Tokyo to Osaka

From the timeless beauty of the Meiji Shrine to the glittering Ginza District and impressive Tokyo Tower, Tokyo is a complex blend of East and West where houses of wood and paper stand beside soaring steel skyscrapers while kimono-clad women stroll along trendy teenagers. Here in this city of more than 11 million people, the timeless Imperial Palace bears testament to Japan’s enduring traditions, existing in a verdant parkland of isolation.

Located where the Yangtze River meets the Pacific, Shanghai’s enviable position is the source of its existence, shaping it into what it is today – a modern metropolis of dizzying scale and ancient influence. Once a tiny fishing village, Shanghai is now the center of China’s economic resurgence with a spacious waterfront promenade and flotilla of sampans edging the Huangpu River.

Located where the Yangtze River meets the Pacific, Shanghai’s enviable position is the source of its existence, shaping it into what it is today – a modern metropolis of dizzying scale and ancient influence. Once a tiny fishing village, Shanghai is now the center of China’s economic resurgence with a spacious waterfront promenade and flotilla of sampans edging the Huangpu River.

Mount Sakurajima casts an imposing image on arrival to Kagoshima, but don’t be deterred by the active volcano across the bay. Kagoshima has been voted Japan’s friendliest city, with a climate to match the warmth of its residents – and the heat of Mount Sakurajima. This tropical environment fosters a rich agriculture and aquaculture that produces distinct cuisine and famously high-quality ingredients. The nearby Chiran Samurai Residences and Gardens offer a glimpse into the legendary warriors of 250 years ago.

Views of the sea, high-rises, parks and temples…. Kochi has it all, along with its own famous dish, katsuo tataki, a culinary delight of flavorfully seasoned, seared tuna. Meander through the Makino Botanical Garden, explore the Museum of Art, stroll along the 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 travelers’ must-see lists.

As it has been for centuries, Osaka remains a city of commerce, one of the original Japanese towns at the core of a developing society that grew around trade with China. Although the nature of the city hasn’t changed, it is presently undergoing an architectural revolution with a dazzling display of gleaming skyscrapers. Its prime geography makes it an excellent gateway to famed locales – including the sacred site of Kyoto and the majestic tranquility of Nara.