Heritage Expeditions Announces Three New Japan Voyages for 2023

11 May 2022, Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has added the intriguing islands of Japan to its 2023 programme announcing three incredible new voyages aboard luxurious expedition flagship Heritage Adventurer.

Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ said, “Japan’s combination of rich history, fascinating culture and diverse wilderness and wildlife makes it perfect for expedition cruising.”

“Japan has long captured the imagination of travellers juxtaposing centuries old tradition with ultramodern living and pristine wilderness with skyscrapers and ancient temples. There is no place quite like it on the planet and we are incredibly proud and excited to be able to share unforgettable, intimate explorations of some of its rarely visited islands and coastlines alongside iconic cities, cultural encounters and wilderness and wildlife hotspots with our intrepid guests,” he said.

The new voyages include 16-day Beyond Japan’s National Parks: Tokyo/Kanazawa to Otaru including Hokkaido and South Korea, and 15-day expeditions Discover Eternal Japan: Otaru to Kobe, including South Korea and Exploring Asia’s Subtropical Islands: Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Beyond Japan’s National Parks, starting in Tokyo on 18 May 2023, includes Kanazawa’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, Matsue and Hagi’s ancient castles and temples including the famed ‘Ninja Temple’, South Korea’s ‘museum without walls’ Gyeongju, rarely visited and otherworldly Dogojima Island, Noshiro’s national treasure Juniko (12 Lakes), Japan’s sacred Red-crowned Cranes (tancho) in Kushiro, the remote islands of Rebun and Rishiri and more.

Discover Eternal Japan, starting in Otaru on 1 June 2023, includes Hakodate’s island-dotted lakes and Fort Goryokaku, remote Sado Island widely considered a perfect miniature version of Japan, South Korea’s ‘museum without walls’ Gyeongju, Karatsu’s medieval heritage, Ube and Uwajima’s incredible gardens and shrines, Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, Takamatsu’s proud bonsai history and more.

Exploring Asia’s Subtropical Islands, starting in Osaka on 14 June 2023, includes Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, the eco-paradise of Yakushima Island, the white sand beaches and coral gardens of Amami Oshima, Okinawa Island – the Hawaii of Japan, Hualien’s world-famous Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge, Batan Island’s harrowing WWII history, Vigan’s fascinating architecture, the idyllic isles of Hundred Islands National Park and more.

Travel is aboard 140-guest expedition ship, Heritage Adventurer. Built in Finland she brings an impressive history of Polar exploration having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations. Guests on board will enjoy the intimate and experiential expedition voyages synonymous with Heritage Expeditions, in spacious, stylish and comfortable surrounds, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs will ensure the maximum expedition adventure. Guests aboard this luxury vessel will also enjoy all-suite cabins with private facilities and an Observation Deck with 360-degree views.

For images please visit:

Japan – https://bit.ly/37xYYYQ

Heritage Adventurer – https://bit.ly/3l0dzzs

For media enquiries please contact:  Debra Taylor at Toucanmoon on +44 (0)7956 852197;  debra@toucanmoon.com.

About Heritage Expeditions

Every year Heritage Expeditions voyages with small groups of between 18 and 140 intrepid travellers to some of the most unique and remote islands, coasts and shorelines on earth aboard their expedition ships Heritage Adventurer and Heritage Explorer on voyages ranging from 5 – 29 days.

Founded in 1985 by the Russ family in Christchurch, New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions is still proudly family-owned and operated. Contributing to conservation through experiential learning and providing funds for research and management, they are pioneers in environmentally-responsible expedition travel offering intimate group excursions to Antarctica and the Subantarctic Islands, through the Pacific, Asia and around New Zealand on their purpose-built expedition ships.

Each expedition is meticulously planned and led by a team of botanists, ornithologists, naturalists and experts in their field, ensuring passengers maximise every opportunity to learn, discover and experience as much as possible, while minimising the impact of their visit and returning as ambassadors for these very special places.