Visit Kyoto's breathtaking temples and shrines, ancient Nara's magnificent sacred sites, and Nara Park with its deer and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Tour Osaka's imposing castle, shop in Kobe for silks, ceramics, paper parasols, artworks and pottery, and enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine or a superb Kobe beef dinner, exquisitely prepared and served.

Kochi is rich in natural beauty: a Kuroshio-warmed coastline, the clear Shimanto River, and deep green forests. In southern Shikoku, it is bordered by mountains to the north and traces Tosa Bay with an arc-like coast, from Cape Muroto in the east to Cape Ashizuri in the west, with sandy beaches between. It also features the mystical Ryuga-do limestone caves and the scenic pine-lined Katsurahama Beach.

From Naha, explore Okinawa's culture and traditions: visit colorful Shuri Castle, then the tranquil Shikinaen Gardens, built in 1799 as a royal villa. Shop for Tsuboya-yaki pottery, Ryukyuan glass, and lacquerware in the Tsuboya District. Stroll Kokusai Dori's shops, galleries, markets, restaurants, and arcades. Finish with soba or tempura, plus sanpincha (jasmine tea) and sata andagi (fried donut with black cane sugar).

Keelung's landscape is a blend of mountainous terrain with a beautiful coastline. Attractions include Heping Island with rock formations that arouse intrigue and curiosity, the Chungcheng Park known for the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, the Ho Ping Coastal park that's perfect for diving and sea fishing and the Shiandung Cave that's sea-eroded. The not to be missed food market surrounding the Denji Temple has a myriad of delicacies to sample from.

This charming town is the main port of Ilocos Sur, known for its blend of Spanish and Filipino influences, seen in Salomague's colorful fishing boats and colonial-era harbor buildings. Nearby Vigan City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the best-preserved planned Spanish colonial town in Asia, with Baroque Spanish architecture and food carts serving local specialties like sinigang, adobo, and lechon.

Manila, the Philippine capital, was founded by King Philip II of Spain. Spain later kept the Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese from settling there. Britain occupied Manila during the Seven Years' War but returned it to Spain in 1763. In WWII, Japan seized it in 1942; the U.S. later recaptured the islands, which were returned to the Philippines. In 1946, the country gained full independence.

Kota Kinabalu, or "KK," is Sabah's capital on Borneo's northwest coast and a gateway to tropical scenery, tribal culture, and wilderness. Snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, photograph the city's "floating" mosque, visit Mari Mari Cultural Village to see five ethnic tribes, and explore World Heritage-listed Kinabalu Park beneath Mount Kinabalu's rainforest, wildlife, and flora.

This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers rich culture, history, and cuisine. Explore Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, and Little India; take in harbor views at Boat Quay; shop along Orchard Road; enjoy a night safari at Singapore Zoo; relax in Bukit Timah Nature Preserve; wander futuristic Gardens by the Bay; and unwind with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.

This island nation at the end of the Malaysian peninsula offers rich culture, history, and cuisine. Explore Chinatown, the Arab Quarter, and Little India; take in harbor views at Boat Quay; shop along Orchard Road; enjoy a night safari at Singapore Zoo; relax in Bukit Timah Nature Preserve; wander futuristic Gardens by the Bay; and unwind with a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel.