Japan grapples with 'overtourism'

Kobe Airport has launched its first regular international charter flights since opening in 2006, connecting the city with five major Asian destinations—Incheon in South Korea, Taipei and Taichung in Taiwan, and Shanghai and Nanjing in China—with a total of 40 round-trip flights per week.

The 2025 World Expo opened its doors this Sunday (13) in the city of Osaka, Kansai, Japan - with the aim of emphasizing future technologies and harmony in a world facing “countless divisions”. (Hi Japan)

A regular flight route between Fukuoka and Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan resumed on April 15th for the first time in nine years, operated by Taiwan's China Airlines.

On the fourth day of the Osaka-Kansai Expo on April 16th, under clear skies, large crowds gathered once again as the long-delayed Brazil Pavilion finally opened after a minor fire scare and construction delays.

A cherry tree blooming in the garden of the Shiga Peace Memorial Museum carries the legacy of Hiroshima. This tree, known as a 'hibaku zakura' or atomic-bombed cherry tree, descends from a tree that survived the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, just two kilometers from ground zero.

Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

The official start of the swimming season was held on April 12th at Sesoko Beach in Motobu, Okinawa Prefecture, where children’s excited voices echoed across the sand as they welcomed the long-awaited day.

While Kyoto is often crowded during sakura season, Katsuryuji Castle Park in Nagaokakyo offers a more tranquil alternative. As a cherished local spot, it allows visitors to appreciate the cherry blossoms at a relaxed pace.