Tokyo Indulgence

Lights, sushi, manga! Sprawling, frenetic, and endlessly fascinating, Japan’s capital is a city of contrasts. Shrines and gardens are pockets of calm between famously crowded streets and soaring office buildings. Mom-and-pop noodle houses share street space with Western-style chain restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Shopping yields lovely folk arts as well as the newest electronics. And nightlife kicks off with karaoke or sake and continues with techno clubs and more. Whether you seek the traditional or the cutting edge, Tokyo will provide it.

The salt and pepper cone of Japan's most famous natural landmark won’t fail to take your breath away, as it soars into the sky in a vision of spectacular symmetry. Make sure your camera is fully prepared before you dock in Shimizu’s port, where unparalleled views of the extraordinary Mount Fuji’s dramatic peak await. Take your time to soak up one of Japan's most iconic views, before dipping your toes into the rest of what this destination of tranquil temples has to offer. While there’s a bustling fish market, and a charming amusement park waiting close to the port, most new arrivals immediately set off in pursuit of the best views of Mount Fuji, or to see the stunning panorama on offer from the heights of the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. Take the cable car up to the top, to experience the tranquillity around the forested shrine, and to enjoy its stunning architecture of deep scarlets and gleaming golds. You can also enjoy heart-stopping views out over the Bay of Suruga, and the tea plantations below.

Home to Toyota, Lexus and Mitsubishi among many others, Nagoya is one of Japan's industrial powerhouses. A veritable economic tour de force, the city is the fourth largest in the country and boasts multiple excellent museums, significant temples, and, unsurprisingly, excellent shopping. Located on the Pacific coast, the city is often overlooked as a travel destination. Sandwiched between the neon lights of Tokyo 350 km to the east and the history-laden walls of Kyoto just 120 km to the west, Nagoya has been dubbed - by the country's Prime Minister no less - as "the most boring city in Japan." However, that view might be subjective. Beginning with Nagoya's cuisine, the city offers much in the way of tasty treats. Many traditional dishes originate here, such as the popular rice dish Hitsumabushi and the chicken-based Tebasaki. The city's many shrines and castles are not only among the oldest in Japan but are also some of the country's National Treasures. The aforementioned museums offer fine examples of the city's history dating all the way back to the 17th century Tokugawa period (the city's castle is from the same period), while the brand-new aquarium is touted as being one of the best in Japan. The Port Tower offers spectacular views of the city both day and night. The 2,000-year-old Atsuta Shrine, the second-most revered shrine in Japan, hosts over 4,400 artifacts. The sprawling city is also home to beautifully laid out gardens and parks, which offer a welcome respite from Nagoya's urban buzz.

From Minami's neon-lighted Dotombori and historic Tenno-ji to the high-rise class and underground shopping labyrinths of Kita, Osaka is a city that pulses with its own unique rhythm. Though Osaka has no shortage of tourist sites, it is the city itself that is the greatest attraction. Home to some of Japan's best food, most unique fashions, and warmest locals, Osaka does not beg to be explored—it demands it. More than anywhere else in Japan, it rewards the impulsive turn down an interesting side street or the chat with a random stranger. People do not come here to see the city, they come to experience it.Excluded from the formal circles of power and aristocratic culture in 16th-century Edo (Tokyo), Osaka took advantage of its position as Japan's trading center, developing its own art forms such as Bunraku puppet theater and Rakugo comic storytelling. It was in Osaka that feudal Japan's famed Floating World—the dining, theater, and pleasure district—was at its strongest and most inventive. Wealthy merchants and common laborers alike squandered fortunes on culinary delights, turning Osaka into "Japan's Kitchen," a moniker the city still has today. Though the city suffered a blow when the Meiji government canceled all of the samurai class's outstanding debts to the merchants, it was quick to recover. At the turn of the 20th century, it had become Japan's largest and most prosperous city, a center of commerce and manufacturing.Today Osaka remains Japan's iconoclastic metropolis, refusing to fit Tokyo's norms and expectations. Unlike the hordes of Tokyo, Osakans are fiercely independent. As a contrast to the neon and concrete surroundings, the people of Osaka are known as Japan's friendliest and most outgoing. Ask someone on the street for directions in Tokyo and you are lucky to get so much as a glance. Ask someone in Osaka and you get a conversation.The main areas of the city, Kita (north) and Minami (south), are divided by two rivers: the Dojima-gawa and the Tosabori-gawa. Between Kita and Minami is Naka-no-shima, an island and the municipal center of Osaka. Kita (north of Chuo Dori) is Osaka's economic hub and contains Osaka's largest stations: JR Osaka and Hankyu Umeda. The area is crammed with shops, department stores, and restaurants. Nearby are a nightlife district, Kita-shinchi; Naka-no-shima and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics; Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle); and Osaka Koen (Osaka Park). Restaurants, bars, department stores, and boutiques attract Osaka's youth to Minami (south Chuo Dori); theatergoers head to the National Bunraku Theatre and electronics-lovers to Den Den Town. For a glimpse of old Osaka, visit Tenno-ji Temple and Shin Sekai. The main stations are Namba, Shin-sai-bashi, Namba Nankai, and Tenno-ji. There's easy access to the Municipal Museum of Fine Art and Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine).The bay area, to the west of the city center, is home to the Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan. The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka, three stops (about five minutes) north of Osaka Station on the Mido-suji subway line. To the north of Shin-Osaka is Senri Expo Park.

