Japan

2026/10/11

ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort Review: Breakfast, Pools & Cafe

We stayed at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort and enjoyed everything from the breakfast buffet to the swimming pools. This resort is incredibly spacious. We had breakfast, spent time at the pools, walked through the gardens, and even enjoyed some adorable sweets. There is so much to do that you can have a wonderful time without even leaving the resort. Our Editor-in-Chief Mamarin, who is in her 60s, even took on the waterslide! It was a fun chance for adults to feel like kids again. In Part 1, we honestly reviewed our Ocean Wing room, amenities and the beach. In this second part, I’ll introduce the breakfast buffet, pools, gardens and PALETTE cafe in the Bay Wing. ※This article is based on our experience during our stay and was updated in September 2026 after checking information on the hotel’s official website. Breakfast venues, available pools, opening hours and services may vary depending on the accommodation wing, plan and season. Bookings from outside Japan are available here↓ Suncoast Cafe Breakfast Buffet Review We enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Suncoast Cafe on both mornings of our stay. There was a wide variety of food, including fruit, vegetables, bread, egg dishes and Okinawan specialties! There were so many choices that it was hard to decide what to eat each morning. For guests staying in the Ocean Wing, where we stayed, Suncoast Cafe is currently the main breakfast venue. For guests staying in the Bay Wing, SALTIDA is generally the main breakfast venue. Available breakfast venues may vary depending on ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/11

ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort Review: Rooms, Beach & Ocean Views

On the second and third days of our Okinawa trip in our 60s, we stayed at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort. We chose this hotel because it looked beautiful, it is relatively close to Ishigaki Airport, and the breakfast buffet looked delicious. In this review, I’ll share our firsthand experience of staying at the hotel. There is quite a lot to cover, so I’ve divided the review into two parts. In this first part, I’ll introduce our guest room and the beach in front of the hotel. Bookings from outside Japan are available here↓ Inside ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort and the Lobby At the entrance of ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, there were marine-inspired decorations in various places. They were stylish and gave the hotel a lovely resort atmosphere. Sanpin tea, a popular Okinawan jasmine tea, and detox water were available near the entrance. Summers in Okinawa are hot and humid, so it was very refreshing to have a drink after arriving at the hotel from the airport♡ ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort has two wings: the Ocean Wing and the Bay Wing. We stayed on the eighth floor of the Ocean Wing. Honest Review of Our Ocean Wing Room The room was very clean and beautiful! However, the bed felt a little short. My husband is about 180 cm tall (5 ft 11 in), and his feet were almost at the end of the bed. I even wondered whether taller international guests might find it too short. We would have preferred a slightly larger bed. If you ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/12

Hamajima (Phantom Island) Tour from Kohama: Review & Tips for Travelers 60+

On the second day of our Okinawa trip in our 60s, we joined a Hamajima (Phantom Island) tour departing from Kohama Island. At first, we booked a tour through Kohama Island Tours. Hamajima landing tour departing from Kohama Island, with the option to continue to Taketomi Island or finish in Ishigaki The tour was scheduled to depart at 8:30 a.m. We thought it would be very convenient to visit Hamajima first and then continue sightseeing on Taketomi Island, but unfortunately, the tour was canceled by the operator. We reorganized our schedule and booked another tour through Kohama Island Tours. Hamajima (Phantom Island) Landing Tour departing from Kohama Island The price at the time was ¥4,900 per person. There are more Hamajima tours and departure times available from Ishigaki Island, so Ishigaki can be convenient if you want more choices or need to fit the tour into a specific schedule. On the other hand, staying on Kohama Island allows you to enjoy quiet beaches and, when the weather is good, a beautiful night sky filled with stars. For that reason, if you are already staying on Kohama Island, joining a Hamajima tour directly from Kohama can be a very convenient option. What Is Hamajima, Also Known as Phantom Island? Hamajima is a small sandy island located between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island. It is often known as “Phantom Island” because its appearance changes with the tides. There are almost no buildings on the island, and its main attraction is the simple scenery of white sand ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/12

Kohama Island Guide: Coral Beach, Okinawan Food & Stargazing

On the first day of our Okinawa trip in our 60s, we stayed on Kohama Island. At the time, we stayed at Canaan Coffee & Hotel. ※Canaan Coffee & Hotel has since closed. In this article, I’ll introduce some of the places we visited during that stay, including Coral Beach, SANUFA, and the beautiful night sky we were lucky enough to see on Kohama Island. Coral Beach, which was the closest beach to our hotel at the time, had beautifully clear water and was also recommended to us by local people. We also visited SANUFA, which was located on the same property as Canaan Coffee & Hotel when we stayed there. The night sky we saw late at night was also unforgettable, so in this second part of our Kohama Island travel report, I’ll share all three experiences (*´ω｀*) If you are currently looking for a hotel on Kohama Island, you can check the latest accommodation options, prices and availability on Rakuten Travel. Coral Beach on Kohama Island: Quiet, Natural and Beautiful The first place I want to introduce is Coral Beach. When we stayed on Kohama Island, it was about a five-minute walk from Canaan Coffee & Hotel. The path down to the beach includes a slope, so beach sandals or other easy-to-wear footwear are useful. Beyond the trees, the beach suddenly appears! The water was incredibly clear! There were also hardly any people there that day (*´ω｀*) Because it was such a hot day, the sea was warm, almost like swimming in a ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/12

Kohama Island by Rental Car: Scenic Spots, Sugar Road & Travel Tips

After arriving on Kohama Island by ferry, we rented a car from Kohama Island Rental Shop Gami SUN♪ We then drove around the island and visited several sightseeing spots. We rented the car for three hours for ¥3,000, including a ¥500 discount. The shop also rents bicycles, electric bicycles and scooters. If you are visiting during summer, for travelers in their 60s, I strongly recommend renting a car! If you are already comfortable riding a scooter, that could also be a good option. However, I do not recommend a regular bicycle in the summer heat. That day, we saw a young couple riding rental bicycles from another shop, and even they looked exhausted. It was so hot that I found myself hoping they would not end up arguing about the bicycle choice later (T_T) Summer temperatures can also increase the risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, so even if it costs a little more, I recommend choosing the transportation option that puts the least strain on your body. Exploring Kohama Island by Rental Car: Beautiful Views from Nishi-dake Observatory Our first stop was Nishi-dake Observatory, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Kohama Island. After climbing a short set of stairs, we reached the observation deck. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of Kohama Island’s lush natural landscape. Kohama Island is known for its beautiful blue ocean, but the green scenery and vegetation are just as lovely. Because the observation deck is elevated, the sunlight can feel very strong on clear days. Wearing ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/12

Ishigaki to Kohama Island Ferry Guide: Terminal, Tickets, Seats & Seasickness

On the first day of our four-day trip in our 60s, we visited Kohama Island. To reach Kohama Island, we took a ferry from Ishigaki Island. In this article, I’ll share what the ferry experience was actually like and some useful tips we learned along the way. From Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Kohama Island: Tips Before Boarding This is Euglena Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal. From here, you can travel from Ishigaki Island to nearby islands such as Kohama, Taketomi and Kuroshima. The terminal shops sell bottled water, tea, Blue Seal ice cream and light snacks. There are very limited shopping options on Kohama Island, so it is a good idea to buy anything you may need while you are still on Ishigaki Island. (Some drinks were also available at our hotel.) If you are buying food at the terminal to take to one of the islands during summer, I recommend choosing foods that are less likely to spoil in the heat. Medical facilities on the smaller islands are also limited. For travelers in their 60s, reducing unnecessary risks is an important part of planning a comfortable trip. There is a timetable inside the terminal, so check your departure and head to the correct ferry boarding area. Because I did not want to feel rushed, I reserved our ferry tickets in advance. You can make an advance reservation through the Yaeyama Kanko Ferry reservation page. When you are in a hurry, small mistakes and problems are more likely to happen. For ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/10/11

Sheraton Okinawa Beach Review: Relaxing at Sunmarina Beach After 60

For this Okinawa trip, we stayed at Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort again, following our stay there in January. We were so satisfied with our previous stay that this became our second visit (*´ω｀*) This time, the theme of our trip was simple: to do nothing and just relax. Instead of packing our schedule with sightseeing, we spent slow, peaceful time at Sunmarina Beach, simply looking out at the sea. Right in front of the hotel is Sunmarina Beach, a beautiful white-sand beach stretching about 400 meters. For travelers in their 60s, I think one of the true luxuries of travel is not only sightseeing, but also enjoying quiet, unhurried time at the hotel and the beach. ※Facility fees and opening hours were checked again in September 2026. Relaxing at Sheraton Okinawa’s Beach｜For Travelers Over 60, the Luxury of Doing Nothing Sunmarina Beach,located right in front of Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort, is a beautiful beach where you can easily enjoy white sand and crystal-clear water just steps from the hotel. At the beach, you can rent umbrellas and beach chairs. Currently, bringing outside beach umbrellas or beach chairs is not allowed, so if you want to use them, you need to rent them at the Beach Play Counter. Also, guests staying in the South Tower can use a parasol and beach lounge chair set free of charge. South Tower guests also receive other complimentary benefits, including the indoor pool, garden pool, public bath and sauna, and mini golf. ※Conditions may change, so please check the latest ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/14

Yamashirotei Okinawa Review: Agu Pork & Local Food Near Moon Beach

On the night we stayed at The Moon Beach Museum Resort, we had dinner at Yamashirotei, an Agu pork restaurant located just a short walk from the hotel. At first, we planned to go to another nearby restaurant called Ku-e-pu, which also had very good reviews, but it was fully booked. So we decided to try Yamashirotei instead, and in the end, I’m glad we did because the food was delicious and the prices felt quite reasonable. Yamashirotei is a restaurant where you can enjoy Okinawan dishes and Agu pork raised on the restaurant’s own farm. It is also a convenient dining option if you are staying near Moon Beach and want to try local food. ※The menu prices mentioned below were from the time of our visit. What We Ate at Yamashirotei Near Moon Beach Here are the dishes we actually ordered and enjoyed at Yamashirotei. Sea Grapes — A Must in Okinawa | ¥550 at the Time of Our Stay We started with sea grapes♪ They were ¥550 at the time of our visit. Whenever I go to Okinawa, I always want to eat sea grapes at least once. In Okinawa, restaurants often serve them in generous portions, which makes them even more satisfying. Surprisingly Mild Goya Salad | ¥440 at the Time of Our Stay Next was the goya salad. It was ¥440 at the time of our visit. This was actually my first time eating goya in a salad, and I was surprised at how mild it was. It was delicious ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/14

The Moon Beach Museum Resort Review: Rooms, Pools, Beach & Buffet

On our second trip to Okinawa that year, we stayed one night at The Moon Beach Museum Resort and one night at Sheraton Okinawa. This was our first stay at The Moon Beach Museum Resort. At the time of our stay, the room cost around ¥15,000 per night, which felt quite reasonable for a resort hotel. We also enjoyed the buffet and cakes, and the beautiful scenery made our stay especially relaxing. In this review, I’ll introduce the room, pools, beach, public bath, lunch buffet and other facilities based on our actual stay. ※Facility information, prices and opening hours were checked again in September 2026. Is The Moon Beach Museum Resort Old? A Historic Okinawa Resort Open Since 1975 The Moon Beach Museum Resort is a historic resort hotel that opened in 1975. Before our stay, I saw some reviews mentioning that the building felt old. However, when we actually stayed there, the hotel was very clean and well maintained. I also really liked the open, tropical resort atmosphere (*´ω｀*) With its greenery and open-air architectural design, the hotel reminded me a little of a resort in Bali. The corridors leading to the guest rooms are open-air. There is plenty of airflow, so I imagine it feels wonderful on a warm, sunny day. However, the day we stayed was cloudy and surprisingly cold for Okinawa. On colder days, the open-air design can make the hotel feel even cooler. The resort itself is very spacious, and you can also see the atrium pool from the corridors. ...

Japan Yokohama

2026/9/19

Yokohama Chinatown Street Food: Giant Soup Dumpling, Peking Duck & Palm Reading

The day before, we had dinner at Manchinro in Yokohama Chinatown. Read our Manchinro Yokohama Chinatown dinner review Unfortunately, the weather that day was almost like a typhoon, so we could not really enjoy walking around Chinatown. We decided to come back the next day. This time, it was Saturday and the weather was much better, so Yokohama Chinatown was full of people. Popular restaurants can get busy on weekends, so making a reservation in advance is a good idea if you want a sit-down meal. But Yokohama Chinatown is also a fun place to enjoy without a restaurant reservation. You can simply walk around and try different street foods along the way. During this visit, we tried: A giant soup dumpling with shark-fin sauce A casual palm reading Street-style Peking duck Please note: Some prices in this article are from our 2023 visit. Current prices, products and opening hours may have changed. Giant Soup Dumpling at Kaikaro Yokohama Daisekai Our first stop was Yokohama Daisekai, one of the most noticeable buildings in Yokohama Chinatown. On the first floor is Kaikaro Yokohama Daisekai, a shop specializing in Chinese street food. We tried one of its large soup dumplings. Unlike a standard xiaolongbao, this dumpling is much bigger and is designed so that you can drink the soup inside through a straw. We chose the giant soup dumpling topped with shark-fin sauce. The dumpling was covered with a generous amount of soy-based sauce containing shark fin, bamboo shoots and other ingredients. First, we drank the hot ...

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