Japanese ancestral traditions and legendary shrines

With this brand-new itinerary, PONANT invites you aboard Le Soléal for a unique expedition cruise between Osaka and Maizuru. A 13-day escapade discovering a traditional Japan shaped by age-old traditions, natural wonders and mythical legendary sites.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, visit Himeji's emblematic castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the Itsukushima Shrine from the island of Miyajima, and discover the fortified town of Hagi, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

At the whim of the trade winds in the Sea of Japan, Le Soléal will sail towards the southern tip of the island of Kyushu. The gateway to the enchanting Ise Bay and its sumptuous ria coast, Toba invites you to enjoy a unique moment in this historic city, residence of the Imperial family. Among other things, you will have the opportunity to admire the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, Ise-jingu. In Shingu, walk the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kod?, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connecting several religious sites nestling in tropical nature.

After a unique port of call in the historic city of Himeji,the jagged coastlines of the captivating Miyajima Island come into view. The vermillion Torii gate of the emblematic Shinto Shrine of Itsukushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unfolds before you in a lush forest setting. Further south, Beppu, famous across the archipelago for its hot volcanic springs, invites you to discover its green and peaceful valley, home to almost 60 stone buddhas, carved into the cliffside between the 12th and 14th centuries.

Then you will sail to South Korea, a small peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Japan, and discover Busan, South Korea's second city. A place of great contrasts, Busan offers a spectacular view over its port, as well as over the ancient district of Chalgachi.

After you explore the charming feudal city of Karatsu, Le Soléal will continue its crossing of the Seto Inland Sea to drop anchor on the island of Honshu, in Hagi.  This town will win you over with its narrow streets, traditional houses, and the former residences of Japanese warriors from this feudal town, whose mythical Shizuki Castle, erected in the 17th century, emerges as a symbol. Further north, Izumo emerges before you. Here, discover Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's most emblematic shrines, dedicated to the kami Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, god of medicine, agriculture and commerce.

Then, the port of call in Tottori will seem like the unexpected interlude of your cruise. With good reason, since this ancient, fortified town is home to Japan's largest sand dunes. Bright sunshine, ochre dunes edged by the Sea of Japan, camels with a captivating gait... Here, in this majestic landscape where wind waves rise to caress the sand giants, time seems to stand still. Along the shores of the Prefecture of Kyoto, you will be swept away by the picturesque towns that populate it. Ine with its old-world authenticity, Miyazu with its enchanting bay: they offer a unique and stunning experience.

In your journey's final port of call, you will disembark in the charming city of Maizuru.