Japan in Cherry Blossom on Silver Moon

Start your holiday in style with included UK airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Tokyo.

Arrive in Japan’s capital and transfer to your city-centre hotel. You’ll then have the rest of the day at leisure so, after checking in and freshening up, why not head out into the city for your first taste of life in Japan. Our specialists can arrange a guide who’ll take you to the best spots – there’s everything from traditional teahouses and 7th-century temples to neon-lit mega-malls and the sky-piercing Tokyo Skytree. Be sure to try out the city’s food scene too, showcased in everything from street markets to Michelin-starred sushi bars.

Stay: Tokyo hotel

Your ship doesn’t depart until 11pm, so take the opportunity for more exploration, perhaps taking the Shinkansen bullet train out to Hakone to take in ancient Shinto shrines and magnificent views of Mt. Fuji, flanked by pretty cherry blossoms. Then, in the evening, head to your ship, Silver Moon, where you’ll settle into your butler-served suite to begin your cruise around Japan.

Stay: Silver Moon

With a day at sea, you’ll have the chance to acquaint yourself with the ship’s myriad facilities. Perhaps enjoy a workout at the gym, relax at the spa or browse the boutique for that special outfit. Whatever you choose, you’ll arrive at tour next port well rested and ready to explore.

Stay: Silver Moon

Drop anchor in Kobe, a city famed for its succulent beef but with far more to offer than just some of the world’s best steak. Ancient shrines, sprawling parks dotted with cherry blossoms and a delicious culinary scene all come together to make this one of Japan’s most explorable cities. And explore it you will, with a choice of four included excursions ranging from guided city tours to castle visits. There’s also the option of a day trips to either Kyoto or Osaka, while upgrades add in the likes of a Kobe beef lunch with sake or a bullet-train experience.

Stay: Silver Moon

Spend today in Hiroshima, a city synonymous with the devastation suffered by Japan at the end of World War 2. Today, while some scars still remain, it’s a city rebuilt and with an ongoing commitment to peace and contemplation, showcased in the leafy boulevards of the Peace Memorial Park and its UNESCO-listed monument. Take it all in on an included city tour, or head further afield to Miyajima Island and its famous Tori Gate. There’s also the chance to learn about the intricacies of Japanese art or, for a supplement, to take a peek inside the city’s vibrant culinary scene and enjoy an Okonomiyaki-making class. 

Stay: Silver Moon

You’ll leave Japan’s shores behind today, crossing the sea to visit the South Korean city of Busan with its seaside temples, bustling fish markets and pretty mountain surrounds. Explore the best of the city and its countryside and coast with a choice of five complimentary excursions. Highlights include a visit to a Buddhist temple followed by a Oryukdo Skywalk while for a supplement you’ll have the chance to delve into Korean cuisine, kimchi and all.

Stay: Silver Moon

Enjoy another day at sea to relax by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment or watch the world float by from one of the ship’s observation lounges. Or, why not head to the show lounge to take in a full scale production? The choices are almost endless.

Stay: Silver Moon

Home to one of the ‘three gardens of Japan’ – awash with cherry blossom at this time of year – as well as a host of ancient temples which miraculously escapes damage during the war, Kanazawa is a close rival to Tokyo and Kyoto when it comes to cultural achievement. Today, you’ll find out why as you choose between exploring the city’s Samurai and Geisha districts, comparing the city’s modern and ancient quarters in the company of an expert guide or tasting your way through its culinary landscape on a foodie tour. Otherwise, why not consider an upgrade to join a chef-led cooking experience or for the chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony?

Stay: Silver Moon

Step off the beaten track today as you arrive in Akita on the northern tip of Honshu. As well as its stunning castle, Senshu Park and superb art museum, the highlight here is its two kilometre of blossoming cherry trees, which grow alongside ancient Samurai residences and frame the pretty Hinokinai River. Take in the town’s rich history and culinary traditions – and get a glimpse of those cherry trees – with a choice of tours that introduce you to everything from handicrafts to tea ceremonies and geisha houses. 

Stay: Silver Moon

As one of the first ports to open up Japan to the world in the mid 19th century, Hokodate has a rich and fascinating recent history. The foreign influences are clear to see, from the redbrick warehouses to the onion domes of the Russian Orthodox church. Your excursion options today include city tours, museum visits and the chance to head out of the city to for a walking tour of Onuma National Park, an hour’s drive away. 

Stay: Silver Moon

Enjoy a final day at sea and a last chance to make the most of your Silversea ship as you cruise back to Tokyo.

Stay: Silver Moon

Arrive in Tokyo this morning and, after breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving back in the UK on day 15.