20 days Classic Cruise & Tour
Fly overnight to Japan's vast, vibrant capital city, Tokyo. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring.
Tokyo may seem a thoroughly modern cityscape at first glance but look beyond the soaring towers and neon signs and you'll find deeply rooted tradition and peaceful pockets of the past. Start at vibrant Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple before ascending Tokyo Skytree for magical views. Enjoy a sushi making masterclass before dining on your creations for lunch. Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine and sample the local treats sold on Takeshita Street before stopping at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing.
Transfer to the Tokyo cruise terminal to board your cruise ship, Noordam. The rest of the day is free to explore the ship's facilities and settle in. Throughout your cruise, when your ship comes into port, there will be a range of excursions available to help you explore each destination. These excursions are at your own expense and are bookable on your cruise reservation.
Cruise northwards following the coast of Japan's largest island, Honshu. Today, relax and explore the facilities and entertainments available onboard the Noordam.
Arrive at Kushiro, a port on the southeast coast of the island of Hokkaido. Wonderfully atmospheric thanks to the fog that usually shrouds the region, from here you can explore Japan's largest wetlands – Kushiro Shitsugen National Park – where you can spot Japanese cranes or the volcanic craters and pristine lakes of Akan National Park.
Over the coming days you will cruise across the Pacific – an epic adventure! On day 7 you will cross the International Dateline, rewinding time in a matter of seconds. As you cruise the Pacific, you'll have plenty of time to shop, catch one of the world-class shows, try out the fitness centre or casino, play pickleball or sample some of the many cafes, bars and restaurants that are onboard the Noordam.
Land ahoy! Welcome to Alaska. Best known for Kodiak bears, a subspecies of the brown bear unique to this archipelago, Kodiak Island is home to around 3,500 of them, so your chance of spotting one is good! Alternatively, explore the town, learn about the island's history or take a nature hike, on the lookout for all sorts of wonderful wildlife.
Another day to make the most of the wealth of facilities onboard the Noordam, or the chance to relax and reflect on the adventure so far.
Set amongst the spectacular scenery of Baranof Island, on the icy blue waters of the Sitka Sound, Sitka was, until 1867, the capital of Russian America. You can explore this fascinating history, spotting Russian influenced architecture or walking the field of battle where Russia fought the native Tlingit people with a ranger, or you can dive into the island's captivating nature in the Tongass National rainforest or meet the wildlife at local animal sanctuaries.
Ketchikan is flanked by forests of vibrant green, a major hub of salmon-fishing and a town of vibrant native culture and a rich history. Sportfishing and eating fresh seafood are two possible activities here, or you can visit the intricate totem poles of the indigenous Alaskan nations. On departing from Ketchikan you'll enter the Inside Passage, a sheltered and spectacular waterway route that will take you all the way to Vancouver.
Cross into Canadian waters and arrive at the charming port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. On the pristine Kaien Island, here you'll find vast forests and towering peaks. Consider the Butze Rapids Park and Trail for easy hiking and wildlife spotting or visit the Museum of Northern British Columbia for First Peoples art and artifacts.
Spend the day at sea as you continue south towards Seattle. Relax onboard, enjoy the Noordam's facilities and take in the passing coastal scenery on the final full day of your cruise.
Disembark the Holland America Line Noordam. You'll be met at the cruise terminal and transferred into the city to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Begin in Seattle's historic downtown, where you'll find the Seattle Art Museum, the world's first Starbucks and lively Pike Place Market, one of the city's most iconic sights. Continue to the International District and Waterfront, the heart of Seattle's multicultural identity. Pause at Kerry Park for panoramic views of the city skyline before diving into some of the city's fascinating neighbourhoods – admiring the 'old-money' architecture of Broadmoor, the quirky art installations of bohemian Fremont and the beautiful views from Magnolia Bluff. Then, ascend the world-famous Space Needle and explore Seattle Center, a sprawling urban park.
Transfer to the airport and fly home, arriving home the same or the following day.
The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) when the cherry blossoms are bursting into life and autumn (September to November) when the scenery is ablaze with colour.
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and a single room throughout your tour.
I always treat my tour groups like a family, making sure that everyone is happy throughout the tour. I am very passionate about Japanese history. If anyone is interested in learning about Samurai or the Meiji Restoration, you'll have to come to Japan and ask me!
A special thank you to Yoko our National Escort, whose friendly, professional and organised approach to the holiday made sure everything ran smoothly and made the trip to Japan so memorable.Mr Degville
It is great being able to explore my own country with different people who can offer a different perspective. I ensure my groups experience our culture as much as possible, because travel isn't just about the things that you see, it's also about the things you do.
Our National Escort Takako Kaneko made the holiday. She was excellent, informative, hardworking and had obviously researched information for us.Mr Mcintosh
I love sharing the culture of my country with visitors, that's why I become a tour guide! From noodles and sake to classical gardens and temples, learning about our culture is surely the best way to understand more about Japan as a whole.
Our National Escort Michiyo 'made' this holiday with her charm, knowledge, lots of interesting details and her send of humour.Mrs Brownridge
It's such a pleasure to introduce Japan to people from all over the world and explore its culture, history and traditions, as well as its unique cuisine. Along with this, I enjoy taking care of each and every member of the tour group, which is why I love being a tour guide.
Michiyo was fantastic and went out of her way to make it a memorable experience. We would absolutely use Wendy Wu Tours again.
Read our latest articles or travel inspiration, exciting news about our destinations and all things Wendy Wu Tours