Tag - tourism

 
 

TOURISM

Now part of the city of Kitakyushu, the former castle town of Kokura, its collection of retro architecture and many of its inhabitants were once targeted for atomic catastrophe that eventually befell the population of Nagasaki to the south.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Aug 9, 2025
A walk through Kokura, the city spared nuclear destruction
Now part of the industrial sprawl of Kitakyushu, the city was originally meant to suffer the destruction that would eventually befall Nagasaki to the south.
Heavy traffic on the nation's highways is just as much a part of the Bon holiday period as visiting ancestral graves.
LIFE / Bilingual
Aug 7, 2025
Brave the Bon holiday traffic to discover tourism gems off the beaten path
Learn how to ask about secret spots, regional dishes and specialty gifts using natural Japanese structures on your summer travels.
Cosplay fans hold small fans to cool down while outside the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya on Aug. 3, 2024.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2025
Japan's World Cosplay Summit to escape summer heat in 2027
The annual extravaganza, usually held in Nagoya, sees thousands of people from all over the world embody their chosen anime, manga and gaming stars in elaborate costumes.
Airbnb's second-quarter net income was $642 million, beating analyst expectations.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 7, 2025
Airbnb warns of slowing growth despite strong Q2 earnings
Results were surprisingly strong in the second half of last year, as travelers ultimately booked trips that they had delayed, which could make for tough comparisons.
Camels in Shubaytah, Saudi Arabia, in January 2024. Nature is prominent feature of Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion bet on tourism.
WORLD
Aug 6, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s new tourism play trades skyscrapers for nature
The little-touristed province of Aseer, an area with a rich cultural heritage, forms the linchpin of the Saudi Arabia's $1 trillion bet on tourism.
This year, Fuji Rock Festival's ticket sales were the strongest they have been since the COVID-19 pandemic, with overseas ticket buyers accounting for roughly 10% of all sales.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 4, 2025
From far and wide, overseas visitors flock to Fuji Rock
From Singapore to Greece to Michigan, fans came to Japan not just for the music, but for the nature, the relaxed atmosphere and the freedom to dance into the early hours.
At Panorama Dining, one of Junglia’s two proper restaurants that also doubles as the rooftop Inifinity Terrace overlook, guests can pay extra to sit in balcony tables made to look like birds’ nests overlooking the park grounds.
LIFE / Travel
Aug 1, 2025
Junglia brought dinos back to Okinawa. But will it bring tourists?
If you’re set on visiting Okinawa’s newest theme park, the biggest threat isn’t dinosaurs — it’s long lines and a remote location.
Narita Airport saw a 1% increase in foreign passengers in June, reaching a record high of 1,849,269, with the rise largely driven by flights to and from China, according to the airport's operator.
JAPAN
Aug 1, 2025
Record number of foreign passengers used Narita Airport in June
The increase was led by flights to and from China, Narita Airport said.
The number of car accidents in Japan resulting in death or serious injury that were caused by foreign drivers in the first half of 2025 totaled 258, up by 19 from a year earlier and exceeding 250 for the first time since 2008, according to the National Police Agency.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jul 30, 2025
Ratio of serious car accidents caused by foreign drivers hits record 2.1%
A total of 258 of such accidents, which caused death or serious injury, occurred in the first half of 2025, according to National Police Agency data.
Citing strong vehicle sales and a rise in domestic and foreign tourists, the Finance Ministry upgraded its economic outlook for Okinawa Prefecture.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 29, 2025
Finance Ministry upgrades economic view on Okinawa
For production, the ministry downgraded its view on the Hokuriku region and the Kinki region but upgraded that on Okinawa.
In the village of Harie, private "kabata" springs are fed from natural groundwater for a unique take on sustainable living.
LIFE / Travel
Jul 26, 2025
How a single current keeps Shiga’s ‘village of water’ in concert
The quiet community less than an hour from Kyoto makes for a pleasant day trip away from the ancient capital’s crowds.
In Junglia’s Dinosaur Safari attraction during a media preview on Thursday, a casual drive through a habitat for the prehistoric creatures goes haywire when several Tyrannosaurus rexes break out of containment.
JAPAN
Jul 24, 2025
Junglia, Japan’s newest theme park, opens in northern Okinawa
Open from July 25, the new Junglia theme park turns an old golf course into 22 dinosaur- and adventure sports-themed attractions.
Japanese passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 24, 2025
Japan ties with South Korea for second most powerful passport
Japan continues to hold the world’s second most powerful passport — tied with South Korea — according to a new global ranking.
Sohei Kamiya, founder of the Sanseito, which campaigned on a “Japanese first” message and tough immigration rhetoric, speaks at a rally in Gunma Prefecture on July 6.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 23, 2025
Ignore the election hype, foreign residents are here to stay
While the number of foreign residents reached a record high last year, it’s still barely over 3% of the total population, low by international standards.
Delta Air Lines last week reported a 5% year-on-year jump in its second-quarter premium ticket revenue, compared to a 5% decline in main cabin revenue.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2025
U.S. airlines reap rewards from premium travel strategy amid demand slump
Strong demand from affluent travelers is helping airlines offset a pullback in spending by price-sensitive customers.
An event featuring maiko (young female entertainers) is held at the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu in the city of Kyoto.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2025
Experiential tourism key to driving inbound spending in Japan
The consumption patterns of visitors to Japan have been shifting as their enthusiasm for purchasing luxury items appears to be waning.
Rescue personnel gather around a capsized tourist boat in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 20, 2025
Death toll from Vietnam tourist boat accident climbs to at least 38
The vessel capsized Saturday afternoon carrying 48 tourists and five crew members in one of the worst boating accidents in recent years in the popular tourist area.
One of the entrances to Pao Compound, a nine-story Silk Road-inspired complex in Tokyo's Higashinakano neighborhood
LIFE / Lifestyle
Jul 19, 2025
Touring the Silk Road — without leaving Tokyo
Located near Higashinakano Station, Pao Compound is an eclectic mix of restaurants, event spaces and an affinity for cultural exploration.
Pasona Group has relocated some of its headquarters functions from Tokyo to Awaji Island, developing leisure, restaurant and other facilities there.
BUSINESS
Jul 17, 2025
Pasona to open resort on Awaji Island
The opening ceremony for Hatake no Resort Sansan Villa was held on Wednesday.
Visitors crowd Nakamise shopping street in the Asakusa district of Tokyo on June 22.
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2025
Japan tourism growth slowed as quake rumor deterred Hong Kongers
Fears of an earthquake on or around July 5 originated from a manga by Ryo Tatsuki, whom some claim to have foreseen Japan’s disastrous 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Longform

Koichi Tagawa’s diary entry from Aug. 9, 1945, describes the day of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
The horrors of Nagasaki, in first person