Inchon (Seoul) to Tomakomai

Incheon is South Korea's gateway city and the birthplace of jajangmyeon black bean noodles, featuring Korea's only Chinatown, Korean War memorials, and ferry access to 168 islands in the Yellow Sea. Must-dos include the Yeonan Pier fish market, Ganghwa Island's UNESCO dolmens, and a DMZ excursion. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) offer the best weather, with cherry blossoms and foliage respectively.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maizuru on the Sea of Japan coast combines Meiji-era red-brick naval architecture with the deeply moving Repatriation Memorial Museum, a UNESCO Memory of the World site documenting the return of 660,000 Japanese from Siberia. Must-dos include visiting the memorial museum, exploring the brick warehouse district, and tasting matsuba crab in winter. May through October offers the best weather, while November to March brings prized crab season.

Kanazawa is a Sea of Japan coast city of extraordinary cultural refinement, home to Kenrokuen — one of Japan's three greatest gardens — alongside perfectly preserved samurai and geisha quarters, and craft traditions including gold leaf, Kutani porcelain, and Kaga silk dyeing. Essential experiences include strolling Kenrokuen's seasonal landscapes, exploring the wooden tea houses of Higashi Chaya, and feasting on fresh crab and nodoguro at the historic Omicho Market. Each season offers distinct beauty, from winter snow to autumn foliage.

Sado, Japan is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by CroisiEurope. 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 May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Akita is a rice-growing prefecture on Japan's Sea of Japan coast, renowned for the spectacular Kanto Festival of illuminated bamboo poles, UNESCO-listed Shirakami beech forests, and a cuisine of kiritanpo rice sticks and Inaniwa udon that ranks among Japan's finest. Must-dos include the August Kanto Festival, bathing at the rustic Nyuto Onsen hot springs, and tasting Akita's prized local sake. Visit August for the festival or October for the magnificent autumn colours.

Hakodate, 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 May through October, when the climate is at its most welcoming for outdoor exploration. 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.

Tomakomai is Hokkaido's principal Pacific port city, serving as a gateway to the Ramsar-listed Lake Utonai wetlands, the active volcano Mount Tarumae, and the world-class Upopoy Ainu museum. Must-do experiences include tasting the city's famous hokkigai surf clam sushi, birdwatching at Lake Utonai where over 270 species gather, and hiking Mount Tarumae's volcanic crater above the crystalline Lake Shikotsu. June through October provides the best weather for hiking and wildlife, while winter adds the stunning ice formations of Lake Shikotsu and excellent skiing to Hokkaido's northerly appeal.