Seward (Anchorage, Alaska) à Tokyo

Monumental scenery surrounds you in this remote corner of the world, where glaciers calve and whales cruise through inky waters, before an immense mountain backdrop. Almost totally submerged by the colossal landscapes around it, Seward – and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park – offer some of astonishing Alaska’s most thrilling scenery. Located in a deep gash in the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a place to immerse yourself in nature’s majesty. View less Fjords carve into the landscape, while the Harding Icefield – which caps Kenai Fjords National Park – reaches out its icy fingers, with glaciers spilling down between mountain peaks. Head to Holgate Glacier, to come face to face with a breathtaking stack of intense blue and white ice. Get up close in a kayak or boat ride, to slalom through the discarded confetti of ice chunks, and perhaps even witness the powerful spectacle of an ice ledge creaking and groaning, before plunging to the waters below. The city of Anchorage is easily within reach from here, offering an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. A place where deep-sea fishermen bump shoulders with businesspeople on the 9-5, it’s a fascinating, remote city. Home to almost half of the Alaskan population, Anchorage and its humble skyline is dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, traditions and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands too.

Les Alutiiqs, premiers colons de Kodiak, ont sans doute été attirés dans la région par ses poissons abondants, ses mammifères marins et ses crustacés, des richesses encore très présentes aujourd’hui. Attirés par de précieuses peaux de loutres de mer, les marchands russes établirent une colonie sur l’île Kodiak en 1784 et ont fait de Kodiak la première capitale de l’Amérique russe ainsi qu’un important centre de commerce de fourrure. Un des évènements marquants de la ville durant les temps modernes, fut l’éruption volcanique dévastatrice de 1912, couvrant la ville de près de 60 centimètres de cendres, ainsi qu’une série de tsunamis suite à l’ignoble tremblement de terre de 1964, provoquant la quasi-destruction du bord de mer. Aujourd’hui Kodiak accueille quelques 700 bateaux de pêche, ainsi que la plus grande station de Garde côtière du pays. Aucun des autres animaux n’évoque ainsi le désert nord-américain, aussi bien que les ours grizzlis et bruns d’Alaska. On estime qu’il y a environ 30.000 ours bruns et grizzlis en Alaska. L’île de Kodiak est réputée pour abriter plusieurs milliers d’ours bruns et ces dernières années les ours y étaient plus nombreux que les hommes.

Surrounded by spectacular national parks – and sheltered from the majority of winter’s ice, Kushiro is one of northern Japan’s most important cities. A deep-sea fishing port that specialises in Pacific saury, Kushiro hugs the coastline of the most northerly of Japan’s major islands. See the riches plundered from the ocean at the busy Washo Fish Market, dive into the native Ainu culture, or head out to explore the immersive beauty of Japan’s largest wetlands. View less Kushiro City Museum is an imposing, castle-like structure, but there’s a warm welcome waiting inside, where exhibitions showcase the area’s history, and the extraordinary animals that you can meet on your adventures here. Explore Japan’s wilder side at the vast wildlife oasis that is Kushiro Marshland. A world away from the country’s urban metropolises, look out for the tanchō-zuru red-crowned cranes, which are some of the world’s rarest, and a revered symbol of luck and longevity. Spot pairs of the elegant birds, as they dance together on the plains of the wetlands. Head out to Lake Akan – in Akan National park – to see another side to the area’s landscapes and encounter the bizarre marimo moss. Growing here only, it forms large, perfectly manicured bowling balls. Hot mud pools also burble, while the cone of the volcanic Mount Oakan watches over the area, echoing Mount Fuji’s symmetrical splendour. Ainu Kotan is close by, and you can visit to experience the authentic culture of northern Japan’s native people.

Situé dans la partie sud de l’île d’Hokkaido, Hakodate a été fondée durant l’époque féodale et se trouve être l’un des premiers ports japonais ouvert au commerce international. En 1854, le commodore Matthew Perry, de l’US Navy est arrivé et un traité fût signé, ouvrant Hakodate, Yokohama et Nagasaki au commerce avec l’Occident. Bientôt, un bureau de douane fût mis en place, les pays signataires ouvrirent des consulats dans la ville, et la culture ainsi que la technologie étrangères furent introduites. L’afflux subséquent de colons étrangers laissa une influence durable, qui se manifeste dans l’architecture de style euro-américain qui existe encore aujourd’hui.

