Travel & Beach
Pick Up Stories

Okinawa’s guardian shisa has its own day… [History Travel & Beach]
April 3rd is the “Day of Shisa” in Okinawa as four (April) is “shi” and three is “san” in Japanese. The day was established in 2002 to promo...Read More

Explore the NEO Park [Nature & Environment Park Travel & Beach]
What can you say? Kids love animals, and visiting a zoo is a great way to spend time with the family. The Okinawa Zoo (Kodomo-no-Kuni) is a ...Read More

Uchima Nishi (West) Park [Park Travel & Beach]
Uchima Nishi Park is located in the Uchima District of Urasoe City, bordering Urasoe and Naha City. The park sits along the Aja River where ...Read More

Jin Air to start flying Seoul-Naha route on Dec. 24 [Travel & Beach]
Naha International Airport is becoming more ‘international’ every month, with a Korean budget carrier now flying to and from Seoul. Jin Air begins service only a couple weeks from ...
Bangkok Airways, JAL now sharing miles, code-share [Travel & Beach]
Bangkok Airways is getting a foothold into Japan with a new code share agreement on select flights operated by Japan Airlines between three airports. Travelers flying from both Ha...

JAL, British Airways hook up with code-share flights [Travel & Beach]
Japan Airlines continues to spread its wings since emerging from bankruptcy, teaming up with British Airways to add Rome, Milan, Bologna, Amsterdam and Warsaw into the data bank of...

Air Asia X launching quiet “kids-free” zone [Travel & Beach]
Responding to appeals from frequent flyers to have a bit of peace and tranquility on long distance flights, Malaysia’s budget carrier Air Asia says it will institute a new “quiet z...

KLM ready to fly Fukuoka route to Europe in April [Travel & Beach]
Travelers will have another flight routing from Japan to Europe as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announces plans to become the first carrier to operate direct flights between Fukuoka an...

Budget carrier Jetstar Japan punished for safety issues [Travel & Beach]
Jetstar Japan has been reprimanded by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for safety violations, a move that could impact expanded services to Okinawa. ...

Hawaiian Airlines initiates Honolulu-Sapporo flights [Travel & Beach]
The aloha spirit is invading Japan as Hawaiian Airlines inaugurates flights between Honolulu and Sapporo. The new initiative has full support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which...

Zamami Island offering special November deals for visitors [Travel & Beach]
Residents of Zamami Island love visitors, and like showing appreciation and gratitude in sharing the beauty of the island. November’s the month when Zamami Island offers a variety ...

Delta now beefing up Seattle-to-Asia service [Travel & Beach]
Delta Air Lines wants to expand its presence in Asia, and is turning to a new relationship with Alaska Airlines to make it happen within a year. Initial plans call for adding fligh...

Tourism promotion links 7 cities, 105 businesses [Travel & Beach]
It’s new, novel and quite different from anything ever tried before by local Okinawa communities in central and southern reaches of the island, as they reach out to promote more bu...

Yonaguni resort reinvents itself as new Island Hotel [Travel & Beach]
A Yonaguni Town hotel that went out of business a few months ago has reemerged with new owners and a new name, Island Hotel Yonaguni. The new hotel opens October 29th. By removing...

China Airlines celebrates 1st anniversary as Skyteam partner [Travel & Beach]
China Airlines is cheering and celebrating this month, acknowledging the first anniversary as a member of Delta’s Skyteam partner system. China Airlines flies twice daily between O...
Random body searches to begin at airports in October [Travel & Beach]
Random body searches on international passengers at 29 airports across the country will start next month to prevent explosives from slipping through metal detectors. The Transport ...

Tiny Kuroshima has more cattle than residents [Travel & Beach]
Editor’s Note: Okinawa’s beautiful southern islands are being showcased in Japan Update each week. This week, Japan Update travels to a small, heart-shape island where cattle outnu...

Hateruma Island is perfect getaway to do nothing [Travel & Beach]
Editor’s Note: Okinawa’s beautiful southern islands are being showcased in Japan Update each week. This week, travels move to Hateruma Island, the farthest south and one of the mos...

Peace and quiet walking tiny Hatoma Island [Travel & Beach]
Editor’s Note: Okinawa’s beautiful southern islands are being showcased in Japan Update each week. This week, tag along on a visit to the country’s Hatoma Island in the far souther...

Mystery, diving, shark watching on Yonaguni Island [Travel & Beach]
Editor’s Note: Okinawa’s beautiful southern islands are being showcased in Japan Update each week. This week, tag along on a visit to the country’s westernmost island, Yonaguni. Yo...

13th Sea Art Festival at Kaichu Doro [Travel & Beach]
Sunday brings something special to Kaichu Doro in Uruma City. It’s the long road crossing from Yonashiro to Henza Island, and it’s often called a “Road on the Ocean” with a spectac...