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!

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.

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.

Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, once rivaled Kyoto and Edo for cultural wealth. Spared in World War II, it preserves old districts well. Its best-known site is Kenrokuen, beside Kanazawa Castle, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, with a pond, hills, historic tea house, and Japan's oldest natural-pressure fountain. Nearby Higashi Chaya Gai is a major geisha district and National Cultural Asset. The city is also known for lacquerware, Kutani pottery, gold leaf, and silk kimonos.

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.

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.

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!