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Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

Osaka - Ishigaki

Dates:
26/04/2025
to  07/05/2025

Other available dates

12
days
11
nights on board
Starting from*
£8,620
per person
20% Ponant Bonus

PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during an expedition cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, from the island of Osaka to Ishigaki, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

Leaving from Osaka, you will head towards the island of Amami Oshima, between Kyushu and Okinawa. You will fall in love with this island surrounded by stunning coral reefs, punctuated with verdant peaks, covered in primary forest and monumental mangroves, and boasting strong Okinawan influences.

After calling in at Iheyajima, the most northern island from Okinawa, Le Jacques Cartier will set sail south. In the Kerema archipelago, in Zamami, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called “Kerama blue”. The sea life in the area is also exceptionally rich and sea turtles can often be spotted swimming among the coral. Facing it, fellow island Kumejima invites you to spend a timeless moment. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures: the mythical Mifuga rock formation or the idyllic beach of Hatenohama, a point of reference for fans of the underwater world. 

Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques-Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species.  

The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses. The beauty of its sea-beds and their mysterious rocky formations will delight the most experienced divers.

After a final port of call in at Keelung to discover Taipei and the lush island of Taiwan, you will finish this unique journey in Ishigaki, your disembarkation port and the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago.


Ref : EX260425


Your itinerary

Your itinerary - Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

A unique expedition cruise to discover the sublime landscapes of the subtropical islands of southern Japan. Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.  UNESCO...


View detailed itinerary

Your trip in detail

Contact Us

02 07 66 04 089
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

Choose your stateroom

Choose your stateroom

Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
 

(204 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
 

(204 ft²)

From £9,560 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
 

(204 ft²)

From £10,040 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
 

(204 ft²)

From £10,600 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 5
 

(290 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 3
 

(290 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 6
 

(290 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Deluxe Suite Deck 4
 

(290 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Deck 5
 

(409 ft²)

From £19,990 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Prestige Suite Deck 6
 

(409 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Privilege Suite Deck 6
 

(344 ft²)

From £22,080 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Privilege Suite Deck 5
 

(344 ft²)

From £22,080 per person
20% Ponant Bonus

Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
 

(484 ft²)

Fully booked
20% Ponant Bonus

Owner's Suite Deck 5
 

(484 ft²)

From £31,750 per person



Complete your trip

Complete your trip

Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.


Additional services


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Contact Us

02 07 66 04 089
(or contact your travel agent)

Request a quote

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.