A Journey of Shimmering Shores & Sacred Heritage

The A Journey of Shimmering Shores & Sacred Heritage is a 6-night Asia cruise aboard EXPLORA III, operated by Explora Journeys. Departing Shimonoseki on March 15, 2028, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $4,915 per person.

Length: 6 nights
Departs: Mar 15, 2028
Returns: Mar 21, 2028
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 1

from $4,915

$819 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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Itinerary

Day 1 Mar 15, 2028 Board in Shimonoseki Departs 18:00

Shimonoseki photo — Day 3 Mar 17, 2028 Shimonoseki 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Shimonoseki is the westernmost city on Japan’s main island, Honshu. At the island’s tip, there are panoramic views from the Kaikyō Yume Tower observation deck. Kaikyokan Aquarium has penguins, dolphins and around 100 species of blowfish. Nearby Karato Market is also known for its blowfish stalls. Kanmon Bridge and the undersea Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel link the city to Kyūshū, the big island across the Kanmon Straits Shimonoseki port guide Search cruises visiting Shimonoseki

Day 4 Mar 18, 2028 Kochi, Japan 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore An MSC cruise will take you to Kochi, situated in the prefecture of the same name, on the island of Shikoku. You can visit Kochi castle on an excursion; it is one of the twelve Japanese castles to have survived fires, wars and other catastrophes of the post-feudal age. It was built between 1601 and 1611. What you can see of the building today however, dates back to 1748, the year in which the castle was rebuilt after a fire. Curiosity: its main tower was not used only for military purposes, but it was also the residence of noble families. Quite unusual, since the nobility would usually reside in other parts of the castle. The wooden interior is typical of the traditional style of the Edo period. Near Kochi harbour is the picturesque beach of Katsurahama. In the local restaurants you can eat Katsuo, a type of tuna which is typical to Japanese waters, cut into slices and lightly grilled on straw fuelled fire which gives it a slightly smoky flavour. Seventy kilometres from Kochi there is an unusual tourist attraction, the ancient Kazurabashi Bridge, 45 meters wide and 2 metres wide, it stretches 14 metres above the waters of the river Iya. Today, the bridge – which is made from Actinidia arguta wood, a kind of vine similar to a kiwi plant – is reinforced with steel wires. It should not be missed for the surrounding landscape and the brief but thrilling walk it offers. Closer to Kochi is the wonderful Oboke gorge: we cross the river Yoshino on a boat and marvel at how over hundreds of millions of years the river has eroded the rocks of the Shikoku mountains shaping the stone into bizarre shapes. Kochi, Japan port guide Search cruises visiting Kochi, Japan

Day 5 Mar 19, 2028 Osaka 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Osaka photo — Day 5 Mar 19, 2028 Osaka 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore The third largest city in Japan, Osaka was founded on the mouth of the Yamato and Yodo rivers, on the island of Honshu. On a MSC cruise you can discover this metropolis, once the trading capital of Japan. Famous for its modernity and its nightlife, Osaka has a surprisingly rich historical and artistic heritage. With an excursion you may reach the ancient Castle. It was built from 1583 onwards on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji temple, which had been commissioned by the samurai and daimyo, Hideyoshi, one of the great unifiers of Japan and destroyed thirteen years earlier by Oda Nobunaga. This imposing building, from the tower of which you can admire the splendid view of Osaka, is surrounded by a wonderful park of 6 hectares: an authentic poetic vision when the cherry blossoms bloom in Spring. Along the canal, near the Castle, you'll find the quarter of Dotonbori, an explosion of colourful signposts indicating night clubs, restaurants and izakayas, a sort of Japanese cafè. Along the main road, the Ebisubashi bridge links the Shinsaibashi-suji and Ebisubashi-suji quarters, renowned for their shops. If Dotonbori is the place to go for modernity, Shinsekai is the quarter that represents the old town of Osaka. Developed before the Second World War, it has been neglected over the years. In the centre of this urban area you may find the Tsutenkaku Tower. This landmark of Shinsekai bears some resemblance to the Parisian Eiffel Tower and was the focal point of the permanent fun fair set up around it. On an excursion get a great view of the whole city from a height of 173 metres above sea level. In fact, you can climb to the fortieth floor of the Umeda Sky Building, designed by the architect Hiroshi Hara. The skyscraper is made up of two identical towers, connected between them by several bridges and on the highest part, by the Floating Garden Observatory, the hanging gardens from which you may admire Osaka. For those who enjoy shopping, you can walk along the Tenjinbashi Arcade. This indoor arcade extends for about two kilometres, from the underground station of Tenjimbashi-suji Rokuchome to the Tenjinbashi bridge: the shops sell all sorts, from shoes to books, from clothing to medicine. Osaka port guide Search cruises visiting Osaka

Day 6 Mar 20, 2028 Toba, Japan 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore Toba, located at the northeastern end of the Shima-hanto Peninsula in Mie, flourished as the castle town of the Kuki family who ruled this region from the 16th century. It was also a landing spot for visitors on the sea route to Ise-jingu Shrine and belongs to Ise-Shima National Park. Toba, Japan port guide Search cruises visiting Toba, Japan

Toba, Japan photo — Day 6 Mar 20, 2028 Toba, Japan 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore Toba, located at the northeastern end of the Shima-hanto Peninsula in Mie, flourished as the castle town of the Kuki family who ruled this region from the 16th century. It was also a landing spot for visitors on the sea route to Ise-jingu Shrine and belongs to Ise-Shima National Park. Toba, Japan port guide Search cruises visiting Toba, Japan

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 37-day span: $4,585 · range $4,585–$5,700

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $4,915

$819 / night

Fare rows

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,915

$819 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,165

$860 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,415

$902 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,700

$950 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,985

$997 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $6,875

$1,145 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,125

$1,187 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 26, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 17 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Serenity Residence		Suite
Cove Residence	CO1	Suite
Cove Residence with Whirpool	COJ	Suite
Cocoon Residence	CR	Suite
Deluxe Penthouse	DP	Suite
Grand Penthouse	GP	Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite	GT	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR1	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT1	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT3	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT4	Suite
Penthouse	PH	Suite
Premier Penthouse	PP	Suite
Retreat Residence	RR	Suite
Serenity Residence	SR	Suite