Kobe beckons travelers with its magnetic blend of history, nature, and urban sophistication. This port city entices explorers with its unique charm, offering a seamless fusion of traditional and contemporary elements. Wander through the atmospheric Kitano district, where beautifully preserved Western-style homes known as `Ijinkan,` that once belonged to foreign settlers during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Strolling through its cobbled streets, for a a unique blend of architectural styles, from English Tudor to French Renaissance. After you have taken a literal trip down memory lane, immerse yourself in the bustling vitality of Harborland's waterfront entertainment. This captivating blend of shopping, dining, entertainment offers stunning views of the sea, particularly from the iconic Kobe Port Tower which serves as a beacon of the district's charm. Visitors can explore an array of shopping complexes, from luxury boutiques to trendy outlets, and savor diverse culinary delights in its array of restaurants and cafes. Culinary enthusiasts are in for a treat, with the renowned Kobe beef elevating the gastronomic scene. From its captivating cultural tapestry to the stunning landscapes, this city paints an authentic picture of Japan that captivates the senses and leaves an indelible mark on every traveler.

Views of the sea, high-rises, parks and temples, Kochi has it all. The town is particulary famous for its famous dish, katsuo tataki, a culinary delight of flavorfully seasoned, seared tuna, which draws food fans from all over the world. Once you have had your fill of the delicious local dish, any cravings you have for a taste of Japanese culture are sure to be satisfied during your visit. Meander through the Makino Botanical Garden, explore the Museum of Art, stroll along the nearby beach, barter at the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, visit the aquarium, or simply gaze at the city's most celebrated sight, Kochi Castle. Which remains largely intact atop Otakasaka Hill, and at the top of most traveler's must-see lists.

For ever associated with the atomic bomb attack at the end of WWII, the moving monuments of Peace Park are what draw most visitors to Hiroshima. This resilient city has reinvented itself as a vibrant Japanese destination with a determinedly modern and international outlook. Youthful and fun, this is the place to dine on okonomiyaki – variously topped savoury cabbage and pork pancakes. Head to the Okonomi Mura district, where every restaurant specialises in this dish. Hop aboard one Hiroshima's historic streetcars and ride out to Mazda Stadium, home of the Toyo Carps, the beloved local baseball team founded in 1950. Or make pilgrimage to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Miyajima island. Look out for the floating red gate Torii shrine set in the sea as you approach, where your welcoming committee will be friendly free-roaming herds of little Nihonjika deer. Tiny Miyajima has a big reputation for oyster cultivation, cooked on streetside grills, topped with miso glaze, battered and deep fried. Delicious.

In the 19th century, the port of Moji was a hub for international trade, especially coal, today it has become well known for showcasing distinctive architecture of Western design from that heyday, when companies moved to this forward-looking port close to China. Take a stroll around its historic jumble of buildings to see the modernist Customs House, decked with sculptural mid-century furniture, and the gleaming white Art Deco Dalian Shipping Line Terminal building, the red-brick early 20th century Osaka Shosen Kaisha shipping company headquarters and Dalian Friendship Memorial Building. Yet Moji, part of the city of Kitakyushu since the 1960s, is not all about the built landscape, nature gets a look-in, too. Visit the Shiranoe Botanical Gardens, and, depending on when you visit, you will be delighted by the sight of peonies, azaleas, and, of course, clouds of cherry blossom.

Just look at that view of the ocean – no wonder Yeosu means “beautiful waters”. Set on the south coast of mainland South Korea, with a scoop of islands in its bay, this port intoxicates with its high-rise modernity and old soul. The curious traveler will relish what they find here; there are temples, markets, parks and nature reserves to feast on – as well as some of the best seafood in the country. Shop for authentic souvenirs in the markets of Nampo-dong, gaze at the traditional Korean architecture in the old quarter and walk or cycle along the shore in the sea breeze. Take the Yeosu Maritime Cable Car from Jasan Park – one with a transparent floor if you dare look down on the sea far below – to Dolsan island to find Hyangiram Hermitage, a 6th-century Buddhist temple. Or cross the bridge to Odongdo island and follow the trails through the tangle of evergreens and bamboo, fragranced in spring by red camellia blossoms.

Jeju, a South Korean island paradise, captivates with its volcanic landscapes and vibrant culture. Known as the `Island of the Gods,` it's a haven of natural wonders, packed full of authentic experiences for those who are willing to explore this lesser visited destination. Start by discovering the awe-inspiring Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where ancient caves and geological marvels tell a geological tale. From the dramatic cliffs of Seongsan Ilchulbong to the serene shores of Hyeopjae Beach, Jeju's beauty is diverse and enchanting. Embrace local traditions like haenyeo (female divers) and indulge in Jeju's distinct cuisine; try Momguk a savory, nutrient-rich boiled pork and seaweed dish, seafood ramen or seongge miyeokguk (sea urchin seaweed soup), the island specialty. With its blend of stunning scenery and rich heritage, Jeju promises a captivating journey into a world where nature, culture and cuisine fuse together to make a fabulous destination.

Blessed with parks and markets to stroll through, it's hard to resist stretching your legs in South Korea's third-largest city. As you go, savor hot and crunchy deep-fried chicken, dakgangjeong, or a spicy skewer of fish cakes in a warming broth, eomuk, from the street-food stalls in Sinpo Market. Step through the great gate of the only official Chinatown in Korea and discover how its community helped create the country's national dish at the eponymous Jajangmyeon Museum. Delight in the clouds of cherry blossom that grace Jayu Freedom Park in spring. You won't tire of Incheon but dynamic Seoul is temptingly close by Metro. You might like to prepare your senses for an onrush of blinking neon lights and blasting K-pop music in the capital, yet there are calm historic corners to be found amid the soaring skyscrapers. Bongeunsa Temple, with its Buddhist shrines, and Deoksugung Palace, for the changing of the guard, are among the must-sees.

Busan, South Korea's second-largest city, is a dynamic blend of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and bustling urban life. Situated on the southeastern coast, Busan is so much more than a sum of its parts; it's a captivating mix of historic charm, modernity, and stunning, natural beauty. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as local favorite Haeundae Beach, perfect for long strolls along the promenade or the more nostalgic Dadaepo Beach, where golden sands meet the turquoise sea. South Korea is still emerging as a traveler destination and as such, much of this beautiful country remains unspoiled. The city's history comes alive at places like the Beomeosa Temple, a Buddhist sanctuary founded in 678 AD, and the historic Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colorful houses and artsy alleys. Or, if you are looking for a glimpse into Busan's maritime heritage, head to Jagalchi, one of Korea's largest fish markets. Experience bustling fish auctions and savor the freshest seafood dishes at the surrounding eateries.

Nagasaki is a thriving city on Kyushu Island's northwestern shores. As Japan's only access to the West, it flourished during a period of national isolation in the 16th century and continues to be influenced by the ideas and technology of other cultures. Must-see attractions include Japan's oldest gothic-style wooden church and the inspirational Peace Park. Also of particular note is the stately Glover Mansion, an impressive hideaway which was the legendary setting of Puccini's opera, Madame Butterfly. A harmonious blend of ancient and modern influences will be yours to enjoy during your sojourn in Nagasaki.

Visitors from the sea have long been welcomed at this port on Kyushu Island in Japan's lush, subtropical south. Set as close to Taiwan as to Tokyo, it's brimming with pan-Asian flavors and there are plenty of ways to savor them. One of the best is at a yatai, the enticing street-food stalls that, some say, Fukuoka has more of than the whole of Japan. See them by lantern light when the sun goes down on the waterfront at Nakasu Island River, and succumb to a ladle or two of meaty Hakata pork broth with slurpable ramen noodles. For a more refined authentic taste, delve into Fukuoka's Edo-era history at the ruins of its 17th-century castle, or, in Shofukuji, Japan's first Zen temple, founded in the 12th century, with its wooden pagoda and golden statues of Buddha. Look to the future, too, at Canal City, the five-storey mega mall complete with its own waterway.

Facing the Sea of Japan on the north coast of Honshu Island, Sakaiminato is the main fishing port for western Japan so, as you'd expect, you can try some of the finest seafood in the country here. Vibrant displays of glistening bluefin tuna and red queen crab are laid out in the bustling fish market next to Yumeminato Tower. Nearby, there are species of another kind: Shigeru Road is lined with about 150 bronze statues of monsters and ghosts created by acclaimed manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, who was born here. For more classic Japanese culture head just west of town to handsome Matsue-jo castle, which dates from 1611 and is only one of a handful of its kind remaining in Japan (a gentle boat trip around the moat is a lovely way to see it). Sakaiminato is also a good base for hiking through the Daisen Oki National Park, which surrounds the striking (and dormant) volcano Mount Daisen.

This serene garden city packs a punch for samurai heritage and immaculately preserved Edo-era architecture – and surprisingly uncrowded 17th-century neighborhoods. Here you will encounter geishas hosting tea ceremonies behind screen-walled houses, and artisans producing Kutani pottery, kaga-yuzen dyed silk, and lacquerware in workshops dating back to when wealth, power, and arts patronage defined this city-seat of the influential Maeda clan. In Kenroku-en, the family's castle grounds, explore one of Japan's most exquisite gardens, with ponds and fountains linked by bridges and fringed by walkways overhung with trees and plants that erupt into seasonal bloom. Carefully curated beauty is replicated in kaiseki, Japan's classical multi-course fine-dining experience, here taking in such regional delicacies as sesame tofu, Noto beef and the Ishikawa sake made from the crystal-clear waters from the mountains.

Sakata on the northwest coast of Honshu Island wears its past with pride. This busy little town was a major port city during the Edo Period in the 17th to 19th centuries, profiting from the shipment of Shonai rice from the surrounding area – today rice, and its offshoot sake, are still some of the region's main resources and you can visit the old warehouses and even a museum dedicated to this humble grain. In the town center, tour the beautifully preserved residence of the Honmas, a vastly wealthy family of merchants, resplendent with gables and shoji screens. About a mile north, the Honma Museum of Art is housed in the family's splendid holiday villa, which sits in serene, landscaped gardens. Other past glories of Sakata include Somaro, a restored high-class teahouse with gardens, tea rooms and dance performances by apprentice geishas. Mount Chokai and Chokai Quasi-National Park, meanwhile, make for a glorious outdoor excursion.

With its apple orchards, cherry trees and backdrop of the Hakkoda Mountains, this city on the northern tip of Honshu island is a gateway to some of Japan's most beautiful landscapes. About 30 miles south is UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi, a mountainous area with the last of East Asia' virgin beech forests. Walking trails here lead to waterfalls and lakes, and you may spot golden eagles, black woodpeckers, Japanese macaques and even shy black bears as you go. Some 40 miles southeast, deep-blue Lake Towada is serenely breathtaking and offers gentle activities from walking to canoeing and boat rides. The Aomori area also enjoys a vibrant contemporary arts scene, from the gleaming white Aomori Museum of Art, complete with a colossal dog statue by Yoshitomo Nara, to the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, strikingly set in a former brewery, and Towada Art Center with eye-popping sculpture.

When Japan ended two centuries of self-imposed silence, Hakodate, was one of the first ports to open to the outside world. That was in 1859 – fast-forward to today and you'll find a modern metropolis capitalising on its prime location at the southern edge of Hakkaido, just across the water from Honshu. Yet this city values its heritage, especially the impressive 19th- and 20th-century buildings that blend Japanese and Western styles in the Motomachi district, such as the grandiose Old Public Hall of Hakodate and the Former British Consulate, where you can sip tea looking out at a rose garden. Flavors are more authentic at the Morning Market, where chefs from the surrounding cafés pluck fresh seafood from the stalls – try ikameshi (rice-filled squid). And those snow monkeys you see photos of bathing in steaming mineral waters – they're here in the botanical garden. To put it all in perspective, trek up the well-kept paths to the 334m summit of Mount Hakodate.