You have a choice of hotel accommodation for nights 1, 2 & 3 and 12 & 13 –The St. Regis Osakanights 1, 2 & 3 andTheShangri-La Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13orThe Ritz-Carlton, Osaka nights 1, 2 & 3andThe Palace Hotel, Tokyo nights 12 & 13orThe Conrad Osaka nights 1, 2 & 3 andThe Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo nights 12 & 13 Array An eight-night cruise through the fascinating Japanese archipelago takes you from the port of Maizuru to Osaka and includes a stop in Busan, South Korea; it is bookended by three nights in Osaka and two nights in Tokyo – daily shore excursions provide a wide-ranging look at Japan's icons of religious, historic, and royal life Board a ferry bound for the volcanic landscapes of Sakurajima, known as "Cherry Blossom Island." A choice of excursions includes a visit to revered Sengan-en Garden and a stately home in Kagoshima, or a poignant visit to the Chiran Peace Museum, built in memory of WWII Kamikaze pilots Learn about traditional Japanese cultural entertainment, including a lecture on the life of a Geiko / Geisha, a dramatic sumo wrestling demonstration, and a fascinating Taiko drumming performance as athletic as it is rhythmic Private Tauck Shore Excursions – $6,741 Value All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers