encyclopedia　 – 百科事典;
explorer – 探検家;
UAE – アラブ首長国連邦;
gold leaf 金箔;

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National Geographic started in 1888. It is an American magazine known for its authority and scientific quality. Like an encyclopedia, it shares articles on society, history, and culture. It is also famous for its high-quality photos, making it a great platform for photojournalists.

National Geographic has just revealed its list of the top 25 places to visit in 2025. The list was chosen by its explorers, photographers, and editors. Some of the top places are Kanazawa, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; the Eastern and Oriental Express train in Malaysia; and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Kanazawa was chosen as an alternative to Kyoto, which is crowded with tourists. Kanazawa is just two hours from Kyoto by train. It has a well-preserved castle, traditional teahouses, Kenroku-en Garden, and a samurai district. Kanazawa also makes 99% of Japan’s gold leaf. Visitors can try making gold leaf decorations at workshops like Gold Leaf Sakuda.
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NOtes
vending machine 自動販売機;
overweight people: 太りすぎの人々;
incredibly: 信じられないほど;
on the way: 進行中で;
punctual: 時間に正確な
workout: 運動
overall: 全体的に

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An American traveler spent a month in Japan and found it full of surprises! He loved how safe Japan is—imagine forgetting your phone or wallet in public, and no one steals it! He was amazed by the countless vending machines and how peaceful the streets are; people rarely use headphones while walking. Most people in Japan seem to live a very healthy lifestyle—he didn’t see many overweight people. The streets are super clean, even without public trash bins. People are patient, always waiting for the green light, and kids at schools clean their classrooms themselves. Japan is incredibly technologically advanced, with smart toilets and a new high-speed train—500 kilometers an hour—on the way. The traveler also noticed how punctual everyone is; if a train is even a minute late, the staff apologizes! Plus, customer service is amazing—hotel staff gave him water and a towel after his workout. Overall, he found Japan to be clean, safe, and advanced, with friendly and considerate people. It was an unforgettable experience!
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