Travel

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

In Japan, the summer months are filled with fireworks, firelit customs, and golden sunflowers. Memorable experiences that combine culture, nature, and celebration are available during the warmer months, from the romantic glow of lanterns drifting down rivers to the exhilaration of swinging blazing straw bundles. Japan’s summer festivals inspire you to slow down and light up wherever you are.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

In the charming hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen — a two and a half-hour train ride from Kyoto Station — summer nights sparkle with wishes and wonder. Visitors in yukata gather along the Otani River to release lanterns carrying their dreams, while fireworks explode overhead in vibrant bursts. Weeknights in late July and August add shorter displays, turning the town into a canvas of light. It’s a timeless ritual, where relaxation meets revelry under the stars.

Just south of Kinosaki, the quiet countryside of Tanto transforms into a sea of yellow every August. Over 500,000 sunflowers, including rare red varieties, stretch toward the sky, offering a photogenic paradise for families and solo travelers alike. Pick sweet corn for a snack, wander the blooms, and let the simplicity of rural Japan slow your pulse. Few sights capture summer’s joy quite like this.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

On July 30, the pristine sands of Takeno Beach, one of Japan’s top 100, become the stage for a breathtaking 50-minute fireworks show. Waves glow under the spectacle, framed by the rugged beauty of the San’in Kaigan Geopark. Arrive early to explore the quaint fishing village, then join locals as the night sky ignites over the ocean. It’s summer magic, distilled.

Photo courtesy of Hyogo Official Tourism Navigation

On the Sunday closest to August 24, visit Izushi for a spicy take on tradition. Visitors swing burning bundles for good fortune at Ifukube Shrine, where schoolchildren bring fire down a mountain to light candles and bales of straw. Part excitement, part reverence, the communal vibe makes this festival a hidden gem, and the streets from the samurai era add historic beauty.

Summertime in Japan is a tapestry of ephemeral moments, with lanterns floating into the distance, sunflowers facing the sun, and sparkles fading into the night. These events and venues offer more than just entertainment. Every firework, petal, and flame tells a narrative, and they let you connect with the rhythm of the season. Arrive for the show; depart with memories that will last long after the heat has subsided.

Yumeshima Island in Osaka has more to offer this summer and fall! Check out the fascinating cultural havens on show at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, if you’re traveling to see the city’s well-known culinary scene!

Photo courtesy of the Tourism Promotions Board

Get another perspective on our home while showing up for our kabayan on Philippine National Day! Happening on June 7, 2025, at the EXPO National Day Hall “Ray Garden”, the celebration will spotlight the heart of Filipino culture through food, dance, and music. At the core of the event is Hinabing Hiraya (Woven Imagination)—a stunning cultural showcase that brings the Filipino dream to life through vibrant performances. It’s more than just a show; it’s a moving tribute to the strength, creativity, and diversity of the Filipino people. Whether you’re there for the lechon or the tinikling, it’s the perfect event to invite your Japanese friends and travel buddies to experience what being Filipino truly means.

Osaka is sparking curiosity, spotlighting cultures around the world by showing it off with one big bonanza of global expression! The expo serves as both an invitation and a deep dive into its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange. The theme this year is: Designing Future Society for Our Lives.

The event serves as a “living lab” for global collaboration and the power of human connection. The sprawling site on Yumeshima Island in Osaka will house more than 150 pavilions, including contributions from over 160 countries and international organizations, showcasing emerging technologies, cultural traditions, and pioneering solutions for global challenges.

Photo courtesy of Pasona Group.

The Gundam Pavilion, presented by Bandai Namco, is a dream come true for anime and sci-fi fans alike. The Gundam Pavilion promises a life-sized, interactive installation celebrating Japan’s cultural exports and engineering prowess. Combining virtual reality, robotics, and immersive storytelling, the pavilion represents a playful but powerful symbol of Japan’s global cultural influence and technological imagination.

Pasona Group’s Naturverse invites travelers to an unforgettable expedition with the Awaji Island Trip! This immersive travel extension invites visitors to explore Awaji Island, just an hour from the 2025 Expo site, through guided eco-tours, organic dining experiences, and a hands-on look at how Japan is weaving together tradition and innovation in sustainable living. Highlights along the way include the playful Nijigen no Mori theme park, with beloved Japanese pop-culture experiences, and the charming Hello Kitty Smile theme park, with the iconic character lining every ride and attraction around the theme park.

You can gain preferential access to the Expo’s “PASONA NATUREVERSE” pavilion by presenting your boarding ticket to Awaji Island. In contrast to the futuristic fervor of the main Expo, the Awaji excursion offers a calmer, soul-nourishing experience.

Expo 2025 will run for six months, starting on April 13. Since it ends on October 13, make sure to use the Expo’s Ticket Portal and start making travel plans as soon as possible! Visitors are invited to make plans in advance and customize their Expo experience with daily, seasonal, and passport-style multi-entry passes.

2GO Travel offers special sea travel rates for cyclists and teams heading to Passi City event

Nica-Lim Tan, Marketing Promotions Specialist of Go For Gold Philippines; Jeremy Randell Go, Head of Go For Gold Philippines; Roland Sunga, 2GO Travel AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations; and George Narag, 2GO Travel Senior Brand Manager.

The official travel partner of Go For Gold Philippines for the fifth leg of the Go For Gold Race Series, which will take place in Passi City, Iloilo, from May 30 to June 1, is 2GO Travel, the country’s biggest and most prestigious marine travel company. Cyclists and their crews may travel to and from the event in safety, convenience, and affordability thanks to the partnership’s exclusive all-in sea transport pricing.

As part of the partnership, 2GO Travel is providing participants with exclusive all-in pricing for sailing from Manila to Iloilo (departing on May 27) and returning to Batangas via Roxas (June 3). For athletes who are traveling with their bikes and equipment, the package offers a 50 kg luggage allowance and waived expenses for handling sporting equipment.

“We are excited to support Go For Gold Philippines in empowering local cycling athletes and fueling interest in this rapidly growing sport,” said Roland Sunga, 2GO Travel AVP for F&B, Ancillary, and Hotel Operations. “By providing affordable and reliable sea travel, we’re not just moving people—we’re helping advance Philippine sports, one race at a time, one island at a time.”

Organized by Go For Gold Philippines, the Go For Gold Race Series is part of a larger national initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing rising cycling talent across the country. The organization is committed to building a sustainable cycling ecosystem by providing athletes with opportunities to gain exposure, accumulate points, and grow through consistent competition. The series also champions community engagement, bringing cycling events to diverse regions nationwide.

“This partnership with 2GO Travel makes our Race Series more accessible and allows even more athletes to experience competitive cycling,” said Jeremy Randell Go, Head of Go For Gold Philippines. “We believe that supporting Filipino talent begins by breaking down logistical barriers—and 2GO’s support helps us do exactly that.”

2GO Travel is preparing for additional partnerships as it continues to solidify its position in sports tourism. One such agreement is with Sunrise Events, Inc. for the Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu City Leg in August. 2GO is making sea travel a wise and reliable option for sports teams and event planners around the country with its roomy, contemporary ships, onboard amenities, and liberal luggage policies.

Go to the Go For Gold Race Series website to make your travel arrangements: Sail to Go for Gold Race Series 5 Passi via 2Go! – Go For Gold PH.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

There are always new methods for Japan to surprise tourists. One minute you’re in Central Osaka, a city of parks, shopping centers, and excellent dining. Next, you’re enjoying the downtime life provides on the terraces of the Gate Hotel Fukuoka, exploring a museum of Japanese toilets in Aichi, or ziplining over fields after a local breakfast in Chiba. New establishments are popping up all throughout the nation’s several prefectures, providing a variety of lodging options and locations to explore. Here are four new locations that should be on your next itinerary if you’re searching for new places to captivate you.

In the heart of Osaka, Grand Green Osaka unfolds as a new kind of urban retreat, where city parks meet upscale dining, design-forward shopping, and slow moments of wellness. Days begin with local pastries or pour-over coffee on terrace cafes, followed by sushi omakase, open-kitchen steak dinners, or a stroll through the flagship stores. Below ground, the buzzing Time Out Market gathers top chefs to serve some of the best food across Kansai, alongside live cultural events and performances. Soak in a rooftop onsen, wind down in meditation rooms, or simply watch the city come alive in this new urban paradise.

In the forests of Chiba, the Farm Slow Mountain Narita offers a slower, more grounded kind of getaway. Accommodations include glamping tents, cottages, and cabins scattered across a spacious, tree-lined property.

Mornings start with fresh, local food, while the rest of the day is open for zipline rides, vegetable harvesting, or following an AR-powered trail through the woods. In the evening, communal barbecue dinners bring people together under the stars. Find beauty in the stillness of Farm Slow Mountain Narita, easily accessible via car from Tokyo, and via bus or car from Narita Airport.

Photo courtesy of ©INAX MUSEUMS

The newest addition to the INAX MUSEUMS in Tokoname, Aichi, Toilet Museum celebrates Japan’s design-forward approach to one of life’s most overlooked essentials that the country does best. Exhibits walk you through the history of toilets in Japan, from early wooden bowls to the high-tech fixtures now famous around the world. It’s a clever, unexpectedly engaging stop that fits perfectly into the INAX MUSEUMS’ larger focus on ceramics, design, and everyday innovation. The museum is accessible by a 10-minute car ride from Chubu Centrair Airport, or a 40-minute limited express train ride from Meitetsu Nagoya Station.

The GATE HOTEL FUKUOKA by HULIC offers visitors to Fukuoka a refined and serene experience in the heart of the city. The hotel is located in the top levels of a brand-new business complex and has a direct connection to Tenjin Station. Anchor Grill Fukuoka, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, features local ingredients in every dish, and its top-floor lounge leads onto a breeze-filled patio with expansive views of the skyline. The décor of the guestrooms are modern and well-designed, while suites like THE GATE provide views of Hakata Bay.

Every one of these locations provides something a little different—an experience you weren’t even aware you were seeking. When combined, they demonstrate how Japan keeps evolving and delighting—not by adopting fads but by subtly increasing the standard.