Best Of Japan & South Korea Cruise 10 nätter • Shanghai (Baoshan), China till Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan • Spectrum of the Seas

When you cruise from Shanghai, your vacation begins before you even set foot aboard the ship. Welcome to a city that’s bursting with futuristic feats, rich history, delicious cuisine, and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Make sure you dedicate a few days before your cruise out of Shanghai to crossing all the top must-visit sites off your travel list. First, go see the classical and Art Deco architecture of the famous Bund neighborhood, then enjoy the scent of tea and incense that perfumes the air within the fortified Old City. If you’re still craving history, head to Qibao Ancient Town, home to an impressive pagoda-like bell tower and the legendary Qibao Template (it dates back to the 900s). With its pretty bridges and well-preserved historic buildings, Qibao Ancient Town is also a great place to snap photos. And no vacation from Shanghai is complete without a taste of the city’s world-famous street food, from giant dumplings filled with steaming hot soup, to cold noodles served with tender eel and tangy ginger.

The full force of Korean life is on display in Seoul. See the city's old-school side at Bukchon Hanok Village, where you'll find narrow streets lined with traditional houses dating back up to 600 years. Then, take stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream in the center of the city and admire Seoul's modern feel. Or take the cable car up to N Seoul Tower at the top of Namsan Mount to take it all in from above.

Sweeping seascapes, mountain vistas and ancient shrines await in Sakaiminato. Drive out to the striking samurai fortress of Matsue Castle and the Shinto sanctuary of Izumo Taisha less than an hour down the road — legend has it the gods come together for a meeting here once a year. Then, relax in the hot springs at Kaike Onsen. Or spend your day hiking among the lush forest and volcanic peaks of Daisen Oki National Park.

Opened as one of Japan's first international ports in 1859, Hakodate has a fascinating commercial and military legacy. Experience it by exploring the Goryokaku, a unique and verdant star-shaped fortress from the short-lived Republic of Ezo. Then, check out the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, a series of atmospheric bay side godowns (a style of Asian warehouse) revived as a shopping and dining spot.

You can easily get to Sapporo, the city that 1.9 million people call home, from the port of Muroran by train in less than two hours. Whether you walk among the blooming cherry blossoms of Asahiyama Park or catch views of the massive Mt. Teine that hosted Asia's first Winter Olympic Games, you'll never be too far from nature in Sapporo.

Dive headfirst into the best kind of culture shock and catch a train to Tokyo from Yokohama. See iconic Shibuya crossing, where a dizzying array of pedestrian crosswalks overlooked by neon lights provides the ultimate urban sugar high. Or spend the day in nearby Kamakura — from the shore of its black beaches, you can spot the soaring bulk of Mt. Fuji.

Yokohama is the central gateway to exploring Tokyo, a once-humble fishing village that is now one of the world's biggest, most densely populated cities. You'll find an eclectic mix of traditional shrines and soaring skyscrapers lining these neon-lit streets. Walk the Rainbow Bridge over Tokyo Bay alongside the Yurikamome Rail Line, a futuristic, operatorless train system. Then, see old Tokyo at the Imperial Palace, an Edo Castle surrounded by moats and gardens perfect for strolling. Cruise to Tokyo and head to iconic Sensoji Buddhist Temple and pass below the massive red paper lantern of the Thunder Gate. Then, unwind in Yoyogi Park, a literal forest in the heart of the city, complete with Zen gardens and a gingko tree forest.