Antriana Panteli
The Ambassador of Japan to Cyprus, Satoshi Iwasaki, who took up his duties in October 2025, spends his free time exploring the island and sharing his experiences and impressions on the embassy's Instagram page, sometimes with more enthusiasm than even the most well-known travel bloggers.
His outings stem from a genuine interest in Cyprus’ history and culture. From traditional local festivals and parks to churches, he rarely misses an opportunity to discover what the island has to offer. In fact, seeing Cyprus through his own perspective may help him appreciate it even more deeply than a local, as he describes himself as being moved by the island’s “natural beauty and rich history” on the embassy's profile page.
“Since my arrival at Larnaca airport in mid-October, I have taken the opportunity to explore Nicosia, especially the Old City surrounded by Venetian walls. I have seen the beautiful coastline and historic churches in Larnaca, as well as archaeological sites in Paphos, during weekends, using public buses amid my busy official duties. I also crossed the UN-controlled buffer zone and observed the tense atmosphere along the Green Line that divides the capital,” he writes on the embassy's page.
“Exploring the cities of Cyprus, I have already experienced the warm kindness of the Cypriot people towards foreigners like myself, and I have been moved by the natural beauty and rich history of this country. During my term, I hope to deepen my understanding of Cyprus and my appreciation of its people.”
Encouraging Japanese visitors to Cyprus
His explorations are not limited to personal enjoyment; he also encourages people in Japan not only to learn about Cyprus’ history but also to visit the island and experience its beauty firsthand.
“To the people of Japan, please take a moment to look at a map of the Mediterranean. Cyprus is an island located at the easternmost edge of the Mediterranean, at a crucial crossroads between the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
Cyprus is about half the size of Shikoku in Japan, yet its historical richness is evident, with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
From mythological times, when Zeus abducted Europa and Aphrodite was born from the sea foam and rose from the waters of Cyprus, this land has directly witnessed the flow of world history over the past 2,000 years, through the Eastern Roman Empire, the Crusaders, Venice, the Ottoman Empire, and the British Empire, up to the present day, where it remains divided.
I sincerely hope more Japanese people will visit this island to discover the charm of Cyprus’ nature, history, and people,” he concludes.
The Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Cyprus was established in January 2018. Since then, the two countries have maintained steady exchanges, including initiatives such as the inauguration of Sakura Park in the village of Kampos, according to Mr. Iwasaki.
