Japan to Korea Cruise Odyssey Tour 2026
Japan, Korea, a luxury ocean cruise, and the one-of-a-kind Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, all in one spectacular journey!
Set sail on an unforgettable Golden Week holiday adventure, where the beauty of Japan and Korea unfolds both on land and at sea.
Join a joyous journey from the mountains to the ocean and make your Golden Week truly extraordinary! Start with an exploration of the majestic Japanese Alps while at stunning destinations like Kamikochi, one of the country’s most pristine nature reserves, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, home to the renowned “snow wall” which can reach truly impressive heights of more than sixty feet! Then, embark on a luxurious cruise that connects you with several vibrant port cities across Japan and Korea. Relax aboard the Costa Serena cruise ship as you glide between destinations, with optional sightseeing excursions at every stop along the way.
In South Korea, you’ll stop at the famous resort island of Jeju, home to natural vistas and multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can join an optional land excursion, taking you to destinations like Hallasan National Park, Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong), Manjanggul Lava Cave, and Jeju Natural History Museum. If you’d prefer you’re also welcome to just explore this lovely island at your own pace!
Destination Highlights for the Japan to Korea Cruise Odyssey Tour
Nagoya – Matsumoto – Kamikochi – Kanazawa – Jeju Island – Fukuoka – Takayama – Shirakawago – and more!
One major highlight of this tour is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a unique journey through Japan’s Northern Alps that is famous for its dramatic scenery and the multiple types of vehicles that enable you to cross this vast landscape. Stretching across Toyama and Nagano prefectures, the spectacular route combines multiple modes of transport—including cable cars, ropeways, and buses—to guide you over and through soaring mountain peaks, lush valleys, and the iconic Kurobe Dam. In spring, when this tour takes place, you can even marvel at the towering snow walls that can reach over sixty feet high!
Ready to sail the seas from Japan to Korea? So much more awaits, from Japan’s largest annual matsuri festival in Fukuoka, called Dontaku and dating from the Heian Period, to hands-on activities like gold leaf decoration in Kanazawa. You’ll also have ample time find your perfect omiyage with multiple shopping chances throughout the trip! Join us for an idyllic odyssey from the peaks to the seas that combines comfort, discovery, and celebration.
What’s included on the Japan to Korea Cruise Odyssey Tour:
- Start your journey in peace, away from the airport crowds, with a chance to relax at HIS Hawaii’s exclusive LeaLea Lounge at Honolulu Airport before your flight.
- Expert English-speaking local guides and a professional tour escort from Honolulu
- A private professional driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Authentic cultural activities and UNESCO World Heritage sites, like Shirakawago Village, Kanazawa gold leaf decoration, Kamikochi Valley nature reserve, and much more!
- Five nights aboard the luxurious cruise liner Costa Serena (please inquire regarding cabin upgrades and optional land excursions)
- Relaxing stays at premium hotels and one night at an onsen (hot springs) destination
- 30 savory meals, featuring regional and seasonal delicacies
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
Key Highlights:
- Five nights aboard a premium cruise traveling throughout the Sea of Japan, including stops at Shimonoseki, Jeju Island (South Korea), Fukuoka, and Sakaiminato/Matsue City. Please ask us if you’re interested in cabin upgrades and/or land excursions.
- Traverse the northern Japanese Alps on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route during the best season to see the gigantic snow wall. A truly impressive sight not to be missed!
- Partake in the matsuri atmosphere of Japan’s largest annual festival, Fukuoka’s Dontaku, which has more than 30,000 participants and over two million spectators every year.
- Savor specialty seasonal and regional cuisine with 30 exceptional meals, including a multitude of fantastic cuisine options onboard your cruise ship.
- Soak up historical culture at UNESCO World Heritage Shirakawago Village, the country’s finest example of gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses, and Matsumoto Castle, one of only twelve remaining original castles in Japan.
- Get in all the shopping you’d like at unique spots like Takayama’s Miyagawa Morning Market, plus plenty of free time to browse options around Nagoya Station. You’ll also get a stop at an Aeon Mall, home to popular staples like Uniqlo and Daiso.
Tour Itinerary
10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS IN JAPAN AND KOREA
🚢Click here to see the full tour schedule!🚢
Day 0 – April 27 (Monday): Departure from Honolulu
- Your journey to Japan begins at Honolulu International Airport. Relax in the exclusive LeaLea Lounge before boarding your nonstop flight with Japan Airlines. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Day 1 – April 28 (Tuesday): Arrival in Japan
- Arrive at Chubu International Airport and meet your local Japanese guide, then take a quick ride to your nearby hotel and check in. We will provide a tasty bento dinner for you to enjoy at your leisure. Rest and relax!
- Hotel: Nagoya Tokyu Hotel or similar
- Meals included: Welcome bento dinner plus two meals served onboard the plane
Day 2 – April 29 (Wednesday): Kamikochi Nature Valley
- After breakfast at the hotel, depart Nagoya for the beautiful Kamikochi Valley, a stunning nature reserve where you can peacefully stroll amidst the surrounding Japanese Alps. Refuel with a local lunch, then head to the historical Matsumoto Castle, one of only twelve original castles remaining in Japan. Check in to the comfortable hotel and enjoy a deluxe dinner.
- Hotel: Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3 – April 30 (Thursday): Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Today, we depart for the famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This famous mountain traverse uses a variety of vehicles to transport you into the heart of some of Japan’s most gorgeous scenery as it brings you to more than 7,500 feet in elevation. You’ll have the chance to walk next to the gargantuan Tateyama Snow Wall, which can reach heights of up to 65 feet! After our adventure, we’ll head to our hotel in Toyama to check in and enjoy dinner.
- Hotel: Hotel Vischio Toyama or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 – May 1 (Friday): From Kanazawa to Cruise
- The morning today will be spent sightseeing in Kanazawa. We’ll start at Kenrokuen Garden, known as one of Japan’s top three most beautiful landscape gardens. We will also visit Kanazawa Castle and stroll around its Gyokuseninmaru Japanese Garden. After lunch, hop on the luxurious Costa Serena cruise ship. Time to set sail!
- Hotel: Cruise Ship
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 – May 2 (Saturday): Leisure in Shimonoseki
- Our first cruise stop is Shimonoseki, an important port city bordering the Sea of Japan and Seto Inland Sea. Optional land excursion includes Hinoyama Park, Karato Market, and Mojiko Retro district.
- Hotel: Cruise Ship
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 – May 3 (Sunday): Glimpse of Korea: Jeju Island
- Welcome to Jeju Island in South Korea, a stunning paradise of waterfalls, lava caves, and coastal beauty. Optional excursion includes Hallasan National Park, Sunrise Peak, Manjanggul Lava Cave, and Jeju Natural History Museum.
- Hotel: Cruise Ship
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – May 4 (Monday): Fukuoka & the Hakata Dontaku Festival
- Back to Japan! We arrive in Fukuoka just in time for the Hakata Dontaku Festival, a lively celebration of dance, music, and vibrant parades honoring Fukuoka’s good fortune and prosperity. This matsuri dates to the Heian Period and is Japan’s largest annual festival!
- Hotel: Cruise Ship
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 – May 5 (Tuesday): Culture in Sakaiminato
- Visit Sakaiminato, a charming port town famous for streets featuring legendary figures from Japanese folklore. Optional excursion includes the Adachi Museum of Art, Matsue Castle, and the Mizuki Shigeru Museum.
- Hotel: Cruise Ship
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9 – May 6 (Wednesday): Kanazawa & Shirakawa-go
- Our cruise finishes at Kanazawa Port. Once we’ve shaken off our sea legs, experience local culture through a hands-on gold leafing experience. In the afternoon, explore Shirakawa-go Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Japan’s best examples of gassho-zukuri thatched roof buildings. Finally, move to your hot springs hotel in traditional Takayama to rest and relax.
- Hotel: Mercure Hida Takayama or similar ♨️
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10 – May 7 (Thursday): Takayama to Nagoya
- Stroll around Takayama Old Town, often called “Little Kyoto” owing to its well-preserved atmosphere, and enjoy shopping at the Miyagawa Morning Market. After lunch, head back to Nagoya to pick up some tasty omiyage with free time to shop around Nagoya Station.
- Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Nagoya Chubu Airport or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 11 – May 8 (Friday): Nagoya to Honolulu
- In the morning, sightsee around the Tokoname area, known for its traditional pottery. After lunch, get in last-minute shopping at AEON Mall before heading to Chubu Airport for your flight home. Until next time!
- Hotel: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and two meals on the plane
This vibrant late-spring journey takes care of every detail, so you can fully relax and immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, cultural richness, and explore both Japan and Korea from the comfort of your luxury cruise liner.
Pricing
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$5,490.00*
$4,790.00 **
$1,600.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Early-booking Special Offer:
SAVE $100 by being one of the first ten participants!
Here are just a few of the sights and activities you’ll enjoy:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Japan during the late spring usually has a pleasant climate. Average high temperatures for Nagoya around the end of April are about 70 degrees during the day, with a low of around 55 degrees at night.
Q: Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
A: Absolutely! We can accommodate all types of guests on this tour. If you require special consideration, such as a wheelchair, please let us know in advance.
Q: Will there be free time to explore on our own?
A: Yes. There are periods of unstructured time built into the itinerary, such as free time for shopping around Nagoya Station, plus the choice to wander on your own during the cruise’s port calls.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 30 exceptional meals: 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners, plus two meals served each time you’re onboard your Japan Airlines flights.
Q: What kind of accommodations are included?
A: You’ll stay in a mix of premium, modern hotels all carefully selected for comfort, location, and atmosphere. In addition, you’ll spend five nights on the cruise liner Costa Serena for a true luxury experience!
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu to Japan, as well as domestic flights within Japan, are included in the Full Package. If you would like to arrange your own airfare or are interested in extending your dates in Japan, you can select the Land Package.
Q: How big are the tour groups?
A: This group is limited in size (30 participants) to ensure the best accommodations and restaurants, a comfortable pace, and personalized service from your guide and escort.
