Travel

Japan's Warm Weather Brings Early Spring

TOKYO, Feb 14 (News On Japan) - Japan experienced widespread warmth on Tuesday, February 13, with temperatures in Tokyo's city center resembling those of early April, raising questions: Has spring already arrived?

April-like Warmth Across Various Regions Raises Early Spring Speculations

Caster Ogasawara shared temperatures across Japan on February 13:
- Shiraoi, Hokkaido: 11.2°C
- Toyama: 17.8°C
- Tokyo: 17.3°C
- Osaka: 15.8°C
- Miyazaki: 20.6°C

These temperatures are akin to mid to late April. With such a significant increase in temperature, take care of "pollen" and "snowmelt."

Meteorologist Hirose Shun explains, "Although 'snowmelt' sounds gentle, it can lead to disasters in the north, equivalent to about 100mm of heavy rain when 20cm of snow melts, posing risks of river flooding and landslides."

Forecast: Warmer Days Ahead, with Attention to Snowmelt

Despite the cozy weather, the temperatures are expected to rise further on February 14 and 15. Tokyo's forecasted highs are 18°C and 19°C, respectively, with a cooler 12°C anticipated on February 17.

Caster Horan Chiaki inquired about the potential heavy snowmelt due to the rapid warming, highlighting the dangers of large-scale avalanches and snow falling from roofs, which could lead to fatal accidents.

Early Blooms and Harvests / Adjust to the Warm Weather

The "Setagaya Ume Matsuri" near Umegaoka Station in Setagaya, Tokyo, showcasing 650 plum trees, began on February 10. As of February 7, 2024, 524 plums had already blossomed, with the peak bloom occurring sooner than usual.

In Niigata's Aga town, the warm weather prompted an early harvest of "Yukishita carrots," known for their sweetness after wintering under snow. Despite being smaller due to the lack of snow, their concentrated sweetness makes them ideal for fresh consumption.

As Japan navigates this unseasonably warm weather, concerns grow among farmers about adapting to the changing climate and the potential impacts on agriculture and traditional events.

Source: TBS

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Cormorant Fishing Marks Arrival of Early Summer in Southern Japan

Traditional ukai cormorant fishing, a seasonal custom signaling the arrival of early summer, began on May 20th along the Chikugo River in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, following the opening of ayu sweetfish fishing on the river that flows through southern Fukuoka.

Historic Walk Through Miyama’s Thatched-Roof Village

Surrounded by mountains in Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama’s Kitamura district preserves one of Japan’s most iconic rural landscapes, where rows of traditional thatched-roof houses have been maintained for generations through strong community cooperation and deeply rooted village traditions.

Japan Releases Six Rules to Avoid Bear Encounters

The Japanese government has released a set of guidelines titled "Six Rules to Avoid Encountering Bears" as bear sightings across the country continue to rise sharply compared to the same period in previous years.

Foreigners Suspected of Rampant Graffiti at Fushimi Inari Shrine

Video footage appears to show graffiti being carved into bamboo at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, with witnesses claiming two foreign visitors were involved in the vandalism.

Fukuoka's Dazaifu Tenmangu Restored to Original Brilliance

Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka Prefecture, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, opened its restored main shrine to the media on May 18th after completing its first major renovation in 124 years.

Elderly Hokkaido Man Punches Bear in the Nose

A 78-year-old man who drove off a brown bear by punching it in the nose has recounted the terrifying ordeal, as an unusual surge in spring bear sightings continues across Japan, including in the Kanto region and Tokyo.

Bear Appears Near Tokyo Homes and Schools

A bear sighting in a residential area of Hachioji, western Tokyo, at the end of April has heightened concerns among local residents as encounters involving bears continue to increase across Japan.

Russian Hiker Seriously Injured in Bear Attack in Western Tokyo

A Russian man in his 30s suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a bear while hiking on Mount Mutsuishi in Okutama Town, western Tokyo, at around 12:10 p.m. on May 17th, according to the Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo Fire Department.

< 2 3 4 5 >