Wonders of Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia with Hiroshima: 25 days Osaka to Siem Reap

Welcome to Osaka, Japan. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a one-night stay.

Transfer to the station to take the shinkansen to Hiroshima. Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum. Later check into your hotel in Hiroshima hotel for two nights. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region.

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit the Daisho-in Temple and the floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine. Later enjoy free time in Hiroshima.

This morning, travel by Shinkansen, or bullet train, to marvel at magnificent Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s few remaining original feudal castles. Continue to Osaka on board the Shinkansen and then check in to your hotel where you’ll meet your fellow tour guests and Tour Director.

We begin our morning tour of Osaka with a stroll through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as ‘Osaka’s kitchen.’ Afterwards, visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle. The afternoon is free at leisure before transferring to the Umeda Sky Building for 360-degree night-time views of the glittering skyline of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then savour your dinner and admire the spectacular views, 170-metres off the ground.

Drive to Asuka, birthplace of the Japanese nation and cradle of Japan’s ancient culture. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies and the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge, celebrated in Japanese folklore. Then visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan.

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As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After your welcome ceremony, witness a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Later in the evening, take a ride on the Osaka Metro to explore the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori.

Drive to the culturally-rich city of Kyoto, home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Upon arrival, glide through the ethereal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on a traditional rickshaw, before exploring the World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple, where you’ll enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal. Afterwards, visit the famous Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion,  so named, as this temple is completely covered in gold leaf. Settle into your hotel in Kyoto for your included two-night stay.

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As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, tonight’s exclusive dinner will allow you to engage with a Geisha or Maiko, your hosts for this evening. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the life of a Geisha and the traditional art of Japanese hospitality.

Begin your day with an early morning visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, iconic for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha.’ Continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in 710 A.D., originally known as Heijo. Here, you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, founded in the eighth century as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples across Japan.  This Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 A.D., in order to lower the temple's influence on governmental affairs. Spot wild deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto, stopping at a sake brewery and museum to sample Japan’s famous brew.

Ryokan Upgrade For a unique insight into Japanese culture, opt to stay overnight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn features tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors and private facilities, and includes breakfast and dinner.

Travel by Shinkansen, or bullet train, to Hakone. Upon arrival, stroll through the Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum, admiring art works and sculptures in a natural setting, before transferring to your hotel for your included stay.

Admire the stunning views of iconic Mount Fuji during your scenic cruise of Lake Ashinoko, before driving to Tokyo. Upon arrival, explore the quaint district of Asakusa, paying your respects at Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Later, check in and relax at your hotel, your home for the next three nights.

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Dine at a Gonpachi Nishiazabu, made famous in the film, ‘Kill Bill’ (extra expense)

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Immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese Izakaya evening bar scene, enjoying Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director (extra expense)

Soak up the spectacular views of Tokyo from above, at the top of Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower. Then learn how to make your own sushi lunch, instructed by a local chef. Afterwards, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, before experiencing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk and its vibrant sights and sounds.

Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, in Shibuya. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure for some last-minute shopping in Shibuya.

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As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, this evening, take in the bright lights of Tokyo during your farewell dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay, with free-flow drinks on a yakatabune, a traditional-style houseboat.

Say goodbye to the land of the rising sun and fly to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel, situated in downtown District 1, for a two-night stay. After checking in, you will be free to explore the city before meeting your tour director for your welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a Pho (noodle soup) lunch with the remainder of the afternoon and evening yours to enjoy at leisure or venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions.

Included Excursion
Cu Chi Tunnels

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An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)

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Saigon After Dark by Vintage Jeep (extra expense)

After checkout, enjoy a guided city tour, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the port where you will board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. You’ll be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal where you will anchor for the night. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers. Your Cruise Director will conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.

Included Excursion
An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, you’ll cruise through the bustling Cho Gao canal, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day.

Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the Tan My Floating community followed by a ride through local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem.

Included Excursion
Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities, untouched by tourism

After a short sampan ride to Sa Ðéc, enjoy a walking tour with a visit to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and the town’s bustling central market.

Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan, then sail on to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing during your visit.

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Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung

Included Excursion
A visit to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and the bustling Sa Dec Markets

Included Excursion
A visit to My An Hung village

Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island untouched by tourism, located along the upper Mekong River. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island’s villages to visit families who work in a variety of local industries including Mango farming, different types of boat building and a factory making incense sticks for temples.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board. As part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

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A Lion Dance performance on board

Included Excursion
See the local industries in Gieng Island

Embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, giving you a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan and return to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, visit the local Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, learn more about this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony. Back on board your Star-Ship, you’ll sail to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

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A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island

This morning, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ the city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Today, you’ll learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about this country’s sombre chapter.

Afterwards, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture HQ. Spend the afternoon as you please, either exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony.

This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh to admire the city lights.

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Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

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A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)

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Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)

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Samai Distillery (extra expense)

Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Important remnants here include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a century. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. Afterwards set sail, gliding past the illuminated Phnom Penh at night, to Rokar Koang, a small town located further up along the up the Mekong River.

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A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

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Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation

Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Stay at the beautiful Shinta Mani, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design that takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. This evening as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Take advantage of our DiscoverMORE dinner at the circus to further support Phare’s work.

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Phare Cambodian Circus performance.

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Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites it neighbours, but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. In an incredible standoff between human creation and nature, the jungle's root systems have reclaimed this spiritual location now enshrouded in wild vegetation. The backdrop to many Hollywood scenes, the incredible Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location. This evening is free to visit ‘Pub Street’ or try a DiscoverMORE option.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple

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Evening – Gondola Boat ride at Banyon with drinks (extra expense)

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Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

Witness a mesmerising sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards, walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, renowned for its intricate carvings. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and farewell dinner, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

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Cultural night dinner show with Apsara dance performance

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Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)

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Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)

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Tonlé Sap and Lotus Workshop (extra expense, operating Aug-Feb only)

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Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)

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Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

Please note the Hiroshima extension (days 1-4 of your itinerary) will be unescorted by an Emerald Cruises Tour Director.

Rivers and waterways are subject to variations in water levels. While every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, changes in river conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or local festivities may require journey modifications. These will be made based on the advice of local authorities or for safety reasons. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.