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Japan/South Korea

A Voyage of Discovery Through Japan & South Korea

Program No. 25378RJ
Experience Japan and South Korea on a Floating Campus voyage, from iconic Tokyo to South Korea’s bustling markets and historic landmarks, with a scenic sail through the Kanmon Strait.
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Adventures Afloat Study CruiseExpeditionNewFloating Campus
Length
13 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
11,999
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
31 meals ( 11B, 10L, 10D )
6 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Check-in available from 3:00 PM.
Afternoon:
After arriving at the hotel, check-in and take some time to unpack and relax. Attend an orientation meeting. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.
Dinner:
At the hotel, get to know your fellow participants with a welcome meal.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Boarding a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down. Walking up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach with our group leader and discover Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous city. We will visit the Imperial Palace, site of the Shogun’s castle. Our route will take us by other areas of historical importance and give us a feel for the scale of the metropolis.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will continue our exploration of Tokyo at the Tokyo National Museum. The oldest and largest in Japan, the museum houses over 110,000 objects including 600 Important Cultural Properties. The museum is located on the edge of Ueno Park, a very pleasant park to stroll through.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down.Bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka is approx. 2 hours 30 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and head to the train station to board the bullet train to Osaka. NOTE: The bullet train to Osaka is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch on the bullet train.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival at the train station, we will board our coach and ride to the port in Osaka. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax and start becoming familiar with the ship. There will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice.
Dinner:
Aboard ship. Included beverages are coffee, tea, water, house wine, beer, and soft drinks; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars and enjoy the amenities on board the ship.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Visit Kurashiki, a historic merchant town that flourished during the Edo period as a vital trade hub. The Bikan Historical Quarter preserves the town’s distinctive, white-walled storehouses, willow-lined canals, and stone bridges, offering a glimpse into Japan’s feudal-era prosperity. A highlight of the visit is the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum dedicated to Western art. Founded in 1930 by businessman and philanthropist Magosaburo Ohara, the museum’s collection features works by renowned European masters such as El Greco, Monet, Renoir, and Rodin, alongside modern Japanese artists influenced by Western styles. The museum complex also includes an annex dedicated to Japanese and Eastern art, as well as a hall showcasing contemporary works. Following the exploration of Kurashiki’s cultural and historical landmarks, the return drive leads back to Uno Port.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore the area near the port or enjoy the amenities on the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Full day at sea.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Itsukushima Shrine - UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 6th century, is renowned for its iconic floating torii gate that appears to rise majestically from the water during high tide. The shrine’s location, nestled on the water's edge, creates a striking visual effect, and reflects the Shinto belief that the island is sacred. The wooden structures of the shrine are supported by stilts, allowing the tide to flow beneath them, and are renowned for their intricate carvings and historic beauty. After visiting the shrine, you will have free time to explore the charming town, where you can sample local specialties like fresh oysters and Momiji Manju, a delightful maple leaf-shaped cake. The town also offers a variety of shops for unique souvenirs and local crafts. Alternatively, you can visit Daisho-in Temple, a significant Buddhist temple on Miyajima. Known for its tranquil gardens, traditional Japanese architecture, and an array of Buddhist statues and pagodas, Daisho-in provides a serene environment for contemplation and reflection.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities aboard the ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off the ship's tender/zodiac. Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
