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    • Spring
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        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

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        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
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        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
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        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

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        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
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        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
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        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

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        New Horizons in Shiretoko

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        Silent Resilience

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        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
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        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

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      • Kumano’s Path Less Traveled

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        Protecting the Sacred Trees of Koya-san

        Within the misty mountains of Japan's Kii Peninsula, Koya-san (Mt. Koya), stands as a sacred realm of tranquility, history, and spiritual significance. This awe-inspiring mountain has been revered for centuries and is home to a unique collection of trees known as the rokuboku, or The Six Trees of Koya-san.
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    • Ocean and Beach
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokka...

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Shizukuishi

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        Northern Shinshu’s Secret Stash

        A weak yen, revenge travel, and excellent ski conditions have led to high demand, booking out popular resorts like Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen this year. Fortunately, lesser-known gems like Togari Onsen, near Nozawa Onsen and Madarao, offer charming alternatives for powder seekers.
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        Okinawa Forest Adventure

        Holiday-goers lounging on Onna’s white sand beaches are no doubt unaware of what’s going on high in the jungle as creatures climb above the forest canopy and zip or swing from tower to tower. Curious travelers will discover a new side of Okinawa’s tropical paradise if they take the leap into a Forest Adventure.

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        Kumano’s Path Less Traveled

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        Okinawa Forest Adventure

        Holiday-goers lounging on Onna’s white sand beaches are no doubt unaware of what’s going on high in the jungle as creatures climb above the forest canopy and zip or swing from tower to tower. Curious travelers will discover a new side of Okinawa’s tropical paradise if they take the leap into a Forest Adventure.

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        Okinawa attracts hordes of travelers to its sandy beaches and warm, clear water with divers and snorkelers often posting images of the majestic local sea turtles. The interior forest and rivers, however, are home to another Okinawa turtle also in need of protection—the small, reclusive, but equally beautiful, yamagame.
    • Races and Events
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Eugene Teal Surf Family

Big Kahuna brings surfing and Hawaiian brotherhood to burned-out businessmen in Chiba.

It’s a brisk Sunday morning in May and I’m on the 6:15 a.m. train headed for Chiba—hangover notwithstanding. The city gives way to green rice fields as the sun burns off the night chill and, without a cloud in sight, I soon arrive at the sandy beach and surprisingly spry swells of Onjuku Beach because, as my instructor would come to utter with a persistence verging on giddiness, “You gotta say you tried surfing at least once in your life.”
Eugene Teal’s tussled boyish looks, his gentle, friendly countenance and mellow Hawaiian demeanor betray the fact he is the best professional longboard surfer in this area and, arguably, Japan.

He was the Japan Pro Surfing Association’s (JPSA) Longboard Tour Rookie of the Year in 2003 and the JPSA champion two years later in 2005.

He has been featured on SkyTV’s GAORA sports channel, starred in two instructional longboard videos and countless magazine photo shoots and has competed in surfing events throughout the Pacific from New Caledonia to Bali to Sri Lanka. He is one of only four foreigners to compete on the JPSA Pro Tour and is currently sponsored by Crymson Company & Russ-K Wetsuits, Surftech Surfboards, FCS & Gorilla Grip, Cobian Beach Sandals and Satou Kougyo Construction. But, despite his impressive resume, it reflects only a part of who he really is.

He teaches English lessons to kids in the village and twice each summer organizes a beach cleanup. The small cross around his neck is only slightly more conspicuous than when he crosses his heart before entering the water. Though only 30, Teal exudes the protectiveness of an older brother—a role he often plays to visitors and surfers in Onjuku.

“In Hawaii we have a brother code: everyone watches out for one another,” he explains. “But in Japan, it’s not as well-known with the amateurs. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, we’re all surfers, and you gotta make sure everyone is safe.”

Though he makes a living through contest winnings and corporate sponsors, Teal’s English-language surf school is located across the street from his home and about a three-minute walk from the beach. His surf school comes equipped with a “clubhouse” where eager pupils—many of whom come seeking respite from the pressures of urban life—learn basic surf techniques and get outfitted with wetsuits and surfboards, and his surf shop showcases state-of-the-art surfing gear.

Most impressive, however, is the personal attention Teal offers to each of his students. Unlike most pro instructors, he teaches every lesson from the water, so he can relate to the conditions and adjust his instructions accordingly—a method that witnessed everyone in our group riding their own waves by the end of our first lesson.

In most countries, one would have to fight through an entourage just for an autograph from a cover-boy pro athlete, but Teal’s kindness motivates him to pick up students from the train upon arrival in Onjuku Station, and his main following is giggly village kids—in many of whom he sees potential.

“In the future, I’d like to be part of getting the next generation of Japanese surfers to the world level,” says Teal with a selflessness that seems to define him. “I would love to help give an international perspective to surfing in Japan.”

When asked about his plans for the future, Teal doesn’t hesitate, “When I decide to buy property, it’ll be right here,” he says. And, as I follow his gaze across the shimmering sea to the fiery-red horizon, I am exhausted from one day of battling the waves in Onjuku but, still, I compare my office to his, and I envy him.

Eugene Teal: At a Glance
2006 JPSA Ranked #4
2005 JPSA Longboard Champion (#1)
2004 JPSA Ranked #7
2003 JPSA Longboard Rookie of the Year (#5)

Eugene Teal Surfing Family Shop
Phone: (0470) 68-5488
Mobile: 090-5800-6007
E-mail: etsurf@hotmail.co.jp
Web: www.kanaloa7.tv/teal/

Surf School
2-hour Surf School & Equipment: ¥8,000
Surf School, Equipment & Overnight Stay: ¥10,000

Accommodation
Overnight Stay: ¥2,000/day
July/Aug. Overnight Stay: ¥2,500
Golden Week/Year End Stay: ¥3,500

Rental Gear
Wetsuit Rental: ¥2,000/day or ¥1,000/2hrs.
Surfboard Rental: ¥4,000/day or ¥2,000/2hrs.

Getting to Onjuku

140 minutes, Price: ¥1,890
Shinjuku(Sobu Local) ► Kinshicho(Sobu Rapid) ► Chiba(Sotobo Line) ► Onjuku

147 minutes, Price: ¥1,890
Shinjuku(Chuo Rapid) ► Tokyo(Keiyo Rapid) ► Soga(Sotobo Line) ► Onjuku

85 minutes, Price: ¥3,700
Tokyo(Wakashio No.1) ► Onjuku

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Okinawa’s Blue Zone —A Li...

Dan Buettner’s bestseller, “Blue Zones,” which was also adapted into a hit series on Netflix, identifies five regions with a high number of centenarians. One of these zones is Yambaru, in the north of Okinawa Island. A rich cultural and natural heritage remain in this region, holding the secret to the longevity of the communities living there.

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A forgotten pilgrimage trail, ancient power spots and authentic rural communities are waiting to be explored this hiking season on the Iseji Trail. Stretch your legs and tickle your spirit to welcome the green season on one of the Kumano Kodo’s finest routes, minus the crowds.

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