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Save for a handful of themed suites, most rooms at The Royal Park Hotel Maihama Resort Tokyo-Bay offer straightforward decor.
LIFE / Travel
Apr 4, 2026
A smarter stay near Tokyo Disneyland ¡ª if you don¡¯t need the extras
Opened on Feb. 13, the budget-friendly Royal Park Hotel Maihama Resort Tokyo-Bay opts for theme park-focused performance over luxury bells and whistles.
First built in 1936 as the Yasaka Kaikan theater, the building housing the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is the only such structure within the Gion neighborhood above the legal limit of 12 meters.
LIFE / Travel
Mar 6, 2026
High above Gion, Kyoto¡¯s Imperial Hotel is a new frontier for geisha district
Open from March 5, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto offers unprecedented views of ¡ª and exclusive access to ¡ª the ancient capital¡¯s most famous geisha district.
With Taiwan visible from its western shores, Yonaguni has always been more linked to events in Asia than other stretches of Japan.
LIFE / Travel
Feb 28, 2026
On westernmost Yonaguni, geopolitics can¡¯t spoil the island¡¯s aura
Residents are split on plans for development and militarization, but a visit to the island reveals an enduring atmosphere of peace above all else.
The woman behind the Lost Filipina blog says typical social media fame interests her much less than the hikes she continues to map out.
LIFE / Travel
Feb 16, 2026
Off the beaten feed: Comprehensive site steers hikers in Japan past social media noise
English-language guides to hiking Japan¡¯s many mountains can be scarce, but one Filipina resident has taken it upon herself to map out the country¡¯s many trails.
While standard rooms at the Royal Park Hotel Iconic Naha may run you around ?25,000 to ?35,000 per night, more luxury suites like this one are available for travelers with yen to burn.
LIFE / Travel
Jan 30, 2026
Naha¡¯s newest hotel is made from Okinawan culture ¡ª literally
Open from Jan. 30, the Royal Park Hotel Iconic Naha incorporates numerous elements of the island¡¯s heritage, including remnants of the incinerated Shuri Castle.
Japan saw more tourists last year than ever ¡ª and a new report suggests its popularity among travelers is only going to grow.
LIFE / Travel
Jan 24, 2026
Data-driven travel rankings crown Japan as world¡¯s top destination
According to travel planning outlet World Travel Index, the weak yen is a major factor in Japan¡¯s enduring popularity with global tourists.
The preserved merchant houses and storerooms of Obama's old merchant quarter hint at the economic (and culinary) role the town once played in supporting Kyoto to the south.
LIFE / Travel
Jan 17, 2026
At the origin of the ¡®Mackerel Road,¡¯ this seaside town fed Kyoto
Obama is a quaint coastal community today, but a visit grants a look at how it played a crucial role in stocking the pantries of Japan¡¯s ancient capital.

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN