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The world-famous dining destination soars above the city on the 52nd floor of Capital Tower, serving up Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian cuisines and spectacular 360-degree views. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant, designed by acclaimed architectural firm KokaiStudios is lush and tropical, with a dramatic 3D printed bamboo installation that wraps around the space. Dine on fresh Peruvian ceviche, flame-kissed black cod and A5 Wagyu from the robata grill, as electrifying dancers from Brazil samba their way through the crowd.
The party continues upstairs at the intimate Samba Room, with exclusive cocktails crafted by renowned Italian mixologist Giancarlo Mancino. The tipples, like the refreshing Geiko (guava, sakura vermouth and sparkling sake), are fun, easygoing and the perfect accompaniment to the DJ’s sultry Afro-Latin and Brazilian beats.
The Pineapple Room is 5-star hotel Capella Singapore’s latest addition to its suite of dining venues. Housed in heritage Tanah Merah building just above the lobby, the elegant bar is an ode to Sentosa island’s pineapple plantation past in the 1880s. Vintage photos of Singapore by heritage conservationist Marjorie Doggett, and flora and fauna-themed wallpaper add a tasteful tinge of nostalgia to the space. Al fresco terraces on both sides provide a peaceful spot for quiet contemplation or a lively game of pool. Toast to history with Triple P, the bar’s signature cocktail, which blends tropical pineapple, Reposado tequila, agave nectar, lime, orange bitters and a touch of chilli salt. Libations can be accompanied by bites from The Chef’s List, with the Singapore chilli crab pie tee and Sakura chicken satay refined takes on local favourites.
Set-jetting, or visiting filming locations, is a must for travellers who are avid series and movie watchers. From coming face to face with gruesome monsters to crossing paths with a first love, there’s nothing like standing in the exact spot where the lead character experienced a heart-pounding, pivotal moment. These filming sites are even set against picturesque backdrops, adding more visual allure for visitors.
Want to try set-jetting but not sure where to start? Get inspiration from KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines (SIA) in-flight entertainment system, where customers can enjoy award-winning Apple TV+ original series – such as Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,Pachinko and The Reluctant Traveler – that are currently exclusively shown on SIA’s in-flight entertainment.
SCENE FROM MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS. Singapore Airlines customers may now enjoy award-winning original series exclusively shown on Apple TV+.
Start binge-watching these shows and take note of 10 locations worth including on your travel bucket list. These spots, chosen by SilverKris.com, are not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Based on Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse, this thrilling, action-packed series recounts the events that took place after the awakening of Godzilla. Whisk off to sites visited by heroes Cate (Anna Sawai), May (Kiersey Clemons), Kentaro (Ren Watabe) and Lee (Kurt Russell) or used as fighting grounds by MUTOs – short for Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms.
SCENES FROM MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS. Haneda Airport (left) and Lana'i Lookout in Honolulu (above)
1. Tokyo, Japan: Haneda Airport
Pretend to be Cate walking through the halls of Tokyo International Airport’s Terminal 2 with your passport in hand. Though the Godzilla evacuation route markings no longer adorn the terminal, its open and luminous architecture will leave you in awe.
2. Tokyo, Japan: Tori Paiyu Tobushi
Have an authentic taste of Japan alongside Cate and Kentaro. Discover this quaint noodle shop within a lively street market selling discounted items and tasty street food. Just a half-hour drive from Haneda Airport, it is open daily from 11am to 12am. This Tokyo ramen restaurant serves halal dishes such as egg chicken paitan ramen and tsukemen.
Flight information: SIA flies from Singapore to Haneda Airport 21x weekly, as well as Narita International Airport 14x weekly.
3. British Columbia, Canada: Mount Breakenridge
Brave the elements and terrifying MUTOs atop this natural wonder located in the Lillooet Ranges of southwestern British Columbia in Canada. Said to be one of the most challenging locations on the show, viewers will appreciate seeing its top-of-the-world vantage point and snow-capped peaks.
SCENE FROM MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS. Many of the pivotal scenes in the show were shot in challenging locations, including Mount Breakenridge, which is only accessible by helicopter.
4. Honolulu, USA: Lānaʻi Lookout
Head to this stunning coastal spot in this Hawaiian city to admire scenic ocean views while imagining the epic clash between titans Mantleclaw and Mother Longlegs. Covered in volcanic ash, the wave-battered cliffs stand out in stark contrast against the blue sky.
Pachinko
Sunja (portrayed by actresses Kim Minha and Youn Yuh-jung) embarks on a lifelong journey that begins with her forbidden relationship with Hansu (Lee Minho). Following Sunja’s journey with her family from South Korea to Japan, the series also jumps timelines to show Sunja’s grandson, Solomon (Jin Ha), as he seeks to build a business empire for himself in Japan.
