Senior Land of the Rising Sun Japan Cruise

Day 1 Tuesday 21 September, 2021 Departure
This evening we board our flight to Osaka.

Day 2 Wednesday 22 September, 2021 Kyoto, Japan
On arrival into Osaka this morning, we meet our guide and transfer to Kyoto for a sightseeing tour. We will visit the Philosopher’s Path, a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district that follows a canal, lined by hundreds of cherry trees (cherry trees bloom in April). This afternoon will be at leisure.

Day 3 Thursday 23 September, 2021 Kyoto, Japan
Today our sightseeing tour of Kyoto commences at Kinkakuji, better known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. We then visit the Ryoanji Temple, the site of Japan’s most famous rock garden. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Later we visit Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district made famous from the novel and film Memoirs of a Geisha. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geisha and maiko (geisha apprentices) entertain. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Day 4 Friday 24 September, 2021 Kyoto, Japan
Today we will visit Ginkakuji, consisting of the famous Silver Pavilion and Nanzenji Temple, whose spacious grounds are located at the base of Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama Mountains, and is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan. In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today’s temple, modelling it after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather’s retirement villa. The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa’s death in 1490. After visiting Ginkakuji, we travel to Nanzenji. Later we visit the Imperial Palace, which was the residence of the Imperial family until the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1869. Within the Imperial Palace grounds, which are enclosed by a roofed earthen wall, are the Seiryo-den (Palace Hall) and the Kogosho (Minor Palace) – reminiscent of the dynastic age.

Day 5 Saturday 25 September, 2021 Tokyo, Japan
This morning we are transferred to the railway station for our exciting “Bullet train ride” on the famous Shinkansen train to Tokyo traveling up to 270 kmph. On the way we pass Mt Fuji and if the weather is good we will see it. Upon arrival we have an orientation tour of the city and see the famous fish market and the Asakusa district, well-known as a region of old Tokyo. We see the Asakusa Kannon Temple, a Buddhist temple also known as “Sensoji.” The temple was built in 645 A.D with the finest Japanese architecture. Later we are transferred to our hotel.

Day 6 Sunday 26 September, 2021 Embarkation
The morning is free for individual sightseeing and shopping. Early afternoon we are transferred to the port of Yokohama to board the Celebrity Millennium. Make sure you’re up on deck as the Celebrity Millennium slips her moorings and we start our cruise around Japan.

Day 7 Monday 27 September, 2021 Shimizu (Mt. Fuji), Japan
Today we arrive at Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain and the focal point of the sprawling Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and which is visible from Tokyo on a clear day. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of this very special area named for the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi and is sacred to the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama, whose shrine is found at the summit. It is the holiest of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains.”

Day 8 Tuesday 28 September, 2021 Osaka, Japan
Think of Osaka as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It definitely has LA’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. This afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Osaka Castle. Built in 1583 and destroyed just 32 years later, the castle has undergone many reconstructions, the most recent in 1931. Its walls encompass the Municipal Museum and the Hokoku Shrine, which is dedicated to its original owner, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. We will also visit the Shitennoji Temple, built in the year 593 and believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. The Celebrity Millennium remains docked overnight in Osaka.

Day 9 Wednesday 29 September, 2021 Kobe, Japan
This morning we travel to Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan’s ten largest cities. Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities. We will enjoy an orientation tour of the city including a cable-car ride in the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, that lifts us up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a nice aerial view of both. The highlight of the ride lies in the observation deck located just beside the top station, which offers spectacular views of Kobe.

Day 10 Thursday 30 September, 2021 Kochi, Japan
This morning we arrive in Kochi, the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the southern coast of Shikoku and we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city. We visit Kochi Castle, one of just 12 Japanese castles to have survived the fires, wars and other catastrophes of the post feudal age. The castle used to be the seat of the Yamauchi lords, who ruled over the surrounding region, then known as Tosa, during the Edo Period. The castle buildings have since been designated “important cultural properties”, and now house local treasures and historical objects. We then visit the Chikurinji Temple on Godaisan, one of the 88 temples along the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Day 11 Friday 1 October, 2021 Hiroshima, Japan
This morning we arrive at Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb was exploded and helped bring the end to WWII in the Pacific in August 1945. On our sightseeing tour we visit the Peace Memorial Park and see the Genbaku Dome, the surviving portion of a structure that crumbled in the explosion. Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Chinese-style garden, and Hiroshima Castle, a fortress surrounded by a moat and a park.

Day 12 Saturday 2 October, 2021 Kagoshima, Japan
Today the ship arrives at Kagoshima, the twin city of Perth in Japan. We enjoy a tour of the city known for its backdrop of the volcano of Sakurajima. We see the famous Iso-teien Garden which was laid out in traditional manner in 1660 by the 19th Shimazu Lord, a family that ruled this part of Japan for 29 generations and 700 years. We also see the Shimazu Villa were the family lived. Kimono-clad women guide you through the villa.

Day 13 Sunday 3 October, 2021 Day at sea
Our first day at sea to explore the fabulous facilities of this magnificent ship. This afternoon you are invited to join us for a fun game of Bingo. There will be prizes for the winners.

Day 14 Monday 4 October, 2021 Busan, South Korea
We call into the port of Busan, South Korea where we have a sightseeing tour and visit the ancient Silla capital, Gyeong-Ju, a place UNESCO designated as one of the world’s top 10 historic sites. We explore the royal tombs at Tumuli Park and then experience the serenity of an 8th-century Bulguksa Temple.

Day 15 Tuesday 5 October, 2021 Day at sea
Another day at sea to explore the fabulous facilities of this magnificent ship. This afternoon we have a fun session of Scattergories.

Day 16 Wednesday 6 October, 2021 Hakodate, Japan
Located in Japan’s most northernmost island, Hakodate is one of the main cities on Hokkaido. On our sightseeing tour we see The Old Public Hall, Hakodate Park the bustling morning markets and much more. We visit the magnificent Goryokaku Tower, standing at 107 metres tall this is a perfect way to get a view of the city and its mountain ranges.

Day 17 Thursday 7 October, 2021 Aomori, Japan
This morning we arrive in Aomori, in the northernmost prefecture on Japan’s main island Honshu. On our tour today, we will visit Hirosaki, once the political and cultural capital of the Tsugaru Region, the western section of present-day Aomori Prefecture. The city remains one of the culturally richest cities in the northern Tohoku Region. We visit Hirosaki Castle, built in 1611 with its threestorey keep the only one in the Tohoku Region that was not rebuilt in the modern era, amongst only a handful in all of Japan.

Day 18 Friday 8 October, 2021 Day at sea
Another day at sea to explore the fabulous facilities of this magnificent ship. This afternoon we have a fun session of Trivial Pursuit. You will be divided into groups, with prizes for the winners!

Day 19 Saturday 9 October, 2021 Tokyo, Japan
This morning we arrive back into Yokohama and travel to Tokyo for a sightseeing tour. We visit the famous Ginza shopping district, renowned as the most expensive real estate in the world. We then visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which is part of the Royal residence, and a superb example of traditional Japanese landscape design. The Celebrity Millennium remains docked overnight in Yokohama.

Day 20 Sunday 10 October, 2021 Departure
Today we disembark the ship and travel to Tokyo. On arrival we visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, the shrine is a popular place for traditional Japanese weddings. We’ll also visit the famous Tokyo Tower. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower stands at 333m tall is the second tallest structure in Japan. Late afternoon we are transferred to the airport for our flights back to Australia.

Day 21 Monday 11 October, 2021 Arrive Australia
Tour members arrive into Australia and tour arrangements conclude.