Travelers visit Halong Bay for an up-close look at its amazing limestone islands, rock formations and caves. Whittled away over centuries by wind and water, they’re breathtaking. Rent a kayak or a junk boat, or take a tour to explore.

Take a quick ferry ride to Mount Sakurajima, a smoldering volcano, Or, if you prefer to view active volcanoes from a more comfortable distance, stop at one of the many lookout points around the city. (Siroyama Observatory is a good choice.) Finally, if there’s anything better than a foot bath after a long day of sightseeing, it’s a free foot bath after a long day of sightseeing… and you can enjoy one at Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath Park.

Home to nearly nine million and powering an economy that exceeds both Hong Kong's and Thailand's, Osaka packs quite a punch. The confident, stylish city is a shopping hub, with fabulous restaurants and nightlife. It's an ideal base for exploring the Kansai region: Kyoto's World Heritage Sites, Nara's temple and Koya-san's eerie graves are within 90 minutes by train. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory.