Like its big sister Tokyo, Osaka is the product of ancestral traditions and amazing technological innovations. And despite its size, its location on the Pacific Ocean give it a sense of serenity. The main historic landmark is the 16th-century Osaka Castle, which stands proud in the midst of majestic skyscrapers. The lively streets of Dotombori and the bizarre Shinsekai district attract thousands of locals and visitors. A multitude of restaurants offer menus full of regional specialities: takoyaki, made with octopus, and other succulent dishes such as kushikatsu kebabs. ... Read More
Friday - Apr 11, 2025
Day 2
Tomonoura, Japan
Anchored to the south-eastern end of the Numakuma Peninsula, facing the calm and clear waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Tomonoura is a destination particularly appreciated for its authentic and old-fashioned atmosphere that gives it an incomparable charm. In the past used as a port where boats would moor while waiting for a favorable wind, the charming and picturesque village now serves to inspire many filmmakers and artists. With good reason, since its craggy landscapes, cherry trees in blossom, gentle way of life, traditional wooden houses, and port, preserved since the Edo era, notably enabled the artist Hayao Miyazaki to make the animated film Ponyo. ... Read More
Saturday - Apr 12, 2025
Day 3
Mitarai, Osaki Shimojima, Japan, Japan
A charming fishing village nestling in the east of Osaki Shimojima island, on the edge of the Seto Inland Sea, Mitarai is appreciated for its traditional charm and authentic character. A trip back in time to the Edo Period, where the hustle and bustle of modern cities is replaced by the gentle sound of fishing boats. Thanks to its 19th-century wooden dwellings lining the small, narrow streets, great causeway, centuries-old sanctuaries, and gangi stairs, a stone structure giving on to the sea, the old town was classed as a Preservation District by the Japanese state in 1994. ... Read More
Shimokamagari, Japan
The island of Shimokamagari stretches into the heart of the Seto Inland Sea, off the coast of the town of Kure, in the Hiroshima prefecture. A historical city during the feudal period, the island was the theater of major diplomatic missions for the future and the empire's trade relationships, notably with repeated visits from mainly Korean, but also Chinese and Dutch, emissaries. Registered since 2017 on the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, documentary heritage of these encounters is conserved in the Shotoen Garden, one of the emblems of this lush islet. A magnificent Japanese garden with perfectly kept grounds, interspersed with raked pebbles and surrounded with majestic trees, it is home to a Rantokaku Museum complex, consisting of four exhibition rooms tracing the island's naval history. ... Read More
Sunday - Apr 13, 2025
Day 4
Moji-ko, Japan
At the mouth of the Kanmon Straits lies Mojiko, the northernmost port of Kyushu, one of Japan's four main islands. For many years, Mojiko was the gateway to the island. Today, the old boats are gone, but as you stroll around the picturesque streets you will discover a well-preserved architectural heritage that evokes traditional Japan from the Meiji era of the late 19th century. From the heights of the Mojiko Retro Observation Room, you can enjoy the amazing views that take in the Shinto shrine and coastal landscape like a postcard of the Land of the Rising Sun. ... Read More
Monday - Apr 14, 2025
Day 5
Busan (Pusan), South Korea
With around four million inhabitants, Busan is the second-largest metropolis in South Korea, after Seoul. This dynamic harbour city, located in the south-east surrounded by the warm waters of the Sea of Japan, benefits from a mild, pleasant climate. You'll find delightful simply to stroll around the lively streets and explore the city's outstanding cultural heritage of art galleries, museums, and Buddhist sites, such as the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which elegantly sits on the waterfront. Rich too in magnificent beaches and superlative natural landscapes, Busan's peaceful atmosphere will win you over, as will its inhabitants, whom you'll have the pleasure of meeting. ... Read More
Located on the north-west coast of Kyushu, Nagasaki will impress you by its rich heritage. Despite the destruction in 1945, you can visit several ancient sites, including the beautiful 19th-century Catholic Church of Oura and its garden, the sanctuary of Suwa Shrine, or several Buddhist temples. A visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum gives you insight into the extent of the damage caused by the nuclear attack. Close by, a walk in the Memorial Peace Park leads you to a collection of objets d'art offered as a gift from Japan to the world. ... Read More
Wednesday - Apr 16, 2025
Day 7
Amakusa, Japan
Facing the mythical island of Kyushu, between the Yatsushiro and Ariake seas, the island region of Amakusa both surprises and captivates. Composed of some one hundred verdant islets surrounded by stunning seabeds, the Japanese archipelago was once a refuge for many Christians fleeing the ban on Catholicism in the 17th century during the Edo period. Christian heritage can be found in every village in the region. In Sakitsu, a charming fishing port, immerse yourself in this Christian heritage, particularly when you visit the emblematic church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Read More
Thursday - Apr 17, 2025
Day 8
Koshikijima Islands, Japan, Japan
Off the western coastlines of Kagoshima Prefecture, the rocky and green islets called the Koshikijima Islands rise like a mirage from the East China Sea. Aboard our Zodiac dinghies, you will reach the three islands that make up the archipelago: Kamikoshikijima, Nakakoshikijima, and Shimokoshikijima. You will be captivated by the raw and authentic beauty of this environment, featuring monumental cliffs and huge rock formations that date back to the Cretaceous period nearly 80 million years ago. During hikes, you will be lucky enough to discover these unique and striking landscapes. An interlude where time may stand still. ... Read More
Friday - Apr 18, 2025
Day 9
Kagoshima, Japan
The seaside city of Kagoshima, at the south of Kyushu Island, is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces Kinko Bay. A visit to this busy metropolis will remind you just how much the volcano is part of the inhabitants' everyday life: in the wake of the almost daily eruptions, a delicate layer of ash settles on everything. The top of a buried torii (traditional Japanese gate) measuring three metres that was "swallowed up" by a giant lava flow in 1914 can still be seen. The power of nature will send a shiver down your spine. ... Read More
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