Tokyo, Busan, Sasebo, Kagoshima, Naha

Tokyo is a huge city and is both the capital and largest city of Japan. The city could be described as a natural park itself since a major part of the area is designated as Natural Park. The Chichibu Tama Kai, the Fuji-Hakone-Izu, and the Ogasawara National Parks are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Others attractions include many of the city’s museums like the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science as well as its Zoo. Tokyo is also known for its many restaurants, luxurious hotels and its wonderful  and vibrant nightlife. 

Busan is a port city located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula in South Korea. It is known for its mountains and beaches, hot springs, nature reserves and seafood. Busan International Film Festival is held here each fall. If you are looking for something traditional and tranquil visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a 6th Century Bhuddist Temple, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Otherwise wander around Centum City, the world’s largest shopping complex and feel the pace of modern Busan.

The area of present-day Sasebo was a small fishing village under the control of nearby Hirado Domain until shortly after the start of the Meiji period. Sasebo Naval District, founded in 1886, became the major port for the Japanese navy in its operations in the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, and remained a major naval base to the end of World War II.

Kagoshima lies at the top of the Satsuma Peninsula, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. The city’s port is situated along the coast of Kinko Bay. Kagoshima has mild climate, streets with palm trees and is dominated by Sakura Jima, an active volcano which every now and then dumps fine ash and obscures the sun like fog, creating a mythical and captivating landscape. It is a historical city and home of the mythical samurai Saigo Takamori, the most influential samurai in Japanese history that played a major role in the Satsuma Rebellion.

Naha is the largest city in Okinawa Prefecture. Located in the southern part of Okinawa Main Island, it is the political, economic and transportation center of the prefecture. Kokusai Street is surely the most crowded place in Naha. This approximately 1.6-kilometer-long street is lined with department stores, restaurants, coffee shops, general shops, clothing shops, travel agencies, banks, and of course souvenir shops which account for about 40% of the businesses and facilities on the high traffic street. The Makishi Public Market is located on Main Market Street, running south from a halfway point on Kokusai Street. The market, known as the "kitchen of Naha," is always full of energy and excitement with old women called "Obaa" working actively amongst the brisk talking venders.