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!

Feel your heart thump at first sight of Japan's most heavenly vision: Mount Fuji, its snow-capped cone rising through the haze. One of the world's most famous natural landmarks, this perfectly symmetrical, iconic volcano is a beloved symbol of Japan and a picturesque backdrop for Shimizu. Visit the slopes, serene shrines, tea plantations, Shiraito Falls, Kunozan Toshogu Shrine, or Nihondaira Plateau for panoramic views of Fuji and Suruga Bay.

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is a neon-soaked, food-loving spectacle of giant signs, bustling restaurants, shopping, and glittering temples. Dotonbori Bridge glows above the canal, while Kuromon Ichiba Market-"the nation's kitchen"-has served street food for nearly 200 years, from pufferfish and okonomiyaki to octopus. Visit 16th-century Osaka Castle for history and city views, and cherry blossoms in spring. Kyoto's temples are a short train ride away.

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is a neon-soaked, food-loving spectacle of giant signs, bustling restaurants, shopping, and glittering temples. Dotonbori Bridge glows above the canal, while Kuromon Ichiba Market-"the nation's kitchen"-has served street food for nearly 200 years, from pufferfish and okonomiyaki to octopus. Visit 16th-century Osaka Castle for history and city views, and cherry blossoms in spring. Kyoto's temples are a short train ride away.

Kochi is a small, friendly castle town dating to the early 17th century, home to one of only 12 Japanese castles that survived the feudal era. Though half the city was destroyed in a 1945 bombing, the original castle remained, a fine Edo-period example. A lively market nearby offers local and international food, including sugar tomato and rice omelette. Kochi is also known for scenic landscapes, varied hot springs, beaches, katsuo no tataki, and the Harimayabashi love legend.

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.

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.

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.

Shanghai is China's dazzling showpiece: a 24-million-and-growing global city of skyscrapers, neon, and nonstop energy. Yet colonial streets, temples, and gardens still survive beneath the skyline. The Bund, Lujiazui, the Pearl Tower, and Shanghai Tower define its futuristic face, while street food, luxe bars, tai chi parks, and the Jade Buddha Temple keep it grounded. Extreme, intense, and surprisingly welcoming.

Shanghai is China's dazzling showpiece: a 24-million-and-growing global city of skyscrapers, neon, and nonstop energy. Yet colonial streets, temples, and gardens still survive beneath the skyline. The Bund, Lujiazui, the Pearl Tower, and Shanghai Tower define its futuristic face, while street food, luxe bars, tai chi parks, and the Jade Buddha Temple keep it grounded. Extreme, intense, and surprisingly welcoming.

Shanghai is China's dazzling showpiece: a 24-million-and-growing global city of skyscrapers, neon, and nonstop energy. Yet colonial streets, temples, and gardens still survive beneath the skyline. The Bund, Lujiazui, the Pearl Tower, and Shanghai Tower define its futuristic face, while street food, luxe bars, tai chi parks, and the Jade Buddha Temple keep it grounded. Extreme, intense, and surprisingly welcoming.

Just 27 km from Seoul, Incheon is a historic coastal city opened to foreign trade in 1883 and granted "English Status" in 2007. Known for its business skyline, it has a vibrant Chinatown, where jjajangmyeon is said to have originated, and nearby Sinpo Market. During the Korean War, MacArthur's UN forces liberated the city; his victory is marked in Jaya (Freedom) Park. First recorded in 475 CE as Michuhol, it was renamed Incheon in 1413.