Japan with Mitsui Golden Week Cruise

We depart Auckland this morning for our flight to Tokyo – the capital of Japan – a city of marvellous contrasts, its past and present meshing seamlessly. On arrival late afternoon, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a three-night stay.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. At over 12
million people in the official metropolitan
area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most
populated urban area in the world, Greater
Tokyo (which has a population of 35
million people).This huge, wealthy and
fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with
glimpses of old Japan and has something
for everyone. Today we visit Meiji Jingu
Shrine and Imperial Palace before enjoying
lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we
continue our touring and see Asakusa
Kannon Temple and Nakamise Street,
returning to our hotel mid-afternoon.
There is time to refresh prior to meeting
for dinner at our hotel this evening.

This morning, we visit Hama Rikyu Gardens
and Tokyo Tower. The afternoon is free
to relax, or you may like to continue
exploring on your own. We enjoy
dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

This morning enjoy some free time before
we are transferred to the port to embark
on our 11-night cruise on the Mitsui
Ocean Fuji. Once onboard settle in and
familiarise yourself with your luxurious
surroundings! Our ship departs at 5.00pm.

A full day at sea for you to
enjoy the ship’s facilities.

Set along the east coast of the Iwate
Prefecture, Miyako was Japan’s main
seaport for hundreds of years before a series
of tsunamis took their toll. Yet what the city
lacks in historical buildings, it more than
makes up for in natural attractions such as
Sanriku Fukkō National Park. Stretching
some 110 miles along the coast, the park
showcases amazing flora — including
Japanese red pine and a virgin forest of
Tabu trees — while a variety of seabirds
find refuge along its cliffs and beaches.
Birders also flock to nearby Sanganjima
island, one of Japan’s main nesting
grounds for Swinhoe’s storm petrels.
Spend the day relaxing on Jodogahama
Beach, which ranks among Japan’s best,
or head to Morioka — Iwate’s largest city
— to visit the 17th-century Hachimangu
Shrine and sample rice wine on a tour of
Asabiraki Sake Brewery, which dates from
1871. Just north of the city lies Ryusendo
Cave, a massive subterranean network
of towering stalagmites and translucent
lakes. Arrives: 8.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Matsumae is a former castle town just west
of Cape Shirakami, the southernmost point
of Hokkaido. Only 20 kilometres across the
Tsugaru Strait from Aomori, Matsumae
was the northern limit of Japan during
the Edo Period and the sole feudal fief on
the otherwise wild, untamed frontier of
Hokkaido. The prosperous town attracted
merchants engaged in the shipping
trade, and was protected by a garrison at
Matsumae Castle, the only Japanese style
castle to have been built on Hokkaido.
The former castle grounds north of the
keep have been turned into the sprawling
Matsumae Park, in which rows upon
rows of cherry trees are planted. Over ten
thousand cherry trees representing more
than 250 different varieties can be seen
around the grounds, and have earned the
park the distinction of being ranked among
the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan.
In addition, the park has a small Sakura
Museum just north of the castle keep with
information about the development of
the blossoms, and photos and preserved
specimens of the types of cherry trees that you can see around the grounds. Due to
the large variety of cherry trees, Matsumae
has an uncharacteristically long blooming
season that lasts from late April to late
May. Arrives: 8.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Sheltered along the enchanting Sea of
Japan coast, Akita boasts a captivating
blend of modern and old, with a cityscape
that showcases an intriguing contrast of
architectural styles. Immerse yourself in the
pristine natural beauty as you walk through
lush amber forests and soak in the tranquil
vistas of immaculate crystal lakes or absorb
the serene ambience of the Sea of Japan,
daydreaming and beachcombing. For those
seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, Akita’s
hot springs, known as onsen, provide a
therapeutic escape. These onsen resorts, set
against stunning mountain backdrops, invite
you to soak in mineral-rich waters, providing
the perfect setting for unwinding and
rejuvenating the senses. One of the gems in
Akita’s cultural crown is the historic town of
Kakunodate, celebrated for its preservation
of one of Japan’s most intriguing samurai
districts. As you stroll through its wellpreserved streets, you’ll encounter traditional
samurai residences and the enchanting
sight of cherry blossom trees in full
bloom, offering a timeless journey into the
past. Arrives: 8.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Nanao City, located in the centre of the
Noto Peninsula, was once the site of Nanao
Castle, one of the largest mountain castles
in Japan, and is named after the seven
ridges on the castle mountain: Matsuo,
Takeo, Umeo, Tsuruo (Kikuo), Kameo, Ryuuo,
and Torao. It is also part of the “”Noto
Satoyama Sea,”” which was registered as
a World Agricultural Heritage site in June
2011 by the World Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), the first such
designation for Japan and other developed
countries. It is one of the few hot springs in
Japan that spring from the sea, and a soak
in the salty water warms the body from the
inside out. Arrives: 9.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Busan is a fast-moving coastal metropolis
that guarantees you’ll never have the
same experience twice. History enthusiasts
will find themselves captivated by the
stunning historical treasures of Beomeosa
Temple, a serene oasis nestled within the
city, with a rich heritage that dates back
over 1,300 years. No trip is complete without
strolling through Yongdusan Park to take
in panoramic views while marvelling at
the iconic Busan Tower, a symbol of the
city’s aspirations and dynamism. Busan’s
culinary scene is a highlight of any visit.
Savour the city’s diverse gastronomy by
exploring its bustling markets like Jagalchi
Fish Market, where you can feast on freshly
caught seafood, and indulge in delectable
Korean street food. The city’s natural beauty
is another compelling reason to visit,
with its pristine beaches like Haeundae
Beach offering a tranquil escape by the
sea. Arrives: 8.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Soak up the rich literary history of this
famously hospitable castle town. Home
to Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest
hot springs. Venture into the suburbs
to find magical islands populated by
deer. Sitting on a hill above the city is
Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan’s original
castles, its home to an abundance of
unique cultural experiences such as the
opportunity to wear the armour of a
samurai. Arrives: 9.00am. Departs: 5.00pm

Shimizu Port offers one of Japan’s most
picturesque harbour views with Mt. Fuji as
its backdrop. It’s known for fresh seafood,
tea, and access to scenic and spiritual
landmarks like Miho no Matsubara pine
grove. Arrives: 8.00am. Departs: 6.00pm

Sadly, this morning we disembark . We are
met by our guide and enjoy a tour of the
Japan National Stadium – the main stadium
for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic
Games. You’ll get to see areas not usually
open to the public, such as the athletes’
locker rooms and the competition area,
where you may still feel the energy from the
events. Walk around the track of this historic
sports venue, and step onto the Olympic
podium, constructed of recycled plastic,
to get a feel for what the competitors
themselves felt. See a wall signed by 300
of these athletes and sit on the same
benches where they sat. You can create
your own Olympic memories. Afterwards,
explore the Japan Olympic Museum. Since
opening in September 2019, the Japan
Olympic Museum in Tokyo introduced the
Japanese Olympic Movement through its
immersive multimedia exhibits under the
theme of “Know, Learn, Feel, Challenge, and
Think,” inviting visitors to experience the
“Olympic Spirit.” Early afternoon we head
to the airport for our evening flight home.

Arrive Auckland mid-morning