Lights, sushi, manga ... one word : Tokyo! Set sail on our luxury cruise ship to this incredible city that is known to be sprawling, frenetic, and endlessly fascinating as Japan's capital of contrasts!

Kobe is best known for its famous beef, but the city has much more to offer. Its port history and 98 nationalities have created one of Japan's most diverse food cultures, with exceptional seafood, sushi, bread, bakeries, and sake. Historically important, Kobe was renamed in 1889 and was once known as Owada no Tomari. Set between Osaka and Kyoto on the Inland Sea, it appears in classic literature and is near Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most beautiful feudal castles.

Hiroshima is a city of remembrance and peace. Devastated by the 1945 atomic bombing, it now honors the past through the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial, Peace Memorial Park, and the Flames of Peace, which burn until all nuclear weapons are gone. The Children's Peace Monument commemorates Sadako Sasaki and her 1,000 paper cranes. In cherry blossom season, the city is especially beautiful.

Book a Silversea Luxury Cruise to Japan and discover Fukuoka. Explore the castle town of Kyushu Island, the bullet train, spritual shrines and much more!

Busan, South Korea's second city, is a lively port framed by mountains and sea. Highlights include cliffside Haedong Yonggung Temple, lantern-lit Beomeosa, and the colorful, art-filled Gamcheon Culture Village. Feast on bibimbap and seafood, then unwind on Haeundae or Gwangalli beach, with city skyscrapers, sand festivals, and the glowing Gwangan Bridge completing Busan's quirky urban-coastal charm.

Nagasaki was devastated by the second U.S. atomic bomb on Aug. 9, 1945, killing more than 50,000. Today, the city honors its past while promoting peace and hope. Visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, hear Hibakusha survivor stories, and see the Memorial Hall, Peace Park, and Hypocenter Park. Nearby Suwa Shrine's scarred torii and trees survived the blast. From Mount Inasa, reached by ropeway or bus, you can overlook the harbor and the city's resilient beauty.

Kagoshima, one of Japan's southernmost major cities, is dominated by Sakurajima volcano, an active peak that often sends ash over Kinko Bay. The 1914 eruption created new land. Visitors can try a black sand bath, enjoy views from Senganen Garden (built in 1658 and long owned by the Shimadzu family), and explore museums on Feudal-era and Satsuma history, plus WWII kamikaze squadrons. Nearby Lake Ikeda is said to be home to the Issie monster.

Lights, sushi, manga ... one word : Tokyo! Set sail on our luxury cruise ship to this incredible city that is known to be sprawling, frenetic, and endlessly fascinating as Japan's capital of contrasts!

Miyako, on Japan's eastern coast in Iwate Prefecture, is a coastal city of about 50,000, some 600 km from Tokyo. Known for scenic beauty, one of Japan's best beaches, and excellent seafood, it was once a major Edo-period seaport. Repeated tsunamis and seismic risk erased much of its history, so natural attractions dominate. Bordering Sanriku Fukkō National Park, it has rich flora and fauna, including Japan's only breeding grounds for the band-rumped storm-petrel.

From Mount Hakodate, see the city spread between twin bays and the sea. One of Japan's first open ports, Hakodate shows Western and Russian influence in its architecture, from redbrick warehouses to the Orthodox church domes. Nearby, star-shaped Goryokaku fortress and its tower offer views, especially in cherry blossom season. Ride the ropeway at sunset for one of Japan's best night panoramas, then enjoy Hakodate's famous squid, seafood, and the lively Morning Market.

Kodiak Island is raw, wild Alaskan wilderness: the USA's second-largest island, with 3,670 square miles of rugged scenery. Grizzlies, brown and black bears, eagles, fir-covered mountains, and still lakes make it a dream for wildlife photography and documentary crews. Clouds and fog are common, and locals say they once helped deter WWII attacks. Take a seaplane to track bears with a guide, and don't miss the island's world-class fishing on its productive waters.

Sitka offers bears, wild landscapes, icy adventures, and rich wildlife in the Inside Passage: eagles, whales, sea lions, and Pacific salmon. See St. Michael's Church, a reminder of Russian rule before the 1867 Alaska purchase, and visit Sitka National Historical Park for Tlingit culture and totem poles marking the 1804 clash with Russians. Mount Edgecumbe rises like Fuji, Kruzof Island offers scenic hikes, and you can also fly, fish for king salmon, or dine on Northwest frontier cuisine.

Ketchikan, Alaska-the "Salmon Capital of the World"-is a gateway to the Inside Passage and Misty Fjords National Monument, best seen by cruise or scenic flight. Spot grizzlies, black bears, whales, seals, eagles, and more in the rainforest and rugged inlet landscape. Visit the Heritage Centre for the world's largest collection of Tlingit and Haida totem poles, then explore historic Creek Street, once the city's red-light district, plus Dolly's House and the Married Man Trail.

Join us to enjoy Vancouver's juxtaposition of urban sophistication and on-your-doorstep wilderness adventure! With Silversea cruises you'll be able to enjoy one of the world's most livable cities.