And, as visitors settle into the laid-back, easygoing atmosphere of Kochi, located on Japan's Pacific-facing southern coast, echoes of the Cuban capital's atmosphere grow even stronger.

But a trail-blazing businesswoman in western Japan has a way to link the two in a mission to reenergize her community with creative young talent. Yamasaki Kurumi, the 65-year-old head of Kochi ...

Follow samurai legend Ryoma Sakamoto's historic escape route from Kochi to Yusuhara with Walk Japan's Shikoku Island ...