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Japan & South Korea: Kobe to Hokkaido ABOARD THE SILVER EXPLORER

Otaru

Hakodate

On this unique voyage, you’ll experience the many ways the modern societies of Japan and South Korea are influenced by their past and learn how tradition still plays an important part in daily life. Discover a rich historical legacy as you explore fabled shrines and temples, magnificent castles and fortresses, elegant pagodas, and superb parks and formal gardens, including three of Japan’s highest-ranked gardens—Koraku-en, Ritsurin, and Kenroku-en. Stops include the moving Peace Memorial Park in the heart of Hiroshima and the iconic red torii gate at Miyajima. Among the many highlights is a full day excursion to Gyeongju, South Korea, a World Heritage Site often described as a “museum without walls.” Throughout the voyage, you’ll learn about the geology, wildlife, history, and botany of these sites from lecture presentations offered by your knowledgeable onboard Expedition Team.

DAYS 1-5 KOBE, JAPAN, TO HAGI Embark in Kobe and cruise to Okayama, noted for lovely Koraku-en, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. Takamatsu is home to another wonderful garden—Ritsurin, once the villa of relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun. Visit Miyajima, a sacred site of pilgrimage known for its iconic floating scarlet torii gate, and the compelling Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, dedicated to the hope for world peace. In the exquisite medieval castle town of Hagi, you’ll get the feel of what Japan was like during the Samurai period.

SEA OF JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA

JAPAN

Kanazawa

Sakaiminato

Busan

Hagi Okayama

Kobe

Takamatsu

Hiroshima/ Miyajima

PACIFIC OCEAN

200 mi

200 km

with its ancient wooden castle, and Kanazawa, a thriving center of the arts and home to traditional geisha districts and one of Japan’s premier botanical highlights—the famed Kenroku-en garden. DAYS 10-12 HOKODATE TO OTARU Cruise northward to Hakodate, a 19th century port town set on the island of Hokkaido. Visit the main sights around the foot of Mt. Hakodate, a mountain rising 1,100 feet above the city. Your journey ends in the small harbor town of Otaru, where traditional stone and brick warehouses have been converted to gleaming new restaurants and boutiques in true Japanese style—honoring the past while embracing the moment.

DAYS 6-9 BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA, TO KANAZAWA, JAPAN Crossing the Sea of Japan to Busan, South Korea, you’ll head to Gyeongju, with its with hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas. Heading back to Japan, cruise to Matsue,

DATE Jun 7-18, 2020

TRIP COST From $7,900

Price is per person and depends on cabin type

28

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