Tokyo to Singapore: Taiwan, Hong Kong & Vietnam - M633

It's worth noting that most ships do not dock in Tokyo proper, but in Yokohama, a separate city around 20 miles southwest from Tokyo. Though few cruisers will be visiting Japan to see Yokohama, this venerable port city has a number of attractions in its own right, most of which are a short stroll from where your ship is docked. Many of the red-brick waterfront warehouses have been converted into attractions, such as museums, restaurants and bars, and make for an interesting walk if you haven't built in time to visit Tokyo itself. Even if you've spent lots of time in other big cities, there is no way to adequately prepare for Tokyo. The sprawling modern metropolis is a dizzying kaleidoscope of flashing neon lights, pachinko (gaming) parlors, karaoke joints, standing sushi restaurants, robot hotels, maid cafes, tiny bars and basement noodle restaurants dotting its busy streets. But quiet spots do exist throughout the city. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are great spots to stop and think about all you've seen, and there are a number of city center parks where you can find a secluded area. But don't wonder too far afield -- you'll likely hit a high-end and name-brand shop before you see the next peaceful oasis. The Japanese take shopping very seriously, dedicating entire districts to it, like high-end Ginza or electronic-centric Akihabara. And their malls aren't just places to buy things; you'll find some of the best restaurants there, like Skytree Town at the foot of the 2,080-foot Skytree Tower -- as well as an aquarium and planetarium. The good thing is that Tokyo is an amazingly easy city to get around. The massive metro and train system covers nearly every inch of the city, and though few people speak English, they will do their best to help if you just ask.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Kagoshima is located on the southwest tip of Kyushu Island in Japan. Chances are, it will be either your first or last port in Japan, depending on the direction your ship is traveling. The region's largest city, it's home to about 600,000 people and one really big, active volcano. The climate is balmier than what you'll find in more northerly cities, so don't be surprised when you see palm trees. Kagoshima has long been a thriving port town and managed to trade with the outside world even when international trade was banned, thanks to the powerful Shimazu clan, which ruled there for many centuries. The area is famous for its Kurobuta pork and shochu, a liquor distilled from sweet potatoes, sugarcane or grains.

This far west Japanese city of 450,000, located on Kyushu Island, has one of the most complex histories of any in Japan because of the early European influence that resulted in both positive and negative responses by the once-insular Japanese. The earliest contacts between Nagasaki and the West took place in 1543, when the Portuguese arrived, introducing the Japanese to guns and Catholicism. Next came the Spanish, followed by the Dutch. When Western religion came to be seen as a threat, the people of Nagasaki expelled the missionaries, and, in one famous incident in 1597, murdered some two dozen European and Japanese Christians. The Dutch, being Protestants -- and, more importantly, traders -- were allowed to retain a foothold on the nearby island of Dejima, even after foreign contact was banned altogether.

As the Dutch gained more influence, Western culture and science took hold in the city. In 1859, the city was officially reopened to the outside world. With the establishment of numerous industries, such as brewing and shipbuilding, Nagasaki became the most international city in Japan.

Gradually, the Japanese began to wrest control of these industries from the Western ex-patriots. And, it was Nagasaki's strategically important shipbuilding industry that made the city a target in World War II. On August 9, 1945, the Americans dropped a plutonium A-bomb on the city, three days after the one at Hiroshima.

Today's tourists will find a completely rebuilt city. Although many come to see the Atomic Bomb Museum, the city has much more to offer, including remains of European influence in Glover Garden, two Catholic churches, shrines and temples dotting the hillsides and a thriving and walkable Japanese city center that is close to where the ships dock.

Nagasaki is quite an attractive city, set on a plain between the active harbor and a backdrop of mountains. Where industry does not intrude, the city has developed attractive park promenades -- perfect for a quiet stroll and an escape from the urban hustle and bustle. The city's largely linear layout makes it easy to navigate, and it's well worth exploring the city on your own. The efficient tram system will take you anywhere you want to go.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Ishigaki, a tropical paradise in Japan's Okinawa prefecture, boasts pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and lush, jungle-clad mountains.  From snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear waters to hiking through scenic landscapes and savouring delicious Okinawan cuisine, Ishigaki offers a relaxing and culturally rich escape.

