Local Guide ~ Ai Iwasaki, MICHIKUSA Guide ~ Original Japan Travel Guide by Hoshino Resorts' Local Staff

Local Guide

Ai Iwasaki

Camera girl

She is a camera girl and loves to travel so much that she goes on a trip once a month and sometimes comes to work from her trip. She is also well versed in local sightseeing information and is well known within the team. Based on her own experiences, she is not only trying to provide Guest/customers with more realistic information about local attractions, but as a member of the "Attractiveness Team," she also puts a lot of effort into developing new seasonal attractions.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Atami (closed): This famous Atami ryokan is located on a hill overlooking the ocean from the treetops of a large tree. Japanese culture, tradition, and aesthetics live on at the inn, which was founded in the Edo period. Everything about the inn sets it apart, from the "running hot spring" from which the hot spring water runs, to the ambience of the Outdoor hot spring "Furuhi no Taki," to the exceptional Japanese cuisine.

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Local Guide FAQ

What do you recommend in Atami area (location, Experience, gourmet)?: A 25-minute boat ride from Atami, Hatsushima is a place where only those who stayed in Atami the day before can spend time. The bustling atmosphere of summer is fun, but the empty island in winter is also perfect for photos.

Please sneak in some hole-in-the-wall places that you know because you live there.: Orache Kingdom is a small ranch in Kannami, a neighbor of Atami. Admission is free, and there is a souvenir shop featuring sweets made from local products from the area and Tanna milk, so it is recommended for a quick stopover. The Tanna Milk soft serve ice cream is excellent, and you can also choose a float.

Where did you travel to last year and with whom?: I love to travel, and last year I visited many places, but the most impressive was the Big Island of Hawaii. The star-filled sky from the Mauna Kea volcano and the sunrise from the sea of clouds was the most beautiful sky I have ever seen.

What do you do on your days off?: I am touring around the surrounding sightseeing spots with my camera. Since I often stop by hot springs, I always carry a towel and a bath set in my car.

Is there anything you always take with you on a trip?: I take my camera and computer with me. I use a SLR camera and a GoPro depending on the situation: video, close-up, underwater, motion pictures, dark places, etc.