From fiery festivals to spectacular mountain scenery, soaring temples to castles surrounded by cherry blossom blooms, Aomori is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations. Framed by dark peaks clad with dense forestry, the city enjoys a picturesque location on Japan’s main island Honshu. While there are gorgeous pink tinted parks, tiered castles and towering Buddha statues to explore, the Aomori Prefecture’s capital is perhaps best known for the summer festival of fire that lights it up each year. Lavish illuminated floats fill the streets during Nebuta Matsuri festival, as dancing locals wave flickering lanterns through the night sky – and drummers pound out pulsating rhythms. Nebuta Matsuri has a euphoric and energetic atmosphere which makes it stand out as an unmissable experience compared with some of Japan’s more restrained festivals. At other times of the year, places like the stunning Hirosaki Castle bloom with rose-pink cherry blossom, as spring’s sunshine clears away winter’s plentiful snowfall. The castle’s moat, glowing with the pale hue of fallen blossom, is a truly mesmerising sight to behold. Don’t worry if you’re too late though, you might be able to catch the pink-flush of the apple blossom – which comes slightly later. Extraordinary prehistoric Jomon period history is waiting to be unearthed at the living archaeological site, Sannai-Maruyama Ruins. Or, the untouched wilderness of UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi is within reach. This sprawling mass of beech trees covers a third of the Shirakami mountain range, and the dense forestry once blanketed the majority of northern Japan’s land. Visit to scratch the surface of this untamed landscape’s beauty and see sprawling waterfalls cascading down mountainsides, in a beautiful off-bounds landscape, where black bears roam freely.

Say the word Akita and you would be forgiven for thinking immediately of the lovable dog of the same name. But in fact, visitors to Akita will be treated not to a friendly furry face, rather to a beautiful city located on the northern tip of the island, around 500 km north of Tokyo. Lucky visitors will arrive in time for the superb sakura (cherry blossom), and surely there can be no sight more lovely than the elegant dip of the cherry trees alongside ancient Samurai residences. Akita is also home to a 2km tunnel of blossoming trees that run along the banks of the Hinokinai River, which is said to “bring a grown man to his knees and weep at its beauty”. If to you, Japan is synonymous with peace and serenity, then a trip to one of the onsens is a superb bucket list experience. Buses and taxis are easily available in the centre of town that will take you to Mizusawa, Oyu and Oyasukyo hot springs, some of the loveliest onsens in the country. Some of the superb sights in Akita are: Senshu Park, on the former site of Kubota Castle, the elegant red-brick folk Museum (housing works by block printer Katsuhira Tokushi (1907-1971) and metalwork by Sekiya Shiro (1907-1994) and the Old Kaneko Family Home. The Akita Museum of Art opened in 2012 and is home to the largest canvas painting in the world, Events of Atika, by Foujita (1886-1968). The painting measures a staggering 3.65 x 20.5 m (12 x 67 ft). The Museum also has many works by European masters such as Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt and Picasso.

A sophisticated sake capital, Niigata is an intoxicating, creative place of Japanese traditions and flavours. Learn of the many crafts and creativities that are practised here, from kite-making to alcohol fermentation and ceramic work, and immerse yourself in the beautiful coastline and waterfall-laced mountains of Niigata prefecture. The city evolves with each season, taking on a new appearance – whether its the thick layers of snow during winter, or the cherry blossoms of spring. View less Look out for the gorgeous curved black roof tiers of Shibata Castle, rising from a picturesque bed of pale-pink flowers. Sitting overlooking the Sea of Japan, out towards the intrigues of Sado Island, where the rare Toki bird – with its scythe-like beak – lives protected. This busy port city is famous for the high-quality and pure taste of its rice. As a result, sake produced here is among Japans finest, and distilleries will teach you the artistry behind its creation, and to appreciate the subtle flavours. Pia Bandai market is a bustling place to take a stroll and sip a morning coffee. Japan’s first public park, Hakusan Park was built in 1873 and is perfect for whiling away an afternoon, among drifting lotus flowers and swaying trees. Appreciate a magical tea ceremony in the Edo-era Shimizu-en Gardens, or savour the tranquillity of the peaceful Hakusan Shrine – dedicated to the god of marriage.

The capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa once rivalled Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) as a town rich in cultural achievements. Kanazawa escaped destruction during World War II and accordingly has been able to preserve many of the old districts in good shape. The city is famous because of Kenrokuen. Located next to Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen is classified as “One of the Three Gardens of Japan”. The garden has an artificial pond, and hills and houses are dotted within the 11.4 hectares. View less It has Japan’s oldest fountain using natural water pressure and a tea-house dating back to 1774. Close by is the Higashi Chaya Gai Geisha District, designated a National Cultural Asset and the biggest of the Geisha districts of Kanazawa. Some of the houses not only retain the original structure, but still are used as Geisha houses. Some of the streets have traditional shops creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Kanazawa is also known for its lacquer ware, Kutani-style pottery, gold-leaf workmanship and delicately painted silk kimonos.

Hiroshima a été fondée en 1593 lorsqu’un château fut construit à l’embouchure de la rivière Ota. Après la restauration de Meiji en 1868, le port a été agrandi et le chemin de fer de Kobe à Shimonosekist construit à travers Hiroshima. La ville a gagné une place plus importante au cours de la première guerre sino-japonaise en 1894-5 en tant que siège impérial. La croissance continue d’Hiroshima l’a propulsé au septième rang des plus grandes villes du pays en 1941, lorsque le Japon entra dans la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Hiroshima échappe aux bombardements des alliés jusqu’au 6 Août 1945, lorsque Hiroshima subit la première attaque à la bombe nucléaire de l’humanité, provocant une tragédie. La dévastation était presque totale, mais la reconstruction commença en 1949. En 1974, Hiroshima avait doublé sa population d’avant-guerre et devint la Ville internationale de la paix.

The lantern-lit hot springs of Beppu, known for its eight scorching “Hells”, is a town that’s prettier than a picture. The town is found in a particularly volcanically active part of Japan (hence the abundance of hot springs, or in Japanese, onsens). The viewing pools have evocative names; think Sea Hell, Blood Pond Hell and Tornado Hell. While the names might seem a little off putting, the reality is stunning; sulphur laced air and vast spectrums of blues and reds, depending on the mineralisation of the earth. As if the gorgeous palette of colours at the onsen was not enough, Beppu is also world famous for its Sakura, or cherry blossom season. More than 2,000 cherry trees near the base of the ropeway to Mount Tsurumi make for one of Beppu’s most impressive hanami (flower viewing) spots. If not lucky enough to be in the area during Sakura, from May to June rhododendrons colour the mountain. The view from this 1,375m mountain is beyond impressive, allowing you to see all the way to the Kuju Mountains, Chugoku and Shikoku. If brave enough to climb all the way to the top, the stone Buddhas that were carved into the mountainside during the Heian Period (794-1185) are a worthy reward! As with much of Japan, duality is ever present. Modernity sits very comfortably by ancient buildings. While Beppu’s biggest pull is by far the hot springs and the thermal baths, nearby (10 km) Yufuin has a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques, catering to trend setters and urbanites alike.

Une ville aux vastes proportions, Tokyo est aussi l’une des villes les plus dynamiques et les plus exaltantes au monde. À une époque connue sous le nom de Edo qui signifie « Porte de la rivière », de par son emplacement à l’embouchure de la rivière Sumidagawa, elle prit de l’importance en 1603, lorsque Tokugawa Ieyasu y établit son gouvernement militaire, également appelé « shogunat ». D’une ville isolée peu connue, Edo s’est transformée en une ville à partir de laquelle le clan Tokugawa dirigeait tout le Japon. Vers la fin du XVIIIème siècle, elle devint la ville la plus peuplée au monde. Lorsque le clan Tokugawa perdit le pouvoir et que l’autorité de l’empereur fut été restaurée en 1868, il transféra la capitale de Kyoto à Edo. À cette date, la ville a également été rebaptisée Tokyo, qui signifie « capitale de l’Est ».