Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia

Tokyo's port is a vibrant gateway to both cultural and culinary experiences, uniquely blending traditional Japanese heritage with modern innovation. Must-do experiences include savoring fresh sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market and exploring the natural beauty of Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. The best season to visit is spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, transforming the city into a picturesque landscape.

Shimizu is Japan's premier Mount Fuji gateway port on Suruga Bay, where a storied tea-trading heritage meets exceptional coastal cuisine — most notably the prized sakura ebi cherry blossom shrimp found nowhere else. Visitors should not miss the UNESCO-listed Miho no Matsubara pine grove for iconic Fuji views and the vibrant Kashi no Ichi fish market for the freshest tuna and whitebait in Japan. The ideal window stretches from late March through May, when cherry blossoms frame the snowcapped volcano and spring's first tea harvest perfumes the hillsides.

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.

Kochi, on Japan's island of Shikoku, is a Pacific coast port city renowned for its remarkably preserved 17th-century castle, vibrant Hirome Market food hall, and the iconic katsuo no tataki — straw-seared skipjack tuna that defines the region's bold culinary identity. Visitors should not miss exploring the castle grounds and savouring sawachi communal platters paired with crisp Tosa sake. The best time to visit is spring for mild weather and cherry blossoms, or autumn when typhoon season has passed and the yuzu harvest perfumes the countryside.

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.

Fukuoka is widely regarded as Japan's greatest food city, where legendary tonkotsu ramen, evening yatai street stalls, and mentaiko spicy cod roe define a culinary culture without rival. Must-dos include slurping ramen at a Nakasu yatai, visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, and exploring the Hakata old quarter. Spring and autumn offer the best weather, with the spectacular Yamakasa festival heating up early July.

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.

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.

Osaka is Japan's exuberant culinary capital, a neon-drenched metropolis where Edo-period merchant culture lives on in vibrant street food markets and Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurants alike. No visit is complete without savouring *takoyaki* and *kushikatsu* along the Dōtonbori Canal, or venturing north to witness Hirosaki's legendary cherry blossoms. The ideal window is late March through May for spring blooms and mild weather, or October through November when autumn foliage transforms the surrounding Kansai region into a tapestry of amber and gold.

The Miyako Islands are Japan's tropical paradise, a cluster of coral islands 300 kilometers southwest of Okinawa renowned for "Miyako Blue" waters, world-class white sand beaches like Maehama and Sunayama, and spectacular inter-island bridges spanning turquoise seas. Visitors should snorkel Yoshino Beach's coral gardens, drive the 3.5-kilometer Irabu Bridge, and taste Miyako soba and local goat cuisine. April-June and October-November offer ideal weather with warm seas and lower humidity.

Keelung, a historic port city in northern Taiwan, is known for its vibrant atmosphere and culinary treasures, including the famous Oyster Omelette and Braised Pork Rice. A must-do experience is exploring the bustling Keelung Night Market and venturing to nearby attractions like Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge. The best season to visit is during the fall, when the weather is mild and pleasant for outdoor exploration.

Hong Kong's port is a vibrant gateway to a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, characterized by its stunning skyline and bustling atmosphere. Must-do experiences include savoring local dim sum and exploring the lively markets. The best season to visit is during the autumn months, when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor adventures.

Da Nang is a dynamic Vietnamese coastal city where pristine My Khe Beach, the cave-studded Marble Mountains, and bold central Vietnamese cuisine create one of Southeast Asia's most exciting destinations. Must-dos include climbing the Marble Mountains' Buddha-filled grottoes, savouring turmeric-tinted mi Quang noodles, and taking a day trip to UNESCO-listed Hoi An. February through August offers the driest, most pleasant weather.

Still whispered as Saigon by its ten million residents, Ho Chi Minh City pulses with an energy that outlasted every empire and every war. The French colonial grandeur of Notre-Dame Cathedral and Gustave Eiffel's Central Post Office stands in vivid counterpoint to the city's kinetic street life — an endless river of motorbikes, fragrant with pho broth and charcoal-grilled meats. Do not miss the Reunification Palace, a time capsule of Cold War modernism, or a dawn bowl of bánh mì from a sidewalk vendor. The dry season, November through April, offers the most comfortable conditions for exploration.

From Raffles's 1819 trading post to the world's second-busiest port, Singapore has always been where the world's trade routes converge — and its Supertree Groves, UNESCO-listed hawker culture, and the bowl of Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre confirm that its ambition has never dimmed. As Southeast Asia's definitive cruise hub, it serves as the ideal starting point for voyages across the Indian Ocean, the Indonesian archipelago, and beyond. February through April offers the most settled weather for exploring this extraordinary island city-state.