Japan & South Korea Discovery

  • 16th March 2025
  • 14 Nights
  • Yokohama (Tokyo)
  • Noordam
Holland America Line

Inside price from

£2,819*/per person

Balcony price from

£3,929*/per person

Outside price from

£3,059*/per person

Suite price from

£4,729*/per person

* based on twinshare stateroom

Your itinerary

  • Yokohama (Tokyo)
  • Kobe
  • Kobe
  • Kochi, Japan
  • Hiroshima, Japan
  • Scenic Cruising
  • Sokcho, South Korea
  • Busan
  • Jeju (Cheju) City
  • Incheon (Seoul)
  • At Sea
  • Nagasaki
  • Kagoshima
  • At Sea
  • Yokohama (Tokyo)
Day 1

16th Mar '25

Yokohama (Tokyo)
Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyos historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century. More
Less
Arrive

0:00

Depart

16:00

Day 2

17th Mar '25

Kobe
This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobes famed wineries. More
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Arrive

6:00

Depart

17:00

Day 3

18th Mar '25

Kobe
This cosmopolitan port city is known for more than just its world-famous Kobe beef. Discover the boutiques and markets of the Motomashi and Kokashita districts, explore the Fashion Museum or venture out to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-the longest suspension bridge in the world. In the Kitano district, tour stately injikan, western-style Victorian and Gothic homes, or enjoy a glass of sake from one of Kobes famed wineries. More
Less
Arrive

0:00

Depart

17:00

Day 4

19th Mar '25

Kochi, Japan
High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market. More
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Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 5

20th Mar '25

Hiroshima, Japan
Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy of the recent past. In addition to the memorials to the events of World War II, there are an array of shrines and temples, as well as the city’s reconstructed castle, which was originally founded in the 16th century.Nature lovers will be charmed by the historic Shukkei-en Garden, commissioned in 1620, and Miyajima island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. The city is home to a number of art institutions, including the Hiroshima Museum of Art, which houses a collection of Impressionist and Japanese oil paintings, the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the quirky Mazda Museum. There is also an array of excellent restaurants and bars—the city is known for its okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake—as well as a popular oyster festival each year. More
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Arrive

12:00

Depart

20:00

Day 6

21st Mar '25

Scenic Cruising
Less
Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 7

22nd Mar '25

Sokcho, South Korea
Less
Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 8

23rd Mar '25

Busan
South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the “San Francisco of Korea,” thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot springs and nearby mountains crossed with hiking trails and dotted with temples. Cultural highlights include the Gamcheon Cultural Village; the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built into the side of a cliff; and Art Street in Sinchang-dong, which hosts art competitions, exhibitions and cultural events such as the annual Busan International Film Festival. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the famed cliffs of Taejongdae Park, while the white sand beaches at Gwangalli and Haeundae are ideal places to relax by the seashore. Foodies will love Busan, too, not just for its excellent restaurants but also for the many atmospheric markets: the low-key Millak Hoe Town Market, tourist spots like Jagalchi Fish Market and the market at Haeundae with its ramshackle stalls selling gukpab (a traditional rice soup). More
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Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 9

24th Mar '25

Jeju (Cheju) City
Jeju, formerly Cheju, may not be familiar to most Americans, but for Korean travelers the country’s largest island and home to one of 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a popular destination. The island is roughly the size of Maui and has much in common with the Hawaiian islands. Like them, it is a volcanic island—it first emerged from the sea some two million years ago and the volcano Hallasan, which reaches a height of 1,950 meters, is the tallest peak in South Korea. It also shares the mild subtropical climate of Hawaii—even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing—and offers a similar broad range of activities whether in the warm ocean water or exploring the island’s interior on well-marked and maintained trails. Jeju has long been known as the “Island of Gods” after a legendary lost race from whom the island’s inhabitants are said to have descended. Perhaps this history helps explain the super-human feats of the haenyeo, women divers who harvest abalone from the sea floor without the use of scuba gear. Remarkable giants can still be spotted here with humpback and orca whales common in this part of the East China Sea. More
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Arrive

7:00

Depart

13:00

Day 10

25th Mar '25

Incheon (Seoul)
Once upon a time, Incheon was a quiet seaside village, pretty typical for Korea. The men went fishing, the women made kimchi. There were maybe a couple thousand people altogether in the region. And then it got caught in the middle of a war. Incheon is where, late in 1950, the U.S. Marines landed, marking the beginning of the end of the Korean War, a war that ultimately claimed more than 40,000 American soldiers’ lives and an undetermined number of Koreans. After the fighting, when Incheon had a chance to dig itself out from the mud and shrapnel, it became part of the Korean economic miracle, the country’s first official free-enterprise zone. With its perfect natural port, flat landscape and 3 million residents, it’s become as much a part of the Seoul megalopolis now as it is a place of its own. Visit Incheon with a Korean War vet, and they likely won’t recognize a thing, except maybe a small area around Freedom Park. Where once there were rice ponds, there are now high-rise apartment buildings. Even the beach the Marines landed on has been filled and reshaped to make more room for the Korean economic miracle. But there’s an entire generation haunted by this place, and it’s well worth looking around. More
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Arrive

