This is a remarkable journey of discovery using Japanese cuisine as a window into the culture, art and ritual of this ancient society. Cruise guests will have the opportunity to discover Japan and its ancient culture through the amazing diversity of Japanese food. At each port of call, you will discover a different Japanese dish, learn its history and visit local markets to shop for ingredients. Your expert onboard chefs will teach you how to prepare and present the world’s favourite Japanese dishes. And then of course, you’ll come together on board the cruise vessel to enjoy traditional Japanese dining. Your onshore explorations will include the markets where the locals shop, like the famous Jalgachi Fish Market in Busan. You’ll explore the amazing variety of seafood, prepare mouth-watering Kobe beef, the most famous beef in the world, and learn why the notorious fugu puffer fish can be lethal and yet is sought by gourmet food lovers the world over. There can be no better way to experience Japan’s culture than through the complexities and culture of the Japanese food experience. The ritual, history and philosophy of the Japanese all find expression at their table. Enjoy every taste on this unique voyage of discovery. Includes private tours with expert guide, transfers and premium accommodation in Kobe. Available Cruise Departure Dates: April 27, 2012

Kobe is the sixth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshu, approximately 500 km west of Tokyo.  Wedged in between the coast and the mountains, the city of Kobe is long and narrow.  It is warm in winter, and is coolish in the summer.

Meet your driver for an airport transfer.

The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel stands on its southern tip of the land jutting out into the sea. The hotel is designed in a picture-perfect harmony with Port Tower and Maritime Museum and looks just like a luxury cruise ship dropping anchor there. The hotel's unique location, surrounded 270 degrees by sea, gives you stunning and unobstructive views of the ocean, harbor and city from your room balcony. Night view of Kobe is even more appealing and romantic with a dazzling display of light, colors and silhouettes. Whether you stay with us for leisure or business, you will be assured of a refined yet refreshing and relaxing time at this urban retreat as if you were having a great time aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Overnight at The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.

This morning at 9:00am, transfer with your private guide in a chartered vehicle. First take a visit to the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, built as a symbol of a reconstruction from the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. Apart from the striking exhibition about the earthquake, one of the highlight is the building itself, designed by the world famous architect Tadao Ando.  Resume the tour to Nada district, a famous place for sake production due to the availability of high quality rice and water and its proximity to Kobe Port. As a matter of fact, Nada district is still the world's top producing region of sake. Stroll around this Sake district and stop by one of the Brewery to enjoy tasting various kinds of Sake.  Pay a visit to the Ikutajinja Shrine, where the god of Victory is enshrined. Since ancient times, it has come through various kinds of calamities and each time, is born again. This is one of the reasons why people in Kobe visit it often, praying here for happiness. Finally, terminate your visit in the Kitano area. In 1868, when Japan was opening to the world, Kobe was established as a concession to western powers.  Kitano was the foreigner’s district and each house bears the influence of the country of his first owner. Today, the European architecture, a synagogue and Chinatown, mark Kobe as a place where foreign culture first arrived in Japan.

Overnight at The Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel.

Cruise along the coastal waters of the Sea of Japan or the Seto Inland Sea, which separates the three main islands of Japan. These waters provide access to one of the world's most intruiging ancient cultures and Japan's unabashedly modern societies, awaiting your discovery.

Enjoy a private tour of Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden and Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.  This morning at 9:00am, you will meet your private guide and transfer to Himeji in a chartered vehicle. In Himeji, there is UNESCO’s World Heritage sight – Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle represents Japanese castle architecture at is highest, with almost all of the castle structure still intact from its original construction I the early 1600’s. The nickname of White Heron Castle comes from the graceful apprearance of the castle’s white plaster walls.  Next, you will move on to Koko-en Garden which was constructed in 1992 to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of Himeji municipality.  Transfer to Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, one of many breweries in Kobe, Hakutsuru.  It was established in 1743 and offers a 45 minute tour of sake history and brewing methods, and further information of the modern day brewery located cross the street.

Welcome aboard your cruise vessel!
After embarkation, meet some of your fellow cruise passengers and get settled in.

Orion II is a private yacht-like expedition cruise ship built by Cantieri Navale Ferrari of Italy. After a number of years as a private yacht, Orion II was relaunched in 2009 following an extensive technical refit. Little expense was spared with this stylish, Italian built, all-suite Mega Yacht. Orion II now offers the finest standards in small-ship cruise travel. She also has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers. The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service will require staffing by 68 offices and crew to serve Orion II’s capacity of 100 guests. Excellence of design, craftsmanship and quality materials combined with Orion II’s spaciousness and intimate ambience make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

The included expedition today will begin a short distance from the ship's berth, at the Shimonoseki Fish Markets. Whilst many varieties of seafood are traded at the markets, it’s Fugu that is the most famous. From the market you will progress to one of the major Fugu traders where you will learn more about the process of preparing the fish for consumption, and where you will learn the basic skills of the fine art of preparing Fugu sashimi. Fugu sashimi is traditionally ultra thin and whilst you will have the opportunity to try your skills, you will all no doubt appreciate the years of training that goes into producing a true Fugu master chef.

