Tokyo to Tokyo

Immerse yourself in a dense and delightful metropolis where ancient traditions seamlessly merge with a relentless drive toward the future. There is truly nowhere else quite like Tokyo. Ride rocket-fast elevators to towering viewing platforms and gaze across a vast urban ocean of sky-scraping needles. On clear days, look to the horizon to spot the distant, majestic cone of Mount Fuji. Navigate the city's 14 districts using perfectly punctual, futuristic transport. Down on the streets, let the glorious, dizzying energy wash over your senses, fueled by flashing billboards, clinking arcade machines, and mesmerizing waves of humanity.

Step into one of the city's most iconic experiences at the Shibuya crossing. When the lights turn green, join the choreographed dance of briefcase-carrying commuters scrambling across the famous intersection, all bathed in the glow of massive neon advertisements. Delve into an immensely rich culture hidden amidst soaring modern skyscrapers to discover stunning palaces, 7th-century lantern-decorated temples, and tranquil scarlet shrines resting under cloaks of sweet incense.

Treat your palate to refined local cuisine, featuring precisely prepared sushi and wafer-thin slivers of fresh seafood. Afterward, observe the intricate rituals of a traditional teahouse ceremony, or sing the night away alongside locals in a lively karaoke bar. If visiting during the spring, watch as delicate cherry blossoms paint a stunning pink sheen across countless city parks and public gardens.

Consider days at sea as the ultimate invitation to relax, unwind, and catch up on everything you have been meaning to do. Whether your ideal afternoon involves hitting the gym, indulging in a soothing spa visit, scanning the horizon for whales, diving into a great book, or simply perfecting your tan under the sun, these tranquil stretches of open water offer the perfect counterbalance to an active schedule of shoreside exploration.

Japan's third-biggest city has thrown off its shackles and stepped out of the shadows to light up the sky with glaring neon signs and a larger-than-life outlook. Giant octopuses cling to buildings, and bustling restaurants pack in the crowds in this great and garish place, which is Japan at its most friendly, extroverted, and flavorful. So dive in headfirst to experience an all-out sensory assault of delicious food, shopping cathedrals, and glittering temples. Dotombori Bridge bathes in the multicolored, jewel-like lights of signage-plastered buildings, and the neon lights dance on the canal's waters below. Osaka is known as the nation's kitchen, and the Kuromon Ichiba Market has served as the city's spot to tuck in for almost 200 years. Full of street food stalls - try pufferfish, savory Okonomiyaki pancakes, or ginger and onion-flavored octopus, among the endless feast of exotic flavors. Osaka Castle is another of the city's landmarks, built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A modern museum now waits inside, where you can learn about the country's history and why this castle is a symbol of Japanese unity. Be sure to take the elevator up to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Osaka's spread. A colorful park encloses the castle and blooms with an ocean of pale pink cherry blossoms during the season - the elegant black tiers rising from the pink haze below is one of Osaka's most alluring visions. Kyoto's peaceful cultural treasures and temples are also just a short jaunt away on Japan's sleek trains, should you wish to explore further afield.

Kochi Castle, with its elegant black and white tiered roofs, is one of only twelve of the original castles remaining in Japan. Step inside to explore authentic feudal architecture and admire sweeping views over the city and mountains. The surrounding landscape is dotted with temples and forested hillsides, where the historic Shikoku Pilgrimage route winds. Beyond the castle, the Makino Botanical Garden guides visitors through pathways and greenhouses of diverse flora. The Shimanto River — Shikoku’s longest — draws outdoor enthusiasts with peaceful hiking trails and a serene backdrop for reflection. Facing the vast Pacific on Shikoku's southern coast, Kochi is celebrated for its katsuo no tataki — lightly seared skipjack tuna — and thriving sake-brewing tradition.

With its cosmopolitan energy, contemplative gardens, and spiritual depth, Hiroshima is a true center of Japanese creativity. Koi carp ease through ponds while water trickles beneath ornamental bridges in the peaceful Shukkei-en garden. The reconstructed Hiroshima Castle recalls the feudal era, and shrines are resplendent as the Sakura season’s pale pink spreads. In this culinary capital, okonomiyaki — an umami-rich savory pancake — is a must. Hiroshima is brushed with artistry too, and is renowned for its handmade Kumano brushes, crafted in the surrounding hills since the Edo period for calligraphy and traditional ink painting. The iconic floating torii gate of sacred Miyajima Island is also within reach, rising from calm waters. Cradled by the Honkawa and Motoyasu rivers, the Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum, and Genbaku Dome offer spaces to reflect on the events of 1945.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

A tapestry of kaleidoscopic colors, intense seafood flavors, and urban beach bliss, Busan rolls across a glorious natural setting on the Korean Peninsula's southeast. One of the biggest and busiest ports in the world, 3.5 million people call South Korea's second city home, and the amiable locals help to lend the city its quirky, offbeat outlook. A spacious, playful, and cosmopolitan place, Busan is a lively, livable city, cradled by lush mountains and endless ocean scenery. Haedong Yonggung Temple nestles on a dramatic cliffside, just above the crumbling rocks and crashing waves of the East Sea. Dating back to 1376, the temple's multi-story pagoda is adorned with lions - each representing a different emotion. Elsewhere, lanterns glitter in the night sky around Mount Geumjeongsan, freshly released from the beautiful Beomeosa Temple, which was established in AD 678. The hillside shantytown of Gamcheon Culture Village has completed an improbable transformation, blossoming from a sea of makeshift homes for Korean war refugees, into a colorful explosion of creativity and curiosity. Local artists have been let loose to create interactive installations, and the entire area is now an expansive canvas for expression. Lose yourself among vibrant alleyways of flamingo-pink, lemon-yellow, and baby-blue painted facades in this unique area. Sample bibimbap, fiery-hot beef, and rice, from street food vendors, before relaxing on one of South Korea's best beaches - Haeundae's banana bend of sand. Metallic skyscrapers offer an unusual backdrop to this pristine expanse of golden powder and are mirrored by elaborate sandcastles and sculptures during the annual sand festival - when spontaneous water fights and firework displays also take place. Gwangalli Beach is another urban option, laying out spectacular views of the reaching Gwangan Bridge - the country's second largest bridge. At night, 16,000 bulbs bathe this "engineering marvel in color."

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

The capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa once rivaled Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) as a town rich in cultural achievements. Kanazawa escaped destruction during World War II and accordingly has been able to preserve many of the old districts in good shape. The city is famous because of Kenrokuen. Located next to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen is classified as “One of the Three Gardens of Japan”. The garden has an artificial pond, and hills and houses are dotted within the 11.4 hectares. It has Japan's oldest fountain using natural water pressure and a teahouse dating back to 1774. Close by is the Higashi Chaya Gai Geisha District, designated a National Cultural Asset and the biggest of the Geisha districts of Kanazawa. Some of the houses not only retain the original structure but still are used as Geisha houses. Some of the streets have traditional shops creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Kanazawa is also known for its lacquer ware, Kutani-style pottery, gold-leaf workmanship, and delicately painted silk kimonos.

The capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa once rivaled Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) as a town rich in cultural achievements. Kanazawa escaped destruction during World War II and accordingly has been able to preserve many of the old districts in good shape. The city is famous because of Kenrokuen. Located next to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen is classified as “One of the Three Gardens of Japan”. The garden has an artificial pond, and hills and houses are dotted within the 11.4 hectares. It has Japan's oldest fountain using natural water pressure and a teahouse dating back to 1774. Close by is the Higashi Chaya Gai Geisha District, designated a National Cultural Asset and the biggest of the Geisha districts of Kanazawa. Some of the houses not only retain the original structure but still are used as Geisha houses. Some of the streets have traditional shops creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Kanazawa is also known for its lacquer ware, Kutani-style pottery, gold-leaf workmanship, and delicately painted silk kimonos.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

Gaze down over Hakodate, from the heights of its namesake peak - Mount Hakodate - to see the city stretching out spectacularly, with back-to-back twin bays splitting the ocean. Hakodate port was one of the first to open Japan up to the world and to international trade in 1859 - a fact reflected in the architecture, with its influences from the West and beyond. The port area is a redbrick wash of warehouses turned shopping malls, all observed by the onion domes of the city's Russian Orthodox church. Elsewhere, the star-shaped Goryokaku fortress glows with natural colors and a beautiful haze of cherry blossoms during the season. Goryokaku Tower, which rises up beside it, offers a sweeping bird's eye view of the green fortress and mountain backdrop. Buses trundle up the 335-meter incline to the top of Mount Hakodate, but the best way to reach the views is to jump on the ropeway, which swings high above downtown's buildings, over a carpet of pine trees. Head up to the mountain's heights as sunset approaches. With darkness sweeping in, and the lights flickering to life, the panorama is one of Japan's most spectacular. Soak it all in, and look out to the horizon, dotted with the shimmering lights of ships hauling in harvests of the city's renowned squid. The plankton-rich waters attract a delicious variety of feasting sea life to Hakodate's coast, which is then plated up in the city's numerous, skilled restaurants. For an eye-opening, whirring morning, see the freshest produce being doled out at Hakodate Morning Market - amid a cacophony of noise and activity.

Set on the eastern coast in Japan's Iwate prefecture, Miyako promises stunning scenery and Jorman history in equimeasure. The coastal city of around 50,000 inhabitants is almost 600 km (372 miles) from Tokyo, but boasts one of the finest beaches in Japan, as well as a treasure trove of succulently fresh seafood restaurants. While travelers to Miyako might arrive expecting the usual amalgam of cultural attractions and high-tech wizardry, they will leave with memories of one of the greatest garden cities they have ever experienced. During the Edo period (1603-1868) the town was once considered as Japan's main seaport, and it is still an important port today with a thriving fishing industry. Mother Nature really does come into her own in Miyako. The city is bordered by the vast Sanriku Fukkō National Park, one of the National Parks of Japan. Sanriku Fukkō stretches for 180 km (111 miles) along the coast and home a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, including groves of Japanese red pine, rhododendrons, and Rosa rugosa. Numerous bird species, including the black-tailed gull and shearwater, call the park home. Butterflies float gently on the breeze and hummingbirds sail like darts through the trees. What's more, bird lovers will undoubtedly love that the nearby Hidejima Island and Sanganjima Island are the only breeding grounds in Japan for the band-rumped storm-petrel.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and catch up with what you've been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.