North Pacific Cruise - from Vancouver - 131887

With a population of almost 500,000 Vancouver in British Columbia is the most important port at the Pacific. It is considered to be one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world and, on account of its sheltered location, it has a mild climate all year round. A special attraction at the northern edge of the city is Vancouver's Hausberg Grouse Mountain, which can be reached by a cable-car and has excellent facilities for winter sports and hillwalking as well as a wonderful view of the city. Capilano Suspension Bridge, measuring 137 m in length and suspended 70 m above a river gorge, which visitors can cross, is also nearby. Sights include: Gastown, Stanley Park, Chinatown, Science World, Vancouver Aquarium, Harbour Centre with its viewing platform, the waterfront with a sea bus.

The "Salmon Capital of the World" is one of the towns in south-east Alaska that already existed during Russian times. As in Sitka, this Russian influence is also apparent here in the form of folk dancers and a Russian Orthodox church. In Totem Bight State Park you can view totem poles elaborately carved by the Tlingit native Americans. Ketchikan is considered to be a Mecca for salmon fishers, who already settled here hundreds of years ago.

Sitka, founded by the Russians in 1804, was the capital of Russian Alaska for a long time. A dormant volcano rises around 1,000 m over the town surrounded by small islands. Sights such as the Russian-Orthodox church and the Russian bishop's house are a reminder of the Russian influence. In the Sitka National Historical Park visitors can see a collection of totem poles, a fort and a reconstruction of the battlefield of 1904. The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Centre is also situated in this park. Here you can see local artists and craftsmen at work. The Sheldon Jackson Museum provides an insight into the culture of the native peoples and how they have survived the bitter cold climate through the ages. In the Alaska Wildlife Centre meanwhile you can see many native species of animal at close quarters.

Hakodate, with a population of 320,000 lies at the southern point of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In 1859 it was among the five Japanese towns first opened for outside trade, representing the gateway to the outside world. Hakodate is also the traditional starting point for trips to Hokkaido, which can be reached either by ferry or by train through the underwater tunnel constructed in 1988. This Japanese port is also famous for its star-shaped fort.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan with a population of almost 8 million, combines tradition with progress. Buddhist temples stand side by side with Shinto cultural institutes and sky-scrapers. In the tiny streets you can find Kimonos, fans and miniature carvings, just a few streets away from the modern banking district and the grand architectural masterpieces. Visitors can relax in the Koraku Garden which has replicas of various features of the Japanese landscape. If it's a thrill you're after, a visit to the fish market is just the thing - and you could even bid on some fish!. More than 90,000 works of art are on display in the largest museum in Japan, the National Museum. In 1958 the Japanese built a replica of the Eiffel tower; At 333m high, 'Tokyo tower' would dwarf the original. Other sights include: the Meji shrine, the emperor's garden and palace, the town hall, the 'Capsule Hotel' where guests are accommodated in "drawers", Asakusa Kannon temple and the temple gardens in Kamakura.