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Samurai, shrines & surprising wildness
Japan is imbued with an allure that has inspired for centuries. Now for the first time ever we’re venturing to this fascinating region—on two new adventurous itineraries. Roam shores brimming with temples, teahouses, and ancient traditions; discover a seldom-seen wild side on subtropical islands where azure waters meet verdant forests; plus, get a taste of Taiwan and Korea too. First impressions are everything—join us aboard National Geographic Resolution on these pioneering inaugural itineraries.
(5) Asia Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
New
A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture
Duration
20 days
Aug
From
$31,470
Top Highlights
Watch for a profusion of rare wildlife in Alaska’s Pribilof and Aleutian Islands: from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears
Search for the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido
Learn about the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people on visits to a village and a living history museum
New
Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture
Duration
15 days
Sep
From
$28,618
Top Highlights
Delve into the history of the samurai and their feudal lords while visiting castles and samurai districts in Kanazawa, Matsue, and Uwajima
Explore the cultural legacy of Korea’s Silla Dynasty among the ancient ruins of Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Get inspired on the art-filled island of Naoshima, and visit museums and studios dedicated to artists and traditional handicrafts in Matsue and Takamatsu
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$21,068
Prices are per person
Highlights
Asia
New
India by Land and River: Taj Mahal, Safaris and the Brahmaputra
Duration
18 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$21,068
Top Highlights
Explore the rugged coastline of the Russian Far East aboard the National Geographic Orion, stepping ashore at remote Koryak villages and hiking through breathtaking fjords and valleys.
Witness a profusion of rare wildlife from the deck of our ship or aboard a nimble Zodiac, from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears.
Navigate the Kuril Islands, located between the Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido island, and marvel at their fascinating geology as you trek the tundra-covered volcanic slopes.
Spot the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido, and learn about the unique culture of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$11,546
Prices are per person
Highlights
Asia
New
India Expedition: Kolkata, Kaziranga and the Brahmaputra River
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$11,546
Top Highlights
Explore the rugged coastline of the Russian Far East aboard the National Geographic Orion, stepping ashore at remote Koryak villages and hiking through breathtaking fjords and valleys.
Witness a profusion of rare wildlife from the deck of our ship or aboard a nimble Zodiac, from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears.
Navigate the Kuril Islands, located between the Kamchatka Peninsula and Japan’s Hokkaido island, and marvel at their fascinating geology as you trek the tundra-covered volcanic slopes.
Spot the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido, and learn about the unique culture of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people.
Contrast the brightly lit metropolis of Tokyo with the narrow, winding streets of Kanazawa’s well-preserved samurai districts. Discover fascinating tales of feudal lords while visiting their castles, shrines, and gardens. And see firsthand how the Japanese have elevated everyday rituals—tea, sake, kimonos, sushi, floral arranging—into spectacular art forms. Only 400 of Japan’s nearly 7,000 islands are inhabited. Our explorations also take us beyond the populous borders of Honshu into wilder realms. Or snorkel through crystal waters that are home to sea turtles, manta rays, and the elusive Okinawa dugong. In Taiwan’s Yehliu Geopark, witness incredible hoodoo spires.
It is a privilege to visit Japan, a richly diverse and culturally fascinating geography. And to the privilege of cruising these islands, National Geographic Resolution adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
Expedition Spotlight: Japan, A Travel Photographer's Paradise
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, Certified Photo Instructor and Naturalist David Cothran shares the inspired photo ops that abound in this beautiful island nation and how he helps guests realize their vision of Japan through composition, light, and storytelling.
Exploring Japan by Sea: From Matsue to Okinawa & Beyond
From the earliest explorers to Shōgun fans, and beyond, Western travelers have long known that the island nation of Japan is best explored by sea.
The History Behind Japan’s Most Beautiful Landscape Gardens
Japan's daimyo gardens have been open to the public since the end of the feudal era in the 19th century and have been exceedingly well-preserved, transporting travelers not only to a place of calm introspection but back centuries in time.
I came here having no idea what to expect, but it’s just been magical. The food, the scenery, the people, the wildlife, all of it.
