Once a modest fishing village, modern Tokyo is a vast metropolis of distinct neighborhoods: Shinjuku's Golden Gai bars, Nihombashi's culinary and shopping scenes, Akihabara's gadgets and manga culture, and Asakusa's pottery shops. Explore museums covering Japanese history and culture, especially the Tokyo National Museum. Visit the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji in Asakusa, enjoy Tokyo's exceptional food scene, and take a selfie at Shibuya Crossing.

Nature, cuisine, and samurai history-Sendai has it all. Stroll Jozenji-dori, the tree-lined "City of Trees." See the giant Daikannon Statue, one of the world's tallest Goddess of Mercy statues. Explore temples near Sendai Station on Shindera Street and in Kitayama. Find peace at Osaki Hachimangu and Rinno-ji. Don't miss Sendai's famous cold noodles, miso, traditional sweets, and Asaichi Street Market.

Miyako is an important fishing port known for salmon, trout, and mackerel. On the estuary of the Hei River facing Miyako Bay and the Pacific, it was hit hard by the 2011 tsunami. The Taro Kanko Hotel, whose lower two floors were washed away but still stands, is preserved as a symbol of resilience. Try sea urchin and ika senbei (squid-extract cookies). Don't miss Jodogahama Beach's jagged white-rock promontory.

Aomori is a city steeped in culture and surrounded by unspoiled wilderness. Hike through the serene, verdant landscapes of the Hakkoda Mountains or unwind in the soothing waters of a Tsuta Onsen, a one-thousand-year-old natural hot spring. Immerse yourself in the captivating exhibits at the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE, celebrating the city's famous Nebuta Festival with its magnificent, illuminated floats. Sample the local culinary delights, including fresh seafood and the renowned Aomori apples.

About 30 miles off Alaska's southeast peninsula, Kodiak spans about 5,000 square miles of forests, jagged peaks, and wildlife-rich bays. Nicknamed "Alaska's Emerald Isle," it's a place to leave civilization behind and rediscover nature. Outdoor activities include hiking, bear-watching, and fishing for salmon, halibut, and trout.

Beginning in 1897, Skagway was the starting point for more than 40,000 gold-rush stampeders bound for the Yukon via the Chilkoot Trail. In downtown Skagway, over 20 historic buildings preserve the Klondike Gold Rush era, with locals in period costume sharing the town's bawdy history. Ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway as it climbs 3,000 feet into scenic mountains past Bridal Veil Falls and Inspiration Point.

In 1880, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were prospecting for gold with the help of Indian guides. Here they discovered nuggets "as large as beans" at the mouth of the aptly named Gold Creek. Out of their discoveries came three of the largest gold digs in the world where more than $150 million in gold was mined. Juneau's surrounding beauty and natural wonders have attracted cruise ship travelers for over a century, with steamship companies bringing tourists here since the early 1880's.

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew around salmon canneries and sawmills. Its name is said to come from the native term "Katch Kanna," meaning "spread wings of a thundering eagle." Once proclaimed the "Salmon Capital of the World," Ketchikan is known for its outstanding totem poles and is a must for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers often come here for their first look at the North Country and are rarely disappointed.

Victoria is a picturesque city with old-world charm and abundant flowers. Founded in 1843 by James Douglas of the Hudson's Bay Company as Fort Victoria, it became part of a British colony in 1848 and merged with mainland British Columbia in 1868. Though a port city, it is less industrial than Vancouver. Its harbors, especially Inner Harbour, are filled with pleasure craft, ferries, and floatplanes.

From the first Spanish Mission founded by the "Sacred Expedition" in 1776, through the Barbary Coast and Gold Rush, to its rebirth after the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco delights the eye, heart, and palate. With Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Pacific Heights' Victorian homes, Union Square, colorful trolley cars, Muir Woods, and nearby Napa and Sonoma, the "City by the Bay" is a must-see West Coast destination.