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Le Jacques Cartier, 11 Night Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands ex Osaka, Japan to Ishigaki, Japan
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 10 Apr 2026
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 a cruise. On this 12-day itinerary aboard Le Jacques Cartier, from Osaka to the island of 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, such as the mythical Mifuga rock formation.

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.
Sailing Dates
10 Apr 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $20,620 AU $14,010 ‐ ‐
PR4 AU $21,710 AU $14,740 ‐ ‐
PR5 AU $22,370 AU $15,180 ‐ ‐
PR6 AU $23,250 AU $15,770 ‐ ‐
DS3 AU $31,390 AU $21,200 AU $11,000 ‐
DS4 AU $31,390 AU $21,200 AU $11,000 ‐
DS5 AU $31,390 AU $21,200 AU $11,000 ‐
DS6 AU $31,390 AU $21,200 AU $11,000 ‐
PS5 AU $33,790 AU $22,800 AU $11,800 ‐
PS6 AU $34,910 AU $23,540 AU $12,170 ‐
PV5 AU $35,770 AU $24,120 AU $12,460 ‐
PV6 AU $35,770 AU $24,120 AU $12,460 ‐
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
10 Apr 2026 Osaka, Japan 6:00 PM
11 Apr 2026 At Sea    
12 Apr 2026 Amami Oshima (Naze), Japan
13 Apr 2026 Iheyajima, Japan
14 Apr 2026 Zamami, Japan
15 Apr 2026 Kumejima, Japan
16 Apr 2026 Miyako Island (Miyakojima), Japan
17 Apr 2026 Taketomi Island, Ryukyu Islands
18 Apr 2026 Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands
19 Apr 2026 Yonaguni, Japan
20 Apr 2026 Keelung, Taiwan
21 Apr 2026 Ishigaki, Japan 7:30 AM
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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