EXPEDITION CRUISE

Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan

All departures of this trip

CRUISE ID # SWANM8428060711

Hiroshima TO Hiroshima

Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Kyushu and Beyond: Sacred Shores of Japan
Japan
TRIP STARTS ON
June 07, 2028
SHIP SAILS ON
June 07, 2028
HOTEL NIGHTS
Pre-Cruise: 0, Post-Cruise: 0
SHIP
SH Minerva
TRIP ENDS ON
June 18, 2028
STOPS
13 Stops, 2 Countries
CRUISE NIGHTS
11
OPERATOR
Swan Hellenic
FROM: 

$17,900

WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED

FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST

Suites & Fares

CHOOSE START DATE 

: June 07, 2028

 
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DEAL
Standard Fares
View Suites

Itinerary

13 Ports
2 Countries

History buffs will want to write home Hiroshima. Despite being devastated in 1945, this Japanese city is known to all for its commitment peace – its ruin on the 6th August 1945 led to the end of the war and today, the Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) , is a constant reminder of the destruction that war brings. A walk in the leafy boulevards of Peace Memorial Park brings quiet contemplation. The Flames of Peace – set in the park’s central feature pond – burn brightly and will continue to do so until all the nuclear bombs I the world have been destroyed. There are many other inspiring messages of hope around the city too; the Children’s’ Peace Monument just north of the park is a homage to little Sadako Sasaki, who was just two in 1945. When she developed leukemia in 1956, she believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes – a symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan – she would recover. Sadly she died before she finished her task but her classmates finished the rest. It is impossible to ignore the events of 1945 in Hiroshima, but this is far from a depressing place. The great efforts that have been made in rebuilding of the city over the years have given Hiroshima a vibrant, eclectic edge, with the downtown shopping area and street food stalls being well worth a visit. The proximity to Miyajima and its iconic, impressive, Torii gate should not be overlooked either. If you are lucky enough to visit during the unpredictable and short-lived Sakura (cherry blossom) season, then the extraordinary sight of the delicate pink blossom floating across the water to the red gate, means you can consider yourself one of the luckiest people on the planet.

Day
Two
Arrival
June 08, 2028
Port
Cruising Kanmon Strait, Japan

Maizuru port is considered as the gateway to the Japanese most popular historic city, Kyoto. Why don’t you relax on the coach to save your energy for your exciting day in Kyoto? Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan in the 8th century, and it was the centre for politics, economy and culture for more than 1,000 years. After capital functions were transferred to Tokyo in the middle of 19th century, luckily Kyoto did not lose its lustre. As soon as you step into the city, you will see how hard the local people tried to keep the atmosphere of the heyday. Nowadays, Kyoto is not the centre of attention within Japan anymore; nonetheless it is indeed the centre of tourism industry. There are seventeen historic sites such as Nijo castle and Kinkakuji temple which were designated a World Heritage Site. There are also numerous sites which can be seen from your coach, so please keep your eyes wide open while you are in Kyoto!

Maizuru port is considered as the gateway to the Japanese most popular historic city, Kyoto. Why don’t you relax on the coach to save your energy for your exciting day in Kyoto? Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan in the 8th century, and it was the centre for politics, economy and culture for more than 1,000 years. After capital functions were transferred to Tokyo in the middle of 19th century, luckily Kyoto did not lose its lustre. As soon as you step into the city, you will see how hard the local people tried to keep the atmosphere of the heyday. Nowadays, Kyoto is not the centre of attention within Japan anymore; nonetheless it is indeed the centre of tourism industry. There are seventeen historic sites such as Nijo castle and Kinkakuji temple which were designated a World Heritage Site. There are also numerous sites which can be seen from your coach, so please keep your eyes wide open while you are in Kyoto!

Sakaiminato is a small city almost totally surrounded by water: the Sea of Japan to the east, the Sakai Channel to the north and Lake Nakaumi to the west. Across the lake the towns of Matsue and Yasugi offer interesting experiences. Matsue is known as the “Town of Water” next to scenic Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi. It has one of the very few wooden castles that still remain in Japan. Touring the castle and boat rides on the Horikawa River and the castle’s moat are popular. Yasugi has the Adachi Museum of Art, a private museum that houses one of the finest collections of contemporary Japanese paintings, but also has a 165,000 square metres garden –with plants and rocks collected by the museum’s founder. Six different gardens show different scenarios depending on the season. These gardens have been selected as “Japan’s best garden” for several years.

White-sand city beaches and hot-spring resorts may not be everyone's first image of Korea, but these are what Koreans flock to Busan for all year. And there are plenty of opportunities for rest, relaxation, retail therapy, and even a touch of glamour every October with the Busan International Film Festival. Busan's beaches are the big summertime draw but there is plenty to be seen year round. Quintessential experiences include taking some rest and relaxation at a local spa and exploring the Beomeosa temple complex.

Nagasaki city has developed into one of the most important port cities in Japan. During Japan’s period of isolation in the 17th century, Nagasaki played a prominent role in foreign trade relation and only a very few ports were open to restricted numbers of foreign traders. Even though Holland was a major country who conducted trading during this period, Dutch people were only allowed to stay in Dejima Island and were not allowed to have contact with the Japanese people. Today, you will still find the strong influence of Dutch and Chinese culture in the city which is very different from all other cities in Japan. In the more recent history, Nagasaki became the second city after Hiroshima to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the end of World War II. From the visit to Atomic bomb museum and peace memorial park, people could understand how chaotic the situation was and the agony that the people in the days have experienced from the damage inflicted by the atomic bomb. It continues to appeal to the world with their wish for world peace.
Day
Eight
Arrival
June 14, 2028
Port
Sakitsu, Japan

Kagoshima city is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture and also Kyushu’s southernmost major city. This city is often compared to its Italian sister city Naples, due to its’s similarities such as mild climate and active volcano, Sakurajima. Sakurajima is one of the most renowned active volcanos not only in Japan but also in the whole entire world. This smoking Sakurajima is centred in Kinko Bay and is one of the main symbols of this prefecture. We cannot talk about Sakurajima without the history of continuous eruption. Sakurajima used to be an isolated island; however, the land has banded together with Osumi peninsula from the eruption in 1914. You may have a chance to see the smoke coming from the top of Sakurajima depending on the weather condition. Not only does the scenery of Sakurajima represent the beauty of Kagoshima City but Senganen garden is also symbolic to elegance in the Kagoshima region. This Japanese garden was constructed by a feudal lord, Mitsuhisa Shimazu, as a guest house of the Kagoshima castle which attracts many visitors for its splendid view.

Day
Ten
Arrival
June 16, 2028
Port
Uwajima, Japan
Day
Eleven
Arrival
June 17, 2028
Port
Cruising Inner Seto Sea
Day
Eleven
Arrival
June 17, 2028
Port
Itozaki, Japan

History buffs will want to write home Hiroshima. Despite being devastated in 1945, this Japanese city is known to all for its commitment peace – its ruin on the 6th August 1945 led to the end of the war and today, the Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) , is a constant reminder of the destruction that war brings. A walk in the leafy boulevards of Peace Memorial Park brings quiet contemplation. The Flames of Peace – set in the park’s central feature pond – burn brightly and will continue to do so until all the nuclear bombs I the world have been destroyed. There are many other inspiring messages of hope around the city too; the Children’s’ Peace Monument just north of the park is a homage to little Sadako Sasaki, who was just two in 1945. When she developed leukemia in 1956, she believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes – a symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan – she would recover. Sadly she died before she finished her task but her classmates finished the rest. It is impossible to ignore the events of 1945 in Hiroshima, but this is far from a depressing place. The great efforts that have been made in rebuilding of the city over the years have given Hiroshima a vibrant, eclectic edge, with the downtown shopping area and street food stalls being well worth a visit. The proximity to Miyajima and its iconic, impressive, Torii gate should not be overlooked either. If you are lucky enough to visit during the unpredictable and short-lived Sakura (cherry blossom) season, then the extraordinary sight of the delicate pink blossom floating across the water to the red gate, means you can consider yourself one of the luckiest people on the planet.

