Sakura Seas: Japan & South Korea - Eastbound

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sasebo is a port city in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, renowned for the stunning Kujukushima archipelago of 208 pine-clad islands and a unique culinary scene shaped by American naval influence. Must-dos include viewing sunset over the islands from Tenkaiho Observatory, sampling the famous Sasebo Burgers, and cruising through the archipelago by boat. Visit March through May for cherry blossoms or October through November for autumn colors framing the island panoramas.