A zodiac boat reaches Marina Hagi, where a drive leads to Shizuki Park and Hagi Castle Ruins. Built in 1604 by the Mori clan, Hagi Castle once stood as the political and military centre of the domain. Though the castle was dismantled in the late 19th century, its stone walls, moats, and the surrounding park remain a testament to its former grandeur. Towering camphor trees and seasonal blooms enhance the tranquil setting, offering insight into Hagi’s feudal history. Next, visit the Samurai Quarter, an area where the residences of Hagi’s ruling class from the Edo period remain remarkably well preserved. Narrow lanes lined with white-walled houses and earthen walls evoke the daily life of the samurai who once lived here. Among the notable sites is Kikuya House, a former merchant’s residence that displays period furnishings, artifacts, and an elegant inner garden reflecting the wealth and status of its owners. The day concludes with a return to Marina Hagi and a zodiac transfer back to the ship.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time in Hagi or enjoy the amenities of your choice aboard ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down.The drive from the port to Busan City is approximately 50 minutes. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 3 hours. Many stone steps to the Haedong Yonggunsa Temple. Walking up/down hills and steps on uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 50 minute drive through Busan City en route to the magnificent Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the most visited and revered Buddhist temples in Busan. Founded in 1376 and restored in 1970, this Buddhist Temple is located atop a huge rock emerging from the ocean. This spectacular site houses a number of temples along the shoreline, along with dozens of statues and sculptures.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Relaxed and refreshed, continue with a visit to Busan's buzzing markets. As a seaport, the Busan fish market offers a variety of fresh seafood.Enjoy some free time to explore the markets independently before re-boarding the coach to return to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
A visit to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine offers a glimpse into Japan's deep reverence for scholarship and the arts. Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a Heian-period scholar and poet deified as the god of learning, the shrine has attracted students and scholars for over a thousand years. The approach to the shrine is lined with centuries-old camphor trees and traditional shops selling local specialties such as umegae mochi, a sweet rice cake filled with red bean paste. Within the shrine grounds, intricate wooden carvings and a striking vermillion bridge over a tranquil pond create a setting steeped in history and devotion. The journey continues to Nakasu, Fukuoka's bustling entertainment district set on an island between two rivers. Free time offers the chance to explore Nakasu's lively streets and sample local flavors, with Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen—famous for its creamy pork-bone broth and thin, firm noodles—among the area's culinary highlights.
Lunch:
Your Local Expert will provide you with a cash stipend in local currency and recommendations to enjoy a Ramen on your own during free time.
Afternoon:
Free time in Fukuoka or enjoy the amenities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Discover the fascinating tapestry of history, culture, and resilience on our discovery of Nagasaki, a city that has risen from the ashes to become a vibrant symbol of peace and international harmony. Our journey begins at the Atomic Bomb Museum, a solemn reminder of the city's tragic past. Here, gain profound insights into the devastating events of 1945, understanding the resilience of the Nagasaki people and the global call for peace that echoes through the museum's halls.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time in Nagasaki or enjoy the amenities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning explore the island of Yakushima, which became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and has a particularly diverse flora. We will spend the morning on nature walks in Yakusugi Land in Yakushima National Park, home of the endemic Yakushima Macaque, and populated by a number of the island’s ancient cedar trees, such as the Buddha Sugi, Futago Sugi and Sennen Sugi, which are over 3,000 years old.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities aboard the ship. The ship is scheduled to depart Yakushima at 1:00 p.m. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 4-5 steps up/down. Walking of about 3 miles; standing up to 2 hours
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Visit Tensha-en Garden, a classic example of Japanese landscape design created in the late Edo period. The garden is renowned for its beautifully manicured grounds, including serene koi ponds, carefully arranged rocks, and seasonal floral displays. The design reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics and offers a peaceful escape, providing insight into the cultural importance of garden design in Japan. Drive to a pearl farm known for its expertise in cultivating high-quality pearls. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate process of pearl farming, from the initial seeding of Akoya pearl oyster to the careful harvesting of pearls. Discover the traditional techniques used to produce these valuable gems and understand their significance to the local economy and culture. Next, visit Uwajima Castle, an important historical landmark built in the early 17th century during the Edo period. This well-preserved castle features a distinctive donjon with a unique wooden construction and a network of defensive walls and gates. It played a crucial role in the region's history as a strategic military stronghold. Explore its interiors and enjoy sweeping views of Uwajima and the surrounding countryside from its elevated vantage point. Drive back to the port, concluding your exploration of Uwajima cultural and historical treasures.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time in Uwajima or enjoy the amenities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This concludes our program.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!