From your base in Tokyo, you will visit some of the most impressive sights of Japan, including both ancient temples and modern wonders. Tour the 7th-century Sensoji Temple in Asakusa and visit the Tokyo Tower, a soaring observation tower and iconic symbol of the city. Discover Tokyo’s fascinating Shogun history or Japan’s rich tradition of art at superb museums, and during your leisure time, perhaps take in the high-energy atmosphere of Ginza, Tokyo’s premier shopping and entertainment district.
DAY 1
Upon arrival at either the Narita or Haneda International Airports in Tokyo, you will be met at the exit of the Custom’s area. Transfer to the Hilton Tokyo (or similar hotel) where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Meals are on your own.
Please note that check in time at the hotel is at 4:00pm.
Although every effort will be made to have the rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have a very early morning arrival you may wish to book an extra night so that your room is available when you arrive.
NOTE: In general, hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than hotel rooms elsewhere around the world. Per Japanese culture, standard typical bedding is two twin beds. Although every effort will be made to obtain rooms with one bed for couples, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you require two beds, kindly make sure to advise this when booking your program.
DAY 2
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be met by your guide in the lobby of the hotel before heading out on a half-day tour of the city.
Your first visit will be Imperial Palace Plaza (no interior visit). Japan’s emperor and empress reside at the Palace. Surrounded by a moat, the palace was formerly known as Edo Castle, and samurai warriors lived there in the 17th through 19th centuries. In the large plaza in front of the palace, you can view the famed Nijubashi—two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks.
Next, you will visit the Asakusa Senso-ji Temple, which was founded in the early 7th century. You will enter through a gate decorated with a huge red paper lantern, weather permitting.
The architecture is stunning, as this temple is the country’s oldest and one of the most revered. One of the highlights is Nakamise-dori, known as the “Street of Inside Shops,” an alley lined with vendors selling traditional food, souvenirs and handmade crafts.
Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure and lunch & dinner are on your own.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will begin yet another half-day tour of Tokyo, allowing you to see the city from a different perspective.
You will first visit the National Museum of Nature & Science. Established in 1877 it is one of the oldest museums in Japan and chronicles the growth of the Japanese islands from geologic time to present. In addition, there are exhibits showcasing the harmony between Japanese people and nature.
After visiting the museum, your tour will continue with a visit to the Tokyo Tower - a city landmark since its completion in 1958. It became a symbol for Japan’s rebirth as a major economic power and has served as a radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction. Nowadays it is Japan’s second tallest, self-supporting steel tower, standing 333 meters high. If the sky is clear you will be able to see as far away as Mt. Fuji from the main observatory.
Upon returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure with lunch & dinner on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. The morning is free at leisure.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Cruise ship terminal for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 4:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until Day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 4:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at either the Narita or Haneda International Airports in Tokyo.
You are met near the exit of the Customs area and transferred to your hotel.
The afternoon and the evening at your leisure.
Check in time at your hotel is 4:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at Hilton Tokyo or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet for a half day tour including the Imperial Palace Plaza & Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
1:00pm Return to your hotel. Dinner is on your own.
The afternoon is at your leisure with lunch & dinner on your own.
Overnight at Hilton Tokyo or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet for a half day tour including the National Museum of Nature and Science and Tokyo Tower
1:00pm Return to your hotel
The afternoon is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at Hilton Tokyo or similar hotel
Note: For guests on Nautica’s April 5, 2022 sailing, Day 2 and Day 3 will be done in reverse.
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
The morning is at your leisure
12:00pm Check out
TBA Transfer to the ship for embarkation
Expected weather:
The average high in March in Tokyo is 9 C (48 F)
The average high in April in Tokyo is 14 C (57 F)
The average high in June in Tokyo is 21 C (70 F)
The average high in October in Tokyo is 18 C (64 F)
What to bring:
A warm jacket or sweater, an umbrella, warm gloves for cooler months and comfortable walking shoes.
Local currency:
Japanese yen
USD are not widely accepted therefore you will need to change your money into local currency
Electricity:
The voltage in Japan is 100 Volts, which is different from North America (120V), Central Europe (230V) and most other regions of the world. You can use your electric appliances in Japan, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 110 - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia), you need a voltage converter in Japan. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor for electronic devices.
Documents and visa requirements:
Valid passports are required to embark the ship. Please consult your local Japanese embassy for visa requirements
Hotel Information:
Hilton Tokyo
6 Chome-6-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3344-5111
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is required, it will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•3-nights’ accommodation in a standard room at the Hilton Tokyo (or similar hotel)
•3 Breakfasts
•Tours and entrances as listed in the itinerary with Local English-Speaking Guide & private coach
•Transfers
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Meals and beverages other than stated as included
•Gratuities to drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
