In a nutshell

Your three days between Hiroshima and Nagasaki will take you to a number of historical Japanese sites, where the marks of tradition and the memory of the atomic war will guide you to the more modern heart of these two metropolises. Walking through their peace parks, among the museums and memorials, you will discover how two cities can be reborn, among symbols of both past and present.

Main stops

Day 1 * High speed train to Hiroshima * Sightseeing bus tour of Hiroshima, ending at the Peace Memorial Park * Shukkeien Garden; Peace Memorial Park; Peace Memorial Museum: interior visit * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Hiroshima

Day 2 * Ferry to the island of Miyajima * Walk around Miyajima Island to the Itsukushima shrine * Cable car and trekking on Mount Misen * Train to Nagasaki * Overnight stay in an exclusive hotel in Nagasaki

Day 3 * Walk around the Nagasaki memorial sites: Peace Memorial Park; Urakami Cathedral; Torii gate * Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum: interior visit * Visit to the island of Dejima * Dejima Museum: interior visit * Walk through Glover Garden * Return to ship

The programme

Day 1 – Hiroshima, where it all began You'll arrive in Hiroshima at high speed, on board the Shinkansen bullet train, before slowing down in the Shukkeien Garden, a place of harmony, before you make your way through the Peace Memorial Park, where every memorial represents a step in history. At the Children's Peace Monument, you will discover the sculpture of Sadako Sasaki and her origami cranes, while at the Peace Memorial Museum, photos and exhibits will take you back through the years. You'll finish up at the A-Bomb Dome, a dome that has become a symbol of resistance, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Day 2 – The Japan of tradition at Itsukushima After spending the night in your exclusive hotel, you'll come face to face with Japanese tradition on the island of Miyajima. In the water, the torii awaits - the red gate that announces the entrance to the Itsukushima shrine. At high tide, bridges and buildings seem to float on the water, but a system of piles holds them up: an optical illusion that conveys a sense of calm and serenity. Before leaving, a trek on mount Misen will offer you a final view over the bay of Hiroshima.

Day 3 – Nagasaki, memory and reconstruction At the Nagasaki Peace Park you'll go back in time to 1945 with the museum of the atomic bomb. But the city is also home to evidence of reconstruction and survival: Urakami Cathedral, which has now been rebuilt, and the torii gate of the Sanno shrine, whose only pillar withstood the impact. Your journey is nearly over: after the Dejima Museum and the Glover Garden it's time to go back to the ship.

Good to know

All meals are included.
Bring your passport: you'll need it to take part in this experience.
The experience can be canceled up to 50 days prior to the start date of the land excursion.
To enable you to enjoy an exclusive experience, the number of places is limited: book early.
The presence of the Costa Tour Expert is not guaranteed for the entire experience.
It is not permitted to take photos inside the museum.
It is not possible to exchange currency: as such, it is advisable to ensure that you have enough Japanese yen in advance.