Experience Exceptional: Japan by Sea with Smithsonian Journeys

At North Travel, we believe in working with you to craft journeys that go beyond the ordinary. This exclusive Treasures of Japan by Sea onboard one of Ponant’s exquisite ships and in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, offers discerning travelers an exceptional way to experience Japan’s rich heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture—all from the comfort of the beautiful ship PONANT Le Soléal.

Why This Journey is Truly Exceptional

This is not just another cruise—it’s a culturally immersive voyage designed for travelers who seek depth, authenticity, and unparalleled service. Here’s what sets it apart:

✔ Smithsonian-Curated Expertise – Engage with world-class historians and cultural experts through exclusive onboard lectures and discussions.
✔ All-Inclusive Luxury – Enjoy seamless travel with included transfers, gourmet dining, premium beverages, and Wi-Fi throughout your journey.
✔ Handcrafted Excursions – Each port features a thoughtfully designed experience, from samurai districts to hands-on udon noodle workshops.
✔ Intimate & Refined – With just 264 guests, Le Soléal offers personalized service and elegant spaces without the crowds of larger ships.

Journey Highlights: A Tapestry of Japanese Culture

Kobe: Where Tradition Meets Modern Flair

Your voyage begins in Kobe, a city celebrated for its legendary beef and scenic beauty. Explore Meriken Park, admire the Kobe Port Tower, or take in panoramic views from Mount Rokkō.

Takamatsu: Gardens & Culinary Delights

Step into the Edo period at Ritsurin Garden, one of Japan’s most exquisite landscapes, then try your hand at making Sanuki udon noodles—a delicious way to connect with local traditions.

Hiroshima & Miyajima: Reflection & Beauty

Pay respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before visiting the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine—one of Japan’s most photographed landmarks.

Hagi: Walking with Samurai

Stroll through Hagi Castle Town, where perfectly preserved samurai residences and merchant quarters transport you back to feudal Japan.

Sakaiminato: Art, History & Craftsmanship

Choose between exploring Matsue Castle, admiring modern Japanese masterpieces at the Adachi Museum of Art, or learning the ancient craft of washi paper-making.

Busan, South Korea: A Cultural Detour

Experience the grandeur of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, perched dramatically on the coast, and partake in a serene Korean tea ceremony at Hongbeopsa Temple.

Moji & Uno: Feudal History & Stunning Landscapes

Discover Kozan-ji Temple, Japan’s oldest Zen temple, before concluding your journey with a visit to Korakuen Garden, one of the country’s most celebrated landscapes.

Your Floating Sanctuary: Le Soléal

This luxury expedition vessel blends sleek design with intimate service, featuring:

• Spacious suites & staterooms, all with private balconies

• Gourmet dining showcasing French and Japanese cuisine

• Wellness amenities, including a heated pool, spa, and fitness center

• Open bar with premium wines, spirits, and specialty coffees

Is This Journey Right for You?

If you’re looking for:
✅ A seamless, all-inclusive travel experience
✅ Deep cultural immersion with expert insights
✅ Luxury without pretension in an intimate setting
✅ Flexibility with curated excursions at each port

...then this exceptional voyage through Japan’s coastal treasures is calling your name.

Ready to Experience Exceptional?

Spaces are limited on this exclusive Smithsonian Journeys expedition. Contact us today to secure your spot or request more details—we’d love to help you plan an unforgettable adventure.

📩 Enquire Now for special offers and itinerary specifics!



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Japan in Autumn: When the Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

There’s a particular slant of light in Japan come autumn—golden, honeyed, almost liquid—that transforms everyday moments into something sublime. A simple walk down a Kyoto backstreet becomes a procession through tunnels of flaming maples. A humble street vendor’s roasted sweet potato tastes like the essence of the season itself. An onsen soak becomes a meditation as steam rises to meet falling leaves.

This is Japan at its most poetic, when:

• Temple gardens designed centuries ago reveal their true genius under autumn’s palette

• Every meal becomes a celebration of mushrooms so precious they’re wrapped individually in paper

• The air carries that perfect crispness that makes silk scarves and warm sake feel like life’s great luxuries

The Autumn Moments That Linger

1. The Maples of Kyoto (But Not As You Know Them)

While crowds jostle at Kiyomizu-dera, slip away to:

• Shōren-in Temple’s moss gardens, where the play of light through red leaves onto green moss will ruin all future garden visits for you

• Enkō-ji’s hidden valley, where the only sounds are monks raking gravel and the occasional leaf hitting ancient wood

2. The Onsen That Redefine Relaxation

• In Hakone, find ryokans where your private open-air bath overlooks a forest that looks dipped in liquid gold

• In Kinosaki, wander the lantern-lit streets in yukata, moving between seven public baths—each steamier and more atmospheric than the last

3. The Food That Tastes Like the Season Itself

• Matsutake mushrooms served in delicate dobin mushi (teapot soup) at a Kyoto kaiseki restaurant

• Sanma fish, grilled whole and served with a squeeze of sudachi citrus, at a Tokyo standing bar

• Sweet potato everything—from velvety Mont Blanc desserts to stone-roasted street snacks

The Light, The Air, The Magic

What makes autumn different? It’s in the:

• Quality of silence at Ryoan-ji’s rock garden in early morning

• Way the light falls through ginkgo trees in Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien, turning the pavement to gold

• Perfect weight of a cashmere wrap as you cross Philosopher’s Path at dusk

This isn’t just travel—it’s sensorial alchemy.

For Those Ready to Experience Autumn’s Depth

The season waits for no one—the maples peak for mere days, the mushrooms appear briefly, the perfect light angles vanish by December.

When you’re ready to:

• Stay in ryokans where your room opens onto private gardens

• Gain after-hours access to temples normally overrun by crowds

• Travel with experts who know where autumn’s magic lives

...we know the paths worth taking.

The leaves are turning. The season calls.

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