America / Canada / Central and South America

The Rocky Mountains are located in the western part of the North American continent, spanning both the United States and Canada. The mountains stretch for about 4,800 km and are said to become more rugged and beautiful the further north you go. The northern part of the mountains in Canada is called the "Canadian Rockies."

Los Angeles (LA) is one of the world's largest cities, but with beaches just a short distance away, it's the perfect city for travel, where you can enjoy both urban and natural attractions at the same time. With so many things to see, many people may be unsure of where to go. So, we asked Yuka Okamura, a local writer, to introduce the classic and latest tourist spots in Los Angeles by area.

When a family member suddenly becomes disabled, the anxiety they feel may be just as great as that of the person themselves. When Kishida Nami was in high school, her mother fell ill and became wheelchair-bound, and she was there to support her mother. Her mother had become disabled and was about to give up on life, but it was her daughter Nami's desire to "make her mother happy" that saved her. That desire led to "travel," and since her first trip to Okinawa in a wheelchair, she has traveled to many countries, including Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, and Hawaii, and has now arrived in New York after a 13-hour flight. Watching this new challenge by mother and daughter, it seems that travel has the power to make you think, "it's good to be alive." Text: Kishida Nami

Many people feel anxious about long plane journeys or traveling to unfamiliar places. In particular, many people with disabilities and their families give up before overcoming the mental hurdles. However, once they overcome their fears and take a courageous step forward, they are met with great realizations, enjoyment, and stronger family bonds. We spoke to Kishida Hiromi, a wheelchair user who works for Mirairo Inc. as a universal design consultant and "universal manners" training instructor, and her daughter Nami, who works in the company's business promotion department, about their mother-daughter trip to New York. Text: Kishida Hiromi

Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, located in the northwestern part of the U.S.A. Many people may have the image of a city lined with trendy cafes these days, thanks to the global boom in third wave coffee and the birthplace of Starbucks Coffee.

The best part of Alaska in winter is the aurora. The mysterious curtain of light dancing in the pitch black night sky continues to fascinate visitors with its beauty. In this special feature, we will introduce the charm of the Alaskan interior, known as one of the world's best aurora viewing areas.

Santa Catalina Island is located off the south coast of Los Angeles, California, on the west coast of the United States. This island rich in nature has been known as a high-end resort since the 1880s, and it is said that Marilyn Monroe once lived there. It takes about an hour from Los Angeles by ferry, the Catalina Express. As an island floating off the coast of Southern California, the clarity of the water and the beauty of the white sandy beaches are in a class of their own. For those who want to enjoy a trip to Los Angeles that is a little different from the usual, we introduce Santa Catalina Island, which is fun for adults. Text and photos: Koyama Yoko Edited by Sasaki Kohei (CINRA, Inc.)

Las Vegas is home to a variety of entertainment, including gorgeous casino hotels, world-class shows and musicals. This city, famous as the world's number one amusement city, is enveloped in a particularly "happy" atmosphere during the New Year holidays, when numerous events are held. In this article, we will introduce the charms of a "happy" New Year trip to Las Vegas!

Seattle, the largest city in Washington State, located in the northwestern part of the United States, is a city that loves coffee. It is the birthplace of "Seattle-style coffee" such as Starbucks and Tully's Coffee, and according to a 2017 survey (surveyed by WalletHub), Seattle ranks first in the number of coffee shops per capita along with New York and San Francisco. It is a city with so many cafes that you can find one on every block as you walk down the street. It is also said that one of the reasons for the large number of cafes is the rain. In Seattle, after the refreshing summer, autumn passes quickly and winter arrives soon after. Winter is rainy, and the gray skies continue until around April. Because it is such a rainy city, there are many places to take shelter from the rain...

South America is dotted with magnificent scenery born of vast nature and a long history. From the huge ruins built in the Andes to the remotest wilderness where strong winds blow through. We will introduce you to some of the most breathtaking scenery that will move you to the core.

There are many expressions that evoke the season of autumn, such as "Autumn is the season for art," "Autumn is the season for appetite," and "Autumn is the season for sports." If you travel to New York in the fall, you can experience all of these things! In this special feature, we will introduce the charms of New York in the fall through the three themes of "art," "food," and "sports."

Vancouver is located at the very western edge of British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. If you search for "the most livable city in the world," you're almost guaranteed to get a hit, but when it comes to getting a concrete image, many people may not have quite a clear idea. In fact, Vancouver is also the "unsung hero" of Hollywood movies, and is also known as Hollywood North. A great many locations are used as filming locations for movies and TV dramas. This time, let's take a walk around Vancouver, feeling like you're the main character living in this city! Text: Takano Nori