ASIA

Located only 45 minutes from Tokyo, the scenic port of Yokohama merges a cosmopolitan history with modern attractions, creating a waterfront district that’s as relaxing as it is entertaining. Walk Yamashita Park and visit the Nippon Maru and Hikawa Maru, museum ships that detail centuries of Japan’s maritime heritage. Tour the country’s largest Chinatown for delicious flavors and make time for world-class shopping in this city that’s a contrast to Tokyo’s intensity.

Known as the "Kitchen of Japan," Osaka centers its culture around food and the enjoyment of flavor. Head straight to the vibrant, neon-lit district of Dotonbori to indulge in street foods like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), sit for a bowl of world-renowned ramen, or dine in Michelin-starred restaurants. Between meals, visit Osaka Castle, a magnificent 16th-century structure surrounded by lush gardens, or the National Museum of Art.

Miyazaki, located on Kyushu's southeastern coast, offers an enchanting blend of ancient mythology and modern adventure. This renowned haven for outdoor enthusiasts boasts spectacular coastal drives along pristine shorelines and houses seaside shrines steeped in legend. The sacred trio of Miyazaki Shrine, Amanoiwato Shrine, and Takachiho Shrine holds profound significance in Japanese creation mythology, marking the legendary birthplace of Japan itself.

The Fari Islands may well be the crown jewel in a chain of coral atolls renowned for pristine white sands and impossibly blue waters. On a voyage with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, blissful hours in this remote retreat include exclusive access to the luxurious amenities and world-class hospitality of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Relax in a private cabana on an idyllic beach overlooking the turquoise lagoon, or go farther to discover the vibrant marine life under the surface on a snorkeling or diving expedition.

Located off Sumatra’s east coast, Belitung is almost surreal in its perfection. This quiet island is laced with sugar-white beaches, crystalline shallow waters, and surreal granite boulders that rise like sculptures from the sea. Tourist attractions are few, so life here unfolds slowly: wade through sparkling tide pools, snorkel above coral gardens, and settle into a beachfront warung for warm grilled fish topped with fiery Indonesian sambal.

If ever there was a place shaped by resilience and faith, it’s Semarang. This city on Java’s north coast is the gateway to Borobudur, the awe-inspiring 9th-century Buddhist monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, buried for centuries beneath volcanic ash and only rediscovered in 1814. Bell-shaped stupas and intricate stone reliefs trace the path to enlightenment, drawing the faithful from around the world to its sacred walls. Not far away, the towering spires of Prambanan—Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple—rise from the plain, carved with scenes from ancient epics.