Feng Shui Travel by Ski & Beach Haus
Travel for the Better Luck
Travel in your lucky direction, at your lucky time.
For centuries, travelers in East Asia have journeyed toward a favorable direction at an auspicious time to gather fresh energy and bring it home. In Japan this is called kippō (吉方) travel. We bring the tradition to modern travelers, from snowy mountain retreats to sunlit beaches.
How direction travel works
Know the year's compass
Every Feng Shui year, the nine annual stars move to new directions. Some directions carry supportive energy for everyone; others are best left alone that year.
Measure from your home
Directions are measured from where you live to where you are going. The same beach can be lucky for one traveler and unlucky for another.
Add your own chart
Your birth chart (BaZi and Kua number) can open extra directions and pick your best dates. That is where a personal plan begins.
Lucky travel directions for everyone
Based on the annual Flying Stars, which apply to all travelers. Feng Shui years begin at Li Chun, the start of spring, around February 4.
Direction finder: where is lucky from your home?
Pick your home city, or use your location. We measure the true compass bearing to popular destinations and check it against the year's lucky directions.
What each direction carries
| Direction | Element | Traditional focus | Trip ideas |
|---|---|---|---|
| East · Southeast | Wood 木 | New beginnings, growth, momentum | Nature and coastal retreats, fresh-start trips |
| South | Fire 火 | Recognition, visibility, clarity | Sunny beaches, cultural capitals, celebrations |
| Southwest · Northeast | Earth 土 | Stability, property, grounding | Mountain lodges, historic places, quiet retreats |
| West · Northwest | Metal 金 | Harvest, leadership, structure | Mineral spas, business and planning trips |
| North | Water 水 | Wisdom, flow, rest and renewal | Hot springs, onsen, waterfront and ski retreats |
Why "Ski & Beach"?
In Feng Shui, balance is everything. Winter mountains carry the calm, deep energy of Water; summer beaches carry the bright, expressive energy of Fire. Some seasons of life call for stillness, others for sunshine. We help you find the landscape your energy is asking for.
Simple rules for an auspicious trip
- Stay three nights or more. Tradition gives the most weight to longer stays, and to longer distances.
- Measure to your final destination. Connecting flights through any city are fine, but avoid overnight layovers in an unlucky direction.
- Absorb the place. Hot springs, local waters, sunrise walks and local food are the traditional ways to take in a destination's energy.
- Cruises: choose a sailing where the departure port and every port of call lie in one lucky direction, and depart in a good window.
- Mind the new year. Directions change at Li Chun (February 4, 2027). Chinese New Year falls on February 6, 2027.
Your personal directions and best dates
The directions above apply to everyone. Your birth chart adds your own lucky directions and your best travel dates. Enter your birthday below; choose "Travel" as what you are planning.
Calculator not loading? Open the Feng Shui calculator in a new window → · Learn the basics free at MarinapolisArt.com
Travel for the Better Luck plans
Personal plans by Marina V. Parrish, built on your Kua number, Four Pillars (BaZi) chart and Nine Star Ki star, measured from your home city.
Request your journey plan
Send your details and we will reply with next steps. Your birth details are used only to prepare your plan.
Book your auspicious trip
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Questions
Is this the same as the Kua number directions?
No. Your Kua directions stay the same all your life and guide how you sit and sleep. Travel directions change every year with the annual stars, and your personal chart refines them.
Does the direction from my home really change the result?
Yes, in this tradition the direction is always measured from where you live. That is why the Direction finder asks for your home city.
What if my dream destination is in an unlucky direction?
Go in a year when it is favorable, or keep the trip short and simple this year. A personal plan can also find a good window inside the year.
Do you book the trip for me?
Plans include destination proposals and dates. For the Signature plan, travel arrangements are coordinated with you. You can also book directly through our partners and the Expedia search above.
History of the Energy Travel
What is kippō?
Japanese kippō (also known as kippō-iri) is a traditional geomantic practice used to determine auspicious directions for travel, business, and important events. Rooted in Onmyōdō (Japanese yin-yang cosmology), it identifies specific directional orientations considered favorable for success and protection, while avoiding those deemed inauspicious.
Kippō and Feng Shui
While often compared to Feng Shui (or fusui) due to their shared focus on energy flow and cosmic harmony, kippō is distinct in its application. Unlike Feng Shui, which primarily arranges static environments like homes or offices to optimize qi, kippō is a dynamic system used to calculate the lucky direction for an individual based on their birth year or age. This practice was historically vital for travelers and samurai to ensure safe journeys and prosperous outcomes, serving as a personalized compass for navigating the unseen forces of the universe.
How travel directions are calculated and validated
Annual directions use the Flying Stars chart of each Feng Shui year (2026: center star 1; 2027: center star 9; 2028: center star 8), together with the year's Tai Sui, Year Breaker and Three Killings directions. Each Feng Shui year begins at Li Chun, the start of spring, around February 4; the exact moment can shift by a day.
Directions in the Direction finder are true-north, great-circle compass bearings from your home to the destination, divided into eight 45° sectors (North = 337.5°–22.5°). Destination and city coordinates are approximate, so places within a few degrees of a sector boundary should be treated with caution. Trips under about 150 km (90 miles) are shown as "too close" to count. If you use your location, it is processed only in your browser and is not sent to Ski & Beach Haus.
Directions for everyone do not include your personal chart: your BaZi, Kua number and Nine Star Ki star can make a direction more or less favorable for you, and practitioners of different schools may reach different results. Confirm important travel dates with the personal calculator, your Tong Shu almanac, or a personal plan.
References
Feng Shui travel planning is offered as a traditional practice for inspiration and intention. It is not a guarantee of specific outcomes. Directions use annual Flying Stars and great-circle bearings; practitioners of different schools may differ on details. Confirm travel conditions and property details when booking.