Seven Seas Explorer - November 8, 2025

Huge department stores brim with shoppers, neon flashes from dusk to dawn, and the entire world pays heed to the slightest fluctuation on the Nikkei Index. From the Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine to the fabled Ginza district, 21st-century Tokyo is an intriguing composite of East and West. Japanese houses of wood and paper stand in the shadow of towering steel and mortar. Not far away, one of the world's most impressive sights soars 12,388 feet to its snow-clad peak: Mount Fuji, the majestic symbol of Japan.

Shimizu city, a port and fishing center located in Shizuoka Prefecture, exports tea, oranges, and canned food. Shimizu also produces motorcycles, ships, and musical instruments and is home to petroleum and aluminum refineries. Nearby is Miho-no-matsubara, a breakwater famed for its beauty. Located between Tokyo and Osaka, Shimizu is conveniently located for touring central Honshu.

This large, bustling port is the starting point for tours to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of classical Japan. Kyoto's Imperial Palace and the shogunal Nijo Castle remain glorious symbols of the power the city held for over 1,000 years. But you may wish to stay in Osaka itself for a few days to experience the delightful cuisine, including okinomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), tako yaki (fried octopus balls, and more.

This large, bustling port is the starting point for tours to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of classical Japan. Kyoto's Imperial Palace and the shogunal Nijo Castle remain glorious symbols of the power the city held for over 1,000 years. But you may wish to stay in Osaka itself for a few days to experience the delightful cuisine, including okinomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), tako yaki (fried octopus balls, and more.

Pusan is South Korea's second largest city and largest port, handling most of the nation's foreign trade. Lying at the head of the Naktong River basin, it has served as a main southern gateway to Korea from Japan. Historic landmarks include the Kyongbok Palace, built in 1394 by the first monarch of the Yi dynasty; the Changdok Palace, containing many valuable relics; and the Toksu Palace, which houses the National Museum and Art Gallery.

Korea's largest island, Cheju is of volcanic origin and rises to c.6,400 ft in Halla-san, an extinct volcano. The island was often used as a place of exile. After the Korean War it became a haven for refugees. It is currently an important resort and honeymoon destination, maintaining several air connections and ferry links with Japan.

Seoul is mega-modern and appealingly ancient. Flattened in the Korean War, most of the city has been rebuilt since the 1950s. Peeking out from among the 12-lane freeways, overshadowed by high-rises, Seoul has a hidden history of centuries-old temples, palaces, pagodas and pleasure gardens. It also has cheap accommodation, excellent public transport and cultural experiences aplenty, and that's why most visitors to South Korea never get past its city limits.

The mystery surrounding the port city of Dalian may stem from the fact that it has been known by many different names, including Lu-ta, Dalny (Russian), Dairen (Japanese), and Ta-lien. Today, Dalian is an industrial city revolving around chemical production, light manufacturing, and heavy industry. Some say that a natural rock formation at Golden Pebble Beach resembles the silhouette of Beethovena

Shanghai's reputation as a center of unrestrained commerce and intrigue has drawn adventures since the time of the Opium Wars. Modern Shanghai will surprise you with its sprawling landscape of towering offices, beautifully contrasted by calm lakes and graceful pagodas dating from the 10th century. Take a trip to Wuxi and visit a silk factory, or serene Jichang Gardens.

Xiamen was recently voted China's cleanest city, and its surrounding countryside offers spectacular scenery and pleasant tree-lined beaches. Gulangyu, also known as Piano Island, is a popular, peaceful weekend getaway. Xiamen's Botanical Garden is a nature lover's paradise. And the Buddhist Nanputao Temple, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, is a national treasure.

One of the most popular destinations in Asia, Hong Kong offers a plethora of options: some of the world's best cuisine, first-class entertainment, and of course, shopping! For a more relaxing afternoon, watch the sun set over Victoria Harbour or take a stroll downthe beach, alongside the green mountains and the South China Sea.

The city of Nha Trang is becoming more popular with the tourists in recent years. Yet, with a population of 300,000, Nha Trang still retains its small town atmosphere. This resort town is well known for its miles of beach and the friendliness of its people. The city is flanked by nearly ten kilometers of prime beach where the water is warm year round. The average temperature in Nha Trang is 26 C.

Lai Chau Province, in the far west, shares borders with China in the north and Laos in the west. Dien Bien Phu is situated almost at the border with Laos on an immense gorge 20 km long and 3 km wide. It is in Dien Bien Phu that the Vietnamese fought the decisive battle on May 7, 1954 that brought French colonial rule to an end.

Lai Chau Province, in the far west, shares borders with China in the north and Laos in the west. Dien Bien Phu is situated almost at the border with Laos on an immense gorge 20 km long and 3 km wide. It is in Dien Bien Phu that the Vietnamese fought the decisive battle on May 7, 1954 that brought French colonial rule to an end.

Laem Chabang is a modern harbor complex that serves Bangdok, Thailand's capital. The gentle Thai people have raised folk dance to high art, created a unique cuisine and built a capital city of fluted spires and golden domes. High on the list of "must see" sights are the Floating Market, Royal Palace, Reclining Buddha, Golden Buddha, and Temple of the Dawn.

Laem Chabang is a modern harbor complex that serves Bangdok, Thailand's capital. The gentle Thai people have raised folk dance to high art, created a unique cuisine and built a capital city of fluted spires and golden domes. High on the list of "must see" sights are the Floating Market, Royal Palace, Reclining Buddha, Golden Buddha, and Temple of the Dawn.