Japan and Korea cruise: Cultural Shores and Northern Landscapes
10 nights
SH Minerva
20 May '26Cruise overview
Itinerary
Hiroshima
History buffs will want to write home Hiroshima. Despite being devastated in 1945, this Japanese city is known to all for its commitment peace – its ruin on the 6th August 1945 led to the end of the war and today, the Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) , is a constant reminder of the destruction that war brings. A walk in the leafy boulevards of Peace Memorial Park brings quiet contemplation. The Flames of Peace – set in the park’s central feature pond – burn brightly and will continue to do so until all the nuclear bombs I the world have been destroyed. There are many other inspiring messages of hope around the city too; the Children’s’ Peace Monument just north of the park is a homage to little Sadako Sasaki, who was just two in 1945. When she developed leukemia in 1956, she believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes – a symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan – she would recover. Sadly she died before she finished her task but her classmates finished the rest. It is impossible to ignore the events of 1945 in Hiroshima, but this is far from a depressing place. The great efforts that have been made in rebuilding of the city over the years have given Hiroshima a vibrant, eclectic edge, with the downtown shopping area and street food stalls being well worth a visit. The proximity to Miyajima and its iconic, impressive, Torii gate should not be overlooked either. If you are lucky enough to visit during the unpredictable and short-lived Sakura (cherry blossom) season, then the extraordinary sight of the delicate pink blossom floating across the water to the red gate, means you can consider yourself one of the luckiest people on the planet.
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Hiroshima
Shimonoseki
Busan
Sakaiminato
Sakaiminato
Maizuru
Sado
Sakata
Aomori
Otaru
Oceanview
Comfortable and light-filled, these rooms offer panoramic views and thoughtful design.
Amenities
- Double or twin configuration
- Lounge area
- Shower room
- Safe
- Climate control
- Minibar
Ship features
SH Minerva blends elegance and expeditionary strength, offering comfort, enrichment, and adventure across the world’s remote frontiers.
- All-balcony or ocean-view staterooms for 152 guests
- Hybrid propulsion and low-emission design
- Three restaurants serving international cuisine
- Expedition lab and citizen-science programme
- Outdoor heated pool and hot tub
- Observation Lounge with 270-degree views
- Spa, sauna, and fitness centre
- Fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks for exploration
- Onboard lectures by scientists and historians
- Itineraries spanning Antarctica, the Arctic & South America
