Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park is one of Japan’s most diverse parks with its ever-changing landscape of coastal strips and mountains located on the western side of Shikoku between Ehime and Kōchi prefectures.
With its jutting cliffs and precipices along its coastal terraces, the Ashizuri region is home to communities of subtropical marine life and corals and the insular landscape is characterised by delicate inlets offering beautiful marine scenery.
Nature lovers will be in heaven in the inland area with its forest of Japanese umbrella pines, Japanese cedars, and Japanese cypresses. Nametoko Valley is a popular sightseeing spot located in the upper stream of the Shimanto River, featuring a series of waterfalls and beautiful riparian trees such as the Quercus salicina and the massive Machilus thunbergii.
The national park is also home to the sacred Kongofukuji Temple, established by influential Buddhist monk Kobo-Daishi (774‒835). Visitors can make a pilgrimage to Gassan Shrine and Sasayama Shrine, which are included in the Shikoku Bekkaku 20 temples, and making a food and drink offering to pilgrims (osettai) is encouraged.
Depending on whether your a water enthusiast, nature lover, or just plain curious, there is something for everyone at Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Enjoy canyoning and lunch in Nametoko Valley, jump down a waterfall and slide down a natural jumbo slide into the plunge pool below. Travellers can observe how pearls are farmed to perfection in the beautiful Uwakai Sea and even select your own shellfish.
Tatsukushi Bay is best seen on a sea kayak, and snorkelling is also highly recommended… the coral is stunning! For those who wish to stay out of the water but want to witness the beauty of the sea, an underwater scenery of Tatsukushi Bay from a glass-bottom boat is a compulsory activity. The hybrid and semi-submersible boat offers a fascinating glimpse of the underwater world at Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park that’s usually privy to snorkellers and divers.
Located in Japan’s northern island, eastern Hokkaido, surrounded by stunning mountains, ancient volcanos, lush forests and crystal blue waters is Akan Mashu National Park.
Along with Daisetsuzan National Park, Akan Mashu National Park is the oldest national park in Hokkaido and boasts the longest history of any national parks in Japan’s northern island. The park features diverse terrains formed by volcanic activity, and is separated into Lake Akan and Lake Kussharo and there’s plenty to see and do.
For those with energy to burn can saddle up for a 180 minute downhill cycle starting at Uramashu Observatory, or tour Kussharo Caldera, Mt. Io, and Lake Kussharo. There’s also canoeing, and snowshoeing, or for the more refined traveller, there’s cooking classes and even pottery utilising earth taken from the volcano.
The culture of the Ainu people (the native people of Hokkaido), is also an intriguing highlight and their lifestyle and culture can be experienced at Akanko Ainu Kotan village and Kussharo Kotan village.
For a dose of relaxation and therapeutics, a walk in the woods around the base of Hokkaido’s only forest therapy is a must. You can even make your own aromatic distilled water using tree leaves gathered in the woods.
To finish things off, the world’s first ever night walking tour at a national park is compulsory viewing. A digital reproduction of the Ainu legend, the “Tale of the Owl and the Jay” comes to life on a nighttime stage in the woods of Lake Akan. Under the supervision of the local Ainu people, this walking tour is based on indigenous Ainu legends and highlights the importance of living in harmony with nature; and right about now this couldn’t be a more important message.
If you’re heading to Japan in spring you’ll want to leave with a beautiful photograph of sakura (cherry blossom) to wow your friends. At the southern foot of active volcano Mount Iwaki, 15 kilometres from Hirosaki City, you’ll find the world’s longest blossom-lined road, where 6,500 cherry trees stretch for 20 kilometres. Planting started in 1985 and this has now become one of Aomori’s sightseeing spots. Hirosaki Park is another of the region’s best cherry blossom gardens with over 2500 trees, some of which are illuminated with lights at night. Another must-do while you’re here is the Iwakiyama Shrine, dating back more than a thousand years. It’s about two kilometres from the cherry blossom trees in Hyakuzawa. If you’re having relationship issues, call in here – the shrine is believed to bring good luck to marriages, along with economic fortune and improved business prospects.
It wouldn’t be summer without being on – or in – the water. You can do both at 200,000-year-old Lake Towada. Formed during repeated volcano eruptions, it has a circumference of about 46 kilometres and is the largest caldera lake on Honshu. Drift on its deep blue depths in a kayak at dawn as the mist rises off the waters that begin to glow gold under the morning sun. As it warms up, jump in to cool off. You can also take a hike around the lake and find a spot for forest bathing, where you’ll be serenaded by incredible birdsong. Another nearby aqua attraction is Oirase Mountain Stream. Hire a bike and follow this 14-kilometre-long waterway, which flows gently over mossy stones. Trees arch over its length and bridges cross its cascade to create a tranquil, natural scene.
