Explore and book Holland America Line 27 Night Far East Cruise on the Westerdam departing from Yokohama, Japan on Sep 27, 2026 and ending in Aomori, Japan on Oct 24, 2026 Sail to Kochi, Japan, Hakodate, Japan, Sakaiminato, Japan, Tsuruga, Japan, Toyama, Japan, Kobe, Japan, Fukuoka, Japan, Tokyo, Japan, Yokohama, Japan, Hiroshima, Japan, Sakata, Japan, Miyako, Japan, Kanazawa, Japan, Osaka (Kyoto and Nara), Japan, Sokcho, South Korea, Busan (Kyongju), South Korea, Aomori, Japan

Yokohama, Japan

Yokohama Private Departure Transfer : from Yokohama Port or Hotels to Tokyo Hotels
5-hour Tokyo Tour + Transfer Between Yokohama and Narita Airport
Yokohama Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized
Yokohama Half Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private
Private Tour to see Highlights of Kamakura, Enoshima, Yokohama from Tokyo
Tokyo Shore Excursion with a Local Guide, Private & Tailored to You
Private Departure Transfer : Yokohama City to Narita International Airport
7-hour Tokyo tour, with Private Car, from/to Yokohama
8-hour Mt.Fuji to/from Yokohama with Private Car

Osaka (Kyoto and Nara), Japan

A vibrant hub of modernity and tradition, Osaka offers a delightful blend of culinary adventures, historic temples, and bustling urban life. Cruisers can explore the famous Osaka Castle or indulge in the city's street food scene.

Kochi, Japan

Best in Kochi, Japan
Mt. Fuji
Kyoto
Miyajima Island
Cherry Blossom Trees
Temple Tours
Japanese Gardens and Tea Houses
National Parks

Hiroshima, Japan

Known for its Peace Memorial Park and its history, Hiroshima stands as a symbol of peace and rebirth. Apart from its historic significance, the city offers beautiful gardens, castles, and delicious local cuisine.

Busan (Kyongju), South Korea

Sakaiminato, Japan

Sakaiminato Highlights Tour
Matsue Castle & Adachi Museum
Izumo – The Land of the Gods

Tsuruga, Japan

Tsuruga Highlights Tour
Maruoka Castle & Bamboo Doll Village

Toyama, Japan

Nestled along the picturesque coast of Japan, Toyama offers a serene escape for cruise enthusiasts. This charming destination is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. With a moderate climate that's comfortable year-round, it's an ideal place to explore.

Sakata, Japan

Mount Haguro Discovery
Sakata History Tour

Aomori, Japan

Hirosaki and Seibien Garden
Mt.Hakkoda Aerial Tram and Oirase Stream with Japanese Style Lunch
Shirakami Mountains Walking Tour
Highlights of Goshogawara
Highlights of Hirosaki
Highlights of Aomori

Hakodate, Japan

Panoramic Mount Hakodate and Sushi
Hakodate in Depth
Onuma Lake Cruise and Hakodate
Onuma National Park
Hakodate Highlights
Hakodate Museum and Mount Hakodate
Goryokaku Tower and Hakodate Bugyosho
Historical Hakodate

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Highlights with Haneda Airport Transfer
Tokyo Highlights with Narita Airport Transfer
Tokyo Highlights with Hotel Transfer

Omaezaki, Japan

Kobe, Japan

Known worldwide for its beef, Kobe is also a city of maritime importance and cultural attractions in Japan. It provides a mix of modernity, rich culinary experiences, and scenic harbor views.

Fukuoka, Japan

Fukuoka Highlight Tour to Hakata
Fukuoka Sightseeing Tour
Dazaifu Discovery

Sokcho, South Korea

Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa & Gokayama Day Tour
Toyama & Kanazawa
From Gokayama to Kanazawa

Miyako, Japan

27 Night Far East Cruise

Asia & Indian Ocean

Explorations Central™ (EXC®), Holland America Line’s exclusive destination programming, is designed to deepen your understanding of the places you visit. Its indispensable travel resources and opportunities to engage with experts and local insiders, make exploring each port of call more vivid and meaningful. Enjoy the programs listed below and visit our Explorations Central discovery center on board. *

Explorations Central

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Casino Action

Unleash your competitive spirit at High Score!, our new family game room — on Oosterdam. By day, it’s a secret hideaway for kids and teens, where they can engage in a fast-paced flurry of four-person air hockey or contend for bragging rights in the video arcade. At night, the entire family is welcome to bond over board games, skee-ball, a tilting labyrinth and family activities.

High Score!

