Travel
How to explore Northern Japan’s famous autumn colors for just ¥20,000
With international travel still a challenge, this autumn many are looking for ways to get out of major cities and head into nature to explore Japan’s famous fall foliage. The vibrant oranges, yellows and reds that cover the trees in the Tohoku area provide the perfect antidote to the daily… Read
Yonezawa textiles – top quality interwoven with centuries of history and tradition
Stepping through the traditional gateway into the enclosed garden outside Nitta Textile Arts Inc, I smiled as I heard the clickety-clack of looms. The Yamagata city of Yonezawa is, even today, renowned for the quality of its textiles and I am imagining how a century ago, when more factories operated,… Read
Online tours in Japan offering rare benefit to tourism industry amid pandemic
Online tours in Japan arranged by travel vendors in an attempt to address restrictions on overseas travel amid the coronavirus pandemic are catching on among people looking for easy and inexpensive ways to experience a bit of the unusual. Some out-of-the-ordinary tours have been sold out in recent months, with… Read
Head to Yuzawa Kogen Panorama Park for a colorful adventure this autumn
As the temperatures begin to cool, and the nights grow longer, the last of cicadas singing their songs in solitude can only signify the beginning of autumn. But the end of summer doesn’t mean we have nothing to celebrate, in fact, autumn itself is one of the best times of… Read
Hilton upgrading digital key technology
Hilton is upgrading its digital key technology to allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s digital key, effectively turning the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphone into a room key. Since its launch in 2015, Hilton’s Digital Key has expanded rapidly and is now available… Read
Qantas moves up plans to restart int'l flights as Australia expects tourists soon
Qantas Airways on Friday brought forward its plans to restart international travel from Sydney as Prime Minister Scott Morrison predicted tourists would be welcomed back to Australia this year. Vaccinated Australian permanent residents and citizens will be free to travel through Sydney from Nov 1 without the need for hotel… Read
Thailand to allow vaccinated travelers from 40-plus countries without quarantine
Thai Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced Thursday that vaccinated travelers from more than 40 countries will be allowed to enter the kingdom without undergoing quarantine come Nov 1, as it readies for a much-anticipated re-opening. The 46 countries and territories is a significant jump from the 10 initially announced last week… Read
Hawaii ready to welcome travelers as COVID cases drop
Hawaii's COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations have declined to the point where the islands are ready to welcome travelers once again, the governor said. Gov David Ige said vacationers and business travelers are welcome to return to the islands starting Nov 1. His announcement comes nearly two months after he… Read
Singapore expands quarantine-free travel for vaccinated passengers
Singapore on Tuesday began quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated passengers from eight countries, part of a plan to ease restrictions as the business hub gears up to live with the coronavirus. The latest easing expanded a program that began with vaccinated air travel lanes with Germany and Brunei last month,… Read
Take an adventure through Hokkaido’s ‘Hell Valley’ after dark
Located about 100 km southwest of Sapporo city is the onsen town of Noboribetsu, famous for its nine different types of hot springs. Like many other onsen towns across Japan, Noboribetsu onsen is heated by the power of volcanic activity, but what makes this place so uniquely special is the… Read
