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Japan Like You’ve Always Dreamed
Without the Crowds or Compromise |
Timeless traditions, striking modernity, and landscapes that stir the soul — Japan has captured the hearts of travellers worldwide. But with its growing popularity, finding an experience that feels both authentic and unhurried can be a challenge.
This exclusive journey with PONANT delivers exactly that. Seamlessly blending immersive land touring with the elegance of small-ship cruising, it allows you to witness Japan’s iconic sights and its hidden corners — all without the hassle of constant packing or busy crowds.
Start with the speed and style of the legendary bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara. Then, step aboard your luxurious boutique ship to explore coastal villages, remote islands, and natural wonders — returning each evening to world-class comfort and panoramic sea views.
If Japan is on your list, this is the way to do it.
Discover more about this remarkable journey below.
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Part One: Tokyo, Kyoto & Nara On The Bullet Train |
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Experience Japan's most treasured highlights in this carefully curated 5-day journey before boarding your PONANT cruise. From Tokyo's vibrant streets and ancient temples to sacred Nikko shrines and Hakone's legendary hot springs, immerse yourself in authentic Japanese culture, cuisine, and hospitality.
Master sushi-making with local chefs, explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, and retreat to traditional onsen baths with Mount Fuji as your backdrop. Then glide aboard the iconic bullet train to meet your awaiting PONANT vessel—the perfect transition from Japan's cultural heart to its stunning coastal treasures. |
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Part Two: Cruise The Best Of Japan |
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You're invited on a timeless journey around the fascinating and surprising Empire of the Rising Sun, where unbridled modernism and ancestral traditions form a delightful blend, where the history of the samurai rubs shoulders with the delicateness of the geisha, and where the aromas of the tea plantations intermingle with the fragrances of cherry blossom.
In the legendary city of Osaka, embark on this unique 9-day cruise aboard Le Soléal to discover this unrivalled cultural heritage. |
13 Days | Departs 12 March 2026 |
Package price from $19,229 per person, twin share |
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- 12 March 2026 – TOKYO Enjoy leisure time before meeting fellow travellers for dinner. Overnight: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, Tokyo
- 13 March 2026 – Sightseeing in Asakusa, visiting Sensoji Temple, Nakamise shopping mall, and Kaminarimon Gate. Lunch at a local restaurant. Participate in a sushi-making class. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, Tokyo
- 14 March 2026 – Travel to Nikko, home to the Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner & overnight: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, Tokyo
- 15 March 2026 – Head to Hakone (Sengokuhara), known for its scenic landscapes, hot springs, and cultural heritage. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner & overnight: The Hiramatsu Hotel and Resort
- 16 March 2026 – Transfer from Odawara Station to Shin-Osaka via bullet train, then to Osaka port to board your cruise. Departure at 8pm.
- 17 March 2026 – Tamano. Located on the island of Honshu, hugging the banks of the Sento Inland Sea, Tamano is a popular destination thanks to its sun-drenched climate. Upon arrival, marvel at the way in which the city has been built along the coast at the foot of a deep, dark forest. In the area surrounding Tamano, stroll down the streets of Kurashiki, known as the 'white-walled city' in a nod to the pretty façades of the houses that line the streets of this ancient Edo-period trading town. Another major regional attraction is the Seto Ohashi bridge. Its 12.5 kilometres make it the world's longest double-decker bridge.
- 18 March 2026 - Miyajima Island. At the heart of the Inland Sea, Miyajima, the “island sanctuary” will reveal its treasures. In the background you will see the Shinto Grand Sanctuary, whose entrance is guarded by a magnificent vermillion “Torii“. Considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in the Japanese islands, you will be transported by the unique character and the serenity of this sacred site. Afternoon - Hiroshima. Visiting Hiroshima is a moving experience. The town spreads along Honshu Island, along the inside coasts of Seto. While firmly focused on the future, Hiroshima doesn't forget its past, and a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome is a must. You'll enjoy the city's modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere and effervescent nightlife just as much as the peaceful stillness of its natural parkland areas such as splendid Shukkei-en, the town's historic garden.
- 19 March 2026 - Beppu, Oita. A favourite destination for the Japanese, Beppu is now famous throughout the Japanese archipelago thanks to its onsen – volcanic hot springs in which people immerse themselves to relax with family or friends. From Beppu, you will set off to discover a lush, peaceful valley in which sit 60 majestic stone Buddhas carved out of the cliff face between the 12th and 14th centuries. Exuding a soothing air of serenity, the Mangetsuji site seems to have drifted off to sleep in the heart of a dense bamboo forest surrounded by rice fields. Recognised as a National Treasure of Japan, this set of sacred sculptures offers travellers a unique, wonderful experience.
- 20 March 2026 – Miyazaki. The cradle of Japanese mythology, Miyazaki is a hidden treasure on the southern coast of Kyūshū. Known for its climate, its golden beaches and its spectacular rocky formations, it is an invitation to exploration and contemplation. In the heart of the city, the Miyazaki-jingū Shinto shrine stands majestically, surrounded by ancient forests and peaceful gardens, in which an atmosphere of serenity reigns. Make the most of the authenticity of this city with fascinating local culture and, during the visit of the Miyazaki Shrine, fall under the spell of the kagura, a dance and song performance by the shrine’s priests and helpers.
- 21 March 2026 – Kagoshima. The seaside city of Kagoshima, at the south of Kyushu Island, ﾠis best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. A visit to this busy metropolis will remind you just how much the volcano is part of the inhabitants' everyday life: in the wake of the almost daily eruptions, a delicate layer of ash settles on everything. The top of a buried torii (traditional Japanese gate) measuring three metres that was 'swallowed up' by a giant lava flow in 1914 can still be seen. The power of nature will send a shiver down your spine.
- 22 March 2026 – Yakushima. A splendid sub-tropical, mountainous island listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, Yakushima is one of the most beautiful islands in the Japanese archipelago. Its extensive yakusugi forest contains some of Japanﾒs oldest living trees ﾖ cedars that are over 1000 metres tall and up to 7,000 years old. The Senpiro and Toroki waterfalls, each one several dozens of metres high, are equally impressive. A feast for the eyes.
- 23 March 2026 – Nagasaki. Located on the north-west coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki will impress you by its rich heritage. Despite the destruction in 1945, you can visit several ancient sites, including the beautiful 19th-century Catholic Church of Oura and its garden, the sanctuary of Suwa Shrine or several Buddhist temples. A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum gives you insight into the extent of the damage caused by the nuclear attack. Close by, a walk in the Memorial Peace Park leads you to a collection of objets d'art offered as a gift from Japan to the world.
- 24 March 2026 – Busan, South Korea. With around four million inhabitants, Busan is the second largest metropolis in South Korea, after Seoul. This dynamic harbour city, located in the south-east, surrounded by the warm waters of the Sea of Japan, benefits from a mild, pleasant climate. You’ll find it delightful simply to stroll around the lively streets and explore the city’s outstanding cultural heritage of art galleries, museums, and Buddhist sites, such as the Haedong Yonggungsa temple, which elegantly sits on the waterfront. Rich too in magnificent beaches and superlative natural landscapes, Busan’s peaceful atmosphere will win you over, as will its inhabitants, whom you’ll have the pleasure of meeting.
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Like Le Boréal and L’Austral, the two sister ships that preceded it, Le Soléal further reaffirms PONANT's signature approach: to take passengers to the farthest reaches of the planet onboard modern ships offering top-of-the-range services. An elegant appearance and refined interior design combine with cutting-edge technology to offer a new type of cruising: adventure in a luxury setting. |
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Prices are per person twin/double share in a Superior Stateroom. Subject to availability at time of booking - Correct and available at 5/6/25. PONANT Prices are yield managed, book early for the lowest pricing. See your Travel Advisor and au.ponant.com for full booking conditions |
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