Experience a unique Japan
Expedition cruise Japan
Discover Japan by expedition ship, a unqiue and exciting way to explore and experience the very best this country's stunning national parks, gardens, culture, art, wildlife and quintessential Japanese hospitality known as Omotenashi.
Join us on one of our ultimate Japan adventures exploring some of its more remote destinations, islands and countrysides alongside bustling cities, ancient castles, shrines and traditions, incredible cuisine, Japan's iconic Sakura Cherry Blossom season and experience essence of Japanese hospitality.
About Heritage Expeditions
Ambassadors for conservation, pioneers of discovery, and leaders in expedition travel to the world’s best-kept secrets.
Experience
For 40 years, Heritage Expeditions has pioneered voyages to some of the most wild and biologically rich regions on the planet. Our mission is to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel.
Expert Team
Our team of naturalists, historians, biologists and ornithologists bring an enormous wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our expeditions, both in the field and onboard our ship during our lecture series.
Our Ship
Our new flagship, the 140-guest Heritage Adventurer, combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating with an international flair and luxury amenities. Enjoy spacious suites, elegant common areas and cuisine prepared by top chefs.
Introducing: Heritage Adventurer
Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) brings an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for our signature expeditions. Originally designed for 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure.
Indulge in an awe-inducing Observation Lounge with library, bar and sweeping 270-degree views, or relax the Oberservation Deck with 360-degree views and comfortable sun loungers. Reinvigorate in the heated salt water pool, well-equipped gym, enclosed hot tub, sauna and steam room. Savor daily international gourmet cuisine from talented chefs across two lavish restaurants, and settle into spacious and well-appointed accommodations each night.
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1991
Shipyard: Rauma, Finland
Classification: Lloyds 1AS, GL E4
Accommodation: 140 guests
Length: 124 metres
Beam: 18 metres
Draft: 4.97 metres
Gross Tonnage: 8,378gt
Engines: 3,940 horsepower (x2)
Maximum Speed: 15 knots
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range: 8,600 nautical miles
Zodiacs: 14
Japan Season 2025-2026
Cherry Blossoms of Japan Cruise: A 12-Day Spring Voyage From Tokyo To Osaka, Including Busan, South Korea
12 DAYS
31 March - 11 April 2026 SAVE 20%*
Tokyo to Osaka
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Celebrate Japan's iconic Sakura/Cherry Blossom Season and Hanami Parties on this carefully curated voyage designed to capture Japan in full bloom
- Sail from Honshu to Shikoku, Kyushu and across to South Korea and Busan
- Observe and photograph towering Mt Fuji framed by cherry blossom
- Cruise the Seto Inland Sea and visit Japan's art island Naoshima
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine + 3,000 cherry blossom trees
- South Korea's counterculture capital Busan and blossom hotspot Jinhae
- Discover Nagoya's eclectic culture and history
- Uwajima Castle, Tenshaen Garden and Pearling history
- Kochi's Nishigawa Flower Park, Botanic Gardens and Ryugado 'Dragon' Cave
- Fukuoka's trendy yatai food stalls, TOTO Museum and Nanzion Temple during peak cherry blossom season
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens including Kenroku-en Garden
- Owase's famed Japanese gardens featuring colourful Kawazu and Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms
*Book by 30 April 2025. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
Eternally Sacred Japan & South Korea: 11-day Japan Voyage Between Tokyo and Osaka, Including South Korea
11 DAYS
28 May 2025 SAVE 20%*
Osaka to Kanazawa/Tokyo
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Hagi's Samurai houses, Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park and Tokoji Temple
- Pure Water Temple Kiyomizudera, one of Japan's most revered temples and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- Culturally rich Sado Island - puppet theatre, okesa folk songs, ondeko drumming and Noh theatre
- Explore Kobe's Buddhist temple Sanjusangen-do renowned for its 1,001 statues of the goddess of mercy Kannon, and the ultimate torii gate, experience Fushimi Inari Shrine
- 17th century Matsue Castle and Adachi Museum of Art
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens including Kenroku-en Garden
