Japan travel trends highlight Miyako Island and Hokkaido as top domestic resorts

A survey conducted by NEXER Group and Cielo Miyako Island Garden Villa among 500 people in Japan reveals strong preferences for domestic travel destinations. Hokkaido was the top choice for a once-in-a-lifetime resort at 26.6%, followed by Miyako Island at 21.2%, Ishigaki Island at 20.4%, and the main island of Okinawa at 18.4%. Regarding Miyako Island specifically, 68.4% of respondents associate it with high sea transparency, while 40.4% associate it with white sandy beaches.

In terms of ideal locations for commemorative photography, 38.2% of respondents expressed a desire for tropical beaches, followed by lush nature at 23.8% and hot springs or traditional Japanese settings at 16.6%.

Separately, reflections on the historical landscape of Nagasaki and Dejima highlight the tension between globalism and local culture. The preservation of traditional streetscapes and historical sites, such as the Glover House and the ruins of hidden Christian sites in the Goto Islands, serves as a contrast to the increasing uniformity of globalized urban centers.