Best Of Japan Cruise EVENTYRET BEGYNNER HER
Hong Kong , China | Okinawa (Naha) , Japan | Kobe , Japan | Kobe , Japan | Kyoto (Osaka) , Japan | Kochi , Japan | Hong Kong , China
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Hong Kong, China
SHOULDA, WOULDA, BUDDHA
After you arrive at Hong Kong's airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong's modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon's Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
After you arrive at Hong Kong's airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong's modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon's Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
in Hong Kong
Peek From the Peak
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you're up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.
Scenic Ride to Stanley
Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It's a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There's lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.
Out on the Harbor
Use an Octopus card for a ride on Hong Kong's iconic Star Ferry for inexpensive views of Hong Kong's harbor. The tour makes a scenic circular route between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, stopping at three piers. Skyscrapers are everywhere, but look closely for the smaller Golden Bauhinia near the Wan Chai Pier, a golden flower statue where the handover of Hong Kong took place in 1997.
Local Cuisine
Hong Kong is famous for dim sum, a meal of bite-sized foods with various selections brought to your table. Traditionally eaten for brunch, you'll find it at other hours, too. Choose from steamed buns, dumplings or fried rolls filled with spinach, crab or chicken. You'll likely need to share a table — but then you'll have help deciding what to order. Restaurants with lots of locals are a sign of quality and good prices.
Shopping
Head to Causeway Bay for modern retail therapy: This stretch of Hong Kong is virtually covered in malls and shops. Central is the district to go to for upscale designer clothes, shoes and other items. But don't overlook the markets for local handicrafts during your Hong Kong cruise. Pick up an inexpensive but distinctive jade necklace or ornament, or look for poetry-inscribed paintings and bamboo handicrafts from the antique dealers on Cat Street.
CRUISING
CAN'T MISS FAVORITES
Things to Do
Okinawa (Naha), Japan
JAPAN-STYLE
Soak in the splendor of the former Ryukyu Kingdom at the vermillion-red Shujiro Castle. Then, walk around the private garden of a king at the tropical Shikinaen Gardens. Finish your time here by taking in Okinawa's pristine coastline at Okuma Beach, where you can swim, snorkel or kayak in the brilliant waters of the East China Sea.
Soak in the splendor of the former Ryukyu Kingdom at the vermillion-red Shujiro Castle. Then, walk around the private garden of a king at the tropical Shikinaen Gardens. Finish your time here by taking in Okinawa's pristine coastline at Okuma Beach, where you can swim, snorkel or kayak in the brilliant waters of the East China Sea.
in Okinawa (Naha)
Live Like a King
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shurijo Castle's bright red exterior is instantly striking. Destroyed and rebuilt many times over, this building offers you a sense of life during the Ryukyu Kingdom's golden years. Then, see the former residence of the Japanese king at the Shikinaen Gardens populated by tropical flora.
Where Sea Meets Sky
Explore the depths of the bay at Nami-no-ue Sea and Sky Park. With guided snorkeling tours and diving equipment, you can see 95 types of coral and 53 species of colorful fish. Finish up with a beach party and a barbeque under the golden sun.
Okinawan Education
At Ryukyu Mura village, you'll find a recreated village and practical demonstrations of old crafts. The vibrant village welcomes visitors with dances and celebrations of traditional festivals and arts. Complete your day of learning at the Okinawa Prefecture Museum, home to a massive 85,000 artifacts dating to the 12th century.
Local Cuisine
The food here is both distinctly Japanese and uniquely Okinawan, with Chinese and South Asian influences creating a cuisine all its own. Okinawa cruises allow you to try Okinawan soba (actually more reminiscent to udon noodles because they're so thick) served in a ramen-like pork broth and topped with slow-cooked pork spare ribs. Don't miss out on Agu, the Wagyu beef of pork, with its tender texture and sweet flavor.
Shopping
Many craft techniques are unique to Okinawa. Head to Kokusai-Dori (International Street) to browse for Ryukyan glass and lacquerware or colorful Shuri-ori textiles. On Tsuboya Yachimun-Dori Street, you can pick up intricate Tsuboya-yaki pottery — choose between decorative traditional statues or plates, bowls and other home-use items.
CRUISING
FOR FOODIES
Things to Do
Kobe, Japan
SAY ‘KONNICHIWA’ TO KOBE
Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.
Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.
in Kobe
Get in Hot Water
Onsen — a hot spring bath — is a unique Japanese pastime that will get you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, and Arima Onsen is where you go to partake when in Kobe. Baths are filled with naturally occurring hot spring water, which locals claim has medicinal effects. Choose from day, half-day or spa packages, or sample a few different baths.
Hike the Heavens
The Nunobiki — or "Divine" — Falls are a natural wonder on the back of Mt. Rokko. A quick 15-minute walk will get you to the first of the four waterfalls — the biggest is a thundering 43 meters high. If walking isn't your thing, take the Shin-Kobe cable lift to the top. It takes you past all four falls and stops at the Nunobiki Herb Garden, where you can experience the colors and aromas of 200 different kinds of herbs and flowers.
Go Mansion-Hunting
Got a taste for classic luxury? Kobe's Kitano-cho district contains more than a dozen ijinkan, historic mansions formerly owned by foreign merchants who settled here. Today, they're open to the public as museums. The England House, France House and Dutch Museum reflect the origins of their former owners, who brought European sensibilities to their new Asian home.
Local Cuisine
There's only one city to go to if you want serious Kobe beef. Hang out with the locals at Nankingmachi Square, home to street-style Kobe beef a la carte. Want dinner and a show in one? Head to a teppanyaki restaurant, where your chef will cook your meal in front of you. If meat's not your thing, don't worry: Any steakhouse will also serve crunchy Yakiyasai (grilled vegetables) and Agedashi-dofu (crispy tofu with dipping sauce).
Shopping
To sample the freshest seafood Kobe has to offer with your Japan cruise, visit the Uonotana Fish Market, a wholesale marketplace boasting the day's catch. Later in the day, move on to the bustling Sannomiya shopping area, where streets are packed with stores selling everything from the latest fashions to traditional tea sets.
Kobe, Japan
SAY ‘KONNICHIWA’ TO KOBE
Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.
Kobe has a melting-pot cultural allure that reflects its origins as a 19th century port city. The city is also all about its world-famous beef, served up by humble street vendors and Michelin-starred chefs alike. Once you've taken in the mountain views and strolled the historic streets, passing mansions once owned by well-to-do foreign merchants, catch a train to Osaka and eat like a sumo wrestler.
in Kobe
Get in Hot Water
Onsen — a hot spring bath — is a unique Japanese pastime that will get you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, and Arima Onsen is where you go to partake when in Kobe. Baths are filled with naturally occurring hot spring water, which locals claim has medicinal effects. Choose from day, half-day or spa packages, or sample a few different baths.
Hike the Heavens
The Nunobiki — or "Divine" — Falls are a natural wonder on the back of Mt. Rokko. A quick 15-minute walk will get you to the first of the four waterfalls — the biggest is a thundering 43 meters high. If walking isn't your thing, take the Shin-Kobe cable lift to the top. It takes you past all four falls and stops at the Nunobiki Herb Garden, where you can experience the colors and aromas of 200 different kinds of herbs and flowers.
Go Mansion-Hunting
Got a taste for classic luxury? Kobe's Kitano-cho district contains more than a dozen ijinkan, historic mansions formerly owned by foreign merchants who settled here. Today, they're open to the public as museums. The England House, France House and Dutch Museum reflect the origins of their former owners, who brought European sensibilities to their new Asian home.
Local Cuisine
There's only one city to go to if you want serious Kobe beef. Hang out with the locals at Nankingmachi Square, home to street-style Kobe beef a la carte. Want dinner and a show in one? Head to a teppanyaki restaurant, where your chef will cook your meal in front of you. If meat's not your thing, don't worry: Any steakhouse will also serve crunchy Yakiyasai (grilled vegetables) and Agedashi-dofu (crispy tofu with dipping sauce).
Shopping
To sample the freshest seafood Kobe has to offer with your Japan cruise, visit the Uonotana Fish Market, a wholesale marketplace boasting the day's catch. Later in the day, move on to the bustling Sannomiya shopping area, where streets are packed with stores selling everything from the latest fashions to traditional tea sets.
Kyoto (Osaka), Japan
OLD JAPAN
At once a modern metropolis and a bastion of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After you take the 30-minute train journey from Osaka, see the iconic red gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine. Then, stroll through Nishiki Market and pick up yakitori grilled chicken for a snack, and take in a panoramic view of the city from Kyoto Tower.
At once a modern metropolis and a bastion of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After you take the 30-minute train journey from Osaka, see the iconic red gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine. Then, stroll through Nishiki Market and pick up yakitori grilled chicken for a snack, and take in a panoramic view of the city from Kyoto Tower.
in Kyoto (Osaka)
Golden Pavilion
A traveler's favorite for centuries and one of Japan's most famous sights, the gold-covered main hall of Kinkaku-ji temple seems to float between the sky and the pond of Kyoko-chi that it stands over. It was originally built in the 14th century as a villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a samurai lord. Snap photos while walking around Kyoko-chi, and see the temple from Sekka-tei Cottage — the view from here can't be beat.
Garden Without Plants
Not far from the Golden Pavilion, the Zen temple of Ryoan-ji is famed for its mysterious yet beautiful rock garden. This grouping of 15 rocks set in raked gravel is a delight to contemplate from the veranda of the Hojo, the residence of the temple's head priest. Walk around the tatami rooms, and admire the painted fusuma sliding doors. Don't miss the picturesque tsukubai stone washbasin with a bamboo pipe in the back — designed for the tea ceremony, it's inscribed with a Buddhist maxim saying one should be happy with what one already has.
Ten Thousand Gates
Beloved for its spectacular rows of red torii gates, this hilly, sprawling Shinto shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and business; you'll see statues of his messenger, the fox, everywhere. During your visit to Osaka, take the four-kilometer path up the mountain and lose yourself in this vermilion wonderland — the number of gates totals around 10,000. Small restaurants along the paths sell kitsune udon noodle soup and inarizushi rice balls.
Local Cuisine
As the kitchen for Japan's imperial court for centuries, Kyoto has a long tradition of excellent food. Get the full experience with Kyo-kaiseki-ryori, a multicourse meal of seasonal Kyoto cuisine: You'll be treated to many dishes made with exceptional attention to detail, including gently sashimi-style raw fish and vegetable dishes like turnips simmered in local water with white miso.
Shopping
Head to the Kyoto Handicraft Center near Heian-jingu shrine for a wide selection of Kyoto crafts including ironware kettles, woodblock prints, Japanese dolls, lacquer ware, as well as kimono and yukata (lightweight summer kimono). Visitors can also try their hand at making handicrafts, such as painting folding fans.
Kochi, Japan
AND TATAKAI
Kochi is a friendly city with a wealth of cultural, historical and natural heritage waiting to be explored. Snap your holiday photos at the postcard-perfect Katsurahama Beach, where azure waters break against pagoda-topped cliffs. Check out historic Kochi Castle, and snap a picture of the city and the cherry blossom-flecked landscape below. Or walk through Chikurinji Shrine and its grounds full of Buddha statues and Japanese-style gardens.
Kochi is a friendly city with a wealth of cultural, historical and natural heritage waiting to be explored. Snap your holiday photos at the postcard-perfect Katsurahama Beach, where azure waters break against pagoda-topped cliffs. Check out historic Kochi Castle, and snap a picture of the city and the cherry blossom-flecked landscape below. Or walk through Chikurinji Shrine and its grounds full of Buddha statues and Japanese-style gardens.
in Kochi
Peace on the Pacific
A bronze statue of Sakamoto Ryoma — an Edo-period patriot who brought about the Meiji Restoration — peacefully overlooks the blue Pacific ocean from the picturesque Katsurahama Beach. Although you can't swim here (the currents are too strong), you can wander the shore and visit the nearby Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum.
