East Asia Cruise - from Tokyo - 113708

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.

Osaka is the port town on the island of Honshu, the capital of the prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan. With a population of 2.5 million, the city, which is surrounded by satellite towns, lies at the estuary of various rivers in Osaka By. In early history Osaka was the seat of the Japanese emperor several times. The city is seen as a centre of industry, trade, culture and research (5 universities, various research institutions). The Daimyo castle dating from the 16th century, the many temples and gardens are all worth a visit. The most important sectors of the economy here are textiles, iron and steel, machine manufacturing, the chemicals industry and the oil refineries. Many prospering companies have their headquarters in the city, laying the foundations for a modern infrastructure and cultural tradition. In 1970 Osaka hosted the World's Fair. The city is currently experiencing somewhat of an architectural renaissance, with the objective of making it a focus for people, goods and information from all over the world.

Osaka is the port town on the island of Honshu, the capital of the prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan. With a population of 2.5 million, the city, which is surrounded by satellite towns, lies at the estuary of various rivers in Osaka By. In early history Osaka was the seat of the Japanese emperor several times. The city is seen as a centre of industry, trade, culture and research (5 universities, various research institutions). The Daimyo castle dating from the 16th century, the many temples and gardens are all worth a visit. The most important sectors of the economy here are textiles, iron and steel, machine manufacturing, the chemicals industry and the oil refineries. Many prospering companies have their headquarters in the city, laying the foundations for a modern infrastructure and cultural tradition. In 1970 Osaka hosted the World's Fair. The city is currently experiencing somewhat of an architectural renaissance, with the objective of making it a focus for people, goods and information from all over the world.

Kochi is one of the few originally preserved castle towns in Japan and is located on the island of Shikoku. Alongside the Chikurin-ji temple, Kochi Castle is the city's most important tourist attraction. Kochi's diverse nature can be enjoyed on a walk through one of the impressive parks, for example, while the extensive caves in the surrounding area are also well worth a visit.

The name of this city with more than a million inhabitants, Busan, means "tea-kettle mountain" and refers to the city's location, hemmed in on three sides by mountains. Before the port lies the "dragon's head rock". You can enjoy an excellent view from the platform of Pusan Tower or from the small restaurant in the tower. At the foot of the tower is a tangled labyrinth of small streets in Kukje Market. The traditional Chagalchi fish market is Korea's most lively market, selling freshly-caught seafood and fish specialities. Taejongdae, a bizarre cliff formation in a beautiful setting, has a spacious plateau from where you will have a fantastic view of the Sea of Japan. The city museum "Pokchon-dong" details Busan's history from the 4th century onwards. Other sights include: Pomo(sa) temple, the fortifications at Kumjongsansong on the Kumjong mountain, Kumgang Park with a funicular railway and ancient forests.

Nagasaki is the only city in Japan with a European influence, since it was only here that some settlements were allowed during the 300 years of isolation. The city lies at the end of a bay between mountain ranges, from where you can enjoy an excellent view of the city, the islands just off the coast and the ocean. The old trams are the perfect way to get around the city and visit the sights. Nagasaki is a busy, colourful city whose early history of encounters with the Portuguese and Dutch has been overshadowed by its fate as the second target of an atomic bomb attack. Urakami, the centre of the atomic explosion is today an affluent and peaceful suburb. This is where visitors can find the nightmarish atomic bomb museum, a vivid reminder of the horrors of nuclear destruction. The Hypocentre Park is also located here. It has a black stone column marking the exact spot at which the bomb exploded, as well as remains and ruins. A bell sounds at 11.02 a.m. every day, the time of the explosion, at the turtle-shaped Zen temple Fukusai-ji.

Kagoshima is the prefecture capital of the Japanese island of Kyushu. Kagoshima is the most southerly city in Japan, and is not only tropically warm, but also has a relaxed, South-Seas atmosphere despite all of its modern amenities. Opposite the city rises the imposing backdrop of the volcano Sakurajima, which towers more than a thousand metres over the peninsula, its jagged crater smouldering unceasingly. The memory of the Jesuits is upheld and revered in Kagoshima by many monuments; it was the Jesuits who facilitated the first real contact with the West. Several of the museums are worth a visit, e.g. the new prefecture museum built on the grounds of the old castle. It shows exhibits relating to a wide range of issues of national importance.

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.

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.