Travel

It may sound funny to say that winter in Okinawa can get chilly, especially if you are from mainland Japan or northern parts of the U.S. But spending a certain amount of time on the island can make 60 °F feel like the dead of winter to anybody. So as an Okinawan, I will say unabashedly, winter in Okinawa is chilly.

Getting more out of a vacation starts with finding ways to stretch your travel budget.
To help, travel deals publisher Travelzoo recently unveiled the top six destinations where Americans will find the strongest deals in 2017.

If you’ve seen the main sights of Naha, and would like to ‘get away from it all’ without leaving the city, Sueyoshi Koen is the perfect destination.

Akita is one of Japan's top destinations for those looking for a winter getaway. From ski resorts to picturesque hot springs, the prefecture is primed to welcome snow lovers in style. For a bit more of a colorful experience in Japan's northern region, try to time your visit to catch one or more of the following festivals: 

Tokyo seems forever alive, and while it's ever exciting, you can get mentally tired even if you're just out sightseeing and experiencing new things every day. If you're visiting Tokyo for the first time, you probably plan on going to the famous Tokyo Skytree, in which case you'll already be in Skytree Town.

Editor’s Note: Laurel Anne Powell from Yokosuka gives her views on taking advantage of life overseas. Laurel Anne, thanks for sharing! We hope your words motivate others who have yet to venture outside the gates.