Odyssey In The Heart Of Japan’S Subtropical Islands

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

Shingu is a small city (pop. 29,000) located in the Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the largest of Japan’s islands, Honshu. Read more about Shingu, 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

Kagoshima lies on the southern tip of the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is the picturesque capital of the Prefecture of the same name. Due to its active stratovolcano Sakurajima – Kagoshima's Vesuvius, seen east of the port – and its 'excitable' inhabitants, it is often compared to its Italian sister city, Naples. Read more about Kagoshima, Japan

Yakushima is an island bout 25km in diameter off the SE coast of Kyushu, 60km south of Kyushu Island and the major port of Kagoshima. It lies at the northern end of the island chain of Ryukyu. The majority of the island is within the borders of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park, and is known for its evergreen conifer Japanese red-cedars that grow to 70m. Read more about Yakushima, Japan

Naha is the capital and main city of the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan, and is located on Okinawa Island, the largest of a long stretch of islands between mainland Japan and Taiwan. With the only sub-tropical climate in all of Japan it is a major tourist destination for the Japanese. Till recently there were not many foreign tourists to these shores, but this is quickly changing. Read more about Naha, Japan

Miyako is a small city of 60,000 people on the eastern-most coast of Honshu, Japan's main island. The island of Miyako-jima is home to beautiful beaches, perfect for sunning, swimming and snorkelling. When you are ‘sun-spent’, migrate to the Miyako-jima City Tropical Plant Garden to marvel at over 1,500 species of exotic tropical plants. Read more about Miyako, Japan

Ishigaki is the largest city for the Yaeyama Island Group, and is located on Ishigaki Island, as is the area's major boat terminal, Ishigaki Port. It is the southernmost of the Ryukyu (or Nansei) Islands chain, of which the largest is Okinawa. The island enjoys a thriving culture steeped in traditions that are a mixture from Japan, China, nearby Taiwan (230km to the west), and its former trading partners. Read more about Ishigaki, Japan

Taipei, located on the Danshui River, is the largest city and the capital of Taiwan, in the Republic of China. It lies 25 km SW of the Pacific Ocean port Keelung in northern Taiwan. Now a sprawling metropolis, for those who love the hustle and bustle of a big city, it truly is a great place to visit. Read more about Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, Province of China