Afterward, you will explore the dramatic Shuhodo cave system, the largest limestone cave system in Japan. The caves complete with flowing underground rivers are easy to explore with wide, structured paths and guiding handrails and stairways, making this experience accessible to most. The dramatic limestone structures underground are enhanced with additional lighting to improve your viewing experience.

To complete your Fugu experience in Shimonoseki you may purchase the additional Fabulous Fugu Feast! This lunch package at Shimonoseki’s leading Fugu school includes Fugu Sashimi, Fugu Shabu-Shabu style, Fugu Jelly, Fried Fugu all washed down with unique warmed Fugu Sake! This add-on fits within the day's tour program so all activities may be undertaken if desired.

To participate in a shared activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

As Busan has been a close trading port with Japan from the 15th century, there is a long history of cultural and cuisine exchange between the two countries. No visit to Busan is complete without a visit to the Jalgachi Fish Market. This is Korea’s largest seafood market and arguably the best of its kind in the world, where every kind of edible sea creature is on sale. You’ll explore tasting all the varieties of Korean seafood and the best ways of preparing them and it’s great fun to pick your own fish and bargain with the friendly fish and eel traders. Koreans love their braised fish and you’ll learn onboard how to prepare Saeng Sun Jim with market fresh snapper or cod with mushrooms, shredded cabbage and peppers.

During your exploration of Busan, you will visit Tongdosa Temple, a colourful Korean Buddhist temple where you can participate in a Korean tea ceremony with the Monks. You will briefly stop at Haeundae beach to witness the spectacle of colour and sound as thousands of Koreans pack themselves onto the beach strip. You then progress to the UN Memorial Cemetery to pay respects to those who served and lost their lives during the Korean War.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

Today you’ll explore all aspects of the cuisine of Nagasaki and the contact with European missionaries, Portuguese, Dutch and British traders that date from the 16th century. Its heritage as a fishing village gives Nagasaki a long tradition of seafood dishes and the influence of the European traders is evident in such dishes as Toruko rice (Turkish rice). During this part of your voyage, the onboard team will focus on sushi and sake.

Today you will use the local street cars to be transported to the Nagasaki Peace Park and Ground Zero and also to Dejima, a designated Japanese history site. Afterward, you will also visit Glover Garden, the one time home of Thomas Glover, a Scottish business man who helped to establish ship building and other industries in Nagasaki, and to the Ouru Catholic Church of the 26 Martyrs.

Optional:
From the port landing, you may choose to drive inland from Nagasaki through the mountains to Unzen National Park, stopping along the way at a roadside "station" famous for Castella Portuguese sponge cakes, introduced by the first European contact. The Unzen National Park has numerous walking trails through the hot spring areas. Further on you will reach Shimabara and its castle dating back to the 1600's. The Samurai residences of Shimabara, which will also be visited, have waterways filled with colourful Koi Carp. This tour includes a Japanese lunch at a local hotel. English speaking guides will accompany the tour. Please note this tour will preclude you from undertaking the inclusive experiences today.

To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

Days at sea aboard Orion are less structured than a typical cruise ship. Rise at your leisure and select from a variety of breakfast options. Late morning consider joining a presentation in the Lecture Theatre by one of the Expedition Staff or a Guest Speaker. Luncheon is served both indoors and out and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea is observed at 4:00pm.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

Okinawa consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 km long. Aside from embracing rice as a staple, local food differs significantly. The Ryukyu Kingdom, the forbearer to Okinawa the Japanese prefecture, picked up much of its culinary styles and techniques from China, as well as other Asian trading nations that included Thailand and Korea.

Today you will land at the Naha port and go visit the former Japanese Imperial Navy HQ on Okinawa, and traverse the underground tunnel system linking the command bunkers that controlled the Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa.

The significant Shuri Castle had many links to the unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese emperors. Local guides will escort you through the fascinating passageways and grand rooms of the castle.

You will finish your exploration of the area today with a walk through the Gangala Valley, a semi-collapsed cave system, surrounded by forests featuring giant Banyan trees, site of a pre-historic settlement estimated to date some 18,000 years back.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

Relax aboard your cruise ship today, as you set your sights on your final destination, Kobe. Enjoy the jacuzzi on the sun deck, or join your fellow passengers at the ship's social hot spot, the deck 3 lounge.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

As you cruise to Kobe, you'll be introduced to the culinary specialty of the city. Kobe beef is famous for its reputation of being the world's most tender beef, renowned for its flavour. The well-marbled texture derives from the special black breed of Wagyu beef cattle raised according to the strict precepts laid down by authorities in the Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe beef is in high demand and commands a premium price, so it is well worth taking time to follow its proper preparation. During this part of the voyage, you'll be shown how to identify the famous cuts of beef and how best to prepare them as steak, sukiyaki, shabu shabu and teppanyaki.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (8N) - Kobe.

Today you'll arrive at the port in Kobe, where you will disembark from your ship, and say farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Meet your driver for a private transfer from the Port to the Kobe Airport .

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .