MAGAZINE
Why Slow Moments Strengthen Family Bonds: The Value of Doing “Nothing” Together
Everyday life can feel like a series of tasks—getting ready in the morning, school or work, preparing dinner, putting kids to bed. Even when parents and children are in the same space, they’re often caught up in routine. But when you step away on a trip meant for just...
Finding Inner Stillness at a Temple Café – A Moment of Pause in the Presence of the Buddha
Step away from the crowds at a popular temple and discover a hidden haven—a sacred café where the sounds are not chants or bells, but the soft pour of tea, the gentle slide of chairs, and the hushed breaths of visitors mingling in the calm. Here, the spiritual...
Morning Garden Meditation – Tuning into Silence to Welcome a New Day with a Centered Mind
In the quiet hush of early morning, before the world fully awakens, the garden comes alive with subtle beauty. Dew glistens on moss-covered stones, gentle steam rises from a distant bathhouse, and soft light filters through the leaves. Surrounded by this serenity, you...
Stretching Out on Tatami: Discovering the Gentle Comfort of a Japanese Room Through All Five Senses
On a journey, after a full itinerary completed, you return to your accommodation. As you slip off your shoes and step into your room, you are greeted by the gentle scent of fresh igusa grass. You sit down on the tatami mat—and then you simply lie back. Your eyes take...
An Afternoon with Wind Chimes: Finding Calm and Coolness in the Gentle Sounds of Summer
On a summer afternoon, as the sun shines down with intensity, a single wind chime sways gently from the eaves, sending out soft, resonant tones into the air. Chirin, chirin—the sound is delicate, carrying not coolness to the skin, but a soothing freshness to the...
Lost and Found in Japan: Real Stories of Peace of Mind and the Invisible Trust Behind What Returns
For most travelers, losing something on a trip—a wallet, a smartphone, a backpack—is a stressful inconvenience. But in Japan, what you thought was “lost” often comes back to you, intact and unexpectedly soon. This quiet phenomenon, repeated again and again across the...
A Sense of Global Connection at Multilingual Inns: Kindness and Bonding Beyond Language on the Journey
As the number of international travelers to Japan continues to rise each year, the “language barrier” remains one of the common anxieties for visitors. At the same time, many Japanese people rarely have natural opportunities to engage with people from different...
A Journey of Subtle Discovery Begins at Check-In — Encountering the Philosophy of Hospitality at the Entrance of a Japanese Inn
The real journey doesn’t begin when you arrive at the tourist destination—it begins the moment you set foot in your accommodation. As you set down your bags, step through the entrance, and approach the front desk, you step into a uniquely Japanese form of hospitality...
Joyful Moments of Helping with the “Futon-Laying Experience” — Discovering the Gentle Rhythm of Daily Life on Your Journey
Returning to your ryokan room after dinner, you may find soft futons already laid out across the tatami floor where there had been open space just moments before. It’s a quietly comforting scene—yet how often do we pause to consider the care and effort behind that...
A Tranquil Family Hotel with a Reading Room — Let the Joy of Books Gently Enrich Your Journey
While bustling sightseeing and lively activities are part of the joy of travel, there are times when all you crave is quiet. In such moments, a space filled with books offers gentle refuge. A “family-friendly hotel with a reading room” is a new kind of travel...
Stay at a Ryokan with Thoughtful Amenities for Children — Comfort That Feels Just Like Home, Even While Traveling
Family trips are a special opportunity to create lasting memories together. But for parents traveling with young children, it often means carrying extra luggage and worrying about whether the destination will be adequately prepared. That’s why staying at a ryokan that...
A Special Feature on Allergy-Friendly Ryokan: Welcoming Stays Where Everyone Can Share the Same Table in Harmony
One of the great joys of travel in Japan is savoring regional cuisine that reflects the character of each destination. However, for those with food allergies, dining while traveling can also become a source of anxiety. Thoughts like “I don’t know what ingredients are...
Barrier-Free Stays for Worry-Free Family Travel: A Place Where All Ages and Abilities Can Feel at Home
Many families hesitate to travel—not because they lack the desire, but because they worry about traveling with young children or elderly members with limited mobility. That’s where barrier-free accommodations come in. Designed with thoughtful features such as...
Learning the Art of Open Connection in the Onsen: Naked Togetherness in the Steam
A quiet bathhouse shrouded in steam. In the dressing room, you undress completely, bringing nothing but a small towel into the bath. There’s no pretense, nothing to hide—just the warm embrace of the water. Japan’s onsen (hot spring) culture is built upon a unique...
Learning the Culture of Removing Shoes at a Ryokan: Japanese Hospitality Begins the Moment You Cross the Threshold
Removing your shoes at the entrance and stepping onto tatami mats barefoot or in socks. Changing into indoor slippers and walking quietly through the room. In Japan, this "culture of taking off shoes" is more than just a practical custom—it reflects a deep sense of...