Vancouver, surrounded by mountains and the ocean, is a vibrant haven for outdoor lovers and cosmopolitan travelers. Its neighborhoods-Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, and Chinatown-blend scenic pathways with rich arts, food, and culture. Famous as a filming location, it offers old-growth cedar forests, dramatic landscapes, and abundant wildlife: a big city perched on the edge of wilderness.

Ketchikan offers a journey through thousands of years of history and a wild landscape alive with moose, mountain goats, brown bears, and black-tailed deer. Explore Creek Street Historic District, where bridges cross salmon-filled creeks, then soar by seaplane to Misty Fjords National Monument, with granite cliffs dropping 3,000 feet into fjords, snowcapped peaks, and forests of spruce, hemlock, and cedar. Visit some of the oldest totems of the Tlingit and Haida peoples.

Sitka is known for fishing, whale and wildlife sightings, and legendary battles between Russian fur traders and the Tlingit. Explore vast wilderness-volcanoes, forests, islands, and glaciers-on scenic trails lined with Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Visit the Raptor Center, kayak Sitka Sound, see WWII sites and Mount Edgecumbe, and end at St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, where Russia handed Sitka to the U.S.

Seward offers big nature and bigger adventures, with calving glaciers and seabirds as the soundtrack. Sail Kenai Fjords National Park for waterspouts, tailfins, epic icefields, and tufted puffins on shale cliffs. Hike past glacial waterfalls, tackle the Harding Icefield trail or the easier Exit Glacier loop, and take in stunning views of Resurrection Bay's deep glacial waters and towering cliffs.

Eastern Hokkaido's Kushiro offers open skies, pristine wetlands and rare wildlife. Red-crowned cranes glide over reed plains and dance on snow in winter, while Lake Akan reflects forested hills and marimo algae. Hosooka Observatory looks over the winding Kushiro River, and nearby Lake Mashu-one of the world's clearest lakes-rests in volcanic calm. In town, seafood markets, sunsets at Nusamai Bridge and Ainu culture enrich this tranquil corner of Japan.

Aomori blends deep tradition with striking natural beauty on Japan's northern tip. The Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse showcases the artistry and energy of the region's famous illuminated floats year-round, while the Sannai-Maruyama Site reveals life from the 5,500-year-old Jomon period. Just an hour away, Hirosaki Castle charms in every season, framed by gardens and views of Mount Iwaki. Fresh seafood markets and sweeping vistas over Mutsu Bay complete Aomori's mix of culture, history and quiet charm.

Tokyo is a city of contrasts: centuries-old shrines and neon streets, serene gardens and bustling crossings. Sensō-ji anchors historic Asakusa, while Meiji Shrine rests in a forested sanctuary between Harajuku and Omotesandō. Shibuya Crossing buzzes, Akihabara glows with pop culture, and Tsukiji tempts food lovers. From Skytree to Ueno Park's cherry blossoms, Tokyo blends tradition with modern wonder.