Oceania Japan to the Last Frontier

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace’s East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.

A center of modern commerce, yet steeped in ancient history; visit the castle in the center of town, its golden orca statues are a symbol of the city. Explore Toyota’s Museum of Technology and tour the Noritake factory, where bargains on the fine china can be found.

Not the typical Japanese city, small and compact Kochi has gained a well-deserved reputation for its exuberant, easy-going spirit and vibrant food scene. The city is the birthplace of the legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, who created an alliance that eventually brought down the Tokugawa shogunate and is now commemorated in a memorial museum. In the city center, don’t miss the well-preserved hilltop Kochi Castle to explore the grounds where the city was established in 1601. You might continue your downtown explorations at one of the many pedestrian shopping arcades or at a restaurant to try Kochi’s most famous dish – katsuo-no-tataki, a savory dish of grilled, ponzu-marinated skipjack tuna or bonito fish.

Visit the exquisite Iso-Teien Garden and its villa, built in 1660, and enjoy its gorgeous views before a short ferry ride to smoking Sakurajima for a close-up view of the volcano and its lava fields. Or journey into the countryside to Chiran and its well-preserved streets lined with samurai homes. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Lake Ikeda and the stunning vistas of the Satsuma Peninsula.

Discover remnants of old Nagasaki beside the modern city. Visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Or travel to Arita, home of magnificent Japanese ceramics, and tour famous Kakiemon Kiln, which continues a 400-year-old tradition. Experience feudal Japan and the natural wonders of Shimabara Peninsula with its volcanoes and hot springs.

From trendy cafes and famous fish markets to sacred temples and traditional tea ceremonies, Busan, the second largest city in South Korea is bursting with flavors and culture. Take a walk in the relaxing Yongdusan Park while admiring the various species of trees and a view of the Busan Tower. At the Hongbeopsa farming temple, explore the renowned large Buddha statues at the Main Buddha Hall while walking along a water lily path, or experience a traditional Korean tea ceremony conducted by one of their monks.

Visit the skeletal A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the statue dedicated to the children who died after the atomic bomb was dropped on this city in 1945. Stroll through beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens, visit the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle or journey to the exquisite sacred island of Miyajima and see the extraordinary Itsukushima Shrine.

Backed by steep hills and mountains on the eastern coast of Kyushu Island, Beppu is known as Japan’s top hot spring resort city. Home to more than 2,000 hot springs, this picturesque city gives you a chance to experience its hot springs, mud baths, steam baths and even traditional Japanese black sand baths. To top it off, eight unique hot springs, collectively named Onsen Hells, offer entertainingly distinctive attractions. On chilly days, visitors are treated to the otherworldly view of steam rising throughout the city. Since Beppu is famously popular within Japan as a resort getaway, it’s an ideal place to rub elbows with Japanese travelers.

Visit the breathtaking temples and shrines of Japan’s old imperial capital, Kyoto, or explore ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that predate Kyoto’s. Stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine. Then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe, visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge edifice built entirely of wood and tile.

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Shimizu is one of the most beautiful ports in Japan. Walk through the pine groves of Miho, home to a 650-year-old Japanese black pine, or enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the lush, forested hill of Nihondaira. Take in the seascapes on a bay cruise, or learn of undersea delights at Japan’s first sushi museum. For a historic angle, get a glimpse at feudal life in Japan in 200 BC at the archaeological site of Toro.

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace’s East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.

Only 10 miles north of Onahama, the city of Iwaki is where you will find most of the area’s top attractions. Visit the celebrated 12th-century temple of Shiramizu Amidado, explore the impressive Abukumado Cave or spend the day at Spa Resort Hawaiians – a unique resort with a Hawaiian theme where you can enjoy the hot springs, Hawaiian dance performances and even take a hula lesson. Immediately near Onahama, Aquamarine Fukushima is a popular stop – not only is it a massive aquarium with the world’s largest touch pool, it’s also part terrarium with re-created environments of rivers and coastlines with marine life from the Pacific Coast and Fukushima.

