Roughly 1,000 kilometers south of the capital—24 hours by ferry—the Ogasawara Islands are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site famed for the endemic wildlife and pristine ecosystems. In 2023, Kanaka Village, a “luxury-eco” hideaway designed for travelers seeking to reconnect with nature, opened on the largest inhabited island of Chichijima, in the remote area of Kitafukurozawa.
An interview with Christopher Harding, historian and author, who explores Japan’s culture and history through books that blend narrative flair with scholarship.
Tochigi Prefecture deserves to be on every traveler’s wish list. Just two hours by train from Tokyo, it is blessed with natural beauty and a rich history.
The Niigata Wine Coast may just be the most beautiful wine region in Japan, and is perfect for a weekend getaway.
Taekoni Farm, the eco-tourism project I was visiting, is located on Hahajima (Mother Island), the second largest of the Ogasawara Islands, some 1,000 kilometers south of mainland Tokyo. Here, tour-guides-turned-farmers Taeko Morosawa and Toshinori Konishi teach visitors about sustainable farming and conservation through tours and hands-on experiences with local farmers such as Kazuo Orita, who had kindly offered me the mango.
A Bucolic Retreat in Tokyo Lush, forested mountainsides, cool clean river valleys and farms are not what most people associate with the metropolis of Tokyo. But just under two hours by train from the busy streets and high-rises of Shinjuku is the Okutama area, where the lands around the local Ome train line are being revitalized, making use of vacant lots and buildings, while also rebuilding community, and passing on precious traditions.
A Magical Forest on the Edge of Tokyo Just a 90-minute train ride from the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku lies the Fukasawa area, nestled in a lush, peaceful forest on the slopes of the Okutama mountain range. One of metropolitan Tokyo’s westernmost areas, Fukasawa has embraced a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism—welcoming growing number of visitors while preserving the fragile natural environment.
From promoting lesser-known destinations like Amami Oshima and Furano to addressing overtourism, sustainability, and inclusivity, Luiz Rodrigues is looking to diversify experiences across the country. In this interview, he discusses post-pandemic rebound travel, the growing role of AI in creating seamless journeys, and how technology can connect visitors with authentic, off-the-beaten-path Japan while supporting regional economies.
