12-Nt Harvest Horizons: Japan’s Coastal Charms

Set along the east coast of the Iwate Prefecture, Miyako was Japan’s main seaport for hundreds of years before a series of tsunamis took their toll. Yet what the city lacks in historical buildings, it more than makes up for in natural attractions such as Sanriku Fukkō National Park.

Hakodate is one of the most popular city destinations in Japan. Here you can experience diverse dynamic architecture, the last Shogun battlefield and enjoy shimmering night views from Mount Hakodate.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Japan’s natural landscape around the Aomori Prefecture. Located in the north of Japan’s main island, the city mixes ultramodern architecture with sleepy fairytale castles, surrounded by scented cherry blossoms. Visit the World Heritage Site of the Shirakami Mountains with its majestic forest of beech trees; follow the Oirase River from mystic Lake Towada and explore two national parks at Tsugaru to the west and Shimokita across Mutsu Bay.

The vibrant heart of the expansive Akita Prefecture in northern Tohoku stands out as a unique destination where modernity entwines with tradition. Sheltered along the enchanting Sea of Japan coast, Akita boasts a captivating blend of modern and old, with a cityscape that showcases an intriguing contrast of architectural styles.

Inhabited for 4,000 years, Niigata overflows with history and beauty. Its location on the Sea of Japan, at the mouth of the country's longest river, makes it ideal for agriculture.

This splendid castle town, with over 400 years of history, beckons visitors to its unique time capsule of history and culture. As the seat of the Maeda Clan during the Edo Period, it rivaled Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) in cultural achievements, making it a city with a rich legacy.

Nestled between sea and mountains, Sokcho is a vibrant blend of nature and tradition. Explore the breathtaking trails of Seoraksan National Park, stroll through the nostalgic Abai Village, and savour the day’s freshest catch at bustling local markets. A perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty.

A visit to Kanmon Straits is an opportunity to experience one of the Japan's most incredible waterways. This expansive channel connects two of Japan's four main islands, Honshu and Kyushu. The best views of the surrounding scenery are from above. Hop on a helicopter ride or visit Mt. Hinoyama in Shimonoseki on the north side of the strait.

Experience a slice of the real Japan in cosmopolitan Kochi, a vibrant modern city with friendly people and a laidback vibe.With easy access to sea and mountains, there are sweeping beaches, hidden temples and a hilltop castle to explore besides the trendy malls and bustling palm-lined arcades of Kochi downtown. For spectacular views across the city, it's worth the climb to the castle; a gleaming example of 17th century history with its perfectly intact interior documenting a dramatic feudal past. The nearby Hirome food market sells everything from fresh fish to tasty katsuo and ramen noodles, but for a calmer pilgrimage, visit Chikurin-ji Temple.

Japan's third largest city, Osaka offers your cruise holiday a combination of historical and cultural attractions with modern developments. Before World War II, Osaka was an exotic maze of crisscrossing waterways and traditional wooden buildings, but unfortunately most of these were destroyed in the bombings.Today however, the city has leapt into the architectural future with such buildings as the Imperial Hotel, the inverted U-shape of the Umeda Sky Building and the enormous Ferris wheel on top of the HEP Five complex.In addition, cruises to Osaka will also offer you the chance to see the gentle side of Japan. Kyoto, the former capital, is a serene city of geometric gardens, geisha houses, cherry trees, temples and palaces.