Exploring the Philippines and Japan
Tropical reef to deep culture, Manila to Hiroshima
This ten-night voyage draws a line of pearls across the western Pacific, from the tropical Philippines to the historic heart of Japan. Aboard the boutique SH Minerva you begin in Manila, call among the karst islets of the Hundred Islands and at the Spanish-colonial UNESCO city of Vigan, then cross to Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, where the coral of the Kerama National Park is among the finest anywhere and the culture of Okinawa is distinct from the rest of Japan. Sailing north through Kyushu, you reach volcano-backed Kagoshima and the castle town of Uwajima before ending at Hiroshima, whose message of peace gives the journey its resonance. It is a rare pairing of tropical reef and deep culture.
Itinerary highlights
Sail from the Philippines to Japan across the western Pacific over ten nights.
Explore the karst islets of the Hundred Islands and the UNESCO-listed colonial city of Vigan.
Snorkel the superb coral of the Kerama Islands National Park off Zamami.
Discover the distinct culture of Okinawa at Naha, with its castle and cuisine.
Reach volcano-backed Kagoshima, beneath the smoking cone of Sakurajima.
End at Hiroshima, with its Peace Memorial Park and message of reconciliation.
Travel aboard the boutique SH Minerva with an expert expedition team.
Tropical reef to deep culture, Manila to Hiroshima
This ten-night voyage draws a line of pearls across the western Pacific, from the tropical Philippines to the historic heart of Japan. Aboard the boutique SH Minerva you begin in Manila, call among the karst islets of the Hundred Islands and at the Spanish-colonial UNESCO city of Vigan, then cross to Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, where the coral of the Kerama National Park is among the finest anywhere and the culture of Okinawa is distinct from the rest of Japan. Sailing north through Kyushu, you reach volcano-backed Kagoshima and the castle town of Uwajima before ending at Hiroshima, whose message of peace gives the journey its resonance. It is a rare pairing of tropical reef and deep culture.
Itinerary highlights
Sail from the Philippines to Japan across the western Pacific over ten nights.
Explore the karst islets of the Hundred Islands and the UNESCO-listed colonial city of Vigan.
Snorkel the superb coral of the Kerama Islands National Park off Zamami.
Discover the distinct culture of Okinawa at Naha, with its castle and cuisine.
Reach volcano-backed Kagoshima, beneath the smoking cone of Sakurajima.
End at Hiroshima, with its Peace Memorial Park and message of reconciliation.
Travel aboard the boutique SH Minerva with an expert expedition team.
What's Included
- 10 nights aboard SH Minerva in an en-suite stateroom or suite
- One included shore excursion at each port of call
- Zodiac cruises and expedition activities with the expedition team
- All meals aboard; selected wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Snorkelling and Zodiac cruising with the expedition team where offered
- Onboard gratuities and wifi
- Programme of expert lectures and briefings; use of onboard facilities (pool, hot tubs, sauna, gym)
What's Included
- 10 nights aboard SH Minerva in an en-suite stateroom or suite
- One included shore excursion at each port of call
- Zodiac cruises and expedition activities with the expedition team
- All meals aboard; selected wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Snorkelling and Zodiac cruising with the expedition team where offered
- Onboard gratuities and wifi
- Programme of expert lectures and briefings; use of onboard facilities (pool, hot tubs, sauna, gym)
Thank you
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FAQs
It blends the tropical Philippines, karst islets and colonial Vigan, with Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, superb coral and Okinawan culture, and then the historic cities of Kyushu and the Inland Sea, ending at Hiroshima. Reef and culture in equal measure.
Excellent. The Kerama Islands off Zamami are among the finest coral in Japan, with famously clear ‘Kerama Blue’ water and frequent turtle sightings, and Miyako’s reefs are superb too.
Yes, from Manila to Hiroshima, so you fly into the Philippines and home from Japan. International flights are not included, and visas should be checked.
Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum give the voyage a moving conclusion, and the nearby island of Miyajima, with its floating torii gate, is one of Japan’s most beautiful sights.