Nestled in the mountains just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Hakone has long been a retreat for travelers seeking both quiet and culture. Once a crucial checkpoint on the historic Tōkaidō road between Edo and Kyoto, Hakone is still shaped by centuries of history. The reconstructed Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Checkpoint) offers a glimpse into the Edo Period, when travelers were inspected by samurai guards before continuing on their journey.
Andringitra National Park lies in southeastern Madagascar across the regions of Haute Matsiatra and Ihorombe, protecting about 31,160 hectares of mountains, valleys, forests, and high-altitude grasslands. The park is part of the Andringitra Massif, where granite ridges and steep cliffs rise above deep valleys. Its elevation creates several distinct environments, ranging from humid forest to exposed mountain vegetation. The park is also part of the UNESCO-listed Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
Wailua is a community on the eastern side of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, where the Wailua River reaches the Pacific Ocean. The area includes beaches, river valleys, coconut groves, and forested foothills, with the dramatic peaks of the island’s interior rising nearby. Wailua is one of the main population centers on Kauaʻi and lies between the towns of Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe. Its location provides access to both the island’s eastern coastline and the Wailua River, making it an important base for exploring waterf