Hokkaido Hit by Season's Heaviest Snowfall, Balmy Weather Follows

The Expo pavilion known as the "Nordic Circle" showcases five Nordic countries—Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland—collaborating under a shared structure built from recyclable materials and modeled after traditional Nordic dwellings.

All four giant pandas at Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture will be returned to China on June 28th, the park announced. The pandas—Rauhin, born in 2000, and her three daughters Yuihin, Saihin, and Fuhin—will be sent back as the breeding and loan agreement with China nears its end this August.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the Okinawa region is believed to have entered the rainy season on May 22nd, marking the fourth-latest start since records began in 1951. The onset is 12 days later than the average year and one day later than in 2024.

A passenger jet arriving from Hokkaido made an unexpected stop on Wednesday after entering a restricted construction area at Hiroshima Airport, running over a concrete base and coming to a halt on the taxiway.

Japan and South Korea will introduce priority immigration lanes for each other’s citizens at four major airports for one month starting next month, in a move aimed at shortening entry procedures and improving travel convenience between the two countries.

Following the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Dutch Pavilion will be relocated to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, organizers announced. Built using reusable materials with relocation in mind, the structure will be reconstructed by the Pasona Group in cooperation with the Dutch government.

A group of around 220 Ainu from across and beyond Hokkaido performed traditional dances at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on May 17th, conveying the Ainu spirit of mutual support and the importance of diversity and coexistence.

In Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendsetting district, animal cafes are rapidly multiplying along the bustling Takeshita Street, drawing large crowds of foreign tourists.