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10 Apr 26, from 10,870 €
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Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

  • Itinerary
    Osaka to Ishigaki
    Duration
    12 days
  • Dates
    10 Apr 26 to 21 Apr 26
    Starting price
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Onboard onto Le Jacques Cartier for an exquisite journey

PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during a cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques Cartier, from Osaka to the island of Ishigaki, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

Leaving from Osaka, you will head towards the island of Amami Oshima, between Kyushu and Okinawa. You will fall in love with this island surrounded by stunning coral reefs, punctuated with verdant peaks, covered in primary forest and monumental mangroves, and boasting strong Okinawan influences.

After calling in at Iheyajima, the most northern island from Okinawa, Le Jacques Cartier will set sail south. In the Kerema archipelago, in Zamami, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called “Kerama blue”. The sea life in the area is also exceptionally rich and sea turtles can often be spotted swimming among the coral. Facing it, fellow island Kumejima invites you to spend a timeless moment. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures, such as the mythical Mifuga rock formation.

Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species.  

The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses. The beauty of its sea-beds and their mysterious rocky formations will delight the most experienced divers.

After a final port of call in at Keelung to discover Taipei and the lush island of Taiwan, you will finish this unique journey in Ishigaki, your disembarkation port and the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago.

Overview

Your voyage

All inclusive, gourmet cuisine, room service, evening entertainment, shows, fitness center, hammam, sauna… Discover what is included in every Ponant cruise.

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Destination

Destination

Asia

Osaka to Ishigaki

Duration

12 days, 11 nights on board

Discoveries

Ref: EX100426

Journey

Your journey day-by-day

  • Explore the subtropical islands of southern Japan, including the natural beauty, villages and traditional crafts of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima islands in the Ryukyu Archipelago.
  • Spectacular tropical nature (idyllic beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, rivers, waterfalls, the endemic biodiversity of the UNESCO-listed Iriomote Island), and unique heritage (Okinawan culture).
  • Activities: opportunities to swim, hike and snorkel with naturalist guides in heavenly locations (Zamami, Yonagunijima, etc.).
Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands null

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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

Details

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Services included in your cruise

Important trip details

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Itinerary