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TRAVEL ARCHIVE:
749: Welcome To Japitzerland
Europe’s crossroads of cultures makes room for one more
743: Niseko
Hokkaido’s winter wonderland turns out to be an all-seasons destination
742: Macau
Head to the “Asian Las Vegas” for an easy getaway from Tokyo
741: Qingdao
The seaside Olympic city sees the dawn of a new day in a reflection of its German past
739: Kumano
Lose yourself in the natural splendor of Japan’s spiritual center
737: Mongolia
Gallop through the countryside of Central Asia
735: Tokai
Head west for a dose of old Japan and unforgettable cultural curiosities
733: Faroe Islands
Find a sense of solitude in a dramatic North Atlantic landscape
731: Uchiurayama
The hills of Chiba make getting away from it all easier than expected
729: The Camargue
The beautiful French marshland beckons flamingos, Gypsies—and you
727: Ohara
Sip shiso tea and explore Meiji-era buildings in a valley that time forgot
725: Lake Shirakaba
Enjoy winter sports and cozy hot springs in the highlands of Nagano
723: Zao
Snow monsters (and monster runs) await visitors to Japan’s oldest ski resort
721: Kushiro
Cranes, trains and no automobiles await visitors in Hokkaido
717: Izu Ryokan
A new concierge service helps urbanites escape to luxurious inns of old
715: The Kimberley
The remote region is one of Australia’s—and the world’s—most pristine ecological areas
713: Ishigaki Island
Swim with big fishes in this little corner of paradise
711: Oman
The Sultanate comes of age as a modern gateway to Old Arabia
709: A Steep and Narrow Place
All relaxing and no throngs of tourists make this Central American island far from dull
707: Under the sun in Utila
All relaxing and no throngs of tourists make this Central American island far from dull
705: Kamikochi
Nagano’s Kamikochi region shows why the Japan Alps rival their European namesake
703: Hoofing it in Paris
Enjoy an urban trek around the City of Light
701: Kurama and Kibune
Escape the hustle and flow in the hills around Japan’s ancient capital
699: Majestic Ruins
Follow the colorful Guatemalan rainforest to a pot of Mayan architectural gold
697: Hakone
Find leisure, pirate ships and “romance” just a stone’s throw from Tokyo
695: Vientiane
The remnants of French colonial history linger in Laos’ “City of the Moon”
693: Shonan
With everything from kite surfing to beach parties, the OC of Tokyo beckons
691: Alternative Stays in New York
A new breed of accommodation offers the best of hotels and apartments
689: Little Edo
Ancient Tokyo comes alive in the Chiba village of Sawara
687: Santorini’s Other Side
The volcanic island offers an unexpected glimpse of Greek life
685: Mikurajima
Swim with dolphins in a pristine wilderness
683: Madang’s Magic
Papua New Guinea’s heavenly climate and colorful mix of cultures illuminate the senses
681: Kyoto Nightlife
After a day of temples and gardens, nothing’s better than a cold one
679: Holiday in Iraq
A journey through the Kurdish north is hardly as dangerous as it seems
677: The Little Island
Escape the late-winter blues with a tropical blast from the past
675: Scenic Spirituality
Commune with religion and nature in an ancient land
673: Aoni Onsen
Return to a forgotten time at one of Honshu’s most remote getaways
671: The Golden Rock
One of Burma’s many splendid attractions hangs by a hair
669: Hida Takayama
For personal trips gentle to the soul, seek out the old-time charm of Hida Takayama
667: Vinales
Experience the vibrant colors of Cuba at this remote farming hamlet
665: Okayama
A serene stroll through history awaits at this seaside retreat
663: Cruising the Bay
Ha Long Bay offers a breath of calm away from Vietnam’s urban rush
661: Agamachi
Fox fires and bar codes help a rural Niigata town reinvent itself
659: Sulawesi
Scenic beauty and explosive rituals go hand in hand in Indonesia
657: The Okami
Twenty-five ryokan welcome international guests to Izu
655: Lijiang to Lhasa—by motorcycle
Sixteen motorcyclists cross the Roof of the World
653: Kaleidoscopic Nikko
The fabled sightseeing destination comes alive in autumn
651: Tiger’s Leap
Sipping Butter Tea with the monks of Zhongdian
649: Kawasaki Daishi
Kanto’s most impressive temple is closer than you think
647: The lawless roads of Samoa
Extreme bus driving as a way of life in the South Pacific
645: Escape to the wilderness
Return to nature on two of Japan’s most remote islands
643: Spanish Sojourn
One train pass is all you need to experience three classic cities
642: New Kyoto
Japan’s proud old capital gets a glimpse of its exciting future
639: The Watered Ruins
Soak up some royal history in Sukhothai, Thailand
637: The Washboard Coast
The faded glories of Miyazaki are ripe for rediscovery
635: Cape Tribulation
Explore Australia’s wild side on the coast north of Cairns
633: Just A Castaway
Hidden messages and burnt-out Tokyoites wash up on Okinawa’s islands
631: Big trouble in middle China
Or, how we almost froze on one of china’s sacred peaks
629: The Scalding Pools
Hell on earth can be found in Beppu, a must-visit for fans of Japanese onsen
627: Night Of The Devil Fish
The Philippine island of Malapascua is home to sand, sun—and one very strange safari
625: Storm Damage
Devastated by a volcanic eruption six years ago, the island of Miyakejima is back in business—sort of
625: Think the Ice Bar is Cool?
Try Spending a Night at the Ice Cold Ice Hotel
623: Beyond the Taj Mahal
Three cities off the beaten path reveal India’s Heart and Soul
620: Snowy Japan
Skiing and snowboarding conditions this year are close to perfection
618: Half a world away
Find out why one local expat traveled from London to Tokyo—by bicycle
617: Spectacle in the Sand
Dubai Defies Physics, Geography and Cost in Pursuit of the Cutting Edge
613: Mob Scene
At Kyoto’s Ume-yu bathhouse, the customers are young, tough... and tattooed
611: City of Sand
From crowded markets to placid mosques, Cairo’s attractions are legion
609: On the edge
Hateruma Island offers a primeval slice of sand and surf
607: Land of calm
Get a glimpse of unspoiled Asia in the lush countryside of Laos
605: Just like heaven
Nokogiri-yama in chiba is as
appealing as Nikko or Kamakura,
and just as accessible
602: Place your Bets
Macau pays its respects to history while keeping a keen eye on the future
598: Bring it on
Peak season can’t come soon enough for hotels in southern Thailand
596: Rhythm City Cuba
In the island nation’s largest port, the common language is music
594: City of Peace
Sixty years after the infamous attack, Hiroshima is a site of remembrance
592: Big sky country
Endless vistas and mysterious shrines await in rural Mongolia
590: Hidden pleasures
Kyoto’s little-visited gardens justify a trip all their own
588: Another Country
While maintaining its cultural distinction, the Basque homeland of Bayonne
offers the best of Spain and France
586: Stepping into the past
Beaches, museums—and painted ladies—await visitors in Atami
and Ito
584: Getting to the Roots of Kuala Lumpur
In quiet parks and bustling markets, Malaysia’s capital reveals its past
and future
582: The great outdoors
Shinrin Koen in Saitama offers year-round fun for space-deprived Tokyoites
580: Seoul, revisited
Ancient and modern worlds collide in the Korean capital, a city of futuristic
architecture, tranquil palaces and fiery cuisine
576: Ancient treasures
Explore untouched 900-year-old temples in Myanmar’s Bagan region
574: The High Life
Squeeze a last bit of fun out of winter in the mountains of Nagano
572: The Other Side of Cape Town
Township tours offer a vibrant glimpse of daily life in South Africa
570: White day
Yuzawa offers beginners a chance to ski before the snow melts
568: City of spice
Take a gastronomic tour through India’s food capital
566: Life Cyclist
An around-the-world biker makes a pit stop in Tokyo
564: Forest in the Clouds
Rainswept trails and lush beauty await in Costa Rica's Monteverde nature preserve
561-2: Geisha for a day
Kyoto's makeover studios offer visitors a new twist on tradition
559: Southern comfort
Indonesia’s most vibrant village replenishes heart, mind and soul
557: Show time
Nagoya is a city of potential heading into Expo 2005
555: Waterworld
Float across the watery heart of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan
553: Mountain dew
A retreat restores the senses in the highlands of Fukushima
551: Turquoise baths
Warm, white sand meets an ocean of blues in a remote corner of the South
Pacific
549: Sea world
A grueling 25-hour boat ride ends in the idyllic island chain of Ogasawara
547: Train spotting
The Trans-Siberian Railway is an epic journey that begins right at Japan’s
doorstep
545: In praise of slowness
Yunishigawa offers a leisurely glimpse into Japan's illustrious past
543: Block party
A guide to fun on the fringe at Hong Kong’s nightlife district of
Lan Kwai Fong
537: The middle way
Andrew McHugh embarks on a timeless pilgrimage in Tokyo’s tranquil
backyard.
533: The simple life
City slicker Matthew Reiss takes a breather along Shikoku’s Shimanto
River.
529: The lost world
In search of an ancient civilization swallowed by the sea, Carlo Niederberger
plunges into the waters off Yonaguni.
525: Nature trails
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.
521: High tea
Cha and music have long been Nagasaki's two great passions. Simon Rowe
hops on a tram to sample the Kyushu city's delights.
517: The hill is alive
Grab your coats and your wallets for a tour of the best of Osaka with
local boy Simon Rowe.
513: A walk in the woods
Matt Button heads to Hokkaido and revels in the serenity of Daisetsuzan
National Park.
507: Time and again
The history of Arima runs as deep as its hot springs. Stephen Mansfield
soaks up the local ambience.
503: Riverside retreat
The rustic Okayama town of Takahashi offers the casual visitor a release
from the world. Stephen Mansfield enjoys the time on his hands.
499: Tropics of interest
Urban escapees in search of a little anonymity are drawn to Ishigaki-jima.
Simon Rowe finds out why.
495: City by the sea
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.
491: Easy streets
Ocean breezes, smiling faces, exotic markets, and a laid-back pace. Catherine
Pawasarat finds Japanese-style relaxation on the shores of the Noto Peninsula.
487: Into the wild
John McGee plumbs the depths and scales the heights of Tohoku's grandest
national park.
483: Green Peace
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.
479: Walk in the woods
Take a step back in time with a leisurely stroll through the forests and
towns of the Kiso Valley. Mary King sets the pace.
475: Pilgrim’s progress
Simon Rowe braves the storms and heads down to Shikoku’s “Typhoon
Ginza,” Cape Ashizuri.
471: Companions of the sea
Life in the Seto Inland Sea town of Tomo-no-Ura revolves around its fishing
industry. Stephen Mansfield experiences the salty charm.
467: Monuments to history
Once a refuge from wars, Yamaguchi has survived the blight of modern urban
development, Stephen Mansfield observes.
463: Land of the giants
Simon Rowe goes hiking on Yakushima Island, home to tropical beaches,
granite hills, and the world's oldest-and largest-cedar trees.
459: Northern exposure
Home to king crabs, towering snow sculptures and one of the country's biggest
beer companies, Sapporo is the center of life on Hokkaido. Simon Rowe hits
the city streets.
456: In from the cold
Simon Rowe and Masami Hamada fight off the winter chill in the warm waters
of Kinosaki
452: Keeping the peace
David Capel visits the quiet hamlet of Matsumoto, home to Japan's oldest existing
castle.
448: Past into present
Stephen Mansfield takes the road less traveled and turns up in the historic
samurai homestead of Obi
444: Chariots of ire
The annual Nada Fighting Festival
440: Hook, line and sinker
Summertime and the fishin' is easy-in Ichikawa village
436: Peaks and valleys
Stephen Mansfield ventures into the picturesque calderas of Kyushu's Aso-Kuju
National Park
432: Water's edge
Seto Inland Sea the place for epicures and adventurers
428: Block party
Renowned for its legendary temples and manicured gardens, Kyoto is one of
Japan's top tourist destinations
424: Honshu's holy hotels
Simon Rowe seeks serenity and a satisfying meal alongside the monks of Koya-san
420: High Art
Since its opening five years ago, a reclusive sect's stunning museum has attracted
wide international acclaim.
416: Fire and brimstone
Hot water and Japanese hell come together in Oita Prefecture
412: Snowed in
Finding peace and a warm bath in the mountains of Gunma
408: Edo elegance
Old world artisans keep tradition alive in Honshu's Kurashiki
401: Bird's eye view
Mary King mingles with the ghosts of Himeji Castle.
397:
It takes a village
Feed your spirits in Honshu's seaside town, Amanohashidate
393:
Bathing Apes
For a scenic dip with rare, furry primates and ready to primp for your pictures,
head to Jigokudani Onsen. Mary King gets in to hot water.
389: God speed
The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine
385:
Hattoji
Highland hamlet
380: Nagasaki
Remembrance of things past
378: Kawagoe
From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo"
376: Tottori
Tottori's stunning landscapes
375: Kyushu
Bed and bath under the volcano
373: Ryogoku
Land of the giants
372: Osaka
Universal Studios Japan
371: Osaka
Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town
369: Mie
Mikimoto Pearl Island
368: Takarazuka
Hyogo-ken's all women theater group
365: Kawasaki
Kawasaki's annual fertility festival
364: Aomori
A day on Fear Mountain
362: Nagano
Chill out snowboarding
361: Asuka
One foot in the grave
356: Yamanashi
Hakushu's hidden treasures
355: Waseda
Tram Trip
A streetcar named...
