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Samurai, shrines & surprising wildness
Japan is imbued with an allure that has inspired for centuries. Now for the first time ever we’re venturing to this fascinating region—on two new adventurous itineraries. Roam shores brimming with temples, teahouses, and ancient traditions; discover a seldom-seen wild side on subtropical islands where azure waters meet verdant forests; plus, get a taste of Taiwan and Korea too. First impressions are everything—join us aboard National Geographic Resolution on these pioneering inaugural itineraries.
(6) Asia Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
New
A Journey from Nome to Tokyo: Ring of Fire to Ainu Culture
Duration
20 days
Aug
From
$31,590
Top Highlights
Watch for a profusion of rare wildlife in Alaska’s Pribilof and Aleutian Islands: from whiskered auklets and northern fur seals to Steller’s sea eagles and brown bears
Search for the sacred red-crowned crane on a visit to the wetlands of Kushiro in Hokkaido
Learn about the culture of Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people on visits to a village and a living history museum
New
Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture
Duration
15 days
Sep
From
$27,215
Top Highlights
Delve into the history of the samurai and their feudal lords while visiting castles and samurai districts in Kanazawa, Matsue, and Uwajima
Explore the cultural legacy of Korea’s Silla Dynasty among the ancient ruins of Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Get inspired on the art-filled island of Naoshima, and visit museums and studios dedicated to artists and traditional handicrafts in Matsue and Takamatsu
New
Journey through Southeast Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia
Duration
11 days
Aug
From
$11,265
Top Highlights
Experience the innovative melting pot that is Singapore—a spectacular blend of cultures, innovation, and beauty
Explore Malaysia's fascinating and colorful UNESCO Historical Cities: Malacca and Penang’s George Town
Be on the lookout for the gentle giants of Sumatra—orangutans—as we traverse the lush rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park, part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Contrast the brightly lit metropolis of Tokyo with the narrow, winding streets of Kanazawa’s well-preserved samurai districts. Discover fascinating tales of feudal lords while visiting their castles, shrines, and gardens. And see firsthand how the Japanese have elevated everyday rituals—tea, sake, kimonos, sushi, floral arranging—into spectacular art forms. Only 400 of Japan’s nearly 7,000 islands are inhabited. Our explorations also take us beyond the populous borders of Honshu into wilder realms. Or snorkel through crystal waters that are home to sea turtles, manta rays, and the elusive Okinawa dugong. In Taiwan’s Yehliu Geopark, witness incredible hoodoo spires.
It is a privilege to visit Japan, a richly diverse and culturally fascinating geography. And to the privilege of cruising these islands, National Geographic Resolution adds the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
Expedition Spotlight: Japan, A Travel Photographer's Paradise
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, Certified Photo Instructor and Naturalist David Cothran shares the inspired photo ops that abound in this beautiful island nation and how he helps guests realize their vision of Japan through composition, light, and storytelling.
Exploring Japan by Sea: From Matsue to Okinawa & Beyond
From the earliest explorers to Shōgun fans, and beyond, Western travelers have long known that the island nation of Japan is best explored by sea.
The History Behind Japan’s Most Beautiful Landscape Gardens
Japan's daimyo gardens have been open to the public since the end of the feudal era in the 19th century and have been exceedingly well-preserved, transporting travelers not only to a place of calm introspection but back centuries in time.
I came here having no idea what to expect, but it’s just been magical. The food, the scenery, the people, the wildlife, all of it.
Ken C.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Explore with a veteran expedition leader—the orchestrator of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Contemporary art and age-old religion, stunning architecture and iconic shrines, complex history and unique culture. Japan has captivated the imaginations of Westerners for eons. On our Far East itineraries, you’ll travel with passionate experts—a cultural specialist, a historian, and local guides—who will illuminate every facet to give you an intimate perspective on this distant land.
Sail with a team of four naturalists, each of whom is passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly) and who help illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Choose to spend time with whoever shares your interests in birding, human history, flora and fauna, and so much more.
Joining us on this expedition means signing up for adventure; and the reward for your curiosity is inevitable—the most exhilarating experience of pure discovery possible.
We arrived at Swift Bay where most of us went on a fabulous helicopter ride over the Mitchell Plateau. The whole trip took two hours including a walk at Mitchell Falls. The little bay we started from slowly filled with water and the tide was so fast that it rose more than one meter per hour. Alternatively, our expedition team took those on a Zodiac cruise who opted to stay on the ground. When we returned, the scenery looked entirely different. After lunch we had another exciting tour, this time to a Wandjina art site. We admired a long gallery of ancestral spirits, some three meters long, as well as a variety of animals, which are significant to the local Aboriginal people. This is evidence that hunting and gathering was practiced thousands of years ago and is documented in art. The ship set off towards Darwin and we enjoyed an excellent presentation by Brad Siviour about the crocodiles we had come so close to yesterday. The day concluded with our favorite drink during cocktail hour while we witnessed another red sky sunset.
This morning, we awoke to blue skies and calm seas in the Hunter River in Prince Fredrick Harbor. Several waterways lead from this harbor, and our morning outing was up the appropriately named Porosus Creek. The tide was very low, and we were able to watch several estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), feeding on small fish in the mangrove-lined narrow channels off the main creek. It was a real treat to witness these primitive creatures catching prey. After lunch we relocated a short distance and explored the coastline and mangrove communities on the western side of the harbor. This area also features a geological formation known as Thor’s Hammer. The day ended with sunset cocktails on the top deck while watching another spectacular Kimberley sunset.
This morning, we got to explore Bigge Island, the second largest island in the Kimberley region. This island has been used for many thousands of years by Aboriginal communities nearby – particularly as a site for rock art and burial ceremonies. It is also home to the Monjon, the smallest species of rock wallaby. Unfortunately, they had all tucked in for their daytime sleep already! A short exploration of the island showed us one of the burial areas and rock art, including some “contact art” paintings that depict first impressions of European colonists to the region. After a tasty lunch on board, we disembarked to visit a beautiful cave hidden by the high tide. Walking through the twists and narrow slots in the rocks was magical, only outdone once you entered Cathedral Cave and saw it open above you. Our amazing hotel team was inside and had set up tasty treats and drinks for us to enjoy, and even formed a small band with one of our guests to perform some live cave music. A breaching humpback whale in the distance saluted us at sunset, a wonderful end to a great day!
This morning, we went ashore to view plane wreckage from WWII. We also had an opportunity to explore the mangrove forest and savannah woodland that lined the coast, which rewarded us with some great birdwatching opportunities. We spotted striated pardalotes, redheaded honeyeaters, red-tailed black cockatoos, and we were lucky to spot two adult brolgas (one of two crane species in Australia) and their offspring. In the afternoon, we repositioned the ship to a small island in the middle of the bay called Jar Island. We went ashore and explored some of the rock shelters and caves to view the ancient rock art of the Bradshaw, or Gwion Gwion style art. Back on board we saw the most incredible sunset, followed by an amazing full moon rise, which topped off a perfect day on the coast of Kimberley.
Today, on the first day of our Kimberley expedition aboard National Geographic Orion , we boarded Zodiacs to explore King George River. What an incredible and scenic Zodiac cruise. We encountered beautiful red rock walls that culminated with close views of King George Falls. A refreshing sight, in more ways than one.
