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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on January 19, 2025
The 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, one of South Korea's most beloved winter festivals, kicked off last Saturday in the charming town of Hwacheon, located in Gangwon Province. This iconic event, which runs until February 2, 2025, offers visitors the unique experience of ice fishing on the frozen Hwacheon stream.
Held just 25 kilometers from the inter-Korean border and about 90 kilometers northeast of Seoul, the festival draws in crowds eager to participate in traditional activities such as barehanded fishing, sledding, and more.
As early as 8:30 a.m. on the opening day, visitors arrived bundled up in winter clothing, ready to catch the elusive sancheoneo (mountain trout). Attendees lowered their rods into the ice holes, with many soon cheering as they reeled in fresh catches. Some guests also enjoyed outdoor grilling areas, where they could barbecue the fish they've caught.
"I come every year, but this time, I plan to enjoy both the festival and a nighttime concert at Seon Deung Street," said Kim, a participant from Seoul.
The Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival, which began in 2003, consistently attracts over 1 million visitors annually. Known for its lively atmosphere and unique activities, it has garnered global attention. In 2011, it was named one of the world's seven wonders of winter by a leading global news organization, and last year, the New York Times featured it as one of the five must-see winter festivals in Asia.
With a population of just 23,000, Hwacheon has become a must-visit destination each winter, welcoming nearly 100,000 international visitors every year.
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Published on January 28, 2026
As Valentine’s Day moves away from grand gestures toward more personal and experience-led celebrations, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and COLOURS OF OBLU invite couples to mark Valentine’s Day 2026 on secluded Maldivian islands where simplicity, connection and calm take centre stage. Set against the natural beauty of the Maldives, the celebrations are designed for couples seeking more than a conventional dinner.
On February 14, romance unfolds across two distinct island resorts, each offering its own mood and interpretation of love. At RAAYA by Atmosphere, Valentine’s Day is inspired by nature, creativity and understated elegance. Couples can choose between two thoughtfully curated dining experiences that reflect the island’s relaxed character.
Along the shoreline at Raaya Life Beach, a special Valentine’s communal BBQ creates a lively yet easy-going atmosphere, combining grilled flavours, bubbles and the soothing sounds of the ocean. For couples seeking a more intimate setting, Seb’s Farm hosts an exclusive five-course dinner paired with champagne and wine. Live saxophone music adds warmth to the evening, making it ideal for those who enjoy romance with depth and personality.
For travellers drawn to a more contemporary celebration, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, the adults-only escape from COLOURS OF OBLU, presents a Valentine’s Day experience that blends intimacy with playful energy. Couples can enjoy a themed buffet dinner at Ylang Ylang or opt for a refined four-course set menu at Gaadiya 17, complete with sparkling wine and rosebuds.
Those looking for a private celebration can reserve a bespoke Beach Dinner under the stars, featuring a four-course menu, a bottle of sparkling wine and uninterrupted moments by the sea. The day’s celebrations continue with a vibrant pool party, adding a light-hearted and social touch to the overall experience.
Across Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and COLOURS OF OBLU, Valentine’s Day 2026 is reimagined as an experience rather than a single occasion. With carefully chosen settings, curated flavours and a sense of ease, couples are encouraged to connect in ways that feel natural and meaningful, whether dining barefoot on the sand or beneath the Maldivian night sky.
As Tokyo settles into winter, TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN continues its seasonal celebrations with a thoughtfully curated lineup that blends comfort, visual beauty and cultural moments. Following its New Year festivities, the iconic precinct turns its focus to food-led indulgences, romantic illuminations and fleeting natural spectacles, inviting visitors to slow down and savour the quieter side of the season. Rooted in Japanese traditions and shaped by modern lifestyle experiences, the winter calendar unfolds around one of Tokyo’s most recognisable landmarks.
