![Raja Ampat Islands Bird's Head Peninsula of Papua Island](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/portrait_quarter/102463-raja-ampat-islands-birds-head-peninsula-of-papua-island.jpg)
Duration
18 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
17 Ports
22 May
Setting sail from Keelung (Taipei)
Keelung is a fairly unremarkable port city close to Taiwan's capital, Taipei. The city is best known for its night market, where a mouthwatering array of food is on offer in an atmospheric setting. Otherwise, you are best off heading for Taipei if you want to prolong your stay on the island; the capital draws on an interesting mix of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences, and is home to attractive temples, a burgeoning street food scene and Taipei 101, which was the world's tallest building until it was eclipsed by Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2010.
![Taipei 101, Taiwan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_half/10955-taipei-101.jpg)
![Deep fried crab in Taipei](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/17891-deep-fried-crab-taipei-low.jpg)
Our tip
Taiwan is a number one destination for foodies, so if this is your thing, plan ahead to make the most of it.
23 May
At sea
24 May
Japan: Naha
![Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/29681-shuri-castle-naha-okinawa-japan.jpg)
Naha is the capital of Okinawa prefecture, a subtropical region of southern Japan with its own distinct culture. The city is a bustling commercial centre despite being flattened during the Second World War, and the architectural highlight is the elegant Shuri Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
25 May
Japan: Okinoerabu
![Okinoerabu, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/71760-okinoerabu-japan.jpg)
26 May
Japan: Yakushima
![Forest in Yakushima, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/73366-forest-yakushima-japan.jpg)
The island of Yakushima is an unspoilt natural paradise, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its primeval temperate rainforest. The mountainous interior is a magical landscape of waterfalls, ancient cedar trees and winding trails, and provided the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed anime ‘Princess Mononoke’.
27 May
Japan: Uwajima
![Uwajima castle, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/55117-uwajima-castle.jpg)
The historic town of Uwajima, situated on the west coast of Shikoku island, is home to a beautiful 17th century castle, surrounded by ornamental gardens. Another popular and rather eye-opening attraction is the Taga fertility shrine, with its 9-foot carving of a phallus and adjoining sex museum.
28 May
Japan: Beppu
![Red hot spring in Beppu, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/55148-red-hot-spring-beppu.jpg)
Steam rises over the spa town of Beppu, home to numerous onsen (hot springs) and the surreal red waters of the macabre-sounding ‘blood pond hell’. Beppu is also close to Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, and the ancient temples of the Kunisaki Peninsula.
29 May
Japan: Miyajima
![Miyajima shrine gates, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/56213-miyajima-floating-shrine.jpg)
Miyajima island, officially known as Itsukushima, is famous for its incredibly photogenic torii (shrine gates) which seem to float above the water. Renovation work beginning in June 2019 means that the gates will be obscured by scaffolding for a couple of years, but the shrine itself will remain open.
30-31 May
Japan: Hiroshima
![Atomic Dome, Hiroshima](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/12822-hiroshima-atomic-dome-low.jpg)
On 6 August 1945 the world witnessed the terrifying power of nuclear weapons for the first time, unleashed on the unsuspecting Japanese city of Hiroshima. The modern city's sobering Peace Memorial Park commemorates that fateful day, which left more than 140,000 dead.
1 June
South Korea: Busan
![Busan, South Korea](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/34014-busan-south-korea-aerial.jpg)
Busan is South Korea’s second biggest city and one of the world’s busiest container ports, but it’s an easygoing place with a discernibly different character to Seoul. Haeundae beach is a popular summer holiday destination for Koreans, while the pungent Jagalchi market sells every type of fish and sea creature imaginable.
2 June
Japan: Karatsu
![Karatsu castle, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/64918-karatsu-castle.jpg)
The coastal city of Karatsu was a key port for trade with China and Korea thanks to its proximity to the Korean peninsula, and is known for the quality of its pottery. Local attractions include the large hilltop castle, which served as a base for general Toyotomi Hidetoshi's 16th century invasion of Korea.
3 June
Japan: Oki Islands
4 June
Japan: Maizuru
![Brick warehouses in Maizuru, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/71763-brick-warehouses-maizuru.jpg)
Surrounded by mountains and situated on a fine natural harbour, Maizuru enjoys a scenic setting, and was developed as a naval base prior to the Russo-Japanese War at the beginning of the 20th century. The city also has some interesting temples, and is less than two hours’ drive from historic Kyoto.
5 June
Japan: Kanazawa
![Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/54213-kenrokuen-garden-kanazawa.jpg)
Kanazawa rivals Kyoto for historical significance, though the city is far less overrun with tourists. The 17th-century Kenroku-en garden is the jewel in Kanazawa’s crown, filled with pretty ponds and waterfalls, and the city is also home to exceptionally well preserved samurai and geisha districts.
6 June
Japan: Sado Island
![Tub boats on Sado Island, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/54200-tub-boats-sado-island-japan.jpg)
Remote Sado Island is rarely visited by foreign tourists, and for many years served as a penal colony for political exiles. Take a ride in one of the unique tarai bune ‘tub boats’, search for the endangered Japanese ibis and learn about the art of taiko drumming in Kodo village.
7 June
Japan: Akita
8 June
Japan: Hakodate
![Snow monkeys in an onsen in Hakodate, Japan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/54176-snow-monkeys-onsen-hakodate.jpg)
Situated at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate was one of the first Japanese ports to open up to international trade in the 19th century, and a scattering of European-style buildings remain. Take a ride on the historic streetcar, tuck into delicious seafood or enjoy a revitalising dip in an onsen (hot spring).
9 June
Arriving in Sapporo
Your home from home
![Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - HANSEATIC nature](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/lanscape_half/58211-hapag-lloyd-hanseatic-nature.jpg)
![Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - HANSEATIC nature - Balcony Cabin](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/58213-hapag-lloyd-hanseatic-nature-balcony-cabin.jpg)
![Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - HANSEATIC nature - Glass balcony](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/landscape_mosaicsmall/58212-hanseatic-nature-glass-balcony.jpg)
What we love
The perfect combination of technical expertise and thoughtful design makes these ships stand out as very special additions to the expedition fleet. We are particularly excited that Hanseatic Inspiration will be a totally bilingual ship, showing Hapag-Lloyd's commitment to the English-speaking markets.
Capacity |
230 Guests (199 for Antarctic cruises) |
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Style |
Luxury expedition means a fresh and airy décor, great food, service and facilities, alongside technical expertise and 30 years of experience in operating the very best expedition cruises. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
![Evergreen Laurel Keelung hotel](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/16722-evergreen-laurel-keelung-hotel.jpg)
Where to stay in Keelung
To be honest you would probably be better off staying in Taipei, but if you need a Keelung hotel, we would choose the Evergreen Laurel.
![Yeliou Geopark, Taiwan](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mundy.assets.d3r.com/images/related_video/17897-yeliou-geopark-taiwan-low.jpg)
Excursions from Keelung
Visit the Yeliou Geopark to see its unique rock formations formed by sea erosion and earth movements.