This vast landscape of volcanic peaks, deep forests, and wild rivers is home to hot springs, adventure, and a rich Ainu heritage. Nature and local communities coexist in one of Japan’s most awe-inspiring national parks.
From former whaling ports and hidden Christian sites to coral-rich seas and quiet farming villages, this maze of islands form a maritime landscape shaped by wind and tide—and faith, community, and commitment.
Floating in the calm waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima is a place shaped by climate, by centuries of small-scale industries, and most of all by the people who live here. It is often associated with olives or soy sauce, but offers much more: unique sake, a revival of almost lost traditions, and a quiet but growing reputation for contemporary art.
Japan’s titans of the ring live and train at roughly 40 sumo stables, with the majority located in Tokyo. A visit to one of these grappling incubators will give you a closeup look at how these giants train and what their lives are like.
The GO WILD TOKYO! series introduces eight experiences across the city’s western and southern reaches that showcase the appeal of adventure tourism. These are not just sightseeing itineraries, but travel meant to encounter fascinating ways of life: meeting people who protect forests while welcoming visitors, and innovators creating new experiences through fire, water, and the natural world.
A look at the traditional farmhouses now commonly called kominka—“old folk dwellings”—a name that underscores their age. They were built for living, working, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
A journey that links the bustling heart of Tokyo with a small community on the city’s mountainous western fringe reveals the story of a pioneering watch company and the traditional artisanship that helped inspire one of its latest collections.
The Greco-Irish writer became Japan’s master of macabre storytelling—and the city of Matsue is the perfect place for a close encounter.
