fbpx
    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        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.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        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.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        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.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        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.
        the knights in white lycra

        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.
        sea to table yamagata

        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
      • Pow Bar Founder Megumi Scott

        Beyond the Brand: Pow Bar

        An interview with Megumi Scott, the founder of Niseko brand Pow Bar.
        Churamura Okinawa Sea Turtle Marine Conservation

        Churamura: Footprints in the Sand

        Churamura, an NPO in Okinawa, work to conserve marine life and protect endangered sea turtles in Japan's southernmost prefecture.
        Kawazu

        Fall in Love with Kawazu

        Enjoy waterfall hikes and hot springs, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood in Kawazu on the western coast of Izu Peninsula.
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        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.
    • Near Kyoto
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        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.
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        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
      • getting dirty in japan

        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
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        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
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        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.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        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.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        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.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        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.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        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.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        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.
    • Races and Events
      • fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

A Day In The Drunk Tank With Polaris

Within Japan’s musical cosmos, Polaris has been one of the brightest stars. The group’s lead singer clues us in on his favorite way to experience the undersea world in Okinawa.

This month’s column features home-grown artist Yusuke Ohya, lead singer of Polaris who has pioneered the band’s lyrically soft, natural and extremely popular sound.

Last month was a busy one for Yusuke who simultaneously released a greatest hits album with Polaris and a collaborative effort with Hanaregumi’s Takashi Nagazumi and Ikuko Harada of Kuramubon. Because “Polaris” refers to the North Star, I figured his travel tips would gravitate to northern Japan. However, the first thing he said was, “There’s this great aquarium in Okinawa!”

He was referring to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Okinawa Kaiyoh-haku Memorial Park. This place boasts the Guinness-certified, largest acrylic panel fish tank in the world with side panels measuring a massive 22.5 meters wide, 8.2 meters high and 60 cm. thick.

Including whale sharks more than eight meters long and giant manta rays, this tank is home to countless varieties of marine life. Even the feeder fish they put in are large, and it’s not uncommon to find folks spending their entire day staring blankly into the tank.

“But the best part is there’s a space on one side of the huge tank that’s a bar so, while soaking in the sights, you can also take in a beer. I liked it so much I went twice just last year,” he said.

Yusuke had taken a liking to aquariums from an early age and has been to quite a few over the years. However, as far as he knows, this remains the only one serving up suds with their aquatic views.

“Weekday afternoons are especially good, because no one is around.” he suggests. “However, there’s still this strange feeling that you’re being watched. I noticed the big fish taking a quick glance in my direction whenever I passed by.

It wasn’t me being paranoid—they bustle around the tank and when they come back your way they sneak a peak. I thought maybe they were eyeing my beer, but it felt more like a look of contempt,” he observes.

Perhaps their disapproving looks are because of the young men slouching about at noon sipping beers.

“Drinking while being watched like that gives me an interesting buzz. It’s supposed to be us watching them, but it’s a bit nerve-racking that they’re the ones staring us down.”

To Yusuke’s credit, he does head down to Okinawa to create music as well. Taking a weekday off to enjoy a breather at an aquarium seems to be a pretty good diversion, especially as it’s at a popular tourist attraction. But there’s no reason to believe the aquatic giants in the water realize that. To them, he isn’t some popular musician. He’s just another guy drinking at the tank.

Yusuke’s latest album and
recommended Okinawa Sounds

Polaris
”Neiro”

The greatest hits album marks Polaris’s fifth year and features songs from their early days, before the Okinawa influence. Two-disc set includes a DVD. Great companion to their later works.

Compilation Album
“Best of Marutaka”

Album featuring the premier artists on Marutaka Records, Okinawa’s flagship label. “Early Okinawa tracks still rock,” says Ohya.

Sumiko Yoseyama
“Interlude”

The album released last year by the legendary jazz vocalist from Naha, Okinawa. Features live recordings of this older-than-65 veteran, making the listeners feel as if they were in the audience.

ohana
“Ohana Hyakke”

This trio of old friends comes together to produce fresh, bright tracks, bringing a sense of Okinawa to the listener.

[novo-map id=2 individual=”yes”]

Outdoor Japan logo tree

Related

Latest posts

Categories