Through the Heart of Japan: Tokyo to Fukuoka Cruise - Premium Adventure

Experience the dynamic landscape of Japan on a 15-day premium cruise adventure that includes South Korea

Departing from Tokyo, you begin this premium cruise adventure experiencing traditional Japanese culture at the township of remote Shimizu and walking the cobblestone staircase to the sacred Kamikura Shrine at Shingu. Continue to the ideal vantage point of Kobe Port to explore the bustling streets of Osaka for an authentic food tour or spend time in Kyoto among modern architecture and ancient temples.

Discover the lush mountainous landscape of Iya Valley at remote Tokujima, learn about the history of soy sauce in Shodojima and explore the ancient castle at little-visited Karatsu. Visit Jeju Island in South Korea to view the Unesco-listed Manjanggul lave tube before discovering the little-known Goto Islands and concluding your journey in Fukuoka.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• The use of local guides in various locations on the itinerary, means customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• Marine-friendly SPF50+ sunscreen is available for all guests to use, which helps to avoid harming the unique marine environment.
• By travelling on a smaller vessel, and by using local guides and Australian crew, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• Coral Expeditions is proudly accredited as an ecotourism cruise operator with world-leading EcoTourism Australia. Some of the initiatives they have been a part of include parting ways with plastic straws in 2018, bringing water and supplies to drought-stricken small island communities and providing onboard education to all guests. They have also been involved in coral species collection for the world’s largest coral biobank.
• Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve their sustainability to reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with their expedition roots and beliefs.
• Coral Expeditions have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. For example, water provided on board is packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
• Coral Expeditions rely on a community of local providers, farmers and growers and use locally sourced food (as much as possible) which has not been transported long distances. This ensures each regional menu champions seasonality, while creating delicious dishes sustainably wherever possible.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are available and included on all cruise menus, meaning passengers can opt for meals with a lower carbon footprint.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is graded Activity Level 1 (Leisurely) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Activity Level Guidelines page for more on our trip gradings or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings.

This premium adventure 14-night/15-day cruise is operated by Coral Expeditions.

The day-to-day itinerary is indicative. No two cruises with Coral Expeditions are the same, with each expedition crafted by experienced Masters and Expedition Leaders. Throughout the expedition, there may be the need to make changes to the itinerary to maximise your experience. Allowances may be made for seasonal variations, weather, tidal conditions and any other event that may impact the operation of the vessel. Coral Expeditions suggests you do not arrive on the day of embarkation or depart on the day of disembarkation due to any changes that may occur in scheduling.

Please refer to the below that are applicable to this Coral Expeditions cruise:

Standard booking conditions

• A 20 percent deposit of your total booking value is required upon confirmation and is non-refundable.
• Final balance must be paid 90 days before departure.

Cancellation conditions

• Up to 90 days prior to departure: Forfeit the 20 percent non-refundable deposit
• 89 to 60 days prior to departure: Forfeit 50 percent of the relevant fare
• 59 to 0 days prior to departure: Forfeit 100 percent of the relevant fare

Vaccinations and Health

Japan

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis B, tetanus, Japanese encephalitis, rabies (bat lyssavirus) and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

South Korea

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Japan

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Japan. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/japan
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/japan
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Japan.html

South Korea

From April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, visitors from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and 18 other countries no longer need to obtain a K-ETA to enter South Korea visa-free. Visit the official K-ETA website for more information.

Please note, requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/south-korea-republic-korea
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-korea
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-korea/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthKorea.html

Food & Drink

All inclusive

• Meals: All meals are fresh and chef-prepared on board
• Tea and coffee: 24-hour barista-style coffee and tea station
• Beverages: Selected wines, beers, juices, soft drinks and selected spirits are served complimentary with lunch and dinner. Drinks are available for purchase at other times.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Start your day with a tempting choice from a fresh continental or hot à la carte menu with options changing daily.

Lunches showcase a selection of hot and cold dishes, from salads and cold cuts to soups, fresh local seafood and seasonal tropical fruits both individually plated and small sharing plates.

Evenings are a convivial time to dine with new friends and reflect on an exciting day of discovery over dinner. We welcome you on board with a seafood-sharing concept dinner on the first night. Other evening meals are served over a three-course table d’hote dinner menu, when selections are offered as you enjoy table service from the friendly dining room staff.

All Coral Expeditions feature a memorable pre-dinner event ashore where sunset drinks and canapés are served, often on a beach, and always in a beautiful location with a sunset view. Casual sundowners are hosted by the captain and are the perfect time to kick off your shoes and enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail while mingling with fellow guests in a relaxed atmosphere.

Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list featuring boutique Australian and New Zealand wines, beers and ciders.

Each voyage, the captain hosts a Captain’s Table for invited guests and officers will endeavour to host dinner guests on an evening when operational matters allow.

Beverages onboard

Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a curated beverage list; each evening, sunset drinks are held on the Vista Deck (weather permitting) where guests relax or socialise before dinner. Each voyage, the captain hosts a welcome and farewell event with complimentary canapés and beverages.

Drinks are complimentary during the official Captain’s Welcome and farewell events and the offshore sunset drinks. We invite guests to join the pre-dinner drinks at other times, but alcoholic beverages during these times will be at your own expense.

Sustainability in food and beverage

Across the Coral Expedition fleet, they are continually looking for ways to improve sustainability and reduce waste, partner with more organic and Fairtrade suppliers, and deliver a food and beverage experience in line with expedition roots and beliefs. They have successfully implemented measures to remove PC plastics and reduce packaging waste in their food and beverage supply chain. Since 2020, Coral Expeditions offer a selection of ecofriendly, Fairtrade and organic beverage products including:

• Pukka Tea range: 100 percent certified organic herbs, ethically sourced.
• Veneziano Coffee: 100 percent fairtrade and Australian certified organic by the Biological Farming Association.
• Tablelands Coffee Black Mountain: Grown locally in Mareeba, Cairns Tablelands of Far North Queensland.
• JUST Water: Packaged in reusable, recycled paper-based containers with a lid made from sugarcane in Far North Queensland. Made in Australia with water from Victoria.

Snacks and pre-dinner canapés

In between shore adventures, the chefs will welcome you back on board with freshly baked treats or delicious canapés to accompany pre-dinner or sunset drinks. When local regulations allow, there may be the chance for impromptu stops to enjoy sunset drinks and canapés in scenic locations.

Special meal requirements

Vegetarian, vegans, gluten- and dairy-free items are included in all menus. The chefs will happily cater to other special dietary requirements with advance notice. Please advise at time of booking.

Weather

Japan has four very distinct seasons. We avoid the extremely cold winters and humid summers and settle for the more pleasant climes of spring and autumn. In Tokyo, September and October are warm, maximum temperatures are 26C (79F) and minimum 12C (54F). September is likely to be the warmer of the two and there is a likelihood of rain. April is cooler with temperatures possibly going as low as 7C (45F) with a high of 17C (63F). Kyoto is very similar climatically to Tokyo but the higher up into the mountains we venture, the colder it will become with nights being especially cold, particularly in March and November.