ASIA CRUISE: JAPAN, CHINA & SOUTH KOREA Cruise on Azamara Pursuit from Tokyo

Tokyo

Yokohama is located only half an hour away from Tokyo, and effectively forms a part of the giant conurbation. Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. Tokyo is a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis that brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.

Tokyo

Yokohama is located only half an hour away from Tokyo, and effectively forms a part of the giant conurbation. Yokohama's Chinatown is the largest in Japan and dates back to the Opening of Japan in 1859. Tokyo is a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis that brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone.

Nagoya (Japan)

Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan, where most of the automotive companies are based. Some of the interesting places to visit are: The Castle, the Ohsu Kannon Temple, Tagata Temple, Nagoya Tower, the art museum Tokugawaor the Meji-Mura museum.

Kobe (Japan)

A cosmopolitan city with an international flavor, Kobe is situated on the main island of Honshu in the Kansai region of Japan. One of the most impotant port cities in the region it was established in 1868 as a gateway to the western world. Famous globally for its Kobe Beef, the city in true Japanese style boasts a mix of impressive skyscrapers and modern architecture, which includes the worlds longest suspension bridge, with traditional Japanese culture.

Kobe (Japan)

A cosmopolitan city with an international flavor, Kobe is situated on the main island of Honshu in the Kansai region of Japan. One of the most impotant port cities in the region it was established in 1868 as a gateway to the western world. Famous globally for its Kobe Beef, the city in true Japanese style boasts a mix of impressive skyscrapers and modern architecture, which includes the worlds longest suspension bridge, with traditional Japanese culture.

Kochi (Japón)

Hiroshima, Japan

The wounds of the first atomic bombing in history healed and Hiroshima is today a dynamic city, full of students and industrial commerce. The city counts with a Memorial Museum. Hiroshima has two places named Heritage Sites by the UNESCO: the Sanctuary Itsukushima in the Island of Miyajima abd the Peace Memorial of hiroshima. In the park Memorial you can visit the Peace Bell, the Peace Flame, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Statue of the Children, the Mount Memorial and the gates of Peace.

Beppu, Japan

Beppu is a city in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, it´s a town located between the sea and the mountains. Beppu has not only usual hot springs but some sand and foot baths as well. One famous spot is "Beppu Kaihin Sunayu, Ashiyu", (”Beppu marine beach sand bath and foot bath"). It is 15 minutes by bus from Beppu station, on Route 10. Beppu Fireworks Festival, held in late July, is one of the biggest fireworks displays in Oita. Five thousand fireworks are set off from boats floating on Beppu Bay.

Kagoshima (Japan)

With its warm climate, beautiful scenery and its very own active volcano, Kagoshima has earnt itself the nickname of "the naples of the eastern world". The city of Kagoshima offers visitors large commercial centers including the Tenmonkan Arcade, restaurants offering local Satsuma Province cuisine and nightlife. Just a short boat ride away, the volcano of Sakurajima is a popular attraction. Its summit is split into three peaks, Kita-dake (northern peak), Naka-dake (central peak) and Minami-dake (southern peak) which is currently active.

Nagasaki (Japan)

Nagasaki is a nice location in Japan, found in a valley of high hills. The opposite of other locations in Japan, in the ancient times Nagasaki was a comercial port for portuguese and dutch, and whose passage in the heritage of the city still remain. Some places you can visit in Nagasaki: Glover Garden, Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki Peace Park, Sofuku-ji temple, Lantern Festival (from mid January to mid February)

HAKATA, FUKUOKA

Busan (South Korea)

Busan is the biggest port metropolis located southeast of the Republic of Korea. It's location is in the Valley of river Nakdong.

Yeosu, South Korea

Yeosu is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Old Yeosu City, which was founded in 1949, Yeocheon City, founded in 1986, and Yeocheon County were merged into a new city in 1998. In the harbour there is a full-size model of one of Admiral Yi's turtle ships, timber shelled vessels which were used to defeat the Japanese navy. There is a beach with volcanic 'black' sand near Yeosu that is popular with Korean tourists. The name of the beach is Manseongri Beach. There are public showers and restrooms as well as on-duty lifeguards. Many restaurants located along the beach have beach-side tables and serve various seafood dishes. It is also possible to take ferries to many local islands for an authentic taste of rural Korea.

Incheon (Seoul, South Korea)

Capital of South Korea, the best seasons to visit Seoul is in the spring and the autumn. The principal places to visit are the Horim Museum, the Deoksugung Palace, the Presidential Residence Cheongwadae or the Hongdae Market, market for the youngest artists.

Tianjin (China)

The northern Chinese city of Tianjin is located in the southeast of Beijing. The former fishing village on the Great Canal has been a commercial city since the 13th century and was of great significance as a grain store for the imperial court in Beijing. Today Tianjin with its deep-sea port Tianjin Xingang to Shanghai is the most important coastal metropolis of China. The city is an industrial center, transportation hub and cultural hub of the region. The Tianjin administrative region, with its 10 million inhabitants, is not a contiguous urban area, but rather similar to a small province due to its rural settlement structure.

Tianjin (China)

The northern Chinese city of Tianjin is located in the southeast of Beijing. The former fishing village on the Great Canal has been a commercial city since the 13th century and was of great significance as a grain store for the imperial court in Beijing. Today Tianjin with its deep-sea port Tianjin Xingang to Shanghai is the most important coastal metropolis of China. The city is an industrial center, transportation hub and cultural hub of the region. The Tianjin administrative region, with its 10 million inhabitants, is not a contiguous urban area, but rather similar to a small province due to its rural settlement structure.

Dalian (China)

Dalian is one of the most beautiful places in the north of China.People of all over China meet in Dalian at the point of the Laiodong Peninsula, attracted by the depth of the blue bay and amazing beaches. The city has avenues full of trees, nice hotels, seafood restaurants, acuatic sports, and a nice climate all year round. The surroundings are full of cereal fields and apple trees.

Shanghai

Shanghai, with a population of more than 23 million, is the largest and most developed city in China. Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River, Puxi (West) is the older city center and Pudong the mass of new high-rise development across the river. Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen houses that blend the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. There is everything from classic Parisian style, to Tudor style buildings that give an English flair and 1930s buildings reminiscent of New York or Chicago.

Shanghai

Shanghai, with a population of more than 23 million, is the largest and most developed city in China. Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River, Puxi (West) is the older city center and Pudong the mass of new high-rise development across the river. Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen houses that blend the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. There is everything from classic Parisian style, to Tudor style buildings that give an English flair and 1930s buildings reminiscent of New York or Chicago.

Shanghai

Shanghai, with a population of more than 23 million, is the largest and most developed city in China. Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River, Puxi (West) is the older city center and Pudong the mass of new high-rise development across the river. Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen houses that blend the styles of Chinese houses with European design flair, and it has one of the richest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. There is everything from classic Parisian style, to Tudor style buildings that give an English flair and 1930s buildings reminiscent of New York or Chicago.

Naha (Japan)

Naha is the largest city in Japan's southernmost prefecture, Okinawa. The approximately 100 km long island of Okinawa is part of a group of islands that separates the East China Sea from the Pacific. Naha's climate is subtropical and monsoonal. The city's landmark is the red Suri Castle with the royal garden Shikinaen with the typical ponds, stone bridges and wooden palaces. Naha is also a lively city with a vibrant shopping street, parks and a lively nightlife. A visit to the Naminouegu Shrine and the Fukushūen Garden is particularly recommended.

Ishigaki (Japan)

Ishigaki, on the island of Ishigaki-jima in Okinawa Prefecture, is the southernmost city in Japan. The urban area covers the entire island, which is primarily known as a tourist center. Many guests come to the island primarily because of the fantastic beaches, the turquoise sea and the sun. One can scuba dive, snorkel and observe beautiful corals, manta rays and tropical fish. There are opportunities for excursions into the tropical forests and mangroves.

Keelung (Taiwan)

Located on the Northern point of Taiwan, Keelung is the gatway for visitors to the economic, political and cultural center of Taipei. Although a bustling modern metropolis, Taipei still treasures its rich history and tradition. The National Palace Museum holds one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts spanning Thousands of years. Other popular attractions for tourists include the Lungshan Temple, the Confucius Temple modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, China, the Pao An Temple and the Yang Ming Shan National Park/Yehliu/Hot Springs.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meetsWest", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony. Hong Kong balances a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. The fusion of east and west also characterises Hong Kong's cuisine, where dim sum, hot pot, and fast food restaurants coexist with haute cuisine. Hong Kong is a recognised global centre of trade, and calls itself an "entertainment hub".Hong Kong government supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department subsidises and sponsors international performers brought to Hong Kong. Many international cultural activities are organised by the government, consulates, and privately.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where "East meetsWest", reflecting the culture's mix of the territory's Chinese roots with influences from its time as a British colony. Hong Kong balances a modernised way of life with traditional Chinese practices. The fusion of east and west also characterises Hong Kong's cuisine, where dim sum, hot pot, and fast food restaurants coexist with haute cuisine. Hong Kong is a recognised global centre of trade, and calls itself an "entertainment hub".Hong Kong government supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department subsidises and sponsors international performers brought to Hong Kong. Many international cultural activities are organised by the government, consulates, and privately.