Travel

Japan grapples with 'overtourism'

TOKYO, Sep 18 (News On Japan) - Over the three-day weekend, crowds were drawn to various events across Japan, including the "Kishiwada Danjiri Festival" in Osaka Prefecture, the "Imoni Stew Festival" in Yamagata, and the "Asakusa Samba Carnival" in Tokyo, highlighting the emerging problem of overtourism.

At Asakusa Temple, a popular tourist spot in Tokyo, foreign tourists were seen touching the lanterns and washing their faces in the temizuya (a water pavilion for ritual purification), which is a breach of etiquette, according to staff at the temple.

In Kamakura, a popular tourist spot in Kanagawa Prefecture, there was a large crowd at a railroad crossing known as the sacred place of the popular manga "Slam Dunk."

Crowds of tourists were spotted happily taking photos at the railroad crossing, however, as it is located on a roadway, locals fear dangerous behavior could lead to accidents.

by Brian Dentry

JR West Develops Special Umbrella to Protect Passengers from Knife Attacks

JR West Japan has announced the development of a special umbrella designed to protect passengers and crew from attackers wielding knives or other weapons, with plans to equip train cars with these umbrellas.

Bus carrying Japanese tourists crashes in Turkey, 6 people hospitalized

The Japanese embassy in Turkey says six Japanese tourists were hospitalized with injuries on Thursday after their bus was involved in an accident in western Turkey. (NHK)

New Replica COVID Vaccine Sparks Controversy in Japan

Japan’s recent approval and rollout of a new "Replica Vaccine" for COVID-19 has triggered widespread public concern, with some businesses imposing entry bans on vaccinated individuals. The vaccine, which began regular administration in October, has faced backlash due to its ability to "self-replicate" in the body, raising anxiety about its safety.

Japan's Oldest Reactor Gets Approval to Operate 50+ Years

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has granted approval for Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama Reactor No. 1 to operate for over 50 years, marking a first in Japan, reaching its 50th anniversary next month.

Japan Faces 18 Trillion Yen Economic Loss Due to Sleep Deprivation

Japan is grappling with a severe sleep deprivation crisis, with economic losses estimated at 18 trillion yen annually due to reduced productivity, according to a study by the RAND Corporation.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Uncover the Charm of Fukuoka Japan: Best-Kept Train Wandering the Countryside

What makes this Japanese train so special is the opportunity to savor a French course meal as you journey through the picturesque Japanese countryside.

Ibaraki Escapes Last Place in Attractiveness Ranking

The 'Prefectural Attractiveness Ranking,' which started in 2009, marked its 16th edition in 2024, with competition for the bottom rank a hot topic. This year, Ibaraki Prefecture, which ranked last in 2023, moved up two spots, overtaking Saitama Prefecture.

'Castle in the Sky' Emerges First Time This Season

As thick morning fog lifted, sunlight streamed through the distant mountain ranges, revealing Echizen Ono Castle perched above a sea of clouds, built over 400 years ago by a close aide to Oda Nobunaga.

The TRUTH About OVERTOURISM in Japan

Japan's Streets are PACKED With Tourists, Over Tourism is running WILD! Or is it really? There has been a lot of news recently about this growing problem in Japan, but what is the reality on the ground in one of Japan's most popular cities, Kyoto? (Inaka Adventure)