During Japan's Sengoku "Warring States" era (1467-1615), castles were constructed, bolstered and fortified all across the Japanese archipelago, resulting in approximately 5,000 individual keeps. (CNN)

The rapid spread of coronavirus infection in Japan is hitting nursery schools hard. Nearly 90 schools across the country were closed as of last week. (NHK)

Tokyo's luxury 5 star hotels are amongst the best in the world. We stay the night in a $12,000 a night suite with stunning views as a reward to Connor for eating 100 bowls of noodles. (Abroad in Japan)

The 17-year-old boy who slashed three people outside a university entrance examination venue in Tokyo on Saturday has told police that he had failed in his attempt to spread liquid on a subway train and set fire to it, investigative sources said Monday. (Japan Times)

The number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolated at home has soared to over 10,000 in Tokyo, reflecting the recent rapid spread of infections blamed on the Omicron variant. (NHK)

Skymark Airlines can be a good option to travel between Tokyo and Kansai area (Osaka, Kobe). (Solo Travel Japan)

ran received 700,000 AstraZeneca vaccine shots from Japan over Friday and Saturday as part of the country’s pledge to increase donations in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. (financialtribune.com)

Japan continues to face a surge in new coronavirus cases across the country. Officials are speeding up booster shots to stem the outbreak. (NHK)

Police in Tokyo say a high school student who was arrested on suspicion of slashing three people possessed a saw and another knife in addition to the one used in the assault. (NHK)

Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of stabbing three people outside a campus of the University of Tokyo. They say all three are conscious and being treated at hospital. (NHK)

Annual two-day unified university entrance examinations began on Saturday, with the first test day marred by a stabbing near the University of Tokyo. (Japan Times)

More than 20,000 new coronavirus infections were confirmed across Japan on Friday. The surge in cases, which is attributed to the Omicron variant, is spurring authorities to consider how to maintain social and economic activity. (NHK)

Veteran No. 3 maegashira Tamawashi took advantage of a slipup to snap yokozuna Terunofuji's 23-match win streak Friday and remain within one win of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament lead. (Kyodo)

In this video, we head for a 3-day trip from Tokyo to Niigata, a prefecture famous for its high quality rice, beautiful coastal and mountainous sceneries, skiing in winter and hot spring bathing around the year. (japan-guide.com)

The Japanese government is revising rules to deal with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. More than 18,000 coronavirus infections were confirmed on Thursday. (NHK)

We visit Ikebukuro again to check out Otome Road and find out what's up with those badged up bags of anime characters. (KON'CHA! Japan Travel Guide)

Yahoo Japan will allow its 8,000 employees to work from anywhere in the country and even commute by plane when they need to come to the office. (Nikkei)

The Japanese government has unveiled its latest set of anti-coronavirus measures, as the Omicron variant continues to spread. The plan includes moving up the vaccine schedule to give people their third shots earlier. (NHK)

The twin giant pandas born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens last year made their public debut Wednesday, but will be on view for only three days and to a limited number of visitors amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections. (Nikkei)

A Japanese manufacturer will be the exclusive supplier of the new standard wheel rims being introduced in Formula One and NASCAR this season, Nikkei learned Monday. (Nikkei)

Monday was Coming-of-Age Day in Japan, which marks the passage from the teen years to adulthood with many new adults celebrating at the famous Meiji Shrine in central Tokyo. (thenewsmotion.com)

Japanese shrine parishioners stepped into an icy cold bath at a Tokyo shrine to purify their souls and wish for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. (WION)

The general election for Japan’s lower house last October was the first since the act on ‘promotion of gender equality in the political field’ three years earlier. (mondediplo.com)

Japanese health officials say they confirmed 6,438 new cases of the coronavirus nationwide as of 6:30 p.m. on Monday. (NHK)

Japanese entry restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus create a barrier for international students, threatening to undermine participation in exchange programs by Japan's universities, school officials say. (Nikkei)