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.

Discover Akita, a northern port framed by mountains and rice fields. Known for its samurai heritage and sake breweries, it offers a glimpse of a quieter, tradition-rich corner of Japan.

Once a thriving merchant port, Sakata charms with historic rice warehouses, elegant former geisha houses, and beautifully preserved gardens, all set beside the Mogami River as it meets the Sea of Japan.

Step ashore in Kanazawa, celebrated for Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three great gardens. Gold-leaf workshops, a preserved samurai district, and atmospheric geisha quarters reward those who linger.

Arrive in Sakaiminato, a lively fishing port on the San’in coast. Famed for its fresh seafood and quirky folklore-themed streets, it makes a colourful gateway to the surrounding region.

Cross to South Korea and the energetic port of Busan. Hillside temples, bustling fish markets, and golden beaches sit side by side in the country’s spirited second city.

Return to Japan at Nagasaki, a city of poignant history and rich cultural crossover. Its hillside churches and tranquil peace memorial reflect a fascinating story of resilience and renewal.

Discover Kagoshima, watched over by the smouldering Sakurajima volcano across the bay. Often likened to Naples, this warm southern city pairs dramatic scenery with relaxed hospitality and natural hot springs.

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