Kitakyushu, Japan

The breathtaking Kawachi Wisteria Gardens, located in the middle of the international trade hub of Kitakyushu, paint an accurate picture of this nature-meets-industry city. The steel town, which used to be five independent cities, houses many preserved structures from the 1800s. The Moji Port itself is a symbol of old and new, offering both historic buildings and modern shopping facilities. Of particular interest is the Manga Museum, where the history of this famous comic style comes to life. Fun fact: the family film The Adventures of Milo and Otis was based on a Japanese movie filmed here.