Beyond the ski slopes: take a hidden trail through Japan's poetic wilderness
Natagiri Pass in Tohoku sits away from Japan's popular ski trails. In 1689, the area - in the north-east of the main island of Honshu - was made famous by Japan's most famous haiku poet, Matsuo Basho, when he penned his travelogue, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. To explore the area in the thick of winter you need specialised equipment, and on an adventurous tour with walking experts, Walk Japan, I donned snowshoes to embark on a hike through deep snowfall. Without a soul in sight, the untouched trail lay before our small group like a scene from a Disney fairytale. During the 17th century, the pass was known for its lawlessness and when Basho journeyed through the forest, he feared bandits, but we had no such concerns. Inspired by the quiet beauty of the snow-laden cedar trees, we attempted our own three-line haikus, following the 5-7-5 syllable count, but our unskilled attempts were more ditty than poetry.
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The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
Aussie-owned coffee shop putting small Japanese island 'on the map'
"I think my cafe is the most photographed thing on the island now," he said. "It has bright Aussie sporting colours. When you look at the rest of Japan, there are many greys and browns. When the ferry pulls in, all the people pull their phones out and take pictures of the cafe. A walking tour called Walk Japan has also included the island on its tour - lots of Aussies do it."
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
'Flat whites the biggest seller': the man bringing Aussie coffee culture to Japan
John Widmer has become quite the popular "coffee bloke" on a small island in Japan. Two years ago, he moved to Himeshima, where he opened a cafe that exclusively uses Australian beans. With his Japanese wife, Teruko Nakamichi, they run Ozi Cafe - and all the locals and tourists have taken notice. The island has a population of only about 1700 people. Mr Widmer, from Cronulla, is the island's only foreign resident. He says his business is boosting the local economy. His cafe sits directly across a ferry pier. The first thing tourists see is his cafe. And it's not hard to spot. Painted in green and gold, it stands out. "I think my cafe is the most photographed thing on the island now," he said. "It has bright Aussie sporting colours. When you look at the rest of Japan, there are many greys and browns. When the ferry pulls in, all the people pull their phones out and take pictures of the cafe. A walking tour called Walk Japan has also included the island on its tour - lots of Aussies do it." Bringing Australian coffee to Japan has been a hit, he says. "I couldn't get good beans or good coffee here. It was either under or over-roasted or too weak. The coffee culture is about 20 years behind Australia's, but I don't think it will take them 20 years to catch up. "I rang Di Lorenzo, and they sent me eight kilos for free. People love it, and we're getting lots of online orders. Customers are driving from other areas of Japan - three hours away, to buy the beans or have a coffee at the weekend." A popular request is a flat white. But it wasn't always the case. "Japanese are big on their black coffee - they're a lot like the Americans. I used to make Americanos, but now I call it an Australiano," Mr Widmer said. "They won't touch iced coffee in winter, but they like flat whites - our biggest seller. "I'm also making tea from a supplier from Perth. It's an Aboriginal-backed company that uses native Australians like lemon myrtle. They're a hit. I also use eco-friendly cups - no plastic lids. A cup of coffee is about $5." Mr Widmer also teaches children on the island how to swim. He previously owned a successful swimming school in Sutherland Shire. But the business went into liquidation during COVID-19, and he left Sydney at a time when travel was difficult. It was where he learnt how to make a decent coffee. "When I had the swim school, we had a coffee shop, so I did a barista course then," he said. "I knew how to make coffee." Now a resident of Japan, he says he feels right at home. "I love this country," he said. "The respect, courtesy and politeness of the Japanese people are unmatched anywhere in the world. It's cheap, and the food is fresh and seasonal." Despite the language barrier (he speaks very little Japanese), he adjusted to life by bringing a familiar taste of Australia to Japan. He started communicating with customers using Google Translate, and his wife helps. "I speak single words," he said. Mr Widmer's signature logo - a caricature of a face that he draws, features on the coffee cups. "It's the face I've been drawing since I was 12," he said. "I do it in eight different colours. People cut them off, put them on the back of their phones, and collect them. I've seen them on windows in people's cars. It's become a bit of an icon on the island. We've been on national television here." He also sells snacks, and aromatherapy balms made by Cronulla's Sharon Turner. But he's best known for his "loud shirts". "I can't go anywhere without kids recognising me," he said. "The mayor said I'm putting the island back on the map." John Widmer has become quite the popular "coffee bloke" on a small island in Japan. Two years ago, he moved to Himeshima, where he opened a cafe that exclusively uses Australian beans. With his Japanese wife, Teruko Nakamichi, they run Ozi Cafe - and all the locals and tourists have taken notice. The island has a population of only about 1700 people. Mr Widmer, from Cronulla, is the island's only foreign resident. He says his business is boosting the local economy. His cafe sits directly across a ferry pier. The first thing tourists see is his cafe. And it's not hard to spot. Painted in green and gold, it stands out. "I think my cafe is the most photographed thing on the island now," he said. "It has bright Aussie sporting colours. When you look at the rest of Japan, there are many greys and browns. When the ferry pulls in, all the people pull their phones out and take pictures of the cafe. A walking tour called Walk Japan has also included the island on its tour - lots of Aussies do it." Bringing Australian coffee to Japan has been a hit, he says. "I couldn't get good beans or good coffee here. It was either under or over-roasted or too weak. The coffee culture is about 20 years behind Australia's, but I don't think it will take them 20 years to catch up. "I rang Di Lorenzo, and they sent me eight kilos for free. People love it, and we're getting lots of online orders. Customers are driving from other areas of Japan - three hours away, to buy the beans or have a coffee at the weekend." A popular request is a flat white. But it wasn't always the case. "Japanese are big on their black coffee - they're a lot like the Americans. I used to make Americanos, but now I call it an Australiano," Mr Widmer said. "They won't touch iced coffee in winter, but they like flat whites - our biggest seller. "I'm also making tea from a supplier from Perth. It's an Aboriginal-backed company that uses native Australians like lemon myrtle. They're a hit. I also use eco-friendly cups - no plastic lids. A cup of coffee is about $5." Mr Widmer also teaches children on the island how to swim. He previously owned a successful swimming school in Sutherland Shire. But the business went into liquidation during COVID-19, and he left Sydney at a time when travel was difficult. It was where he learnt how to make a decent coffee. "When I had the swim school, we had a coffee shop, so I did a barista course then," he said. "I knew how to make coffee." Now a resident of Japan, he says he feels right at home. "I love this country," he said. "The respect, courtesy and politeness of the Japanese people are unmatched anywhere in the world. It's cheap, and the food is fresh and seasonal." Despite the language barrier (he speaks very little Japanese), he adjusted to life by bringing a familiar taste of Australia to Japan. He started communicating with customers using Google Translate, and his wife helps. "I speak single words," he said. Mr Widmer's signature logo - a caricature of a face that he draws, features on the coffee cups. "It's the face I've been drawing since I was 12," he said. "I do it in eight different colours. People cut them off, put them on the back of their phones, and collect them. I've seen them on windows in people's cars. It's become a bit of an icon on the island. We've been on national television here." He also sells snacks, and aromatherapy balms made by Cronulla's Sharon Turner. But he's best known for his "loud shirts". "I can't go anywhere without kids recognising me," he said. "The mayor said I'm putting the island back on the map." John Widmer has become quite the popular "coffee bloke" on a small island in Japan. Two years ago, he moved to Himeshima, where he opened a cafe that exclusively uses Australian beans. With his Japanese wife, Teruko Nakamichi, they run Ozi Cafe - and all the locals and tourists have taken notice. The island has a population of only about 1700 people. Mr Widmer, from Cronulla, is the island's only foreign resident. He says his business is boosting the local economy. His cafe sits directly across a ferry pier. The first thing tourists see is his cafe. And it's not hard to spot. Painted in green and gold, it stands out. "I think my cafe is the most photographed thing on the island now," he said. "It has bright Aussie sporting colours. When you look at the rest of Japan, there are many greys and browns. When the ferry pulls in, all the people pull their phones out and take pictures of the cafe. A walking tour called Walk Japan has also included the island on its tour - lots of Aussies do it." Bringing Australian coffee to Japan has been a hit, he says. "I couldn't get good beans or good coffee here. It was either under or over-roasted or too weak. The coffee culture is about 20 years behind Australia's, but I don't think it will take them 20 years to catch up. "I rang Di Lorenzo, and they sent me eight kilos for free. People love it, and we're getting lots of online orders. Customers are driving from other areas of Japan - three hours away, to buy the beans or have a coffee at the weekend." A popular request is a flat white. But it wasn't always the case. "Japanese are big on their black coffee - they're a lot like the Americans. I used to make Americanos, but now I call it an Australiano," Mr Widmer said. "They won't touch iced coffee in winter, but they like flat whites - our biggest seller. "I'm also making tea from a supplier from Perth. It's an Aboriginal-backed company that uses native Australians like lemon myrtle. They're a hit. I also use eco-friendly cups - no plastic lids. A cup of coffee is about $5." Mr Widmer also teaches children on the island how to swim. He previously owned a successful swimming school in Sutherland Shire. But the business went into liquidation during COVID-19, and he left Sydney at a time when travel was difficult. It was where he learnt how to make a decent coffee. "When I had the swim school, we had a coffee shop, so I did a barista course then," he said. "I knew how to make coffee." Now a resident of Japan, he says he feels right at home. "I love this country," he said. "The respect, courtesy and politeness of the Japanese people are unmatched anywhere in the world. It's cheap, and the food is fresh and seasonal." Despite the language barrier (he speaks very little Japanese), he adjusted to life by bringing a familiar taste of Australia to Japan. He started communicating with customers using Google Translate, and his wife helps. "I speak single words," he said. Mr Widmer's signature logo - a caricature of a face that he draws, features on the coffee cups. "It's the face I've been drawing since I was 12," he said. "I do it in eight different colours. People cut them off, put them on the back of their phones, and collect them. I've seen them on windows in people's cars. It's become a bit of an icon on the island. We've been on national television here." He also sells snacks, and