Los Angeles To Tokyo

Discover Los Angeles’ multicultural history by walking through its diverse selection of neighborhoods: See the ornate Twin Towers Dragon Gateway in Chinatown and the traditional Mexican shopping stalls and vendors of Olvera Street. Then, chill by the beach at Santa Monica Pier, or take the iconic drive down Sunset Boulevard, one of the most often-filmed thoroughfares in the country.

Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu and Long Beach are four of Los Angeles’ most popular beach destinations. Of the four, Malibu is the most remote and least urban — head here for surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Depending on traffic, you can get to Long Beach in 40 minutes, while the others take around an hour.

Snap a pic of the Hollywood sign, stroll down the Sunset Strip and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or visit Paramount Studios. You can see all of these and more on the Grand City Tour by StarLine Tours which operates two times a day, seven days a week.

The International Date Line is the meridian that separates two consecutive calendar days. Of course, since the line is mainly across open ocean, you cant see it. But without the IDL, if you cruised west around the planet youd discover that when you returned home, it would seem as though an extra day had passed. This situation actually happened to Magellans crew when they returned home after their circumnavigation of the earth. If your cruise should take you across this imaginary line, our staff will let you know the exact time one day turns into another – just in case you want to celebrate.

Hakodate overflows with historic architecture and steamy hot springs . Located along Hokkaido’s southwestern tip, it’s the perfect spot to begin exploring this island’s unique history and culture during your vacation. Cruise to Hakodate and start your day at the morning Hakodate-Asaichi, or Morning Market, and tuck into a hearty kaisendon, a bowl of ultra-fresh sashimi fish over steamed rice. Then, relax with a soak in the Yunokawa hot springs on Hakodate’s outskirts, or check out Goryokaku Fort — the nearby tower lets you take in a bird’s-eye view of the star-shaped design surrounded by a moat. And don’t leave without taking in the million-dollar views of the city from atop Mt. Hakodate.

The capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo is a gateway to Japan’s northern island of rugged mountains, hot springs and endless winter adventures. Cruise through Odori Park, an oasis that hosts the world-famous Snow Festival in winter, a lilac festival in spring and a beer festival in summer. Learn about Hokkaido’s frontier history at Former Hokkaido Government Office, an exquisite example of American neo-Baroque architecture dating back to 1888. Cruise to Sapporo to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, soak your bones in the steamy springs of Jozankei, and feast on Sapporo’s famous hearty ramen noodle soup defined by salty miso, a fermented soya bean paste.

Japan’s Mt. Fuji is an active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo. Commonly called “Fuji-san,” it’s the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters. A pilgrimage site for centuries, it’s considered one of Japan’s 3 sacred mountains, and summit hikes remain a popular activity. Its iconic profile is the subject of numerous works of art, notably Edo Period prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige

Yokohama is the central gateway to exploring Tokyo, a once-humble fishing village that is now one of the world’s biggest, most densely populated cities. You’ll find an eclectic mix of traditional shrines and soaring skyscrapers lining these neon-lit streets. Walk the Rainbow Bridge over Tokyo Bay alongside the Yurikamome Rail Line, a futuristic, operatorless train system. Then, see old Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, an Edo Castle surrounded by moats and gardens perfect for strolling. Cruise to Tokyo and head to iconic Sensoji Buddhist Temple and pass below the massive red paper lantern of the Thunder Gate. Then, unwind in Yoyogi Park, a literal forest in the heart of the city, complete with Zen gardens and a gingko tree forest.