Hidden Treasures of South Korea & Japan

Upon arrival in Incheon, transfer to your hotel for a two-night Special Stay.

Depart early this morning to drive to the De-militarised Zone (DMZ) for a morning of exploration and views of North Korea. Here, you’ll gain an insight into the conflict that has spanned decades and continents. Visit the Dora Observatory, Dorasan Station and Freedom Bridge and go underground by monorail to the third infiltration tunnel. Return to Seoul this afternoon and explore the largest traditional market in South Korea, Namdaemun Market, located next to the Great South Gate of the original old city.

Enrich: Immerse yourself into Korean culture at the Hyo Jae Cultural Hall where you can try on Hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, or try your hand at Bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. Enjoy a meal of Bibimbap, a rice preparation with meat and vegetables, with your host Lee Hyo-Jae, known as Korea’s Martha Stuart. (B/L/D)

Explore one of the most iconic sights in all of South Korea, Gyeongbokgung Palace. Arguably the most beautiful and the largest of the Five Palaces built in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, here you will gain an insight into South Korea’s cultural heritage during the dynasty’s 5-century reign. Then be immersed in traditional Korean design, architecture and lifestyle at the Korea Furniture Museum, displaying hundreds of pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Following a local lunch, discover ancient-stone artifacts, traditional embroideries, and modern Korean paintings at the Korean Stone Art Museum, a place where Korea's past and present coexist harmoniously. Continue onto Gyeongju by KTX bullet train, known as the ‘museum without walls’ and check into your hotel for a two-night stay. (B/L)

Discover the treasures of Gyeongju that piece together the city’s long and tumultuous history. Visit temples and other historic sites while discovering what life was like during the Silla dynasty, and learn about how Buddhism, Confucianism and foreign influences have played their part in modern Korean society. Visit the National Museum, home to relics from the Silla Kingdom when Gyeongju was the capital, and view the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Tumuli Park, a collection of royal Silla tombs and Anapji Pond.

Lunch is a fun hands-on cooking class, where you will make unique culinary delights that recreate the cuisine served in the royal courts of the Silla Kingdom. Afterwards, visit World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, both dating from the 8th century under the Silla Dynasty. (B/L)

Today you will depart for Mount Gayasan National Park’s Haeinsa Temple and experience the pinnacle of Korea's natural and cultural history. Home to the Tripitaka Koreana, you will discover the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. The temple houses 6791 volumes of Tripitaka Koreana, equivalent to the Bible or Koran. Following a traditional Sanchae Jeongsik lunch, continue to Busan, a large port city known for its intriguing medley of culture and history and beautiful natural settings. Check into your hotel in Busan for a two-night stay. (B/L/D)

Explore this coastal locale, sampling the tastes, sounds, and sights of the city, saturated with street food and a unique culture. Explore the atmospheric Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea’s most interesting wet market and one of the most iconic experiences of Busan. Then discover the energetic food scene at Gukje Market, one of the largest markets in Korea known for its Mokja Golmok – Let’s Eat Alley.

Freechoice: Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village, once a modest mountainside community that has been transformed into an art hotspot, or visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple built in 1376. (B/D)

Transfer to Scenic Eclipse where your journey into wonder begins with a warm greeting by the crew as you step on board. Raise your glass this evening and toast the start of your ultra-luxury cruise. (B/D)

Offering great historic insights into Japanese culture, Matsuyama is cradled between gorgeous green mountains and the peaceful Seto Inland Sea. At the heart of city is one of Japan's twelve originally surviving castles, the Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle. Today, walk through the castle and view the displays explaining the history of the castle and the efforts to preserve it. Admire the views over the town from this mountaintop castle. (B/L/D)

Crisscrossed with fast-flowing rivers and mountain trails, Shingu is a small seaside city located in Wakayama's sacred south. Nestling inside verdant mountains, this secret place is a treasure trove of lush greenery and a unique religious culture. Shingu is home to many UNESCO World Heritage sites, including one of the three Kumano Sanzan Shrines connected by the network of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, prominently standing out on the riverbanks with its bold red colouring and sweeping roofs.

Freechoice: Explore the shrines of Shingu, before the Doro-kyo Gorge, or discover the Sacred Land of Kumano and the Nachi Falls. (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast on your verandah or at one of the outdoor dining venues this morning as you sail into Shimizu. You will soon see why it is considered one of Japan’s most beautiful ports, with Mount Fuji dominating the horizon, and history dating back to the Nara Period (710-784). Shimizu is blessed with stunning natural scenery such as the Shiraito Falls, flowing in thin white streams from the foothills of Mount Fuji, and rich Japanese culture and history reflected throughout the bright red buildings and gold accents.

Freechoice: Open Shizuoka’s treasure box with this excursion to Fujisan Hongu Sengen-taisha Shrine, Shiraito Falls, and Mihono Matsubara, or discover the culture of Shimizu at the Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum. Alternatively, visit the Fuji Five Lake region, at the hot springs St Qwakudani Geothermal Area followed by a cruise on Lake Ashinoko. (B/L/D)

Welcome to the city that captivates. With some neighbourhoods shining bright with neon lights and filled with futuristic architecture, others boasting glowing lanterns and traditional wooden buildings, and dozens of art galleries and cocktail bars hidden amidst concrete blocks, no two experiences in Tokyo are the same. Previously a small castle town, and now the world’s most populous metropolis, this capital city is always on the move and buzzing with energy. With Scenic Eclipse docked overnight, experience the best of Tokyo by both day and night.

Freechoice: Visit the main highlights of Tokyo, or walk through the fantastic collection of folk architecture at the open air museum. Choose to explore the picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen and Imperial Gardens, or visit Shinjuku and the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world in Shibuya. Alternatively, try your hands a sushi cooking class. Enrich: Experience the Japanese culture at a cocktail function with a Shinto ceremony and a sake Kagami-biraki ceremony at a local shrine. (B/L/D)

Spend the day at leisure exploring the various amenities of your luxurious Discovery Yacht. Tempt your palate at one of the dining experiences or unwind in Senses Spa. (B/L/D)

Outstanding natural beauty and shared cultural history await for you in Hachinohe. Located on the main Japanese island of Honshu, Hachinohe’s enchanting coastline and natural splendour is known as being an inspiration for countless artists, writers and creatives. Believed to be inhabited since the Jomon Era, some 20,000 years ago, there is a great historical and cultural significance surrounding the area. (B/L/D)

Muroran is a manufacturing town with beautiful scenery and delicious food. Gentle slopes surrounding provide the perfect place to stroll, listening for the chirping birds, murmuring rivers and the fresh scent of flowers. Take the time to taste the curry ramen, known to have an unbelievably delicious and addictive taste. (B/L/D)

Welcome to Otaru. Disembark from Scenic Eclipse after breakfast as you farewell the crew and take away memories of a truly unforgettable cruise. Please book your flight to depart out of Sapporo after 12:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)