The snowy beaches of the Miyako Islands are a change to the beige-orange sand on the main island of Okinawa, and the sun reflected off the powdery white sand contrasts sharply with the blue ocean to compose a beautiful scene.

South Korea’s Lotte World Tower in Seoul is a 750,000-ton marvel of a building that features an enormous shopping mall, aquarium, cinema, concert hall and so many restaurants it would be a daunting task to pick one.

Drop “Zen” into conversation, and thoughts of one hand clapping or a properly maintained motorcycle may come to mind.

In the hills of Chiba, near Sodegaura city east of Tokyo and across the bay, a theme park lights up for the winter.

About two hours northeast of Yokota Air Base, in a suburb of Tsukuba called Ushiku, the Ushiku Daibutsu, a bronze statue built in 1993 and nearly 38 stories tall, was once listed by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest statue of Buddha.

Fans of anime and video games — especially franchises that fall under the Nintendo umbrella — are making pilgrimages to the sixth floor of the newly opened Shibuya Parco building, site of Nintendo Tokyo.

Yoron Island, a part of the Amami archipelago of Kagoshima prefecture, is a slice of Greece just two hours by ferry from Motobu Port in northern Okinawa.

Ishigaki island, 256 miles southwest of Naha, capital of Okinawa prefecture, is a jewel of the Yaeyama archipelago.

The Hamura Zoo, just a 10-minute drive from the main gate of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, packs a large entertainment punch with more than 60 varieties of animals ranging from penguins to giraffes.

The fast-paced growth of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube has birthed the realization that anyone can create and publish content with very little up-front costs.

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, more commonly known as Miraikan, showcases Japan’s leading studies in science and technology. The museum offers an interactive, hands-on learning experience enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

Imagine kayaking serenely through a mangrove forest as tropical birds sing all around you. If you’re lucky, you might spot a crested serpent eagle perched on a branch. If you are into trekking, kayaking and outdoor adventures, Iriomote is your paradise.

If anyone asks me to pick my favorite from the 15 inhabited islands that I’ve visited in Okinawa prefecture, there is no hesitation: Iriomote.

Tabayama is a quaint village in the mountains west of Tokyo where the picturesque views and natural silences can be abruptly broken with the screams of thrilled riders on Japan’s largest roller slide.

The floating O-torii and Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima south of Hiroshima are two of Japan’s most popular attractions, but ongoing restoration work there shouldn’t stop Americans stationed in Japan from planning a visit.

If there is a recipe for happiness, it surely contains malt and hops — and there is plenty of that to go around at Orion Happy Park in Nago city.

As soon as you step onto Taketomi Island, southwest of Okinawa, it’s impossible not to notice that time flows much slower here than anywhere else.

The thing that stands out about Okinawa’s idyllic Maeda Escarpment today is its peacefulness. Rolling green fields, trees, unique rock formations and stunning vistas greet dog walkers, lovers, foreign tourists and local schoolchildren alike. As if these stunning natural features were not enough, the escarpment is a wonder for a totally unrelated reason. It is known by another name that commands reverence: Hacksaw Ridge.

Tell the kids you’re taking them to spend a day at a museum and, if they are anything like mine, they will probably wish they had get-out-of-jail-free cards in their back pockets. However, the Gwacheon National Science Museum in Seoul turned out to be so much more than just a leisurely stroll through countless halls past endless placards and countless relics.

Australian Ron Rees was just 6, on his way home from a fishing trip with his older brother, when he met Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the street in 1942.

Nestled away in the bustling capital of Japan, a temple memorializes an avenging story of loyalty by the fabled Loyal Retainers of Lord Ako, better known as the 47 Ronin.

Hawaii is probably the most iconic and popular vacation destination for people around the world. And yet, I was not surprised to hear that Okinawa welcomed more tourists than Hawaii for the first time in 2017, according to Japan’s Nikkei news service.

You don’t have to be leader of the free world to visit Panmunjom — the truce village in the Demilitarized Zone where President Donald Trump shook hands June 30 with Kim Jong Un of North Korea.

Folks in the Tokyo area who want to swim with wild dolphins don’t have to travel far or spend a fortune to realize their dreams.

An excursion by rail to Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture opens a window to a bygone era in Japan. Sometimes called “Little Edo,” a reference to Tokyo’s former identity, the city encompasses a busy commercial district and a Buddhist temple of historic and cultural significance. If, like me, you’re relatively new to Japan, Kawagoe is a nice weekend-day-trip alternative to the bustle of center city Tokyo.

After Golden Week, Okinawa usually marches into tsuyu, or rainy season, which lasts until late June. For some, the gloomy sky and constant rain makes them feel blue. Others may appreciate the little break from the blazing sun, because after the rainy season is over, Okinawa is officially in summer. As for me, as soon as the Japan Meteorological Agency announces that Okinawa is in rainy season, it’s time to hit the road to the Yohena Hydrangea Garden to see some pretty flowers.

Every local on Okinawa has a “go-to” tempura place when a craving for Okinawa-style tempura strikes. Where is my go-to shop? On Ojima island!

Located just 6 miles from Osan Air Base is Mangisa Temple, home to the Iron Seated Buddha, one of South Korea’s national treasures.

The grounds of Hiroshima Castle's expansive grounds have turned into a technicolor wonderland, thanks to the efforts of the wildly popular teamLab art collective.

Tucked away in the heart of Sapporo is a bustling market dating back to the 19th century where tourists and locals alike can find a veritable feast of fresh and exotic seafood.