Kyoto es una de las ciudades más importantes de Japón para conocer su historia y su cultura tradicional. Fue la capital del país durante más de mil años, por lo que conserva una gran cantidad de templos, santuarios, jardines y barrios históricos.

Cuenta con alrededor de 1,45 millones de habitantes, por lo que es una ciudad grande, aunque tiene un ambiente muy diferente al de Tokio. En muchas zonas se mantiene una imagen más tradicional y tranquila.

La ciudad está administrada por un alcalde y un ayuntamiento y tiene una gran importancia cultural y turística dentro de Japón. También cuenta con universidades, comercios y una importante actividad relacionada con el turismo.

Entre los lugares más conocidos se encuentran el Pabellón Dorado, Fushimi Inari, el bosque de bambú de Arashiyama y el barrio de Gion. También es famosa por sus jardines, sus ceremonias del té y su gastronomía tradicional.

Una de sus curiosidades más conocidas es que Fushimi Inari tiene miles de puertas rojas llamadas torii, que forman largos caminos por la montaña. Además, el Pabellón Dorado tiene parte de su exterior cubierto de oro.

Otra curiosidad es que en el barrio de Gion todavía se mantiene la tradición de las geishas y maikos, por lo que es una de las zonas más conocidas para descubrir una parte muy tradicional de la cultura japonesa.

Kamakura is a coastal city near Tokyo. Smaller and quieter than the capital, it is best known for its history, temples and connections with the samurai.

With approximately 173,000 inhabitants, it offers a much more relaxed atmosphere than Tokyo. Despite its size, it attracts many visitors thanks to its historic monuments and proximity to the capital.

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura has its own mayor and municipal government. Like the rest of Japan, it forms part of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government.

Its best-known landmark is the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Other highlights include Hase-dera Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Its seaside location also means the city has beaches and coastal areas.

A fascinating detail is that visitors can enter the Great Buddha statue. Kamakura was also one of Japan's most important political centres for centuries, particularly during the age of the samurai.

Nagasaki is located on the island of Kyushu, in southern Japan. It is a city with a very particular history because for centuries it was one of the main points of contact between Japan and other countries. For this reason, it still preserves buildings, neighborhoods, and customs with a certain foreign influence.

It has approximately 400,000 inhabitants, so it is a medium-sized city within Japan. In addition to being an important tourist destination, it also has commercial and maritime activity thanks to its port.

The city is administered by a mayor and a city council and is one of the most important cities in its region. For a long time, it had a fundamental role in commercial relations between Japan and other countries.

Among the best-known places are the Peace Park, the Atomic Bomb Museum, Dejima, and Glover Garden. Its port also stands out, which has had great historical importance for the city.

Nagasaki is known worldwide because on August 9, 1945, it suffered the dropping of an atomic bomb. Currently, many spaces in the city are dedicated to the memory of the victims and to transmitting a message of peace.

As a curiosity, during a time when Japan greatly limited contact with the outside world, Nagasaki was one of the few places where foreign merchants could enter. For this reason, today European influences can be found in some buildings and areas of the city.

Busan is a major city on South Korea's southeastern coast and the only port of call on this itinerary outside Japan. A modern city closely connected to the sea, it combines high-rise buildings, beaches, traditional markets and shopping districts.

With approximately 3.3 million inhabitants, it is South Korea's second-largest city after Seoul and one of the country's leading economic and commercial centres.

South Korea is a presidential republic, and Busan has its own mayor and local government. Its port is one of Asia's most important, supporting extensive commercial and maritime activity.

The city is also known for its beaches, especially Haeundae, and its seafood markets. Popular sights include Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Market and Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside neighbourhood filled with colourful houses.

Busan hosts a major international film festival each year, attracting visitors and film professionals from around the world. Jagalchi is also one of South Korea's best-known fish markets.

Sakaiminato is a small city located on the western coast of Japan, in the Tottori region. It is a much quieter destination than Tokyo, Kyoto, or Busan and stands out above all for its relationship with the sea, fishing, and manga culture.

It has around 30,600 inhabitants, making it one of the smallest cities on the tour. Despite its size, its port is quite important for fishing and for the arrival of seafood products.

The city is administered by a mayor and a city council, who are in charge of local management. It is part of the Tottori region, located on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Fishing is one of the most important activities in Sakaiminato and that is why it is a good place to try fresh fish and seafood. It also has commercial areas and promenades near the port, where you can get to know a more local and less touristy part of Japan.

One of the best-known places is Mizuki Shigeru Road, a street dedicated to the famous cartoonist Shigeru Mizuki, born in this area. Along the street there are numerous statues of manga characters and traditional Japanese creatures called yōkai.

As a curiosity, these characters appear throughout the city and can be seen in statues, shops, trains, and even in some elements of urban furniture. This gives Sakaiminato a very original image that is different from other cities on the trip.