Why you'll love it here
- Step aboard a 'floating ryokan' and discover Japan’s most exclusive luxury cruise experience
- Sail across the serene Seto Inland Sea on your journey from Bella Vista Marina in Hiroshima
- Enjoy all-inclusive luxury with short shore excursions and onboard activities
- Stay in one of just 17 wood-panelled cabins — some with open-air baths overlooking the sea
- Savour exquisite Japanese and Western flavours at the Sushi Bar and in The Dining Room
Best For
- Adults Only, Honeymoon,
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Your holiday always includes
- Premium lounge passes at UK airports
- VIP meet & greet service at departure
- Private transfers to and from your hotel
- Personal concierge service throughout
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- The first-hand knowledge of our team
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
Cruise across the Seto Inland Sea aboard guntû: a luxury ‘floating ryokan’ designed by award-winning Japanese architect Yasushi Horibe.
Beyond the vibrant streets of Tokyo and Kyoto lies a quieter Japan — the Seto Inland Sea is a serene expanse dotted with over 700 islands. Here, the luxury cruise ship, guntû, offers an extraordinary journey through this tranquil waterway.
Stay in one of just 17 cabins, each inspired by the traditional Japanese ryokan. Minimalist wood-panelled interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ever-changing sea views, while some rooms feature open-air baths, perfect for soaking in the spectacular scenery.
Dining onboard is a highlight. At the six-seat Sushi Bar, watch chefs prepare seasonal delicacies with meticulous precision. In the Dining Room, savour your favourite dishes crafted with ingredients from the Setouchi region and prepared in a variety of cooking styles, or enjoy Western-Japanese fusion menus. After dinner, retreat to the Cafe & Bar to enjoy carefully selected Japanese whisky, sake, and original cocktails.
Elsewhere onboard, you’ll find spaces for relaxation. In the spa, experience original treatments and Japanese-style dry massage therapy, unwind in hinoki cypress baths, and breathe in Japanese cypruss-scented saunas. On the open deck, let the sea breeze wash over you as the ship glides beneath the Great Seto Bridge or the sun rises over the islands.
Shore excursions bring the islands to life: explore hidden coves, wander quiet port towns, meet local artisans, or simply savour the tranquillity of island life. Journeys typically last two to three nights, with routes that change seasonally to reveal the region’s diverse landscapes and cultural treasures.
With a minimum age of 15, guntû fosters a serene, adult-focused atmosphere, making it an ideal experience for honeymoons, anniversaries, or other special occasion travel.
Room Options
Terrace Suite
Relax in the Terrace Suite with a private deck overlooking the serene Seto Inland Sea. Natural wood interiors, handcrafted furnishings, and flooring that is designed to feel pleasant under bare feet create a warm yet refined space. Enjoy morning tea on your terrace, framed by gentle waves, or curl up with a book in the softly lit sofa area.
Terrace Suite with Open-Air Bath
The Terrace Suite with Open-Air Bath offers a unique private bathing experience. Step into a fragrant Japanese cypress tub on your terrace, under the open sky, as the Seto Inland Sea shimmers before you. Inside, window-side beds and a writing desk with a scenic view invite tea, reading, or quiet reflection.
Terrace Suite Prestige
Terrace Suite Prestige is the largest cabin onboard with ensuite sauna and an expansive terrace, perfect for stargazing or sunset cocktails. Interiors feature wooden blinds, floors finished in ash, and plush seating areas. Boasting uninterrupted sea views and a calming, minimalist design, watch fishing boats drift past at dusk or sip sake as the sun dips behind distant islands.
Grand Suite
The Grand Suite has the largest terrace of the five cabin types onboard, with separate living and sleeping quarters. Inside, you'll find floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a sweeping terrace and refined furnishings with subtle Japanese accents: handwoven textiles and ambient lighting. Enjoy soaking in the open-air cypress bath on your terrace with a glass of wine from the cellar.
