My home away from home (with Gerald Koh)

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In the first of our online series on radio deejays and their travel experiences, we find out from Mediacorp 987 DJ Gerald Koh about his love for all things Japanese and where to go when in Hokkaido.

 

H&D: What’s your favourite travelling destination?

GK: I love Japan. Period. Haha! Sometimes I think I’m too crazy when it comes to Japan. In the past three years, I’ve been to there over 10 times. 

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H&D: Wow. And what do you get up to when you’re there?

GK: I’ve still not had enough of the food, culture, people, scenery and the shopping. Yup, I’m not your average non-shopping guy I guess?

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H&D: So what’s the latest place in Japan you visited?

GK: Earlier this year, my wife and I had a chance to visit Hokkaido. In my opinion you wouldn’t have experienced snow if you have been to Hokkaido before during winter. 

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H&D: Tha’s a pretty strong statement. Why do you think so?

GK: The snow is soft and fluffy, not the crunchy and rocky types! We stayed in Hoshino Resort at Tomamu and I’m quite certain it’s the best hotel stay we ever had, with a bathtub fit for a baby elephant! 

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H&D: Sounds heavenly!

GK: Yes, and everything was available at the resort, from ski slopes and indoor swimming pools, to restaurants and even an Ice Village where you get to experience a life of an eskimo.

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H&D: What’s the one thing every visitor there should try in Japan?

GK: Well one of my favourite ‘must do’ experiences would be to soak in an onsen at a traditional Ryokan. 

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H&D: Anywhere good for that?

GK: We recently visited Aura Tachibana Ryokan in Hakone which had an amazing private onsen bath area. Though a little exorbitant, we consoled ourselves with the fact that the lush greenery we could look out to came free of charge.

Inspired to create your own onsen at home? Take a look at how these bathrooms were transformed into a relaxing oasis.

Images courtesy of Gerald Koh, Mediacorp