Travel
Amano Yasugawara: The secret gathering spot for gods
While many visitors in Miyazaki Prefecture make sure to visit the famous Takachiho Gorge, they often neglect the nearby “spiritual power spot” with a shrine in a cave, located only 20 minutes away from it. This power spot is called Amano Yasugawara. According to a local myth, Amaterasu (the goddess of the sun)… Read
New ANA air pass with unlimited Japanese house rentals, multiple flights now taking applications
Back in the fall, All Nippon Airways (ANA) got our wanderlust pumping when they announced a partnership with Japanese accommodation provider Address. Address offers members unlimited nights in its properties, which are refurbished homes across Japan, for a flat monthly fee, and its tie-up with ANA adds two sets of extremely affordable round-trip airplane tickets… Read
Global tourism growth slowed in 2019: UN
Global tourism slowed in 2019 due to a cooling world economy, especially in Europe and Asia where uncertainties linked to Brexit and protests in Hong Kong also weighed, the United Nation's tourism agency said Monday. The number of international tourist arrivals rose by 4.0 percent last year to 1.5 billion,… Read
Kintaikyo: One of the most beautiful bridges in all of Japan
Straddling the river of the old castle town of Iwakuni, like a pebble skipping across the water, the five arches of Kintaikyo bridge (錦帯橋) form a sight similar to traditional Ukiyo-e Japanese art prints. Classified as one of Japan’s top three bridges, the bridge is not to be missed when… Read
To experience New Zealand’s rugged beauty, go by camper van
We crested a hill on the winding lakeside road, and there it was: Middle-earth. Rugged, snow-capped mountains glowed in the setting sun, and dappled green pastures tumbled down to the water’s edge. White peaks soared in the distance. The Misty Mountains, perhaps? It was past 8 p.m. in late December… Read
Nishinari, the slum of Osaka, now at risk of gentrification after becoming a tourist hotspot
While there are many amazing places to explore away from Japan’s main cities, for a lot of overseas visitors to Japan the itinerary stays on the well-worn route between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. With so many tourists staying in the heart of these cities, accommodation close to tourist hotspots can be expensive… Read
Exploring Miyazaki Prefecture: The beauty of Takachiho Gorge
Created by two volcanic eruptions from nearby Mount Aso over 120,000 years ago, this magical fairytale-esque gorge cuts its way through the valley of Takachiho in Miyazaki prefecture, down on the southern island of Kyushu. With sheer walls that drop over 100 meters, mossy forest footpaths and the ancient basalt… Read
Nintendo’s historic former headquarters in Kyoto to reopen as a hotel
As the cultural and historical heart of the country, Kyoto deserves a spot on any Japan travel itinerary. However, with the city welcoming so many travelers, sometimes it can be hard finding a hotel with vacant rooms on the nights you wish to stay. But if you are looking for a place… Read
Australia's bushfire crisis turns off tourists
Families grieving for lost homes and loved ones, burned koalas rescued from charred forests: The devastation of Australia's bushfire crisis has tainted the country's reputation as a safe and alluring holiday destination. Images of the unprecedented scale of this summer's blazes have evoked global shock and an outpouring of sympathy.… Read
Asia-Pacific airlines flew 30.3 mil international passengers in November 2019
Preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of November show international air passenger markets recorded a further increase in demand, stimulated by the availability of affordable airfares and improvements to connectivity. In aggregate, the region's airlines flew 30.3 million international passengers in November… Read