The guntû Suite
Located at the bow of the ship, The guntû Suite is the ship’s crowning luxury and the only cabin onboard with forward-facing windows. Outside, you can relax on the daybed or soak in the open-air cypress bath on the expansive deck. Interiors feature bespoke furnishings — from calming wooden interiors to panoramic glass walls — a soaking tub with sea views, and a curated art collection inspired by local craft.Facilities/Amenities
Spa
Onboard guntû, the spa is your sanctuary of calm, boasting private treatment rooms, communal baths with saunas, a tranquil rest area, and a gym complete with Technogym® equipment.
Each experience is tailored to you — from the signature Choukoku-Lymph® treatment, which combines body and pelvic correction with fascia release and lymphatic massage, to the Japanese-style 'Nentai' massage, designed to release tension, correct unnoticed distortions, and restore energy flow.
Activities & Entertainment
During days at sea, start your morning with a yoga session in your cabin using a rental mat, as the Seto Inland Sea shimmers before you, then head to the spa for a soothing massage. Afternoons can be spent in the library, enjoying books on Japanese art and culture, or simply relaxing while taking in the serene ocean views.
The guntû also offers short shore excursions along the way, so you can get a glimpse of the culture up close. With dedicated speedboats to transfer you to land, discover islands that few travellers ever reach. Stroll through traditional streets, experiencing the magic of cherry blossoms or the fiery hues of autumn, and maybe even catch one of the local festivals.
Restaurants & Bars
Washoku
Savour the artistry of Washoku onboard guntû, where Japanese cuisine is elevated with the legacy of Kenzo Sato of Tokyo’s famed Shigeyoshi. Select your favourite ingredients and feast on the freshest fish and meats from Setouchi’s bountiful waters and land — from delicate sashimi to perfectly broiled dishes — along with daily specials thoughtfully crafted by the head chef.
Sushi
With just six seats, this intimate sushi bar is overseen by Nobuo Sakamoto of Awajishima’s celebrated Nobu restaurant. Dine on the finest local fish, delicately prepared to showcase the subtle flavours of each season and catch, often paired with a hint of citrus. Enjoy each perfected bite while gazing out at Setouchi’s shifting seascape.
Yoshoku
Serving up Western cuisine with a distinctly Japanese touch, guntû’s Yoshoku menu reimagines nostalgic favourites with ingredients from the Setouchi region. Think golden seafood croquettes or a slow-simmered stew, each dish prepared with care and simplicity. You can order in smaller portions here, along with Japanese cuisine.
Cafe & Bar
Unwind at guntû’s Cafe & Bar – a ten-seat venue where cocktails are crafted with inspiration from the islands you sail past. Sip an original creation as you gaze out from the Open Deck beneath the ship’s striking gable roof.
Engawa
Step onto guntû’s Engawa – a terrace modelled on traditional Japanese homes – and settle onto the wooden bench, watching the Seto Inland Sea glide past like a living Zen Garden. In your yukata, savour delicate seasonal sweets or toast the evening with Japanese sake and snacks.
Lounge
Located at the stern of guntû, the Lounge offers a serene spot bathed in natural light through delicate paper screens. Sip matcha green tea served by the tea master alongside Japanese sweets overseen by Joichiro Kita of Nara’s Kashiya – prepared before your eyes on some routes! With a curated library, it’s the perfect place to read, write, or simply enjoy the calm.
Japan travel information
When to visit Japan
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time
Good time
Ok time
- Time zone: +9 GMT
- Flight time: 17 hours
- Recommended airlines: British Airways, Japan Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines
- Currency: Japanese yen
- Tipping guideline: Not expected
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue.
- Capital: Tokyo
- Population: 1.22631e+008
- National languages: Japanese
- Electricity and plugs: Type A & B, 100 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Excellent
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Japan if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
Want to know more?
Call our Travel Specialists for a chat with our Japan experts. They'll share their first-hand insights so you can find your perfect holiday.
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Japan travel guides
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