Kochi Castle, with its elegant black and white tiered roofs, is one of only twelve of the original castles remaining in Japan. Step inside to explore authentic feudal architecture and admire sweeping views over the city and mountains. The surrounding landscape is dotted with temples and forested hillsides, where the historic Shikoku Pilgrimage route winds. Beyond the castle, the Makino Botanical Garden guides visitors through pathways and greenhouses of diverse flora. The Shimanto River — Shikoku’s longest — draws outdoor enthusiasts with peaceful hiking trails and a serene backdrop for reflection. Facing the vast Pacific on Shikoku's southern coast, Kochi is celebrated for its katsuo no tataki — lightly seared skipjack tuna — and thriving sake-brewing tradition.

History buffs will want to write home Hiroshima. Despite being devastated in 1945, this Japanese city is known to all for its commitment peace – its ruin on the 6th August 1945 led to the end of the war and today, the Peace Memorial (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) , is a constant reminder of the destruction that war brings. A walk in the leafy boulevards of Peace Memorial Park brings quiet contemplation. The Flames of Peace – set in the park’s central feature pond – burn brightly and will continue to do so until all the nuclear bombs I the world have been destroyed. There are many other inspiring messages of hope around the city too; the Children’s’ Peace Monument just north of the park is a homage to little Sadako Sasaki, who was just two in 1945. When she developed leukemia in 1956, she believed that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes – a symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan – she would recover. Sadly she died before she finished her task but her classmates finished the rest. It is impossible to ignore the events of 1945 in Hiroshima, but this is far from a depressing place. The great efforts that have been made in rebuilding of the city over the years have given Hiroshima a vibrant, eclectic edge, with the downtown shopping area and street food stalls being well worth a visit. The proximity to Miyajima and its iconic, impressive, Torii gate should not be overlooked either. If you are lucky enough to visit during the unpredictable and short-lived Sakura (cherry blossom) season, then the extraordinary sight of the delicate pink blossom floating across the water to the red gate, means you can consider yourself one of the luckiest people on the planet.

Kagoshima city is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture and also Kyushu’s southernmost major city. This city is often compared to its Italian sister city Naples, due to its’s similarities such as mild climate and active volcano, Sakurajima. Sakurajima is one of the most renowned active volcanos not only in Japan but also in the whole entire world. This smoking Sakurajima is centred in Kinko Bay and is one of the main symbols of this prefecture. We cannot talk about Sakurajima without the history of continuous eruption. Sakurajima used to be an isolated island; however, the land has banded together with Osumi peninsula from the eruption in 1914. You may have a chance to see the smoke coming from the top of Sakurajima depending on the weather condition. Not only does the scenery of Sakurajima represent the beauty of Kagoshima City but Senganen garden is also symbolic to elegance in the Kagoshima region. This Japanese garden was constructed by a feudal lord, Mitsuhisa Shimazu, as a guest house of the Kagoshima castle which attracts many visitors for its splendid view.

Nagasaki city has developed into one of the most important port cities in Japan. During Japan’s period of isolation in the 17th century, Nagasaki played a prominent role in foreign trade relation and only a very few ports were open to restricted numbers of foreign traders. Even though Holland was a major country who conducted trading during this period, Dutch people were only allowed to stay in Dejima Island and were not allowed to have contact with the Japanese people. Today, you will still find the strong influence of Dutch and Chinese culture in the city which is very different from all other cities in Japan. In the more recent history, Nagasaki became the second city after Hiroshima to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the end of World War II. From the visit to Atomic bomb museum and peace memorial park, people could understand how chaotic the situation was and the agony that the people in the days have experienced from the damage inflicted by the atomic bomb. It continues to appeal to the world with their wish for world peace.

Jeju Island is a stunning volcanic island located off the southern coast of South Korea, famous for its natural beauty, unique landscapes, and relaxing atmosphere. Often called the “Hawaii of South Korea,” it is one of the country’s top travel destinations.

At the heart of the island stands Hallasan, South Korea’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano surrounded by a national park with scenic hiking trails. The island is also known for its dramatic natural formations, including Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), a UNESCO World Heritage site formed by volcanic eruptions.

Jeju features beautiful beaches, lava tubes, waterfalls, and lush countryside, offering a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Cultural highlights include traditional stone houses, local markets, and the famous “haenyeo” (female free divers) who harvest seafood without oxygen tanks.

With its mild climate, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural heritage, Jeju Island is a peaceful getaway ideal for nature lovers and travelers looking to explore South Korea beyond its cities.

Incheon is a major port city located on the northwest coast of South Korea, near Seoul. Known for blending modern development with rich history, it serves as a key gateway to the country, especially through the world-class Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest and most advanced airports globally.

The city offers a variety of attractions, from the futuristic Songdo International Business District—a modern smart city with high-tech infrastructure—to cultural and historical sites like Incheon Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in South Korea, filled with vibrant streets, traditional architecture, and delicious food.

Incheon also has scenic coastal areas, parks, and islands such as Wolmido Island, known for its seaside views, amusement rides, and relaxing atmosphere.

With its mix of innovation, history, and coastal charm, Incheon provides a unique experience for visitors, combining urban convenience with cultural exploration.

Incheon is a major port city located on the northwest coast of South Korea, near Seoul. Known for blending modern development with rich history, it serves as a key gateway to the country, especially through the world-class Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest and most advanced airports globally.

The city offers a variety of attractions, from the futuristic Songdo International Business District—a modern smart city with high-tech infrastructure—to cultural and historical sites like Incheon Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in South Korea, filled with vibrant streets, traditional architecture, and delicious food.

Incheon also has scenic coastal areas, parks, and islands such as Wolmido Island, known for its seaside views, amusement rides, and relaxing atmosphere.

With its mix of innovation, history, and coastal charm, Incheon provides a unique experience for visitors, combining urban convenience with cultural exploration.