Travel

Japan festival featuring superstar Kimura draws huge crowd, security tight

GIFU, Nov 07 (Kyodo) - Local authorities in the central Japanese city of Gifu were on maximum alert Sunday as 460,000 people, more than the city's population, flocked to a festival to catch a glimpse of a superstar dressed as a warlord astride a horse.

The Gifu Nobunaga Festival went off mostly without a hitch, although three women had to be taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Strict crowd control measures were in place, with a deadly Halloween crush in Seoul, South Korea, still a fresh memory.

The two-day festival, which began Saturday, culminated Sunday with a parade of people dressed as samurais, led by actor Takuya Kimura on horseback and dressed as the 16th-century warlord Oda Nobunaga, who unified half of Japan's provinces under his rule. ...continue reading

Osaka Expo Previews Futuristic Pavilions

With just three weeks remaining until the start of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, several pavilions held preview events on Sunday.

Newly Released Footage Shows Kamikaze Pilots Parachuting Under Fire

A civic group in Usa City, Oita Prefecture, that collects and analyzes materials from the Pacific War has released twelve pieces of footage showing U.S. air raids and kamikaze attacks.

Japan Unveils Four-Stage Evacuation Plan for Mount Fuji Eruption

The Japanese government on March 21st released a report outlining countermeasures for volcanic ash in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption, including a four-stage evacuation plan based on ashfall volume.

Japan's Police Update Uniform, Skirts Abolished

Police uniforms in Japan will undergo their first major redesign in 31 years, with changes including the abolition of skirts for female officers and the introduction of polo shirts to help cope with rising temperatures.

Japan Falls to 55th in Global Happiness Ranking

Japan ranked 55th in the latest World Happiness Report, released on March 20th to coincide with the International Day of Happiness. Finland secured the top position for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland, with Nordic countries dominating the upper ranks due to strong welfare and education systems.

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Why Japanese Railways Win

Japan’s world-renowned rail system is often symbolized by the Shinkansen, the original high-speed rail that revolutionized travel when it began in 1964. It now runs hundreds of trains daily with unmatched safety—over 6.5 billion passengers have traveled on it without a single fatality. (Wendover Productions)

Obama: Japan's Hidden Historical Port Town | 2-Day Trip

On this two-day trip, we will explore the historic port town of Obama in Fukui Prefecture, and delve into the rich history of the ‘Mackerel Road,’ an ancient trade route where merchants once carried salted mackerel to Kyoto during Japan’s feudal era. (japan-guide.com)

Tokaido Shinkansen to Introduce Premium Semi-Private Seats

JR Tokai plans to introduce a new high-end seating class on the Tokaido Shinkansen, offering semi-private compartments that surpass the comfort of Green Car seats.

Osaka's Food Court Battle Heats Up

Gran Green Osaka South Hall is set to open on March 21st, featuring a key attraction: Time Out Market Osaka. This food court, curated by the internationally recognized media brand Time Out, will host 17 restaurants and two bars.

Shizuoka Approves 4,000 Yen Mount Fuji Entry Fee, Aligning With Yamanashi

Mount Fuji will officially become a paid climb, as the Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly approved an ordinance on March 17th requiring hikers to pay a 4,000 yen entry fee. Following Yamanashi’s lead, Shizuoka will implement the fee starting in the summer of 2025.

Japan’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge Opens in Osaka

A new leisure complex, Gravitate Osaka, opens this week near Aigawa Dam in Ibaraki, Osaka, featuring restaurants, activity areas, and Japan’s longest suspension bridge, stretching 420 meters.

'Ship Elevator' Opens on Yodo River, Restoring Kyoto-Osaka Water Route

A newly built ship elevator at the Yodo River Weir in Osaka City saw its first passage on March 16th, reopening a historic waterway that had been severed for 42 years. The route, which connects Kyoto's Fushimi district to Osaka Bay, is now accessible again, allowing direct boat access to Yumeshima, the artificial island that will host the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

3 Days in Akita, Tohoku - Japan Hidden Gem Travel

Akita is a prefecture located in Japan's Tohoku region. The area is known for deep snow and traditoinal foods and life style matching with the nature. (Tokyo Kenchan)

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