Trains, planes and roads crowded as people return from holidays

Jan 04, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan's airports, railway stations and expressways are crowded on Tuesday as people return from their year-end and New Year holidays.

This holiday season saw more travelers as it was the first time in three years that there were no coronavirus restrictions in place.

Airline companies say the number of people returning from holidays will peak on Tuesday, with flights to Osaka or Tokyo almost fully booked throughout the day.

Japan Railway officials says some Tokyo-bound Joetsu Shinkansen trains saw more passengers than capacity for non-reserved seats in the morning. They expect reserved seats of east-bound Tokaido Shinkansen trains will be crowded in the afternoon.

Traffic on some expressways has slowed to a crawl. ...continue reading

Typhoon No. 25 Expected to Pass Near Izu Islands and Kanto

Large Typhoon No. 25 was moving north toward the Ogasawara Islands at 5 a.m. on September 19 and was forecast to pass near the Izu Islands and Kanto from September 20 through September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and rough seas, with some areas expected to receive more than 300 millimeters of rain over 48 hours.

Bear Sighting Raises Alarm at Popular Tokyo Hiking Spot

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Starbucks Considers Selling Majority Stake in Japan Business

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Halloween Jumbo Lottery Goes on Sale With 400 Million Yen Top Prize

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

Shinkansen Introduces New Luxury Private Compartment

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Kyushu Shinkansen Back on Track for Silver Week

The Kyushu Shinkansen will resume operations along its entire route on September 18 after suffering extensive track and other damage in the Kumamoto earthquake, raising hopes that the long-awaited restoration will help revive tourism in disaster-hit areas ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Tourism Ahead of Silver Week

Prolonged rain is disrupting tourism ahead of Japan's Silver Week holidays, forcing Nagatoro's popular river cruises to remain suspended for an 11th consecutive day while increased water flow at Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture is drawing more visitors.