Coasts & Cuisines of Japan & South Korea

A private transfer delivers you to the Conrad Tokyo hotel. This evening, an exquisite array of dishes is enjoyed during our Welcome Dinner at Tsukiji Jisaku, a revered establishment frequented by celebrities and politicians.

Join our host, Paul Schenk, as we head to the celebrated Tsukiji Outer Market this morning. Here, a vast network of vendors trade in a great range of delicacies. Paul, along with our local guide, provides food and cultural insights during our visit. We then take part in a sushi-making class. Under the tutelage of an expert instructor, we become familiar with the tools, techniques and traditions required to prepare this most recognised of Japanese dishes. 

Afterwards, visit Asakusa, Tokyo’s Old Town. Absorb the atmosphere of a more traditional Tokyo and admire Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. Adjacent to the temple, we find Nakamise-dori, the district’s famous shopping street. We wander between a succession of stalls, uniformly decorated by hanging red lanterns, and ponder our next purchase. Across the nearby Sumida River, we then arrive at the modest Buddhist temple, Ekoin. During our visit, a local priest apprises us of its history and significance. An opportunity to learn the traditional art of calligraphy then presents itself. Choose from a selection of the city’s quality dining establishments this evening.

This morning, we make our way to Shunkaen Bonsai Museum, where we find many meticulously crafted bonsai trees on display. While here, we also learn several bonsai techniques directly from a master of the art form. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Nezu Museum, which features an extensive collection of East Asian art, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles. Then discover the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi, which involves the mending of cracked pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum, powder. Kintsugi celebrates imperfection, turning each piece into a unique work of art. With our exploration of Tokyo at an end, we make our way to the port, where we meet our luxurious vessel, Silver Moon. Familiarise yourself with the ship’s amenities as we set sail this evening.

Arriving in the city of Nagoya, we disembark the ship for a choice of Your World experiences: 

— Set out on a culinary tour of the vibrant Osu district. Taste a selection of local delicacies, from miso kushikatsu to crispy and perfectly seasoned karaage. Your experience culminates with a visit to a local craft brewery, for a tasting of some of Nagoya’s finest beers. 

— Alternatively, explore some of Nagoya’s other famous sites. Drive to Atsuta Jingu Shrine, where the legendary Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword is housed. Continue to Osu-Kannon Temple, welcomed by its prayer flags and red lanterns. Afterwards, at Nagoya Castle Hommaru Palace, see its Kano-style sliding-door paintings depicting tigers and bamboo. These have been designated important cultural property by the Japanese government.

Arriving back at the pier, we embark Silver Moon for our cruise to the island of Shikoku.

Not far from the port, we arrive at the Makino Botanical Garden. Boasting a diversity of plant species from around the world, its expansive grounds offer us the chance to tread paths among a range of flourishing flora. At nearby Kochi Castle, we gain a glimpse into the country’s samurai era at one of the few original and well-preserved 17th-century castles. Still within the gaze of Kochi Castle, we then arrive at Hirome Ichiba, a lively market whose stalls present various snacks and delicacies for us to sample.

On the neighbouring island of Kyushu, our ship docks in the port of Beppu, a city renowned for its many hot springs. Explore the region with a choice of Your World experiences:

— Stand at the edge of ‘hell’, the affectionate name given by locals to seven spectacular hot springs. These steaming, bubbling hot springs, or ‘jigoku’, can reach temperatures of around 100° Celsius. From here, drive to the city’s Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center, which houses a collection of utensils, furniture and clothing. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, learn the techniques behind decorating a bamboo bell crafted from coloured bamboo sticks. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and discover ‘Hell Steam Cuisine’, a method of cooking that utilises the area’s natural hot steam. While here, you will be shown how to cook your own 'hell meal'. 

— Take a drive to Usuki Stone Buddhas, where you will see an impressive assemblage of statues that have been collectively designated as a national treasure. Not far from here, look upon the ruins of Usuki Castle. Following your tour of the castle and the samurai district, enjoy some free time to stroll the castle grounds and the adjacent park. 

With our respective explorations of Beppu over, we return to our waiting ship.

Enjoy the amenities aboard our ship during a day at sea. Cruising northward, Silver Moon navigates the narrow Kanmon Strait between the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Pass beneath the famous Kanmon Bridge as the ship negotiates an S-bend where the headlands of the two islands overlap with one another.

Today, we arrive on the island of Jeju. Located in the Korea Strait, between Japan and the South Korean mainland, the island is known as ‘the Hawaii of South Korea’ for its natural beauty and subtropical climate. 

We spend today on the island, discovering all that it has to offer during a choice of Your World experiences:

— In Jeju City, enjoy a distinctly Korean cultural performance, comprising martial arts, folk music, and the concepts of yin-yang and the five elements. Then wander the aisles of the bustling Dongmun Market. 

— Descend into the surreal Manjanggul Cave. Stretching for more than seven kilometres, the cave was formed by lava flows around 200,000 years ago. Wander pathways through the cave, which is adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique formations. The cave is also home to a large colony of bent-wing bats. On the island’s far-eastern coast, you will then arrive at Sunrise Peak, a volcanic crater that juts out into the sea. 
Please note: This option involves extensive walking along surfaces that are occasionally rocky and slippery. 

— Enter Hwansang Forest, home to an abundance of diverse flora and fauna. A guided walking tour takes you through the forest, whose terrain has been shaped by ancient lava flows. Nearby, enjoy a relaxing and therapeutic foot bath after your forest stroll. Then head to O’Sulloc Tea Museum for an experience of South Korean tea culture. 

Silver Moon welcomes us back aboard this afternoon. Enjoy the onboard dining options as we cruise the East China Sea.