Most fascinating and intriguing cultures can be found in Japan and South Korea, making them destinations that many long to experience. What better way to do that than on a luxury cruise yacht.
That’s what Scenic offers in its “Japan & South Korea In Depth” and we got on board to reveal what it’s all about, give our opinions and rate the trip as well as giving you some traveller tips along the way.
Pre-trip Checklist
Along with most other countries, Japan does not require a visa for visitors from the UK if you are staying less than 90 days. This tour was a little over 3 weeks, so nothing to do there.
You will, of course, need to get your required jabs in advance if needed and check on the weather conditions in the forecast to pack your bags appropriately.
Do This to Save Time & Hassle
A time-saving tip that you really should do before embarking, though, is to fill out the form on the “Visit Japan Web” website. There, you can pre-register your passport & travel details before arrival in Japan. It saves you completing one of those passenger landing cards while you are en route. But that’s not all – After completing the forms online, you will receive a QR code to get any purchases made there with the local sales tax (10% at time of writing) already deducted at source.
I must say that the Japanese system certainly beats the ones in most countries where you need to keep all of your receipts, fill out forms and then post them at the airport in order to get the sales taxes reimbursed! This way, just use the QR code for tax-free shopping. That said, we recommend that you still carry your physical passport in case requested by the store that you may be purchasing from.
Regarding entry into South Korea, check the latest info here to find out whether you need to complete a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation.
This trip was booked through the travel agent ROL Cruise, and they act as a go-between with Scenic. It works out pretty well having more than one point of contact and you can also make savings on such trips by doing it this way.
The Wonders of Tokyo
The first destination was Japan’s beautiful capital city, with very plush digs on this initial land-based section at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu. It’s named in this way (with an ‘o’) because it’s overlooking the government buildings in the heart of the city.
We had free time to explore Tokyo at our leisure (there are no planned excursions until boarding the yacht). To facilitate this we purchased Metro (public transport rail network) tickets to explore parts of the city the fastest way possible via famous underground system.
Travel tip: Suica
Possibly the most convenient way to get around the Japanese public transport system is by using a virtual card to add to your smartphone. We opted for the Suica card and found it easy to download, top up and use.
Exploring the Capital
Japan’s vibrant capital since 1868, Tokyo has both ancient traditions and futuristic innovation. You could explore historic temples like Sensō-ji, stroll through the bustling streets of Shibuya, and indulge in world-class sushi. Tokyo really does offer a dynamic start to this adventure.
From the Capitol Hotel, we took the lift directly down into the Metro below to get quick access to stations including the Ginza line – G6 to be precise.
The Tokyo Metro is really quite a breeze to navigate and thankfully there are latin characters in use which prove really helpful for tourists. From here, we ventured up the numbers of the Ginza or “G” line (orange colour) to explore Asakusa where many local delights.
We used the Metro again to visit the famous Ryōgoku Kokugikan to watch a day of the May Grand Sumo wrestling tournament. Located in the Yokoami district of Sumida City, this arena serves as the spiritual home of sumo wrestling in Japan. It hosts three of the six annual honbasho (official tournaments), specifically in January, May and September.
If you are interested in seeing Sumo wrestling, it is not on the Scenic itinerary so it’s something you would need to organise in advance. In fact, well in advance. The tickets go on sale on the web, and you need to be in quickly to get tickets as soon as they become available!
Tokyo is a truly great place to begin your Japanese odyssey and, once your time there is over, a tantalising luxury yacht voyage awaits.
On the day of embarkation, we were taken on a short coach ride from the Capitol Hotel Tokyu to the port.
All Aboard the Scenic Eclipse II: A New Benchmark in Ultra-Luxury Expedition Cruising
Sailing under the banner of innovation and indulgence, Scenic Eclipse II is not just another luxury vessel – it’s a Polar Class 6 expedition yacht purpose-built to redefine adventure on the high seas.
Designed for exploration in both tropical and polar extremes, this 168-metre marvel boasts the elite Ice Class 1A Super rating, enabling it to traverse frozen landscapes while offering the utmost in passenger comfort.
Launched in 2023 as the sister ship to Scenic Eclipse, this next-generation Discovery Yacht blends cutting-edge technology with refined elegance. From the moment of stepping aboard, we felt enveloped in sophistication – from 114 butler-serviced suites (each with a private verandah) to a world-class wellness sanctuary featuring a 550m² Senses Spa, yoga studio, gym, and vitality pools.
Take a look at these photos we took onboard which shows just how luxurious this yacht is:
With a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, up to 228 travellers (limited to 200 in polar regions) experience bespoke service whilst exploring remote corners of the globe. Dynamic positioning technology replaces the need for anchoring, protecting fragile seabeds, while dual ABB Azipods and diesel-electric generators provide a smooth, quiet ride.
The cabin we stayed in was on floor 7 (of 10), which was convenient for access to the Yacht Club restaurant, yoga studio and the gymnasium. I’d recommend this level, but all levels have their benefits, it seems.
The cabin was generously sized, with a large television screen, fridge and all of the modern conveniences that you might expect from a luxury yacht. There was plenty of space for all clothes and items to be stored. Any request that was needed was quickly and efficiently dispatched by Tinashe, our attentive butler.
Culinary excellence is equally prioritised, with up to 10 distinct dining venues and 8 bars and lounges offering a global array of fine fare – all included as part of the all-inclusive journey.
Scenic Eclipse II is a floating expedition base, a boutique hotel at sea, and an ultra-luxury sanctuary designed to immerse guests in the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations such as Japan. On this trip, the helicopter, zodiacs and submarines were not being used. While it would have been nice to have seen them, that might have to wait until other tours on this magnificent ocean vessel.
Life Aboard Scenic Eclipse II: Events, Activities & Daily Flow
Scenic Eclipse II delivers more than just a cruise – it offers a fully immersive lifestyle at sea. Each day is curated by an expert team to ensure a balance between exploration, enrichment, wellness, and fine dining, all in ultra-luxury surroundings.
A Typical Day on Board
Each evening, a personalised daily programme is delivered to your suite, outlining the next day’s schedule of excursions, talks, wellness sessions, dining highlights, and entertainment. The same information is available on your in-suite TV for convenience under “Daily Wonder”.
Your day might begin with sunrise yoga or a workout in the fitness studio, followed by coffee and a light breakfast at Azure Bar & Café. However, the main Yacht Club is where we decided to eat on most mornings, and the brilliantly attentive staff make it a luxurious experience.
Excursions typically began around 08:30 AM, with guests grouped according to interest and physical ability.
After morning activities, guests could return to the ship for lunch, relaxation, or an afternoon of enrichment events, spa treatments, or second excursions – all depending on the destination.
Evenings were elegant but relaxed, with no formal dress code, and a wide choice of dining and entertainment. One of these was a fun daily trivia quiz, with 15 general knowledge questions to test the grey matter.
Excursions & Discovery Experiences
At the heart of Scenic Eclipse II lies its dedication to discovery. Excursions are overseen by local very knowledgeable local cultural historians/guides. Some of the Japanese guides were a little hard to understand due to their strong accents, but were only too pleased to repeat anything that we might have missed.
I’ll cover some of the excursions a bit further down the page.
On-board Activities & Enrichment
When you’re not out exploring, the ship offers a rich programme of on-board activities:
- Expert lectures in the Discovery Lounge
- Interactive workshops covering photography, marine life, or local culture
- Wellness sessions such as meditation, sound therapy, and stretching
- Cooking classes, cocktail making, and curated wine tastings
- Live entertainment, from pianists to local performers
The Observation Lounge is a tranquil space to unwind, with panoramic views, a well-stocked library, and comfortable seating – ideal for watching what’s happening outside with the provided telescopes or just catching up on emails in peace. It also has a very good coffee machine and was kept spotlessly clean.
Culinary Excellence at Sea
Dining on Scenic Eclipse II is all-inclusive and all-encompassing, with multiple venues offering a diversity of global cuisine – no need for reservations in most restaurants and no additional charges.
Main Dining Venues Include:
- Elements – European fine dining with a focus on seasonality and presentation
- Koko’s Asian Fusion – Includes:
- Koko’s (pan-Asian dishes)
- Sushi @ Koko’s (omakase sushi bar)
- Night Market @ Koko’s (chef-led themed tasting experiences)
- Lumière – French fine dining and a Champagne bar
- Azure Bar & Café – Light meals, salads, and snacks served all day
- Yacht Club – Buffet-style casual dining with a bakery and gelato bar
- Chef’s Table @ Elements – An exclusive multi-course degustation experience with wine pairings
When we attended, bookings were required for Night Market @Koko’s, Lumière and Sushi @Koko’s.
The ship caters to all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-specific menus. Every dish was prepared using premium, often locally sourced ingredients. And for those preferring a quiet night in, 24-hour in-suite dining was available.
Service & Seamless Coordination
With close to a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, service aboard Scenic Eclipse II is discreet, personalised, and highly intuitive. Butlers are assigned to each suite, ready to assist with anything from unpacking to making spa appointments or drawing a post-excursion bath.
Behind the scenes, all crew staff coordinated tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly, from meal service and wellness bookings to spontaneous wildlife sightings and weather changes.
One of the requests that I made was to find out which ports allowed those onboard to use the yacht’s e-Bikes after docking. The request was handled quickly and with great detail via a typed-up letter to our cabin.
Crew staff were simply first class and we got the feeling that Scenic people are the ‘best of the best’. People like Daniel, Izabela, Moises, Zaldy, Ida Bagus, Junior (both of them!), Eric, Matthew, Patience, Eva, Don, Prasanth, Edward, Mevlut, Boaz, Abdul, Lauren, Cronica, Lynette, Rajesh, Cindy, Tomas, Mary Rose, Vineet, Sunil, Nadia, Sasa, Channie and Munee are just some of those that made this journey very special.
Ports of Call (Destinations)
After leaving Tokyo and exploring the yacht’s features, we sailed off to the voyage’s ports. Here is a list of what to expect with selected parts from the itinerary.
🇯🇵 Shimizu (near Mount Fuji), Japan
From the port of Shimizu, it’s the ideal place to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Do be aware that it’s often hazy and cloudy around Mt Fuji. We were not lucky enough to get a clear glimpse of this’ shy lady’ at the time of our visit.
One of the Scenic excursions took us on a visit to the Miho-no-Matsubara pine grove, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the scenic landscapes that have inspired artists for centuries. This was preceded by a visit to Ukiyoe Art Museum where block painting was explained (and could also be attempted if desired!).
An excellent part of the Art Museum was an adjacent building where the guests were treated to an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. Definitely something that I recommend to be experienced!
🇯🇵 Toba, Japan
Friday: Travellers got the opportunity to discover the coastal charm of Toba, known for its pearl cultivation and the Mikimoto Pearl Island.
One of the excursions featured traditional female divers, known as Ama, and their unique free-diving techniques.
We opted to visit what many people consider to be the most picturesque castle in Japan, Himeji. It’s a long way up to the top, especially in socks on slippery wooden stairs!
Prior to that, a walk through Himeji gardens was a beautiful entrance to experience a stunning Japanese garden.
🇯🇵 Kobe, Japan
Saturday: Famous for its succulent Kobe beef, this cosmopolitan city offers a blend of modern architecture and historic sites. You could visit the Kobe Port Tower for panoramic views or explore the historic Kitano district.
Our selected excursion took us to Kurashiki where we visited a centuries-old Japanese house to see how they lived in days gone by. After that it was roaming the shopping streets. Unfortunately, the heavens opened and there was heavy rain all day.
🇯🇵 Uno-Ko (Okayama), Japan
On Sunday, Uno-Ko provided access to Naoshima Island, renowned for its contemporary art museums and installations. It’s the gateway to the art-rich islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
One of the excursions allowed you explore Okayama’s Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens.
🇯🇵 Takamatsu, Japan
Home to Ritsurin Garden, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design, Takamatsu offered a serene escape.
One of the inclusive excursions from Scenic featured a fascinating bonsai farm. It was even more interesting than it sounded. This was followed by a visit to Shikoku Mura which provided some beautiful historical sights.
Afterwards, there was enough time to eat at a delightful Udon noodle restaurant and get a fully immersive Japanese culinary experience.
The yacht stayed in Takamatsu overnight and I took the opportunity to walk through the city’s impressive shopping arcade, the longest in all of Japan.
🇯🇵 Miyajima (Itsukushima), Japan
Famous for the “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima is a something of a spiritual haven. Our tour guide, Yoshi, took us us on an early morning walk to this famously picturesque location. Afterwards, it was a hike up Mount Misen for panoramic views and meditation with a Zen Buddhist monk.
On the way back, we were able to check out the shops and enjoy the island’s friendly and very tame deer population. You can walk right up to them and even pose for photos!
🇯🇵 Hiroshima, Japan
In the afternoon of the same Tuesday, and not far from Miyajima is Hiroshima. As anyone who knows their history will know, this really is a city that has had to rise from the ashes and it is a true testament to resilience.
We visited the Peace Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the events of the 6th of August 1945 and the city’s journey after that.
The impact of visiting the museum visit is very profound, and it contains many (often graphic) stories of the lives of the 140,000 innocent people who lost their lives and of the few who survived.
After that sobering experience, it was a short coach ride back to the mighty Scenic Eclipse II where we would spend the entirety of the following day at sea on the way to South Korea.
Wednesday: At Sea
The next day, spent at sea on the way to South Korea, it was almost something of a relief to have a break in the hectic morning schedules. This proved a good time to unwind in the Library room at the bow of the yacht, and many of us did just that.
That day without excursions meant that there was time to try a different experience onboard at the yacht’s spa and wellness centre.
Earlier in the trip, we each booked a hot stone massage. Our masseuses both hailed from Thailand and were expertly trained in Thai massage. We would highly recommend it.
This time around we both opted for a deep tissue massage to see how it differed. JP and I concurred that both were carried out to a very high standard. Our practitioners, clearly both very skilled and experienced, were able to get the knots out of our bodies after all of that trekking around Japan so far. It proved to be a good reset to get in shape again for what was still to come.
This service does come at an extra cost, i.e. not part of the all-inclusive package. However, if you would like to try something similar for no fees, there is a very cool infrared massage room and salt therapy room. These also proved to be very relaxing and effective.
🇰🇷 Sokcho, South Korea
All those aboard the Scenic Eclipse II were welcomed by a delegation banging drums and dancing. Nestled between mountains and sea, Sokcho serves as a gateway to Seoraksan National Park. We elected to take the tour of the DMZ, Korean War exhibition hall and DMZ Museum. You can see North Korea from the DMZ lookout. Not much of the Korean War exhibition hall is in English, so it might have been one to skip.
If you want to go your own way, explore hiking trails, hot springs, and traditional markets in this picturesque city.
🇰🇷 Pohang, South Korea
The next port of call was Pohang, a coastal city known for its steel industry. In fact, the yacht docked in Pohang’s shipping container port which felt appropriate for a city built on industry.
For the second day running in South Korea, a welcoming party of dancers with music gave a fantastic display. It was great weather again (late May)
We elected to join an excursion that visited Yangdong, a 15th century clan village that has over 150 Korean-style buildings.
After that, we were taken to Oksan Seowon, which has Confucian teaching academies. We could see why the location was chosen, as it was alongside a beautiful river.
Pohang also offers cultural sites like the Bogyeongsa Temple and Homigot Sunrise Square.
We then spent the time after a late lunch on the boat, attending the daily quiz and “port talk” about the following day’s plans. That evening before dinner at the Night Market restaurant, we headed out of Pohang and onto Busan.
🇰🇷 Busan, South Korea
South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan is well-known for beautiful beaches, the bustling Jagalchi Fish Market and the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village.
We elected to join the excursion “Boemeosa Temple and Tea with a Monk” which was a 50-minute drive from the pier. The ancient Beomeosa Temple was originally built in 678 by the monk, Ui Sang.
After exploring Beoseoma, we were treated to an exclusive and very peaceful tea experience with a monk. This turned out to be a fascinating experience and well-worth the steep walk to the temple.
After showing us how to make tea, the monk held a Q&A session where the group was allowed to ask anything we wanted. It was a great learning experience. One question asked was about if monks have access to the media, to which he then whipped out his smartphone!
It was a thoroughly enlightening and enjoyable day.
🇯🇵 Nagasaki, Japan
With a rich history of international trade, Nagasaki offers a unique blend of cultures. The yacht docked there for 2 days. On the first day we joined an excursion to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum via a Nagasaki public tram ride. As with Hiroshima, this was another mournful yet important experience.
There were many artefacts from the fateful day of August 9th, 1945 on display along with graphic photographs marking the devastation caused by “Fat Man” (the name of the bomb). Several well-behaved Japanese school groups could be seen visiting the museum (even though it was Sunday).
The following day (Monday) offered the opportunity to visit Gunkanjima island, a long-abandoned former coal mine that once housed thousands of people and even had its own school. The island came to international attention following its appearance in the 2012 James Bond spy film, Skyfall.
🇯🇵 Kagoshima, Japan
Overlooked by the active Sakurajima volcano, Kagoshima is known for its hot springs and lush gardens. You might decide to explore Sengan-en Garden and enjoy views of the volcanic landscape.
We opted to attend an excursion that was a guided tour of seven samurai house gardens. Despite a bit of light rain, it was certainly educational and interesting. Part two of the tour took us to the nearby kamikaze museum before a return coach ride of under an hour. The charming and delightful tour guide, Mesumi, even handed out a selection of gifts (Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat, any one?) to round off the journey.
Because the weather had cleared up after lunch, I decided to request one of the yacht’s e-bikes for a ride around the surrounding area. Scenic staff took care of the request very promptly and I walked out to a beautiful battery-powered machine ready to go.
Everything went smoothly with the bike. Here are a few photos I took along the way:
🇯🇵 Kochi, Japan
A city steeped in samurai history, Kochi features the well-preserved Kochi Castle and the vibrant Sunday Market. If you go there, you might enjoy local specialties like katsuo no tataki (seared bonito).
We took a coach (laid on by Scenic) to the town centre and strolled through the market and got a glimpse of the castle, high on the hill.
🇯🇵 Osaka, Japan
We concluded our journey in Osaka, often referred to known as “Japan’s kitchen”. Here you might explore the historic Osaka Castle, shop in the bustling Dotonbori district, and savour street foods like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
We chose to take an excursion that took travellers to a bamboo forest just outside Kyoto, which took about 90 minutes each way by coach from port. Let us say, it was well worth the journey! Check out these amazing photos I captured on the day:
🇯🇵 Kyoto, Japan
From Osaka, we decided to extend the tour by one night so that we could take a bullet train back to nearby Kyoto (between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on which train line you decide to take). Kyoto is Japan’s former capital city and has many appeals.
For starters, it is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Notable landmarks include Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), and Kiyomizu-dera, renowned for its panoramic views.
The city’s well-preserved districts, such as Gion and Higashiyama, feature traditional wooden machiya townhouses and paved streets, offering a window into Japan’s past.
We booked into (after being provided information by Izabela from Scenic) a traditional stage show at 7pm that lasted 50 minutes. The show was well attended and we felt that it was a good length.
Just before the show, we popped into a local gyoza restaurant. The food and price astounded us (both in GOOD ways!). For reference, it was called “enen”.
After returning to Osaka, it was a chance to explore the modern cityscape. It really is a thriving metropolis. What’s noticeable about big cities like this is the way that everything seems to ordered and precise.
In our entire time in Japan, we could hardly recall seeing even a scrap of litter anywhere. The country’s people are just so respectful of everything and everyone. It really is something marvellous.
Would we Recommend this Tour?
Being first-time visitors to both Japan and South Korea (and our first experience of Scenic, this tour was a real eye-opener. To do most of it from an iconic luxury yacht was simply next-level stuff.
We felt that Scenic’s itinerary offered a wide range of interesting experiences, from Japan’s historic sites and natural beauty to South Korea’s vibrant cities and cultural landmarks. Each destination provided a unique glimpse into the region’s diverse heritage and contemporary life.
We’re in full and complete agreement that Scenic have done a simply masterful job of a sea-based tour of these countries. If it could get 6 stars, it would!