Autumn in Aomori rivals spring as one of the most picturesque times to visit. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shirakami Sanchi is Japan’s largest virgin beech forest, and at this time of year it is bursting with golden beech and maple leaves. The forest is home to valleys, lakes, waterfalls and rare animal species, including the black woodpecker, golden eagle and Japanese serow (a goat-antelope). Make your first stop a hike to Anmon Falls. It takes an hour to reach the first of the three falls, and three hours to do the round trip to all three. For more serious hikers, paths lead to the mountain summits of Shirakami-dake and Tengu-dake. And don’t miss Juniko (the name means 12 lakes), where there are actually 33 ponds and lakes, including Aoike where the water is the colour of blue ink.
Let’s be honest – you can’t go to Japan during winter and not head for the mountains. And if you’ve been searching for the winter wonderland of your dreams, you can’t go past Hakkoda. This powder playground is one for advanced skiers and boarders, with its incredible backcountry terrain. There’s very little in the way of chairlifts here; most of the upwards action is via a ropeway. But hire yourself a guide and the rewards are exceptional: deep powder (up to 12 metres falls here each year) and eight mountains to explore off-piste. The runs follow the landscape, providing a thrilling experience thanks to frozen trees – known as juhyo or snow monsters – spread across the slopes. An added bonus? It’s rarely congested, especially during the week.
Known for its fishing villages, stunning scenery, hiking trails, beaches, islands, geological formations and laid-back vibe, Sai Kung, in the New Territories east coast is known as the back garden of Hong Kong.
With stunning views of the city, this former fishing village has become quiet-the -destination for adventurers and water sport enthusiasts who come to hike, snorkel, dive and kayak in its its idyllic beaches. Not only do the outdoor types flock here, Sai Kung is also a haven for foodies and shoppers with literally something for everyone. You’ll find everything from dim sum, Michelin restaurants (Loaf On), Thai, to Miss Hui Homemade Steamed Bun. Don’t like Asian food? There’s even a British restaurant.
For all you caffeine addicts there’s Little Cove Espresso, an Australian coffee shop serving bulletproof coffee, organic colas and Mediterranean dishes. For something heavier, there is even a craft brew house called The Bottle Shop.
For shopping enthusiasts you’ll find everything from knick-knacks, designer clothes, boutique stores, handcrafts stores, Japanese grocery stores, to Hong Kong’s first zero-waste grocery store Live Zero.
Once you’ve had your fill eating and shopping, it’s time to head for the beach. One of the most accessible beaches in Sai Kung is Trio Beach. You’ll find it behind the Hebe Haven harbour that can be reached via a 30-minute hike from Hebe Haven (Pak Sha Wan). There’s showers and lifeguard towers on-site, and beach snack stalls.
In the middle of nowhere, no one can hear you scream. Not that you’ll need to, because at these far-flung hideaways paradise awaits. The Waterhouse, Indonesia is so isolated, the folks who run this remote retreat don’t even want us to say where it is.
Rest assured, you’ll be looked after from the time you arrive in Kuala Lumpur to when you set foot in this overwater bungalow surrounded by warm water and jungle-covered islands.
There’s a maximum number of 36 guests on the private island at any one time, but you’ll barely see them except for when you head to the restaurant for meals, many of them prepared using fresh seafood delivered daily by local fishermen.
Slip off your veranda into the water and go snorkelling, book a dive, organise a tour of nearby islands or go trekking in the mountains where you might see monkeys and monitor lizards. Alternatively, there’s nothing wrong with pulling out a book and slipping off into an afternoon nap with the soft sounds of the water lapping beneath you.
Hong Kong has plenty of natural beauty to explore and an ideal starting place to get acquainted is Tung Ping Chau with its stunning sedimentary rocks that jut out from its coastline.
We’re all acquainted with the bustling Hong Kong but Tung Ping Chau is a universe away from all of that. A part of Hong Kong’s UNESCO Global Geopark, Tung Ping Chau is a geomorphologist’s dream with 6.5 million year old rock features and structures made of fossils.
Follow the trail around the island and check out Ken Lau Shek and rock pools (look out for crabs, sea urchin, and sea hares). Move on to Lung Lok Shui (dragon falling into water) where a 100-metre-long band of jutting rocks made up of bedded dolomitic and calcareous siltsto looks as though a dragon is making its way down into the ocean. Photo opportunities galore here.
Cham Ken Chau (Chopped Head Isle) is a gorge that was originally attached to the island, and has broken free with erosion, creating a natural corridor. If you descend the slope you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of boundless ocean. There’s also two historic taoist temples, Tin Hau and Tam Tai Sin both highlighting typical architectural characteristics of the Qing Dynasty.