Winter begins on a sweet note with Strawberry and Chocolate Tokyo Solamachi 2026, an outdoor gourmet event celebrating two flavours eagerly awaited each year in Japan. The festival brings together strawberry-based desserts, rich chocolate creations and warming cheese comfort dishes, offering visitors the perfect accompaniment to crisp winter evenings. The Sky Arena is enhanced with floral wall installations and seasonal décor, creating an inviting visual pause within the city and a popular photo spot for those exploring the area.Dates: January 15 – February 15, 2026Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last order at 8:00 PM)Venue: Sky Arena, 4F, Tokyo Skytree TownEntry: Free
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Tokyo Solamachi adopts a more romantic atmosphere with Happy Valentine Tokyo Solamachi 2026. A collection of limited-period pop-up stores features chocolates and sweets from established Japanese chocolatiers, alongside brands making their debut. The experience is complemented by Tokyo Skytree’s seasonal illuminations, designed around themes of affection and gifting, adding warmth to winter evenings spent in the district.Dates: January 23 – February 14, 2026Venue: Various locations across Tokyo SolamachiSpecial Lightings:Valentine’s Day Lighting – “My Gift to You” (February 11–14)White Day Lighting – “Thinking of You” (March 12–14)
One of the season’s most anticipated moments arrives with Diamond Fuji on February 3, 2026. This rare natural phenomenon occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the summit of Mount Fuji, forming a glowing diamond-shaped silhouette. Tokyo Skytree is regarded as one of the city’s most striking vantage points to witness this event, which takes place only twice a year. Beyond its visual appeal, Diamond Fuji carries cultural meaning and offers visitors a moment of calm above the Tokyo skyline.Date: February 3, 2026Time: Around 5:00 PMViewing Location: Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck & Tembo Galleria
With its blend of food festivals, romantic winter illuminations, cultural traditions and rare seasonal spectacles, TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN continues to present a layered winter narrative that appeals to travellers of all age groups. For visitors seeking both indulgence and reflection, the destination offers a memorable way to experience Tokyo during the colder months.
To learn more about event schedules and visitor access, please visit:https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/enhttps://en.www.tokyo-solamachi.jp/
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has revealed the first phase of its resortwide design transformation, marking an important step in the resort’s evolution under Sun Siyam’s newly launched Luxury Collection. The five-star Maldivian resort has introduced a reimagined portfolio of overwater accommodation, setting a fresh design direction rooted in refined island luxury and local craftsmanship.
The newly reimagined Water Villas and Horizon Water Villas with Private Pool form the opening chapter of this transformation. Designed with a contemporary take on rustic Maldivian luxury, each villa offers an open-plan layout that frames uninterrupted ocean views. Spacious bathrooms feature bathtubs overlooking the lagoon, while private decks include multiple lounging areas, suspended hammocks, and intimate corners styled in soft green tones, creating a relaxed yet elevated living experience.
All Horizon Water Villas now feature a 22 sqm private pool with sunken seating, turning each space into a personal retreat suited for sunrise rituals, unhurried afternoons, and sunset views. Tailored experiences have also been curated for couples and honeymooners, ensuring stays feel personal and thoughtfully designed.
The overwater portfolio includes 40 Water Villas with Pool measuring 123 sqm, 16 Horizon Water Villas with Pool at 128 sqm, and 19 Sunset Horizon Water Villas with Pool, also spanning 128 sqm. Each category offers a seamless balance of comfort, privacy, and connection to the surrounding lagoon.
To guide the transformation, Sun Siyam appointed international interior design consultants Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, Founders and Creative Directors of London-based Studio Sixty7. Their design approach brings together muted tones, natural textures, and softly sculpted forms that reflect effortless barefoot luxury. Gently imperfect plastered walls, tactile finishes, and layers of breathable linen define the villas’ calm and inviting atmosphere. “Every element has been chosen to feel grounded and sensorial, inviting guests into a deep sense of calm.” said Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero.
Highlighting the intent behind the redesign, Resort Manager Abdulla Atham shared, “This transformation goes beyond aesthetics, it’s a careful orchestration of space, service excellence, and emotional detail. From villa layouts and in-villa experiences to the minibar selection, outdoor offerings, views, and quiet gestures from your butler, each moment is designed to immerse guests into the spirit of chic island living”.
With this unveiling, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi continues its journey toward becoming a destination defined by understated luxury and authentic island living, offering guests a refined yet deeply relaxed Maldivian experience.
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