{"id":73466,"date":"2020-11-09T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T02:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=73466"},"modified":"2020-11-20T20:56:56","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T11:56:56","slug":"safe-and-healthy-goto-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/safe-and-healthy-goto-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe and Healthy Adventures in the Goto Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even as Japan and other parts of the world slowly begin to plan to reopen to tourism, there will continue to be a lingering feeling of worry about what constitutes safe and responsible travel<\/a> in the coronavirus era. While many theories float about as to how to protect yourself from the virus, there seems to be unanimous agreement that avoiding crowds and extended close contact with people is a good basis for staying safe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When I think about the places I’d like to be during these times, my mind drifts directly to the Goto Islands, where I recently spent three days exploring this little hidden paradise off the coast of Kyushu in southern Japan. The residents of Goto know the secret to a healthy lifestyle: open spaces to relax in, healthy local foods, and regular participation in outdoor activities.<\/strong> And in my short time in Goto, I discovered them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking The Wide Open Spaces of Goto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ruggedness of Goto provides ample opportunities for hiking, but perhaps there is no better location than from the cliffs overlooking Osezaki Lighthouse.<\/strong> From an observation deck atop the cliffs, you can survey the breakers pounding the sheer rocky shores of Fukue Island’s west coast. A bit further down the road, my guide Olivier from the Goto City Tourism office and I parked at the trailhead of the hike down to the lighthouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View of the Goto islands from Osezaki Lighthouse observation point<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n