Founded by the fearsome feudal lord Date Masamune, the city of Sendai is peppered with monuments to this Edo-period ruler, including his vividly hued final resting place, the ornate Zuihoden Mausoleum. Marvelous temples and shrines abound, including picture-perfect Rinno-ji Temple, which is surrounded by serene Japanese gardens. Savor one of the region’s specialties, hiyashi chuka, a refreshingly cool ramen dish that is perfect for warm days, and then stroll among the shapely zelkova trees of Jozenji-dori Avenue, a delightful reminder that Sendai is nicknamed the City of Trees. Towering above all is the Daikannon Statue, a representation of the Goddess of Mercy and one of the world’s tallest effigies.

In 1854 Hakodate became Japan’s first port to open to foreign trade as the country’s era of isolationism came to an end. The resulting influx of traders and merchants from Russia, China and Western countries imprinted the city with a mélange of cultural styles that now distinguish Hakodate’s unique atmosphere. Star-shaped Goryokaku Fort was designed in the European style – even as its purpose was to defend Japan from foreign imperialism – and is now flanked by thousands of native cherry trees. The Russian Orthodox Church stands just blocks from the Chinese Memorial Hall, and nearby you’ll find traditional Japanese markets selling the signature Hakodate shio ramen, a salty noodle dish that is the city’s specialty. Beef lovers will want to try the famously flavorful Hakodate Onuma beef, which happily can be savored in restaurants overlooking scenic Lake Onuma.

Once Hokkaido’s bustling financial center, the small harbor city of Otaru is a popular weekend getaway for the Japanese. It offers a charming canal lined with early 20th-century brick and stone buildings, along with plenty of museums and restaurants, not to mention the unique herring mansions, built by wealthy fishermen during the 19th and 20th centuries. Sapporo, only 30 minutes by train from Otaru, is the 5th largest city in Japan and likewise offers a sought-after food scene, plentiful shopping, green spaces and galleries in spades. Foodies won’t want to miss Nijo Fish Market, a 100-year-old market favored by locals that’s also full of places to try regional specialties.

The tiny village of Kodiak clings to the “Emerald Isle” of Kodiak, which is known for its breathtaking natural beauty. In summer the island is a mosaic of flora that includes wildflowers, moss-laden spruce, Pacific red elder, and blueberries, which the brown bears feast on. You may also spot puffins, red foxes and killer whales.

Founded by gold miners in 1896, Homer still attracts adventurous travelers who love the great outdoors. It’s particularly beautiful during the summer, when wildflowers are in bloom and the hills behind town are lush green. A great starting point is the Pratt Museum, featuring exhibits on native culture, history and fishing.

With a population of only about 200, the small and quirky hamlet of Whittier is the gateway to beautiful Prince William Sound as well as Anchorage, which is only 60 miles away. Established as a secret military outpost during World War II, Whittier now attracts visitors for its unspoiled glaciers and wilderness. Glacier cruises along Prince William Sound make for a memorable afternoon – think sheer fjords, seaside mountains and calving tidal glaciers. A picturesque train journey to Anchorage along the Alaska Railroad is another fantastic diversion; you’ll enjoy awe-inspiring views of Turnagain Arm Fjord and Portage Valley. Chugach State Park is also nearby and excellent kayaking and hiking opportunities abound.

Hoonah means “where the north wind doesn’t blow” in the language of the Tlingit Indians, who make up about 70% of the population of this village on the lee side of Chichagof Island. However, wildlife outnumbers everyone, so watch for bears, eagles and humpback whales, which migrate here in the summer.

Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s chief attractions, and the best places to view them are Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. Drop by the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to learn about the local cultures and ecosystems.

By far the largest port on Regatta’s Alaska cruises, Vancouver offers every imaginable big-city attraction. Explore the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Museum for culture. History flourishes in the Gastown district, which borders vibrant Chinatown. Or enjoy a break from the bustle in Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks.