Tokyo to Vancouver

Hakodate is one of the main cities on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Looming over the town is 334m-high Mount Hakodate. The mountain’s summit, reachable by aerial ropeway gondola, offers dramatic nighttime views. At its base is Motomachi, a neighborhood of steep streets with Western-style, early-20th-century buildings. A city landmark is the grand Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, built in 1910.

Once Hokkaido’s bustling financial center, the small harbor city of Otaru is a popular weekend getaway for the Japanese. It offers a charming canal lined with early 20th-century brick and stone buildings, along with plenty of museums and restaurants, not to mention the unique herring mansions, built by wealthy fishermen during the 19th and 20th centuries. Sapporo, only 30 minutes by train from Otaru, is the 5th largest city in Japan and likewise offers a sought-after food scene, plentiful shopping, green spaces and galleries in spades. Foodies won’t want to miss Nijo Fish Market, a 100-year-old market favored by locals that’s also full of places to try regional specialties.

Busan, a large port city in South Korea, is known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Busy Haeundae Beach features the Sea Life Aquarium, plus a Folk Square with traditional games such as tug-of-war, while Gwangalli Beach has many bars and views of modern Diamond Bridge. Beomeosa Temple, a Buddhist shrine founded in 678 A.D., is at the base of Geumjeong Mountain,

Discover remnants of old Nagasaki beside the modern city. Visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Or travel to Arita, home of magnificent Japanese ceramics, and tour famous Kakiemon Kiln, which continues a 400-year-old tradition. Experience feudal Japan and the natural wonders of Shimabara Peninsula with its volcanoes and hot springs.

Visit the exquisite Iso-Teien Garden and its villa, built in 1660, and enjoy its gorgeous views before a short ferry ride to smoking Sakurajima for a close-up view of the volcano and its lava fields. Or journey into the countryside to Chiran and its well-preserved streets lined with samurai homes. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Lake Ikeda and the stunning vistas of the Satsuma Peninsula.

Kochi Prefecture, on Japan’s Shikoku Island, is a largely rural area known for its mountains, rivers and Pacific beaches. Capital Kochi City has one of Japan’s best preserved feudal castles, Kochi-jo, established in the 1600s. The city’s centuries-old Sunday market has hundreds of vendors selling food and other wares. Summer’s Yosakoi Matsuri is a festival in which colorfully attired dance teams fill the streets.

Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It’s surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.

A center of modern commerce, yet steeped in ancient history; visit the castle in the center of town, its golden orca statues are a symbol of the city. Explore Toyota’s Museum of Technology and tour the Noritake factory, where bargains on the fine china can be found.

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Shimizu is one of the most beautiful ports in Japan. Walk through the pine groves of Miho, home to a 650-year-old Japanese black pine, or enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the lush, forested hill of Nihondaira. Take in the seascapes on a bay cruise, or learn of undersea delights at Japan’s first sushi museum. For a historic angle, get a glimpse at feudal life in Japan in 200 BC at the archaeological site of Toro.

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace’s East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.

Miyako is a city located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020, the city had an estimated population of 51,150, and a population density of 41 persons per km². The total area of the city is 1,259.15 square kilometers.

Muroran (室蘭市, Muroran-shi) is a city and port located in Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Iburi Subprefecture. As of February 29, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 93,716

Each change of season brings fresh new beauty to the coastal city of Aomori. The blush of cherry blossoms greets you in spring, while in winter the forests of the surrounding mountains are so heavily laden with snow that the trees appear to be giant white beasts. The port is dominated by Aomori Bay Bridge, offering great views of both the city and the harbor and mirroring the striking triangular design of the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center. The skyline’s contemporary angles result from the city’s destruction during World War II and rebuilding thereafter, but Aomori also celebrates ancient societies that settled here millennia ago. Surprisingly, you’ll be reminded of this prehistoric past at the 21st-century museum of modern art, as its architecture pays homage to the nearby excavations of ancient ruins. After exploring the museums and markets, relax at the caldera lakes and natural hot springs in the lush countryside.

The tiny village of Kodiak clings to the “Emerald Isle” of Kodiak, which is known for its breathtaking natural beauty. In summer the island is a mosaic of flora that includes wildflowers, moss-laden spruce, Pacific red elder, and blueberries, which the brown bears feast on. You may also spot puffins, red foxes and killer whales.

Sailing here is a rare treat, as most cruise ships never venture into picturesque Cook Inlet to reach Alaska’s largest city. While surrounded by natural beauty, Anchorage also offers cosmopolitan attractions such as the Anchorage Museum, which emphasizes art and technology through experiential exhibits. Ride the trolley for an excellent overview of the city.

Called “Shee Atika” by the Tlingit Indians, then “New Archangel” by the Russians who ousted them, Sitka boasts a multicultural heritage. Two dozen of its attractions are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Castle Hill and Building 29, a structure built by the Russians in 1835. The Sheldon Jackson Museum exhibits one of Alaska’s oldest native culture collections.

Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s chief attractions, and the best places to view them are Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. Drop by the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to learn about the local cultures and ecosystems.

By far the largest port on Regatta’s Alaska cruises, Vancouver offers every imaginable big-city attraction. Explore the Museum of Anthropology and the Vancouver Art Museum for culture. History flourishes in the Gastown district, which borders vibrant Chinatown. Or enjoy a break from the bustle in Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks.