Japan by land & sea

You'll spend the morning with one of our guides for an orientation. They will run through your trip and offer any local advice to you so you can enjoy the country with confidence. You can then spend the afternoon exploring the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. The Hamarikyu Gardens and Asakusa Old Town are excellent places to start. In the evening, head out with a guide to sample some of the local Tokyo cuisine in the vibrant district of Ebisu.

Spend the day exploring Kamakura, a pretty seaside town which was once Japan's capital and is home to the Great Bronze Buddha. You can take the train there unaccompanied — trains depart regularly from Tokyo and the journey takes an hour and a quarter. There are many temples and shrines which you can visit here and one of our favorites is the Hase Kannon Temple.

You will make your way to Hakone today by bullet train. Enjoy the atmosphere of this quieter town. This will give you a nice contrast to the busy big cities in Japan. You will also have the opportunity to stay in a traditional ryokan accommodation. Ryokan are Japanese inns that are famous for their service and the incredible food they serve. You usually sleep on tatami-mat floors in a Japanese-style room. The Hakone area is famous for ryokans having hot spring onsen baths, too, given its location near the iconic Mount Fuji.

Today you can enjoy the area and towns of the Hakone National Park. The village of Hakone-machi sits right on the lake nestled in the hills near Mt. Fuji. You can also take the ferry across the lake and enjoy the scenery and vistas around Hakone. If the weather is clear, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji.

Today, your private driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to the port in Tokyo. Here, you’ll board your Silversea ship, ready to settle into your spacious suite ahead of your departure this evening. You could begin your voyage with a glass of champagne on your private veranda, before heading to one of the ten onboard restaurants for dinner.

Your cruise begins with a full day at sea, providing an ideal opportunity to get to know Silver Nova as you sail southwest along the Japanese coast. You might like to browse the onboard boutiques, or head up to the pool deck to swim or unwind on a lounger with panoramic ocean views. Alternatively, you could take a deep dive into Japan’s cuisine with a cookery workshop run by a professional chef in the interactive S.A.L.T. Lab teaching kitchen.

The first port of call on your cruise is Osaka, where your ship will dock overnight. This gives you plenty of time to explore the city your way. That could mean discovering its history at Shitenno-ji temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine, and Osaka Castle, whose tiered silhouette looms over the landscape. Or, wandering the lively, neon-lit streets of Dotonbori in downtown Osaka to immerse yourself in the region’s enviable culinary scene.

On your second day in Osaka, you might like to take a day trip to nearby Kyoto. Here, you could stroll through seemingly endless tunnels of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. Admire the gilded splendor of Kinkaku-ji temple (golden pavilion), its gleaming main hall reflected in the mirror-like pond below. Discover the intricately decorated halls of Nijo Castle. Or, wander amid the towering blue-green stalks of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as they sway in the breeze.

You’re back at sea today, voyaging west around the southern coast of the island of Shikoku. You might like to take the opportunity to enjoy a spot of pampering in the onboard Otium Spa. You’ll find a range of treatments available, from massages to facials, plus a sauna and steam room. The ship also has a beauty salon offering hair treatments and nail services. Alternatively, work up a sweat in the fully-equipped gym or hit the on-deck jogging track.

Your next port of call is Hiroshima. As well as visiting the poignant Peace Memorial Park and Museum to reflect on the city’s past, we recommend taking a tour of Miyajima Island. Here, you’ll see the “floating” red torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and have the chance to hike the scenic, deer-dotted slopes of Mount Misen. Back in the city, your specialist can suggest the best spot to sample okonomiyaki, Hiroshima’s signature pancake-like dish filled with vegetables, meat, and noodles.

Today, after sailing through the slender, S-shaped Kanmon Strait, you arrive in the city of Fukuoka. During your time here, you could sample local ramen at one of the city’s renowned yatai (open-air food stalls), take in the views from the observation deck of Fukuoka Tower, or explore the ruins of Fukuoka Castle. Alternatively, head out of the city to stroll the scenic grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where red bridges arch over a koi-filled pond fringed by plum trees.

After sailing west overnight, you wake up in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea. Here, you could browse an array of local goods at Gukje Market, relax on the golden sands of Haeundae — the country’s most popular beach — or join a tour of temples and royal tombs in Gyeongju, the country’s “museum without walls”. Your specialist can recommend a local restaurant where you can tuck into a traditional Korean barbecue dinner before you return to your ship this evening.

Today, you voyage east across the Sea of Japan. You might like to start the morning with a coffee and pastry in the Arts Café, before attending a lecture by an expert guest speaker or losing yourself in a novel in the Observation Lounge. And, as evening falls, you could watch the sunset in your wake from the on-deck Dusk Bar, or head to the S.A.L.T. Bar to sip a cocktail inspired by the destinations on your cruise.

This morning you arrive in Kanazawa, a city rich in culture and artistic heritage. A highlight here is Kenroku-en — its combination of ponds, bridges, and flowering trees places it among the top three landscape gardens in Japan. You might also like to visit the preserved geisha and samurai districts, explore the elegant Kanazawa Castle, or attend an authentic tea ceremony. Alternatively, take part in a gold leaf workshop to try your hand at the city’s traditional craft.

Today, you sail north along the western coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island. To help you switch off, your dedicated butler will assist with anything you need, from making restaurant reservations to restocking your minibar. Tonight, you could dance the night away at a themed party or karaoke evening, or attend a stage show in the glamorous Venetian Lounge. For something more intimate, take a seat in Dolce Vita to sip a glass of wine and listen to live piano music.

You spend today in Aomori, a compact city framed by forested peaks. It’s best known for its spectacular annual Nebuta Matsuri festival, where giant illuminated floats parade through the streets. You can visit the Nebuta Warasse Museum to learn more and view some floats up close. Alternatively, trace the region’s history at the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site, a preserved village which dates to the Jomon Period (13000–300 BCE). Or, explore its contemporary side at the renowned Aomori Museum of Art.

Today you reach Hakodate, on the southern tip of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Here, you could visit the unusual star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, stroll around the historic Motomachi district, browse the stalls at the Hakodate Morning Market, or venture to the summit of Mount Hakodate for all-encompassing views of the surrounding landscape. Alternatively, take a trip out of the city to explore Onuma Park, home to island-speckled lakes overlooked by the dormant Mount Komagatake volcano.

On your last full day at sea, you navigate south along the eastern coast of Japan. You could watch the scenery drift past from the infinity-edge, glass-fronted Cliff Whirlpool before a meal at your preferred restaurant — whether it’s high-end French cuisine at La Dame or freshly made pizza at Spaccanapoli. Finally, you can round off the night by toasting your voyage with a bespoke cocktail in The Shelter or on deck at the Panorama Lounge.

This morning, you disembark your ship in Tokyo. A private driver will meet you at the port and take you to the airport ready for your flight home.