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Onboard Shopping

Each voyage brings a guest chef on board to guide you through the culinary traditions of your destinations. Try local flavors at a food & wine tasting, add a new recipe to your repertoire at a live cooking demonstration or indulge your senses at a fine dining event.For those looking to continue their epicurean immersion on shore, guest chefs lead select shore excursions*, exploring local cuisines while sharing their gastronomic expertise in the field.

Port to Table

Enjoy live music in this popular bar perfect for pre-dinner cocktails.

Ocean Bar

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges onboard. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink.

Crow's Nest

The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur.

Explorer's Lounge

This sophisticated venue is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork including portraits, landscapes, still life and abstract pieces. Order your favorite cocktail or try one from our signature cocktail menu created in partnership with our Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, a James Beard “Who’s Who” inductee.

Gallery Bar

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges and gathering places onboard. Explore Mix for Champagne, Martinis, and Spirits and Ales.

For aficionados, this is truly your whisk(e)y wonderland. At NOTES, a dedicated whisk(e)y bar guests can gaze in awe at the more than 120 labels on display — and sample some of the rarest whisk(e)y selections in the world. An interactive menu board and multiple tasting options are designed to identify uniquely personalized flavor profiles for every guest.

Notes

Which is more delightful: the apple-pear saketini in your chilled glass or views of the sun going down in a crimson blaze? Enjoy both in this stylish hideaway – your destination for panoramic views and exotic cocktails, and just one of the wide selection of lounges and gathering places on board.

Tamarind Bar

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges on board. In the Piano Bar, gather around and sing along as our pianist plays your favorites.

Piano Bar

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Canaletto

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

Dive-In

At Explorations Café, relax in a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, view a wide array of audio and video programming, or simply read the morning paper. Guests can also enjoy fresh pastries and their favorite espresso drink.

Explorations Café

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

Lido Market

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

Pinnacle Grill

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. Behind the scenes, our Culinary Council,® an elite team of seven world-renowned chefs,  and our talented onboard executive chefs have worked to bring each dish to perfection. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. Enrich your journey with an extensive selection of wines, carefully selected by our Wine Curator, world-renowned wine critic James Suckling.

The Dining Room

Direct from Beale Street, B.B. King's All Stars bring the best of Memphis music to sea. From funky and fast to soulful and smooth, enjoy dancing and try specialty cocktails like the Lucille and Rock Me Baby.

B.B. Kings Blues Club

We have partnered with BBC Earth to bring you unforgettable new ways to experience the world's natural wonders. Through the innovative and breathtaking programming, guests will be taken closer to the ocean and the natural world through groundbreaking concerts and films.

BBC Earth in Concert

Screening nightly in the movie theatre (on select ships) are recent-release films and perennially popular classics. You can also watch movies any time in your stateroom or suite. And aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, watch your favorite stars light up the night on a giant outdoor LED movie screen by the Lido Pool.

Movies On Board

In an exclusive partnership with the world’s leading center for the performing arts, we proudly present Lincoln Center Stage, showcasing outstanding musicians performing multiple programs of chamber music most evenings, as well as afternoon recitals during leisurely days at sea.

Lincoln Center Stage

Watch music shows and other entertainment like you never have before at World Stage. Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam bring the World Stage experience to the next level with a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen. A perfect panorama of sight and sound.

World Stage

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Club HAL, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.

Club Hal

Highlights for kids ages 3 to 6 include “Painting Picassos,” and “Sing-Along Storytime,” as well as theme parties, such as “Dino-Mite Night” and “Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure.”

Kids Programs (Ages 3-6)

Teen cruisers enjoy mocktail parties, karaoke and trivia contests, jewelry making, video games, staff vs. teens volleyball tournaments, themed events and more.

Teens Programs (Ages 13-17)

Club HAL activities are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on port days. Lunch is available for participants between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children must be registered and signed into and out of programming by a parent or guardian.

Port Day Activities

Children with special needs are invited to attend Club HAL activities based on their chronological age; our staff is trained to work with special needs children. Please let us know when booking your reservation.

Special Needs

From ice-cream eating contests to gaming tournaments and theme parties, tweens will have plenty to enjoy.

Tweens Programs (Ages 7-12)

Relaxing treatment rooms offer breathtaking views where guests can enjoy exotic skin, body, and hair treatments ranging from hot stone massages and pedicures to hair styling and facials.

Treatment Rooms

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Fitness

During a leisurely day at sea, few places help you refresh, relax and rejuvenate like the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®. This heavenly retreat nurtures every aspect of your well-being with renowned spa rituals and healing touches. In the spa, pamper your skin with facial treatments featuring premium, naturally sourced ingredients. Nurture your body, too, with massage treatments employing time-honored, hands-on massage techniques gleaned from around the world.

Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Prepare for wonderful pampering as you enjoy a select combination of rejuvenating spa treatments from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®, along with other healthy amenities,

Signature Service

Open your mind to the creativity of our international stylists and leave the salon today with a hairstyle that will put a bounce in your step and your locks!

Hair & Nail Services

Superbly refreshed, Westerdam cruise ship features excellent bar, entertainment and dining venues, plus completely reimagined suites. Westerdam is a fascinating destination in her own right and has won multiple Best Cruise Ship awards. On board, enjoy live entertainment with Music Walk™, including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King's Blues Club and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central atop the ship.

Explorations Central™ (EXC®), Holland America Line’s exclusive destination programming, is designed to deepen your understanding of the places you visit.  Its indispensable travel resources and opportunities to engage with experts and local insiders, make exploring each port of call more vivid and meaningful.

Port To Table

n Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

B.B. King's Blues Club

BBC Earth In Concert

Club HAL

Holland America Line

Westerdam

This comprehensive tour of Aomori begins with a visit to the Sannai Maruyama ruins that date back more than 4,000 years to the Jomon Period. An exhibition room holds various artifacts from the site. The ruins were revealed during excavations for a baseball stadium in 1992.

The Nebuta-no-Ie Warasse Museum opened in 2011 and showcases the amazing, colorful Aomori Nebuta Festival. The term 'Nebuta' refers to giant illuminated floats used in the procession, of which five are on display. Enjoy a short film that explains the festival.

Leave the port of Aomori by coach, so that you can sit back and enjoy a panoramic drive through the scenic countryside to the city of Goshogawara.

Drive 25 miles along National Highway Route 7 from Aomori to Hirosaki city, situated on the southern part of the Tsugaru plain and known for its castle, cherry blossoms and apples. The atmosphere of this former Samurai town is quite compelling.

Travel to Beomeosa Temple, located at the east foot of Busan’s guardian mountain, and founded by the Great Priest Euisang in AD 678. Beomeosa is one of Korea’s five great Buddhist temples with an abundance of cultural and historical assets. The scenic beauty of this temple and the valley, overgrown with wisteria, attracts many local and foreign visitors—it is one of Busan’s highlights. Next, stop at the fish market, part of the greatest fishing port and the finest market of marine products in Korea. You will also stop at the Gukje (International) Market, featuring various imports and low prices, as well as an intriguing variety of food.

Busan's wonderful Gamcheon Culture Village is a restored section of Busan. Brightly-colored house cling to a steep hillside and local artists and villagers showcase their talent here, bringing ancient Korean art into the 21st century. On foot, you will follow the steep streets and winding alleyways that attract 140 million visitors every year. These fun and lively streetscapes function as a call to action for Koreans determined to revive and sustain their country's artistic values long into the future.

Gyeongju is known as the museum without walls, as it was once the capital of the Shilla Kingdom and blossomed into a major cultural center after the Shilla Dynasty unified the Korean peninsula in AD 676. Today, Gyeongju is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and your tour of the city will reveal spectacular architectural points of interests, as well as extraordinary museums and ornate temples. In Tumuli Park there are numerous burial mounds, as well as 23 of the more than 200 royal tombs found in Gyeongju. The Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb) was excavated in 1973 (April to Dec) and yielded more than 10,000 treasures. At the National Museum, much of the Shilla heritage is on display, including artifacts such as magnificent gold crowns, and ancient pottery, Buddhist treasures and stone sculptures. A special attraction is the legendary Emille Bell—one of Asia’s largest and most resonant bronze bells, weighing 23 tons. A Korean buffet lunch is served at a nearby hotel. After lunch, you will visit Bulguksa Temple, a Shilla masterpiece of wood and stonework that has been cherished, restored, rebuilt and renovated many times since its original creation in AD 535.

Travel to the northeastern coastline of Busan. Here, you'll find the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. In Korea, it's unusual for temples to be located on the coast; most are located in the mountains. This spot is a favorite among the locals. They come here on New Year's Day to make a wish and watch the sun come up.

Today, visit the Beomeosa Temple. Beomeosa Temple is located at the eastern foot of Busan’s Geumjeongsan Mountain and was founded by the Great Priest Euisang in 678. It is one of Korea’s five great Buddhist temples, boasting a wealth of cultural and historical assets, set among the scenic beauty of a wisteria-covered valley and attracting local and foreign visitors. Don’t miss participating in a Korean tea ceremony, with tea prepared from tealeaves in a traditional tea set, in keeping with the Seon or meditation practiced in Buddhism. Daseon Limi is often mentioned, implying the same result from tea-drinking and practicing Seon (searching for one’s true self). This meditation constitutes the core of Korean Buddhist traditions.

Visit the Tongdosa Temple, located in the southern part of the Mt Chiseosan area. This temple is very unusual and very famous for not having any Buddhist statues in it. This is because the real shrines of the Buddha are preserved here. You will have an hour to explore, both inside the temple and outside, where you can take in the beautiful views. Several hundred-year-old pine trees line the entranceway from the Ilju Gate. The Eight Famous Sceneries of Tongdosa Temple include the small drum used when praying in front of a Buddha figure, a bell, the sunset, the pond and the rocks and waterfalls behind the temple. Leaving the temple, you will pass Haeundae Beach—perhaps Korea’s most famous beach—with its mile-long strand of dazzling sand. Nurimaru Apec House on Dongbaekseom Island is noted for its beautiful, natural landscape accented by dense camellia groves and pine trees. Stop here to visit this facility that has been used as a memorial hall and a prestigious international conference hall since the APEC summit meeting.

This half-day island tour by boat takes in the Coral Garden area, where you can enter the water to feed the fish and swim alongside them. You will have approximately 45 minutes to enjoy snorkeling in the clear water (snorkeling gear is provided). Guests who prefer not to swim can feed the fish from the boat.

This morning, visit the Hakodate Morning Market comprised of roughly 280 stores and located near the JR Hakodate Station. Enjoy some fresh seafood and lively atmosphere of the market. Next, visit the Goryokaku Tower for a view of the graceful Goryokaku pentagonal structure. This was built in 1864 for the defense of Hokkaido against would-be invaders. The grounds are now a lovely park open to the public. Then walk to the Hakodate Bugyosho, or Magistrate’s Office, opened in 2010 and located in Goryokaku Park. It was rebuilt as a faithful copy of the original building using traditional methods. Remove your shoes, in keeping with Japanese custom, and step inside the building to view the historical exhibits. Return to the ship after your tour.

Capture the flavor of Hokkaido—a province that is distinctly different from the rest of Japan—as you visit the Hakodate Morning Market. This bustling epicenter of Hokkaido commerce is comprised of roughly 280stores and is located near the JR Hakodate Station. Enjoy some fresh seafood and lively atmosphere of the market; then, you will drive through the downtown core of Hakodate. Board the aerial cableway up to the summit of Mt Hakodate. This lovely wooded mountain rises to more than 1,200 feet at the end of the peninsula on which the city sits. Needless to say, it commands a stunning, panoramic view over Hakodate. Return to the city for a visit to Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse area, remodeled in 1988 as part of a waterfront area redevelopment with a theme of combining the old and the new. From the warehouse area you will return directly to the ship.

This panoramic tour is designed to be enjoyed primarily from the perspective offered by your comfortable motor coach seat. You’ll begin with a drive through Hakodate city itself; then the coach will head up to the viewpoint on Mt Hakodate. From the top you can look back over the Hakodate Peninsula, with panoramic vistas of the city, the ocean and the horizon. Drive pass Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse area, remodeled in 1988 as part of a waterfront area redevelopment with a theme of combining the old and the new. Return to the ship, just a 30-minute drive away.

Drive one hour north from Hakodate to the Onuma area. Onuma is known for its three lakes--Lake, Onuma, Lake Konuma and Lake Junsai. Lake Onuma was formed when Mt. Komagatake erupted and the lava flow from the mountain dammed the river, creating the lake. You'll set out on a 30-minute boat ride on the lake. After your cruise, continue to Onuma Quasi-National Park. This is the birthplace of Hokkaido's resort industry, and the ideal place to connect with the island's natural environment. There are multiple small islands on Lake Onuma. You will take a 40 minute hike along a road that allows you to walk from island to island by crossing the bridges yourself. Enjoy the island hopping and the natural beauty of the park. You will make a brief stop at the local winery and taste local wine for yourself before you return to the ship.

Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where you'll see brightly-colored paper cranes everywhere. Origami or paper-folding is a traditional Japanese craft, but it has become a symbol of peace. The connection between paper cranes and World Peace stems from a young girl named Sadako Sasaki, who died of leukemia as a result from the atomic bomb. The monument in her honor is called the Children's Peace Monument. It was built with funds donated from people all over Japan. It is estimated that approximately 10 million cranes are brought to the Children's Peace Monument each year in the name of world peace.Tour the Peace Memorial Museum. See exhibits, videos and items that survived the bomb. Learn about the scope of destruction and extent of the bombing zone. See haunting images of shadows etched into buildings and sidewalks. You'll also view the Atomic Bomb Dome. The old Industry Promotion Hall was one of the few buildings near Ground Zero to survive the blast. Its dome was vaporized and now symbolizes the perils of nuclear warfare.

