Authentic Japan

Busan, a bustling port city in South Korea, is known for its stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and vibrant culinary scene. Must-do experiences include visiting the iconic Jagalchi Fish Market for fresh seafood and exploring the ancient sites of Gyeongju. The best time to visit is during the mild spring or autumn months when the weather is pleasant and local festivals abound.

Nagasaki is a historically rich port city on Japan's Kyushu island, shaped by centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and Chinese influence — offering visitors the Glover Garden heritage district, the moving Peace Park, and the spectacular Mount Inasa night panorama. Must-do experiences include tasting the city's signature champon noodle soup and exploring the atmospheric hillside lanes lined with stone churches and Chinese temples. The best months to visit are March through May for mild weather and cherry blossoms, or October through November when autumn colours set the surrounding hills ablaze.

Karatsu, on Kyushu’s northwestern coast, is one of Japan’s three most revered pottery towns, where 14-generation kilns produce wabi-sabi ceramics prized in tea ceremony alongside a castle overlooking a million-pine coastal grove. Must-dos include visiting a Karatsu-yaki kiln, tasting live squid sashimi at Yobuko’s morning market, and cycling through the Niji-no-Matsubara pine grove. Visit late March for cherry blossoms, or early November for the spectacular Karatsu Kunchi festival.

Kagoshima, the "Naples of the East," is a dramatic port city on Japan's southern coast defined by the active Sakurajima volcano and a rich samurai heritage dating to the powerful Shimazu clan. Visitors should not miss the fifteen-minute ferry crossing to Sakurajima's lava fields and a tasting of legendary Kurobuta black pork paired with local sweet-potato shōchū. Spring (March–May) offers mild temperatures and cherry blossoms, while autumn (October–November) brings clear skies ideal for volcano views.

Aburatsu is a traditional fishing port on Kyushu's Pacific coast, gateway to the dramatic Nichinan coastline and the beautifully preserved samurai town of Obi, known as "Little Kyoto of Kyushu." Visitors should explore Aoshima Shrine surrounded by subtropical jungle, walk Obi's Edo-period streets, and savor Miyazaki's famous charcoal-grilled chicken and ultra-fresh bonito sashimi. Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable temperatures for exploring.

Beppu is Japan's ultimate hot spring city on Kyushu's coast, producing more geothermal water than anywhere else on Earth, with 2,800 vents, spectacular boiling "Hells," and volcanic sand baths on the beach. Must-dos include the Jigoku Hells circuit, hell-steaming your own meal at Kannawa, and soaking in a variety of mineral-rich onsen. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for combining bathing with sightseeing.

Hiroshima is a deeply moving yet vibrantly reborn Japanese city, home to the UNESCO-listed Peace Memorial Park and the iconic A-Bomb Dome. Must-dos include savouring the city's famous layered okonomiyaki, tasting fresh Inland Sea oysters, and taking the ferry to Miyajima to see the floating vermilion torii gate. Spring cherry-blossom season and autumn foliage (March–May and October–November) offer the most spectacular visits.

Miyajima, Japan, offers an immersion in a culture where aesthetic refinement and daily life are inseparable. Essential experiences include exploring local food markets, tasting regional specialties at intimate eateries, and visiting the surrounding temples and gardens. The port is most rewarding October through April, when cooler temperatures and lower humidity create ideal conditions. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Itozaki, Japan is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Ponant. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is April through October, when warm weather and extended daylight create ideal conditions.

Takamatsu is Shikoku's gateway city to the art-island-studded Seto Inland Sea, home to the magnificent Ritsurin Garden and Japan's finest sanuki udon noodles. Must-dos include an early-morning boat ride in Ritsurin Garden, eating udon at a family-run counter shop, and ferrying to Naoshima for world-class contemporary art. Visit in spring or autumn for ideal weather and island-hopping conditions.

Himeji Castle is Japan's most magnificent surviving feudal castle, a UNESCO World Heritage "White Heron" whose brilliant plastered walls and sweeping rooflines have stood since 1609. Visitors should navigate the castle's defensive labyrinth to the six-story main keep, explore the nine traditional gardens of Kokoen, and take the ropeway to the mountain temple of Engyo-ji. Cherry blossom season in late March creates the most iconic scenes, with the castle framed in pink against blue sky.

Shingu is a sacred gateway to the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, home to Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine and within reach of Nachi Falls — Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall framed by its iconic three-story pagoda. Visitors should walk the ancient forest trails, take a traditional river boat on the undammed Kumano River, and soak in Yunomine, Japan's oldest hot spring. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring this deeply spiritual landscape.

Toba, on Japan's Shima Peninsula, is the birthplace of cultured pearl farming and home to the ancient Ama free-diving tradition, where women have harvested the sea for over two thousand years. Must-dos include meeting Ama divers at seaside huts, visiting Mikimoto Pearl Island, and feasting on Ise-ebi lobster and fresh abalone. Spring and autumn offer the best weather and prime seafood seasons.

Kobe is Japan's most cosmopolitan port city, famous worldwide for its exquisitely marbled beef, nestled between the Rokko Mountains and Osaka Bay with a fascinating heritage quarter of Victorian foreign residences. Must-dos include authentic Kobe beef teppanyaki, the Nada sake breweries, and a visit to Arima Onsen hot springs. Cherry blossom season (late March–April) and autumn foliage are the most spectacular visiting periods.