Taking an island trip has become a popular way of travelling in recent years in Japan—and rightly so. Heading over to an island means a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big and busy cities to kick back and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation time, with nothing but the tranquil and all-embracing ocean in view.
Sefa Utaki is an important sacred site of the indigenous Okinawan religion, which, similar to Shinto, places emphasis on the worship of nature. The site is located on a densely forested hillside along the ocean and features several rock formations, which are connected with each other by walking trails. Sefa Utaki is included as one of Okinawa’s World Heritage sites.
Airbnb has a long list of rooms that you can stay at offered by many wonderful hosts around Japan’s numerous islands. We’re going to recommend 3 of these rooms to you today for those of you thinking about travelling to one of Japan’s islands.
Okinawa/Iriomote Island: A lodging located in a village surrounded by sugarcane fields
Iriomote Island is one of Yaeyama Islands that the sits at the southernmost part of Japan. The majority of the island is filled with untouched subtropical jungles and mangrove trees. It is also home to various endangered animals, such as the critically endangered Iriomote cat which lives exclusively on the island.
The room available to stay at on this island is an individual room offered by a host family. This room is recommended for people who have an interest in living at Okinawa’s isolated islands and those who wish to experience what it’s like to live there. Guests will also be greeted by a loving mixed breed Ryukyu Inu.
Comment from the host – Rei
“This island is a place where one can experience living among nature. Why not come and try out living like the people here on the island, with gratitude and prayer, moving in rhythm with the waxing and waning of the moon?”
Kagoshima Prefecture/Koshikijima Islands: A room renovated as a boathouse
The Koshikijima Islands float in the East China Sea, approximately 30km West from the Satsuma Peninsula of Kagoshima Prefecture. This gorgeous remote island is also a designated quasi-national park. The room that is available has been renovated into and opened as a boathouse, something long cherished by fishermen. It features a traditional engawa, a type of veranda that surrounds a house, and gives you the opportunity to feel what it’s like to live every day on the island. You can also enjoy various activities enabled by the island by asking the host, such as sea kayaking, climbing cliffs, head out on a night tour and more.
Comment from the host – Kenta
“You can enjoy strolling the island at ease with our village guide in hand made made by us for leisurely walking, and we also recommend heading out on one of the rental bicycles. We can also take you around the village and samurai residences on the island. We recommend this room for people that want to stay on the island at ease.”
Shimane Prefecture/Daikon Island: Enjoy a relaxing stay on the second floor of a cafe by the sea
Daikon Island is situated in the middle of Nakaumi in Shimane Prefecture near Matsue. It is famous for its tree peonies. The available room sits by the sea with a window that boasts an ocean view. The first floor of the building is actually a cafe where you can enjoy pizza cooked in a stone oven, coffee made using the cafe’s own blend, and more. The terrace from which you can see the ocean also has a small handmade tree house and swing. This stay is recommended for families too.
Comment from the host – Hiroshi
“It’s a small island, so you can leisurely enjoy all of the nature it has to offer by renting a bike for free and heading around the island, or get on a rental boat and see Nakaumi on the horizon.”
So if you’re thinking of taking and island trip, make sure to have a relaxing time and immerse yourself in all the nature the island has to offer. Why not go all out and travel to one of the places above?
■Information
Airbnb Official Website: https://airbnb.jp/
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Hirosaki x Hakodate x Snow Miku Tourism Campaign
Beginning December 2022
Details: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=hirohako
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Travel Period: June 22 – October 31, 2022
Details: https://www.skytrek.co.jp/tours/toyama-private-jet-plan
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Original Stickers
The slice-of-life series Laid-Back Camp is currently serialized in COMIC FUZ. Set in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Laid-Back Camp is a relaxing series following a group of high school girls going camping and enjoying their daily lives. The series is based on the author Afro’s personal experiences and interviews, and since serialization in 2015, the series has attracted fans from around the world. The original comic has sold over 7 million copies. In 2018, the first anime series premiered, inspiring a spin-off Room Camp in 2020 and a second season in 2021. Four years after it was announced in 2018, a Laid-Back Camp animated film will arrive in theaters this summer.Information
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Release Date: May 16, 2022
Trip Dates: May 23 – June 29, 2022 *Some dates are excluded.
Shop: https://www.jrtours.co.jp/plan/shizuoka/yurucamp/Official Site: https://www.jrtours.co.jp/
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Enjoy a Boundless Starry Sky
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Guests can also enjoy a snack set with salty nuts perfect for enjoying with alcohol! Information
Banyan Tree Rooftop Bar
Open: March 1 – April 20, 2022
Hours: 19:00-20:00
Location: Banyan Tree TerraceOfficial Site: https://risonare.com/kohamajima/