Ken C.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Explore with a veteran expedition leader—the orchestrator of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Contemporary art and age-old religion, stunning architecture and iconic shrines, complex history and unique culture. Japan has captivated the imaginations of Westerners for eons. On our Far East itineraries, you’ll travel with passionate experts—a cultural specialist, a historian, and local guides—who will illuminate every facet to give you an intimate perspective on this distant land.
Sail with a team of four naturalists, each of whom is passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly) and who help illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Choose to spend time with whoever shares your interests in birding, human history, flora and fauna, and so much more.
Joining us on this expedition means signing up for adventure; and the reward for your curiosity is inevitable—the most exhilarating experience of pure discovery possible.
The day began early as The Jahan pulled anchor and sailed through the busy Tan Chau Canal that connects the Mekong and Bassac Rivers. Arriving at the bustling town of Chau Doc, guests disembarked using sampans, one group visiting a chaotic yet efficient wet market with an abundance of chickens, fish, snakes, and other aquatic animals, afterward jumping on a bicycle rickshaw to tour the city. Meanwhile, the other group visited a local fish farm at which the owner lives above, and below he raises tilapia fish for export to Europe and the USA. Returning to the ship, guests attended a presentation on, “The Tonle Sap and Mekong Ecosystem” by Naturalist Anna Mazurek, followed by a ship tour and a presentation of, “The Geography of Cultures in Cambodia and Vietnam” by Cultural Specialist Patrick MacQuarrie. Guests had time to relax on deck and by the pool while cruising up the Mekong River in the afternoon before evening cocktails, recap, and dinner. In the evening, as The Jahan approached Phnom Penh, the film New Year’s Baby was screened in the lounge. Photos by Sue Forbes and Patrick MacQuarrie
After the hustle and bustle of Saigon, it was nice to be on The Jahan for our first full day of cruising and visiting the communities of the Mekong Delta. We started in Cai Be, learning about how to make rice paper. Turns out it’s harder than you think, with a few guests trying their hand at making some. As we cruised along the river, we saw a lot of water hyacinth, which is an invasive species. The Vietnamese have found some inventive ways to use the plant, including weaving it into beautiful baskets and mats. With the fertility of the Mekong Delta, we got to try a variety of the local fruits, including the infamous durian, which certainly tastes much better than it smells! The Jahan repositioned over lunch, so in the afternoon we visited Binh Thanh Island. The highlight was chatting to a couple who lived through the Vietnam war and getting their perspective on life in Vietnam both during and after the war. Then it was back to the ship for cocktails and nibbles while we watched a stunning sunset.
We commenced our day with a short journey by boat for a fascinating exploration of Binh Thanh. We watched villagers weave reed mats, visited the home of a local elder, and walked to the temple. After wandering the island, it was back on the local boat for a cruise around the island looking at the floating fish farms, famers collecting water hyacinth, and watching all the boat traffic and activity on the river. After lunch, we sailed to a major fruit and vegetable region of the Mekong Delta and visited a cooperative that makes a range of products, from rice wine to coconut candy.
When visiting a foreign country, I think there is no better way to get a feel for a place than to do what local people do; to eat, travel, and experience what their lives are like on a day-to-day basis. Today we got to do just that in the Vietnamese town of Chau Doc. We started our day with a local boat ride to town, then a tour of the city on a cyclo, followed by a visit to the local market where we were free to explore on our own, and finally a visit to one of the main businesses of the town, a fish farm. We immersed ourselves and enjoyed every minute.
This morning, as the sun rose over Phnom Penh, many of the Cambodian capital’s two million residents were already out and going about their day. Some took advantage of an early morning stroll along the waterfront, all while The Jahan prepared to set sail down the river. Today was our last day in Cambodia, but before we left, we had a special guest presentation from Jean-Michel Filippi who talked about modern Cambodian history and the Khmer Rouge. While seemingly nothing can adequately explain the madness, this helped fill in the blanks and provided further insight. We spent the rest of the day cruising downstream to the international border where, after dealing with customs and immigration, we successfully entered Vietnam! We also had a cooking class where we learned how to make regional specialties, and then as sunset approached, we entered the Tan Chau Canal. This man-made channel connects the Mekong River to the Bassac, the two main arms of the delta which emanate from the confluence at Phnom Penh. We passed many floating houses at close range as these villagers worked, relaxed, and played in the golden afternoon sunlight.