Sushi, Sake & Shimizu with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Leading the way in technology, architecture and innovation, Japan’s capital Tokyo resembles something from a sci-fi film, flaunting towering skyscrapers, sleek structures, neon-lights, an ultra-efficient subway system and creative hubs that produce cutting-edge art and popular culture trends consumed around the world. However, amid the modernity, there are glimpses of traditional Japan in the form of temples, shrines, markets and museums. This is where your journey begins. Spend a night in a luxury hotel, before departing on your cruise.

Perhaps less known than several other Japanese cities, cosmopolitan Nagoya offers plenty to explore, home to an array of museums, temples and green spaces. In this birthplace of Toyota, absorb the ancient spirituality of Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s three most important Shinto shrines and a perfect spot to enjoy a lunch of kishimen (flat noodles), a local specialty. Alternatively, immerse yourself in over 10,000 pieces of Japanese art, theatre, fashion, samurai culture and more at Tokugawa Art Museum.

Your next stop is Kyoto, a culture-rich city of artisans, tradition and heritage, where the ship will dock for two nights. Choose from an array of complimentary excursions - whether joining a Japanese tea ceremony, exploring some of the 2,000 shrines and temples that call the city home, or strolling through the geisha district. As you will disembark in Kobe, there is also the chance to explore this coastal city. Alternatively, you can enjoy a guided tour of nearby Osaka or stroll through an urban park in Nara, famous for its population of over 1,000 free-roaming deer.

Beppu is a city and spa resort on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Set between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it's home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs). Unsurprisingly then, Regent excursions include trips to several of these natural baths, the thermal water said to have restorative powers. You can also learn to decorate a bamboo bell on a hands-on workshop, visit an 8th-century shrine, or delve into the history of Usuki, a former castle town famous for its many Buddha sculptures carved into the surrounding rock cliffs.

Embrace the fabulous facilities aboard the Seven Seas Explorer as you sail through the Canmon Strait.

Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city, often referred to as the country’s ‘summer capital’ due to its exceptional beaches, scenic cliffs and ancient temples high in the mountains. There are a variety of excursions that showcase this intriguing city. Admire an ornate Buddhist temple in World Heritage Site Gyeongju, watch a traditional dance performance at a cultural centre, observe the resident monks of Beomosa temple chanting and practicing a once-secret martial art, or experience a ritual tea ceremony that has been practiced for thousands of years.

Jeju Island is often called the ‘Island of the Gods’, for its breathtaking landscape and natural wonders, including waterfalls, white sand beaches and a dormant volcano - South Korea's highest mountain - at the centre of the island. Excursions invite you to explore nearby UNESCO-listed Manjanggul Cave, formed by rising lava from deep in the ground, or take in the spectacular view from atop crater-shaped Seaongsan Sunrise Rock. Jeju is also home to haenyo divers, also known as ‘Korean mermaids’, who dive for conch, clams and other marine life. The women free dive without oxygen tanks and carry only a pair of goggles, a ball-like tube for balance and a basket for their collected items. The work is perilous, and the divers have become symbols of female independence and strength in Jeju.

The capital and largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan, Nagasaki was once became a major Imperial Japanese Navy base during the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, as well as becoming the second city in the world to be bombed by a nuclear weapon, following Hiroshima. Explore Nagasaki's turbulent past and striking beauty during an orientation tour of this panoramic city, experience its stunning beauty and sombre legacy during this visit to the historic Peace Park, browse the poignant Atomic Bomb Museum, or work up an appetite walking on nearby Iojima Island, before dining on a traditional Buddhist meal prepared by monks.

Kayaking, snorkelling and hiking best showcase the natural beauty of this island, home to white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and wildlife-rich mangroves. If you’d rather stay on land, you can tour a distillery that produces rare spirits, visit an art gallery showcasing work from late artist Tanaka Isson, or watch artisans produce kimono textiles dyed with mud and natural extractions from trees.

Discover the ancient and cosmopolitan wonders of Naha with its rich cultural history and unique traditions. Explore colourful Shuri Castle for an overview of Okinawa’s history and heritage, or step into the tranquil beauty of the nearby Shikinaen Gardens once the royal family’s second home. Excursions include descending into the Japanese navy’s underground headquarters in the Battle of Okinawa, creating your own traditional bingata-dyed fabric to take home as a souvenir, or stopping in the local eateries, shops and galleries of vibrant Kokusai Dori in central Naha.

Embrace the fabulous facilities aboard the Seven Seas Explorer as you sail across the Philippine Sea.

Kochi boasts beautiful and abundant natural landscapes, from an expansive coastline running with the Kuroshio Current to the clear Shimanto River and the deep green forests that surround it. Here, the excursions appeal to a variety of interests. You may like to gain an understanding of the Japanese history of paper making a trip to a traditional crafts village, take in the serenity of Chikurinji Temple, an important stop on a Buddhist pilgrimage route, or walk through one of Japan’s largest stalactite caves, learning more about the people that lived in them some 2,000 years ago!

On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from the lively Port of Shimizu, while excursions to the mighty mountain are also available – whether you admire it from the seaside pine grove Miho no Matsubara, which has inspired artists for centuries, reflect at a pilgrimage site where climbers pray before ascending the UNESCO-listed landmark, or soar beside it by scenic cable car. Other activity options include joining a traditional tea ceremony and gaining a deeper understanding of Japan’s history by visiting a 17th-century shrine.

Your unforgettable luxury cruise holiday comes to an end back in captivating Tokyo.