Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has added the intriguing islands of Japan to its 2023 schedule announcing three incredible new voyages aboard luxurious expedition flagship Heritage Adventurer.

Commercial Director and Expedition Leader Aaron Russ said Japan’s combination of rich history, fascinating culture and diverse wilderness and wildlife made it perfect for expedition cruising.

“Japan has long captured the imagination of travellers juxtaposing centuries-old tradition with ultramodern living and pristine wilderness with skyscrapers and ancient temples. There is no place quite like it on the planet and we are incredibly proud and excited to be able to share unforgettable, intimate explorations of some of its rarely visited islands and coastlines alongside iconic cities, cultural encounters and wilderness and wildlife hotspots with our intrepid guests,” he said.

The new voyages include 16-day Beyond Japan’s National Parks: Tokyo/Kanazawa to Otaru including Hokkaido and South Korea, and 15-day expeditions Discover Eternal Japan: Otaru to Kobe, Including South Korea and Exploring Asia’s Subtropical Islands: Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Beyond Japan’s National Parks, starting in Tokyo on 18 May 2023, includes Kanazawa’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go, Matsue and Hagi’s ancient castles and temples including the famed ‘Ninja Temple’, South Korea’s ‘museum without walls’ Gyeongju, rarely visited and otherworldly Dogojima Island, Noshiro’s national treasure Juniko (12 Lakes), Japan’s sacred Red-crowned Cranes (tancho) in Kushiro, the remote islands of Rebun and Rishiri and more.

Discover Eternal Japan, starting in Otaru on 1 June 2023, includes Hakodate’s island-dotted lakes and Fort Goryokaku, remote Sado Island widely considered a perfect miniature version of Japan, South Korea’s ‘museum without walls’ Gyeongju, Karatsu’s medieval heritage, Ube and Uwajima’s incredible gardens and shrines, Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, Takamatsu’s proud bonsai history and more.

Exploring Asia’s Subtropical Islands, starting in Osaka on 14 June 2023, includes Hiroshima and the famous Shinto Shrine and Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, the eco-paradise of Yakushima Island, the white sand beaches and coral gardens of Amami Oshima, Okinawa Island – the Hawaii of Japan, Hualien’s world-famous Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge, Batan Island’s harrowing WWII history, Vigan’s fascinating architecture, the idyllic isles of Hundred Islands National Park and more.

Travel is aboard the 140-guest expedition Heritage Adventurer, built-in Finland she brings an impressive history of Polar exploration having held records for the most northern and southern Arctic and Antarctic navigations. Guests onboard will still enjoy the intimate and experiential expedition voyages synonymous with Heritage Expeditions, which have been foremost in planning, albeit now in more spacious, stylish and comfortable surrounds, while a fleet of 14 Zodiacs ensures the maximum expedition adventure. Guests aboard this luxury vessel will also enjoy all-suite cabins with private facilities and an Observation Deck with 360-degree views.