8:00

Depart

23:00

Day 11

26th Mar '25

At Sea
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0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 12

27th Mar '25

Nagasaki
City of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccinis Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Sample shore excursions: Nagasaki Half-day Tour; Sakai Bridge & 99 Islands;Arita, Birthplace of Ceramics. More
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Arrive

8:00

Depart

18:00

Day 13

28th Mar '25

Kagoshima
Situated at the southern tip of Japan, Kagoshima is the capital of the prefecture of the same name and famous for its dramatic views of Sakurajima, an active volcano that smolders across the bay. One of the most popular activities is taking a ferry to Sakurajima and hiking on the 100-year-old lava flow that is now a grassy peninsula. Kagoshima, however, offers much more than the volcano’s almost overwhelming beauty. The food scene provides opportunities to experience the area’s rich culinary culture and features dishes using locally caught fish and regional specialties, like satsuma a’ge (deep-fried fish cake) and shōchū, a traditional beverage made at more than 100 distilleries in Kagoshima alone. Although the city was officially founded in 1889, it has an even longer history that is reflected in the 17th-century gardens of Sengan-en. More recent events are covered at a museum dedicated to the kamikaze pilots who flew out of Kagoshima. Other popular attractions include the City Aquarium, the Museum of the Meiji Restoration with its exhibits exploring local history and the City Museum of Art with its collection that covers both local contemporary and older art. With so much to do, visitors may want to consider the Cute transit card. Available at tourist information offices, one-day Cute cards cover city buses, trams and Sakurajima ferries and also provide discounted admission to several attractions. More
Less
Arrive

8:00

Depart

17:00

Day 14

29th Mar '25

At Sea
Less
Arrive

0:00

Depart

0:00

Day 15

30th Mar '25

Yokohama (Tokyo)
Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyos historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century. More
Less
Arrive

7:00

Depart

0:00

Your ship - The Noordam

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam features museum-quality art — from 19th-century oils to contemporary photographs of music greats Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King. Guests onboard can enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table programming. Explore the world’s wonders through BBC Earth Experiences. Take yoga or Pilates in our Fitness Center. Savor the sounds of Music Walk and the delights of our specialty restaurants.

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam features museum-quality art — from 19th-century oils to contemporary photographs of music greats Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King. Guests onboard can enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table programming. Explore the world’s wonders through BBC Earth Experiences. Take yoga or Pilates in our Fitness Center. Savor the sounds of Music Walk and the delights of our specialty restaurants.

Club HAL
Outdoor Pool
The Loft

Art Gallery
Atrium
Concierge
Culinary Arts Center
Future Cruise Sales
Shopping Gallery
Shops
Shore Excursion Office

Greenhouse Spa & Salon
Hydro Massage Pool
Lido Pool
Spa
Thermal Suite
Whirlpool

Crow’s Nest
Explorers Lounge
Neptune Lounge
Night Club
Photo Gallery
Queen’s Show Lounge

Explorations Cafe
Lido Bar
Lido Casual Restaurant
Lounge Bar
Piano Bar
Pinnacle Grill
Sports Bar
Sports Bar
Terrace Grill
The Verandah
Vista Dining Room

Description

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam features museum-quality art — from 19th-century oils to contemporary photographs of music greats Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King. Guests onboard can enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table programming. Explore the world’s wonders through BBC Earth Experiences. Take yoga or Pilates in our Fitness Center. Savor the sounds of Music Walk and the delights of our specialty restaurants.

Recreational

Club HAL
Outdoor Pool
The Loft

Other

Art Gallery
Atrium
Concierge
Culinary Arts Center
Future Cruise Sales
Shopping Gallery
Shops
Shore Excursion Office

Relaxation

Greenhouse Spa & Salon
Hydro Massage Pool
Lido Pool
Spa
Thermal Suite
Whirlpool

Entertainment

Crow’s Nest
Explorers Lounge
Neptune Lounge
Night Club
Photo Gallery
Queen’s Show Lounge

Food and Drink

Explorations Cafe
Lido Bar
Lido Casual Restaurant
Lounge Bar
Piano Bar
Pinnacle Grill
Sports Bar
Sports Bar
Terrace Grill
The Verandah
Vista Dining Room

Staterooms

outside

Approximately 174-180 sq. ft. These large staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one q ... ueen-size bed—our Signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities. The view is fully obstructed. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

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inside

Approximately 151-233 sq. ft. These spacious staterooms include two lower beds convertible to on ... e queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

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suite

Approximately 372-384 sq. ft. including verandah These large, comfortable suites feature a spaci ... ous sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one sofa bed for one person. The bathroom includes a dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath and shower, and an additional shower stall. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

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balcony

Approximately 212-359 sq. ft. including verandah Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows ... overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner’s Dream bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads. The configuration of staterooms may vary from the images shown.

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Call 0208 127 4273 or enquire to book this cruise