In Seward, Alaska, monumental scenery surrounds you: glaciers calve, whales cruise icy waters, and Kenai Fjords National Park rises with fjords, peaks, and the Harding Icefield. Visit Holgate Glacier by kayak or boat for striking blue-white ice and dramatic calving. Nearby Anchorage offers a stark city contrast, and the region also invites you to learn about the culture and heritage of Alaska's First Nation peoples.

Homer, Alaska sits beneath the Kenai Mountains beside Kachemak Bay, with Homer Spit reaching into the water. Once a gold camp, it's now a gateway to stunning wildlife and scenery. Stay at Lands End Resort for bay views and oysters; fly out for grizzly viewing; boat or kayak to see minke, beluga, and humpback whales; hike, helicopter over glaciers, or fish for halibut and salmon near Halibut Cove.

Kodiak Island is raw, wild Alaskan wilderness: the USA's second-largest island, with 3,670 square miles of rugged scenery. Grizzlies, brown and black bears, eagles, fir-covered mountains, and still lakes make it a dream for wildlife photography and documentary crews. Clouds and fog are common, and locals say they once helped deter WWII attacks. Take a seaplane to track bears with a guide, and don't miss the island's world-class fishing on its productive waters.

From Mount Hakodate, see the city spread between twin bays and the sea. One of Japan's first open ports, Hakodate shows Western and Russian influence in its architecture, from redbrick warehouses to the Orthodox church domes. Nearby, star-shaped Goryokaku fortress and its tower offer views, especially in cherry blossom season. Ride the ropeway at sunset for one of Japan's best night panoramas, then enjoy Hakodate's famous squid, seafood, and the lively Morning Market.

Muroran, in southwestern Hokkaido about 130 km south of Sapporo, stretches along a peninsula between Uchiura Bay and the Pacific. Its deep-water port, dating to 1872, made it an industrial hub and earned it the nickname "city of steel." Nearby sights include Cape Chikyu, Jigokudani ("Hell Valley") hot springs, and Lake Toya, famed for its beauty and Nakajima islands. Expect excellent seafood, sushi, sashimi, and teppanyaki.

Miyako, on Japan's eastern coast in Iwate Prefecture, is a coastal city of about 50,000, some 600 km from Tokyo. Known for scenic beauty, one of Japan's best beaches, and excellent seafood, it was once a major Edo-period seaport. Repeated tsunamis and seismic risk erased much of its history, so natural attractions dominate. Bordering Sanriku Fukkō National Park, it has rich flora and fauna, including Japan's only breeding grounds for the band-rumped storm-petrel.

Sendai, in central Miyagi Prefecture, is the largest city in Tohoku and the political and economic center of northwest Japan. Known as a modern city in harmony with nature, it has the Hirose River, zelkova-lined streets, parks, and abundant greenery, earning it the nickname "City of Trees." Founded by Date Masamune in 1600, it was rebuilt after WWII with wide streets and a grid layout. It is also an academic city with many universities and research institutes.

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!

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!