Life moves slowly in Burma’s water world
Category: Destinations 
The largest slum in Japan is attracting a new breed of visitor: backpackers
The Vietnamese valley is a rich mix of ethnic minorities—and butterflies
Take an easy, crowd-free hike on the Kanagawa shoreline
Borderland China offers a fertile mix of nature and ethnicities
Nature paints the forest green on this verdant Kyushu island
Off the beaten track in the tribal heart of India
Listen for rumblings at a Hokkaido lake that never freezes
Get a glimpse behind the scene of Japan’s samurai movies
The southern city is a hotbed of after-hours fun
The capital of Kiribati feels like the edge of the world
Chinatown isn’t the only ethnic enclave in Yokohama
Rediscover some architectural gems on your doorstep
The Chinese city still bears traces of the old Silk Road—for now
Since its opening five years ago, a reclusive sect's stunning museum has attracted wide international acclaim. Tama Miyake travels to the mountaintop.
Japan’s naval past and present converge in Kanagawa
The Vietnamese capital is a hotbed of culture—if you can dodge the traffic
Tradition meets modernity on an ancient highway in Nagano Prefecture
Enjoy the sights, sounds—and tastes—of the South Korean capital
The hermit kingdom is one of the most fascinating places on Earth—assuming you can get in
Get away from it all—and enjoy the year’s first blossom—on the outskirts of Tokyo.
Explore the home of Japan’s "hidden Christians" off the coast of Nagasaki
The former herring capital is now home to Hokkaido’s other snow festival
The Australian Maldives offer an antidote to civilization
When the young Sennosuke Yamaguchi took part in one of Japan’s early diplomatic missions to Europe and the US, the experience left him brimming with ideas. In 1878, the Keio University graduate established the Fujiya Hotel, the country’s first Western-style hotel, in the resort area of Hakone. Its name was taken from the Japanese word ...
The historical town is a short ride from Taipei—and a world away
Simon Rowe seeks serenity and a satisfying meal alongside the monks of Koya-san.
Renowned for its legendary temples and manicured gardens, Kyoto is one of Japan's top tourist destinations. Simon Rowe steps off the beaten path and delves into the ancient city's more charming corners.
Old-world fishing villages, a cast of crusty characters, and Japan's best octopus make Seto Inland Sea the place for epicures and adventurers. Simon Rowe sets sail.
Stephen Mansfield ventures into the picturesque calderas of Kyushu's Aso-Kuju National Park.
The "Battleship Island" is a window into a world that once was
The mountain temple complex is enough to bring the bard out in anyone
Temples and gorges jostle for attention in Iwate Prefecture
Find some little-known green spots in central Tokyo
The birthplace of Japanese hard rock still kicks ass
Get your sun and surf without the crowds in eastern Chiba
The Chinese border city offers a tantalizing glimpse of the Hermit Kingdom
Surf, sun, sand… Tokyo? Enjoy a beach holiday without (technically) leaving the city
The south-east Asian country is becoming a beach paradise to die for
Head inland, and the peninsula is full of surprises
It's all burgers and whirlpools in the city of "Sas Vegas"
Ancient Buddhist traditions live on in this rugged mountain area
Follow an Edo-style path to good fortune in Meguro
Discover the legacy of the 1964 Tokyo Games as the city gears up for the next one… maybe
Many cultures bring a panorama of flavor to the table
Indulge your sweet tooth while strolling the streets of old Japan
Take a stroll through Japan's most architecturally forward-thinking city
Take a tram through the historic backstreets of Tokyo’s most populous ward
Escape the ordinary at an outdoor sculpture exhibit in Ibaraki
The "obachan" version of Takeshita Dori awaits in northern Tokyo
Hot springs and mountain climbing await in this slice of Kyushu
Escape the tourist mobs at former imperial villas
Go trekking through forest primeval - without leaving Japan
Tread in the footsteps of Edo-era travelers, and sleep where they slept
Europe’s crossroads of cultures makes room for one more
Get your ornithology fix at this Shinagawa sanctuary
Channel Jurassic Park on this verdant Japanese Island
Hokkaido’s winter wonderland turns out to be an all-seasons destination
