It’s not surprising that Japan has had a record number of visitors this year. It’s one of my favorite travel destinations and clearly others feel the same way. The Japanese people are polite, friendly, and respectful, the country is modern and technologically forward, yet it presents a fascinating culture with a long history. As a tourist, Japan is a joy to visit because it’s clean, orderly, and very easy to get around with public transportation.
First-time visitors focus on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But there is so much more to discover in Japan than just these three cities. This summer I took my 4th trip to the Land of the Rising Sun and this time I chose a 10-day cruise with New Zealand based Heritage Expeditions that took me to less visited spots around Japan.
Small ship experience
The first thing that attracted me to Heritage Expeditions was their small ship size. I love all aspects of cruising, but I especially love the intimate experience on a smaller ship. With a maximum capacity of only 140 guests, I knew their new ship, the Heritage Adventurer, would never feel crowded.
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The Heritage Adventurer is a new ship for Heritage Expeditions. The company acquired the ship in 2021 and promptly updated the vessel to meet their high quality standards. The refurbishments did not impact the vessel’s 1A Superior ice class rating, which continues to allow it to cruise polar waters.
Family run business
Heritage Expeditions is unique in the cruising industry in that the company is still family owned. New Zealanders Shirley and Rodney Russ started the company in 1984 with the goal to provide responsible expedition travel. Today, sons Nathan and Aaron Russ continue to run the family business.
I personally experienced the benefits of a family owned company on my cruise around Japan. Nathan and Shirley were both present throughout the whole itinerary, lending a hand to the expedition team wherever it was needed. From driving a zodiac to making sure that guests did not get lost during excursions, they embraced the personal touch.
Larger than average cabins
I discovered that a small ship did not mean a small cabin. I was pleasantly surprised at how spacious my cabin was. The room was large enough for a king sized bed, a small sofa with a coffee table, and a roomy desk that also held a stocked mini fridge. The closet was also huge and easily stored all my stuff with plenty of room to spare.
My en suite bathroom was also roomy with a glass enclosed walk in shower that would have fit in well in my bathroom at home. Refillable bottles of body gel, shampoo, and conditioner were provided and were adequate for my needs.
All 84 cabins on board have windows or portholes, so there are no dark inside cabins. Cabin choices include single, double and triple cabins across four decks. There are also twelve suites for those that appreciate a little more space.
Lots of public spaces
The ship design did not skimp on the public spaces either. Two large lounges provided more than enough seating for lectures and presentations. The aptly named Observation Lounge on the top deck was the perfect spot to sit with a glass of wine and watch the scenery unfold.
There were also options when it came to dining. The sophisticated main dining room served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style offering ample options for all dietary needs. Dinner was an a la carte menu with local and internationally inspired choices. The Bistro was another option that served meals in a more relaxed setting or alfresco on the back deck.
Surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas, the top deck outdoor pool was a pleasant spot to relax and cool off after a long day of excursions while the nearby hot tub helped ease sore muscles.
Easy way to see Japan
One reason I like cruising is because it is a very comfortable way to travel. I only had to unpack once and then the ship took me to different locations each day. The added benefit of a Heritage Expeditions cruise was all the included tours. Each day’s schedule was well organized and well executed.
The expedition staff was competent, personable, and very professional. Besides driving the zodiacs and keeping track of us at each destination, they also provided interesting lectures about all aspects of Japanese culture. We also had very knowledgeable local Japanese guides that provided the color commentary at each location we visited. They spoke English very well and provided a lot of additional insights into Japanese culture that I would not have gotten if I traveled independently.
Unique port stops
Heritage Expeditions prides itself on providing unique itineraries, which is why I chose them for my cruise around Japan. Our tour included stops in Uno, Hagi, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Naoshima Island, and Sado Island in Japan, along with Ulsan in South Korea. I had always wanted to tour the art island of Naoshima, but I knew nothing about any of the other destinations.
I was excited to see these less visited locations in Japan without the crowds I had experienced in Tokyo and Kyoto. I was not disappointed.
Unique experiences
Each day’s tour took me to unique natural or historic sites that expanded my appreciation for Japanese culture. I discovered that Kyoto was not the only town with well preserved historic districts and traditional houses. I found these on our stops in Uno, Hagi, Kanazawa, and on Sado Island as well.
I love to visit gardens, especially Japanese gardens. I was delighted that our tours took us to some of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Though one of the most unique natural sites we visited were the Akiyoshido caves with its huge caverns that had travertine terraces, a gushing river, and an enormous lake.
My 10 day cruise around Japan with Heritage Expeditions gave me everything I was looking for and more. I visited off the beaten path sights in Japan in comfort, tasted a variety of local dishes, and avoided the tourist crowds.
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