Rising Sun Voyage: Japan and Taiwan

Departure: 02 March 2025

Other departure dates available in March, April and October 2025, various destinations and duration.

Itinerary highlights

Yokohama
Yokohama is easily accessible from Tokyo, but there's enough to see and do here that it's worth more than a day trip. Visit Minato Marai 21, a popular, modern neighborhood with great shopping and tons of restaurant options. TripAdvisor travelers also recommend stopping at Big Wharf (Osanbashi Pier), a uniquely shaped pier with spectacular views.

Naze
Naze was a city located on Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

Naha Okinawa
The only place in Japan with a subtropical climate, Okinawa radiates a relaxed island vibe, with its sunny skies, clear blue oceans and warm weather year-round.

Ishigaki
The most cosmopolitan island in the Yaeyama Island Group of Okinawa, Ishigakis subtropical climate means its beach weather all year round here ? the island is rimmed with powdery white beaches and sky-blue waters teeming with coral reefs. Cruise to Ishigaki and take the one-hour hike up Okinawas highest peak, Mt. Otomo, and marvel at the ocean views dotted with neighboring islands. Walk around Ishigakis small town: Sample freshly caught fish at the Public Market, explore the 19th-century Miyara Dounchi House and Gardens, or channel inner calm at nearby Torinji Zen Temple. Looking for more thrill factor? Head to the mangroves of Nagura Anparu Wetland for a kayaking adventure.

Hualien
Best known for its verdant wilderness, Hualien city is also rich in cultural heritage. Cruise to Taiwan and start your adventure at Taroko Gorge, north of the city in the national park of the same name: See the stunning canyon with marble walls, take in views of the Pacific from the Qingshui Cliffs, and see the remnants of a 13th-century village inhabited by the Atayal, an indigenous Taiwanese tribe. Later, relax on the half-moon-shaped gulf at Qixingtan Beach, or see the influence left by Japanese rule from 1985 to 1945 at Karenko Shrine.

Keelung
Before embarking in Keelung, the third-largest port in Taiwan,take a little time to do some sightseeing. This pleasant port city is home to such historical sites like the Sea Gate Barrier Fort and places of worship dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

Nagasaki
The A-bomb Hypocentre (the exact point where the atomic bomb hit in 1945) brings most people to this pleasant, easy-going city. As a crossroads of cultures, it is imprinted with Chinese temples, Catholic churches and European-style houses, and imported cuisines and festivals flourish.

Kagoshima
Japans southernmost major city, Kagoshima delivers a memorable mix of unique cuisine, historical attractions and outdoor activities in its temperate weather. Take the short ferry ride from the port to Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park and immerse yourself in its natural grandeur ? take a rejuvenating soak in the 100-meter-long natural hot spring, and take in views of the areas most iconic landmark: Sakurajima volcano, nicknamed the Vesuvius of Japan. Then, take in sweeping bayside vistas at Sengan-en, the elegant estate of the Shimadzu samurai clan, and stroll through its cherry blossom-filled gardens. Cruise to Kagoshima and head to Yurigahama Beach, with its bright waters and mysterious sandbar that appears each month in a slightly different spot, depending on the tides.

Kochi 
Humming with happy energy, Kochi is a wholesome city blessed with green mountains and a network of blue rivers. The hub of the Kochi prefecture on the island of Shikoku, the citys streets are bustling hubs of activity ? walk by vendors selling everything from grilled Bonito fish to authentic secondhand kimonos. Dont miss Kochi Castle, one of the only original castles from Japans feudal age still standing today, with its traditional white towers perched on a hilltop above the city. Then, check out one of the citys 88 temples: The most famous is Chikurinji Temple on Mount Godaisan, complete with a five-story pagoda. Jump onboard a Kochi cruise and snack on imo-kenpi (candied sweet potatoes) in Hirome Ichiba indoor market

Kobe
Perched on a hill sloping down to the sea, Kobe is a maritime gateway to one of Japans most metropolitan cities. Mt. Rokko dominates the skyline ? from the summit, you can glimpse one of the best views in all Japan. Of course, Kobes also famous for breeding Wagyu cows that produce some of the highest-quality beef in the world. The stuff is so delicious that almost every restaurant in the area stocks it. Cruise to Japan and make your visit a full foodie mission and stop off at Osaka to indulge in the local tradition of kuidaore ? "eat until you drop."