For your final stop, sit down with you packed lunch at Cheung Sha Wan Beach and cool off with a paddle in the clear water. On your way back to the pier, you can stop by and see if you can hustle up a hot meal, fresh seafood dishes, snacks or a cold drink.
Lantau Island is one of those places that nobody goes home disappointed, because it caters for everybody. It has culture, entertainment, food, hiking trails, unspoiled beaches, picturesque villages, and everyone’s favourite, Hong Kong Disneyland.
Where do you start with Lantau Island? Rather than ply you with an itinerary, we’d rather give you a list of highlights and allow you the fun of planning. If you are the active kind, there’s 70 kilometres of hiking trail that circumnavigates Lantau Island. The trail passes many tiny villages including Ngong Ping Village with its traditional Chinese architecture, shops, restaurants and tea houses. We recommend dim sum for your rest stop.
The old fishing port of Tai O is an intriguing insight into pre-colonial Hong Kong and is easily recognisable with its stilt houses. Explore the backstreets for Tai O’s speciality food and street markets for local delicacies including home-made prawn paste, salted fish, dried seafood and street foods such as local egg waffles, pancakes, and Hong Kong-style grilled pineapple.
No trip to Lantau is complete without seeing the magnificent 112 ft-tall, 250 metric ton bronze Tian Tian Buddha. The best way to see this majestic sculpture is up close of course and that means climbing 268 steps to reach it. It’s well worth it and the views from the top are breathtaking. Don’t forget to walk through the Wisdom Path just behind the Tian Tan Buddha, it’s well with a look and comprises 38 wooden columns on which verses from the centuries-old Heart Sutra have been carved. A trip on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is also highly recommended.
At the other end of cultural spectrum there’s Hong Kong Disney Land Resort. For around US$100 will get you a day of rides, enchanted lands, themes, and events. No one leaves unhappy from Disneyland. As Walt said, “dream, believe, dare, do!” Due to COVID check their website for updates regarding opening dates.
If you’re itching to escape the hoards, only a short boat ride will land you smack bang in the middle of Hakka culture at Yim Tin Tsai “Ghost Island”.
Yim Tin Tsai was originally populated in the 1740s by a family from Guangdong, who’s descendants developed salt farms; which explains the island’s name translation – small salt field. Once home to 500 to 1,200 people, Yim Tin Tsai is now a desolate and intriguing destination and being only 24sqkm, its ideal for a day trip.
There’s loads to see from salt pans, Yim Tin Tsai Heritage Exhibition Centre where you can see a collection of artefacts, ceramics and homeware; the Italian Romanesque Joseph’s Chapel, and the abandoned Hakka homes who are mostly still owned by the descendants of the original owners. You can still see belongings, furnishings and utensils that belonged to the original owners…eerie. This was all made possible thanks to descendants of the original villagers who returned to Yim Tin Tsai and started a movement to revive the island.
When you’re done, Yim Tin Tsai has three restaurants where you can try authentic Hakka fare serving everything from old Hakka food, to wood-fired roasted chicken.
Not far from Sai Kung, Sharp Island is another one of Hong Kong’s hidden treasures. Known for its gorgeous beaches strewn with rocks and hiking tracks, Sharp Island is the largest island in the Kiu Tsui Country Park and an ideal day trip away from the crowds.
You are spoilt with two distinct beaches to choose from on Sharp Island – Hap Mun Bay and Kiu Tsui Beach. Take a boat to the beach of your choice from Sai Kung, lay out your towel and soak it all up. Tsui Beach is the larger of the two beaches and stretches along the western shore of Sharp Island. Right next to the beach is a tombolo (coastal sediment deposit at the coast where one or more sandbars that connect an island to the mainland) named Kiu Tau. You can walk over the tombolo during low tide.
If you plan to spend the entire day, take yourself a packed lunch. There are showers close to the pier, with a shop selling food and drinks. You can also swim in the sea near the pier, and they have a life guard there.
If you’re interested in geology and want to learn more about this fascinating region try the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region Tour.
This is one of the most isolated regions of PNG, 250 kilometres north of Port Moresby and accessible only by light plane. That hasn’t stopped the folks at Tufi Resort from creating an amazing experience. There are 28 rooms, including 10 deluxe bungalows with traditional design touches and balconies overlooking the ocean.
The main reason people arrive is the sublime diving, but there’s also the chance to go kayaking or hiking in the landscape some refer to as Scandinavia in the tropics. Meals of fresh seafood are served in the lodge, there’s a pool for cooling off and the chance to visit a village by canoe to experience the vibrant local culture.
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