Immersive Japan by Rail Discovery & East Asia Voyage
29-Night Fly, Cruise & Rail from $9,499pp
🌏 Holiday Overview
- Ship: Holland America Line's Westerdam
- Duration: 29 Nights
- Holiday Type: Fly, Cruise & Rail
- Save up to $1,000 per couple*
Includes a 13-night fully escorted rail tour of Japan featuring iconic cities, cultural wonders, and breathtaking natural beauty — all topped off with a 14-night luxury cruise through Japan, South Korea, and China.
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Your Holiday Includes
- 14-night full-board cruise onboard Westerdam (Holland America Line)
- 2-night stay in Osaka – Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
- 2-night stay in Hiroshima – RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima
- 3-night stay in Kyoto – THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
- 1-night stay in Kanazawa – Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
- 1-night stay in Takayama – Mercure Hida Takayama
- 2-night stay in Shizuoka – Hotel Associa Shizuoka
- 2-night stay in Tokyo – Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
- All hotel stays include breakfast
- Bullet Train journeys & scenic rail: Sagano Romantic Train, Southern Alps Abt Steam Train & more
- Guided tours: Mount Fuji, Hiroshima Peace Park, Kyoto, Shirakawa-go Village, and Tokyo
- Return flights & all transfers
🗓️ Itinerary Highlights
- Osaka: Modern architecture meets ancient temples
- Kyoto: Tea ceremony, Gion district, bamboo forests & more
- Hiroshima: Peace Memorial Park & Miyajima Island
- Shizuoka: Southern Alps Steam Train through scenic gorges
- Mount Fuji: 5th Station, Lake Yamanaka & Ichiku Kubota Museum
- Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Sumida River Cruise, Harajuku & Asakusa
- 14-night Cruise: Shimizu, Kochi, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Busan, Shanghai (overnight), and Hong Kong
🚢 Your Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Overnight to Osaka
Your holiday begins with a flight to Osaka to begin your epic Japan discovery.
- Tranquil temples and serene shrines
- Snow-cloaked mountains and enchanting ravines
- Bustling cities to charming villages
Experience the treasures of this remarkable land.
Day 2: Osaka – Hotel Stay
Japan’s second largest city, Osaka is a hub of modern architecture and ancient shrines.
- Osaka Aquarium
- Sumiyoshi Taisha – one of Japan’s oldest shrines
Overnight: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
Day 3: Osaka – Hotel Stay
Enjoy a day at leisure. Discover Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site — a place of scenic beauty and serenity, ideal for walking, photography, and cultural immersion.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
Day 4: Osaka Tour & Hiroshima Hotel Stay
Enjoy a guided tour of Osaka Castle. In the afternoon, board the bullet train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, delve into the city’s haunting past with an escorted tour.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima
Day 5: Hiroshima Tour & Hotel Stay
Join a half-day tour to explore beautiful Miyajima Island and admire the red-gated Itsukushima Shrine.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima
Day 6: Kyoto Tour & Hotel Stay
Take the bullet train to Kyoto for a half-day coach tour and traditional tea ceremony. Explore the historic Gion district in the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Day 7: Kyoto – Tour & Hotel Stay
Escorted tour highlights include:
- Ryoanji Temple
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Sagano Romantic Train journey
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Day 8: Kyoto – Hotel Stay
Enjoy a relaxing day exploring Kyoto’s public baths, cafés, or refined dining scene.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Day 9: Kanazawa – Hotel Stay
Take the Thunderbird train to Kanazawa, known for its Edo-period heritage and geisha teahouses in the Higashi Chaya District.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
Day 10: Shirakawa-go Tour & Takayama Hotel Stay
Visit the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go before continuing to Takayama for your next stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Mercure Hida Takayama
Day 11: Takayama Tour & Shizuoka Hotel Stay
- Visit Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan (festival float museum)
- Wander the historic Old Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel Associa Shizuoka
Day 12: Shizuoka – Tour & Hotel Stay
Board the Southern Japan Alps Steam Train and travel through gorges along the scenic Oi River.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel Associa Shizuoka
Day 13: Tokyo – Mount Fuji Tour & Hotel Stay
- Visit Mount Fuji 5th Station
- Explore Lake Kawaguchi
- Discover the Ichiku Kubota Museum
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
Day 14: Tokyo – City Tour & Hotel Stay
- Ginza shopping district
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Sumida River cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
Day 15: Tokyo – Embark Ship
Board Holland America Line’s Westerdam. Onboard features include:
- Fine dining
- Health and fitness centre
- Entertainment and live shows
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Westerdam
Day 16: Shimizu
Coastal charm and Mount Fuji views await in this scenic port town.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 17: Osaka
Explore Osaka’s dynamic street food, shrines and ancient-meets-modern energy.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 18: Kochi
A mix of temples, festivals and pristine nature for true cultural immersion.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 19: Hiroshima
Reflect at moving memorials and discover Hiroshima’s message of peace.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 20: Kanmon Strait – Scenic Cruising
Marvel at the cliffs, ports, and coastlines while cruising the Kanmon Strait.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 21: Fukuoka
A cultural hub offering temples, shopping, cuisine, and warm hospitality.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 22: Nagasaki
Explore the resilient spirit and rich culture of this rebuilt historic city.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 23: Busan
South Korea’s vibrant second city blends tradition, markets, and beaches.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 24: Relax At Sea
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the ship or simply unwinding on deck.
Day 25: Shanghai – Overnight in Port
Step into the future in this glittering metropolis of skyscrapers and heritage sites.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 26: Shanghai
Wander the Old City, Yu Gardens, and Bund’s colonial architecture.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Days 27–28: Relax At Sea
Final moments to enjoy all the luxuries onboard Westerdam.
Days 29–30: Hong Kong – Disembark & Fly Home
Disembark in vibrant Hong Kong and transfer to the airport for your flight home — your incredible journey complete.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Holiday Highlights
Hiroshima Peace Museum
Opened in 1955, the Hiroshima Peace Museum helps tell the story of one of the most significant events in modern history: the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It promotes peace through powerful and educational exhibits including:
- Original photography
- Lifelike models
- Recovered items
- Descriptive explanations
A moving experience focused on remembrance and hope for peace.
Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
Japan’s bullet trains are a marvel of precision engineering and speed. These iconic trains connect Tokyo with most major cities and offer:
- Departure precision to the second
- Speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour
- Daily ridership of over 420,000 passengers
A fast, smooth, and futuristic way to experience Japan.
Southern Alps Train Tour
Step aboard a nostalgic steam train for a scenic ride through the gorges along the Oi River. This old-fashioned journey includes:
- Running commentary by the conductor
- Panoramic views of tea fields and rustic bridges
- Peaceful natural landscapes steeped in history
A beautiful journey through Japan’s rural heartland.
Sagano Romantic Train Journey
Travel on the Sagano Scenic Railway as it winds along the Hozugawa River from Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station. This charming journey offers:
- Leisurely pace perfect for relaxing
- Stunning landscapes of forested valleys
- Ideal photo opportunities along the route
Bring your camera — the views are worth it!
Mount Fuji
Standing tall at 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan’s most iconic natural landmark. Though dormant since 1707, it remains:
- A sacred site in both Shinto and Buddhist traditions
- A symbol of endurance and beauty
- Recognised as one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains”
Visible from many locations, it’s a highlight of any journey through Japan.
📍 Departure Airports
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
🛏️ Pricing (per person, twin share)
- Inside: from $9,499pp
- Ocean View: from $10,499pp
- Verandah: from $11,499pp
- Signature Suite: from $12,499pp
Prices based on Brisbane departure.
📞 Want to know more?
Contact Ucango Travel & Cruise Centre today to lock in your spot on this unforgettable East Asian journey!
*Holiday duration includes overnight flights. Prices are per person based on twin share. Offers subject to change and availability. Conditions apply.