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.

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.

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.

Miyazaki is Japan's subtropical sun coast on southeastern Kyushu, claimed as the mythological birthplace of Japanese civilization and home to the extraordinary Aoshima Shrine, Takachiho Gorge, and ancient Shinto kagura dance traditions. Visit year-round for volcanic geology, tropical shrine gardens, and a culinary scene featuring Japan's most prized mangoes.

Uwajima is a Shikoku castle town renowned for one of Japan's twelve original Edo-period castles, a unique bull sumo tradition, and exceptional sea bream served as sashimi over rice in the distinctive Uwajima tai-meshi style. Must-do experiences include climbing the original wooden castle keep, attending a togyu bull sumo tournament, and tasting the local pearl oysters and citrus. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage provide the most picturesque visiting seasons.

Tamano is a port city on Japan's Seto Inland Sea, serving as the gateway to the world-renowned art islands of Naoshima and Teshima, where contemporary masterpieces by Tadao Ando, Claude Monet, and James Turrell sit within extraordinary architectural settings. On the mainland, visitors can explore Okayama's Korakuen garden, the photogenic Kurashiki canal district, and taste famous white peaches and fresh Inland Sea seafood. The mild Seto Inland Sea climate makes year-round visits comfortable.

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.

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.

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.

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.