Kyoto, Fukuoka & Sasebo Cruise

After you arrive at Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong’s modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon’s Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you’re up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.

Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It’s a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There’s lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.

Fukuoka, on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, is known for ancient temples and beautiful beaches. Explore the 17th-century ruins of Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park. Then head to the central Hakata district, home to Tocho-ji Temple, where a 10-meter wooden Buddha sits. Cruise to Fukuoka and dive deeper into history at the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, with displays on daily life in the Meiji and Taisho eras. Slurp ramen noodles in rich tonkotsu broth at one of the city’s yatai (outdoor food stalls), then walk it off with a stroll along the winding canals. Pop into Shofukuji Zen temple for some quiet reflection. Or embrace the bustle instead and head to Canal City Hakata, one of Japan’s largest shopping complexes.

Sakaiminato is renowned for its excellent seafood, giving local sushi chefs plenty of fresh catches to create culinary masterpieces. It’s also the home of Shigeru Mizuki, creator of the famous manga comic series GeGeGe no Kitaro.

The gentle seaside city of Maizuru will win you over with its quaint collection of mountainside temples, pristine beaches and historical museums. Cruise to Kyoto and check out Maizuru Red Brick Park, a series of warehouses that today serve as a museum, and be transported to a Cold War-era spy thriller. See the nearby Amanohashidate sandbar, a 3-kilometer-long isthmus that connects the bay in a picturesque stretch of white sand and pine trees. Or head into central Kyoto, about a 90-minute drive from port — walk among the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, or climb to the top of Kyoto Tower for the area’s best views.

Home to the Maeda Clan in the 16th century, Kanazawa used to rival Kyoto and Edo (ancient Tokyo) in culture and prosperity. These days, the city continues to thrive and it’s thanks to the business-minded Maeda samurai that almost all the gold leaf in Japan is made by Kanazawa craftsmen. Because most of the original architecture is still preserved, you can expect an eclectic mix of samurai streets, teahouses graced by geisha, thought-provoking modern museums and delectable foodie trends (gold-leaf ice cream anyone?). The crowning jewel of Kanazawa is the sensational Kenrokuen Garden, where locals and tourists visit to soak up the ever-changing seasonal beauty.

Centrally placed in the heart of the Nagasaki prefecture, Sasebo is a quaint, romantic town blessed by nature. Hike up Mount Ishidake to take in the scenery from Ishidake Observatory: In the distance, you’ll see tiny emerald green islands nestled in the calm bay surrounded by mountain peaks. Stop by one of many festivals and celebrations that happen here throughout the year: Indulge in flavourful oysters during the winter-long oyster festival at the Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort, or dance with the locals in the yearly, city-wide Yosakoi Sasebo festival held in autumn. Cruise to Sasaebo, Japan and don’t miss Huis Ten Bosch, a replica Dutch town with Netherlands-inspired theme park rides that reflects the Kyushu region’s heritage as a cultural crossroads.

After you arrive at Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong’s modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon’s Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you’re up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.

Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It’s a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There’s lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.