Wonders of Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia: 26 days Osaka to Siem Reap

Welcome to Japan and the vibrant city of Osaka. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your three-night included stay in Japan’s third largest metropolis, renowned as the ‘nation’s kitchen.’ This evening, meet your Tour Director for your briefing for the days ahead and Welcome Dinner.

We begin our morning tour of Osaka by wandering 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, displaying exteriors restored to their 16th century, Edo-era glory. The afternoon is free at leisure before transferring to the Umeda Sky Building for 360-degree night-time views of the dazzling skyline of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then savour a delicious dinner and admire the spectacular views, elevated 170-metres off the ground.

Today, you’ll drive to Tondabayashi to visit a restored Edo era Merchant House before continuing onto Kehaya-za. For your EmeraldPLUS experience, learn about the history, life and training routine of a Sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehaya-za, where Sumo originated. After your welcome ceremony, observe a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. Later in the evening, take a ride on the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley.

EmeraldPLUS
Exclusive visit to a Sumo Musuem and Sumo wrestler demonstration

Enjoy a ride on Japan’s iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima. Here, take time to reflect at the sobering Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Later, check in to your hotel for your included two-night hotel stay. Tonight, enjoy sampling Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savoury pancake and delicious regional specialty.

Today, you’ll take the ferry to Miyajima Island, a small and picturesque island set in Hiroshima Bay.  Here, you’ll visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine, also built over the water. Later, enjoy time at leisure to explore more of fascinating Hiroshima.

This morning, travel by Shinkansen to marvel at Himeji Castle, regarded as Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Continue to the culturally-rich city of Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennia and home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Afterwards, check in to your hotel in Kyoto for your included stay.

Ryokan Upgrade
For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight 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, baths and private facilities. Your Ryokan stay includes dinner and breakfast.

Continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710 A.D., originally known as Heijo. Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, founded in the eighth century the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan.  The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Today, you can also spot free-roaming deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto and stopping at a sake brewery and museum to taste and learn about Japan’s world-famous brew.

Pay 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’. Afterwards, glide through the ethereal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring the World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple. After lunch, visit the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, because it is completely covered in gold leaf. For today’s EmeraldPLUS experience, savour a private group dinner hosted by a Geisha or Maiko — a rare opportunity to learn about the life of a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

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Exclusive group dinner hosted by a Geiko or Maiko

Board the shinkansen to Shizuoka. Upon arrival, head to the Nihondaira Yume Terrance to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the sacred mountain, Mt. Fuji. Then, ride the ropeway from Nihondaira Plateau to Toshogu Shrine, located on Mt. Kuno. Surrounded by lush forest, this ornate shrine honours Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. With its vivid carvings, gold leaf details, and serene atmosphere, this is a must-see for culture lovers seeking a glimpse into Japan’s samurai legacy. Tonight, create your own Sushi dinner with a hands-on cooking experience. Enjoy and overnight stay at your hotel, overlooking Mt. Fuji and Shizuoka.

Begin your day with a visit to a charming tea farm and factory. After enjoying a street food lunch at Omiya Yokocho, drive to the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre before continuing to Hakone. Stroll through the Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum, admiring the striking art works and sculptures in a natural setting. Established in 1969, the Hakone Open Air Museum presents Japan’s first outdoor museum. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel for your included stay.

Admire the stunning views of Mt. Fuji as you enjoy a boat cruise on the serene waters of Lake Ashinoko. You’ll then drive to Tokyo, the Japanese capital and on arrival, explore the quaint Asakusa district, Tokyo’s oldest Geisha district and home to Senso-ji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Surrounding the temple, the Nakamise shopping area, features many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs. Check in at your hotel, your home for the next three nights. This evening, enjoy time at leisure, or join an Emerald DiscoverMORE excursion.

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

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Culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene, serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki, accompanied by your Tour Director (extra expense)

Begin your day with sensory wonder at teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art museum in Tokyo where artworks move, change, and interact without boundaries. You’ll also make a brief stop at the Imperial Palace East National Gardens. Afterwards, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, before experiencing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk. Tonight, enjoy time at leisure, immersed in Shinjuku’s buzzing sights and sounds.

Visit Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine, the Imperial Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji, before walking across the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, in Shibuya. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Shibuya, with giving ample time to visit two of the city’s popular shopping districts, Harajuku and Omotesando. For your EmeraldPLUS experience, take in the bright lights of Tokyo during your evening farewell dinner cruise with free-flow drinks on Tokyo Bay and a yakatabune, a traditional Japanese houseboat.

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Enjoy a farewell dinner cruise on a traditional yakatabune

Say goodbye to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ and fly to south to Vietnam. Xin Chao and welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. On arrival, you’ll be met by your Emerald Cruises & Tours representative and transferred to your hotel situated in downtown District 1, for your included two-night stay. After checking in to your hotel, you are free at leisure to explore this dynamic city before meeting your Vietnamese 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.

EmeraldPLUS
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, then continue your journey by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Upon arrival in this lively northern city, check into your beautiful hotel, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design, which takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics.

This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, you’re invited to Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Enjoy a special Emerald DiscoverMORE dinner while attending 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

EmeraldPLUS
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.

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.