Authentic Japan

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Take advantage of an unforgettable day to discover the historical and cultural heritage of Osaka, Japan's first capital. This programme will be a pleasant conclusion to your cruise.

Day 1 - Osaka

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

You will board the coach for a full day sightseeing tour of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and the biggest merchant city in Western Japan.

You will start your exploration with a visit of the outside of Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle was a monumental fortification constructed, upon the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to be the strongest and enclosed by tremendous stone walls 12 kilometres in length. The castle took three and a half years to complete and required 30 000 to 40 000 men. It played a major role in the unification of Japan. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The entire Osaka Castle Park covers about two square kilometers.

Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant.

Then, you will proceed to Osaka's Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine, one of the most famous in Japan and the representative of its lineage throughout the peninsula. Its history begins in 211, even before Buddhism arrived in the country. It is one of the oldest spiritual sites built on Japanese soil. The main pavilion has been classed as a "National Treasure" thanks to its unique Shinto architecture. Goshogozen, the site's most sacred location, nestles among the centenary cedar trees. This is where the gods are said to have appeared for the first time. Reconstructed from the 19th century onwards, it is dedicated to the four Kami divinities of the sea and sea travel, agriculture, diplomacy and waka poetry. Empress Jingu (169-269), known for her conquest of Korea, is also venerated here. In the past, maritime merchants used to stop in Osaka to pray at Sumiyoshi Taisha, before embarking again aboard their ships.

After this visit, you will be transferred to the Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT.

Check-in.

Enjoy a dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Osaka

After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.

You will be transferred to Kansai International Airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

Your hotel:

With its modern architecture, the Centara Osaka Hotel is a 33-storey visual masterpiece in the heart of Namba, the city's lively leisure and shopping district.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation in Standard room at the Centara Osaka 5* hotel selected by PONANT, local standards (or similar), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (mineral water + a glass of local alcohol + a Japanese tea or coffee).

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa costs, if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Late check out according to your flight schedule.

Please note:

·        A minimum number of participants is required in order to operate. Rate and itinerary may be subject to change based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum required number not be obtained, an alternative option may be offered.

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

·        Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.

·        Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.

·        The local currency is the yen. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip, or you can use your credit card to withdraw yen from the cash machines (note that only Japan

·        Post Bank & Seven Eleven machines accept foreign credit cards).

·        Please be aware that a double room with a king size bed is not common in Japan. Most of the hotels do offer double rooms with twin beds. The double room king size bed is not guaranteed at the hotel.

·        Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).

Contact of your hotel:

Hotel Centara Osaka

2 Chome-11-50 Nanbanaka, Naniwa Ward

Osaka, 556-0011, Japan

Telephone : (+81) 6 6616 9945

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

 

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Take advantage of four unforgettable days between Kyoto and Nara to discover the ancient imperial capitals. Immerse yourself in traditional Japan, between temples, meditation, Geisha dances and tea ceremony. This programme, rich in experience, will be the perfect prelude to your embarkation.

Day 1 - Osaka/Nara/Kyoto

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

The tour will take you first to meet the monumental bronze Buddha, who takes centre stage in the heart of the Todai-ji Temple. The building rises majestically in Nara Park. Commissioned in 743 by Emperor Shômu when Nara was the imperial capital of Japan, it took eight years to build and was restored during the Edo era. Standing 47 metres (150 feet) high and with enormous wooden pillars , the ancestral Great Buddha Hall remains the world's largest wooden building, earning its inclusion on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Then you will stroll through the Isuien Garden, a traditional Japanese garden created at the end of the 17th century as the private garden of a rich merchant and opened in the middle of the 19th century. Meticulously planned and maintained, it reveals the art of Japanese garden design, seeking balance and harmony while paying homage to the beauty of nature. It consists of two spaces: Minami Shin-en, in the heart of which you will discover a pond, a waterfall and a tea house; and Kita Shin-e, consisting of a bamboo grove, a small stream and a variety of flowering cherry trees and Japanese maples.

Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will visit Nara's most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha. Established in 768 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its vermilion-red lacquered buildings form a striking contrast with the surrounding vegetation. Nearly two thousand bronze and stone lanterns line the sanctuary, and a thousand metal lanterns hang along the corridors.

You will be transferred to your hotel Good Nature Kyoto 4* selected by PONANT.

