Asia - Japan

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, and is located on the Han River in the country's north-west. The city is an hour from Incheon port. With almost half of South Korea's population living in its greater area, it is the country's foremost economic, political and cultural centre. Read more about Seoul, South Korea

Cheju (Jeju), a city on an island of the same name, is a beautiful destination located off the SW coast of South Korea, 90km off the Korean Peninsula. Cheju is a well-known resort with hotels and casino facilities, and welcomes over ten million visitors from mainland Korea, Japan, and China every year. A volcanic island, with good rainfall and mild climate, Cheju is known as 'Korea's Hawaii'. Read more about Cheju, South Korea

Nagasaki City, on the island of Kyushu in Japan, lies at the heart of Nagasaki-hanto Peninsula. As one of Japan's closest port cities to the Asian mainland, Nagasaki has played a prominent role in foreign trade relations for many centuries. This is a port city that developed up the steep slope of a mountain, while also stretching horizontally to hug the Nagasaki Gulf. Read more about Nagasaki, Japan

Beppu, a city that overlooks Beppu Bay and is backed by mountains, is located in the Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is considered to be Japan’s hot springs capital as it has the second largest volume of hot water in the world - after Yellowstone in the United States - and the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan. This tourist town has nine spectacular geothermal hot springs that are referred to as the ‘nine hells of Beppu’, certainly the major attraction for visitors. Read more about Beppu, Japan

Kochi is the capital of Kochi Prefecture on the southern coast of Shikoku Island, Japan. The city is small and friendly, with a casual atmosphere and a dose of southern flair. It boasts several attractions of interest to travellers. Read more about Kochi, Japan

Osaka, the heart of the Greater Osaka Area, is located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, and is the third largest city in Japan. Historically it is also regarded as the commercial capital of Japan, as evidenced by its daytime population being over a million greater than its night time population. From above ground and underground shopping malls and specialised shopping complexes, to the unusual America Mura which offers both new and used clothing, as well as flea markets, and the Asia Pacific Trade Centre with its international wholesale market, shopping here truly is a fascinating experience. Read more about Osaka, Japan

Nagoya, the fourth-largest city in Japan and one of its major ports, is located on the Pacific coast in the Chubu region on central Honshu. One of the two most famous sightseeing spots is the reconstructed Nagoya Castle that was built in 1612 with two golden carp on the roof, and that today is also home to an interesting museum that contains an ancient Atsuta shrine as well as some 4,400 national historic treasures. The Atsuta Shrine is known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan, after Ise Shrine. Read more about Nagoya, Japan

Shimizu is located on the coast of Suruga Bay, 140km SW of Tokyo, on the island of Honshu, facing the Pacific Ocean. Shimizu-ku is actually a ward or sub-division of the city of Shiuoka. The Kakita River flows through the town. Read more about Shimizu, Japan

Yokohama is located on the western coast of Tokyo Bay, less than half an hour's train journey directly south of Tokyo. It is the second largest city in Japan and one of the cities most visited by foreigners. Despite being devastated by bombings in WWII it remains a maritime city and retains an international flavour. Read more about Yokohama, Japan