A smile and childlike wonder: A healing journey in Japan.
Last updated 2026-09-25 — The yellow Dutch duck attracted over 3.9 million visitors to Kaohsiung Harbor, while the little panda Yuan Zai at Taipei’s Muzha Zoo sparked a wave of healing animal mania. It turns out what people really need is an effortless...
Written by TRAVELER Luxe Magazine
The yellow Dutch duck attracted over 3.9 million visitors to Kaohsiung Harbor, while the little panda Yuan Zai at Taipei’s Muzha Zoo sparked a wave of healing animal mania. It turns out what people really need is an effortless smile. This December, plan a back-to-basics, childlike journey to the healing kingdom of Japan. Get ready to keep your lips curled upward, wander through a forest of healing, and rediscover the most genuine smiles from deep within.
So who exactly needs these little healing items? Check out the next page.
Hokkaido: A parade of healing animals.
Facing a creature with a V-shaped face that’s not exactly conventionally cute, you might hesitate to lift your camera—but one glance at the curly-haired alpaca at Ecorin Village, and there’s simply no other choice.
To meet these top-tier stars of the healing world, first pass through the wooden gate of the pasture. After walking past the territory of sheep and goats, the curly-haired alpacas are already eagerly rushing up to greet everyone. With eyes glossier than marbles and slightly upturned mouths that seem to smile as if holding back words, their utterly clueless, adorable expressions when they realize there’s no food for them are truly heart-melting. Whether they’re grazing, looking up, scratching, or even falling asleep innocently with a thud, every move can max out your camera’s memory card in seconds—and you’ll find yourself wondering how something can be so unbearably cute. Beyond the alpacas, the farm also features fluffy-haired llamas from the South American highlands, gentle and friendly mini horses, thrilling sheepdog shows, and hilariously tense sheep races—all instant mood-lifters.
The alpaca’s utterly baffled and adorable expression melts everyone’s hearts. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe Magazine)
To hug adorable animals from all five continents in one go, just hop on the five-carriage Asahiyama Zoo Train. Completely revamped inside and out this July, the train is decorated based on five themes: wild prairie, tropical jungle, Hokkaido land, birds’ sky, and the frigid silver world. During the one-and-a-half-hour ride, you can rub shoulders with giraffes, play with yawning crocodiles, collect animal stamps unique to each car, and even pose for photos with cute animal plushies that join you on board. Once you're fully in the mood, step into the world-famous Asahiyama Zoo.
The penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo has become the most anticipated winter event. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe Magazine)
This northernmost zoo in Japan, once on the brink of closure, made a remarkable comeback with its unique “action display” approach. See the world from the perspective of a polar bear popping its head out from under the ice, watch mischievous seals playing hide-and-seek among transparent water sprays, look up to see a red-brown little panda tiptoeing along a rope path with its chubby tail swaying, or play a game of paws with a tiger through the glass window. By breaking down traditional barriers and aligning with the animals’ viewpoints, Asahiyama Zoo became a miracle—the most visited zoo in the country. What was once a long, tough six-month winter that plagued the zoo has now turned into its most popular season. Beneath the beautiful white snow, cold-climate animals like penguins and polar bears come alive. Snow foxes, snow rabbits, and owls don enchanting white coats, and even tigers frolic in the soft snow. The penguins’ adorable group stroll is an absolute must-see highlight.
The playful antics of the polar bear make you want to snap photo after photo. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe Magazine)
Kumamoto: Beware, KUMAMON is on the loose.
With its round black body and goofy smile, KUMAMON (くまモン) jumps around to upbeat music doing its signature exercise routine. Its lively, flexible moves make it seem like a super curious, naughty big kid—bouncing around nonstop, occasionally giving kids big hugs, driving both kids and adults wild. Wherever it goes, camera flashes go off nonstop and shrieks of excitement fill the air.
Recently, whether or not you’ve been to Japan, you’ve probably noticed traces of this adorable black bear with rosy cheeks. Its merchandise ranges from plush toys and stationery to keychains, clothes, food, and daily necessities—it’s practically infiltrated Japanese life. This summer, it even collaborated with BMW to create a KUMAMON-themed MINI Cooper, making it arguably Japan’s hottest mascot. Its influence has spread from its birthplace in Kumamoto across all of Japan, and even overseas to places like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea, sparking a “KUMAMON is everything” craze. Some joke that the huge economic boost it’s brought to Japan deserves an honorary medal.
That goofy smile is KUMAMON’s signature expression. (Photo credit: TRAVELER Luxe Magazine)
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