Pacific Travel

Top story
Destinations
Transportation
Lodging
Special interest
Tips & Tools

In bloom: 2014 Cherry Blossom Festivals

There is nothing quite like the beauty of cherry blossom trees in bloom. Here's where to see them -- and experience the many festivals celebrating the bloom.

Japan

Okinawa

Tokyo

Korea

Seoul

China

Australia

New Zealand

Pacific Islands

Air

Military Lodging

Festivals

Food & Drink

Museums

Military History

Outdoors

Shopping

Theme and Amusement Parks

Seven tips for saving on holiday flying and lodging

USO around the world

State Department warnings

Transportation Security Administration

International tipping guide

10 phone apps that put you first in line

Guidebooks

Currency Converter

Time zone converter

Fahrenheit to Celsius converter

For sun by day and parties by night, try Thai beaches

The beaches along the Gulf of Thailand have a renowned trio in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Each has its own charms and attractions, and regular boat service makes it easy to travel among them.
13:23 March 6, 2014
Macau feels strain during Lunar holiday influx

My trip to the tiny Chinese gambling mecca of Macau, at the height of the Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 3, was decidedly less glamorous than that of superspy James Bond in the movie "Skyfall."
10:49 February 4, 2014
The 8 fiery 'hells' of Beppu, Japan's hot spring capital

Beppu, in central Oita prefecture, is home to more than 2,500 onsen -- hot springs. It's the world's second largest source of thermal spring water after Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
45 Taiwanese foods we can't live without
A festival of fire and sacrifice in Nozawa Onsen, Japan
Space-A travel can be great for the patient, flexible
DODDS employee's calligraphy part of Okinawa exhibit
Book points the way to Japan’s best beers
Find great skiing in a day trip or weekend away from Tokyo
Iruma: Japan's hidden aviation museum a hangar for history
Tokyo Motor Show buzz is literally electric
Snake sake? Attractions rare, weird and wild shine at Okinawa World
Dip into Asian culture with a day trip to Singapore
Picturesque town of Matsumoto, Japan, offers dose of serenity
Melaka, Malaysia: Exploring cultural crossroads between Asia and Europe
Mount Fuji: Challenging summit hike literally takes your breath away
Litchfield National Park boasts natural beauty, diverse wildlife
Myanmar's religious sites and historic landmarks hint at its history
Center preserves wartime memory of the Great Tokyo Air Raid
Taiwan: Horrors of Japanese POW camps revealed to visitors at Kinkaseki

Pacific Quick Trips

Tokyo: Namjatown offers weird food and games you won't understand

If you don’t speak Japanese, you won’t understand much at Namjatown, a food-themed amusement park in Ikebukuro. If you do speak Japanese, you’re just as likely to be confused. Either way, chances are you’ll enjoy a good time and some tasty Japanese food.
11:36 March 14, 2014
Okinawa: Tradition, talent clearly on display at Ryukyu Glass Craft

Since World War II, the Okinawan art of glass-making — once a grim wartime necessity — has been refined and has blossomed into one of the island’s proudest traditions.
14:17 February 28, 2014
Get warm at onsen in Japan’s Hirado Kaijyo Hotel

Pacific After Hours

After Hours: Akishima’s Hamazushi belts out inexpensive sushi, fast food

Among one of the least expensive sushi train chains in Japan is Hamazushi. There are 120 locations, meaning there’s probably at least one near every American military base.
11:27 March 13, 2014
After Hours, South Korea: Berlin Restaurant and Lounge in Itaewon serves upscale Western dishes, some with an Asian twist
After Hours: Urth Caffe in Tokyo a boon for the health-conscious
After Hours: Sea View Ranch is Hirado Island's little Texas
After Hours: Yutaka Zushi on Hirado Island, Japan

Concerts and events

Live now on the Tablet Edition

Wounded warrior returns to Afghan mission

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

1st Lt. Josh Pitcher put his fear on the back burner as he climbed back through the ranks, earning the U.S. Army’s Expert Infantry Badge — something not easily obtained even by soldiers with two legs.
GALLERY

Photo gallery: USS George H.W. Bush on the move

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

The USS George H.W. Bush — the Navy newest aircraft carrier and the last of the Nimitz class — is now a full month into its second deployment.
AP's top photos of the week

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Here's your look at highlights from the weekly AP photo report, a gallery featuring a mix of front-page photography, the odd image you might have missed and lasting moments our editors think you should see.
GALLERY

Photos of the week: Air Force

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Our staff-selected photos of the week of the Air Force in action.
GALLERY

Women brick-makers in debt in Pakistan

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Tens of thousands of other poor Pakistanis work hard in brick kilns, agriculture fields and other hard laboracross Pakistan in what is called "bonded labor" to pay off family loans often passed down through generations. They often have no proper living facilities or basic amenities like running water or bathrooms. They generally make about $3.50 for their hard work.
GALLERY

Photos of the week: Army

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Our staff-selected photos of the week of the Army in action.
Air Force plans drone upgrade to replace U-2 planes

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

The Air Force will spend $1.9 billion over 10 years upgrading Global Hawk drones to take over missions flown by U-2 surveillance planes starting in 2016, officials said.
GALLERY

Top shots: The best in news, sports and military photos

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Stars and Stripes Tablet Edition subscribers get exclusive access to galleries of the most provocative photography around. From unparalleled war photography, to touching memorial coverage, or the most exciting sporting events, every gallery is hand-picked by Stars and Stripes staffers around the world. This gallery is a preview of some of the photography in the Tablet Edition.
GALLERY

Photos of the week: Marines

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Our staff-selected photos of the week of the Marine Corps in action.
GALLERY

Photos of the week: Coast Guard

Learn more about the Tablet Edition >

Our staff-selected photos of the week of the Coast Guard in action.

Most Read
Facebook
Reddit
Comments

US Army to proceed with planned exercise in Ukraine March 13, 2014
Man on Army's most wanted list arrested after 37 years as fugitive March 14, 2014
Pentagon officials: We need more base closures March 12, 2014
Air Force charges staff sergeant in AFN sailor's death in Kaiserslautern March 14, 2014
'Consolidated' Tricare: Higher user fees, more freedom March 13, 2014
'Dutch roll' caused tail to break off in Kyrgyzstan KC-135 crash that killed 3 March 14, 2014
Air Force nuke crew failings worse than reported March 13, 2014
Transgender troop ban faces scrutiny March 13, 2014
Air Force leaders detail force cuts, defend religion policies March 14, 2014
Judge: Technicality prevents decorated soldier from receiving Medal of Honor March 12, 2014

Latest Blogs

Archive Photo of the Day

Tourists take in the view from the Zugspitze, 1974
Spouse Calls

Hamantaschen for Lent

He's Christian, she's Jewish, so it's a season of compromise for this interfaith military family
Archive Photo of the Day

West Point cadets at the Berlin Wall, 1964
Stripes Central

Gen. Colin Powell's 60-year-old selfie makes your selfie invalid

The former secretary of state's "Throwback Thursday" post proves it's not the technology that makes a great selfie.
Europe Traveler

Pisa, Italy, celebrates the new year in March

According to its tradition as a former Maritime Republic, Pisa celebrates the New Year twice – not only on the 1st of January along with the rest of the world, but also on the 25th of March.
Good Game

Titanfall movie is in the works, trailer is here!

“Titanfall” is finally in the hands of the masses and by all accounts it’s doing quite well both critically and sales wise. It really shouldn’t be a surprise that the Respawn and EA have banked on the success of the shooter, and have already enacted plans to bring Titanfall to other forms for media.
Archive Photo of the Day

Old West meets West Germany, 1955
Europe Sportsblog

Saturday soccer tourney will honor late Ramstein grad Seebeck

Twelve local girls soccer teams will gather in Kaiserslautern on Saturday for friendly competition with a higher purpose. The teams, including six DODDS-Europe programs, will participate in the inaugural Josie Seebeck Invitational Tournament, an event commemorating the late Ramstein graduate and Central Michigan University soccer player.
Stripes Central

Hump Daaaaaayyyyyyyy!

Marines in Helmand pull camel from ditch outside base
Good Game

First look at 'Dragon Age: Inquisition'

This latest trailer shows off the world of Thedas, rendered with the same Frostbite 3 engine that powers “Battlefield 4.”