Taipei is a busy city of more than two and a half million people situated at the northern tip of Taiwan. Founded by Chinese traders in the 17th century, the city became the country's capital in 1885 and, like the entire country, has been occupied at various times by the Dutch, the Spanish and the Japanese. Today, the city is a thriving hub of business and tourism that will feel familiar to anyone who has spent time in any of the world's big cities. There are English signs everywhere, American fast-food stops and clothing and shoe shops with recognizable names like Benetton, Sketchers and Aldo. The city's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is easy to navigate, and if you keep your eyes on the towering Taipei 101, you can usually figure out which direction to go. Like the world's big cities, Taipei is crowded. Locals and tourists alike compete for space, motor scooters are an ever-present danger and skyscrapers dominate the horizon. But interspersed among all the noise are pockets of quiet and reflection. Temples, like churches in the Western world, are everywhere, and two of the city's most popular tourist sites -- the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and Martyr's Shrine -- request respectful silence. Not all of the city's tourist attractions are quiet, the most notable exception being the National Palace Museum, which receives thousands of visitors a day. Originally located in Beijing's Forbidden City, the more than 600,000 objects in the collection were moved, first to China's south to avoid the Japanese invasion in 1931, and then to Taiwan in 1949 because of the civil war between the Nationalist Government and the Communists. With the largest collection of Chinese cultural and artistic objects in the world, tourists, especially those from mainland China, flock to the city to visit it.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

