As we carefully plan our post-pandemic travels, personal health and safety remain among our top priorities. Okinawa’s subtropical climate makes it an ideal place at any time of year to take a…

Practically sitting on Taiwan’s doorstep, these islands are the tropical getaway you have been longing for. Your first stop, Ishigaki, is accessible via direct flights from Japan’s mainland. Although we saved our…

Nothing beats a relaxing hot spring experience after a long day of shopping and this is exactly what you can experience at Konohana no Yu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Built on a hill on the…

As a foreigner living in Japan, some of the best travel deals are occasionally just out of our reach. While missing out on WiFi package deals and discounted meals can be a…

As you go along the winding, meandering dirt road, a hint of sulphur begins wafting through your nose. Upon arrival, one finds no TV, no major electric appliances, no modern comfort at this…

When I heard that Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas in Ishigaki, Okinawa was opening a new wing, I sprung at the chance to head down south. Located closer to Taiwan then…

Though Noshiro’s primary claims to fame are its wood industry and its basketball team, the city boasts unique architectural structures, extraordinary woodcraft prowess, and an awe-inspiring summer festival. Dining in Style: Kaneyu…

In our “Art of Akita” series, we explore the region through the eyes of an artist to discover the unique characteristics of the region. “The preparation of good food is merely another…

In our “Art of Akita” series, we explore the region through the eyes of an artist to discover the unique characteristics of the region. Framed by its long harsh winters and short…

In our “Art of Akita” series, we explore the region through the eyes of an artist to discover the unique characteristics of the region. Art comes in many forms, and Akita, with its…

Just a short 10-minute boat ride from Ishigaki Island lies the beautiful and extraordinarily well-preserved island of Taketomi. With an area of only 5.42 kilometers squared and hosting only three small villages,…

Taketomi Island, one of the southernmost Okinawan islands in Japan, is a rare untouched paradise with only three villages. There, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island offers a tropical getaway like no other. Stay in a traditional Okinawan bungalow, surrounded by vast greenery and white coral sand roads with sweeping views of the ocean. The resort boasts a 46-meter long pool, that is open day and night — perfect for stargazing and sunbathing alike.  Address: Taketomi, Taketomicho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Website: hoshinoya.com/taketomijima/en/ Tel: 050-3786-1144