Tokyo to Tokyo

From the timeless beauty of the Meiji Shrine to the glittering Ginza District and impressive Tokyo Tower, Tokyo is a complex blend of East and West where houses of wood and paper stand beside soaring steel skyscrapers while kimono-clad women stroll along trendy teenagers. Here in this city of more than 11 million people, the timeless Imperial Palace bears testament to Japan’s enduring traditions, existing in a verdant parkland of isolation.

The height of adventure is visible from downtown Shimizu, as Mount Fuji overlooks the city. A day trip to the legendary 12,388-foot peak promises high-adrenaline challenges and rewarding vistas, not to mention extreme bragging rights. Shimizu itself has also known a legend or two in its day, as the port city was referred to in Japan’s oldest texts, circa 700. It’s a bustling metropolis with a cultural charm that entices with fresh seafood and breathtaking views.

As it has been for centuries, Osaka remains a city of commerce, one of the original Japanese towns at the core of a developing society that grew around trade with China. Although the nature of the city hasn’t changed, it is presently undergoing an architectural revolution with a dazzling display of gleaming skyscrapers. Its prime geography makes it an excellent gateway to famed locales – including the sacred site of Kyoto and the majestic tranquility of Nara.

As it has been for centuries, Osaka remains a city of commerce, one of the original Japanese towns at the core of a developing society that grew around trade with China. Although the nature of the city hasn’t changed, it is presently undergoing an architectural revolution with a dazzling display of gleaming skyscrapers. Its prime geography makes it an excellent gateway to famed locales – including the sacred site of Kyoto and the majestic tranquility of Nara.

The seas surrounding these islands, located about 20 miles from Okinawa, are a window to the wonders below, astoundingly transparent and reflecting nearly neon hues in the sunlight. Beneath these waters is a snorkeler’s playground, with sea turtles swimming along the coral reefs among the hundreds of endemic species here. Watch for migrating humpback whales who also favor the warm waters among the islands for their annual breeding grounds.

Jeju province encompasses the South Korean island of Jeju in the Korea Strait. It’s known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, features hiking trails, a crater lake at the 1,950m summit and nearby Gwaneumsa Temple. The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System includes 7km-long Manjanggul Cave, created centuries ago when Hallasan was still active

Views of the sea, high-rises, parks and temples…. Kochi has it all, along with its own famous dish, katsuo tataki, a culinary delight of flavorfully seasoned, seared tuna. Meander through the Makino Botanical Garden, explore the Museum of Art, stroll along the beach, barter at the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, visit the aquarium, or simply gaze at the city’s most celebrated sight, Kochi Castle, which remains largely intact atop Otakasaka Hill, and at the top of most travelers’ must-see lists.

Arrive into the heart of Japan, Tokyo, by way of Yokohama. From the timeless beauty of the Meiji Shrine to the glittering Ginza District and impressive Tokyo Tower, Tokyo is a complex blend of East and West where houses of wood and paper stand beside soaring steel skyscrapers while kimono-clad women stroll along trendy teenagers. Here in this city of more than 11 million people, the timeless Imperial Palace bears testament to Japan’s enduring traditions, existing in a verdant parkland of isolation.