5. Gyeongju City, South Korea: Yangdong Village
This traditional folk village is where young Sunja’s story unfolds. Around three hours away by public transportation from Busan’s Gimhae International Airport, the Unesco World Heritage Site features centuries-old houses, study halls and pavilions embraced by the mountains and the river. (Tip: if you get to visit Yangdong Village on a foggy day, attempt to recreate that iconic scene from episode four.)
SCENES FROM PACHINKO. This rural fish market representing Yeongdo (left) is actually a historic fishing village in Richmond, Canada. Pachinko's directors strived to represent the show's alternating timelines as accurately as possible – from Korea in mid-20th century (above) to Japan during the 1980s.
6. Richmond, Canada: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site
Looking dapper in an all-white suit, Hansu spots and locks eyes with Sunja inside a rural fish market set in Yeongdo, Korea. However, the scene was actually filmed inside a 1889 shipyard building found along Fraser River, Steveston. Visit this historic fishing village in Richmond, British Columbia to recreate their heart-stopping first encounter and, in the process, learn more about the town’s canning, fishing and boat-building heritage.
7. Busan, South Korea: Taewon Pebble Beach
Pachinko features multiple filming locations in this major port city. One hour and 15 minutes bus and train ride from Gimhae International Airport, look for Taewon Pebble Beach in Taejongdae where Sunja toiled as a child. See the rocky beach from the observatory or walk down the steps to get closer to the pebble coastline, rocky cliffs and clear emerald sea. Gamji Beach, a popular scuba diving spot, also makes an appearance in the show. Accompanied by her son, Sunja makes a bittersweet stop at this beach after returning to her hometown.
Flight information: SIAflies from Singapore to Busan 4x weekly.
The Reluctant Traveler
A self-proclaimed indoors man, funny guy Eugene Levy hosts this eight-part travel documentary where he visits extraordinary locations and immerses himself in the local culture. In each episode, Levy thinks he’s not the man for the job but somehow manages to prove himself wrong.
8. Rovaniemi, Finland: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Where else in the world can you eat reindeer meat, go husky sled riding and try ice floating? After Levy attempts these activities within the Arctic Circle, he finds refuge from the cold in the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel – beautifully designed accommodations with panoramic windows that showcase the northern lights.
SCENE FROM THE RELUCTANT TRAVELER. Bucket-list destinations such as Finland serve as the backdrop for Eugene Levy’s funny yet insightful commentary.
9. La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Mistico Park
Just like Levy, conquer your fear of heights at Mistico Park by crossing its 16 impressive bridges. Walk through the 148-feet-high hanging Waterfall Bridge (Levy’s advice: “Don’t look down.”) while admiring the views of the lush rainforest and the majestic Arenal Volcano. At North Fields Coffee, a tour around the family-owned plantation will teach you about the coffee-making process and give you a chance to make your own coffee blend.
10. Venice, Italy: Squero San Trovaso
In the Floating City – just three hours from Milan and 5.5 hours from Rome, both by car – Levy bonds with a gondolier and observes families building and repairing gondolas at one of the oldest and most popular boatyards, Squero San Trovaso. He also savours cicchetti – bite-sized appetisers with delicious toppings – with red wine at Cantina Aziende Agricole, an osteria that sits on the edge of the city’s Jewish quarter.
Flight information: SIA flies from Singapore to Milan 7x weekly, as well as from Singapore to Rome 4x weekly.
Singapore Airlines customers can enjoy the first three episodes in Apple TV+ on board at no extra cost. New and eligible returning customers in Singapore can enjoy one free month of Apple TV+ that may be redeemed post-flight. The Apple TV+ subscription automatically renews at S$13.98 per month unless cancelled. Get more information here.
All flight frequencies are accurate as of 1 February 2025. To book a Singapore Airlines’ flight to some of the destinations mentioned above, visit singaporeair.com.
It’s a cold November morning when we land in Fukuoka, with the crisp 12°C weather offering a refreshing break from humid Singapore. Bundled in a light sweater, I join our guide, Haruka Styles, who leads me and another journalist from Malaysia to a car and hands out bottles of water before starting the engine.
Korean hip-hop plays in the background as we enter the Oita Expressway, beginning our three-day exploration of Japan’s countryside. Driving past verdant landscapes, Haruka apologises for the green foliage, noting the absence of autumn colours. She reflects on the country’s hottest summer on record and voices concerns about the shrinking winter – or whether snow will even fall in the next few months.
Situated in Japan’s Kyushu region, Oita Prefecture borders Fukuoka to the northwest and has long been a favourite among South Koreans for its golf courses. Now, it is drawing visitors seeking a slower pace of life in a country often defined by efficiency and speed.
And with Japan welcoming 36.9 million tourists in 2024 – surpassing pre-Covid records, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation – efforts are being made to redirect tourism to regional areas such as Oita, in order to ease the strain on crowded hubs like Tokyo, Kyoto and Hokkaido.
Stepping back in time
After two hours cruising along Japan’s impeccably smooth roads, we arrive in Bungotakada City’s Showa no Machi, a district steeped in the charm of the Showa era (1926–1989). Revitalised in 2001, the area has preserved its vintage buildings, now home to shops and restaurants adorned with retro memorabilia.
Ryo Nozaki opened Cafe & Bar Boulevard in 2002 and it is where he serves Showa era dishes like fried bread and napolitan.
One standout is Otoraya Restaurant, renowned for keeping its prices unchanged for 40 years now – a bowl of kake udon still costs just JPY 200. For lunch, though, we head to Cafe & Bar Boulevard. Opened by Ryo Nozaki in 2002, the café feels like stepping into a classroom, complete with a chalkboard, original school desks and chairs as dining sets, and meals served on aluminium lunch trays. “This is probably what my parents ate in school,” says Haruka, who is still in her 20s, pointing to menu items like agepan (fried bread) and napolitan (Japanese-style ketchup pasta). Even the milk is served in old-fashioned bottles.
A chalkboard, vintage school tables and chairs, plus fried bread on the menu are what you can expect at Cafe & Bar Boulevard.
To shake off post-lunch drowsiness, we walk a few metres to Showa Romangura, a theme park showcasing artefacts from the era. Highlights include a meticulously preserved 70-year-old Isuzu bus that still operates on Sundays and an extensive collection of toys and dolls, including Astro Boy figurines in various sizes. Continuing through the district, we stop at a 93-year-old electronics shop and Yasuda Sake and Fishing Gear Shop, where the sprightly 80-something owner pours us a shot of her favourite sake before bidding us farewell to our next destination.
This 70-year-old Isuzu bus used to ply the streets of Bungotakada – and still drives around the block on Sundays; our guide Haruka Styles drops off her mail in a vintage mailbox.
In the afternoon, we head to Futagoji Temple a half-hour away, where we are welcomed by a Buddhist monk and finally see some leaves changing colour. Nestled in the Kunisaki Peninsula, the ancient temple was founded 1,300 years ago and is surrounded by lush forests, providing a meditative atmosphere perfect for unwinding. While the temple itself does not organise forest bathing, the monk says it is not unusual for pilgrims to come here and partake in shinrin-yoku, to connect with nature and take a break from their busy lives.
Founded 1,300 years ago, the Futagoji Temple is a popular pilgrimage site and sits on a tract of land popular for forest bathing.
Our day concludes with a taste of Oita’s renowned karaage (fried chicken) and a farm-stay experience at Maruka in Kunisaki City. Here, the evening is marked by a hotpot where we discover one of the prefecture’s famous products: yuzu kosho, or Japanese citrus chilli paste, which can be used on anything edible to elevate its taste, whether it’s soup, fried food or a simple steamed tofu.
Castles, cuisine and onsen wonders
The next morning, we enjoy a simple Japanese breakfast of rice, fried fish and slices of persimmon harvested from Maruka’s farm. It is prepared by the owner, Fusako Kamihira. Having lived in both Europe and the Kanto region of Japan, she experienced a major earthquake during her time in Kanto. During the disaster, the all-electric home she lived in became non-functional, and the roads between her workplace and home collapsed, leaving her unable to reach her child for an extended period. This experience made her deeply realize the importance of self-sufficiency and resilience, ultimately motivating her to move to Kunisaki.
Fusako Kamihira, who runs a farm and a bed-and-breakfast in Kunisaki City.
After saying goodbye to Fusako, we start our second day of adventures in Kitsuki Castle Town, a picturesque area where samurai residences and a steep, winding street make for an unforgettable stroll. History seeps from every corner, with Kitsuki Castle offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
At Space Beppu, we learned how to make dumpling soup and sweetened flat noodles for lunch.
Lunch is a hands-on experience at Space Beppu, where we are taught how to make dangojiru (dumpling soup) and yaseuma (sweetened flat noodles). The interactive class brought local culinary traditions to life, fostering a deeper connection to the food. The day’s highlight was a visit to Beppu’s famed hot springs. The Jigoku (“hell”) hot springs – particularly the cobalt-blue Umijigoku and the bubbling Oniishi Bozu Jigoku – were both mesmerising and surreal. A climb to Kifune Castle caps the day, rewarding us with breathtaking views of the town below. We have dinner at Minori, a local establishment celebrating Beppu’s fresh produce, before heading to a hidden music bar called Tannel for a night cap. We call it a night at Hotel Amanek, a modern retreat in the heart of the city and near the train station.
Beppu City is known as Japan's onsen capital and boasts different types of hot springs.
Spiritual and culinary delights
The final day brings a sense of spirituality with a visit to the Usuki Stone Buddhas, ancient carvings that exude serenity and craftsmanship. This is followed by a trip to Yakata Island, home to pristine waters and a scallop farm. Here, visitors can engage directly with the aquaculture process and learn about sustainable seafood farming. Lunch is a delight, featuring hiougigai, large fan-shaped scallops that come in beautifully colored shells. It is freshly caught and steamed by Takeshi Goto inside the Yakatijima Guest House which he rents out to groups. It’s a very unique experience, located on the Saiki island of Yakatijima where only 11 people reside. Takeshi used to live here – and his brother still does – but there are several abandoned houses covered in plants, as the rest of the original settlers have moved out. Later, we head back to the mainland to become a temporary itamae (sushi chef). The hands-on experience is both educational and delicious, ending the trip on a high note.
Takeshi Goto farms hiougigai, also known as fan shell scallop, which comes in colourful shells. He also runs the Yakatajima Guest House on the Saiki island of Yakatijima with a population of 11 residents.
Three days in Oita showed how this under-the-radar region is a treasure trove of history, gastronomy and natural beauty. From retro townscapes and ancient temples to steaming onsen and farm-to-table dining, the experience captured the essence of Japanese culture in its purest form. Whether for a first-time visitor or a seasoned Japan traveller, Oita should be on your list to explore in 2025.
What could be more luxurious than sipping a flute of Cristal 2015 en route to your favourite destination? Thanks to an exclusive agreement with Champagne house Louis Roederer, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is the world’s only airline serving the iconic champagne.
On 1 December 2024, Cristal 2015 debuted on SIA’s Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins. Initially offered on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo, Cristal 2015 will be available to other Suites and First Class routes on a three-month rotational basis.
Celebrated for its intense flavours and delicious aroma, Cristal 2015 was meticulously crafted by cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. To create this vintage, he blended 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, sustainably sourced from 45 vineyard plots across Louis Roederer’s seven Grands Crus. Cristal 2015 showcases the remarkable attention to detail involved in its creation: from Louis Roederer’s gentle and virtuous winegrowing practices to the skillful blending and prolonged cellar aging that contribute to the wine’s depth and sophistication.
“This partnership between two world-class brands demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience for our discerning customers,” says Yeoh Phee Teik, SIA’s Senior Vice President Customer Experience. “Exclusively offering a premium champagne like Cristal 2015 will delight our Suites and First Class customers, and ensures that they continue to enjoy an unparalleled, luxurious journey with us.”
SIA’s world-renowned panel of wine consultants meticulously chose Cristal 2015 for its exceptional balance and depth of flavour.
Frédéric Rouzaud, chief executive officer of Champagne Louis Roederer, adds: “Cristal 2015 delivers intense and delicious aromas with superb energy and an ethereal vibration. This is a timeless champagne of supreme balance and measure, resonating with the chalkiness of its soils, bursting forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise and finely honed freshness. We are really delighted that our iconic Cristal champagne has been chosen to be served on board Singapore Airlines.”
The airline’s world-renowned panel of wine consultants meticulously chose Cristal 2015 for its exceptional balance and depth of flavour. “Our goal is to ensure that the finest wines from the best vintages enhance the travel experience and complement the in-flight cuisine on board Singapore Airlines flights,” says SIA wine consultant Jeannie Cho Lee, the first Asian to be awarded the Master of Wine title. “Cristal 2015 is an exceptional experience, which is highly sought-after by the most demanding wine connoisseurs worldwide.”
She adds: “Its depth and impressive quality from the meticulous ageing process results in a champagne with intricate and intense flavours of toasted pinenuts, crushed stones and white flowers, coupled with a crescendo of refined flavours and a lingering, persistent finish. The quality of this wine remains prominent even at 36,000 feet, making it the perfect addition for SIA’s Suites and First Class customers.”
Cristal 2015 has been added to SIA’s curated selection of exquisite champagnes offered exclusively to Suites and First Class customers. Learn more about the champagne from Champagne house Louis Roederer’s team in the video below.
