itinerary & excursions

Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour

Tokyo, Japan to Kobe, Japan

Wed Sep 16, 2026 - Mon Sep 28, 2026,

12 days

on Star Seeker

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Starting from $10,399 USD

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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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Wed Sep 16

Tokyo, Japan

Arrive:

Depart:5:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

There are as many Tokyos to discover as there are interests. Cuisine? It has more Michelin stars than any other city. Culture? Kabuki theater and sumo wrestling are just the beginning. Shopping? The posh boutiques of Ginza lie on one end of the spectrum, workshops that hand-craft samurai swords at the other

Thu Sep 17

Shimizu

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Fri Sep 18

Shingu

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Sat Sep 19

AT SEA

Arrive:

Depart:

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Sun Sep 20

Kagoshima

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:5:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Mon Sep 21

Scenic Cruising Hashima Island, Japan

Arrive:6:00 AM

Depart:7:30 AM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Mon Sep 21

Nagasaki

Arrive:10:00 AM

Depart:10:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Tue Sep 22

Busan

Arrive:1:00 PM

Depart:9:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Wed Sep 23

Karatsu

Arrive:8:00 AM

Depart:4:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Thu Sep 24

Hiroshima

Arrive:10:00 AM

Depart:7:00 PM

Watersports Platform:

Fold a paper crane to leave at the Atomic Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Hiroshima Castle to see three trees that survived the bombing that destroyed the castle itself. Or head to Miyajima, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, for a look at the vermillion Itsukushima Shrine floating in the sea — yet another World Heritage Site.

Fri Sep 25

Takamatsu

Arrive:9:00 AM

Depart:5:30 PM

Watersports Platform:

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.

Sat Sep 26

Kobe, Japan

Arrive:6:00 AM

Depart:

Watersports Platform:

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.

Sat Sep 26

Post-Cruise Nara and Transfer to Hotel in Osaka

Arrive:

Depart:

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Disembark from the yacht and drive 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. You will 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 the hotel in Osaka. On the way, you will be able to see Osaka Castle from the window.

(Includes breakfast, lunch and overnight at a hotel)

Sun Sep 27

Kyoto Full-Day Tour

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Depart:

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The day starts with a visit to Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). Originally built as a retirement villa for the Shogun, 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)

Mon Sep 28

Transfer to the Osaka Airport

Arrive:

Depart:

Watersports Platform:

It’s the last day when you return home, so pack up your luggage, gather up your souvenirs and board a motor coach to the airport. It’s not too early to start planning your next trip back to this magical land.

(Includes breakfast)