Japan Expeditions

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Samurai, shrines & surprising wildness

Japan is imbued with an allure that has inspired for centuries. Now for the first time ever we’re venturing to this fascinating region—on two new adventurous itineraries. Roam shores brimming with temples, teahouses, and ancient traditions; discover a seldom-seen wild side on subtropical islands where azure waters meet verdant forests; plus, get a taste of Taiwan and Korea too. First impressions are everything—join us aboard National Geographic Resolution on these pioneering inaugural itineraries.

NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.

Alaska

Japan

New and Noteworthy

New A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture

Duration

20 days

Aug

From

$30,958

Prices are per person

Highlights

Alaska

Japan

New and Noteworthy

New A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture

Duration

20 days

Aug

From

$30,958

Top Highlights

Watch for a profusion of rare wildlife in Alaska’s Pribilof and Aleutian Islands: from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears
Search for the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido
Learn about the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people on visits to a village and a living history museum

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Special Offers

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Japan

New Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture

Duration

16 days

Sep

From

$26,670

Prices are per person

Highlights

Japan

New Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture

Duration

16 days

Sep

From

$26,670

Top Highlights

Delve into the history of the samurai and their feudal lords while visiting castles and samurai districts in Kanazawa, Matsue, and Uwajima
Explore the cultural legacy of Korea’s Silla Dynasty among the ancient ruins of Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Get inspired on the art-filled island of Naoshima, and visit museums and studios dedicated to artists and traditional handicrafts in Matsue and Takamatsu

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Special Offers

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Expedition Highlights

Contrast the brightly lit metropolis of Tokyo with the narrow, winding streets of Kanazawa’s well-preserved samurai districts. Discover fascinating tales of feudal lords while visiting their castles, shrines, and gardens. And see firsthand how the Japanese have elevated everyday rituals—tea, sake, kimonos, sushi, floral arranging—into spectacular art forms. Only 400 of Japan’s nearly 7,000 islands are inhabited. Our explorations also take us beyond the populous borders of Honshu into wilder realms. Or snorkel through crystal waters that are home to sea turtles, manta rays, and the elusive Okinawa dugong. In Taiwan’s Yehliu Geopark, witness incredible hoodoo spires.

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Life On Board

It is a privilege to visit Japan, a richly diverse and culturally fascinating geography. And to the privilege of cruising these islands, National Geographic Resolution adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.

Exploring Japan by Sea: From Matsue to Okinawa & Beyond

From the earliest explorers to Shōgun fans, and beyond, Western travelers have long known that the island nation of Japan is best explored by sea.

Why Japan Should Be Your Next Snorkel Destination

Made up of nearly 7,000 islands, Japan may be one of the most underrated snorkel spots around.

The History Behind Japan’s Most Beautiful Landscape Gardens

Japan's daimyo gardens have been open to the public since the end of the feudal era in the 19th century and have been exceedingly well-preserved, transporting travelers not only to a place of calm introspection but back centuries in time.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

Discover

Introducing Japan

I came here having no idea what to expect, but it’s just been magical. The food, the scenery, the people, the wildlife, all of it.

Ken C.

Expedition Leader

Explore with a veteran expedition leader—the orchestrator of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.

Cultural Specialist

Contemporary art and age-old religion, stunning architecture and iconic shrines, complex history and unique culture. Japan has captivated the imaginations of Westerners for eons. On our Far East itineraries, you’ll travel with passionate experts—a cultural specialist, a historian, and local guides—who will illuminate every facet to give you an intimate perspective on this distant land.

Naturalist

Sail with a team of four naturalists, each of whom is passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly) and who help illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Choose to spend time with whoever shares your interests in birding, human history, flora and fauna, and so much more.

1.800.397.3348

Joining us on this expedition means signing up for adventure; and the reward for your curiosity is inevitable—the most exhilarating experience of pure discovery possible.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

1.800.397.3348

1.800.397.3348

Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

9/29/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Keelung, Taiwan

I got the call to join the East China Sea expedition in the hours before I was to head out for a fourteen-day-long backpacking trip through the Rockies in Alberta. I had an internet connection that lasted just long enough for me to respond, “Absolutely, count me in.” While carrying 55-pound packs up mountainous terrain, I thought of Japan. I had never been, and the last time I was in Asia, I was pickpocketed by a monkey, a Balinese macaque that was half my size. But like our guests, I’m always game for an adventure. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect since this was Lindblad’s first year of voyages in Japan. However, based on previous expeditions, I had faith that this experience would be one of a kind and very memorable. Now that we are in our final moments of the journey, I can confidently say that this trip was better than any I could have imagined and not only because the toilet seats were heated. For the nature souls, a hike to Yasukuni cedar trees, many of which date back more than a thousand years, was a favorite. There were chances to see deer, monkeys, birds, and waterfalls. Culture and history buffs enjoyed countless castles, museums, gardens, and artisans (soya sauce, silk cotton, and 60 proof saki, to name only a few). For the ocean lovers, there were days on the beach, explorations in mangroves, Zodiacs in the water, snorkel adventures, and gorgeous video footage from the underwater specialist. The trip was full of delightful moments. I’m sad this journey is coming to an end. But like the Japanese attitude towards the cherry blossoms, we enjoyed it while we could. Until the next one.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/28/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Yonaguni Jima

