Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

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 10 day itinerary aboard Le Soléal, from Osaka to Keelung, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.

Departing from Osaka, Le Soléal will first sail towards the city of Shingu, where you will be able to walk the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodō, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connecting several religious sites nestling in tropical nature.

Le Soléal will set a course for the city of Kochi.  Succumb to the charms of this city’s treasures, including lush vegetation, spellbinding caves, an emblematic castle, and ancestral arts and crafts.

Then Le Soléal will set sail for lively Kagoshima before calling at Miyanoura on the mountainous island of Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Providing an unspoilt natural setting for endemic species such as the Yakushima monkey and deer, the island is home to forests of ancient cedars, bewitching waterfalls, and majestic peaks.

On the western coast of the island of Okinawa, fall under the spell of Motobu and its idyllic beaches bordered by breathtaking nature before making a port of call in Naha, capital of the Okinawa Prefecture, where you will appreciate the vibrant atmosphere.

Further south, in the Sakishima archipelago, the island of Miyakojima stands before you. This lush islet, famous for its many sugar cane plantations, promises a unique moment during which you will make the most of its numerous natural assets, like its idyllic sandy expanses or its extraordinary marine life.

You will make a final stop in Ishigaki, the most important island in the Yaeyama archipelago. In the very heart of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, you will be able to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the eponymous city or discover Kabira Bay, renowned for its idyllic scenery, combining crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches of white sand.

You will finish this unique journey in Keelung, your disembarkation port in Taiwan.