Explore at your own pace with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide at your service. This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests, and take in the sights at your own pace. See the famous sights, or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters. Recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for guests with mobility limitations.

Delight in the sights of Miyajima Island in the Inland Sea. This is one of Japan's most breathtaking sights -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 1,400-year history as a holy site of Shinto.

Your journey begins at the pier where you'll board a motorcoach and drive through Hiroshima's suburbs and into its very heart.

First, you will visit Kenroku-en Garden, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. Enjoy some time here to stretch your legs and your imagination. You'll feel like you've stepped into an enchanted world where a masterfully-designed landscape of great variety leads the eye along streams and waterfalls to rest on graceful arched bridges and Kenrokuen's iconic stone lanterns. Created by the Maeda family, who ruled from Kanazawa Castle from the 1620s to the 1840s, this vast stroll-through garden commands the heights of central Kanazawa. It is a prime example of the six factors that distinguish Japanese landscape art -- spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water-courses, and magnificent views. A visit to the park of the famed Kanazawa Castle ruin takes you 500 years back in time. Designed with a Hon-maru, a central enclosure, plus second and third enclosures, the traditional stronghold of the Kaga clan reveals the architectural grace for which Japan's ancient builders are justly famous. The Ishikawa Gate, the two turrets, and the Gojikken Warehouse, all restored in 2001, perfectly recapture the atmosphere of those days. Ongoing repairs and renovations preserve the past for future generations.

Kenroku-en -- one of the three celebrated 'Great Gardens of Japan' -- welcomes you today. This 25-acre landscaped garden was originally developed by the great daimyo of Kanazawa Castle. It boasts Japan's first fountain, a teahouse dating to 1774, and a pagoda donated to the Maeda clan by the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The celebrated Ganko-bashi is a bridge comprised of 11 red stones laid out to resemble a formation of flying geese.

Takaoka city has been famous for casting since 1609 when it was the center of the copper industry in Japan. Casting is a manufacturing process in which a liquid metal is poured into molds. Today, learn all about the art of casting a Japanese guinomi -- a traditional cup used when serving sake (rice wine).

Experience the rich architectural traditions of the Japanese countryside on a tour including two of the region’s most picturesque villages. Shirakawago widely-known as one of the most scenic places in Japan, is nestled along the shores of the Shokawa River and is surrounded by dramatic pine tree-covered mountains.

This transfer may suit you if you would like to explore on your own. It consists of a motorcoach ride from the ship to Shirakawago. The rich architectural traditions of the Japanese countryside are evident in Shirakawago, widely-known as one of the most scenic places in Japan. Nestled along the shores of the Shokawa River, this village is surrounded by dramatic pine-clad mountains. The town is known for its collection of traditional thatched-roof farmhouses, sheds and barns, all built 200-300 years ago. These are examples of the gassho-zukuri style of construction which resembles hands-clasped in prayer, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The steeply-pitched roofs are extremely practical during the heavy snowstorms of the Shokawa River valley, as they easily shed their weighty snow burdens. You will be dropped off at a central location, and the coach escort will advise you of the pick-up time for the return journey.

Begin your day with a drive to Kenroku-en -- one of the three celebrated 'Great Gardens of Japan'. Kenroku-en's 25-acre landscaped garden was originally developed by the great daimyo of Kanazawa Castle. It boasts Japan's first fountain, a teahouse dating to 1774, and a pagoda donated to the Maeda clan by the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The celebrated Ganko-bashi is a bridge comprised of 11 red stones laid out to resemble a formation of flying geese.

From Kobe's pier, you'll begin exploring Kyoto by coach, stopping at the Kinkaku-ji Temple for an outside view. This elaborate building began life a villa built by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in 1397, during the Muromachi Period. Later, the house was converted into a temple. It is three stories tall with the second and third stories completely covered in pure gold foil.

A city of profound history and rich tradition, Kyoto represents the very soul of Japan. This must-see tour begins with a ride from Osaka to the ancient capital of Kyoto, then sets out to discover some of Japan's best-known sights.

Scenery and sake await you on this tour. You will drive up to the Mt Rokko observatory. At almost 3,000 feet, Mt Rokko is the highest peak in the mountain range that spreads 19 miles from northeast to southwest, north of the cities of Kobe, Ashiya and Nishinomiya. Then from the top of the mountain, take a cable car down. Next, you’ll visit the sake brewery museum in Kobe. No history of sake is complete without mentioning Nada—the Nada district in Kobe is known as the Mecca of sake brewing and it is full of cultural heritage sites that evoke the area’s long association with sake.

Nara is home to a number of very impressive buildings and landmarks, as you will discover on today's motor coach tour. The Todaiji (Great Buddha) is cast in bronze and set in an enormous wooden building. See this star attraction for yourself to fully appreciate it.

Depart from the port and head to central Osaka by motorcoach. Osaka is the largest commercial center in all of Western Japan. You'll board a day boat for the cruise down the river to catch a glimpse of some of the city's manmade highlights. Watch for Osaka Castle, the Twin Towers, and City Hall on Nakanoshima Island.

You will drive up to the Mt Rokko Observatory. At almost 3,000 feet, Mt Rokko is the highest peak in the mountain range that spreads 19 miles from northeast to southwest, north of the cities of Kobe, Ashiya and Nishinomiya.

A lovely motor coach drive takes you 53 miles outside of Kochi to Murotomisaki in the eastern part of Kochi Prefecture. The cape's name translates to 'blessed with great nature' and you'll understand why when you see the cape jutting out over the Pacific Ocean, separating the Kii Channel from Tosa Bay. This is one of eight 'fine views' in Japan. Due to the area's warm temperatures, even in winter, lush subtropical plants, trees and hibiscus flowers blanket the ground. The colorful coastal plants found in this area are of scientific value, and some of the unusual species of trees are considered Natural Monuments of Japan.

Kochi Castle, the city's most famed landmark, dominates your views from any vantage point. Built by Yamanouchi Kazutoyo following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, the massive castle took more than 10 years to construct. In 1727, some of the fortress was destroyed in a fire, but later, in 1753, it was reconstructed with the "donjon" and the splendid Otemon Gate remaining as originally constructed. Kochi Castle has undergone several preservations over the years, but it has retained its original palace and the integrity of its architectural style. Inside, many of the ancient rooms are not accessible to the public, but you will find a small museum filled with cultural artifacts. The, or main tower, provides celebrated, panoramic views of the whole city, making it well worth the climb to the top.

Japanese "washi" paper is an iconic piece of Kochi's heritage, having been produced in the prefecture for more than 1,000 years. UNESCO has declared washi paper an Intangible Cultural Heritage Object. The raw materials needed to make the pulp, including the kuozo plant, the mitsumata bush and the gampi tree, all grow in the abundant greenery of the mountainous area, while the nearby Niyodogawa River supplies the water needed to make this fine paper. Learn more by watching a demonstration; then, dive into the fun of producing your own paper crafts.

Your first destination is Oboke, for scenic boat excursion on the Yoshino River. After receiving safety equipment and hearing a brief safety orientation, set out on an approximately 20- to 30-minute float trip. The narrow banks are crowded with maple trees, nut trees and azaleas. The rushing river has formed wildly shaped rocks in the current and along the banks.

Board a motorcoach for the approximately one-hour drive to to Ryugado Cave on the slopes of Mt Sampo. Discovered in 1931, Ryugado is one of Japan's three major limestone caverns and is a designated Japanese National Treasure. The cave was home to early humans. The limestone caverns feature 20 waterfalls and stalactites form a maze of shapes echoing the sound of water.

Travel across the southern coast of Miyako to Kurima, with a population of less than 200, its quiet and laid-back vibe is on display in the charming village.

Transfer from the pier to Maehama Beach, a sunny four-mile stretch of shoreline that has been voted one of the best beaches in Japan. The beach offers delightful views of Kurima Island and the 5,544-foot-long Kurima Ohashi bridge.

The northern side of Miyako Island is on display on this exciting adventure that takes in some of its most celebrated sights. Begin with a scenic drive to the Miyakojima Marine Park (Underwater Observatory), where you can view a myriad of colorful fish and marine life through a series of giant windows, a true glimpse into the marine life in the waters off Miyako Island.

Begin your day with a visit to Makiyama Observatory, where you’ll walk a botanical pathway to capture picture-perfect views overlooking Miyako, Irabu and the bridges that connect the surrounding islands.

Discover Miyako Island’s man-made and natural attractions on this scenic tour beginning with an exploration of the world below the water’s surface from the Sea-Sky Hakuai semi-submarine. Submerge into crystal-clear waters for exceptional views of sea turtles and colorful fish on a reef exploration.

Sake and Nanbu Ironware are famous products from Morioka. You'll learn about both today. Travel two hours from Miyako to Morioka -- the largest city in Iwate Prefecture. Visit the Morioka Hachiman Shrine, established in 1062 to offer prayers for military victory for a powerful clan. The shaden (main shrine building / re-constructed) is a brilliant vermilion color -- quite a sight to behold.

Miyako, a city located in the center of the coastal Iwate Prefecture, suffered devastating damage from the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. Seawater swept across the city's coastal districts, destroying everything in its path.

Northern Miyako is famous for its Ryusendo Cave Ryusendo Cave National Monument and Kitayamazaki Cliffs -- fabulous scenery and landforms just 60 minutes from the pier. The Ryusendo Cave itself extends 2.2 miles underground, but only the first half-mile or so is accessible to the public. Within this subterranean world, you'll find formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, as well as some funny-looking long-eared bats. There are many emerald-green subterranean lakes and fresh-spring pools with crystalline waters -- among the most transparent in the world. Bridges, elevated walkways, and stairs transport visitors through this underground environment.

Lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Miyako in 2011 are a testament to the power of this community's remarkable resilience. The Taro Kanko Hotel, now in ruins, serves as a commemorative site. On March 11, 2011, Miyako was devastated by a 55-foot-tall tsunami which caused massive destruction. The first two floors of the hotel were completely lost, leaving only the pillars, but the remaining levels have been preserved and are now on display. Climb to the sixth floor to view a video of the event taken by the hotel's owner. While you watch the video, a disaster-prevention guide explains the seismic event and scale of the tsunami.

Leave Osaka port for a full day of sightseeing in Southern Kyoto and Nara. En route, you will visit the town of Fushimi, home to 37 sake breweries. This town is one of Japan's most famous sake-producing regions, as high-quality rice is readily available from the fields of neighboring Shigaken and the final product is easily loaded onto boats for export downriver to Osaka. You will stop at the largest of Fushimi's sake breweries, Gekkeikan Okura Memorial House (or alternative Sake Brewery Museum), with 350 years of tradition. On display are various items related to the process of making Japanese sake. In the southern part of Kyoto you will visit a small city that is historically rich in Heian-Period culture and is home to the Byodo-in Temple--a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was once the villa of Minister Fujiwara Michinaga, the model for the hero in the Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji, and was turned into a temple by his son in 1052. The main hall, called the Phoenix Hall, stands in the beautiful garden and was built in 1053 (you will not go inside the hall). It is one of the most famous historical buildings in Japan and its image graces the back of ten yen coin. The temple's wonderful museum houses the elegant temple bell and other treasures. Next, transfer to Nara, Japan's first real capital. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, founded in 710 in its forest location. This shrine conveys an atmosphere of peace and sanctity perhaps unmatched by any other shrine. The buildings, painted vermilion, showcase the Kasuga style of architecture. Some 3,000 lanterns line the road east from the second torii gate. Beyond the Heiden, a floorless structure built in 1650, the Main Hall is surrounded by an impressive gallery. You will see the Todaiji Temple and the Hall of the Great Buddha, dating from 1709. This is the world's largest wooden structure. The Great Buddha, a National Treasure, was cast in bronze in eight sections over three years, completed in 749. It is one of the largest bronze statues in the world. You will return to Osaka in the late afternoon.

You will pass through Osaka's downtown area on the way to the Osaka Castle. Built in 1583 and destroyed just 32 years later, the castle has undergone many reconstructions -- the most recent in 1931.

Osaka is the largest merchant city in western Japan. The town is divided into two areas -- Kita and Minami, literally translating as North and South. These areas have very different characteristics, which you will discover on a panoramic drive through lively Osaka.

Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine -- a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion red torii gates. These straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest surrounding the sacred shrine building within the grounds.

Board your motorcoach and drive south and west to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi. Founded in 1970, the museum features one of the finest modern gardens in Japan and a collection of pottery, wood carvings, and Japanese paintings, dating from 1912 until the present day. The museum boasts a large number of works by Yokoyama Taikan, considered one of the major figures in Japanese modern art.

Your day begins with a visit to the restful Izumo Grand Shrine, located in the city of Izumo. Izumo is known throughout Japan as the land of the gods. The Izumo Shrine dwells on the western edge of the Shimane Peninsula and is believed to be the oldest shrine in Japan -- dating back at least to the 7th century. As one of the most famous and most important shrines in the country, Izumo is visited by many people every year. The main shrine measures approximately 79 feet in height. It was built in an architectural style known as Taisha-zukuri -- the oldest style among shrine buildings. Perhaps not surprisingly, it is today designated a National Treasure. Notice the giant Torii Gate when you enter the shrine, and the serenity designed to purify your mind.