A bright dawn welcomed National Geographic Resolution to Yonaguni Jima, the last Japanese Island we will visit on this trip along the Ryukyu Islands chain. As the sun warmed the sky during breakfast, the sea transformed into a beautiful blue that perfectly matched the colour of the ship’s hull. There are no large ports on the island, so the Zodiacs came out one last time to shuttle guests onto Nama Beach inside the breakwater at the western end of the island. After we transferred onto some of the island's small buses, we set off to explore, visiting the Tindabana cliffs below the huge rock plateau that overlooks the beach and Agarizaki Cape at the eastern end of the island. A stop at Sakimoto Awamori Distillery revealed how the island's famous awamori alcohol is produced. In a performance at the local community centre, we were introduced to local dance and song and enjoyed snacks. After a hearty lunch on board, many ventured back to the beach to enjoy snorkeling over a sheltered coral reef. Fish darted between corals and seabed wrecks from the small port, and a lucky few spotted an octopus as it held court over its watery domain. Back on board, the final reminder that our time in Japan was at an end came with a customs check, and we diligently filled in our arrival cards for our next stop tomorrow: Taiwan.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/27/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Ishigaki-jima, Yaeyama, Japan

Today we edged even closer towards Taiwan on our second to last day in Japan. We docked at lovely Ishigaki Island in the southern part of Okinawa prefecture and were greeted by a team of local women dressed in Okinawan kimono and dancing to traditional music. The Ishigaki Highlights tour began at Minsa Kogei Kan, a craft center specializing in the Minsa weaving technique from Okinawa that dates to the 16th century. The next stop was Ishigaki Yaima Village, which showcases relocated Yaeyama-style traditional residences and is home to a large number of squirrel monkeys. After enjoying a local music and dance performance, we enjoyed a glass-bottom boat ride on Kabira Bay before returning to the ship for lunch. Other groups enjoyed birding at Banna Park, riding in a traditional Okinawan fishing vessel called Sabani, or relaxing and snorkeling on Yonehara Beach. After lunch, shuttles offered a chance to explore the Ishigaki Town Center with its island vibe and fascinating confluence of Japanese, Chinese, and local Okinawan cultural influences.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/26/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Miyako-jima

Guests aboard National Geographic Resolution had a memorable day in Miyakojima, Japan. They began with a visit to the historic Miyako Lighthouse. The lighthouse offers panoramic views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean, serving as a reminder of Japan's maritime heritage. Later in the day, guests went snorkeling, where they explored coral reefs and encountered a rich diversity of marine life. The fascinating creatures they spotted included: Picasso triggerfish, known for striking and colorful patterns that resemble abstract art; shrimp gobies, which form fascinating symbiotic partnerships with burrowing shrimp, offering them protection in exchange for shelter; and a loggerhead sea turtle, which was very relaxed around the visiting snorkelers. This day provided a unique blend of cultural insights and nature exploration, leaving guests with lasting memories of their time in Miyakojima and the remarkable marine creatures that call the underwater world home. Photo caption and photographer: The view looking out from the Miyako Lighthouse.

Daily Expedition Reports

9/25/2023

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National Geographic Resolution

Okinawa and Zamami

In times when we need hope and encouragement, we often hear the phrase, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.” This sentiment captures today’s journey on National Geographic Resolution as guests took to learning about the hard realities of conflict and what we can learn as we move toward reconciliation. The Battle of Okinawa, commonly known as the Typhoon of Steel, lasted 90 days in 1945. The battle claimed 200,000 lives, which are now commemorated on the walls of the Cornerstone of Peace. Overlooking cliffs where many people took their own lives, the site is meant to remember those lost and to serve as a place for reflection and learning. Not far from the memorial and in the hills of Naha, roughly 20 meters deep, we found the tunnels of the underground Japanese Navy Headquarters. As guests descended the steep staircase and moved down the concrete paths, it was hard to believe that around 4,000 people used this network to hide from opposing forces at the time of the battle. Some of the rooms still bear witness to the grim events that unfolded there, including the room where Vice Admiral Ota took his own life before surrendering to the US. In the afternoon, National Geographic expert Don George shared about the pilgrimage he took with his wife and father-in-law to honor the people of Okinawa. The afternoon was all about being in the light. After a short respite, guests followed their passions with voyages on the glass-bottom boat to view underwater life, kayaking in the coastal waters, or visiting the uninhabited island of Gahi to enjoy the scenery above water or explore what the undersea world offers. The journey below water did not disappoint with visions of giant clams, sea snakes, feather stars, sea cucumbers of all shapes and sizes, blue sea stars, and a lionfish all nestled within an astounding diversity of coral. We even spotted a titan triggerfish patrolling to let us know who was in charge. So much biodiversity viewed in just a few hours spoke to the necessity of coral reefs as important ecosystems. It is our responsibility to protect the ecosystems on land and in water, which is a keystone of any Lindblad expedition. As the Grosvenor Teacher Fellows on this expedition, we would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for this opportunity which was made possible by the partnership between National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. We would like to extend many thanks for the warm welcome and excitement shared with fellow guests and crew. Your passion for travel, education, and the environment is inspiring and meaningful, and we will bring this experience into our classrooms and communities. Text and photos by Jenna Forslund and Katie Lodes, Grosvenor Teacher Fellows

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