- Remote Sado Island, home to the Japanese Crested Ibis, iconic taraibune tub boats, stunning natural scenery, Samurai warrior culture and unique agri- and aqua-culture practices
*Book by 30 April 2025. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
Sacred Japan & South Korea: A Voyage from Osaka to Niigata - Tokyo, Including South Korea
11 DAYS
6 – 16 May 2026 SAVE 20%*
Osaka to Niigata/Tokyo, Japan
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Hagi's Samurai houses, Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park and Tokoji Temple
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Taehwagang Bamboo Forest
- Culturally rich Sado Island - puppet theatre, okesa folk songs, ondeko drumming, Samurai warrior culture and Noh theatre – and home to the Japanese Crested Ibis, iconic taraibune tub boats, stunning natural scenery, and unique agri- and aqua-culture practices
- 17th century Matsue Castle; Daisen-Oki National Park; Mount Daisen; Adachi Museum of Art; Daisenji Temple; Yuushien Garden
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens including Kenroku-en Garden
- Near Tomano, visit Koraku-en Garden, Okayama Castle, Kurashiki’s merchant quarter, Ohara Museum, and for art lovers, visit Naoshima Island’s museums and installations
*Book by 30 April 2025. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
Japan's National Parks, Art & Culture: A Circumnavigation of Honshu, Osaka to Osaka, including South Korea
16 DAYS
14 - 29 May 2025 SAVE 10%*
31 May – 15 Jun 2026
Osaka to Osaka, Japan
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Circumnavigation of Japan's main island Honshu and exploration of its wilderness, arts, culture and rich history
- Explore Japan's most sacred shrine complex Ise Jingū with 125 different shrines including grand shrine Kotai Jingū
- Meet Japan's iconic amulet-wearing ama divers
- Discover Japan Geopark Izu Oshima Island's unique natural and human history
- Visit Japans famed island-dotted seascapes of Matsushima and Argo Bays
- Impressive lakes, hot springs and volcanic wonderland of Shikotsu-Toya National Park
- Visit two of Japan's best contemporary art museums - Hachinhoe Art Museum and the Towada Art Center
- Explore stunning Lake Towada, a 2,000-year-old flooded double caldera, in Towada Hachimantai National Park
- Discover the Kakunodate Samurai District, a living museum that showcases the samurai way of life
- Admire art island Naoshima's architecture and galleries including Chichu Art Museum and Benesse House
- Experience the flora of famed Japanese gardens Mifuneyama Rakuen and Ritsurin Park
- Look for Asiatic black bears and the rarely seen gigantic lotus Euryale Ferox at Bandai-Asahi National Park and Fukushimagata Wetlands
- Celebrate Japan's internationally-renowned magna culture at Ishinomaki
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- Explore Kobe's Buddhist temple Sanjusangen-do renowned for its 1,001 statues of the goddess of mercy Kannon, and the ultimate torii gate experience Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Explore the wilderness, beaches and history of Dogojima Island
*Book by 30 April 2025 for savings. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
Discover the Islands of Japan: A 12-day Voyage of Japan Between Tokyo & Osaka, Including South Korea
12 DAYS
24 April – 5 May 2025 SAVE 10%*
4 – 15 May 2025 SAVE 10%*
19 – 29 Apr 2026 SAVE 20%*
Osaka to Tokyo & Tokyo to Osaka
Aboard Heritage Adventurer
- Hagi's Samurai houses, Hagi Castle, Shizuki Park, Tokoji Temple & Akiyoshido Cave
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima's famous Torii gate and Shinto Shrine
- South Korea's Gyeongju ‘Museum Without Walls' and Haeinsa Temple
- 17th century Matsue Castle and Adachi Museum of Art
- Kanazawa's thriving centre of the arts, Samurai history, Geisha house and castle ruins
- Sample Japanese and Korean delicacies and enjoy cultural performances and traditional dance
- Explore and marvel at superb Japanese gardens including Kenroku-en, Yuushien Kawachi Wisteria Gardens
- Fukuoka's Kokura Castle, Dazaifu Tengmangu Shrine and Nanzoin Temple's reclining bronze Buddha
- Nagasaki's Deijima Island, Peace Memorial Park and Glover Garden
*Book by 30 April 2025 for savings. Landing fees not included, per person, new bookings only.
For all voyages, exact landings depend on weather and ice conditions and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed; however, our 40+ years of experience in operating expeditions mean that we are well equipped to make the most of the conditions at the time. Past trip logs and species lists are available for all expeditions.
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