Package Summary: 10 nights Fly, Cruise & Stay
Package Starts: 06 May 2026 – with flight from Australia to Osaka
Cruise Starts: 07 May 2026 – from Osaka, Japan
Cruise Ends: 15 May 2026 – into Niigata, Japan
Package Ends: 16 May 2026 with flight from Tokyo to Australia
Back in Australia by: 17 May 2026
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Deck 4 Superior twin – was $17,585 – now $14,675*pp
Deck 5 Superior twin – was $18,510 – now $15,385*pp
Worsley Suite twin – was $22,860 – now $18,725*pp
Heritage Suite twin – was $26,235 – now $21,295*pp
Main Deck Single – was $21,110 – now $17,280*pp
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SACRED JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA Fly, expedition cruise & stay package prices include:
– One way economy class airfare from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Osaka inc. tax
– One way transfer in Osaka from airport to hotel
– 1 nights hotel accommodation in Osaka pre-cruise including dinner and breakfast
– One way transfer in Osaka from hotel to port
– 8 night expedition cruise aboard Heritage Adventurer from Osaka to Niigata
– All shipboard main meals
– House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard
– All expedition shore excursions, activities and landing fees
– Discovery Local Fund/landing fees of AUD$800 per person
– Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
– Transfer from Niigata to Tokyo by bullet train
– 1 nights hotel accommodation in Tokyo post-cruise including dinner and breakfast
– One way transfer from hotel to airport
– One way economy class airfare from Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne inc. tax
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Price excludes: All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, gratuities, helicopter excursion, kayaking, visas and travel insurance.
For all voyages, exact landings depend on weather conditions and wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed; however, Heritage Expeditions 35+ years of experience in operating expeditions mean that they are well equipped to make the most of the conditions at the time. Past trip logs and species lists are available for all expeditions.
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Pre-cruise Itinerary
Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
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06 May 2026 | Fly Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne to Osaka, Transfer to hotel |
Cruise Itinerary
Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
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06 May 2026 | Osaka, Japan |
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07 May 2026 | Osaka, Japan |
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08 May 2026 | Tamano, Japan |
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09 May 2026 | Hiroshima, Japan |
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09 May 2026 | Miyajima Japan |
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10 May 2026 | Hagi, Japan |
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11 May 2026 | Ulsan, Korea |
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12 May 2026 | Matsue, Japan |
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13 May 2026 | Kanazawa, Japan |
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14 May 2026 | Sado Island, Japan |
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15 May 2026 | Niigata, Japan |
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15 May 2026 | Tokyo, Japan |
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16 May 2026 | Tokyo, Japan |
Post-cruise Itinerary
Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
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16 May 2026 | Transfer to airport, Fly Tokyo to Australia |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

This departure is from Osaka to Niigata.
Historic highlights on our journey include the five-storey Pagoda of Miyajima; the 17th Century Matsue Castle; the sobering Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with its eternal Flame of Peace; Kanazawa’s Teramachi District with its temples and shrines, including the famed ‘Ninja Temple’; Hagi’s Jokamachi District with its old Samurai houses, Hagi Castle ruins and beautiful Zen Buddhist Tokoji Temple featuring examples of Japan’s iconic Shinto Shrines and Torii Gates. During our expedition, we will also explore Japan’s traditional and contemporary art as we visit galleries and meet local artists including an option to visit Japan’s ‘art island’ Naoshima, and a day in South Korea’s Ulsan exploring UNESCO World Heritage Site Gyeongju – the ‘museum without walls’ alongside a visit to Haeinsa Temple, considered one of the three great temples in South Korea. Our voyage also visits parts of Japan where relatively few tourists set foot such as Sado Island – widely considered a perfect miniature Japan and thriving cultural capital filled with performing arts, natural scenery, samurai history, and more.
For those with a passion for nature, we plan to visit Daisen-Oki and Hakusan National Parks, Kenrokuen Garden – one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan alongside one of Japan’s most famed gardens, the 28-acre formal 17th Century Koraku-en Garden. Explore one of Japan’s main bonsai centres at Kinashi Garden and discover the wonders of Japanese circuit-style Yuushien Garden home to more than 250 types of Japanese Peony.
Helping us understand all we will see and experience, and travelling with us throughout the voyage, will be our expert Guest Speakers and Japanese guides who will add immeasurably to your enjoyment and understanding of this captivating country. We hope you can join us on this in-depth exploration around the coastline and islands of Japan, as we discover the unspoiled nature, primeval wilderness, incredible gardens, cultural treasures, traditional villages and futuristic cities resplendent with their unique charms.
***Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.***

Heritage Adventurer is a true pioneering expedition vessel of exceptional pedigree. Often referred to as the ‘Grande Dame of Polar Exploration’ due to her celebrated history and refined design, she was purposebuilt for adventure in 1991 at Finland’s Rauma shipyard and specifically designed for Polar exploration.
Setting a peerless standard in authentic expedition travel, Heritage Adventurer (formerly known as MS Hanseatic) combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations, and for traversing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, makes Heritage Adventurer perfect for pioneering New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions signature experiential expedition travel.
Originally designed to accommodate 184 guests, Heritage Adventurer now welcomes just 140 expeditioners ensuring spacious, stylish and comfortable voyages, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures all guests are able to maximise their expedition adventure. Heritage Adventurer proudly continues our traditions of exceptional, personalised expedition experiences as Heritage Expeditions flagship.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 124 m
- Tonnage: 8,378
- Maiden Voyage: 1991
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 140
Ship Facilities
- Presentation Theatre
- Hospital
- Dining Room
- Shop
- Lounge/Bar
- Bistro Dining Room and Lounge
- Zodiacs
- Pool
- Health, Wellbeing & Beauty Area
- Jacuzzi
- Gym
- 2 Bars
- Library
- Observation Lounge
- Observation Deck

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 – 28 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, 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 guests 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.
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.

Located on Deck 6, Worsley Suites are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable chaise-style lounge suite, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system. Receive complimentary in-room dining, minibar replenished daily, Heritage Expeditions keep cup, notebook and pen.

Superior Single Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Triple Cabins on Deck 5 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Superior Cabins on Deck 4 are a spacious 22m2 and feature large panoramic windows, king or two single beds, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Main Deck Single Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, king bed, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Main Deck Triple Cabins on Deck 3 are a spacious 22m2 and feature two porthole windows, two single beds and one Pullman bed which folds down from the wall, comfortable lounge, writing desk, private en-suite with shower, ample storage and a flat screen entertainment system.

Located on Deck 6, Heritage Suites are an expansive 44m2 and feature large double panoramic windows, king bed, large living area with a sofa, coffee table and chairs and grand marble bathroom with a double basin, bathtub and shower, large writing desk, floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage and a flat screen entertainment system. Receive complimentary in-room dining, minibar replenished daily, free laundry, US$100.00 per person SPA credit, Heritage Expeditions keep cup, notebook and pen.
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
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