Yokohama, with 3.6 million-plus residents, is Japans second most populous urban area after Tokyo, and is also one of the countrys major ports.

Toba, located at the northeastern end of the Shima-hanto Peninsula in Mie, flourished as the castle town of the Kuki family who ruled this region from the 16th century. It was also a landing spot for visitors on the sea route to Ise-jingu Shrine and belongs to Ise-Shima National Park.

With a population of over five million people, Osaka is Japans second largest city. For centuries, Osaka was Japans cultural and commercial gateway to Asia — the point of entry not only for trade goods, but most importantly, cultural influences that shaped Japan. Today, Osaka is a vibrant cultural center known for its shopping and exquisite cuisine.

Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchis reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son – a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma – played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration. Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan – and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.

Now a modern city of broad avenues, the Peace Memorial Museum opens a window on the somber reality of Hiroshimas tragic past. Today Hiroshima is a monument not only to the destructive forces harnessed by men, but also to the indomitable will of the human spirit to overcome tragedy. On August 6, 1945, human history was irrevocably altered when the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Its detonation left half the city in ruins and aflame. At the heart of the city lies the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome that commemorates this day. The gutted walls of the citys old Industry Promotion Hall and the skeletal remains that support its copper dome—vaporized in the blast—are instantly recognizable symbols of Hiroshima. Hiroshima is also the jumping-off point for the picturesque island of Miyajima, known for its Itsukushima Shrine.

The second largest city in South Korea, Busan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples. The citys bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park. In short, Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose startling economic success often obscures one of Asias most sophisticated and venerable cultures. Busan was the scene of bitter fighting during the Korean War. The United Nations Memorial Cemetery marks the final resting place for the troops from 16 nations who gave their lives during the conflict.

For most travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horrors of war. But this beautiful city on Kyushu offers timeless charm as well. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccinis opera “Madame Butterfly.” In 1945, an estimated 75,000 people perished when the city became the second target of a nuclear attack. Today, Nagasakis Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum draw visitors from around the world.

Sprawling, semi-rural Shimizu Ward is dominated by forested coastal mountains, with hiking trails and ropeway rides to dramatic viewpoints above Suruga Bay. Miho Beach Park is popular for swimming and water sports in summer, and there are baseball and soccer fields nearby, plus an aquarium at the Marine Science Center.

Yokohama, with 3.6 million-plus residents, is Japans second most populous urban area after Tokyo, and is also one of the countrys major ports.

The oldest Chinese reference to Taiwan dates back to the Han Dynasty in the 3rd century B.C. However, it wasnt until the 17th century A.D. that Chinese Hakka traders first settled on the island. These bold merchants were soon followed by European and Asian adventurers seeking to control and colonize the strategic island. The most famous migration of all occurred in 1948, when the government of the Republic of China fled the mainland. Taipei is one of the worlds most important commercial centers. Despite its turbulent history, Taiwan today boasts an economy that is the envy of the world. Modern Taiwan is a world leader in the production of bicycles, computer chips, plastics, chemicals and computer notebooks. Taipei is a sophisticated modern metropolis that has not forgotten its rich traditional past. The port of Keelung is your gateway to Taiwan. Visit the bustling city of Taipei and other interesting areas surrounding on this fascinating island in the East China Sea.

This well-kept seaside secret is your gateway to the beating heart of Taiwan, a vibrant island nation that stole the spotlight with the ousting from China of Nationalist, Chiang Kai-shek. Its serene beauty belies the continuing conflict with mainland China and welcomes you with open arms. Imagine a truly unspoiled place – Taroko Gorge National Park – a must for any nature and wildlife enthusiast where mineral hot springs offer rejuvenation and bliss. Traditional Chinese and Japanese temples with their unique architecture and magnificent landscape design, awaken the senses and transport you to a world of grace and timeless heritage.

The balmy, subtropical climate draws countless visitors to its sandy shores, but Ishigaki offers much more than your typical island getaway. It is the cultural, political and economic center of the Yaeyama Islands, originally founded in 1908 as Yaeyama Village and becoming Ishigaki Town in 1926. Ishigaki was elevated to city status on July 10, 1947. A hilltop Shinto shrine which dates back to 1614 is the perfect place to start your exploration of this lovely town. Noted for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters to which snorkelers flock for a glimpse of the islands famed manta rays, Ishigaki Island offers many opportunities to commune with nature. Ishigaki has palm forests, mangrove-lined rivers suited for kayaking, and jungle-covered mountains perfect for hiking adventures. Amidst such natural beauty, youll find an abundance of cultural sites with ties to the islands rich history. The Yaeyama Museum displays historic artifacts as well as traditional cultural items, and a visit to the well-preserved Miyara Dunchi, built in 1819, is a rare example of a samurai-style residence. Be sure to leave time in your busy day to sample some of the sweet island pineapple and to shop for the islands famed black pearls, a most special souvenir. Note: Ishigaki is an anchorage port. Transportation from ship to shore is via the ships tender service.

Located halfway between Tokyo and Taiwan, Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, one of a group of 100-plus islands tied together by sea routes. Okinawas strategic location has long made it a center for trade and conflict. In its history, the island has been an independent kingdom and tributary state of China, the feudal possession of a Japanese daimyo, a prefecture of Japan after the Meiji Restoration, a U.S. military possession, and, since 1972, an integral part of Japan once more. The only subtropical prefecture of the Japanese islands offers splendid coral-reef diving, plus many interesting sights to occupy your time. Students of history will remember the battle for Okinawa as the largest amphibious invasion and last major campaign of the Pacific War. Given its turbulent history, Okinawa has evolved into a unique melting pot of cultures — a mix of Ryukyuan, Chinese and Japanese traditions permeated by American pop culture from the U.S.s long military presence on the island.

Yokohama, with 3.6 million-plus residents, is Japans second most populous urban area after Tokyo, and is also one of the countrys major ports.