Star Collector: Mysteries & Masterpieces of Japan & South Korea

Step aboard Star Seeker for a one-of-a-kind adventure that combines the thrill of the unknown with the joy of discovery. Your voyage begins in northern Japan with 10 days of mystery, each port revealed just 36 hours before arrival. Will it be a fishing village tucked along rugged coastlines, a hidden cultural gem, or a new-to-Windstar harbor? After this intiail intrigue, the curtain rises to reveal an unforgettable lineup of destinations: Osaka, Takamatsu, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and more — plus scenic cruising through the Seto Inland Sea and past haunting Hashima Island. You’ll even cross into South Korea for a stop in Busan.

Sapporo is best known for its beer and the skiing in the region still using the ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics.  As Japan’s 5th largest city there is plenty to see and do here. Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, Odori Park, Pkurayama Ski Jump, the Curb Market full of seafood and Shiroi Koibito Park with its chocolate factory.

 

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.
 

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.

Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.

 Today is a surprise! Prepare to be captivated as anticipation builds with the unveiling of our mystery port, revealed only 36 hours before our ship arrives at its destination. Rest assured that you’ll still explore new places, meet amazing people and make unforgettable memories — because that’s what you do on a Windstar cruise.
 

Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers.

The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island’s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan’s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.

The main gateway to Shikoku Island and an important focal point for the island’s rail and road transit systems, Takamatsu, on Japan’s scenic Inland Sea, has been a political and economic center since the Edo period. Among the attractions here is Ritsurin Garden, created during the Edo period, and especially popular during spring for the cherry blossoms and autumn for the fall foliage. Takamatsu Symbol tower has several observation decks providing panoramic views of the sea and landscapes.

The Inland Sea of Japan, known as the Setonaikai or Seto Inland Sea, is a beautiful National Park dotted with hundreds of islands, small coastal towns, and the occasional large modern bridge. We’ll take advantage of our small size to traverse the more narrow routes of the inland sea during the daytime, allowing guests to experience the scenic beauty of this area.

This picturesque port city is one of Windstar’s iconic hidden harbors.  Tomonoura is part of the Setonanikai National Park and features an endearing old-fashioned townscape. One of its thriving industries is the production of “homeishu,” a medicinal liquor with 16 different herbs in it, said to promote longevity.

Fold a paper crane to leave at the Atomic Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Hiroshima Castle to see three trees that survived the bombing that destroyed the castle itself. Or head to Miyajima, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, for a look at the vermillion Itsukushima Shrine floating in the sea — yet another World Heritage Site.

Located on the island of Kyushu, Karatsu is one of the closest Japanese cities to the Korean Peninsula. Karatsu Castle is the main attraction here. Built in 1608, it houses a museum of the castle’s history and Karatsu ceramics. Karatsu is also known for its pottery which can be viewed at the Karatsu-yaki Pottery Gallery. Also worth visiting is the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall which displays the 14 floats used in the annual Karatsu Kunchi Festival in November.

The second largest city in South Korea is a popular leisure destination due to the nearby hot springs. It is home to many famous beaches that lure visitors from around the world and the UNESCO site of Gyeongju an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Silla Kingdom and holds many architectural points of interest including ornate temples.   Also of interest is South Korea’s largest temple, Tongdosa Temple, renowned for having no outdoor statues.

Cruise around the island of Hashima, abandoned over 50 years ago when the coal mining that flourished there suddenly ran out. The mining company shut the mine down and the island has been a ghost town ever since.

Notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII, Nagasaki has memorialized the event at the city’s Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park. The museum tells the story of the events leading up to the bombing and the park, located at the center of the bomb blast, houses a beautiful 30-foot tall fountain symbolizing peace. Other highlights to see are the Glover Gardens and Dejima Museum, which was originally an artificial island.

The seaside city of Kagoshima is best known for Sakurajima, an active volcano facing Kinko Bay. Take a tour to the Shiroyama Observatory or to the peaceful Edo-period Sengamen Japanese Garden. Visit the Ishibashi Park and the three Edo-period stone bridges or travel to the nearby village of Chiran to see the well-preserved Samurai Houses and the Chiran Peace Museum, exploring the background of kamikaze pilots.

Most notably known as the city you can see  the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji from.  This small port city considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan has many historical building like Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji looks like it could be silk. Enjoy tuna from Japan’s largest fishery here or a cup of maccha, a Japanese green tea.

There are as many Tokyos to discover as there are interests. Cuisine? It has more Michelin stars than any other city. Culture? Kabuki theater and sumo wrestling are just the beginning. Shopping? The posh boutiques of Ginza lie on one end of the spectrum, workshops that hand-craft samurai swords at the other