SAPPHIRE PRINCESS WITH THE PEARL OF THE FAR EAST: JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA - EID AL-FITR (04.03.2027)

Meeting with our valued guests at 5:00 PM in front of the Qatar Airways counter at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, we depart for Doha Airport at 8:10 PM on Qatar Airways flight QR2461.

 

Arrival in Doha at 12:10 AM local time. From here, we transfer to Tokyo via Qatar Airways flight QR 806 departing at 2:15 AM. Arrival in Tokyo at 5:55 PM local time. Transfer to our hotel by our private vehicle waiting at the airport. After check-in procedures, we settle into our rooms and have free time.

 

After breakfast at the hotel early in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures and transfer to the Sapphire Princess ship via our private vehicle. After ship check-in, we settle into our cabins and have free time. Guests who wish may join the “Tokyo City Tour” organized additionally by our guides. Our first stop is Shibuya “Scramble Crossing,” one of the city’s most iconic spots. At this famous intersection, when the traffic lights change simultaneously, pedestrians from all four directions cross at the same time, creating a human flood. The Hachiko Statue located in a corner of the square was built in honor of the famous Akita dog known for its loyalty, which has become one of Japan’s symbols. After seeing the Hachiko Statue, we arrive in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods, and visit Sensoji Temple, considered the city’s most important religious structure. On the way to the temple, Nakamise Shopping Street offers many options ranging from traditional Japanese products to souvenirs. After some free time here, our ship will depart from the port at 3:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Toba port at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Shima Peninsula & Ise Shrine Tour” organized additionally by our guides. In this enjoyable tour where we will discover the natural beauty and cultural richness of Shima-Hanto Peninsula, we will depart from Toba and first reach the Uji-Tachi area, home to the Ise-Jingu Shrine Complex, accepted as one of Japan’s holiest and most important religious centers. Here, the Naiku (Inner Shrine), dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and one of the holiest structures in Shinto belief, will be visited. The shrine buildings, dating back to the 7th century, are entirely constructed from cypress trees and joined using traditional Japanese carpentry techniques without nails. Afterwards, we will ascend to the famous Yokoyama Observation Point, located approximately 200 meters high on Yokoyama Mountain, offering breathtaking views of Ago Bay. Subsequently, we will join an enjoyable boat tour exploring the impressive coastline around Kashikojima, the largest island in Ago Bay. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will return to Toba and complete our tour. Our ship will depart from the port at 4:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Kochi port at 9:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the "Kochi Castle & Kochi City Tour" organized additionally by our guides. While visiting the two most respected symbols of the city, learn how Kochi became the center of pro-imperial ideology at the end of the feudal era. We head from the pier to Kochi Castle. The "donjon" or main tower, built over 400 years ago by feudal lord Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, is worth climbing to the top for panoramic views of the entire city. Your tour will take you through the beautifully restored Tsumemon Gate, connecting the castle’s second enclosure to the inner sanctuary, and you cannot say your visit is complete without seeing the living quarters or "honmaru" that house local and historical treasures. After a walk on the castle grounds, you will board your bus and head to the beautiful Katsurahama Beach. Here stands a statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, one of Japan’s most beloved historical figures known for transforming feudal Japan into a modernized, unified nation. At the end of our tour, we return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 5:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

On this day spent cruising at sea, our ship will offer you many alternatives. Those who wish can enjoy the ship’s open and indoor pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas. Others can shop at duty-free stores, try their luck at the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainment offered in dozens of bars. A variety of dining options will also be available throughout the day.

 