352/3:
Aomori
Jesus in Japan
351: Kumamoto
Under the volcano in Kyushu
350: Sado
Island
Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi
ISSUES
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By Nathan
Palmer
Seoul, revisited
Ancient and modern worlds collide in the Korean capital,
a city of futuristic architecture, tranquil palaces and fiery
cuisine
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| Marta Teixeira |
Seoul may not pull in the tourist hordes the way more fashionable
Asian cities like Hong Kong or Shanghai do. But with the rising
popularity in Japan of all things Korean—from TV drama
to music to food—the city is starting to attract the
attention it deserves.
Seoul is, unjustly, sometimes described as a scaled-down version
of Tokyo. Its population of around 10 million, though, makes
it no sleepy village. And yet it wasn’t until I took
in the view from Seoul Tower, located downtown and perched
on Mount Namsan, that I fully comprehended the city’s
scale and neon-lit beauty. Seoul has a setting straight out
of a Chinese landscape painting, with the sparkling high-rise
sprawl framed to the north by delicate peaks. Its humming
energy can, in fact, make even Tokyo seem staid and pedestrian.
Nowhere demonstrates this better than the downtown Namdaemun
Market, which offers everything from enormous jars of ginseng
to kimchi to military uniforms, all sold by vendors screaming
themselves hoarse. Like the Irish and Italians, Koreans are
often stereotyped as wild and temperamental, but what struck
me about Seoul was the helpfulness and unforced friendliness
of the locals.
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|
Marta
Teixeira
|
One man I met on the subway first helped me buy a ticket,
and then, on the train, told me an interesting tale from his
days as an army tank driver: His commanding officer once tested
his obedience by ordering him to eat a snake. Korean society,
and especially the army, are very strict, he said. And indeed,
walking through Seoul, the frequent sight of young soldiers
doing their compulsory military service is an inescapable
reminder that North Korea is less than a few hours’ drive
away. For both Koreas, the constant threat of an Armageddon-like
showdown hangs over the peninsula like a dark cloud.
Apart from the risk of war, one of Seoul’s real terrors
is getting lost in one of the cavernous underground shopping
complexes that stretch forever like a rat’s maze. Confectionary
giant Lotte, for one, has a ludicrously grandiose and kitsch
shopping/entertainment complex near Seoul’s Olympic Stadium.
The drawing card is Lotte World—Korea’s answer to
Disneyland, which includes an ice skating rink and amusement
park, housed under an enormous glass roof.
Next door is the Folk Museum, where it’s obvious that
old wounds are still healing, despite this being an official
year of friendship between Japan and Korea. One display illustrating
the brutality of Japan’s 35-year colonial rule of Korea
shows a pair of Japanese soldiers torturing a Korean freedom
fighter.
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The sun sets behind Mount
Nansan, below Seoul Tower
Nathan Palmer |
In stark contrast with Seoul’s ultramodern façade
and tiger economy wealth, evidence of the city’s long
history is easy to find. It seems miraculous that anything
older than 50 years old is still standing considering the
hammering Seoul took in the Korean War, during which the city
was fought over four times. Yet Seoul’s most recognizable
landmark is Namdaemun, the great 15th-century southern gate
of the long-ago vanished city walls. The grandest of the city’s
many palaces, meanwhile, is surely Gyeongbokgung, which is
like an island of tranquility. The palace’s huge paved
courtyard, contemplative ponds and grand wooden halls give
it the atmosphere of a downsized, albeit impressive, version
of Beijing’s Forbidden City.
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Going
for a spin on the Lotte World monorail
Nathan Palmer
|
By far the most enjoyable part of experiencing Seoul is eating
out. By night, arty Insadong is a great place to whet the
appetite perusing the street markets selling embroidery, paintings
and lacquerware, and then grab a bite. Korean yakiniku, known
as pulgoki, is far sweeter, spicier and tastier than the Nipponified
version. The best kind is galbi—beef spare ribs—which
are cut into small pieces at the table by waiters armed with
scissors and tongs. A good accompaniment is a vessel of the
slightly sweet and yeasty tasting brew made from rice called
makoli. As in Japan, meals are usually served with a bewildering
array of small side dishes, including pickled vegetables,
nori, fish, and of course kimchi, which comes with every meal.
After a hard day on the Seoul roller coaster, you can understand
why this nation of workaholics love to cool their heels over
a few vessels of makoli and a steaming plate of galbi.
Would
you like to comment on this article? Send a letter to the
editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp.
Discuss travel with METROPOLIS readers at http://forum.japantoday.com
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