Discover Japan by Yacht

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Samurai history, volcanic landscapes, world-class dining and hidden art islands. Discover Japan's contrasts from the deck of your own yacht.

When to go

April - November

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Experience Highlights

Paddleboard across Lake Kawaguchi as Mount Fuji rises through the morning mist, then wake the next day to views of the volcano from Lake Ashi.
Explore the pearl-diving waters of Ago Bay before standing before Ise Jingu, the most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan.
Step from your tender straight onto Naoshima and Teshima, where contemporary art installations sit along the coastline of the Seto Inland Sea.
Sail aboard SARASTAR, complete with a touch-and-go helipad, private beach club and full water sports centre, from the temples of Kyoto to the volcanic landscapes of Kagoshima.

Japan has always been shaped by the sea. For centuries its coastline drew traders, pilgrims and explorers toward a country that reveals itself fully to those who arrive by water. This journey takes inspiration from William Adams, the English navigator who became Japan's first Western samurai, and follows a route by private yacht that few visitors take.

Travelling this way puts you at the helm. You arrive at ancient ports, slip into secluded island coves and approach sacred coastlines much as generations did before you, with each destination unfolding from the water.

From the energy of Tokyo to the volcanic landscapes of Kyushu, this is Japan at its most exciting: ancient tradition and contemporary culture side by side, and a different perspective at every anchorage.

TOKYO TO THE MOUNTAINS

Your journey begins in Tokyo, a city of contrasts where neon-lit crossings sit blocks from quiet Shinto shrines. Explore Shibuya and Shinjuku after dark and wander the historic lanes of Asakusa by day. In the evening, take a seat at the counter of a Michelin-starred sushi chef for an omakase experience built entirely around your group, or arrange a private sake tasting with a master brewer to understand the craft behind Japan's national drink.

From here, step aboard your private yacht, and the skyline gives way to the still waters and forested peaks of Hakone. Wake to Mount Fuji rising through the mist over Lake Ashi, its summit catching the first light long before the mist below has cleared. At the Hakone Open-Air Museum, a private curator-led tour brings the sculpture grounds and the Picasso Pavilion to life before the museum opens to other visitors, and the onsen hot springs nearby offer a chance to relax in mineral-rich waters with Fuji as your backdrop.

Push on to the Fuji Five Lakes, where the mountain dominates every view. For the more adventurous, a guided trek up Mount Fuji itself can be arranged, followed by onsen bathing to ease tired legs in mineral-rich waters. Kayak or paddleboard across Lake Kawaguchi at sunrise, when the water turns to glass and Fuji's reflection is at its sharpest or take a private hot air balloon flight over the lake for an aerial perspective few visitors ever see. From here you will cruise onward along the Pacific coastline, Japan's mountains giving way slowly to the sea.

THE SACRED COAST

Cruise into Ago Bay, a maze of pine-covered islets and sheltered inlets prized for centuries for its pearl-diving heritage. Explore the the calm water by kayak or paddleboard or take a private boat tour through the bay's oyster rafts to understand how Mikimoto perfected the cultured pearl here in the 1890s. At Mikimoto Pearl Island, a private guide can walk you through the history of the ama pearl divers and the science behind the pearls themselves. Back on board, settle into the unhurried rhythm of the bay, taking in the quiet beauty of the coastline as it slips past from the deck.

Further south, stand before Ise Jingu, the most sacred Shinto shrine in all of Japan, then meet the ama, the free-diving women of Toba who have practised their craft for centuries. Your journey continues in Himeji, where the soaring White Heron Castle and the tranquil Kokoen Gardens transport you into Japan's feudal past, before another night falls at anchor beneath a blanket of stars.

KYOTO, OSAKA & THE ART ISLANDS

Arrive in Kansai and discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto. Walk beneath the famous red gates of Fushimi Inari in the quiet of early morning, wander through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, and visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflected in its peaceful pond. In the evening, enjoy a private tea ceremony in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, followed by a traditional multi-course dinner hosted by geisha and maiko, who entertain guests with conversation, music, and dance. It’s a rare chance to experience Kyoto’s centuries-old culture in a setting most will never experience.

From the quiet of Kyoto, dive headfirst into the electric energy and world-class dining of Osaka. Wander the neon canyons of Dotonbori, sample street food from takoyaki stalls, or join a private food walking tour through the city's back-alley izakayas with a local expert, before anexceptional dinner rounds out the day.

Beyond the cities, the Seto Inland Sea unveils an entirely different side of Japan. Step onto Naoshima to experience the acclaimed Benesse House Museum, then continue to the extraordinary Teshima Art Museum, where art, architecture and nature collide in ways you have to see to believe. Between stops, quiet anchorages invite you to swim, paddleboard and feast at beach barbecues on SARASTAR's beach club, while the historic hillside town of Onomichi offers one final, unforgettable glimpse of the region's maritime soul.

SOUTH TO THE VOLCANOES

The final stretch begins in Hiroshima, where the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome offer a powerful moment of reflection, and a private guide can walk you through the museum and gardens with context and care. From here, move to Miyajima Island to witness its iconic floating torii gate rising from the sea, timing your visit for early morning or high tide for an uncrowded viewing before the day crowds arrive, then climb Mount Misen by cable car for sweeping views back across the Inland Sea.

Push south to Beppu, Japan’s hot-spring capital, where clouds of steam rise through the streets and vividly coloured pools reveal the volcanic landscape beneath. After exploring these remarkable springs, continue along Miyazaki’s dramatic coastline before reaching Yakushima, an island of ancient cedar forests, moss-covered trails and clear rivers. Spend time exploring this wild landscape on foot or in the water,

Your journey reaches its finale in Kagoshima, beneath the striking silhouette of Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. Unwind in a natural sand bath on the nearby black-sand beaches, warmed by the volcanic landscape, or simply take in the views from on board. As the voyage draws to a close, there’s time to reflect on a journey that has revealed a different side of Japan - from quiet islands and ancient forests to centuries-old traditions and dramatic coastlines. It is the ultimate ending to a voyage that has taken you far beyond the Japan most visitors ever see.