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 …

Key Points Mount Shinmoedake erupted for the first time in seven years on June 22, 2025, with a plume of smoke reaching 500 meters.   A safety advisory has been issued, warning of the danger of falling large rocks and pyroclastic flows within 2 kilometers of the crater.   The …