Coasts & Cuisines of Japan & South Korea
A journey overview
- Tokyo
- Nagoya
- Kochi
- Beppu
- Jeju
- Keelung
- Hong Kong
- Seoul
- Busan
18 Days Exploration
- Departing:
- 10 Oct 2025 Selling Fast
Discover the remote harbours and vibrant cities of Asia during this culinary cruise. In a small group of just 24 guests, we approach the shores of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong aboard Silversea’s luxurious ship, Silver Moon. At the conclusion of our cruise, our gourmet host, Paul Schenk, introduces us to the diverse dining experiences of South Korea during six nights in two of its most dynamic cities. Everything has been considered and included.
Introducing Our Culinary Host – Paul Schenk
Join host Paul Schenk for our culinary cruise, as well as an in-depth look at South Korea’s celebrated street food, markets and restaurants. Paul’s experience working in South Korea’s hospitality industry grants us an insider’s perspective during our visits to its culinary hotspots.
Cruise Aboard Silver Moon
Enjoy an all-inclusive oceanic lifestyle aboard Silversea’s luxurious Silver Moon. Built in 2020, the sleek vessel boasts an abundance of public areas and a choice of nine onboard restaurants, including its three renowned S.A.L.T. venues. All suites include butler service.
Immersive Food and Wine Experiences
Our journey concludes with a culinary experience to savour during six nights in South Korea. Former cooking show host Paul Schenk guides us in the finer points of Korean kitchen culture and its delectable gourmet fare. Enjoy delicious street food in Seoul’s marketplaces. Discover Korean rice wine. And join a private cooking class.
Island Hopping Across Japan
Discover some of Japan's lesser-known and more remote regions. In Nagoya, dine on local delicacies and its finest craft beer. On the island of Shikoku, return to the samurai era during a visit to Kochi Castle. You’ll also have the chance to learn the cooking methods of Beppu Onsen’s ‘Hell Steam Cuisine’.
The Splendour of Asia at Sea
Silver Moon’s plentiful onboard amenities enhance our voyage. Enjoy days at sea while cruising between Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. We also have the unique experience of navigating the winding Kanmon Strait between Japan’s islands. Then arrive into Hong Kong’s striking harbour.
Residences of the highest standard
Silver Moon
Enjoy the comforts of Silver Moon over nine nights. Select from several onboard restaurants and absorb Asia’s coastlines and waterways from the ship’s spacious decks. Your Vista Suite features a large picture window and marble bathroom. Upgrades to other suite categories are available.
Conrad Tokyo
Your welcome to Japan begins as you enjoy panoramic views of the Royal Hamarikyu Gardens and Tokyo Bay from your King Bay View Room. While a range of expertly prepared Japanese, European and Chinese dishes are accompanied by further expansive outlooks onto the city below from the hotel’s multiple restaurants.
Grand Hyatt Seoul
The Grand Hyatt Seoul welcomes us for three nights. Staying in Grand Executive Suites, our time in the capital is one of comfort, convenience and indulgence. Enjoy access to the Grand Club Lounge for evening cocktails.
Paradise Hotel Busan
Your Premium Deluxe Ocean room features sweeping views of Haeundae Beach. Take in these stunning scenes during our three-night stay. Or absorb the aquatic atmosphere at even closer range, courtesy of the hotel’s outdoor ocean spa pool.
Itinerary
Tokyo (Japan)
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.
Tokyo
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.
Tokyo, Embark Silver Moon
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.
Nagoya
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.
Kochi
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.
Beppu
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.
Day at Sea
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.
Jeju (South Korea)
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.
Day at Sea
Another day at sea means we can schedule our day as we please. Scan the water for sperm whales, catch up with friends in one of the ship’s bars or lounges, or just enjoy a good book.
Keelung (Taiwan)
We dock in Keelung on Taiwan’s northern coast. From here, we are transferred to the capital, Taipei, a lively city whose skyline is dominated by the Taipei 101 skyscraper.
Your World experiences give us the chance to experience Taiwan’s various aspects:
— Join Paul and a local food expert who will guide you through Taipei’s Shidong Market. Then take a short walk to The Kitchen Restaurant, where a cooking class lets you experience the subtleties of Taiwanese flavours and hospitality.
— See one of the city’s most important landmarks, the Taipei Confucius Temple. Though considered somewhat austere, the impressive structure was modelled on the original Confucius Temple in mainland China. Then head to the famous Di Hua Market Street, where you’ll pass a range of traditional shops selling Chinese medicine and various foods.
Return to the ship this afternoon, as we prepare to cruise onward to Hong Kong.
Day at Sea
Enjoy the good life aboard Silver Moon today. Meet with friends in one of the many public areas, relax in the spa or pool, or simply while away the hours gazing out to sea.
Hong Kong, Disembark Silver Moon, Seoul (South Korea)
Our cruise draws to an end as we dock in Hong Kong. Transferring to the airport, we then board our flight to Seoul. Arriving late in the afternoon, we head straight to our accommodation, the Grand Hyatt Seoul. Our hotel hosts us for dinner this evening.
Seoul
At the foot of nearby Mt Bukhansan, we find Jingwansa Temple. After being shown around the temple, we meet with the resident monks for lunch. A special highlight then takes place as we witness the changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Clothed in colourful coats and marching beneath fluttering flags, the guards re-enact this centuries-old tradition while presenting themselves before the royal courtyard. This afternoon, at Gwangjang Market, South Korea’s oldest established market, a range of delicious street food and local specialties are ours to sample. We then adjourn to Kyochon Pilbang, a renowned local restaurant, to savour the country’s much-loved combination of fried chicken and local Korean beer.
Seoul
Rise early for a northerly drive to the city of Paju. From here, we are taken by shuttle bus to the DMZ, Korea’s Demilitarized Zone. At Dora Observatory, we are able to look across the border to North Korea. Then head underground to get a firsthand glimpse of The Third Tunnel, built by North Korea for a planned invasion of the South. While here, we are also shown the briefing room, exhibition hall and unification village. Following our fascinating adventures, we return to Seoul and the Grand Hyatt.
Busan
We depart Seoul this morning and take an express train to the southerly waterfront city of Busan. On arrival, we partake of some mouth-watering Korean barbecue at a local restaurant. Then, at Boksoondoga Brewery, tastings of traditional Korean rice wine are enjoyed. The fermented beverage, known locally as makgeolli, makes for a sweet and fizzy experience. Later this afternoon, we check into Paradise Hotel, along the shores of Haeundae Beach.
Busan
This morning, a cable car ferries us across the water to Songdo Island. A private cooking class then reveals the tastes and techniques involved in authentic Korean cuisine. Culture takes many forms, so we then adjourn to Busan National Gugak Center for a performance of Korean music and dance. Our senses are further stimulated at the Jagalchi Fish Market. The sensations continue as we reach BIFF Street, which features a prodigious number of street food vendors. Perhaps take the opportunity to assuage your hunger, courtesy of some local delicacies, while we are here. Tonight, we take to the streets to discover Busan’s night-time attractions. The winding 7.4 km Gwangan Bridge puts on a dazzling display of colour, courtesy of its LED lights that number in the thousands. While the Busan Cinema Center reveals its uniquely cantilevered design, which proudly occupies a prime waterfront location.
Gyeongju, Busan
A northerly drive brings us to the city of Gyeongju. We take in the sights of the city, beginning at Bulguksa Temple, a revered Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch is served at the enchanting Yoseokgung 1779 multi-course restaurant. From here, we proceed to Tumuli Park, where royal burial mounds punctuate the verdant landscape. Our explorations also lead us to the Gyeongju National Museum, which reveals prized artefacts from the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. Upon returning to Busan, we celebrate our grand journey during a Farewell Dinner.
Busan
With our journey at an end, we say goodbye to our Tour Host Team and fellow travellers before transferring to Busan’s airport.
Coasts & Cuisines of Japan & South Korea
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