Show more

About the Ship

Name

SH Minerva

Operator

Swan Hellenic

Ready to sail and explore in style and comfort? Designed for voyages to far-flung places and remote polar regions, the SH Minerva incorporates stylish, sophisticated interiors with the latest in cruising technology. This elegant 5-star expedition ship has a special PC5 ice-strengthened hull, and extra-large stabilizers, to make sailing with us as smooth as possible.

Ship Facts
cabin count
76
capacity
158
crew count
122
deck count
9
currency
USD onboard
gross tonnage
10617
language
en
launch year
2021
length
115m
speed
12kts
wheelchair count
2
width
24m

Loading...

DINING

When it comes to dining on your expedition cruise, our ships have a variety of welcoming venues.

From the gourmet offerings of the Swan Restaurant, and the Pool Bar & Grill’s delicious dishes, to the relaxed tapas-style dining of the Club Lounge, you’ll find exquisite cuisine, skillfully prepared by top chefs. Plus, our carefully curated in-room menu offers a relaxing dining experience in the comfort of your own stateroom.

Crafted Menus

Our menus please the most discerning palates, showcasing healthy, fresh, local ingredients. We cater to most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and diabetic, as well as gluten-free options.

Loading...

The Swan Restaurant

As the main venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Swan Restaurant serves gourmet creations from award-winning chefs. Our 152-seat restaurant serves international and regional cuisine, focused on quality local ingredients from the special destinations we visit. With an open seating policy, you can dine at your leisure, from breakfast through to dinner.

The Swan Restaurant Private Dining

Bespoke & private dining experiences will be offered both inside and outside (depending on the weather conditions and routing). Offering guests superb the opportunity to enjoy and explore top-tier culinary skills and the local landscape that is home to distinctive unique flavours of seasonal ingredients, alongside fine wines.

The Club Lounge

Vibrant and welcoming, the Club Lounge acts as a hub for relaxed get-togethers, 24 hours a day. With a variety of delicious food on offer – from freshly baked pastries and coffee, and traditional British afternoon tea, to tapas-style dining, and freshly made pizza – whatever you choose, it’s sure to be the perfect complement to a panoramic view of the glittering ocean.

Room Service

No matter what time of day, our carefully curated In-Cabin Dining Menu traverses perennial international favourites and a plethora of international delicacies, providing a world-class gastronomic experience in the comfort of your own cabin.

Start your morning right with a nourishing selection of breakfast dishes – from a healthy yoghurt, granola and local seasonal fruit to a heartier regionally inspired eggs benedict. Or opt for a more i....

Pool Bar & Grill

If you’re a fan of alfresco dining, you’ll love our Pool Grill & Bar! With stellar views of the glistening sea, this friendly space serves delicious dishes created from local, seasonal ingredients, along with grilled classics and handcrafted cocktails and drinks.

Entertainment

Swan Hellenic is all about genuine hospitality, and you’ll find your time on board will reflect that. We understand that your journey is all about your experience, which is why our friendly crew strive to give you the best service at all times.

The Observation Lounge

After a day of exploration, where better to relax than in the Observation Lounge. Sit back, savour your favourite tipple whilst getting to know your fellow guests.

Library

Take time to relax in one our spacious viewing areas and enjoy our wide selection of rich reference and other reading materials in the stylish library.

Swan's Nest

Take a pew in the forward-facing Swan’s Nest observation platform for extraordinary 180-degree views.

Reception

The Reception is located on Deck 4.

Bridge
The Bridge can be found on Deck 8.
Health And Fitness

Take time to indulge and invigorate your senses…

Explore & Restore

Searching for a new level of clarity and connection? Swan Hellenic has teamed-up with Chopra, a leading integrative health company founded by world-renowned pioneer Dr. Deepak Chopra, to create Explore & Restore – an extraordinary new program of transformative well-being voyages…

Embracing new horizons

Inspired by the healing properties of the sea, our new approach to well-being has been designed to take you on the ultim....

Sauna

Head to Deck 8 for the best views in the world. After a work out in our gym, relax in our panoramic sauna and take in the stunning scenery.

