively, trace the region’s history at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, a preserved village which dates to the Jomon Period (13000–300 BCE). Or, explore its contemporary side at the renowned Aomori Museum of Art.

Today you reach Hakodate, on the southern tip of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Here, you can visit the unusual star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, stroll around the historic Motomachi district, browse the stalls at the Hakodate Morning Market, or venture to the summit of Mount Hakodate for all-encompassing views of the surrounding landscape. Alternatively, take a trip out of the city to explore Onuma Park, home to island-speckled lakes overlooked by the dormant Mount Komagatake volcano.

On your last full day at sea, you navigate south along the eastern coast of Japan. You can watch the scenery drift past from the pool before a meal at your preferred restaurant — whether it’s high-end French cuisine at La Dame or freshly made pizza at Spaccanapoli. Finally, you can round off the night by toasting your voyage with a bespoke cocktail on deck at the Panorama Lounge.

This morning, you will disembark your ship in Tokyo. A private driver will meet you at the port and take you to the airport for your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.