Full of gourmet food and activities. 5 top resorts in Japan recognized worldwide

*Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.

[Ishigaki Island] Fantastic marine activities in crystal clear waters

Ishigaki Island is located about 400km southwest of the main island of Okinawa. Surrounded by beautiful seas, Ishigaki Island is known as one of the leading resort areas in Japan, and many tourists visit every year. It is a popular area that was once ranked number one in the world as a "tourist destination on the rise" by the world's leading travel review site, TripAdvisor.

In addition to scenic spots such as Kabira Bay and Tamatorizaki Observatory, we also recommend trying local delicacies such as the mellow-tasting Ishigaki beef and the light pork bone-based Yaeyama soba. It thrives as the commercial center of the Yaeyama Islands, and is filled with not only accommodations but also restaurants and shopping centers.

From Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, where the statue of the island's hero, Yoko Gushiken, stands, there are boat services to the Yaeyama Islands. Using this as a base, it would be interesting to visit Iriomote Island, where you can enjoy a jungle tour in the subtropical rainforest, and Hateruma Island, the southernmost inhabited island in Japan.

One thing you definitely don't want to miss out on in Ishigaki Island is the marine activities you can do in the crystal clear waters. The popular "Blue Cave Snorkeling Tour JABURO" tour explores the sparkling blue cavern "Blue Cave" facing the sea, as well as the 360° emerald blue "Phantom Island" that appears for a limited time only due to the tides. Snorkeling in a mysterious atmosphere allows you to see beautiful coral reefs and lots of colorful fish.

Blue Cave Snorkeling Tour JABURO

[Nanki Shirahama] A beach resort with a spectacular view and white sand. You can also interact with animals.

Nanki Shirahama, blessed with white sand beaches and hot springs, is a beach resort that is well-known not only in the Kansai region and Japan, but also around the world. Shirahama Town in Wakayama Prefecture has been actively attracting foreign tourists for over 10 years, and is known for its high inbound tourist spending.

Shirarahama Beach, from which the area name "Shirahama" originates, is a 620m stretch of silky white sand and emerald green sea. It has also been selected as one of the "100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan," and is crowded with many tourists in the summer. It is also a sister beach of Hawaii's Waikiki Beach, and the tropical atmosphere lined with palm trees gives you the feeling of a southern resort.

Besides the beaches, Nanki Shirahama also has many other great photo spots, such as the scenic Senjojiki, a magnificent rock formation made up of the sea and bedrock, and Engetsuto, the symbol of Shirahama, with a full moon-shaped hole in the middle. The beauty of the sunset is also something to be noted.

Also, when talking about Nanki Shirahama, the name that always comes up is "Adventure World." You can see about 1,400 animals of 140 species, including giant pandas, along with fun performances.

There are plenty of attractions, such as Marine World, where dolphins and whales perform, and Safari World, where you can see lively animals. There are also attractions such as roller coasters and merry-go-rounds, making it a spot where both adults and children can have fun all day long.

Adventure World

[Ise-Shima] Feel like you're in Europe. A resort facility with everything you need

Known for hosting the summit in 2016, Ise-Shima is surrounded by magnificent nature and calm seas. The most famous thing about this area is Ise Grand Shrine, but that's not all. In addition to accommodation, the Ise-Shima area is a resort complex with a variety of facilities, including theme parks such as Shima Spain Village, sightseeing cruises, golf courses, and an aquarium.

Step into Shima Spain Village and you'll be transported to Spain. The area is designed to recreate an exotic townscape, and is packed with exciting attractions and exciting entertainment. Parades and shows featuring cheerful and passionate Spanish dancers are also a highlight.

Surrounded by the sea, Ise-Shima is also popular for sightseeing boat cruises such as the "Kashikojima Espana Cruise" which goes around Ago Bay on the ria coast, and the tour of Toba Bay, also known as "Shima's Matsushima." Dolphin Island, where you can enjoy dolphin and sea lion shows, is also recommended.

Mie Prefecture is also known as a treasure trove of ingredients, including Matsusaka beef, one of Japan's three major wagyu beef brands, and fresh seafood such as spiny lobster. Play, relax, heal, eat... you can enjoy your vacation in any style you like.

Ise Shima Kintetsu Resort

[Kinosaki] Relax in the charming townscape and visit seven hot springs

In the sense of "relaxing and relaxing," hot springs are a type of resort unique to Japan that has been around for a long time. Among them, we picked Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture, one of the leading hot spring towns in the Kansai region. Kinosaki has been focusing on attracting tourists from overseas for a long time, and is extremely popular with foreign tourists, making it well-known around the world.

Kinosaki Onsen, which has a history of over 1,300 years since its opening, has the idea that "the whole town is one big inn," and the whole town has a warm and welcoming atmosphere to all visitors. Just looking at the charming townscape centered around the Otani River and the stone drum bridge will put your mind at ease.

Kinosaki Onsen is famous for its outdoor baths. There are seven public baths (outdoor baths) scattered throughout the town, each with its own unique structure and water temperature (Gosho-no-yu is currently closed and is scheduled to reopen on November 2nd). It's fun to find the bath that's perfect for you among the many different types of outdoor baths. The outdoor baths are also used daily by locals, so you can enjoy communicating with them.

Kinosaki Onsen is famous for having been visited by many writers, including Shiga Naoya, and is also known as a "town of literature" that appears in many novels. The Kinosaki Literary Museum, which has many exhibits related to writers associated with the town, is also a must-see. There is also a wide variety of gourmet food, including Tajima beef and Matsuba crab. There are also plenty of activities, such as the Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway, which offers a panoramic view of the Kinosaki townscape from the top of the mountain, and Zen meditation experiences. In addition, Takeda Castle, known as the "Machu Picchu of Japan," is about 50 minutes away by car, and the fantastic castle ruins that emerge from the sea of clouds are a great sight, so why not include it in your plans?

Kinosaki Onsen

[Niseko] A ski resort where you can enjoy outstanding powder snow

Niseko, located about a two-hour drive from Sapporo, is a resort area surrounded by the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. Lined with luxury hotels and resort facilities, it is known as an area with many foreign tourists and immigrants from overseas.

Niseko is synonymous with winter. It is known as a "holy land" for skiers and snowboarders, and is one of the world's top snow resorts. The reason for this is the quality of the snow. The light, fluffy powder snow captivates winter sports fans from all over the world. The scenery woven by the magnificent mountains and the fantastical winter forests is also impressive.

"Niseko Village" is one of the resort facilities in Niseko, a complex "village" with ski resorts, golf courses, accommodations, and commercial facilities all in the same area. After enjoying the powder snow to your heart's content, relax in the hot springs. The open-air baths surrounded by nature are exceptional. Niseko, with their large temperature difference between day and night, is rich in agricultural products. You can enjoy dishes made with carefully selected ingredients from Hokkaido at the hotels and restaurants.

In summer, in addition to playing a round of golf on the golf course, there are other activities available, such as tree trekking, horse riding, mountain biking and nature walks, making it an area that can be enjoyed all year round, not just in winter.

Niseko Village

A luxurious stay at a first-class hotel and activities unique to the area. Even if you can't go abroad, you can still have an extraordinary time in Japan. Why not incorporate a domestic resort where you can experience a luxurious feeling into your travel plans?