Your Itinerary
Days 1-2: Fly to Osaka
Fly overnight to the lively, fast-paced city of Osaka. On arrival, you will transfer to the ancient city of Kyoto. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3: Explore Kyoto
Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, Kyoto is a treasure trove of history and timeless culture. Start the day with a guided tour exploring some of the city’s highlights. Begin with a visit to the Kiyomizu Temple, situated halfway up the Otowayama Hill, allowing for stunning views of Kyoto. For lunch, enjoy a sukiyaki (hotpot), followed by a trip for some local sake tasting. Continue with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its corridors of torii gates.
Day 4: Explore Kyoto
Enjoy a second day exploring Kyoto. Begin with a visit to the beautiful Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavillionâ€. Go on to discover the Ryoan-ji Temple and it’s zen garden before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Togetsukyo Bridge. This evening, enjoy a Maiko (apprentice Geisha) performance with dinner before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Travel to Kanazawa
Zoom across the country on high-speed trains, passing through scenic countryside. Arrive in Kanazawa and wander the atmospheric Higashi Chaya District, one of Japan's best-preserved geisha quarters. Take part in a gold leaf experience, a local, traditional craft, and visit a samurai residence for a glimpse of life as a member of the imperial warrior class.
Day 6: Travel to Takayama
Begin the day in the tranquil surroundings of Kenroku-en, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens. Transfer by road to Takayama, a beautiful, laidback town nestled in the western foothills of the Japanese Alps. This afternoon, visit two lovely museums – Kusakabe Folk Museum and Festival Floats Exhibition Hall – and stroll Kami-sannomachi, the old town.
Day 7: On to Yudanaka
Browse the wares of Takayama's morning market, one of Japan's oldest, before visiting the fascinating Takayama Jinya and the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum of traditional rural architecture. Travel by road to Yudanaka, a hot spring town at the foot of the Japanese Alps, where you'll stay in a traditional ryokan and enjoy a kaiseki dinner.
Day 8: Snow Monkeys
Walk through the forest of the Jigokudani Monkey Park to reach the famous hot spring pool where a troop of Japanese macaques, snow monkeys, like to bathe. Later visit Zenko-ji, an age-old Buddhist temple then transfer to Tokyo, Japan's bold and bright capital.
Day 9: Discover Tokyo
Tokyo may seem a thoroughly modern cityscape at first glance but look beyond the soaring towers and neon signs and you'll find deeply rooted tradition and peaceful pockets of the past. Start at vibrant Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple before ascending Tokyo Skytree for magical views. Enjoy a sushi making masterclass before dining on your creations for lunch. Make a photo stop at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing and explore Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Day 10: Embark the Sapphire Princes
Transfer to Tokyo's cruise port to board your Princess cruise ship. Settle into your cabin and explore the ship's facilities. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.
Day 11: Cruise – Nagoya, Japan
Arrive at the city of Nagoya. Built around its magnificent castle and a fascinating history, Nagoya has long been a centre of industry. As well as fascinating museums around manufacturing and technology, there are gardens, shrines and delicious food to discover.
Day 12: Cruise – Osaka, Japan
Arrive in Osaka, spend the day soaking up the buzz of Japan's second largest city, there is also much to explore here. Or, as this is the closest port to Kyoto, spend another day exploring ancient architecture, soaking up a rich, age-old culture or sampling some of the city's culinary delights.
Day 13: Cruise – Kochi, Japan
A surfer hang out with a UNESCO Global Geopark coastline, plentiful great outdoors and a magnificent 400-year-old castle, Kochi is a wonderful place to while away a day.
Day 14: Cruise – Hiroshima, Japan
Arrive at Hiroshima. The first city in the world to feel the power of the atomic bomb in 1945, Hiroshima has emerged for the ashes as a cosmopolitan and peaceful place. Consider visiting the tranquil Peace Memorial Park to learn about and reflect on the past.
Day 15: Cruise – At Sea (Kanmon Straits, Japan)
Cruise through the Kanmon Straits, the narrow stretch of water that separates two of Japan's main islands, Honshu and Kyushu.
Day 16: Cruise – Busan, South Korea
Hello, South Korea! Port at the bustling city of Busan for a quick taste of another wonderful nation. Boasting mountains, beaches, and hot springs, this is a city full of small-town charm.
Day 17: Cruise – Nagasaki, Japan
Head back to Japan, porting at Nagasaki. Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki is best known for the events of the 9th of August 1945 but there is so much more to it. Backed by rolling hills and forested islands, with unspoilt beaches, European-style architecture, and ancient roots, it is a delight to explore.
Day 18: Cruise – Kagoshima
Arrive at Kagoshima, a city at the southern tip of the island of Kyushu. Watched over by the active Sakurajima volcano it is rich in history and delicious food, and surrounded by glorious nature, there is plenty to discover here.
Day 19: Cruise – At Sea
Relax onboard your way – sitting by the pool, enjoying the bars and restaurants, or taking part in a sport or activity.
Day 20: Cruise – Mount Fuji
Port at Shimizu, a city of medieval castle ruins, ancient pine groves and traditional gardens. Here, you are ideally located for viewing Mount Fuji or exploring the series of fascinating cultural sites around its base.
Day 21: Arrive back in Tokyo
Bid farewell to the Sapphire Princess. Met by a guide, you will be transferred to your hotel in Tokyo where the rest of the day is at leisure, with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Days 22-23: Fly Tokyo to Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or the following day.