Odyssey in the heart of Japan’s subtropical islands

The Hong Kong Island skyline, with its ever-growing number of skyscrapers, speaks to ambition and money. Paris, London, even New York were centuries in the making, while Hong Kong's towers, bright lights, and glitzy shopping emporia weren't yet part of the urban scene when many of the young investment bankers who fuel one of the world's leading financial centers were born. Commerce is concentrated in the glittering high-rises of Central, tucked between Victoria Harbor and forested peaks on Hong Kong Island's north shore. While it's easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today's Hong Kong, you need only walk or board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese but no less high-energy. You'll discover the real Hong Kong to the east of Central, too, in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and—depending on fate and the horse you wager on—one of Hong Kong's luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse. Kowloon sprawls across a generous swath of the Chinese mainland across Victoria Harbour from Central. Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, is packed with glitzy shops, first-rate museums, and eye-popping views of the skyline across the water. Just to the north are the teeming market streets of Mong Kok and in the dense residential neighborhoods beyond, two of Hong Kong's most enchanting spiritual sights, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery. As you navigate this huge metropolis (easy to do on the excellent transportation network), keep in mind that streets are usually numbered odd on one side, even on the other. There's no baseline for street numbers and no block-based numbering system, but street signs indicate building numbers for any given block.

Ishigaki is a city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and includes Ishigaki Island and the disputed Senkaku Islands territory. Ishigaki City is the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Yaeyama Islands. At approximately 85 square miles (221 square kilometres) Ishigaki City covers all of Ishigaki Island. Ishigaki Island is part of the island chain comprising the Yaeyama Archipelago, and surrounded by coral reefs. Its highest point is Omoto, an approximately 1,726-foot-high (about 526-metre-high) mountain located on Ishigaki Island, and the tallest mountain in the Okinawa Prefecture. Together with Kabira Bay, Mount Omoto is a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The uninhabited Senkaku Islands are located approximately 93 miles (about 150 kilometres) north of Ishigaki Island, and have an area of approximately 2.4 square miles (about 6.3 square kilometres).

Set on the eastern coast in Japan's Iwate prefecture, Miyako promises stunning scenery and Jorman history in equimeasure. The coastal city of around 50,000 inhabitants is almost 600 km (372 miles) from Tokyo, but boasts one of the finest beaches in Japan, as well as a treasure trove of succulently fresh seafood restaurants. While travelers to Miyako might arrive expecting the usual amalgam of cultural attractions and high-tech wizardry, they will leave with memories of one of the greatest garden cities they have ever experienced. During the Edo period (1603-1868) the town was once considered as Japan's main seaport, and it is still an important port today with a thriving fishing industry. Mother Nature really does come into her own in Miyako. The city is bordered by the vast Sanriku Fukkō National Park, one of the National Parks of Japan. Sanriku Fukkō stretches for 180 km (111 miles) along the coast and home a wonderful variety of flora and fauna, including groves of Japanese red pine, rhododendrons, and Rosa rugosa. Numerous bird species, including the black-tailed gull and shearwater, call the park home. Butterflies float gently on the breeze and hummingbirds sail like darts through the trees. What's more, bird lovers will undoubtedly love that the nearby Hidejima Island and Sanganjima Island are the only breeding grounds in Japan for the band-rumped storm-petrel.

To the north of the island of Okinawa, between the azure ocean and lush hills, Motobu inspires contemplation. This destination, far off the beaten track, unveils landscapes steeped in poetry. A natural setting, with Mount Yae as a backdrop, Motobu reveals itself through its white sandy beaches and its villages where time seems to move at a different pace. In the heart of one of the world’s famous Blue Zones, you will be inspired by the Okinawan way of life and set off to meet “keepers of memory”, these guardians of history and tradition who preserve the soul of the archipelago. Travel back into Okinawa’s fascinating past by admiring the ruins of Nakijin Castle, followed by a walk through the historic district of Bise, renowned for its impressive green tunnels.

One of the Kerama Islands, a small group lying 40 kilometres west of Okinawa. The Keramas were designated a national park in 2014 in recognition of water clarity that ranks among the highest measured anywhere in the world — a consequence of weak currents and minimal agricultural runoff. Humpback whales move through the surrounding waters between January and March. The village of Zamami, on the island's north coast, is small enough to walk in an hour, with a local history museum and a ridge trail that opens onto views of the surrounding island chain

Naha is the vibrant capital city of Okinawa, located on the southern coast of Japan’s Okinawa Island. Known for its unique blend of Japanese and Ryukyuan culture, Naha offers a distinct atmosphere shaped by its history as part of the former Ryukyu Kingdom.

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that once served as the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom and showcases traditional Okinawan architecture and heritage.

Naha is also famous for Kokusai Street, a lively area filled with shops, restaurants, and markets where visitors can experience local food, crafts, and culture.

The city features beautiful coastal views, nearby beaches, and a warm subtropical climate, making it a relaxing destination year-round. Visitors can explore traditional markets, enjoy Okinawan cuisine, and learn about the region’s unique history and traditions.

With its mix of cultural heritage, modern city life, and island charm, Naha serves as both the cultural heart and main gateway to the Okinawa islands.