Japan

The gateway to Tokyo, this was one of the first Japanese ports open to foreign trade. It contains a large Chinatown with hundreds of Chinese shops and restaurants. It is also known for its botanical park, Sankei-en Garden, containing preserved Japanese residences from different eras, as well as for the seaside Minato Mirai District, site of the Landmark Tower, standing 971-feet high.

Most notably known as the city from which you can see the UNESCO site of Mount Fuji. This small port city, considered one of the three most beautiful ports in Japan, is home to many historical buildings, such as Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, Sumpugo Park, and Shizuoka Sengen Shrine. The 65-foot Shiraito Waterfall, located near Mount Fuji, is silk-like. Enjoy tuna from Japan’s largest fishery here or a cup of matcha, a Japanese green tea.

Osaka is the gateway to Kyoto, with great street food, bright lights and delightful night life. Its main historic landmark is the 16th century Osaka Castle, surrounded by a moat and many flowering trees. Kyoto is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It is also known for formal traditions like kaiseki dining (multiple courses of precise dishes) and geisha entertainers.

The bustling city of Kochi is located on the Kagami-gawa River delta on Urado Bay. It was constructed around Kochi Castle, which was built in the 17th century and is one of Japan's few authentic castles. Amazingly, it has survived both wars and natural disasters for centuries. In addition to the castle, Kochi has several attractions of interest. On nearby Mount Godaisan sits Chikurenji Temple, one of the 88 temples along the Shikoku Pilgrimage. At beautiful Katsurahama Beach you will find the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, a tribute to the man who played a major role in the Meiji Restoration. In addition, great shopping can be found at Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade.

Largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during WWII, Hiroshima today is a modern city on the island of Honshu. The Hiroshima Memorial Peace Arch, a UNESCO site commonly referred to as the Atomic Dome, commemorates the 1945 event. One feature is a colourful memorial to Sadako Sasaki, a young woman whose dying wish for peace was told in the story A Thousand Paper Cranes. Also, worth seeing is the Hiroshima Museum of Art, displaying paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Fujishima and Asai, and the UNESCO red torii of Miyajima.

With its beautiful ocean scenery, seaside promenade, and bright, friendly atmosphere, romantic Sasebo has some interesting attractions and is the gateway to Nagasaki. Nagasaki is notable for the nuclear attack it suffered during WWII. A must-see there is the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Memorial Park, which houses a beautiful 30-foot-tall fountain symbolising peace. Sasebo is part of the Saikai National Park, which consists of more than 400 islands and glorious semi-tropical vegetation. Seishin Cathedral, a Neo-gothic church built in the 1930s, is the symbol of Sasebo, which is the only Japanese city that uses a symbol of the Christian church in its flag.

Anchor in the Bay or dock at Wakayama Marina City, just outside of the main city of Wakayama, where the countryside and coastline is beautiful, eagles swoop and soar, and the air feels brisk and fresh. Tender ashore to take an excursion to Koya san, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunningly beautiful place to visit. Nestled in the forested mountains of Wakayama prefecture, Koya san (Mount Koya) is where the Shingon Buddhist sect was founded 1,200 years ago by the priest Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi). Next, head over to the Nachi Falls, home to the impressive and beautiful Sanjūdō Pagoda. Early each morning, the Shinto priest makes offerings to the waterfall in a beautiful and quietly dignified ritual.