Sitting pretty on the sandy coastline between Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan's fourth-largest city is home to a thriving harbor district that is a lively destination in its own right. Part of the Garden Pier entertainment area, the country's busiest port is set around leafy landscaped grounds, home to an amusement park, shopping mall and aquarium. Wonder at the centuries-old wooden vessels that mapped the seas during the Age of Discoveries, displayed in intricate models at the port's Maritime Museum, and discover museum-ship Fuji, an icebreaker that explored Antarctica in the 1960s and 1970s. Further afield, a pair of golden shachihoko sea monsters crown Nagoya's imposing five-storey 17th-century castle. A symbol of this city's prosperity during the Tokugawa dynasty, the castle dates from Japan's Edo period and its powerful shoguns. Nearby, step back in time to that era on the streets of the Shikemichi preservation district, lined with white-walled merchants' houses now transformed into cafés and craft boutiques.

An imposing moated castle, its black-tiled roofs curling up towards the sky, sits across the street from a modern art museum in this multi-faceted city in southern Japan. It's also the capital of Wakayama prefecture, a mystical place of monastic settlements and mountainous pilgrimage trails. There are spiritual sites to visit right in town, too, with a trio of revered Shinto shrines said to be among the oldest in the country. Tap into the area's reputation as a hotbed for onsen (thermal springs) with a soak in mineral-rich waters, and try the province's mandarin oranges and famous umeboshi (salted pickled plums).

Kanmon Strait is one of Japan's most scenic and historically significant waterways. Separating Japan's main islands of Honshu and Kyushu, this narrow channel of water is flanked on either side by the cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu and hosts hundreds of ships every day. As we glide across the water, look up at the iconic Kanmon Bridge stretching between the islands and keep an eye out for historic 19th-century lighthouses built at either end of Kanmon Strait to help guide ships through the narrow passage.

Framed by steam-shrouded mountains, Beppu is a city at the pulsing heart of Japan's onsen culture. The smoking fumaroles, bubbling pools, and spouting geysers that permeate the earth here across the Oita prefecture produce more spring water than anywhere else in Japan. And with this come spectacular onsen resorts, spa hotels set into forest-fringed coastal cliffs, and traditional ryokan tucked into secluded bays. The top of Mount Tsurumi is the place to view this magical misty scene, climbing above city and sea to its 1,375m summit aboard the Ropeway cable car. In spring, the slopes below blush pink as some 2,000 cherry blossom trees come into bloom. Steam makes its way into Beppu's distinctive jigoku-mushi cuisine, too, harnessing the hot springs to cook mineral-rich dishes. Hike through the caldera-sculpted landscape of nearby Aso Kuju National Park or, in spring and summer, kayak across the flooded rice fields and flowering marshland.

Kanmon Strait is one of Japan's most scenic and historically significant waterways. Separating Japan's main islands of Honshu and Kyushu, this narrow channel of water is flanked on either side by the cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu and hosts hundreds of ships every day. As we glide across the water, look up at the iconic Kanmon Bridge stretching between the islands and keep an eye out for historic 19th-century lighthouses built at either end of Kanmon Strait to help guide ships through the narrow passage.

Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today. Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower. A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite. Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.

Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today. Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower. A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite. Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.

Kagoshima lies cradled within the protective arms of a large inlet on the island's extreme southern tip. It is Japan's southernmost city and combines slow-paced charm with thriving commercial activity. World-renowned Mount Sukurajima stands less than three miles away. This rare example of a busy metropolitan area coexisting with a volcano has led to comparisons between Kagoshima and the Italian city of Naples. Stroll picture-perfect Japanese gardens, explore an abundance of historical sites or shop for traditional pottery.

Views of the sea, high-rises, parks and temples, Kochi has it all. The town is particulary famous for its famous dish, katsuo tataki, a culinary delight of flavorfully seasoned, seared tuna, which draws food fans from all over the world. Once you have had your fill of the delicious local dish, any cravings you have for a taste of Japanese culture are sure to be satisfied during your visit. Meander through the Makino Botanical Garden, explore the Museum of Art, stroll along the nearby beach, barter at the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, visit the aquarium, or simply gaze at the city's most celebrated sight, Kochi Castle. Which remains largely intact atop Otakasaka Hill, and at the top of most traveler's must-see lists.

One visit to Osaka, and you'll soon see why it's known as the ‘kitchen of Japan'. This is a city that takes food seriously, where every mealtime is a celebration. Embrace its proud culinary culture and stroll the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori to sample iconic dishes that characterize Osaka's street food scene – from fritter-like okonomiyaki to piping hot balls of octopus-stuffed takoyaki. For a dose of history, pay a visit to Osaka Castle, which played a key role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century. Admire the sweeping views from the castle's main tower and stroll the surrounding gardens, which come alive with cherry blossoms in spring and turn fiery red in fall.

For ever associated with the atomic bomb attack at the end of WWII, the moving monuments of Peace Park are what draw most visitors to Hiroshima. This resilient city has reinvented itself as a vibrant Japanese destination with a determinedly modern and international outlook. Youthful and fun, this is the place to dine on okonomiyaki – variously topped savoury cabbage and pork pancakes. Head to the Okonomi Mura district, where every restaurant specialises in this dish. Hop aboard one Hiroshima's historic streetcars and ride out to Mazda Stadium, home of the Toyo Carps, the beloved local baseball team founded in 1950. Or make pilgrimage to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Miyajima island. Look out for the floating red gate Torii shrine set in the sea as you approach, where your welcoming committee will be friendly free-roaming herds of little Nihonjika deer. Tiny Miyajima has a big reputation for oyster cultivation, cooked on streetside grills, topped with miso glaze, battered and deep fried. Delicious.

