Tokyo as a city was officially dissolved in 1943 and 23 independent municipalities were formed, known as ku. Each neighborhood is representative of a small city yet collectively, they are still recognized as Tokyo. Exploring this vast city is easy, thanks to Tokyo’s excellent transport system. Look to the skies and admire its ever-changing skyline with towering buildings in every corner of the city. Observation platforms feature in many, including Mori Tower or the Metropolitan Government Building.

The Tsugaru Strait links the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean, flowing between Japan’s two major islands—Honshū to the south and Hokkaidō to the north. At its narrowest point, just 12 miles wide, green slopes rise on the Tsugaru Peninsula to the south and the coastal Matsumae to the north. Halfway through, a broad channel flows into Honshū to form Mutsu Bay. At the strait’s other narrow point, the small town of Ōma rests on the northernmost tip of Honshū; opposite, Hokkaidō’s Hakodate, with its namesake mountain watching over, is one of Japan’s most modern cities.

Sapporo is renowned for its traditional cuisine, green spaces, revered shrines and market culture. The city was developed with the help of President Ulysses S. Grant’s commissioner of agriculture, who became an oyatoi gaikokujin, a foreign adviser, at Grant’s request. Since then, Sapporo has been recognized for its ability to transform the natural world into the highest art. It is, however, perhaps better known as the city where miso ramen was invented; restaurants line the historic Original Sapporo Ramen Alley to celebrate the noodle’s many forms.

Sapporo is located along the Ishikari Bay, an inlet of the Sea of Japan. It is not only the capital but also the largest city of Hokkaidō island, often referred to as the “Kingdom of Food.” As such, savvy travelers can be certain a visit to Sapporo will not leave them in want of tasty delights—particularly fresh seafood, for which the city has become nearly synonymous. From crab to salmon roe to sea urchin, some of the finest selection of seafood can be found in downtown Sapporo at the historic Nijo Fish Market, where visitors can indulge in sushi or a kaisendon.

The Okhotsk Sea, one of the world’s most biologically productive seas, is considered the “heart” of the vast Pacific Ocean, supplying the larger body of water with life-enriching oxygen, cold seawater and nutrients. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

The Mighty Pacific Leg is one of the most anticipated crossings of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The crossing of the North Pacific Ocean, one of the last great wildernesses on the planet, is one of the race’s highlights. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

Crossing the International Date Line is a time-honored travel milestone long marked by ceremony. Heading east across this imaginary line between the poles sets the clock back 24 hours, effectively gaining a day. While traversing this meridian, it is tradition to celebrate the occasion by raising a glass to the event.

Set sail into one of the world’s most productive eco-systems. The Bering Sea boasts deep marine canyons that feature varied temperatures, creating upwellings of nutrients that attract countless hungry fish and predators. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in the Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail.

The Gulf of Alaska stretches from the Aleutian Islands to the Inside Passage. Teeming with marine life, it meets dramatic shores lined with the pristine wilderness for which Alaska is celebrated. The state’s famed soaring mountains dominate the landscape, their ravines and peaks draped with snow. Lush green forests spill down steep slopes and gleaming tidewater glaciers stand like white monoliths at the water’s edge. The tiny outpost towns and villages that dot the shoreline still rely on the sea for their livelihood, offering a glimpse into life in this unspoiled region.

Kodiak plays an outsize role on its namesake island home, known as Alaska’s “Emerald Isle” for its green hillsides. It is the only link to the outside world, so all goods enter and leave through its port. Inhabited by Alutiiq natives for more than 7,000 years, it became the capital of Russian Alaska in the 18th century. Sea otter pelts were the major commodity of export until the animal was almost hunted to extinction. For 150 years, the native people fought for the beloved creature, sacrificing their lives to protect them. Today, the sea otter thrives here once again.

Homer is a quaint town situated along the picturesque shores of Kachemak Bay that boasts a thriving art scene. Originally a failed gold mining settlement, Homer eventually found its industry in coal mining and halibut fishing, with its residents coming to call it “the halibut fishing capital of the world.” Beyond its charming small town atmosphere, it is best known as a gateway to admire the natural splendor of this region, from the impressive mountains that dot the horizon to the stunning bay that seals, otters and migratory birds call home.

Seward enjoys a magnificent setting between snowcapped peaks and Resurrection Bay, a pristine harbor ringed by mountains. The Alaskan city was named after Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of state who defied public opinion to pursue the purchase of Alaska from Russia. Seward is steeped in marine culture, from its busy fishing port to the excellent exhibits and preservation efforts of the Alaska SeaLife Center. It is also the famed starting point of the Iditarod Trail, the dogsled race route originally laid to link Seward to inland Alaska.

Valdez enjoys a breathtaking setting at the tip of a deep-cut fjord in Prince William Sound. The glacial Chugach Mountains rise up all around the city, adding to its scenic allure. In its early days, the promise of gold attracted explorers and seekers of wealth, but the land proved barren. The town finally experienced its economic boom as North America’s northernmost ice-free port. Today, it is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline that carries oil south from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic coast.

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