Tag - tourism

 
 

TOURISM

Arrows lead to the tax-free counter at a branch of discount retailer Don Quijote in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 4, 2025
Is Japan ready to say goodbye to tax-free shopping?
Amid widespread abuse of Japan’s tax-free shopping system, a group of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers are mulling over its possible abolition.
Visitors at the 2025 Osaka Expo in May
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2025
Osaka Expo sees highest daily visitor number
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition expects a total of 28.2 million people to visit the event, which is set to run until Oct. 13.
Silversea Cruises' culinary program takes guests on a rich gourmet experience at wellness retreat Zenbo Seinei, where the local produce is presented in an eight-course meal.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jun 1, 2025
Waves of umami: Awaji Island's culinary trove
Silver Nova, one of Silversea Cruises’ newest vessels, takes guests on a food excursion on the largest island of the Seto Inland Sea with an immersive gourmet program.
The head office of Chugoku Bank in Okayama
BUSINESS
May 28, 2025
Japan’s ‘Middle Country’ bank is puzzling Chinese tourists
When written in Japanese, Chugoku Bank's name is identical to that of Bank of China.
People ride outdoor escalators as they visit the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka on May 21.
JAPAN / Society
May 28, 2025
Japan's 2025 Osaka Expo draws 5 million visitors in first six weeks
More than 160 countries, regions and organizations are participating in the event.
Members of the Kyoto Prefectural Police department's bicycle patrol unit, known as the Be-Unit, in the city of Kyoto in April
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 28, 2025
Kyoto police deploy bicycle squad to crack down on reckless riding
The unit, launched in April last year under the traffic police force, has proven to be agile and effective.
The ground-breaking ceremony for full-scale construction to enhance Narita Airport’s capacity is held Sunday at the facility in Chiba Prefecture, with Narita International Airport President Akihiko Tamura (far left) and others in attendance.
JAPAN
May 25, 2025
Narita Airport eyes completion of third runway by early 2029
The airport in Chiba Prefecture, which services Tokyo, will see the number of its annual landing and takeoff slots jump to 500,000 from the current 300,000.
The crowded center circle of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Expo, featuring photos and videos of various prefectures
JAPAN
May 25, 2025
Osaka Expo highlights uniqueness of Kansai region
The Kansai Pavilion offers numerous experiences to allow visitors to understand the rich history and culture of the region.
Visitors walk along Nakamise-dori as they visit Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district in March.
JAPAN
May 24, 2025
Travelers avoid trips to Japan over viral comic book’s quake prediction
Ryo Tatsuki, whom some claim predicted Japan’s 2011 earthquake, gives July 2025 as the date of the impending event in a 1999 graphic novel.
The Hokkaido East Trail links some of the northern prefecture's most striking national parks and landscapes.
LIFE / Travel
May 24, 2025
In search of untouched Japan? Meet Hokkaido’s newest hiking trail.
The 410-kilometer Hokkaido East Trail links three national parks as it winds through marshland, calderas and more.
A crowd of tourists walk on the street near Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. There has been growing pushback from residents in the tradition-steeped city as visitor numbers continue to rise.
JAPAN / Society
May 21, 2025
Japan's tourist arrivals soared 28.5% in April to hit record 3.9 million
For the first four months of the year, foreign visitor arrivals totaled 14.4 million, a 24.5% increase.
An electric bus that will be made available at the site of the 2025 Osaka Expo for visitors to rest in, on Monday in the city of Osaka
JAPAN
May 20, 2025
Osaka Expo to offer visitors cool rest area in electric bus from June
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition hopes visitors will use the bus to avoid heatstroke in the summer heat.
Visitors at the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka earlier this month
JAPAN
May 19, 2025
BIE head suggests later Osaka Expo close time
The expo's current opening hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mount Fuji fills the skyline above a bridge connecting stores at a popular outlet shopping center in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, in November 2024.
JAPAN / Society
May 15, 2025
Irresponsible climbing prompts debate over who should pay for Mount Fuji rescues
Rescue teams put themselves in grave danger, and the cost of flying a helicopter for a rescue can be up to between ¥600,000 and ¥800,000.
People smoking in Yuxi, in China's southwest Yunnan province. China is home to a third of the world's smokers and tobacco-related diseases are a major cause of death in the country — a trend likely to worsen as its population rapidly ages.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
May 13, 2025
Tobacco town thrives as China struggles to kick the habit
China is home to a third of the world's smokers and tobacco-related diseases are a major cause of death in the country.
Apartments in the district of Miyazato in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, where many students live
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
May 12, 2025
Rents soar in northern Okinawa ahead of Junglia theme park opening
While large-scale hiring may help to revitalize the area, it is also creating a housing supply shortage, affecting students and others who are moving in.
The entrance to discount retailer Don Quijote's store in Tokyo's Shibuya district, known as Don Don Donki outside the country
BUSINESS / Companies
May 11, 2025
'Treasure hunt': Tourists boost sales at Japan's Don Quijote stores
Revenues at Don Quijote in Japan are "around 1.7 times higher than before the pandemic," said Motoki Hara, a manager at the retailer.
Bolstered by a strong turnout last year, Raw Wine Tokyo, a natural wine festival, is returning to quench the thirst of natural wine lovers.
LIFE / Food & Drink
May 9, 2025
The world’s biggest natural wine festival returns to Tokyo
After impressing the city’s wine buffs last year, Raw Wine is back with more than 80 natural wine producers from around the world.
Students from a junior high school in Tokyo's Meguro Ward experience rice planting on Thursday in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture.
JAPAN
May 9, 2025
Noto region welcomes first school trip since massive quake
Officials said they hoped the students can learn by closely observing the reconstruction process.
Officials from the 15 hotel companies had met once a month to exchange information about room occupancy rates, average room prices and room reservations, according to the FTC.
JAPAN
May 8, 2025
15 hotel operators in Tokyo warned over possible price-fixing
Officials from the 15 companies had met once a month to exchange information about room occupancy rates, average room prices and room reservations, according to the FTC.

Longform

After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic