itinerary & excursions

Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour

Kobe, Japan to Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan

Thu Sep 24, 2026 - Tue Oct 6, 2026,

12 days

on Star Seeker

All-inclusive from
$11,289

Cruise Only From
$10,399

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DATES & FARES

OVERVIEW & ITINERARY

ITINERARY AND SHORE EXCURSIONS

The best on land brought to you by the best at sea. Get to the heart of local cultures with Windstar shore excursions. You don't want to just dip a toe in local culture, you want to dive into the deep end, and that's exactly what Windstar shore excursions are designed to do. All of our excursion are created to provide authentic local experience - the kind travelers like you are looking for. And with more than 2,500 excursions to choose from, you can experience your destination in whatever way is most meaningful to you. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, a history buff, or someone who loves to get to know the faces behind the many places we travel.

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Date

Port

Arrive

Depart

Watersports
Platform

Shore
Excursions

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Thu Sep 24

Osaka to Kyoto

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Disembark from your plane and an English-speaking guide will be waiting. Board the motor coach for the drive to your Kyoto hotel where the evening is at your leisure.

(Includes overnight at Kyoto Hotel Okura)

Fri Sep 25

Kyoto Full-Day Tour

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The day starts with a visit to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Kinkakuji was originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun and after his death it became a Buddhist Temple at his request and is now one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. Next Stop will be at Nijo Castle, which was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. His grandson Iemitsu completed the castle's palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a 5-story castle keep.
After lunch, you will be transferred to a Local Machiya House. The house consists of a workshop in front and living space in the rear which is typical of a large scale kimono wholesaler. In this Machiya house, you will enjoy wearing a Kimono and participating in a Traditional Tea Ceremony. The staff will explain the history of kimonos and the house. After enjoying the kimono experience, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

(Includes overnight at a hotel, breakfast and lunch)

Sat Sep 26

Nara and Transfer to the Yacht

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After breakfast check out of the hotel and an English-speaking guide will be waiting to accompany you to Nara. Drive past Osaka Castle on your way to Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts with temples and shrines that pre-date those found in Kyoto. The exquisite city of Nara is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and numerous art and architectural relics classified as National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese Government. See the incredible Todaiji Temple, founded in 752, and best known for its Daibutsu, the world's largest Buddha statue sitting 49 feet tall.. The 8^th century statue is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, considered the largest wooden building in the world. During the visit at Todaiji Temple, you will have a chance to see many deer in Nara Park which covers 1,295 acres of woodland and is home to over 1,000 free roaming deer. Considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, Nara's deer are a symbol of the city and are designated a National Natural Monument. Visit the impressive Kasuga Shrine which has 1,800 stone lanterns lining the walkway to its entrance, and another 1,000 bronze lanterns suspended from the eaves of corridors. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, you will be transferred to Kobe where your yacht awaits.

(Includes breakfast and lunch)

Sat Sep 26

Kobe, Japan

Arrive:

Depart:11:00 PM

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Kobe is the 6th largest city in Japan and famous for its signature marbled beef. The Ikuta Shrine there is among Japan’s oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century. Kobe is also the gateway to Mount Rokko, accessible by antique cable cars, and the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Other sites include the Sake Breweries, the Earthquake Museum, and Sorakuen Garden.

Sun Sep 27

Takamatsu

Arrive:7:00 AM

Depart:7:00 PM

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The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island’s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan’s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.

Mon Sep 28

Tomonoura

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

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This picturesque port city is one of Windstar’s iconic hidden harbors. Tomonoura is part of the Setonanikai National Park and features an endearing old-fashioned townscape. One of its thriving industries is the production of “homeishu,” a medicinal liquor with 16 different herbs in it, said to promote longevity.

Tue Sep 29

Karatsu

Arrive:12:00 PM

Depart:6:00 PM

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Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle’s history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November.

Wed Sep 30

Busan

Arrive:7:00 AM

Depart:4:00 PM

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The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples. Also of interest is South Korea’s largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues.

Thu Oct 1

Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Japan

Arrive:6:00 AM

Depart:7:30 AM

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Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since.

Thu Oct 1

Nagasaki

Arrive:10:00 AM

Depart:7:00 PM

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Notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII, Nagasaki has memorialized the event at the city’s Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park. The museum tells the story of the events leading up to the bombing and the park, located at the center of the bomb blast, houses a beautiful 30-foot tall fountain symbolizing peace. Other highlights to see are the Glover Gardens and Dejima Museum, which was originally an artificial island.

Fri Oct 2

Kagoshima

Arrive:9:00 AM

Depart:6:00 PM

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The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots.

Sat Oct 3

AT SEA

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Sun Oct 4

Shingu

Arrive:7:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

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For over 1,000 years pilgrims have traveled to the Kumano Region to pray at the three Sacred Kumano Shrines. In Shingu you can see the Hayatama Shrine and the Kamikura Shrine. Both of these shrines are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sacred Sites of Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Kamikura Shrine sits on Mount Kamikurayama and requires climbing 538 steps to reach it.

Mon Oct 5

Shimizu

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

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Most notably known as the city you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from. This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan’s largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea.

Tue Oct 6

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan

Arrive:8:00 AM

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Yokohama, the gateway to Tokyo, was one of the first Japanese ports open to foreign trade. It contains a large Chinatown with hundreds of Chinese shops and restaurants. It is also known for its botanical park, Sankei-en Garden, containing preserved Japanese residences from different eras, and for the seaside Minato Mirai District, site of the Landmark Tower, standing 971 feet high.