An unplanned trip to Kozushima, thrown off course by storms and cancelled flights. Clear-water swims, 38,000-year-old obsidian voyages, aged sushi, and a hunt for dark skies foiled by a full moon — traveling to the Izu island with a toddler in tow.
The Ogasawara Islands, 1,000 km south of Tokyo, are only reachable by a 24-hour boat trip. A national park since 1972 and a UNESCO site since 2011, the islands have strict rules for tourists and residents to protect their unique ecosystems.
Protecting the natural habitat of a remote Japanese island chain requires dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to controlled development. Joy Jarman Walsh traveled to Hahajima and talked to islanders about their work preserving the ecosystem, and th
Japan Coast Guard officials say lava flow at Nishinoshima Island south of Tokyo has temporarily stopped, but volcanic gas continues to emerge.
Japan offers countless stunning beaches along its nearly 30,000 kilometers of coastline. Some are directly accessible by train from Tokyo, while others are surrounded by 1,000 kilometers of open sea!
While Japan may have an image as a land of trains and modern technology, the nation's 34 national parks offer a wealth of wildlife waiting to be discovered.
Tokyo is great for food, shopping and relaxation. But you should know there are also a handful of stellar World Heritage Sites right in the area!
Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.
