91²Ö¿â

Tag - tourism

 
 

TOURISM

A tour guide gives explanations to visitors from an observation platform overlooking the damaged No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 nuclear reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, last month.
JAPAN
Apr 26, 2026
Japan¡¯s wrecked nuclear plant becomes a tourist destination
The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant is now a destination for "dark tourism" ¡ª travel to sites associated with tragedy, violence, or disaster, like Auschwitz, the killing fields of Ca
Rooms at Capella Kyoto, a new luxury hotel located steps from one of the city's most historic geisha districts, start from ?394,200 per night for two people.
LIFE / Travel
Apr 24, 2026
Capella Kyoto continues ancient capital¡¯s luxury hotel boom
The newly opened lodging occupies the site of Shinmichi Elementary School between the Kaburenjo Theatre and Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen Buddhist temple.
The Japan Transport Safety Board has proposed setting up multi-language warnings and pictograms at railroad crossings as foreign visitor numbers surge.
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2026
Multilingual alerts, pictograms proposed for railroad crossings after tourist accident
The accident occurred at a railroad crossing near Saga Prefecture's Sueyama Shrine, a popular tourist spot.
Jimbocho, Tokyo¡¯s book town, has gained popularity online and some travel companies are already selling book-centric tours for foreign visitors.
CULTURE / Books
Apr 20, 2026
Now on the multilingual margins, can Japanese bookstores be more than just a vibe?
While some travel companies are now offering book-centric tours around Jimbocho, foreign visitors are often leaving bookstores empty-handed, despite intentions to buy books.
When the family planned a trip to Japan, Lily Romero was determined to visit a salon in the country well-known for its expertise in straightening treatments.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Apr 19, 2026
Japan¡¯s latest tourist destination: hair salons
Travelers cite high skill levels, excellent service and attention to hygiene as top reasons for having their hair treatments done in the country.
Buildings in the historic area of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Apr 19, 2026
91²Ö¿â tourism industry begins to feel pain of Iran war
With the Iran war continuing, travel costs between Europe and Japan have increased to the point that many European travelers are canceling their plans.
Travelers at Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai. The Chinese travel and tourism economy grew 9.9% last year, more than twice the global rate.
BUSINESS
Apr 16, 2026
China on track to be top tourism economy as travelers skip U.S.
The U.S. has seen a sharp pullback in foreign arrivals amid tighter immigration restrictions and rising geopolitical frictions.
Tourists take photos of blooming cherry blossoms in Kyoto on March 28.
JAPAN
Apr 15, 2026
Japan tourism hits record despite China spat and Iran war
The number of international visitors was 3.6 million, up 3.5% year-on-year, a new record for March.
Johnny Somali received a prison sentence of six months with 20 days detention after repeated acts of disturbing the public in South Korea.
LIFE / Digital
Apr 15, 2026
¡®Nuisance streamer¡¯ Johnny Somali sentenced to six months in prison
The 25-year-old American influencer received a prison sentence from a South Korean court for repeated acts of disturbing the public.
Kazumasa Hayakawa, president of Marine Tourism Development, checks undersea carbon dioxide concentration levels in Naha Port in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Okinawa
Apr 13, 2026
Eco-tourism operator in Okinawa bets on corals as carbon absorber
The company hopes to encourage visitors to think of climate change as a personal issue through combining sightseeing, environmental conservation and CO2 reduction.
In recent years, the combination of a surge in tourism to Hokkaido and the operations of the Rapidus semiconductor plant has led to congestion at New Chitose Airport¡¯s train station and on express trains.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hokkaido
Apr 13, 2026
Amid travel boom, Hokkaido struggles to improve airport rail link
Express trains arriving at and departing from New Chitose Airport are congested, creating concern.
Recognized as a tangible cultural property in 2003, the former residence of the Iizuka family is now a boutique hotel in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture.
LIFE / Travel
Apr 13, 2026
Inside Iizukatei, a 200-year-old home turned boutique hotel in Tochigi
The dwelling stands as the first tangible cultural property in eastern Japan to be transformed into a hotel.
The Taiwan tourism event "Taiyukan 2026" plans to attract many visitors to Tokyo's Akihabara district on Saturday.
JAPAN
Apr 12, 2026
Taiwan tourism promotion event opens in Tokyo's Akihabara
The two-day event, called "Taiyukan 2026," is being held at Akiba Square, an event space near JR Akihabara Station.
Alipay has been mentioned by legislators in discussions about the use of foreign payment apps in Japan.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 10, 2026
Chinese payment apps raise questions in Japan
Legislators and regulators wonder if the apps are being used to bypass the domestic financial system.
Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, is known for its traditional townscape, including shrines and stone-paved streets, but turning this heritage into a stronger draw for tourists had long been a challenge.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 10, 2026
Financial support program for community-focused startups draws growing interest
The continuation rate for supported projects is high, and the program has received positive reviews from communities for providing tangible benefits.
Decorations celebrating Tokyo DisneySea¡¯s 25th anniversary, on Wednesday in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2026
Tokyo DisneySea to celebrate its 25th anniversary as a ¡®Sparkling Jubilee¡¯
The event, dubbed the "Sparkline Jubilee," will feature park-wide decorations in an ocean-blue theme color and run from April 15 until March of next year.
Otobaco, a new gondola equipped with a surround sound system, is shown to the media in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Monday.
JAPAN
Apr 8, 2026
Odakyu to launch special Hakone gondola service with surround sound
The gondola is equipped with a Dolby Atmos system, creating a theater-like surround sound experience.
An airplane of VietJet Airline taxis in front of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines airplane, at Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi on May 28.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 7, 2026
Asian airlines trim schedules and carry extra fuel as supplies tighten
European carriers are bracing for similar disruption after Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut off nearly 21% of global seaborne jet fuel supply.
The Iran war has shuttered airspaces, grounded planes and left regional airlines in disarray.
BUSINESS
Apr 4, 2026
The Iran war is reshaping global aviation
Executives of Western airlines have sensed an opportunity to take advantage and regain ground, adding alternative routes to steal away business.
New and old long-distance hiking trails hope to draw tourists from crowded cities to unhurried rural regions.
LIFE / Travel
Apr 4, 2026
¡®If you walk, you will see¡¯: National parks bet on trekking tourists
Multiday hikes through 91²Ö¿â most rural stretches aim to benefit locals and visitors alike.

Longform

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.
Can AI replace a priest? Japan¡¯s temples and shrines are testing the limits.

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN