Legends Of Japan & Alaska

Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, offers an eclectic mix of tradition and modernity. Begin your adventure with a visit to the Asakusa district, home to the ancient Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most significant temple. Nearby, Nakamise Street is perfect for souvenir shopping and sampling traditional snacks.

For a panoramic view of the city, head to the Tokyo Skytree, one of the world's tallest towers. Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections, is a must-see for its sheer scale and energy. To experience tranquility, visit the serene Meiji Shrine, nestled in a lush forest in Shibuya. Don't miss trying Tokyo's renowned sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market or exploring the vibrant Harajuku district for trendy fashion and unique cafes.

Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital, offers an eclectic mix of tradition and modernity. Begin your adventure with a visit to the Asakusa district, home to the ancient Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most significant temple. Nearby, Nakamise Street is perfect for souvenir shopping and sampling traditional snacks.

For a panoramic view of the city, head to the Tokyo Skytree, one of the world's tallest towers. Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections, is a must-see for its sheer scale and energy. To experience tranquility, visit the serene Meiji Shrine, nestled in a lush forest in Shibuya. Don't miss trying Tokyo's renowned sushi at Tsukiji Outer Market or exploring the vibrant Harajuku district for trendy fashion and unique cafes.

Nikko, nestled in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, is a place where history, culture, and natural beauty converge spectacularly. Renowned primarily for its ornate shrines and temples, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Toshogu Shrine, Futarasan Shrine, and Rinnoji Temple, Nikko offers a profound glimpse into Japan's rich architectural and spiritual heritage. Toshogu, the most lavishly decorated shrine, is famous for its intricate wood carvings, including the renowned "Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" monkeys.

Beyond its cultural treasures, Nikko is also celebrated for its natural scenery. The area is home to the scenic Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, one of Japan's most beautiful waterfalls, especially stunning in autumn when the foliage turns fiery red and gold.

Hitachinaka, located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its scenic coastal beauty and the sprawling Hitachi Seaside Park. This park is famous for its seasonal flowers, especially the baby blue eyes (Nemophila) that create a stunning blue carpet in spring and the vibrant red kochia bushes in autumn. It offers a spectacular natural display that draws visitors from around the world.

Apart from its natural allure, Hitachinaka also boasts of Nakaminato Fish Market, where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and observe local culinary practices. The city's proximity to the coast encourages activities like cycling along the seaside paths and relaxing on the beaches. Hitachinaka blends its industrial background with considerable green spaces and oceanic influences, providing a refreshing escape with diverse attractions for all ages.

Miyako, located on the eastern coast of Honshu in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, is a city known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The dramatic coastline of Jodogahama Beach, with its pristine white pebbles and clear blue waters, is a major attraction, offering breathtaking views and a peaceful retreat.

Miyako is also home to the Sanriku Fukko National Park, where visitors can explore the rugged landscape and observe diverse wildlife. The city has a deep connection to its maritime roots, evident in its fresh seafood cuisine, with local delicacies like sea urchin and abalone being particularly popular. The Miyako Fish Market is an excellent place to experience the local flavours and vibrant atmosphere.

Hakodate is one of the most popular city destinations in Japan. Here you can experience diverse dynastic architecture, the last Shogun battlefield and enjoy shimmering night views from Mount Hakodate. Located along Hokkaido's southwestern tip, you can immerse yourself in history within the star-shaped walls of Fort Goryokaku and explore the site of famous battles that transformed Japan.

Enjoy a mouth-watering seafood rice bowl (kaisen-don) from the Hakodate Morning Market and then relax with a soak in the Yunokawa hot springs on Hakodate's outskirts.

Otaru, located on the northwest coast of Hokkaido, Japan, is a charming port city known for its well-preserved architecture and scenic canals. The Otaru Canal, lined with historic warehouses, is a popular attraction, especially beautiful when illuminated at night. A stroll along the canal offers a glimpse into the city's past as a bustling trade hub.

The city is also famous for its glassworks, music boxes, and sake distilleries. Visitors can explore the Otaru Music Box Museum and the Kitaichi Glassworks to experience the local craftsmanship. The vibrant Sakaimachi Street, with its array of shops and cafes, is perfect for enjoying local delicacies and shopping for unique souvenirs. With its blend of history, culture, and picturesque scenery, Otaru is a delightful destination in Japan.

The international date line, established in 1884, passes through the mid-Pacific Ocean and roughly follows a 180 degrees longitude north to south line on the Earth. It does zigzag around political borders such as eastern Russia and Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Crossing the date line eastbound decreases the date by one day, while crossing the date line westbound increases the date. So when you cross east to west you always lose a day and crossing from west to east you get the same day twice (or gain a day).

Located on Amaknak Island and linked via bridge to Unalaska Island, Dutch Harbor is a place of historical significance, stunning natural beauty and resilient people. While intriguing museums recall a turbulent past, today Dutch Harbor embraces the peaceful nature of its scenic surroundings and thrives as a fishing 'village' that brings in the largest catch in the country.

Dutch Harbor is the main delivery port for the crab fleet featured on the Discovery Channel's hit reality show, "The Deadliest Catch."

Wild, remote and stunningly beautiful, the city of Kodiak is a rugged outpost on Alaska's famed "Emerald Isle". Accessible only by plane or ship, will find you in a different Alaska - one of extreme wilderness and beauty, populated by hearty, friendly frontier folks.

Take a visit to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, home to the famed Kodiak brown bears. A scenic drive to Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park reveals stunning coastal views, World War II bunkers, and lush forest trails. For a cultural experience, explore the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, which showcases the island's indigenous heritage. Don't miss the Kodiak Fisheries Research Center, where you can learn about the local fishing industry and marine life.

Whittier is 60 miles (about an hours drive) south of Anchorage, and is one of the Anchorage area's two major cruise ports. The trip south traverses the spectacular Turnagain Arm fiord and Portage Valley, passing the resort town of Girdwood along the way.

There are many small turnouts along the way that are photo-perfect. The small community of Girdwood is a great spot to take a quick hike or a ride up the aerial tram. Whittier itself offers fishing, and wildlife and glacier day cruises on top of being a major port of call for cruise passengers.

Off the coast of Yakutat - 200 miles North West of Juneau - Hubbard is certainly gigantic: it's more than 9km/6mi wide where it meets the ocean. The face is over 100m/350ft tall, and icebergs 3 to 4 stories in height aren’t uncommon.

Granted, most of that ice is below water, but the ice can be so thick that cruise ships can’t get too close. In the right conditions, however, your ship might be able to get within 1km/0.5mi of the face. The strong currents and riptides that flow between Gilbert Point and the face of the glacier cause calving to occur on a daily basis, sending massive chunks of ice crashing into Disenchantment Bay.

But don't be fooled, Hubbard Glacier stands strong and is advancing so fast its earned the title "The Galloping Glacier".

Icy Strait Point, near the Tlingit village of Hoonah, blends adventure with Alaska's heritage. Whale watching is unparalleled here, with frequent sightings of humpbacks and orcas. The world’s largest zip line offers breathtaking forest and ocean views. Explore restored cannery buildings housing exhibits, local crafts, and fresh seafood. Guided tours delve into Tlingit culture, highlighting storytelling and traditional dances. Nature trails reveal serene coastal beauty and diverse wildlife.

Ketchikan sits at the southern end of Alaska’s Inside Passage -  the canned salmon capital of the world, it’s a hub for fishing and outdoor sports. It’s also home to three tribes of Northwest Coast Indians, making it a great place to get a taste for the local culture.

Top Things to Do in Ketchikan:

• visit Totem Bight State Park
• venture past the town limits into Tongass National Forest
• visit Ketchikan's own Saxman Native Village
• a myriad of outdoor adventures from fishing to zip-lining!
  

Alaska's Inside Passage offers breathtaking views of glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife , making it one of the most scenic cruises in the world and one of the few locations where deep-draft ships can sail close to steep mountain walls. Stretching from Puget Sound in Washington to the Alaskan Panhandle, this coastal route provides stunning natural scenery. Expect to see orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions from the deck, while eagles soar overhead.

Massive tidewater glaciers, forest-clad islands, ice-carved fjords, and charming coastal towns such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Haines and Skagway await you here. On small ship cruises, you’ll visit even more intimate ports of call. Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier are highlights.

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the southern end of Vancouver Island, framed by an attractive harbour and surrounded by grand buildings.

With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

Vancouver is the ideal home port to begin or end an Alaskan adventure. Blessed with stunning vistas and exciting activities, Vancouver offers the perfect blend of urban and natural experiences. Vancouver is a must for any cruise itinerary, and because it's a compact, walkable city right on the edge of nature, adding on just a couple of extra days to explore will give you an authentic taste of what makes this place so attractive to visitors.

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront, 'Canada Place' (cruise terminal) can service up to three luxury cruise ships at any given time.