Feudal Fortress
Unlike most castles in Japan, Kochi Castle is an original and not a restoration. One of 12 castles that survived the feudal period, its historical significance radiates from the walls built in 1601. The castle is a short bus ride or 25-minute walk from the main city station, and it offers of a panoramic view of the city and landscape from its top level.
River Blues
An hour outside of Kochi city center, Niyodo river has the cleanest, clearest blue water you've ever seen. Around 124 kilometers long, its startlingly transparent waters consistently rank among the purest in Japan. Cruise to Kochi and experience the waters on a yakatabune, a traditional Japanese houseboat, or walk through the cool valley.
Local Cuisine
In Kochi, freshly caught bonito fish are expertly filleted, wrapped in straw and seared over white-hot coals. The seared fish are gently sliced into sashimi and served with a salt or citrus dressing. Called tatakai, this dish is best enjoyed at one of the food stalls of Hirome Ichiba marketplace.
Shopping
Escape the summer heat or rain by walking through the covered Obiyamachi Ichibangai Shopping Street. With everything from food to delicate trinkets, it's a great place to pick up some keepsakes. The street leads to Harimayabashi Shopping Street, which eventually takes you to to the Kochi Castle. Keep an eye out for coral jewelry during your Kochi cruise: About 80 percent of Japan's coral artifact producers are located in Kochi.
CRUISING
SUN DRENCHED DAYS
Things to Do
CRUISING
SHOW STOPPERS
Things to Do
Hong Kong, China
ASIA'S URBAN HEARTBEAT
Before leaving Hong Kong, pop over to the island of Macau — you'll need to bring your passport but not a Chinese visa. Check out the island's Vegas-style casinos like the Grand Lisboa, one of the oldest. Inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino, see singing gondoliers and do some shopping. Stroll through Senado Square and the narrow surrounding streets and grab a Portuguese egg tart, the iconic Macau brunch food.
Before leaving Hong Kong, pop over to the island of Macau — you'll need to bring your passport but not a Chinese visa. Check out the island's Vegas-style casinos like the Grand Lisboa, one of the oldest. Inside the Venetian Hotel and Casino, see singing gondoliers and do some shopping. Stroll through Senado Square and the narrow surrounding streets and grab a Portuguese egg tart, the iconic Macau brunch food.
in Hong Kong
Peek From the Peak
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you're up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.
Scenic Ride to Stanley
Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It's a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There's lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.
Out on the Harbor
Use an Octopus card for a ride on Hong Kong's iconic Star Ferry for inexpensive views of Hong Kong's harbor. The tour makes a scenic circular route between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island, stopping at three piers. Skyscrapers are everywhere, but look closely for the smaller Golden Bauhinia near the Wan Chai Pier, a golden flower statue where the handover of Hong Kong took place in 1997.
Local Cuisine
Hong Kong is famous for dim sum, a meal of bite-sized foods with various selections brought to your table. Traditionally eaten for brunch, you'll find it at other hours, too. Choose from steamed buns, dumplings or fried rolls filled with spinach, crab or chicken. You'll likely need to share a table — but then you'll have help deciding what to order. Restaurants with lots of locals are a sign of quality and good prices.
Shopping
Head to Causeway Bay for modern retail therapy: This stretch of Hong Kong is virtually covered in malls and shops. Central is the district to go to for upscale designer clothes, shoes and other items. But don't overlook the markets for local handicrafts during your Hong Kong cruise. Pick up an inexpensive but distinctive jade necklace or ornament, or look for poetry-inscribed paintings and bamboo handicrafts from the antique dealers on Cat Street.
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