Tohoku Shinkansen Collides with Bear, Service Temporarily Suspended… Entry Path Unknown for Full-Standard Train on Elevated Tracks On June 28 at around 4:02 PM JST, a rare incident occurred when the JR Tohoku Shinkansen, specifically the Hayabusa 25 (bound for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto) and Komachi 25 (bound for Akita) trains departing from …

（The Ryukyu Shimpo Co., Ltd） Okinawa Farmers Discard 10,000 Cabbages as Prices Crash: “The More We Ship, the More We Lose” In Ginoza Village, Okinawa, farmers are facing a tough reality: discarding 10,000 cabbages due to plummeting prices. “The more we ship, the more we lose,” one farmer laments, summing …

Record-Breaking Early End to Japan’s Rainy Season (Tsuyu) in 2025 Japan’s rainy season, known as tsuyu, typically drenches the country with heavy rainfall and humidity from June to July. However, in an unprecedented and historic event, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced on June 27, 2025, that the rainy season …

When summer hits Japan, the heat and humidity can make many regions feel stifling. However, Hokkaido and the mountainous areas of Honshu, such as Karuizawa and Kamikochi, stand out as the most comfortable destinations. With cooler temperatures and pleasant conditions, these spots offer a refreshing escape from the typical summer …

Starting June 23, 2025, Japan has rolled out a new policy requiring pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening for individuals from certain countries planning to stay in Japan for more than three months. This initiative, aimed at curbing the spread of TB, initially targets nationals from the Philippines and Nepal, with plans …

Discover the Unique Charm of Meido Cafe Shangri-La in Kiryu, Gunma Located in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, Meido Cafe Shangri-La is a truly unique café where only seniors aged 65 and above work as maids. Since opening its doors in July 2024, this café has employed over 10 elderly staff …

In May, the average asking rent for rental apartments in Tokyo’s 23 wards for single occupants (with a floor area of 30 square meters or less) reached a new milestone. Rising by 0.7% from the previous month, the average rent hit ¥100,634, surpassing ¥100,000 for the first time. This surge …

Starting in 2025, climbing Mount Fuji will come with new rules and a mandatory fee, designed to tackle overtourism and protect the mountain’s pristine environment. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a first-time visitor, here’s everything you need to know about the updated climbing fees, online reservations, and trail restrictions. …

How Kyoto’s New Accommodation Tax and Regional Tourism Initiatives Are Shaping Sustainable Travel Japan is taking bold steps to manage its booming tourism industry. With Kyoto introducing a significant accommodation tax increase and the government promoting lesser-known regions like Hokkaido, Okinawa, and the Japanese Alps, these efforts aim to balance …

In May 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.7 million foreign tourists, a 21.5% increase from the previous year, marking the highest monthly figure ever recorded. The cumulative total from January to May reached 18.1 million, up 23.9% compared to the same period in 2024. This remarkable growth is driven by …