There's one constant in Hong Kong -- change! If you visited a few years back, you may not recognize the place. So, how did Hong Kong get to where it is today? There are nearly 5,000 years of Chinese history and traditions there, overlaid with 150 years of British colonial influence. Ceded back to China by the British in 1997, the city remains a "free-market zone" within the communist Chinese system. Locals still refer to the "border" of mainland China, and visitors from the West must acquire tourist visas in order to cross -- although visa regulations for China seem to be in constant flux, so be sure to confirm the current situation. In terms of cultural diversity, architectural innovation, infrastructure and cosmopolitan edginess, it's hard to beat Hong Kong. The city is also one of the most vibrant commercial centers in the world. Hong Kong is the foremost deep-water harbor in Asia, a fact evidenced by the scores of cargo vessels carrying manufactured goods to the rest of the world. Of course, it's also a first-rate shopping destination, much to the delight of cruise passengers who discover that both of the city's two terminals have impressive malls attached. Hong Kong is comprises three main districts. The Kowloon Peninsula houses the famed Ladies' Market and Temple Street Night Market, the upscale shops on Nathan Road's "Golden Mile," several museums and the busy, tourist-friendly Tsim Sha Tsui area. Connecting Kowloon to mainland China are the scenic New Territories, where you'll find elaborate temples and woodlands. Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour, contains the city's financial district, known as Central, as well as Sheung Wan, a historic Chinese neighborhood where the British originally took control, which is being reborn as a trendy area. Dubbed the "concrete forest," Hong Kong Island offers a stunning juxtaposition of imposing skyscrapers set against the towering slopes of Victoria Peak. But travel to the other side of the Peak, and you'll find beaches, islands, an amusement park and Stanley Harbor -- with yet another renowned market. Plan to add at least a few days if you embark or disembark here.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Central Vietnam, with its cities of Da Nang (sometimes spelt Danang) and Hue, offers visitors history, culture and food that are quite distinct from North or South Vietnam. Much of this area was hard hit by the Vietnam War, and rebuilding continues, with the government adding infrastructure to shorten travel times to and from major attractions. Its natural beauty, broad beaches, upscale resorts and friendly residents are making this a major destination for travellers from around the world. Located midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the port city of Da Nang is Vietnam's third-largest city and the largest city of Central Vietnam. Established in the second century, it was once the centre of the India-influenced Champa Kingdom and is home to the world's largest collection of Cham art and artefacts. The city is best known for its role in the Vietnam War when it was the site of a major U.S. airbase, and it is featured prominently in both the TV show "China Beach" and movie "Good Morning Vietnam." Since the end of the "American War," as residents call it, in 1975, Da Nang has prospered as a commercial centre, its downtown bustling with markets and motorbike traffic. About 65 miles north of Da Nang is Hue. This UNESCO World Heritage Site bisected by the Perfume River was the capital of Vietnam from the 17th century until 1945. Much of its ancient Forbidden Purple City was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War's bitter Tet Offensive in 1968. Restoration is ongoing to enhance the city's growing appeal as a resort and tourist destination. One popular stop between the two cities is China Beach where American troupes enjoyed sand, surf and recreation during the war. Helicopter hangers and bunkers can still be seen nearby. South of Da Nang is the charming historic town of Hoi An. Some call this UNESCO World Heritage Site touristy, but that's because visitors love its mix of galleries, upscale shops and cafes.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Hồ Chí Minh City, on the Saigon River just a few miles from the South China Sea, has evolved from its roots as a small Khmer fishing village in the early 1600s. In its earliest days, the city welcomed Vietnamese refugees who had fled from the north to escape a civil war; they, in turn, helped to develop the village into a thriving seaport, eventually renamed Saigon. In the mid-1800s, France took over much of the country and developed the city further with French architecture, culture and a unique blend of cuisine. Saigon was officially renamed Hồ Chí Minh City in 1976. Many locals still use the name Saigon, and you'll find it on T-shirts in the markets. With nearly 13 million inhabitants, it's the largest city in Vietnam and drives the country's economic engine. It's fast-paced, innovative and quite chaotic. Skyscrapers rise across the landscape alongside brightly coloured Buddhist and Hindu temples and French colonial buildings. The city proper rises on one side of the Saigon River, while one- and two-story, low-rise houses and commercial enterprises line the opposite bank. Most cruise ships call during the dry season, which lasts from November through April. Temperatures at this time range from a low of about 70 to highs in the 90s, with high humidity, too. And while many Americans are most familiar with the city from its role as a major site during the Vietnam War, a trip to Hồ Chí Minh City is much more than a visit to a former war zone. Today, French-style wide boulevards lined with elegant buildings remain a hallmark of the city. It's a vibrant destination offering cruisers great shopping, exciting cultural and historic treasures, and friendly people.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

In its own way, Singapore is an oasis in Southeast Asia. It enjoys a low crime rate, and its infrastructure -- from road and mass-transit systems to a state-of-the-art airport at Changi -- is highly sophisticated. The city also is clean -- so much so that, for years, people were forbidden by law to chew gum in its streets, and eating on the subway can result in a heavy fine. This modern and dynamic destination -- which ranks either as a pro or a con, depending on your sensibilities -- is to cities what Disney is to theme parks.

Technically a city-state, Singapore, connected with manmade bridges to Malaysia, is made up of the main island and more than 60 surrounding islets. The mainland spans 42 kilometres east to west and 23 kilometres north to south. In the north, it shares a border with Malaysia; in the south, islands belonging to Indonesia can be visited via a short ferry ride. Singapore is located just north of the equator and is sultry, tropical and humid year-round.

Singapore is one of the world's biggest banking and transportation hubs. It's one of the most popular stopovers for folks travelling between Europe and Australia. Yet, Singapore is among the 20 smallest nations in the world -- though with 5.7 million people it's also the second-most densely populated country. Despite busy streets, shopping areas and public transportation, it normally does not feel as crowded as large U.S. city centres. Its modern design helps eliminate any feeling of congestion.

Like Hong Kong, Singapore is a city with great cultural diversity, well-developed infrastructure and a very cosmopolitan feeling. Popular with cruise lines for day-long port calls, as well as embarkation, Singapore is easily navigable, with most tourist attractions concentrated in three areas: Orchard Road, the colonial district and Sentosa.