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13 Night Island Wonders and the Soul of Ancestral Japan

From Naha to Kobe

Le Jacques Cartier

Ponant Cruises

Cruise #: 13981927
Departs: Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Returns: Thu, Mar 19, 2026

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Oceanview		$14,200
Balcony		Call to Book1-800-427-8473
Suite		$21,350

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy

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Itinerary Summary

Day by Day Details

Cruise Segment of Itinerary

Friday - Mar 6, 2026

Day
1

Naha, Japan
Depart: 23:59:00

Capital of Okinawa Prefecture, the town of Naha is located on the south-west of the island. You will love its lively atmosphere, particularly along Kokusai Dori, otherwise known as 'international street'. The picturesque Makishi Public Market, nicknamed 'Naha's kitchen' offers a profusion of colorful fish, Okinawan foodstuffs, and local spices and you can sample delicacies cooked on the spot. ...
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Saturday - Mar 7, 2026

Day
2

Zamami Island, Japan

Zamami is an island in the Kerama archipelago, 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Okinawa Island in the China Sea. Visitors to this 16 square-kilometer (6 square miles) quasi-uninhabited isle are enchanted by the many untouched natural treasures they find here. You will discover a tranquil island with lush vegetation, lined with stunning white-sand bays bathing in the glimmering 'Kerama blue' waters around the archipelago. Zamami is also renowned for the beauty of its coral reefs, where multicolored fish engage in an endless mesmerizing ballet. The observation deck on Mount Takatsuki reveals stunning views of the Kerama Islands, granted national park status in 2014. With subtle shifting shades of azure above and all around, this island truly is paradise. ...
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Sunday - Mar 8, 2026

Day
3

Kikai-shima, Japan, Japan

Located between continental Japan and the main island of Okinawa, Kikaijima is a small preserved coral island where nature unfurls in all its splendor. Amidst this abundance of plants, you will be enchanted by century-old trees, majestic banyan trees, and sugar cane plantations, which produce a delicious brown sugar. This island, inhabited since the 10th century and located on the trade route between China and Japan, has a turbulent history. During your exploration, perhaps you will notice some ancient coral stone walls, like an echo of the ever-present ocean. Between the white sandy beaches and the limestone coastlines, you'll also be able to enjoy a snorkeling trip and delightful possibilities for swimming. ...
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Monday - Mar 9, 2026

Day
4

Miyanoura, Japan

Yakushima is a striking island in the South of Japan, covered in forest and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hikers are very fond of this destination because of the lush vegetation, Mount Miyanoura, waterfalls, and cascades. But without a doubt, the symbol of the island remains its many age-old cedar trees which is said to have inspired some of the scenes in the animated film Princess Mononoke. On this island, you will also find wildlife including the Japanese macaque, sika deer, and green sea turtles which lay their eggs on the magnificent sandy beaches here. ...
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Tuesday - Mar 10, 2026

Day
5

Koshikijima Islands, Japan, Japan

Off the western coastlines of Kagoshima Prefecture, the rocky and green islets called the Koshikijima Islands rise like a mirage from the East China Sea. Aboard our Zodiac dinghies, you will reach the three islands that make up the archipelago: Kamikoshikijima, Nakakoshikijima, and Shimokoshikijima. You will be captivated by the raw and authentic beauty of this environment, featuring monumental cliffs and huge rock formations that date back to the Cretaceous period nearly 80 million years ago. During hikes, you will be lucky enough to discover these unique and striking landscapes. An interlude where time may stand still. ...
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Wednesday - Mar 11, 2026

Day
6

Amakusa, Japan

Facing the mythical island of Kyushu, between the Yatsushiro and Ariake seas, the island region of Amakusa both surprises and captivates. Composed of some one hundred verdant islets surrounded by stunning seabeds, the Japanese archipelago was once a refuge for many Christians fleeing the ban on Catholicism in the 17th century during the Edo period. Christian heritage can be found in every village in the region. In Sakitsu, a charming fishing port, immerse yourself in this Christian heritage, particularly when you visit the emblematic church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ...
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Thursday - Mar 12, 2026

Day
7

Iki Island, Japan

A lush islet between Fukuoka Bay and the captivating island of Tsushima, Iki is a real paradise on earth. Fall under the spell of this natural and mineral beauty composed of rock faces covered with a verdant coat, small heavenly beaches, and granite cliffs in hues of ochre. In addition to showing you its exceptional environment, this timeless journey will take you to discover traditional Japan. Considered one of the cradles of Shintoism, the island boasts no fewer than 150 shrines scattered across these sacred and unspoiled lands. ...
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Friday - Mar 13, 2026

Day
8

Cheju Do, Korea

Jeju is an island like no other. Anchored off the South Korean coastlines, this volcanic island will provide you with a natural spectacle of magical beauty. Dominated by the majestic silhouette of the Hallasan volcano, the country's tallest peak, this nature sanctuary with its thousand and one geological riches reveals its most beautiful treasures, with volcanic cones spread all over the island, steep cliffs with emerald and ashen reflections, monumental waterfalls, bewitching virgin forests, long stretches of tea plantations, and lava tubes that are some of the longest in the world. ...
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Saturday - Mar 14, 2026

Day
9

At Sea

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment. ...
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Shimonoseki, Japan

On the western tip of the island of Honshu, between the seas of Japan and Seto, Shimonoseki stands facing the Kanmon Straits. Often considered as a crossing point to reach the island of Kyushu or the Korean coastlines, this discreet but no less historic port town has a unique heritage, a result of 700 years of samurai rule. In this city of modern appearance, which was the theater of many battles and legendary duels, an irresistible essence of the past prevails. Enjoy strolling the alleyways of its emblematic traditional market, famous for its stands of fugu (pufferfish). ...
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Sunday - Mar 15, 2026

Day
10

Shimokamagari, Japan

The island of Shimokamagari stretches into the heart of the Seto Inland Sea, off the coast of the town of Kure, in the Hiroshima prefecture. A historical city during the feudal period, the island was the theater of major diplomatic missions for the future and the empire's trade relationships, notably with repeated visits from mainly Korean, but also Chinese and Dutch, emissaries. Registered since 2017 on the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, documentary heritage of these encounters is conserved in the Shotoen Garden, one of the emblems of this lush islet. A magnificent Japanese garden with perfectly kept grounds, interspersed with raked pebbles and surrounded with majestic trees, it is home to a Rantokaku Museum complex, consisting of four exhibition rooms tracing the island's naval history. ...
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Mitarai, Osaki Shimojima, Japan, Japan

A charming fishing village nestling in the east of Osaki Shimojima island, on the edge of the Seto Inland Sea, Mitarai is appreciated for its traditional charm and authentic character. A trip back in time to the Edo Period, where the hustle and bustle of modern cities is replaced by the gentle sound of fishing boats. Thanks to its 19th-century wooden dwellings lining the small, narrow streets, great causeway, centuries-old sanctuaries, and gangi stairs, a stone structure giving on to the sea, the old town was classed as a Preservation District by the Japanese state in 1994. ...
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Monday - Mar 16, 2026

Day
11

Miyajima, Japan

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. ...
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Tuesday - Mar 17, 2026

Day
12

Onomichi, Japan, Japan

Anchored on the northern shores of the Seto Inland Sea, in the Hiroshima prefecture, the historical city of Onomichi extends from the main island of Honshu to certain neighboring islands, linked by the bridges of the Shimanami Kaido motorway. Before becoming this peaceful town with its charming, sloping little streets, Onomichi established itself in the 7th century as a nerve center of the rice trade for the entire Japanese archipelago. Although its activity is diminished today, the port remains at the center of the town's culture. Onomichi now stands out for its exceptional heritage. With good reason, since it can boast over twenty temples and shrines, saved from the bombing of the Second World War. Among them are Senko-ji, offering an outstanding panoramic view over the whole town, Saikoku-ji and its three-storied pagoda, and Jodo-ji and its emblematic eleven-faced statue of the goddess Guanyin. ...
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Wednesday - Mar 18, 2026

Day
13

Tomonoura, Japan

Anchored to the south-eastern end of the Numakuma Peninsula, facing the calm and clear waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Tomonoura is a destination particularly appreciated for its authentic and old-fashioned atmosphere that gives it an incomparable charm. In the past used as a port where boats would moor while waiting for a favorable wind, the charming and picturesque village now serves to inspire many filmmakers and artists. With good reason, since its craggy landscapes, cherry trees in blossom, gentle way of life, traditional wooden houses, and port, preserved since the Edo era, notably enabled the artist Hayao Miyazaki to make the animated film Ponyo. ...
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Thursday - Mar 19, 2026

Day
14

Kobe, Japan

A coastal city on the main island of Honshu, Kobe is a vital Japanese port. You will be inspired by the authenticity, way of life, and heritage of the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, which is bordered by the sea. Its beef is internationally renowned, but there is much more to the city's attractions than this delicate speciality. As soon as you arrive, you will be welcomed by the Kobe Port Tower, located, along with the Maritime Museum, in the much appreciated Meriken Park. The Mount Rokko National Park is a real island of greenery in the very heart of the vibrant city. Long frequented by Shinto monks, then popular with the expatriates who flocked to Kobe during the second half of the 19th century, it is one of the symbols of the city. ...
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