aromatherapy balms made by Cronulla's Sharon Turner. But he's best known for his "loud shirts". "I can't go anywhere without kids recognising me," he said. "The mayor said I'm putting the island back on the map." John Widmer has become quite the popular "coffee bloke" on a small island in Japan. Two years ago, he moved to Himeshima, where he opened a cafe that exclusively uses Australian beans. With his Japanese wife, Teruko Nakamichi, they run Ozi Cafe - and all the locals and tourists have taken notice. The island has a population of only about 1700 people. Mr Widmer, from Cronulla, is the island's only foreign resident. He says his business is boosting the local economy. His cafe sits directly across a ferry pier. The first thing tourists see is his cafe. And it's not hard to spot. Painted in green and gold, it stands out. "I think my cafe is the most photographed thing on the island now," he said. "It has bright Aussie sporting colours. When you look at the rest of Japan, there are many greys and browns. When the ferry pulls in, all the people pull their phones out and take pictures of the cafe. A walking tour called Walk Japan has also included the island on its tour - lots of Aussies do it." Bringing Australian coffee to Japan has been a hit, he says. "I couldn't get good beans or good coffee here. It was either under or over-roasted or too weak. The coffee culture is about 20 years behind Australia's, but I don't think it will take them 20 years to catch up. "I rang Di Lorenzo, and they sent me eight kilos for free. People love it, and we're getting lots of online orders. Customers are driving from other areas of Japan - three hours away, to buy the beans or have a coffee at the weekend." A popular request is a flat white. But it wasn't always the case. "Japanese are big on their black coffee - they're a lot like the Americans. I used to make Americanos, but now I call it an Australiano," Mr Widmer said. "They won't touch iced coffee in winter, but they like flat whites - our biggest seller. "I'm also making tea from a supplier from Perth. It's an Aboriginal-backed company that uses native Australians like lemon myrtle. They're a hit. I also use eco-friendly cups - no plastic lids. A cup of coffee is about $5." Mr Widmer also teaches children on the island how to swim. He previously owned a successful swimming school in Sutherland Shire. But the business went into liquidation during COVID-19, and he left Sydney at a time when travel was difficult. It was where he learnt how to make a decent coffee. "When I had the swim school, we had a coffee shop, so I did a barista course then," he said. "I knew how to make coffee." Now a resident of Japan, he says he feels right at home. "I love this country," he said. "The respect, courtesy and politeness of the Japanese people are unmatched anywhere in the world. It's cheap, and the food is fresh and seasonal." Despite the language barrier (he speaks very little Japanese), he adjusted to life by bringing a familiar taste of Australia to Japan. He started communicating with customers using Google Translate, and his wife helps. "I speak single words," he said. Mr Widmer's signature logo - a caricature of a face that he draws, features on the coffee cups. "It's the face I've been drawing since I was 12," he said. "I do it in eight different colours. People cut them off, put them on the back of their phones, and collect them. I've seen them on windows in people's cars. It's become a bit of an icon on the island. We've been on national television here." He also sells snacks, and aromatherapy balms made by Cronulla's Sharon Turner. But he's best known for his "loud shirts". "I can't go anywhere without kids recognising me," he said. "The mayor said I'm putting the island back on the map."
Sky News AU
10-06-2025
- Sky News AU
‘The VIP lane with extra bells on': Prince Harry and Meghan Markle given royal treatment during family trip to Disneyland
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly given the full 'VIP' treatment during a recent family trip to Disneyland to mark Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday. On Friday, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, uploaded a new Instagram post that included special moments from the family's two day visit to the original Disneyland park in Anaheim. In the clip, the Sussex family were seen riding Splash Mountain and visiting Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Star Tours – the Adventures Continue and other iconic rides. Lilibet, who is currently seventh in line to the British throne, was also gifted an extravagant Little Mermaid-themed birthday cake. Markle, who has now been out of the royal family for twice as long as she was inside the firm, obligingly thanked Disney publicly for 'giving' the Sussexes 'pure joy'. 'Thank you @disneyland for giving our family two days of pure joy,' she wrote. According to royal commentator Rupert Bell, the Sussexes were in "the VIP lane with extra bells on" during the visit. 'There didn't seem to any other members of the public while they were there,' he told TalkTV on Sunday. 'They definitely were walking around with a photographer.' The passes presumably allowed the Sussexes to skip to the front of queues for popular rides and utilise underground tunnels to discreetly move through the crowded theme park. The Sussexes have maintained a friendly relationship with Disney ever since Harry was infamously heard on a hot mic asking Disney CEO Bob Iger about a voiceover role for his wife at the Lion King premiere back in 2019. Months later, Markle narrated a Disney+ documentary titled Elephant, but later clarified she took no payment for the role and did the gig for charity. The extravagant trip on Disney's dime comes just months after reports Prince William was concerned about Markle's flagrant use of her HRH title despite agreeing not to mix the title with her commercial ventures. Since leaving royal duties, the Sussexes have banked over $100 million USD through partnership deals with Netflix, Spotify and the proceeds of Harry's memoir Spare.
