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

Fuji TV Crisis Deepens

Fuji TV held a press conference on January 27 at 4 p.m. to address allegations reported in the media that an employee was involved in a dispute between TV personality Nakai and a woman. Fuji TV explained that investigating Nakai at this stage might negatively impact the woman’s mental health and risk further harm if Nakai attempted to contact her.

Public Smoking Ban Across Osaka, Violators Fined 1,000 Yen

Starting January 27, Osaka City has implemented a citywide ban on smoking in public areas, including heated tobacco products, as part of preparations for the Osaka-Kansai Expo set to open in April.

Man Arrested in Nagano Triple Stabbing

A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of three individuals in front of JR Nagano Station in Nagano City, where one person was killed and two others sustained injuries of varying severity.

How Should Japan Navigate the Second Trump Administration?

Japan is facing critical questions about how to navigate its relationship with the United States following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president.

BOJ Raises Policy Rate to 0.5%

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has decided to raise its policy interest rate from an annualized 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent. This marks the first rate hike in six months and appears aimed at correcting the historically weak yen.

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Part of Japanese Pavilion Unfurled at Expo

A portion of the Japan Pavilion, a government-sponsored exhibit at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, was unveiled to the media on January 26, showcasing the theme of sustainability with displays such as algae-based biofuels and one of the world’s largest Mars-origin meteorites.

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Discover The SECRETS of HIROSHIMA - 3 Day Japan Travel Itinerary

DON'T make this mistake when visiting Hiroshima, most travels only visit two attractions which is depriving yourself of so many hidden and undiscovered GEMS of Hiroshima that it definitely deserves more than just an overnight stay! (Inaka Adventure)

Japan's First Airport Karaoke

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Riding in a luxury sightseeing train's Japanese-style private room

This time, we experienced a Japanese-style private room on the Kintetsu Express “Shimakaze”. Please join us as we experience a journey in a luxurious space that combines Japanese-style design and comfort. (ITSUKA JAPAN)

Tokyo Cedar Pollen Season Starts Record Early Since 1985

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Off the Beaten Path in Nara: Where History Meets Nature – Discover Asuka & Yoshino

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Kyoto Train Transformed Into Fashion Runway

Unused hotel linens, such as sheets, were transformed into wedding dresses for a sustainability-themed fashion show held on Sunday.

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