Grand Japan Cherry Blossoms Cruise - M808A

Tokyo, located on the eastern side of the main island of Honshu, is the core of the most populated area in the world (urban area 38M). The small fishing village of Edo was fortified in 1457 with Edo Castle (The Imperial Palace now stands at this location) and became one of the largest cities in the world by the 18th C. Its stringent policy of seclusion ended in 1854 and opened Japan to outside trade. Read more about Tokyo, Japan

Kagoshima lies on the southern tip of the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is the picturesque capital of the Prefecture of the same name. Due to its active stratovolcano Sakurajima – Kagoshima's Vesuvius, seen east of the port – and its 'excitable' inhabitants, it is often compared to its Italian sister city, Naples. Read more about Kagoshima, Japan

Nagasaki City, on the island of Kyushu in Japan, lies at the heart of Nagasaki-hanto Peninsula. As one of Japan's closest port cities to the Asian mainland, Nagasaki has played a prominent role in foreign trade relations for many centuries. This is a port city that developed up the steep slope of a mountain, while also stretching horizontally to hug the Nagasaki Gulf. Read more about Nagasaki, Japan

Busan (formerly Pusan), the second largest city and principal port of South Korea, is situated in the SE of the peninsula on the Korea Strait. The city has many steep hills, creating a delightful mix of mountains and ocean. While Busan was relatively untouched during the Korean War, the flood of refugees has shaped the city. Read more about Busan, South Korea

Mojiko (Moji Port) lies at the western end of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, between the islands of Honshu and Kyushu where they are separated by the Kanmon Straits. Mojiko is a ward of the city of Kitakyushu, and a major trading port for the region at the end of the 19th century. Adjacent to the port is the Mojiko Retro District, a tourist site centred on Mojiko Station (wooden and modelled on Rome’s Termini Station), and Kyushu Railway History Museum which a short walk from Mojiko Station. Read more about Mojiko, Japan

The capital of the prefecture of the same name, Hiroshima, situated at the centre of the Chugoku region in western Honshu – Japan’s largest island – is possibly best known for being the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon. Today, though, it is a modern cosmopolitan city with wide boulevards and criss-crossing rivers. Many of the famous attractions are connected to the horrific split second of the bomb blast on August 6, 1945, and are truly well worth visiting. Read more about Hiroshima, Japan

Matsuyama (“Pine Mountain”) is the capital of Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku island of Japan. This city of half a million people is known for its hot springs and bath houses. Dogo-onsen Hot Spring that is said to have a 3,000 year history, is the oldest spa in Japan, The good quality of the spring, its noteworthy tradition, and easy access from downtown have made Dogo-onsen the most popular destination of newcomers. Read more about Matsuyama, Japan

Beppu, a city that overlooks Beppu Bay and is backed by mountains, is located in the Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is considered to be Japan’s hot springs capital as it has the second largest volume of hot water in the world - after Yellowstone in the United States - and the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan. This tourist town has nine spectacular geothermal hot springs that are referred to as the ‘nine hells of Beppu’, certainly the major attraction for visitors. Read more about Beppu, Japan

Kochi is the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the southern coast of Shikoku Island, Japan. The city is small and friendly, with a casual atmosphere and a dose of southern flair. It boasts several attractions of interest to travellers. Read more about Kochi, Japan

Osaka, the heart of the Greater Osaka Area, is located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, and is the third largest city in Japan. Historically it is also regarded as the commercial capital of Japan, as evidenced by its daytime population being over a million greater than its night time population. From above ground and underground shopping malls and specialised shopping complexes, to the unusual America Mura which offers both new and used clothing, as well as flea markets, and the Asia Pacific Trade Centre with its international wholesale market, shopping here truly is a fascinating experience. Read more about Osaka, Japan

Tokyo, located on the eastern side of the main island of Honshu, is the core of the most populated area in the world (urban area 38M). The small fishing village of Edo was fortified in 1457 with Edo Castle (The Imperial Palace now stands at this location) and became one of the largest cities in the world by the 18th C. Its stringent policy of seclusion ended in 1854 and opened Japan to outside trade. Read more about Tokyo, Japan

Toba, population 19,000, is located on the Shima Peninsula facing Ise Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It lies on the central east coast of Homshu Island. Much of the city is within the borders of the Ise-Shima National Park. Read more about Toba, Japan

Nagasaki City, on the island of Kyushu in Japan, lies at the heart of Nagasaki-hanto Peninsula. As one of Japan's closest port cities to the Asian mainland, Nagasaki has played a prominent role in foreign trade relations for many centuries. This is a port city that developed up the steep slope of a mountain, while also stretching horizontally to hug the Nagasaki Gulf. Read more about Nagasaki, Japan

Busan (formerly Pusan), the second largest city and principal port of South Korea, is situated in the SE of the peninsula on the Korea Strait. The city has many steep hills, creating a delightful mix of mountains and ocean. While Busan was relatively untouched during the Korean War, the flood of refugees has shaped the city. Read more about Busan, South Korea

Sakaiminato is an important fishing port facing Mihio Bay and the Sea of Japan to the east, and inland Lake Nakaumi to the west. It lies in the middle of West Japan. South of the port is the sweeping 15km Yumi-ga-Hama Beach, and 30km to the ESE rises the great snow-capped summit of Mt. Read more about Sakaiminato (for Matsue), Japan

Maizuru is a small but major port city in Kyoto Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, situated on an inlet off the Sea of Japan. Maizuru harbour is a spread of drowned river valleys, established as a naval port since 1901. After WWII, Maizuru was a key port for returning Japanese servicemen. Read more about Maizuru, Japan

Toyama is surrounded by steep mountains on the coast of the Sea of Japan in central Honshu, about 200 km N of Nagoya and 300 km NW of Tokyo. During the last century heavy and chemical industries developed in Toyama, based on abundant electricity which was generated by hydro power stations in the mountains near-by. There are numerous attractions to visit such as the Fugan Unga Kansui Park that is an oasis in a busy city, the history museum of Toyama Inotani Sekisyokan, as well as the Family Amusement Park and the Botanic Gardens. Read more about Toyama, Japan

Sakata – a “city of rice” – is city of 105,000 on Japan’s island Honshu, facing the Sea of Japan. It is 1000km due east of North Korea. It has the Mogami River running through it, and 25km to the NE is the symmetrical 2236m Mount Chokai, in the Chokai Quasi-National Park. Read more about Sakata, Japan

Hakodate is the largest city and port in southern Hokkaido, Japan. It is considered to have – as seen from Mt. Hakodate – one of the world's most impressive nightscapes, particularly from June through March, when the bright lights emitted from the squid fishing vessels add a touch of romantic inspiration. Read more about Hakodate, Japan

Miyako is a small city of 60,000 people on the eastern-most coast of Honshu, Japan's main island. The island of Miyako-jima is home to beautiful beaches, perfect for sunning, swimming and snorkelling. When you are ‘sun-spent’, migrate to the Miyako-jima City Tropical Plant Garden to marvel at over 1,500 species of exotic tropical plants. Read more about Miyako, Japan

Tokyo, located on the eastern side of the main island of Honshu, is the core of the most populated area in the world (urban area 38M). The small fishing village of Edo was fortified in 1457 with Edo Castle (The Imperial Palace now stands at this location) and became one of the largest cities in the world by the 18th C. Its stringent policy of seclusion ended in 1854 and opened Japan to outside trade. Read more about Tokyo, Japan