Treasures of Japan

Itinerary

Day 1: USA

Depart the USA on your independent flight to Osaka, Japan

Day 2: Osaka, Honshu, Japan / Kyoto

Cross the International Dateline and arrive in Osaka. Transfer to your hotel in Kyoto.

Day 3: Kyoto

After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of Japan’s lovely cultural capital, Kyoto. Founded in the 7th century, Kyoto was the Emperor’s residence for more than one thousand years. Today, its historic shrines, monuments, art, and architectural landmarks represent nearly 20 percent of Japan’s national treasures. After lunch the afternoon is at leisure for independent exploration. Meet your staff and lecturers tonight during an orientation dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Kyoto / Himeji / Embark Clipper Odyssey

Depart Kyoto this morning on board one of Japan’s famed shinkansen "bullet trains" for a trip to the town of Himeji. Here you visit Himeji Castle, a designated World Heritage Site and national treasure. Completed in 1609 it has never been damaged by war, fire, or earthquake, and survives in its spectacular original form. Himeji means “white egret,” and, indeed, the gleaming white walls that soar high above the plains do resemble its namesake. Later this afternoon, embark the Clipper Odyssey at Himeji Port and set sail into the fabled Inland Sea for the port of Okayama.

Day 5: Okayama (Uno-Ko) / Bizen

Disembark this morning in the town of Uno-Ko and drive to Bizen. The production of Bizen’s highly acclaimed pottery dates from the 9th century, when the region’s iron-rich clay was discovered to turn a lustrous deep brown when fired. After a visit to the Ceramic Museum, you have time to explore some of the viallage's exquisite shops. This afternoon’s highlight is your visit to one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, Koraku-en, a 17th-century formal garden encompassing 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, pavilions, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse. Reboard the ship in Uno-Ko.

Day 6: Hiroshima / Miyajima

This morning you arrive in Hiroshima to visit the compelling Peace Memorial Park located in the heart of the city. A World Heritage Site, the park and its monuments are dedicated to the hope for world peace; an arch-shaped cenotaph includes the names of all the known victims of the atomic bomb. Return to the ship for lunch and make your way to Miyajima. Considered one of Japan’s premier scenic wonders, Miyajima, “shrine island,” offers a superb vista of the scarlet Torii, the giant camphor wood gate at the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, a sacred site of pilgrimage. At high tide it appears to float in the surrounding waters. Come ashore to explore the World Heritage Site shrine, sacred both to Shintoism and Buddhism. Founded in the 6th century and dedicated to three sea goddesses, the temple complex is connected by bridges and walkways.

Day 7: Hagi

Disembark in Hagi this morning, on the western tip of Honshu, to visit this exquisite medieval samurai town which served as the capital of the local daimyo, feudal lords, between 1603 and 1868. A castle, perfectly preserved 17th-century wooden samurai houses, a network of small canals teeming with koi, and famous working pottery kilns combine to present a look back into quintessential Japan.

Day 8: Tsushima Islands / Pusan, South Korea

Today enjoy an expedition stop—Japanese-style. The island of Tsushima, renowned for its rugged beauty, was blasted apart in 1896 by the Japanese navy to create a ship canal. Today, an 80-meter arched bridge connects the two island segments. Conditions permitting, you board Zodiacs to visit some of the small towns and sites here. On the northern island, Kami, visit Watazumi Jiniya, built in A.D. 895 as a shrine to the god of the sea. The Mt. Eboshi Observatory offers beautiful views of the coast and Aso-wan Bay. In the afternoon sail for Korea, arriving in Pusan in the late evening. An overnight in port allows for an early start to Kyongju in the morning.

Day 9: Kyongju

Disembark for your full-day excursion to magnificent Kyongju, considered by UNESCO as one of the world’s ten most historically significant sites, and often described as a “museum without walls.” As the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, Kyongju’s cultural heritage dates back to the first millennium when the dynasty began its rule of Korea after conquering and uniting divergent monarchies. The cultural flowering of Kyongju reached its artistic pinnacle in the 8th century as craftsmen created masterpieces in wood, metal, stone, and pottery. Today, as you stroll among some of the hundreds of excavated monuments, temples, tombs, and pagodas, your cultural historian provides enlightening discussions of the social, political, and cultural impact of the brilliant Shilla dynasty. There is ample time to explore the National Museum with its exceptional collection of finely worked gold jewelry, metal weapons, and distinctive pottery. At lunch sample Korean delicacies and enjoy a cultural performance of traditional dance.

Day 10: Matsue, Honshu, Japan

The San-In coastline along the north shore of Honshu offers splendid views of craggy rock faces and rugged shores sculpted by waves. Cruise inland to explore this very traditional region set in the stunning natural landscape of the Izumu Plain— serene lakes, clear rivers, and a backdrop of high mountains. Matsue, the “town of water,” nestles between a scenic lake and a large lagoon. Here you may choose to visit the cultural attractions of the town which include the Matsue Castle and a 250-year-old samurai house complete with tatami rooms, or explore the richly varied countryside

Day 11: Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a thriving center of the arts, long renowned for its lacquerware, superb collectible Kutani-style pottery, gold-leaf workmanship, delicate hand-painted kimono silks, and Noh theater dramas. The narrow and winding cobblestone streets have a quaint photogenic charm—around each bend is a traditional house, museum, art gallery, crafts shop, historic samurai residence, or even a geisha house to explore. And the fascinating open-air market displays a vast variety of items from flowers to fish to local handicrafts. Next to the Kanazawa Castle ruins is one of Japan’s premier botanical highlights—the famed Kenroku-en Garden. Sophisticated, centuries-old designs create an artful aura of seclusion and contemplation. A serene teahouse perches on a small peninsula in the middle of a pond, while carved stone lanterns line the footpaths. Kanazawa’s ponds have their own residents—spot-billed ducks, gray herons, and other waterfowl, while along the ocean shore, birders may spot grebes, eastern reef herons, and ancient murrelets.

Day 12: Sado Island / Niigata

Well off the beaten path of most travelers, Sado Island possesses both the pastoral charm of verdant rice paddies and bamboo groves, and the dramatic beauty of surf-pounded seacoasts. We go ashore on the western side of Japan’s fifth largest island and traverse via a scenic skyline drive, passing tiny fishing villages, temples, and shrines, to Sado, once the home of political exiles—deposed emperors, Buddhist priests, and intellectuals who were condemned to live in this isolated setting of great natural beauty. Along the way you visit a sake brewery to learn about the venerable process, then explore the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine in Aikawa which operated for 400 years, closing down only about 12 years ago. Arrive in the town of Ryotsu where you board your ship and sail for Niigata to overnight pierside.

Day 13: Niigata / Disembark Clipper Odyssey / Tokyo / USA

After breakfast you disembark the ship and transfer to a bullet train headed for Tokyo. On arrival, transfer to the airport where you will board your independent flight to the USA, arriving on the same day after crossing the International Date Line.

Trip Details

Ship	Clipper Odyssey (charter)
Highlights	Exquisite cultural landmarks, colorful markets, beautiful gardens, World Heritage Sites, Kyoto, Sado Island, Kyongju
Trip Notes	Included:Accommodations in hotels and on board Clipper Odyssey as outlined in the itinerary; all onboard meals; all group meals on land; group transfers; services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows; all group activities and excursions; landing and port fees; all gratuities. Pre-voyage extension includes all of the above.Not Included: All air transportation; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures; passport and/or visa fees; travel insurance; items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/fax/telephone charges.
Payment Policy	A deposit of 25% per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-05-11	2009-05-23	+

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