It’s no secret that Japan is one of the most desirable holiday destinations of the year; the country is hosting the Rugby World Cup, BA has just launched new direct flights to Osaka and the Asian hotspot remains a safe place for travellers to explore. It’s also far from the Brexit chaos, making it a great location to escape.
While the unrivalled destination is a major attraction in itself, our sister site Country Living has launched a unique holiday where you can explore its delights in a way that no-one else has experienced – and if you’re a Chelsea Flower Show fan, you’ll be particularly interested.
RHS Chelsea and Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost will join you on a garden-inspired tour of the country, where you’ll also sail around Japan’s picturesque coastline on a luxurious ship. But this isn’t any old cruise – it’s an all-suite ship with the finest interiors and services, including your very own butler.
During the tour, Japan’s gardens will be a key focus. Renowned as some of the most beautiful gardens in the world, you’ll get to see the finest examples of these tranquil, minimalist outdoor spaces with one of the UK’s top garden experts.
Travelling in autumn, a glorious time of year when the trees take on red, gold and orange hues, you’ll enjoy a talk from Frost and a Q&A, where you can get inspiration for your own garden.
Frost will also accompany you on a tour of Kyoto, where you’ll visit the city’s magnificent gardens in their full autumnal splendour.
Explore Tokyo’s best bits
The incredible trip includes a stay in Tokyo, where you’ll delve into the vibrant city’s bustling shopping districts and traditional markets, as well as its wonderful parks over three days.
These include northern Tokyo’s Rikugien Japanese Garden, designed by one of Japan’s most influential 17th-century feudal lords, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. It’s considered one of the finest landscaped gardens in the world and autumn is a particularly beautiful time of year to visit, when the leaves of its maple trees turn golden.
Experience off-the-scale luxury
The Silver Muse will be your floating hotel for two weeks, where you can settle into your cabin and take in the ship’s elegant stylings, which include marble bathrooms, fine toiletries and a walk-in wardrobe.
Your suite comes with a butler who will attend to your every need – even unpacking your cases when you arrive. When it comes to dining, there are eight restaurants on board, including a Japanese teppanyaki grill and slow-food Italian dining spot, while fine wine and champagne are all part of the package.
Sail to breathtaking places
You’ll visit eight fascinating destinations, such as Osaka and Hiroshima, as well as Busan in South Korea. In Osaka, you can learn about its traditional geisha culture and visit extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Kinkakuji Temple and Nijo Castle.
Other highlights include Hakodate, a 19th-century port town, famed for its natural hot springs, known as onsen. Here, sloping streets look up to Mount Hakodate at over a thousand feet above the city and the dockside historic quarter has a charming, antiquated feel.