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Le Soleal, 8 Night Treasures of Japan by Sea ex Kobe, Japan Return
Cruise Le Soleal, 8 Night Treasures of Japan by Sea ex Kobe, Japan Return
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Soleal
Destination Asia
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Kobe, Japan onboard Le Soleal
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 12 Apr 2025
Cruise Description In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Set sail with PONANT aboard Le Soléal for a 9-day cruise to discover the many traditions and emblematic sites of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Your voyage begins in endearing Kobe, one of the first Japanese ports to open to international trade in the 19th century and home to its famous eponymous marbled beef.

Arrive in the port of Takamatsu, the largest city on the island of Shikoku. You will find the splendid Ritsurin Garden here, a masterpiece constructed during the early Edo period as an escape from the bustle of daily life. Takamatsu is also renowned for its most famous dish – udon noodles – and you can try your hand at preparing them here.

Continue to Hiroshima, whose UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hiroshima Peace Memorial bears witness to the horrific aftermath of the world’s first atomic bomb explosion on August 6, 1945. You may also choose to visit the Saijo sake brewing district for a tasting. Then call at Miyajima, the gateway to the majestic Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, whose magnificent vermillion torii gate appears to float on water.

Le Soléal sails on to Hagi, whose contributions to Japan’s industrialization and modernization have been honored by UNESCO. At Hagi Castle Town, walk in the steps of the samurai as you stroll its beautifully preserved streets.

The richness from which to choose is immediately apparent in, Sakaiminato, where options include Matsue Castle, built entirely of pine in 1611; the Adachi Museum of Art, displaying the great masters of modern Japanese painting and sculpture; a demonstration of the ancient craft of making paper (washi) from tree bark; and Yushien Garden, a landscape garden in traditional style, famous for its peonies.

The South Korean port of Busan offers a similar range of experiences: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built in 1376 overlooking the sea; the Busan Museum of Art, featuring an outdoor sculpture garden as well as exhibits of contemporary Korean artists; Gyeongju Historic Areas, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site representing the flowering of Silla culture between the 7th and 10th centuries; and a Korean Tea Ceremony at the Hongbeopsa Temple, famous for having the largest Buddha statue in Asia.

Back in Japan, call in Moji, which enjoyed its heyday in the early 20th century as the center for Japanese trade with China. Nearby is Kozan-ji Temple, founded in the Kamakura period and the oldest Zen style temple in Japan.

From the port of Uno, end your voyage in the small Japanese city of Tamano, a former feudal domain with a unique cultural heritage. From here you will be able to admire the famous Korakuen Garden, one of the country’s must-see landscaped gardens.

Your voyage ends upon your return to Kobe.
Sailing Dates
12 Apr 2025
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
PR4 AU $35,574 AU $18,354 ‐ ‐
PR5 AU $37,354 AU $19,244 ‐ ‐
PR6 AU $39,494 AU $20,314 ‐ ‐
DS6 AU $55,214 AU $28,174 ‐ ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
12 Apr 2025 Kobe, Japan 9:30 PM
13 Apr 2025 Takamatsu, Japan 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
13 Apr 2025 Kurushima Strait 11:50 PM 11:50 PM
14 Apr 2025 Hiroshima, Japan 8:00 AM 1:30 PM
14 Apr 2025 Miyajima Japan 3:00 PM 8:00 PM
15 Apr 2025 Kanmon Straight Japan 7:00 AM 7:30 AM
15 Apr 2025 Hagi, Japan 12:30 PM 6:00 PM
16 Apr 2025 Sakaiminato, Japan 7:00 AM 1:30 PM
17 Apr 2025 Busan, (Pusan) South Korea 8:30 AM 6:30 PM
18 Apr 2025 Kitakyushu, Japan 8:00 AM 3:00 PM
19 Apr 2025 Uno Ko (for Okayama), Japan 7:30 AM 6:00 PM
20 Apr 2025 Kobe, Japan 6:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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