Beppu’s renowned hot springs are so numerous that you may see plumes of mist rising from the city as you approach. Resort spas and public baths offer opportunities to soak in the soothing waters, often with views of the surrounding mountains or coastline. Bathing in mud, sand or steam warmed by the geothermal heat is also a relaxing, rejuvenating pastime. While the city’s most famous springs are too hot for bathing, they certainly merit a visit.
The revered peak of Mount Fuji rises as a stately backdrop just northeast of Shimizu, one of Japan’s most beautiful ports. Take in iconic views of the mountain from the beach at Miho no Matsubara, lined by thousands of palm trees including the 200-year-old Hagoromo no Matsu tree that features in ancient legend. The entire area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fujisan that recognizes the sacred landscapes of Mount Fuji, a pilgrimage destination and source of artistic inspiration for centuries.
On the edge of a peninsula on the island of Okinawa, the town of Motobu offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions within minutes of the port. You easily spend an entire day exploring the expansive Ocean Expo Park that stretches along the coast. Here the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is renowned for its enormous Kuroshio Sea tank where you can observe whale sharks and manta rays up close. The park also includes tropical botanical gardens and arboretums, a re-creation of a native Okinawan village from the Ryukyu kingdom era, and the white sands of Emerald Beach.
On the edge of a peninsula on the island of Okinawa, the town of Motobu offers a wealth of natural and cultural attractions within minutes of the port. You easily spend an entire day exploring the expansive Ocean Expo Park that stretches along the coast. Here the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is renowned for its enormous Kuroshio Sea tank where you can observe whale sharks and manta rays up close. The park also includes tropical botanical gardens and arboretums, a re-creation of a native Okinawan village from the Ryukyu kingdom era, and the white sands of Emerald Beach.
The island paradise of Miyakojima offers any kind of beach day you could desire, from relaxing on the impossibly soft white sands of Yonaha Maehama Beach to snorkeling the shallow offshore reefs of Yoshino Kaigan Beach or Imugya Marine Garden in search of tropical fish and sea turtles. Certified divers will want to go deeper, as Miyakojima and other nearby islands offer excellent dive sites with underwater caverns, tunnels and coral reefs.
Known as the “Hawaii of Korea” thanks to its extraordinary volcanic landscapes, the island of Jeju has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark comprising multiple natural phenomena. Hallasan National Park is home to South Korea's tallest mountain, a luminescent crater lake and cascading waterfalls along its hiking paths. The astounding multicolored caverns of Geomunoreum are regarded as the finest lava tube system in the world, and the fortress-like volcano of Seongsan Ilchulbong rises dramatically out of the ocean.
Known as the “Hawaii of Korea” thanks to its extraordinary volcanic landscapes, the island of Jeju has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark comprising multiple natural phenomena. Hallasan National Park is home to South Korea's tallest mountain, a luminescent crater lake and cascading waterfalls along its hiking paths. The astounding multicolored caverns of Geomunoreum are regarded as the finest lava tube system in the world, and the fortress-like volcano of Seongsan Ilchulbong rises dramatically out of the ocean.
Tucked away in Japan’s subtropical Ryukyu Islands, the beautiful coastline and lush rainforests of the isle of Amami-Oshima are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site valued for its many endemic and rare species and rich biodiversity. The crystal-clear waters of this hidden gem are filled with vibrant coral reefs, and the white sand beaches are so far off the beaten path that you may well find your own private stretch of secluded shoreline.
