Oji 's page

I recommend Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. It’s an easy getaway from the Kansai area, with new spots opening one after another and fresh discoveries every time you visit. Surrounded by the sea, the island offers plenty of water activities, from SUP to swimming with dolphins. In addition to Awaji beef and fresh seafood, you can also enjoy local fruits that have gained attention in recent years, such as Awaji Island melons and Naruto oranges. Winter has plenty of appeal, too, including the Minami-Awaji hot spring area and Awaji Island three-year tiger pufferfish. The Yagi weeping red plum blossoms, which reach their peak in late February, are a stunning sight you should see at least once.

One trip that really stands out to me is traveling with a friend to Mount Fuji and Yakushima using the Seishun 18 Ticket.
The Seishun 18 Ticket is a great-value JR pass that lets you get on and off local trains freely, and the journey itself—taking our time as we traveled—became a memorable part of the trip. In Yakushima, we slept outdoors in a park, and I still clearly remember becoming friends with someone else who was traveling the same way and having drinks together.
Another memory that, for some reason, often comes back to me is when my family went to a ski resort in Shiga. Even though we brought sleds and other things to play with, we ended up getting completely absorbed in a game where we threw balls of snow to knock down icicles—and that alone kept us entertained all day. It somehow stuck with me, realizing how much fun you can have with just snow and ice, even without any special equipment.

When you come to Japan, be sure to visit a super sento. You can enjoy a wide variety of baths, including hot springs, carbonated baths, saunas, and bedrock baths, as well as experience Japan’s unique relaxation culture by having a meal after your bath or unwinding on tatami mats or reclining chairs. Another appeal is that each region offers different spring qualities and local gourmet specialties. Some facilities even have thousands of manga volumes, so if you understand even a little Japanese, you can enjoy the luxury of spending time surrounded by manga.