Visitors from the sea have long been welcomed at this port on Kyushu Island in Japan's lush, subtropical south. Set as close to Taiwan as to Tokyo, it's brimming with pan-Asian flavors and there are plenty of ways to savor them. One of the best is at a yatai, the enticing street-food stalls that, some say, Fukuoka has more of than the whole of Japan. See them by lantern light when the sun goes down on the waterfront at Nakasu Island River, and succumb to a ladle or two of meaty Hakata pork broth with slurpable ramen noodles. For a more refined authentic taste, delve into Fukuoka's Edo-era history at the ruins of its 17th-century castle, or, in Shofukuji, Japan's first Zen temple, founded in the 12th century, with its wooden pagoda and golden statues of Buddha. Look to the future, too, at Canal City, the five-storey mega mall complete with its own waterway.

Kanmon Strait is one of Japan's most scenic and historically significant waterways. Separating Japan's main islands of Honshu and Kyushu, this narrow channel of water is flanked on either side by the cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu and hosts hundreds of ships every day. As we glide across the water, look up at the iconic Kanmon Bridge stretching between the islands and keep an eye out for historic 19th-century lighthouses built at either end of Kanmon Strait to help guide ships through the narrow passage.

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is a dynamic blend of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and bustling urban life. Situated on the southeastern coast, Busan is so much more than a sum of its parts; it's a captivating mix of historic charm, modernity, and stunning, natural beauty. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as local favorite Haeundae Beach, perfect for long strolls along the promenade or the more nostalgic Dadaepo Beach, where golden sands meet the turquoise sea. South Korea is still emerging as a traveler destination and as such, much of this beautiful country remains unspoiled. The city's history comes alive at places like the Beomeosa Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary founded in 678 AD, and the historic Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colorful houses and artsy alleys. Or, if you are looking for a glimpse into Busan's maritime heritage, head to Jagalchi, one of Korea's largest fish markets. Experience bustling fish auctions and savor the freshest seafood dishes at the surrounding eateries.

Facing the Sea of Japan on the north coast of Honshu Island, Sakaiminato is the main fishing port for western Japan so, as you'd expect, you can try some of the finest seafood in the country here. Vibrant displays of glistening bluefin tuna and red queen crab are laid out in the bustling fish market next to Yumeminato Tower. Nearby, there are species of another kind: Shigeru Road is lined with about 150 bronze statues of monsters and ghosts created by acclaimed manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, who was born here. For more classic Japanese culture head just west of town to handsome Matsue-jo castle, which dates from 1611 and is only one of a handful of its kind remaining in Japan (a gentle boat trip around the moat is a lovely way to see it). Sakaiminato is also a good base for hiking through the Daisen Oki National Park, which surrounds the striking (and dormant) volcano Mount Daisen.

This serene garden city packs a punch for samurai heritage and immaculately preserved Edo-era architecture – and surprisingly uncrowded 17th-century neighborhoods. Here you will encounter geishas hosting tea ceremonies behind screen-walled houses, and artisans producing Kutani pottery, kaga-yuzen dyed silk, and lacquerware in workshops dating back to when wealth, power, and arts patronage defined this city-seat of the influential Maeda clan. In Kenroku-en, the family's castle grounds, explore one of Japan's most exquisite gardens, with ponds and fountains linked by bridges and fringed by walkways overhung with trees and plants that erupt into seasonal bloom. Carefully curated beauty is replicated in kaiseki, Japan's classical multi-course fine-dining experience, here taking in such regional delicacies as sesame tofu, Noto beef and the Ishikawa sake made from the crystal-clear waters from the mountains.

Drift through the “city of water”, a venerable port city where roads, once canals, are still lined with nodding willow trees, and two major rivers weave their way through to the Sea of Japan. Niigata is a port delivering Japan in microcosm, its watery backcountry tiered with the Tokamachi rice fields that supply the nation with the premium grain and springs that make superlative sake. In winter, Siberian winds bring snows that make Niigata one of Japan's best winter-sports destinations. Its mountain resorts are also home to natural onsen hot springs. Early in the year, the coast town of Takada hosts one of the country's most celebrated cherry blossom festivals, when 4,000 delicate white-petal Yoshino cherry trees come into bloom on the riverbanks and ramparts of the town's Edo-era castle. Come at night to see this watercolour-worthy scene lit with thousands of bonbori paper lanterns.

With its apple orchards, cherry trees and backdrop of the Hakkoda Mountains, this city on the northern tip of Honshu island is a gateway to some of Japan's most beautiful landscapes. About 30 miles south is UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi, a mountainous area with the last of East Asia' virgin beech forests. Walking trails here lead to waterfalls and lakes, and you may spot golden eagles, black woodpeckers, Japanese macaques and even shy black bears as you go. Some 40 miles southeast, deep-blue Lake Towada is serenely breathtaking and offers gentle activities from walking to canoeing and boat rides. The Aomori area also enjoys a vibrant contemporary arts scene, from the gleaming white Aomori Museum of Art, complete with a colossal dog statue by Yoshitomo Nara, to the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, strikingly set in a former brewery, and Towada Art Center with eye-popping sculpture.