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For Star Navigator’s shore excursions, Naha is the one I’m most excited about. The first reason is that it has white, sandy, tropical beaches—a place I don’t usually associate with Japan. And second, being part of Okinawa Prefecture, it’s so remotely located it’s actually closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan—a place that most tourists are not easily able to access. Naha is so far; it actually took us more than a day and a half to reach it from Kumamoto.

Kuma-where? I had never heard of Kumamoto prior to our Star Cruises Japan trip. We were now on the fourth day of our cruise, visiting Nagasaki the day before. It turns out, the Kumamoto Prefecture is just a sleep away via a cruise ship. I woke up with our ship docking at Kumamoto’s cruise port, a red lighthouse punctuating a very still and calm Japanese morning.

Travel has always been one of the most enriching experiences in human life. It broadens perspectives, nurtures creativity, and connects people across cultures. In a world that often feels divided, travel reminds us that beauty and kindness exist everywhere — in the smile of a stranger, in the taste of local cuisine, or in the rhythm of a foreign city. Whether you’re exploring distant lands or discovering hidden gems in your own country, every journey has the power to transform the way you see the world and yourself.

It took almost two full days to cruise from Keelung City in Taiwan to Japan’s Nagasaki. It was gonna be our first stop for our 6D5N StarDream cruise aboard the Star Navigator. En route, we spent our time exploring the nooks and crannies of the ship, enjoyed the onboard entertainment, and pigged out on its food offerings—both at the free inclusive restaurants and those worth splurging on.

Nagasaki calmly slid across my room’s balcony as I awoke on the third day of our voyage. A peaceful welcome to our first destination in Japan.