The Ultimate Chill-Out Time, Waiting for the 9 PM Sunset

Ibiza, a small island in the Mediterranean, about the size of Yakushima. I, Izumi Yamaguchi, am one of those captivated by this paradise. While it is now frequently featured in magazines and on television as a coveted luxury resort, just seven years ago—when I first visited—its existence was barely known to the general public in Japan.



I've always loved club music and have visited renowned clubs not only across Japan but also around the world. In 2003, driven by curiosity about this "mecca," I eagerly set foot on the island. During my five-day stay, I believe I slept less than a total of ten hours in my hotel. I spent my nights moving from one club to another, experiencing bubble showers, and swaying to the rhythm until exhaustion. At 8 AM, I'd return to the hotel, take a moment to rest, and then head out to the beach—this is how the majority of visitors spend their days on the island.



In the summer, sunset in Ibiza occurs around 9 PM—surprisingly early for a clubbing mecca (laughs). After enjoying the exquisite sunset, people disperse into the town as the lights begin to twinkle. Between 10 PM for dinner and heading to a party, the time spent at a bar is for recharging! The magic of this island is that as soon as you sit down at a table, you make friends from all over the world. Whether you're a young clubber, a peace-and-love hippie, a jet-setting celebrity, Japanese, French, or German, the usual barriers that prevent us from connecting seem to vanish without a trace here. I've traveled to many Mediterranean islands, including Santorini and Mykonos in Greece, Sardinia and Corsica in Italy, and Malta, but this is the only place where I've felt such a profound sense of spiritual liberation and oneness with the island.

Ibiza: A Power Spot Where Wonderful Happenings Unfold

The island's north and south sides have distinct characteristics. We informally call the southern part, where clubs are concentrated, the "Commercial Area," and the northern part the "Hippie Area." In contrast to the lively Commercial Area, the Hippie Area is enveloped in a serene tranquility. Here, you'll find many traditional white-washed houses built with local wood, and the unique design sensibility, a blend of Christian and Israeli cultures, is fascinating. This area is dotted with agriturismo accommodations, often converted from old farmhouses, where celebrities like Kate Moss and Gisele Bündchen enjoy fresh, locally grown produce and leisurely vacations.

With a base of Spanish cuisine, complemented by French, Italian, and recently, the opening of the island's first Japanese restaurant, you'll never be short of dining options in Ibiza. The chefs, who are active in their respective fields and have fallen in love with the island enough to settle here, use fresh local ingredients and pour their passion into their cooking, ensuring exceptional flavors. The increasing number of such establishments, each striving for excellence, has created a high-quality culinary environment on this small island.



Ibiza is also known as a power spot, and as the locals invariably say, "Strange things always happen here," truly unbelievable events unfold one after another. From fantastical tales of UFO sightings to more personal experiences like becoming best friends with a favorite DJ I'd always followed at their events in Japan, meeting the love of my life on my first day, or sharing champagne on a celebrity's yacht. The uninhabited island of Es Vedra to the south is the most famous power spot, and it's even said that Nostradamus's prophecies mentioned that only Ibiza would remain safe on the day of humanity's destruction—or perhaps not. It's hard to say.



What will happen next? This sense of excitement is the island's greatest allure and the reason I can't leave. Completely captivated, my passion for music led me to start a business bringing Ibiza's music to Japan. It was a big decision, but now I'm living a more fulfilling life than ever before. Summer is in full swing in Japan, so let's enjoy this short vacation season together! I'll be crossing the sea ahead of you, waiting in paradise.

Reader Giveaway to Celebrate the Series Launch

To commemorate the start of this series, we are giving away two new albums released on July 21st (Wednesday) by Ibiza Chillout Lounge: "Ibiza Chillout Lounge NIGHT LOUNGE SESSION" and "Ibiza Chillout Lounge BALEARIC CHILLOUT SESSION." Three copies of each are available. Please choose one album and enter your selection on the application form. We eagerly await your applications.
Application Period | July 20 (Mon) - August 9 (Mon)

Applications are now closed.
Thank you for your many applications.

Ibiza Chillout Lounge NIGHT LOUNGE SESSION Compiled by Ernesto Altés A selection of exquisite sounds from Ibiza, the mecca of cutting-edge club music. This album is perfect for warming up before heading to the club or for listening to during a party.

Ibiza Chillout Lounge BALEARIC CHILLOUT SESSIONCompiled by Lenny Ibizarre An exquisite chill-out selection from the paradise of Ibiza, designed to soothe tired minds and bodies. Close your eyes and let the blissful sounds transport you to Ibiza; perfect for your summer relaxation.

Disc 1 1 SO FANKY / DEEP DIVE CORP. 2 COMPONENTS / DEEP COLLECTIVE 3 WITH OUT ME / SIN PLOMO FEAT. SEMONE COOPER 4 LAS ALAS DE LA LIBERTAD / LENNY IBIZARRE 5 JUST FEELING / THE ISLANDERS 6 ORANGE DEGREE / IMMACULATE IBIZA 7 BRIGHT FUTUER / COLECTA 8 SILVER CASTELS / ELEA 9 SETTING SUN / J.F.SEBASTIAN FEAT. INAYA DAY 10 FUNKY BLISS / LOVERS LANE 11 SOUL FIRE / XAVIER FUX FEAT. NAADA 12 LA ORILLA / PACO FERNANDEZ

Disc 2 1 ISLAND / PAUL LOMAX & MINISTERS OF MUSIC 2 SLOPPY JOE'S BEACH BAR / LENNY IBIZARRE 3 LIES / DEEP COLLECTIVE 4 WHAT EVER / NINA GORJI 5 IT'S YOUR TIME / BRUNO FROM IBIZA 6 NEXT GIRL / SOLAR SIDES 7 ANOTHER WORLD / SENDOS FUERA 8 LATE NIGHT EQ / GRAHAM SAHARA 9 JORNEY INTO THE KEYS / SEBASTIAN GAMBOA 10 HERBASANA ON THE ROCKS / FORMENTERA 13.15