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1 week ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
There is a reason Okinawa is called “Japan’s Hawaii.” With a rich history tracing from the Stone Age through the Ryūkyū Kingdom, the lush archipelago offers endless culture, flourishing natural parks, and subtropical year-round climate (57°F to 89°F). A varied plant-based diet, culturally ingrained social support systems (called yuimaaru and moai), and easy access to nature has earned Okinawa a place among the world’s famous “Blue Zones”.
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
In today’s fast-paced and high-stress world, it’s easier than ever to lose focus. That’s why practices like mindfulness, meditation, and grounding techniques are so important—they help you maintain emotional stability and keep you living fully in the present. But what even is a grounding technique? “It’s anything that helps you shift focus to the present moment, with intentionality and non-judgment,” says Adrianna Holness, PhD, clinical therapist and founder of Worth and Wellness Psychology.
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2 weeks ago | 
flipboard.com | Sofia Lodato
How to repel ants in your home using this 1 natural oil – it's entomologist-approved and non-toxicAnt season is well and truly here, and these pesky insects seem to find their way into a home through every single nook and cranny. For most of us, …
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
Alexander Spatari / getty imagesLess than an hour's train ride from Kyoto or Osaka, the ancient city of Nara—Japan’s first-ever capital—is known for its natural beauty, historic shrines, and free-roaming deer. Wear comfortable shoes and head out earlier (around 8am) to avoid the mid-morning crowds.
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
The mountain town of Hakone blends history, nature, and a dash of quirky charm—and is only 90 minutes away from Japan’s capital. We recommend purchasing a Hakone Freepass (about $35 USD): It’s good for two full days, and covers unlimited rides on the local buses, boats, ropeways, and trains. Catch an early-morning Romancecar from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. When you arrive at Hakone-Yumoto, hop on the local bus for Hakone Checkpoint on the southern tip of Lake Ashi.
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
From either Osaka or Kyoto, take an early morning bullet train—about two hours—to Hiroshima Station. Start your visit at Hiroshima Castle, about a fifteen minute walk west of the station; though the original structure was destroyed during World War II, the keep was rebuilt as a museum showcasing the castle’s history, Japanese architecture, and Hiroshima’s pre-war life.
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
While there are many ways of getting to Osaka from Kyoto (including a 13-minute bullet train), we recommend taking the Keihan line from Gion Shijo. It’s a longer route, but takes you directly to Temmabashi Station, which is just a ten-minute walk from your first stop: Osaka Castle. Begin your day exploring the interior of the castle, which houses a museum on the history and life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (a renowned 16th century daimyō who helped unify Japan).
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2 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
Courtesy of The Peninsula TokyoThe Peninsula TokyoLocated smack-dab between the Imperial Palace and the upscale shops of Ginza, the Peninsula wins the prize for Tokyo’s most enviable hotel location. Evocative of a traditional Japanese lantern, the hotel’s pan-Asian modern design blends natural materials like wood and stone with seamless technology.
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3 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
Across the globe, a new wave of wellness clubs are redefining self-care and personalized health while also offering a refreshing alternative to bars as a place to convene. Enter: the modern bathhouse. Though a step up from its ancient Roman predecessors—particularly in terms of design and technology (ever heard of hyperbaric chambers?)—the basic function remains the same: open spaces used not just for bathing and health but for socializing, reading, and unwinding.
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3 weeks ago | 
oprahdaily.com | Sofia Lodato
Deborah Calmeyer, founder and CEO of ROAR AFRICA, knows the transformative power of Africa firsthand. As the daughter of a zoologist, Calmeyer spent her childhood and adolescence on a farm in Zimbabwe and was shaped by the country's raw natural beauty and complicated history. After moving to New York in her 20s, she felt an unmistakable pull back to her home—which became the impetus behind her luxury safari company.
