Sakura – the art of transience Cherry blossom season in Japan is not a postcard cliché—it is a living, moving phenomenon that reshapes the atmosphere of an entire country. From the tropical air of Okinawa, where the first blossoms open in January, to the lingering chill of Hokkaido in May, the sakura front advances like a soft pink tide across 3,000 kilometres and six climate zones. In this issue, we follow photographer Armin Schirmer on a journey that rarely appears in trave

Most travelers believe they understand Japan, knowing the skyscrapers of Tokyo and the temples of Kyoto. Yet, far in the south exists an entirely different area: Okinawa. This breathtaking chain of subtropical islands is where time moves differently, colors burn more vividly, and a deeply rooted history lingers in every encounter. In this issue, we shatter all assumptions. Okinawa is far more than just a beach paradise – it’s a cultural crossroads shaped by the glorious, inde