Cruise |
Le Jacques Cartier, 11 Night Odyssey in the heart of Japan's subtropical islands ex Osaka, Japan to Ishigaki, Japan |
Cruise Line |
Ponant |
Ship |
Le Jacques Cartier |
Destination |
Asia |
Brief Description |
11 Night Cruise sailing from Osaka, Japan onboard Le Jacques Cartier |
Type of Cruise |
Luxury |
Departure Date |
26 Apr 2025 |
Cruise Description |
PONANT is the first cruise company to take you to the heart of the sublime landscapes of the tropical islands in southern Japan during an expedition cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, from the island of Osaka to Ishigaki, you will discover the rich natural heritage, traditional villages and craft of the Okinawa, Yaeyama and Sakishima Islands, in the Ryukyu archipelago.
Leaving from Osaka, you will head towards the island of Amami Oshima, between Kyushu and Okinawa. You will fall in love with this island surrounded by stunning coral reefs, punctuated with verdant peaks, covered in primary forest and monumental mangroves, and boasting strong Okinawan influences.
After calling in at Iheyajima, the most northern island from Okinawa, Le Jacques Cartier will set sail south. In the Kerema archipelago, in Zamami, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this pristine island, known the world over for the distinctive blue of the surrounding sea, called “Kerama blue”. The sea life in the area is also exceptionally rich and sea turtles can often be spotted swimming among the coral. Facing it, fellow island Kumejima invites you to spend a timeless moment. Famous for its ‘Eisa’, a form of folk dance performed to the rhythm of traditional drums, this multifaceted island will reveal itself through its natural treasures: the mythical Mifuga rock formation or the idyllic beach of Hatenohama, a point of reference for fans of the underwater world.
Following a port of call in the picturesque village of Taketomijima, with its traditional Okinawan dwellings and its idyllic sandy expanses, Le Jacques-Cartier will sail south to the island of Iriomotejima. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this little corner of paradise will enchant you with its authentic and preserved character, with its wild beaches lying alongside traditional villages surrounded by luxurious tropical forest: jungle, mangrove, rivers, waterfalls. This unique biodiversity is made up of many endemic species.
The landscapes on the remote island of Yonagunijima, the easternmost of the Ryukyu Islands, offer a striking contrast: cliffs, windswept meadows, wild horses. The beauty of its sea-beds and their mysterious rocky formations will delight the most experienced divers.
After a final port of call in at Keelung to discover Taipei and the lush island of Taiwan, you will finish this unique journey in Ishigaki, your disembarkation port and the largest island in the Yaeyama archipelago. |
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Sailing Dates |
26 Apr 2025 |
Pricing |
Please enquire for pricing |
Cruise Itinerary
Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
26 Apr 2025 |
Osaka, Japan |
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5:00 PM |
27 Apr 2025 |
At Sea |
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28 Apr 2025 |
Amami Oshima (Naze), Japan |
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29 Apr 2025 |
Iheyajima, Japan |
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30 Apr 2025 |
Zamami, Japan |
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1 May 2025 |
Kumejima, Japan |
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2 May 2025 |
Miyako Island (Miyakojima), Japan |
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3 May 2025 |
Taketomi Island, Ryukyu Islands |
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4 May 2025 |
Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands |
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5 May 2025 |
Yonaguni, Japan |
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6 May 2025 |
Keelung, Taiwan |
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7 May 2025 |
Ishigaki, Japan |
8:00 AM |
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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