Board a motorcoach for a panoramic drive southwest to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi. The museum was founded by Zenko Adachi in 1970 -- purposefully combining his passions for Japanese art and garden design. Its ceramics collection includes works by such masters as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Kanjiro Kawai, but the museum's gardens are also quite famous. Adachi collected each of the pines and stones featured here from all over the country, creating a beautiful garden filled with love and passion. The garden has been ranked best in the traditional Japanese Garden category since 2003. Browse among the extensive collection of nearly 1,000 items of pottery, wood-carvings, and Japanese paintings dating from as early as 1912.

This half-day excursion incorporates must-see Sakaiminato sights and top attractions that lie further afield. Depart from the pier and travel south to Yonago -- a city with a long history of commerce. It served as a castle town during the Edo Period. From here you'll continue to the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park, which is located in a truly beautiful spot within view of towering Mt Daisen. Any time is a good time to visit because there is always an abundance of lavish seasonal blooms and an eye-catching dome ensures the ideal habitat for warm-weather and tropical plants. The park boasts a small forest with very tall trees. An interesting on-site museum features lilies, where you can see these elegant flowers all year round, as well as some European-themed gardens and a diminutive train.

A 60-minute panoramic drive by way of rural scenery brings you to the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi. The museum was founded by Zenko Adachi in 1970 -- purposefully combining his passions for Japanese art and garden design. Its ceramics collection includes works by such masters as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Kanjiro Kawai, but the museum's gardens are also quite famous. Adachi collected each of the pines and stones featured here from all over the country, creating a beautiful garden filled with love and passion. The garden has been ranked as best in the traditional Japanese Garden category since 2003. Browse among the extensive collection of nearly 1,000 items of pottery, wood-carvings, and Japanese paintings dating from as early as 1912.

Enjoy a scenic journey along Lake Mikatagoko Rainbow Drive, offering stunning views of the Mikata Five Lakes, en route to the mountain town of Wakasa.

Begin with a scenic, one-hour coach ride to the Urushi-no-sato Lacquerware Shop. Japanese craftsmen began producing lacquerware more than 1,500 years ago in Sabae City. The traditions of this three-step process continue today, producing exquisite pieces of art, which you can purchase at the shop.

A scenic 60-minute motorcoach drive from Yokohama brings you to fascinating Tokyo. The route affords you a glimpse at the world's largest city, including its modern skyscrapers, the Ginza district and other landmarks in the city center.

Head to the Fukagawa area, east of the Sumida River, called the shitamachi (Old Town). Your first stop is at the Fukagawa Edo Museum, nestled in a narrow, tree-lined street among numerous temples and shrines. The museum was established in 1986, and here you will enjoy a display of the Edo period, including everyday items and plants, and a reconstruction of Fukagawa Saga town.

A compelling place to visit, Kamakura invites the visitor to explore the treasures of the Shinto and Buddhist religions. The Shoguns made Kamakura an important town when it served as their capital from AD 1192 - 1333, but it is the quiet walks and spiritual peace that are its attractions in the 21st century.

The wonders of Tokyo are yours to discover on this full day of sightseeing. By motorcoach, travel to the city center passing famous landmarks en route.

Transfer by coach to Kokura Castle. Originally constructed in 1602, the castle's inner stronghold was destroyed by fire in 1837 and rebuilt in 1959. Inside is a small museum with spectacular views from the top floor. Stroll through the garden, full of delightful outdoor settings. The garden is much smaller than other Japanese gardens but it is a thing of beauty.

Exiled from the Imperial Court in Kyoto on trumped-up charges, Michizane persevered at Dazaifu under harsh conditions, with his character so admired that there are now 12,000 shrines dedicated to him across Japan. Dazaifu Tenmangu is perhaps the most famous of these and was established early in the 10th century.

This narrated excursion is a great way to acquaint yourself with the city and all its splendors. A knowledgeable onboard guide will point out areas of interest along the way and all you have to do is climb aboard your air-conditioned motorcoach and sit back and relax. Don't forget to bring a camera for the photo stops you'll make during your sightseeing tour.

Board a motor coach for the drive to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. You will walk 15-20 minutes to reach the shrine from the parking area. Dedicated in AD 905, this shrine commemorates a Heian official renowned for his learning and his purity of heart. The current shrine dates to 1591 and is a classic example of Momoyama Period architecture with its elegant, Buddhist-inspired bridges, serene ponds and ancient camphor trees. Browse for souvenirs along the street.

Explore the pretty, willow-lined canals by donko-bune -- a gondola-like punt poled by a boatman. The building is now long gone, but the sights that once surrounded Yanagawa Castle are stunning.

Tokyo is the center of national administration, education, culture and finance for Japan, and is where East and West blend most harmoniously.

In amazing Tokyo -- bigger, busier and more crowded than ever -- get acquainted with the capital of Japan and its fascinating landmarks.

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27 Night Far East Cruise