Asia: Osaka, Jeju & Nagoya from Tokyo, Japan

Once a sleepy fishing village, Yokohama is now one of Japan’s largest ports and your gateway to Tokyo. Ancient traditions and historic sites blend into modern culture, crafting a city unlike anywhere else. In Tokyo, you can walk among both neon-glowing skyscrapers and regal temples. Browse stores showcasing the latest advances in technology or retreat to one of the tranquil gardens surrounding the Imperial Palace. Savour traditional cuisine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and witness the centuries-old sport of sumo wrestling. This cosmopolitan hub offers a vast selection of attractions and activities and a wealth of culturally and historic sites. Whether this is your first or fifth visit to the city, Tokyo will captivate your imagination.

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. Busy fisheries supply sushi bars and seafood markets with local specialties like sakura shrimp.

Japan’s fourth largest city by population, Nagoya, is a centre of modern commerce, with Toyota, Noritake china and a Legoland theme park calling this capital home. Tour the Toyota Exhibit Hall, experience Noritake Gardens and sit amongst the stars in the planetarium at the Science Museum. Nagoya Castle, deemed a National Treasure, is a must-see, as is exploring their entertainment district, Sakae. This busy hub is where you’ll find Nagoya TV Tower, the city’s symbol, and Oasis 21, a multi-level public park with a futuristic water theme.

Situated between mountains and the sea, Kobe is Japan’s sixth-largest city and a port bustling with culture and fine cuisine. Named after its origin, famous Kobe beef is one of the delicacies to enjoy at the many gourmet restaurants. Don’t miss the chance to visit Ikuta Shrine – one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines – or tour a museum to learn about local culture. For sweeping views of the vibrant city, explore one of the nearby mountainsides through a diverse selection of activities.

Situated between mountains and the sea, Kobe is Japan’s sixth-largest city and a port bustling with culture and fine cuisine. Named after its origin, famous Kobe beef is one of the delicacies to enjoy at the many gourmet restaurants. Don’t miss the chance to visit Ikuta Shrine – one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines – or tour a museum to learn about local culture. For sweeping views of the vibrant city, explore one of the nearby mountainsides through a diverse selection of activities.

Enjoy the scenic countryside, WWII memorials, magnificent limestone caves and a reconstructed Ryukyu village where the island’s heritage and crafts are on display. Take home exquisite Bingata fabric, handmade paper, colourful tsuboya-yaki pottery and other craft items. You’ll also find foods to suit any palate, but traditional Okinawan cuisine blends influences from Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Visit the exquisite Iso-Teien Garden and its villa, built in 1660, and enjoy 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. Local Satsuma dolls, unique cards printed with ink made from volcanic ash, and unusual wooden toys make interesting souvenirs. And be sure to try some miso soup, sashimi or ramen, the area’s famous noodles.

Nagasaki is often equated with the dropping of the atomic bomb, and there are many moving museums, memorials and monuments dedicated to its World War II history that shouldn’t be missed. Yet modern Nagasaki offers a vibrant and charming atmosphere that’s waiting to be explored. Among its cobblestone and rolling hills, the city boasts a rich culinary scene that will excite your inner foodie. To capture Nagasaki’s scenic beauty, consider a cable car ride or harbour tour. Centuries-old shrines, temples and churches dot the landscape and are a must see.

The dormant volcano Hallasan formed many of the natural attractions found on Jeju. As South Korea’s tallest mountain, Hallasan offers an abundance of hiking opportunities and is an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve showcasing a crater lake and an abundance of plants and wildlife. The Manjang Cave, formed by cooling lava, is the world’s longest lava tube and is partially open for tours. Head from the mountain to the magnificent beaches and watch famed haenyo (powerful sea-women) dive for octopus, abalone, clams and more without the aid of a breathing apparatus. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample fresh seafood dishes at a local restaurant.

Travel to Seoul and discover its 5,000-year-old heritage amidst the ultra-modern high-rises. Visit the magnificent 14th century Gyeongbok Palace and stone pagoda, the National Museum and the bustling antique district. Or spend a day in the serene atmosphere of a Zen Buddhist temple and a historic Korean village. Tour the DMZ and rediscover the drama of recent history. Or simply wander the fish market and promenade at Inchon.