Travel

Kansai trains to launch credit card touch payments

OSAKA, Nov 03 (News On Japan) - Three railway companies in the Kansai area have announced the introduction of a credit card touch payment system at ticket gates in 2024.

Kintetsu Railway, Hankyu Railway, and Hanshin Electric Railway plan to install ticket gates equipped with dedicated readers that can process fare payments when passengers hold up credit cards or smartphones with touch payment functions.

This will eliminate the need to purchase tickets or recharge IC cards.

The initiative aims to enhance convenience for foreign visitors ahead of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

This touch payment system has already been implemented by Nankai Electric Railway the year before last, while Osaka Metro reportedly intends to introduce it next year.

Kintetsu Railway connects Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tsu, Ise, and Yoshino.

Hankyu Railway provides commuter and interurban service to the northern Kansai region.

Hanshin Electric Railway links Osaka and Kobe.

by Brian Dentry

Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) Could Rapidly Intensify and Loop Toward Japan

Typhoon No 22, named Halong, has stalled south of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands and may soon change its course, with weather authorities urging the public to stay alert for new updates.

Takaichi Wins Leadership Race, Declares All Must Work Like Horses

Sanae Takaichi, elected as the Liberal Democratic Party’s new president on October 4th, declared on stage, “I ask everybody to work like a horse,” after defeating agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff to become the party’s first female leader.

Honey Trap Crimes Becoming More Malicious

A string of so-called “honey trap” cases is drawing attention across Japan as schemes once limited to extortion have become increasingly violent, involving physical assaults and life-threatening intimidation.

Woman Killed with Dozens of Stab Wounds in Higashi-Osaka

Police have revealed that a woman killed by her former partner in Higashi-Osaka had sustained dozens of stab wounds across her body, including injuries that pierced internal organs.

Mega Solar Farm Sparks Backlash Over Deforestation

Vast hillsides have been cleared for the construction of a large-scale solar power facility in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, leaving piles of felled trees scattered across the slopes. The development covers approximately 146 hectares, or the size of 32 Tokyo Domes, and involves cutting down about 365,000 trees to make way for 470,000 solar panels.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Balloon Tours Offer Panoramic Views of Mozu-Furuichi Tombs

Sakai City will begin operating sightseeing hot-air balloons on October 4th, offering aerial views of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The balloons will take off and land at Daisen Park, with a maximum capacity of 30 passengers.

Nara’s Shosoin Opens Treasure House

At the World Heritage-listed Shosoin in Nara, the annual ‘Opening Ceremony’ was held, during which the doors of the treasure house were unsealed.

Overtourism: Arashiyama Launches Night Event To Ease Daytime Crowds

Arashiyama has launched a new night event called Moonlit Path on October 1st to tackle overtourism by shifting visitor traffic into the evening and channeling proceeds back into the local community. The illuminated walk runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through October 31st, lighting up Nagatsuji Street and the famed Bamboo Grove, with a paid zone featuring bamboo-themed light installations.

Autumn Travel Season Begins in Japan

Japan has entered the autumn travel season, with visitors across the country enjoying colorful foliage, seasonal foods, and cultural traditions.

Kyoto Temple Turns Iconic New Year Bell Into Ticketed Event

The iconic New Year’s Eve bell at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto will shift to a fully paid and reservation-only system this year, with entry limited to 2,000 people, in response to overwhelming crowds in recent years.

Gang of Monkeys Invades Popular Tourist Spot

At Yamba Dam, a well-known sightseeing spot in Gunma Prefecture, visitors were surprised by an unusual scene: a group of monkeys scratching themselves and gazing out at the view as if enjoying the scenery. Unlike the occasional lone monkey, this time a whole troop appeared.

Luxury Hotel Opens Near Nagoya Castle

A luxury hotel with rates reaching as high as 3.75 million yen per night has opened near Nagoya Castle, aiming to attract wealthy guests from Japan and abroad.

Nagoya Bar Exposed for Overcharging with Hidden Fees

Nagoya’s entertainment district is once again under scrutiny after an undercover investigation revealed deceptive billing practices and aggressive solicitation tactics at local bars.

< 2 3 4 5 >