Ponant

Daily Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Osaka

   Depart 20:00

   Japan

   

   Osaka is Japan's exuberant culinary capital, a neon-drenched metropolis where Edo-period merchant culture lives on in vibrant street food markets and Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurants alike. No visit is complete without savouring *takoyaki* and *kushikatsu* along the Dōtonbori Canal, or venturing north to witness Hirosaki's legendary cherry blossoms. The ideal window is late March through May for spring blooms and mild weather, or October through November when autumn foliage transforms the surrounding Kansai region into a tapestry of amber and gold.

2. Day 2

   Tamano, Japan

   Japan

   

   Tamano is a port city on Japan's Seto Inland Sea, serving as the gateway to the world-renowned art islands of Naoshima and Teshima, where contemporary masterpieces by Tadao Ando, Claude Monet, and James Turrell sit within extraordinary architectural settings. On the mainland, visitors can explore Okayama's Korakuen garden, the photogenic Kurashiki canal district, and taste famous white peaches and fresh Inland Sea seafood. The mild Seto Inland Sea climate makes year-round visits comfortable.

3. Day 3

   Hiroshima

   Japan

   

   Hiroshima is a deeply moving yet vibrantly reborn Japanese city, home to the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial Park and the iconic A-Bomb Dome. Must-dos include savouring the city's famous layered okonomiyaki, tasting fresh Inland Sea oysters, and taking the ferry to Miyajima to see the floating vermilion torii gate. Spring cherry-blossom season and autumn foliage (March–May and October–November) offer the most spectacular visits.

4. Day 3

   Hiroshima

   Japan

   

   Hiroshima is a deeply moving yet vibrantly reborn Japanese city, home to the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial Park and the iconic A-Bomb Dome. Must-dos include savouring the city's famous layered okonomiyaki, tasting fresh Inland Sea oysters, and taking the ferry to Miyajima to see the floating vermilion torii gate. Spring cherry-blossom season and autumn foliage (March–May and October–November) offer the most spectacular visits.

5. Day 4

   Beppu

   Japan

   

   Beppu is Japan's ultimate hot spring city on Kyushu's coast, producing more geothermal water than anywhere else on Earth, with 2,800 vents, spectacular boiling "Hells," and volcanic sand baths on the beach. Must-dos include the Jigoku Hells circuit, hell-steaming your own meal at Kannawa, and soaking in a variety of mineral-rich onsen. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for combining bathing with sightseeing.

6. Day 5

   Uwajima

   Japan

   

   Uwajima is a Shikoku castle town renowned for one of Japan's twelve original Edo-period castles, a unique bull sumo tradition, and exceptional sea bream served as sashimi over rice in the distinctive Uwajima tai-meshi style. Must-do experiences include climbing the original wooden castle keep, attending a togyu bull sumo tournament, and tasting the local pearl oysters and citrus. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage provide the most picturesque visiting seasons.

7. Day 6

   Miyanoura - Yakushima

   Japan

   

   Miyanoura is the port for Yakushima, Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient cedar trees over 2,000 years old stand in moss-draped forests that inspired Princess Mononoke, and dramatic elevation changes compress subtropical to sub-alpine zones into 500 square kilometres. Must-dos include hiking to the Jōmon Sugi ancient cedar, exploring the Shiratani Unsuikyō ravine, and tasting flying fish sashimi. The rainy season (June-July) creates the most atmospheric forest conditions, while autumn offers clearest skies.

8. Day 7

   Kagoshima

   Japan

   

   Kagoshima, the "Naples of the East," is a dramatic port city on Japan's southern coast defined by the active Sakurajima volcano and a rich samurai heritage dating to the powerful Shimazu clan. Visitors should not miss the fifteen-minute ferry crossing to Sakurajima's lava fields and a tasting of legendary Kurobuta black pork paired with local sweet-potato shōchū. Spring (March–May) offers mild temperatures and cherry blossoms, while autumn (October–November) brings clear skies ideal for volcano views.

9. Day 8

   Nagasaki

   Japan

   

   Nagasaki is a historically rich port city on Japan's Kyushu island, shaped by centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese influence — offering visitors the Glover Garden heritage district, the moving Peace Park, and the spectacular Mount Inasa night panorama. Must-do experiences include tasting the city's signature champon noodle soup and exploring the atmospheric hillside lanes lined with stone churches and Chinese temples. The best months to visit are March through May for mild weather and cherry blossoms, or October through November when autumn colours set the surrounding hills ablaze.

10. Day 9

    Busan

    Arrive 06:30

    South Korea

    

    Busan, a bustling port city in South Korea, is known for its stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include visiting the iconic Jagalchi Fish Market for fresh seafood and exploring the ancient sites of Gyeongju. The best time to visit is during the mild spring or autumn months when the weather is pleasant and local festivals abound.

Cabin Categories

Deluxe Stateroom

balcony

D

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A window and panoramic glazed swing door

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Prestige Deck 4

balcony

1

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Prestige Deck 5

balcony

2

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV A bathroom with bath A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Prestige Deck 6

balcony

3

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A bathroom with bathtub (except staterooms 605 and 625: with shower) A private 4 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Superior Stateroom

outside

6

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: One king-size bed or two single beds (180 x 200 cm) A bathroom with shower A window (except for stateroom 300: a round porthole only)

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Deluxe Suite

suite

DS

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) An armchair and sofa (167 x 70 cm) A bathroom with shower A private 5 m² balcony A panoramic sliding bay window

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Owner's Suite

suite

OS

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Private return transfer Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A living/dining room with a sofa, armchair, second TV, 4-seater table, and sliding courtesy door A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar A private 9 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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Prestige Deck 5 Suite

suite

4

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door Two bathrooms: one with a shower and one with a bath A private 8 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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Prestige Deck 6 Suite

suite

5

In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms: Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival Butler service An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchairs, second TV, and sliding courtesy door Two bathrooms: one with a shower and one with a bath A private 8 m² balcony Two panoramic sliding bay windows

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