Immersive Japanese Rail Adventure & Princess Cruises East Asia Voyage

Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.

Touch down in Osaka and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Japan’s spirited kitchen city greets you with neon-lit streets, canal-side bustle, and an easy, welcoming energy that sets the tone for the journey ahead.

Spend the morning at leisure before an afternoon tour of Osaka Castle, the green-roofed fortress at the heart of the city. Its gilded turrets and sweeping grounds tell the story of feudal Japan’s most ambitious warlords.

Board the bullet train and glide west to Hiroshima, checking in for two nights. A half-day tour introduces a city defined by resilience, where moving memorials and tranquil gardens stand as a quiet testament to peace.

Cross the water to sacred Miyajima Island, home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its great vermilion torii gate, appearing to float on the tide. Wander the wooded paths where tame deer roam freely.

Transfer to the bullet train for Kyoto, your home for two nights. A half-day coach tour reveals Japan’s cultural soul, a city of imperial palaces, lantern-lit lanes, and more than a thousand temples and shrines.

Today, walk the towering bamboo groves of Arashiyama, admire the raked Zen garden of Ryoanji and the gold-leaf splendour of Kinkakuji, and ride the Sagano Romantic Train through the scenic Hozugawa gorge.

Take the bullet train east to Shizuoka, settling in for two nights. Set against tea-covered hills with Mount Fuji often on the horizon, this coastal prefecture offers a calmer, more rural side of Japan.

Journey on board the nostalgic Oigawa Railway before connecting to the Southern Alps Abt Line, a charming mountain railway that climbs through dramatic gorges and emerald valleys deep in the heart of Japan’s high country.

Travel to Mount Fuji, Japan’s most sacred and revered peak, for an escorted tour of its lakes and lower slopes. Continue to Tokyo, your base for two nights in the dazzling capital.

Enjoy a free day to explore Tokyo at your own pace. Lose yourself in the energy of Shibuya, seek out serene shrines and pristine gardens, or browse the boutiques and backstreets of this endlessly surprising metropolis.

With an array of entertainment, great dining options, and fantastic activity programmes, it’s no wonder Sapphire Princess^® is considered such a gem. The elegant lounges, beautifully designed public spaces, and spacious pool areas provide the perfect atmosphere.

Overlooked by the smouldering volcano of Sakurajima across the bay, Kagoshima is often called the Naples of the East. The landscaped Sengan-en garden, hearty black pork dishes and natural hot spring baths are among the local pleasures waiting to be discovered.

Nagasaki’s harbour has welcomed traders from across the globe for generations, leaving a fascinating blend of Japanese, Chinese and European influences. The hillside Glover Garden, the restored Dutch trading post of Dejima and the summit of Mount Inasa all reward a visit.

Crossing into South Korea, you’ll arrive in Busan, a vibrant port city where mountains meet the sea. Browse Jagalchi Fish Market, the country’s largest, wander the pastel-painted Gamcheon Culture Village, or visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple perched on the coastal rocks.

Back in Japanese waters, Sapphire Princess^® threads through the Kanmon Straits, the narrow channel separating the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Find a spot outside to watch the busy shipping lane, the graceful arc of the Kanmon Bridge, and the historic towns lining either shore.

Returning to Hiroshima by sea offers a fresh perspective on a city you first met by rail. Enjoy the day as you please, perhaps strolling the tranquil Shukkeien Garden or tucking into okonomiyaki, the savoury layered pancake that locals proudly call their own.

Sun-drenched Miyazaki, on the southeast coast of Kyushu, is fringed by palm-lined beaches and dramatic rock formations. Visit Udo Jingu, a brightly painted shrine tucked into a seaside cave, or explore the charming castle town of Obi, close to the port of Aburatsu.

On the island of Shikoku, Kochi blends samurai heritage with a laid-back, coastal spirit. Climb to the original 18th-century keep of Kochi Castle, then browse the lively Hirome Market, where locals gather over seared bonito and cold drinks.

Your final port of call brings one last chance to see Mount Fuji, this time from the shores of Suruga Bay. Wander the pine-fringed beach of Miho no Matsubara, where the mountain rises beyond the waves, or revisit nearby Shizuoka on your own terms.

Your holiday complete, today you’ll disembark your ship and head to the airport for your flight home.