Check in and set up in your room.

Enjoy dinner in your hotel's restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Kyoto

Breakfast.

The tour will take you first to take part in Zazen, seated Zen meditation. Zazen is a way of training for monks to obtain enlightenment. It is considered the heart of Zen Buddhist practice. You will sit in the silent room separated from the ordinary life. Also, you will have a chance to experience Japanese tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is one of the most representative forms of Japanese beauty, and participating in a ceremony is one of the best ways to come into contact with the Japanese sense of spirituality.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Then, you will proceed to Kiyomizu Temple; "kiyoi mizu" means "pure water" or "spring water". Kiyomizu Temple is noted for its cliff top Main Hall with a broad wooden veranda offering a panoramic view of Kyoto and environs. The veranda is supported on a towering scaffold of wood. The Main Hall has been designated a National Treasure.

Enjoy some time at leisure to purchase souvenirs in the nearby shopping streets.

After your visit, you will return to your hotel to freshen up.

Before your transfer to enjoy a Japanese kaiseki dinner (consisting up of several small courses), you will stop in Gion, one of Kyoto's historic districts, with beautiful traditional houses. It is the city's Geiko district (geisha are known as Geiko in Kyoto).

Enjoy a Kaiseki dinner which is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, with a Maiko (an apprentice geisha in Kyoto) and a Geiko (a full-fledged artist known as Geisha outside of Japan) who will perform.

 

You will then be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - Kyoto

The tour will take you first to Kinkakuji Temple, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. It is a temple dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third of the Ashikaga Shoguns, built a retirement estate there in 1398. After his death in 1419, the grounds were turned into a Buddhist temple for the Rinzai sect. The only building to remain standing of Yoshimitsu's estate was the Golden Pavilion. The upper stories are covered in gold leaf and the roof is topped by a bronze phoenix. It was listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1994.

You will then arrive at Ryoan-ji Temple, literally "The Temple of the Dragon at Peace". It belongs to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The name of the temple evokes its famous 15th-century rock garden, considered one of the masterpieces of Japanese Zen culture. It is the country's most-visited rock garden.

Enjoy a Japanese style lunch served in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you will proceed to Arashiyama region, located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, and the Tenryuji Temple, founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339. As a temple related to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Godaigo, the temple is held in high esteem. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the « Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto ». The garden created by Muso Soseki, features a circular promenade around Sogen Pond.

You may appreciate to stroll along a bamboo path admiring the beauty of the area. Stroll through the 14th Century landscape garden, featuring Ryumon Falls and a stone bridge. This garden is part of part of the « Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto » and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it that if one day a fish were to swim up the Ryumon Falls, it would turn into a dragon. Enjoy a stroll through the bamboo groves, a natural beauty that is one of the region's main attractions.

Transfer back to your hotel for a short break to freshen up.

Enjoy a Japanese Shabu-shabu dinner served in a local restaurant. For your meal, a pot of boiling water to cook food will be placed on your table. You will dip thin slices of beef and fresh vegetables into a pot of broth several times for few seconds. "Shabu-shabu" is the sound of the meat swished in the broth.

You will then be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 - Kyoto

You will start your day with an immersion in Japanese tradition. Through the transcendent thumping rhythms, you will discover the art of the taiko, the large drum sculpted from elm or keyaki (zelkova or Japanese elm) wood. The word "taiko" also designates the way of playing the drum, meaning that the instrument and the way of playing its music are thus inextricably linked. Legend has it that the divinity of mirth, Uzume, helped the gods bring light to earth by drawing the goddess of sun, Amaterasu, out of her cave. To do this, she danced on a barrel, thus creating the taiko.

Then, dressed in kimono, a symbol of Japanese culture, you'll enjoy Japanese calligraphy, considered the art of achieving longevity and mastery of body and mind. Buddhist monks use calligraphy as a form of meditation. Dressed in kimono, symbol of Japanese culture.

A lunch will be served in a local restaurant (Japanese menu).

Optional activity (additionnal supplement): Fushimi-inari Shrine and dinner - limited to 35 participants.

Dinner will be at leisure if you have not chosen the optional activity.

Extend your day of discovery by letting yourself be tempted by an all-new experience that will plunge you into traditional Japan.

You will leave the hotel with your guide by private car.

First, you will arrive at Fushimi-Inari Shrine. This is the site where you can see hundreds of vermillion torii gates lining up, making a tunnel, one of the most iconic views in the country. Fushimi-Inari is the head shrine of some 40,000 Inari shrines located throughout the land. It was founded in 711 and is dedicated to five Shinto deities.

Then, you will be transferred to a restaurant for your Tempura dinner.

You will be drive back to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 - Kyoto

After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

Your hotel:
 
The Good Nature Kyoto, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a true oasis of well-being. Each room is carefully designed to offer a space of tranquility, with a breathtaking view of the city or surrounding gardens.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        4-night accommodation in Standard room at the Good Nature Kyoto 4* hotel selected by PONANT, local standards (or similar), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverages package during meals (water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 glass of wine + 1 Japanese tea).

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

·        Hospitality desk at the hotel, the day of your departure.

Your programme does not include:

·        Dinner on day 4.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Late check out depending on your flight schedule.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

·        Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. 

·        Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.

·        The local currency is the yen. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip, or you can use your credit card to withdraw yen from the cash machines (note that only Japan Post Bank & Seven Eleven machines accept foreign credit cards).

·        You will have to take off your shoes before entering any of the temples. During visits, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees).

·        There will be long walk on unpaved and bumpy roads with some stairs. Many steep steps involved. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.

·        Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum of weight of 20 kg for the regular flight. We have included 3 extra kg, so you are allowed to check-in 1 piece of baggage of a maximum weight of 23 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 10 kg for which we have included 2 extra kg, so you are allowed to take a hand baggage of a maximum weight of 12 kg, and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (45in) (55 x 40 x 25 cm) or (22 x 16 x 10 inches).

Contact of your hotel:

Hotel Good Nature Kyoto

318-6 Inari-cho, kawaramachidori shijosagaru,

Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Telephone : (+81) 75 352 6730

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

 

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a programme designed just for you.

 

Day 1 - Osaka to Hakone (Sengokuhara)

After disembarking in Osaka meet your guide and fellow guests, then transfer to Shin-Osaka station where we travel by Shinkansen to Mishima. Upon arrival enjoy a beautiful scenic drive stopping at Lake Ashino to admire Mount Fuji with its iconic and symmetrically beautiful shape.

 

Lunch will be at a local restaurant

 

Dinner and overnight at The Hiramatsu Hotel and Resort Sengokuhara

 

Day 2 - Hakone (Sengokuhara) to Nikko

After breakfast we check out of the hotel and head toward Nikko.

 

Nikko is a picturesque city located on the mountains North of Tokyo with a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Home to the stunning Toshogu Shrine a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Lunch will be served in a local restuarant

 

For dinner experience the traditional French-Japanese cuisine of Kanaya Hotel, passed down through generations of Head Chefs for approximately 150 years.

 

Overnight at The Kanaya Hotel

 

Day 3 - Nikko to Tokyo

After breakfast we check out and head toward serene Kegon Falls

 

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant and afterward we head to Tokyo

 

Dinner at the hotel

 

Overnight at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

 

Day 4 - Tokyo

After breakfast experience the essence of Japanese food and culture with a Sushi making class, then lunch.

Afterward experience sightseeing in Asakusa by rickshaw. Feel the bustling spirits and ambience of the Old Edo period and new contemporary times in Asakusa. We then head to downtown Tokyo, the location of Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping mall and Kaminarimon gate.

 

For dinner enjoy "Japanese robatyaki-style grilled cuisine" a a local restuarant.

 

Overnight at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

 

Day 5 - Tokyo

Today is the last day of your tour. Enjoy Breakfast before check out and farewell.

 

 

Your Hotels:

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

2 Chome-10-3 Nagatacho

Chiyoda City, Tokyo

+81 3 3503 0109

 

Kanaya Hotel

Kamihatsuishimachi

Nikko City

+81 0288 54 0001

 

The Hiramatsu Hotel and Resort Sengokuara

1245-337 Sengokuhara

Hakone

+81 460-83-8981

 

Your programme includes:

·        Services listed on the itinerary

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme

·        Tansfers, visits and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme

·        The services of a local English speaking guide

 

Your programme does not include:

·        Dinner on day 5

·        Personal Expenses

·        Visa if necessary

·        Tips for the driver and local guide

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme

·        Early check in upon arrival at your hotel

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 - Busan

Meet at Busan Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to your 4* hotel selected by PONANT.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Busan

After breakfast and check-out, you will explore Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea.

Surrounded by mountains, Busan perfectly embodies the harmony between urban modernity and nature, blending ancient traditions with contemporary culture. It is a vibrant destination offering panoramic views of both the sea and the city. Wander through its lively streets, discovering neighborhoods where modern architecture lights up the city.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

At the end of your tour, you will then be transferred to the pier of Busan to embark on board your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation in Standard room at the hotel 4* selected by PONANT (local standard), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme with beverage package (mineral water + a glass of local alcohol + a tea or a coffee).

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Lunch and dinner on day 1.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Early check-in and late check-out.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        A minimum number of participants is required in order to operate. Rate and itinerary may be subject to change based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum required number not be obtained, an alternative option may be offered.

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

·        Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.

·        Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.

·        The local currency is the Won. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip.

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Immerse yourself in the captivating energy of Seoul, a fast-paced capital with a millennia-old soul. A vibrant and contrasting city, that fascinates by blending its spiritual and imperial heritage with a bold, modern spirit.

Day 1 – Seoul

Meet at Incheon international Airport in the Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to the 4* hotel selected by PONANT.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 – Seoul

Breakfast at the hotel.

Seoul offers countless treasures waiting to be discovered: from lively districts such as Insadong renowned for its art galleries and traditional tea houses to the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village, nestled between the hills with its perfectly preserved traditional houses. History enthusiasts will appreciate landmarks like Deoksugung Palace or the hanok-lined alleyways of the historic city center.

Your will visit the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace, a majestic remnant of the Joseon dynasty, framed by mountains and guarded by soldiers in traditional dress.

You will have the opportunity to wear the hanbok, the traditional Korean attire, for a deeper cultural immersion.

Next, enjoy a serene and enlightening tea ceremony led by a monk, offering a unique window into ancient Korean philosophy and way of life.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, return to your hotel for some time at leisure and relaxation.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 – Seoul

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will be swept away by the diverse charm of Seoul: the daily life of locals at Namdaemun Market, one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant markets or Samcheong-dong, a bohemian neighborhood known for its charming alleyways, art galleries, cafés, and designer boutiques.

Discover the Namsan Hanok Village, a preserved ensemble of traditional Korean homes located at the foot of Namsan Hill. Each house showcases traditional Korean life, with antique furnishings, tiled rooftops, and ancestral customs.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon for free time at leisure.

Dinner is at leisure.

Optional activity (supplement) – Traditional Culinary Immersion – Minimum 9 participants – Limited to 20 participants

Let yourself be tempted by an exclusive and authentic experience, opt for the optional in supplement “Traditional Culinary Immersion”.

Take part in a Korean cooking class led by a local culinary expert, who will share the secrets behind some of Korea’s most beloved dishes. Watch the expert demonstrate traditional techniques and learn how to prepare iconic recipes such as bibimbap, a colorful rice bowl with vegetables, beef, and gochujang chili paste or japchae, delicate sweet potato noodles stir-fried with vegetables.

This hands-on, sensory-rich experience is sure to delight your taste buds and enhance your culinary skills.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 – Seoul/Busan

After breakfast, check out from your hotel.

You will be transferred to Seoul train station for your high-speed train transfer to Busan.

Upon arrival, and depending on the time available, enjoy an introduction to Busan, its lively streets, discovering neighborhoods where modern architecture lights up the city.

You will then be transferred to the port of Busan to embark on your ship.

Your programme includes:

·        3-nights accommodation in Standard room at the hotel 4* selected by PONANT (local standard), breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme with beverage package (mineral water + a glass of wine or a local beer or a soft drink + a tea or a coffee).

·        Train ticket for your transfer from Seoul train station to Busan train station.

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Lunch and dinner on day 1.

·        Dinner on day 3.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Early check-in and late check-out.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        A minimum number of participants is required in order to operate. Rate and itinerary may be subject to change based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum required number not be obtained, an alternative option may be offered.

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        Official hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m.

·        Official hotel check-out time is 12:00 a.m.

·        Early check-in or late check-out might be available depending on availability and on a supplement basis.

·        The local currency is the Won. We recommend that you bring the amount of money you will need for the trip.

·        Visits, order, and duration of visits are provided for reference only and are subject to change.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.