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.

On a clear day, you can see magnificent Mount Fuji from the lively Port of Shimizu. Visit The S-Pulse Dream Plaza to tour the Shimizu Sushi Museum with informative displays and models that show the history and variations of Japan's most famous fare. Stroll through the Kashi-no-Ichi Market, where some of the port's fresh seafood is sold and be sure to enjoy a delicious cup of tea.

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.

Hiroshima, surrounded by forests and hot springs, is a symbol of rebirth and resilience. Key sites recall the first atomic bomb attack of Aug. 6, 1945: Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996), and the Children's Peace Monument. Take a ferry to Itsukushima, a sacred Shinto island with the iconic "floating" torii gate. End with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Kagoshima is Japan's southernmost major city, and is nicknamed the "Naples of the Eastern World," based on its caldera bay location, hot climate, and volcano. The majestic view of Mt Sakurajima, one of the world's most active volcanoes, dominates the city's landscape, towering over the beautiful Kinko Bay. The city abounds in historic sightseeing spots such as the memorial site of St. Francisco Xavier, who landed in Kagoshima and first introduced Christianity to Japan.

Nagasaki, Japan's early gateway to the West, offers European-style homes, a busy harbor, fusion cuisine, and Castella sponge cake from Portuguese missionaries. It is also marked by the second atomic bomb, so a visit to Peace Park is a deeply moving must. Take in views from Mount Inasayama, drive through the countryside to Arita, birthplace of Japanese porcelain, and return to Nagasaki's oldest Chinatown for Chinese food adapted to Japanese tastes.

Jeju Island is often called the "Island of the Gods," for its breathtaking landscape. UNESCO deemed the island's dormant volcano Hallasan as a Biosphere Reserve because of the abundance and diversity of plant and animal species. Enjoy delicious fare, such as fresh fish, squid, octopus and sea cucumber, as well as its famous Shitake mushrooms and honey, which has a distinct taste.

Yeosu spans 365 islands, 49 inhabited, on South Korea's East China Sea coast. Once a key Joseon navy headquarters, it was transformed by hosting the 2012 World Expo and now blends green hills, shining sea, and bold architecture. It's also a food lover's destination, known for egg cockles, gulgui (grilled oyster), and spicy kimchi made with local mustard leaves.

Explore Hakata, the lively heart of Fukuoka, where modern energy meets rich culinary tradition. Stroll the ruins of Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park for sweeping city views and a taste of samurai history. Be sure to sample world-famous Hakata ramen, famous for its rich, creamy pork bone broth, firm thin noodles and no-frills toppings. Near Kushida Shrine, shop for woven textiles, dolls and more at the Hakata Traditional Craft Center.

Lovers of hot spring resorts, rejoice. Perched hillside on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, Beppu bubbles with life thanks to a preponderance of onsen (hot springs). Enjoy a variety of rejuvenating bath types, from heated sand to traditional steam to hot mud. As one of the country's most popular spots for enjoying a long, hot soak, most visitors find Beppu to be a delightful opportunity to absorb the more relaxed side of Japan's vibrant culture.

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.

Hitachinaka, an Ibaraki port city about 80 miles northeast of Tokyo, is known for its peaceful beaches, lively fish market, and stunning gardens. Once developed as a Hitachi company town in 1994, it now draws visitors to Hitachi Seaside Park, a nearly 500-acre oasis with 170 tulip varieties and millions of blue nemophila. Visit Nakaminato Fish Market for the day's catch, then enjoy Kairakuen Garden, one of Japan's finest.

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.

Keep your binoculars handy to spot seals, otters and whales. Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound, where you can experience incredible glacier cruises and kayak in serene waters. Its unique "one-way-in" tunnel adds to the adventure. The town also provides access to nearby hiking trails and a fascinating WWII history, making it a perfect stop for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Tall pines, whale-filled waters, and bald eagles capture the Alaskan wilderness. Visit the Native Theater and Heritage Center for Tlingit song and dance, then enjoy classic Alaskan seafood. Ride a gondola up Hoonah Mountain for views and chances to spot Sitka black-tailed deer, or head into the remote Spasski River Valley to a viewing platform for grizzly bears.

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.

Vancouver blends natural splendor with frontier history, from Gastown's cobblestone streets and Yukon-era roots to one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. Visit North America's second-largest Chinatown, then Stanley Park, with old-growth trees and First Nation totem poles. For stunning views, ride the Grouse Mountain Skyride and cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a treetop adventure.