Head to the “Asian Las Vegas” for an easy getaway from Tokyo
The seaside Olympic city sees the dawn of a new day in a reflection of its German past
Lose yourself in the natural splendor of Japan’s spiritual center
Head west for a dose of old Japan and unforgettable cultural curiosities
Find a sense of solitude in a dramatic North Atlantic landscape
The hills of Chiba make getting away from it all easier than expected
The beautiful French marshland beckons flamingos, Gypsies—and you
Sip shiso tea and explore Meiji-era buildings in a valley that time forgot
Enjoy winter sports and cozy hot springs in the highlands of Nagano
Snow monsters (and monster runs) await visitors to Japan’s oldest ski resort
Cranes, trains and no automobiles await visitors in Hokkaido
A new concierge service helps urbanites escape to luxurious inns of old
The remote region is one of Australia’s—and the world’s—most pristine ecological areas
Swim with big fishes in this little corner of paradise
The Sultanate comes of age as a modern gateway to Old Arabia
The hills of Nagasaki are remnants of a painful history
All relaxing and no throngs of tourists make this Central American island far from dull
Nagano’s Kamikochi region shows why the Japan Alps rival their European namesake
Escape the hustle and flow in the hills around Japan’s ancient capital
Follow the colorful Guatemalan rainforest to a pot of Mayan architectural gold
Find leisure, pirate ships and “romance” just a stone’s throw from Tokyo
One train pass is all you need to experience three classic cities
The remnants of French colonial history linger in Laos’ “City of the Moon”
Offering everything from kite surfing to beach parties, the OC of Tokyo beckons
since topping a poll of the world’s happiest countries, Vanuatu has begun attracting the attention of the outside world
A new breed of accommodation offers the best of hotels and apartments
Ancient Tokyo comes alive in the Chiba village of Sawara
the volcanic island offers an unexpected glimpse of Greek life
Life in the Seto Inland Sea town of Tomo-no-Ura revolves around its fishing industry. Stephen Mansfield experiences the salty charm.
Papua New Guinea’s heavenly climate and colorful mix of cultures illuminate the senses
After a day of temples and gardens, nothing’s better than a cold one
A journey through the Kurdish north is hardly as dangerous as it seems
Escape the late-winter blues with a tropical blast from the past
Commune with religion and nature in an ancient land
Return to a forgotten time at one of Honshu’s most remote getaways
One of Burma’s many splendid attractions hangs by a hair
For personal trips gentle to the soul, seek out the old-time charm of Hida Takayama
Experience the vibrant colors of Cuba at this remote farming hamlet
A serene stroll through history awaits at this seaside retreat
Ha Long Bay offers a breath of calm away from Vietnam’s urban rush
Fox fires and bar codes help a rural Niigata town reinvent itself
Scenic beauty and explosive rituals go hand in hand in Indonesia
Twenty-five ryokan welcome international guests to Izu
The fabled sightseeing destination comes alive in autumn
Kanto’s most impressive temple is closer than you think
Extreme bus driving as a way of life in the South Pacific
Return to nature on two of Japan’s most remote islands
Japan’s proud old capital gets a glimpse of its exciting future
Soak up some royal history in Sukhothai, Thailand
The faded glories of Miyazaki are ripe for rediscovery
Explore Australia’s wild side on the coast north of Cairns
Hidden messages and burnt-out Tokyoites wash up on Okinawa’s islands
Or, How We Almost Froze on One of China’s Sacred Peaks
Hell on earth can be found in Beppu, a must-visit for fans of Japanese onsen
The Philippine island of Malapascua is home to sand, sun—and one very strange safari
Think the Ice Bar is Cool? Try Spending a Night at the Ice Cold Ice Hotel
Devastated by a volcanic eruption six years ago, the island of Miyakejima is back in business—sort of
Three cities off the beaten path reveal India’s Heart and Soul
Skiing and snowboarding conditions this year are close to perfection
Find out why one local expat traveled from London to Tokyo—by bicycle
Dubai Defies Physics, Geography and Cost in Pursuit of the Cutting Edge
At Kyoto’s Ume-yu bathhouse, the customers are young, tough... and tattooed
From crowded markets to placid mosques, Cairo’s attractions are legion
Hateruma Island offers a primeval slice of sand and surf
Get a glimpse of unspoiled Asia in the lush countryside of Laos
Nokogiri-yama in chiba is as appealing as Nikko or Kamakura, and just as accessible
Macau pays its respects to history while keeping a keen eye on the future
Peak season can’t come soon enough for hotels in southern Thailand
In the island nation’s largest port, the common language is music
Sixty years after the infamous attack, Hiroshima is a site of remembrance
Endless vistas and mysterious shrines await in rural Mongolia
Kyoto’s little-visited gardens justify a trip all their own
While maintaining its cultural distinction, the Basque homeland of Bayonne offers the best of Spain and France
Beaches, museums—and painted ladies—await visitors in Atami and Ito
In quiet parks and bustling markets, Malaysia’s capital reveals its past and future
Shinrin Koen in Saitama offers year-round fun for space-deprived Tokyoites
Ancient and modern worlds collide in the Korean capital, a city of futuristic architecture, tranquil palaces and fiery cuisine
Explore untouched 900-year-old temples in Myanmar’s Bagan region
Squeeze a last bit of fun out of winter in the mountains of Nagano
Township tours offer a vibrant glimpse of daily life in South Africa
Yuzama offers beginners a chance to ski before the snow melts
Take a gastronomic tour through India’s food capital
An around-the-world biker makes a pit stop in Tokyo
Rainswept trails and lush beauty await in Costa Rica's Monteverde Nature Preserve
Kyoto's makeover studios offer visitors a new twist on tradition
Indonesia’s most vibrant village replenishes heart, mind and soul
Nagoya is a city of potential heading into Expo 2005
Float across the watery heart of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan
A retreat restores the senses in the highlands of Fukushima
Warm, white sand meets an ocean of blues in a remote corner of the South Pacific
A grueling 25-hour boat ride ends in the idyllic island chain of Ogasawara
The Trans-Siberian Railway is an epic journey that begins right at Japan’s doorstep
Yunishigawa offers a leisurely glimpse into Japan's illustrious past
A guide to fun on the fringe at Hong Kong’s nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong
Andrew McHugh embarks on a timeless pilgrimage in Tokyo’s tranquil backyard.
City slicker Matthew Reiss takes a breather along Shikoku’s Shimanto River.
In search of an ancient civilization swallowed by the sea, Carlo Niederberger plunges into the waters off Yonaguni.
Hakkakuso in Tateyama offers a jumping-off point for cycling, swimming, and the well-preserved charm of Japanese fishing villages. Steve Trautlein heads to the coast.
Cha and music have long been Nagasaki's two great passions. Simon Rowe hops on a tram to sample the Kyushu city's delights.
Grab your coats and your wallets for a tour of the best of Osaka with local boy Simon Rowe.
Matt Button heads to Hokkaido and revels in the serenity of Daisetsuzan National Park.
The history of Arima runs as deep as its hot springs. Stephen Mansfield soaks up the local ambience.
The rustic Okayama town of Takahashi offers the casual visitor a release from the world. Stephen Mansfield enjoys the time on his hands.
Urban escapees in search of a little anonymity are drawn to Ishigaki-jima. Simon Rowe finds out why.
Once a pirate haunt, the port town of Onomichi in the Inland Sea still houses an intriguing array of temples, and a surprising number of cats and cat lovers. Stephen Mansfield goes exploring.
Ocean breezes, smiling faces, exotic markets, and a laid-back pace. Catherine Pawasarat finds Japanese-style relaxation on the shores of the Noto Peninsula
John McGee plumbs the depths and scales the heights of Tohoku's grandest national park.
Home to Kyoto-style gardens and the Peace Museum for kamikaze, Chiran offers a healthy dose of history and culture. Stephen Mansfield takes a walk.
Take a step back in time with a leisurely stroll through the forests and towns of the Kiso Valley. Mary King sets the pace.
Simon Rowe braves the storms and heads down to Shikoku’s “Typhoon Ginza,” Cape Ashizuri.





























The former red-light district now hosts a new breed of performer