Spa

Choose from one of the many beauty and wellness treatments at our Balinese spa, including hot stone and bamboo massages, and pampering body care. Our sauna is the perfect place for meditative moments after your onshore activities or to finish a well-deserved pampering session.

Gym

Our state-of-the-art gym has everything you’ll need for an invigorating workout, from cardio machines to stretch bands and free weights. There are also instructor-led classes available, along with personal trainers, offering everything from resistance training and Pilates, to yoga and meditation.

Swimming Pool

On Deck 7 you'll find a heated outside pool along with pool side seating from where you can enjoy stunning scenery.

Beauty Salon

Choose from one of the many beauty and wellness treatments.

Enrichment

As well as taking you to unusual, off-the-beaten-track destinations, Swan Hellenic offers the company of like-minded people, and acclaimed experts, who give eye-opening lectures, and are on hand to chat throughout your voyage.

Our onboard experts are renowned in their fields and bring unparalleled knowledge to your adventures. Each moment with us is enriched by real insights into the peoples, cultures, wildlife, flora, geology and geography of each amazing place we visit. Wherever you choose to go, sailing with Swan Hellenic is a voyage of discovery, which is what makes us the first choice of adventurous minds worldwide.

Loading...

Excursions

No stone is left unturned when it comes to researching our shore excursion programmes. All aspects of the itinerary are carefully planned in detail by a knowledgeable, well travelled team to ensure each aspect of the cruise is delivered to the highest possible standard.

We’ve thought of all our guests, including the less mobile. Our 12-person hard-hulled zodiacs, the boats that take guests off the ship, have been designed for increased c....

Lectures

One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that our inquisitive, like-minded passengers share a thirst for knowledge. Sound familiar? Well, you’ll be pleased to hear we always select our lecturers and guest speakers with this in mind. We choose experienced people who give engaging and stimulating talks on a wide range of subjects that are relevant to the places we visit…

Our guest lecturers have a wealth of specialist knowledge, which ....

Basecamp
Basecamp can be found on Deck 3.
Expedition Lab

Love landscapes? Gain a deeper understanding of how your surroundings were formed from the knowledgable geologists you meet on board – and change the way you see the world forever.

Kids And Teens

Please note: there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.

USEFUL TO KNOW

Loading...

Smoking Policy
Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas on Deck 8 aft portside and on Deck 7 Observation Lounge's starboard side. It is not permitted in any indoor area or on balconies.
Language Spoken Onboard

On our ships, the primary “official” language spoken on board is English. Due to our international staff, many crew members speak Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, or Russian. Lectures are generally held in English language. Depending on the actual nationality split of each cruise, we provide technical support for online streamed translation for guests of other native languages. Please ask our Expedition team for support.

Ple....

Laundry

Our all-new ships have a laundry, dry-cleaning, and ironing service for a small fee.

For your convenience, we also have a “self-service” area on deck 4 with a Laundromat and dryer and an ironing station at no charge.

Age Restrictions

The minimum age to consume alcohol on all Swan Hellenic ships on sailings originating in North America is twenty-one (21).

The minimum age to consume alcohol on Swan Hellenic ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is eighteen (18).

Medical Services

If you have any health problems, there is a modern ship's emergency room on board our ships under the supervision of an experienced ship's doctor and an assisting nurse. This service is offered by our medical services partner VIKAND. Please note the consultation hours posted on board.

Am I allowed to take certain prescriptive medication with me?

If you require and are carrying a particular medication, you will need proof in ....

What To Pack

Our expedition cruises are mainly concerned with what happens outside the ship, so dress codes are very relaxed, and there are no formalities at mealtimes.

At breakfast and lunch, you’ll wear the clothes you'll be wearing outside (minus the outer gear). Once you’ve changed out of your expedition gear in the evening, you’ll probably want to put on something casual and comfortable. It’s always worth having an extra layer if you want to rus....

Currency

On board

The on-board currency is the USD. Onboard spending will be added to your final bill. It is worth taking a debit/credit card in case of any problems paying your bill. Remember to tell your bank before traveling to avoid having your card refused.

Antarctica

There is no official currency as Antarctica does not belong to one country. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) signed by various nati....