Japanese Coastal Cruise

A Japanese Coastal Cruise during cherry blossom season offers an intimacy with nature that contrasts sharply with the port crowds of #7 Mediterranean Western Route. Sailing from Tokyo to Kyoto via Hiroshima, you pass 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom along the Seto Inland Sea. Daily visits to temples include the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, where the torii gate rises at high tide. Onshore, you enjoy sushi from fish caught that morning, a freshness reflected in the 80% market share of local seafood. The cruise's small capacity of 200 passengers ensures quiet docks compared to Mediterranean's megaships.