Asian Lights & Alaskan Sights – Tokyo to Vancouver

Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and, with a population of 3.6 million, is Japan’s largest city after Tokyo. It is centered on an inlet on the western side of Tokyo Bay, to which it is connected by a half-dozen railway lines as well as expressways and surface streets via Kawasaki. A major industrial zone known as the Keihin Industrial Area stretches along the reclaimed coastline to the north of the central area towards Kawasaki and Tokyo beyond.

This centrally located city at the crossroads of the country offers the international visitor an excellent look at both modern and traditional Japan. It features wide boulevards, a dynamic shopping district in the heart of downtown, and easy access to nearby mountains and beaches for day trips. The main visitor destination here is Nagoya Castle, featuring the samurai armor and treasures of the Tokugawa clan. Other visitor favorites include the Atsuta Shrine & Technology Museum, highlighting the city’s past and present; nearby Inuyama Castle, believed to be the oldest castle in Japan; Noritake Garden and its Craft Center; and Toyokuni Shrine where you can see the large torii (Shinto Shrine gate).

Visit the breathtaking temples and shrines of Japan’s old imperial capital, Kyoto, or visit ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that pre-date Kyoto’s. Stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine. Then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge, amazing edifice built entirely of wood and tile! Take home silks, ceramic teapots, paper parasols, superb artworks and pottery among other beautiful objects. Enjoy traditional Japanese fare or indulge in a wonderful dinner of Kobe beef. Everything will be exquisitely prepared and served.

Kochi boasts beautiful and abundant natural landscapes, from an expansive coastline running with the Kuroshio Current to the clear Shimanto River and the deep green forests that surround it. Located in the south of Shikoku, Kochi is ringed by rugged mountains to the north, and its arc-like southern coastline traces the outline of Tosa Bay. To the east is Cape Muroto, and to the west, Cape Ashizuri, with gently undulating sandy beaches stretching between these two extreme points. The prefecture also boasts the mystical limestone caves of Ryu-ga-do, and the beautiful sands and green pines of Katsura-hama Beach.

Beppu is a city and spa resort on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Set between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it’s home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs). Kannawa Onsen district has facilities for bathing in nutrient-rich water, mud and sand. The 8 Hells of Beppu—6 in Kannawa, 2 in outlying Shibaseki—are dramatic landscapes of thermal pools. To the west is Mount Tsurumi, accessible by cable car.

Inchon, located on the west coast of South Korea, is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area due to its close proximity to the city. During the Korean War, Inchon was the site of the Battle of Inchon, when United States troops landed to relieve pressure on the Pusan Perimeter and to launch a United Nations offensive northward. The city was also the site of a Japanese POW camp during World War II.

Inchon, located on the west coast of South Korea, is regarded as part of the greater Seoul metropolitan area due to its close proximity to the city. During the Korean War, Inchon was the site of the Battle of Inchon, when United States troops landed to relieve pressure on the Pusan Perimeter and to launch a United Nations offensive northward. The city was also the site of a Japanese POW camp during World War II.

Shanghai, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is the largest city of the People’s Republic of China and the ninth largest in the world. Widely regarded as the citadel of China’s modern economy, the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China. Shanghai is also one of the world’s busiest ports, and became the largest cargo port in the world in 2005.

Shanghai, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is the largest city of the People’s Republic of China and the ninth largest in the world. Widely regarded as the citadel of China’s modern economy, the city also serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of China. Shanghai is also one of the world’s busiest ports, and became the largest cargo port in the world in 2005.

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.

Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and, with a population of 3.6 million, is Japan’s largest city after Tokyo. It is centered on an inlet on the western side of Tokyo Bay, to which it is connected by a half-dozen railway lines as well as expressways and surface streets via Kawasaki. A major industrial zone known as the Keihin Industrial Area stretches along the reclaimed coastline to the north of the central area towards Kawasaki and Tokyo beyond.

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.

Hakodate is the largest city in southern Hokkaido. Hakodate was founded in 1454, when Kono Kaganokami Masamichi constructed a palace at the foot of Mount Hakodate. The mansion is said to have included a barricade and looked like a box from the distance giving the area its name, box mansion. The city is overlooked by Mount Hakodate, a lumpy, totally forested mountain. The summit of the mountain is easily reached by either hiking trail, cable car, or car.

Kushiro is a city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It’s known for the large Kushiro Marsh, home to deer, sea eagles and Japanese cranes. A circular trail runs through the marsh from the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. On the coast, Fisherman’s Wharf is home to restaurants and the glass-covered EGG Garden. Nearby, Hokkaido Kushiro Art Museum displays works, including photography and sculpture, by local artists.

Located on Unalaska Island at the end of the Aleutian Island chain, approximately 900 miles southwest of Anchorage, Dutch Harbor is one of America’s busiest commercial fishing ports. The island of Unalaska, is full of breathtaking scenery, from windswept volcanic peaks, to green valleys dotted with the vibrant colors of wildflowers in the summer. From the onion-domed churches of the early Russian explorers to rusted Quonset huts from the bitterly fought campaign of World War II, here history surrounds you.

The city of Kodiak is situated on the second largest island in the United States, approximately 250 miles southwest of Anchorage. It is famous for huge Kodiak brown bears, world-class sport fishing, and the magnificent green that the island turns during the summer–which is why Kodiak is affectionately called Alaska’s Emerald Isle. Kodiak’s first settlers were undoubtedly attracted to the region by the overabundance of sea mammals, seabirds, fish, and shellfish.

Seward was originally founded in 1903 as the southern terminus for the Alaska Railroad, a distinction it still holds today. The picturesque harbor with its colorful wood-frame houses and background of soaring cliffs looks out on Resurrection Bay, so named by a band of Russians explorers who found this calm spot along the storm-tossed Gulf of Alaska on Easter Sunday. From downtown Anchorage you can view two active volcanoes, the highest point on the continent of North America (Mount McKinley), and six major mountain ranges.

Founded by Russian fur traders as New Archangel in 1799, Sitka was the historic center of Russia’s Alaskan empire. The Russian flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes when the United States purchased the Alaska territory in 1867. Today, picturesque Sitka, is known for its fishing industry, an annual summer classical music festival and, of course, its many historic visitor attractions. On a clear day Sitka, the only city in southeast Alaska that actually fronts the Pacific Ocean, rivals Juneau for the sheer beauty of its surroundings.

Ketchikan, on the southwest side of Revillagigedo Island, grew up around salmon canneries and sawmills. Ketchikan’s name supposedly comes from the native term “Katch Kanna”, which roughly translates: “spread wings of a thundering eagle.” At one time Ketchikan was proclaimed the “Salmon Capital of the World.” An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Travelers flock to Ketchikan for their first look at the North Country, and are rarely disappointed.

“Gassy Jack” Deighton saw a chance to make money from the miners on their way to the Yukon and the saloon he built became the focus of the shanty town known as Gas Town. From here, modern Vancouver was born – Canada’s third largest city. The government persuaded the settlers to change the name of the town to Vancouver, after Captain George Vancouver, who sailed the area’s waters in 1792. Today Vancouver offers travelers tram rides to the top of Grouse Mountain, the lovely Ming Dynasty Gardens, historic Gas Town and picturesque Stanley Park.

Shore excursions on the first and last day of a cruise are only available for guests who are combining back-to-back voyages to create a longer cruise. Those guests may organize custom tours through the Destination Services Desk on board.