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Relax in the onsens of Kurokawa

The region around the city of Fukuoka is known for its ‘onsens’, natural hot springs. The most beautiful onsens can be found in Kurokawa. A small village, tucked away among green mountains with wooden houses, picturesque bridges, flowing creeks and public bath houses.

Wellness

Ryokan in Japan

Traditional Japanese accommodations

Kurokawa has no large resorts or hotel chains. The village does offer ryokans, a Japanese version of a bed and breakfast or family-run hotel. The traditional ryokans were built between the 17th and 19th centuries. They offered travellers a room, breakfast and the use of a common bath. There are fewer than 30 ryokans in Kurokawa so remember to reserve ahead of time. Almost all accommodations have their own onsens. Some rooms in a ryokan even feature a private bath. The rooms are usually quite sparsely furnished with not much more than a mat for a bed and a low table where guests can eat their breakfast. For an authentic Japanese experience, a stay in a ryokan is a must.

Japanese onsen

Healing waters

A dip in an onsen can bring great health benefits. The Japanese believe that the hot springs are beneficial for various skin conditions and other health problems. This is the result of the composition of minerals in the water and the products used to make the baths, such as granite and Japanese cypress. Each spring has its own healing properties. The baths in Kurokawa are said to relieve high blood pressure, eczema, colds and muscle aches. The information centre in the village will be happy to explain which onsens are good for certain conditions.

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Arts & Culture

Houston and Dallas may be bigger and more famous, but Austin is in fact the capital of Texas. It’s also the least Texan city in Texas. And the weirdest city in the country. This is something its residents take pride in, as evidenced by the Austin motto of Keep Austin Weird! Have a peek inside weird houses or admire a cathedral of junk in a city where there is even a museum devoted entirely to the weird and strange.

Nightlife

When it comes to music, you might be inclined to think New Orleans (jazz), Memphis (rock ‘n’ roll), Chicago (blues) or Nashville (country), but Austin is actually the music capital of the US. The city boasts over 250 music venues, more than any other American city. You can choose from countless live performances and a fantastic music festival every month, such as SXSW. Austin lives and breathes music.

Beach, Water sports, Nature

The airport in Liberia is the gateway to the Province of Guanacaste, the sunniest part of Costa Rica. Thanks to its large number of snow-white buildings and tree-lined streets made of white gravel, the city itself is also referred to as ‘la ciudad blanca’. But, let’s be honest, most visitors who arrive here are primarily interested in white sand. Only a half hour by car from the airport is the fantastic Pacific coast with beaches that are postcard perfect.

Nature

In the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, you can hike, swim in natural hot springs, picnic and camp. The park features a variety of ecosystems around nine craters and 32 rivers with spectacular waterfalls during the rainy season. The diversity of flora and fauna is amazing: look up and chances are you’ll see toucans, sloths and monkeys in the treetops.

Active & Outdoor

Old towns, stunning constructions and wonderful nature: admire all of this and more in THIS IS HOLLAND, a brand-new 5D movie attraction by the producers of De Nieuwe Wildernis (The New Wilderness). It is the perfect introduction to Holland for first-time visitors, but also an interesting surprise for Dutchies who think they know their country inside out. This is a magical 5D experience with smells, colours, images, sounds, rain and shine.

Culinary

Everyone in Sweden knows Småland as the nation’s culinary centre. The region’s cuisine goes above and beyond the famous meatballs: a Michelin-star restaurant serves innovative Swedish haute cuisine, coffee is elevated to an art, and you can visit a lovely castle and pretend to be Lord or Lady of the manor. Here are three suggestions for typically Swedish restaurants in the city of Växjö.

Arts & Culture

Älmhult is the birthplace of renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus and children’s books author Astrid Lindgren, however its most famous ‘offspring’ is IKEA. Life in this southern Swedish town evolves around the blue-and-yellow furniture giant: from the IKEA Hotel and IKEA Museum to the IKEA Bar and IKEA Spa. Welcome to the one and only IKEA Småland – meatballs and ball pit included.