The Japan RV Association has certified 32 new locations as “RV Parks,” facilities for overnight stays in vehicles (as of the end of July). RV Parks are facilities that meet certain criteria to ensure comfortable and safe overnight stays in vehicles; there are currently 676 such locations nationwide, situated adjacent to hot spring resorts, traditional…
The September issue of BE-PAL comes with a “SOTO Minimal ‘Travel’ Wallet” as a bonus item. It includes a carabiner, making it perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Shogakukan has released the September 2026 issue of its outdoor magazine “BE-PAL.” The price is 1,500 yen. It is available at bookstores and online retailers. The special bonus item is the “SOTO Minimal ‘Travel’ Wallet,” a tri-fold wallet with a carabiner created in collaboration with the outdoor brand “SOTO.” Despite its ultra-compact size—8 × 10.5…
Shuri Castle Main Hall to Introduce Advance Reservation System for Public Viewing Starting November 23. Admission Fee for Adults Rises from 400 yen to 1,000 yen.
Shuri Castle Park (1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) will open the Main Hall—which was destroyed in a fire in 2019—to the public following its restoration, starting on November 23. With the resumption of tours of the Main Hall, a reservation system will be introduced to prevent overcrowding, and admission fees will also be…
[From Hawaii] 3 Spots a Local Editor Seriously Wants to Share “Only with Friends in Japan”
“How Tree”: A Dish That Surpasses the Signature Menu, Best Enjoyed on the Beach The Gold Coast area has long been a gathering place for celebrities from around the world who are “true Hawaii enthusiasts.” On the first floor of the Kaimana Beach Hotel, situated in this prime location, there is a restaurant with prime…
I got an early ride on the Kansai Airport–Kyoto helicopter service, which starts at 20,000 yen per person. With four round trips per day, service begins in mid-September, targeting demand from international visitors.
Space Aviation will officially launch the “Airport Heli Shuttle,” a helicopter service connecting Kansai International Airport and JPD Kyoto Heliport, in mid-September. The one-way trip takes approximately 25 minutes, and the company plans to operate eight flights per day (four round trips), offering both shared and charter flights. Departure times from Kyoto are 9:30 a.m.,…
A local tour exploring the culture, history, and cuisine of the Tohoku region, starting from a hotel in Matsushima. Activities include hot-air balloon rides, trying on samurai armor, and learning about earthquake recovery efforts.
Casually Experience Workshops Indoors We currently offer the following indoor workshop-style courses: the “Sendai Tansu Ornamental Fittings Workshop” and the “Plant-Dyeing Workshop.” The “Sendai Tansu Ornamental Fittings Workshop” is an experience where participants hammer in nails to attach the decorative fittings that are a symbol of Sendai Tansu. It is held at the Keyaki Sangyo…
From the ruins of the royal palace, steeped in historical romance, to an evening stroll past the Instagram-worthy Twin Towers, and the famous “Guilin Rice Noodles”—I had a wonderful time exploring downtown Guilin, China!
Cool and Enchanting! Visit Guilin’s World-Renowned Giant Underground Palace First, let’s explore Guilin’s world-renowned underground world. The “Ludi Cave” is a popular tourist spot just a 15-minute drive from the city center. The moment you step inside, the heat outside seems like a distant memory—it’s refreshingly cool, and before your eyes, stalactites and stalagmites illuminated…
[Local Highlights Only Hotel Staff Know] “Yumoto ‘Hananoi’ Super Hotel Osaka Natural Hot Spring”—Mr. Kubo’s Recommendations
While more and more people are turning to social media to gather information about their travel destinations, even in this day and age, recommendations from locals still hold a special appeal. In this section, we ask staff members at lodging facilities across the country to share the highlights of their workplaces and their top recommendations…
[Asami Araki’s Life in Paris] France Through the Lens of a Final Farewell: How Funerals Reflect Views on Life and Death, Religious Beliefs, and the Nature of Family
I’ve lived in France for a little over 20 years, and I’ve attended several funerals during that time. This year, I attended the funeral of my husband’s great-uncle in Orléans, in central France, and that of an acquaintance in Paris. In France, when someone dies in a hospital or at home, it is customary to…
[Weekend Station Bento] Koriyama Station’s “Fukushima Manpuku Flavors Tour Bento”
The “Fukushima Manpuku Taste Tour Bento” was a limited-time ekiben (station bento) available this past spring. Although it is no longer on sale, I’d like to feature it here because it was a wonderful product that introduced people to Fukushima’s local specialties through ekiben. Let’s start with the rice. The variety used here is “Fuku,…