Our ship will dock at Busan port at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Busan City Tour” organized additionally by our guides. In this city that has witnessed temples, royal tombs, the Japanese occupation, and the Korean War, we will first visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the few coastal Buddhist temples owned by South Korea. Later, we will see the Haeundae Dalmaji-gil Road, famous for its blue ocean, white sandy beach, Camellia forest, and pine tree forest views, Haeundae Beach, Dongbaekseom Island, and the Mermaid Statue representing the legendary heart-wrenching love story of the princess of Naranda country. Afterwards, we will visit the UN Memorial Cemetery, where soldiers from 16 countries died during the Korean War between 1950-1953, including the Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery and monument within it. Busan Gamcheon Culture Village is also known as "Machu Picchu of Busan.” Busan Tower is located in Nampodong, the old central district of Busan, featuring various brands as well as reasonably priced local shops. Among the streets lies a paradise of street food. Afterwards, we visit Gukje Market, which has become Busan’s largest market. After free time at the market, we return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 4:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Nagasaki port at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Nagasaki City Tour” organized additionally by our guides. Nagasaki is the capital and largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Historically, Nagasaki was the second and last city to suffer a nuclear attack. At the first stop of our city tour, we visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to remember the nuclear war, one of the most painful memories in history. Afterwards, we will visit Glover Garden, located inside the oldest surviving Western-style house in Japan, built by Scottish merchant Thomas Blake Glover. Finally, we will tour Nagasaki Chinatown, have free time in the city center, and then return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 4:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Kagoshima port at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Kamikaze & Senganen Japanese Garden Tour” organized additionally by our guides. In this impressive tour, our first stop will be the Chiran Peace Museum, which tells the story of Kamikaze pilots and aircraft who, during World War II, knew they were on their final mission and went to their deaths without hesitation for their country, despite the Americans being unable to reveal this information to the public until the end of the war. Afterwards, we will enjoy a pleasant walk at Senganen, considered one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens, gaining a better understanding of this fine art. Inside this garden, we will visit the residence loved by the Shimadzu family for generations. We will enjoy the special views of Kagoshima Bay and Mount Sakurajima typical of Japanese gardens. We will learn about the lifestyle of Prince Shimadzu Tadayoshi. We will see how distinguished guests from Japan and overseas were welcomed by the Shimadzu family at Sengan-en. Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan Museum were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Shoko Shuseikan Museum is located in the oldest stone factory building in Japan, constructed in 1865. This museum, situated right at the entrance of the gardens, allows us to follow the 800-year journey of the Shimadzu family and see how the international relationships they established led to the development of industrial modernization in Kagoshima, Kyushu, and Japan. We will return from the main street to the port in Kagoshima. Our ship will depart from the port at 4:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Matsuyama port at 10:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Doge Onsen Hot Springs & Matsuyama Castle Tour” organized additionally by our guides. In Matsuyama, the past continues to live on. Historic structures rising amidst the modern and dynamic city fabric shed light on the region’s deep-rooted history. In this comprehensive tour, we will first visit the magnificent Matsuyama Castle, dating back to the 17th century, which served as the administrative center of the Matsudaira Clan that ruled the region during the Edo Period. After reaching the castle via cable car atop Katsuyama Hill, approximately 132 meters high, we will see samurai swords, armor, and historical artifacts belonging to the Matsudaira family displayed within the castle, recognized among Japan&rsquo’s Important Cultural Properties. Afterwards, we will visit Ishiteji Temple, a large Buddhist temple complex famous for its treasury displaying valuable historical artifacts. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will move to the famous Dogo Onsen area, accepted as Japan’s oldest hot spring center, and have the opportunity to experience this historical and cultural atmosphere up close. At the end of our tour, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 7:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Miyazaki port at 7:00 AM. After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the "Miyazaki Obi Castle and Sacred Temples Tour" organized additionally by our guides. In this comprehensive tour where we will discover the historical and cultural richness of Miyazaki, we will first visit the Obi Castle Area, which has a history of approximately 567 years. Located among Japan’s Protected Historical Settlement Areas and once used as the administrative center of the Shimazu Shogunate, this samurai town offers the opportunity to explore its traditional streets and historic structures. Guests will also be given a special Ayumi-chan Map providing discounts at certain restaurants and souvenir shops in the area. After lunch at a local restaurant in the Japanese style, we will head to the small Aoshima Island, one of the symbols of the Miyazaki coast. Here, we will visit the famous Aoshima Temple, which has existed since the 9th century and is protected as a National Natural Monument. Afterwards, we will move to Udo Jingu Temple, accepted as one of Japan’s most impressive sacred sites with a history of approximately 2,000 years. This colorful temple, located in a natural cave within steep cliffs overlooking the ocean, captivates visitors with its unique scenery and spiritual atmosphere. In the final part of our tour, we will stop for shopping and free time, then return to the port to complete our journey. Our ship will depart from the port at 4:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Our ship will dock at Kobe Port at 9:00 PM. After dinner, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish may join the “Osaka & Kobe Night Tour Under Lights” organized additionally by our guides. Our tour begins with a trip to Osaka. Upon arriving in Osaka, the city’s magnificent lights will be dazzling. Our first stop will be the garden area of Osaka Castle. Since the last entry time to the castle is 5:00 PM, we will not enter. After taking photos in the surrounding area, garden, and outer courtyard of the castle, we begin sightseeing. Our second stop will be the Dotonbori area. In this area famous for its brightly lit streets, you will feel all the energy of Osaka thanks to neon signs, canal-side walking enjoyment, and restaurants filled with street food. At the end of our tour, we return to our ship. Then we return to Kobe. Our first stop in Kobe is Mt. Maya Kikuseidai. This place boasts one of Japan’s three great night views. You can enjoy the magnificent lights of both Kobe and Osaka. Afterwards, after free time in Kobe city center, we set off towards our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 11:00 PM. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

On this day spent cruising at sea, our ship will offer you many alternatives. Those who wish can enjoy the ship’s open and indoor pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas. Others can shop at duty-free stores, try their luck at the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainment offered in dozens of bars. A variety of dining options will also be available throughout the day.

 

Our ship will dock at Tokyo Port at 6:30 AM. After breakfast and disembarkation procedures, we depart for the ‘Hakone & Fuji View Ashi Lake Tour’ via our private vehicle waiting for us. After approximately 2 hours of travel, our first stop is Owakudani Valley, formed by an eruption 3,000 years ago, where active volcanic gas emissions can still be seen. Here, we will have the chance to see the famous ‘Black Eggs’ and photograph the unique view of Mount Fuji from above (depending on weather conditions). After a lunch break in the area, we embark on a boat tour on Lake Ashi, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the crater lake, we have free time. We transfer to Tokyo Narita Airport via our private vehicle. After passport and check-in procedures, we have free time until our flight time.

 

We depart for Doha at 1:25 AM on Qatar Airways flight QR813. Arrival in Doha at 6:40 AM local time. From here, we transfer to Istanbul on Qatar Airways flight QR 239 departing at 7:45 AM. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 12:20 PM local time. End of our tour.