Travel

The Meditating Monk: Zazen Grass Contemplates Spring

Shiga, Feb 16 (News On Japan) - In Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, the early spring flower, Zazen grass, is currently at its peak blooming season. Zazen grass, a perennial in the Araceae family, gets its name from its flower's resemblance to a meditating monk in a seated position.

Around 3,000 plants grow wild in a wetland in Imazu-cho, Takashima City. Typically, they emerge from the snow, but this year's warm winter has left the ground snowless. The Zazen grass, about 15 cm tall, is blooming with reddish-purple flowers, offering visitors an early taste of spring.

The peak blooming period is expected to be about a week shorter than usual, lasting until early March.

Source: YOMIURI

Osaka Expo Attendance Tops One Million

The total number of visitors to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai surpassed one million on April 23rd, just 11 days after the event began. Despite being a weekday, the venue remained crowded, with long lines forming at popular pavilions such as the one from the United States.

Toyota Unveils Lexus ES and New EV at Shanghai Motor Show

At the Shanghai Motor Show, which opened to the press on April 23rd ahead of its public run from April 27th to May 2nd, Toyota Motor Corporation revealed a series of new models, including a new electric vehicle, as it works to regain ground in the increasingly competitive Chinese market.

What Are the Kamome and Tsubame Tribes? A 100-Year Transformation in Tenjin

This year marks the 100th year of the Showa era. Tenjin, Fukuoka City's central commercial and entertainment district, has transformed remarkably since World War II, evolving into a major shopping hub that continues to attract both locals and foreign visitors.

Naked Man's Rampage Ends in School Break-In

A naked man was arrested after trespassing into a cram school in Saitama Prefecture, with police suspecting his involvement in at least five incidents within 50 minutes, including a fatal hit-and-run and two car robberies.

Foreign Influencer Causes Chaos on Tokyo Trains

A foreign influencer visiting Japan has come under fire after causing disturbances on Tokyo’s rail network and in public spaces, including loud music performances and backflips on station platforms. The individual, an 18-year-old German man with nearly one million social media followers, began posting videos almost immediately after arriving in Japan on April 17th.

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Tourists Queue for Tokyo’s Most Instagrammable Spring Scenes

Foreign tourists are lining up to visit some of Tokyo’s most photogenic spring attractions, with Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo Ward drawing crowds on April 22nd as vibrant late-blooming azaleas reached their peak.

Village of the Sun and Full-Bloom Cherry Blossoms

Shibata Town, known for its flourishing cherry blossoms, has embraced a tree ownership system to pass the beauty of its roughly 400 commemorative trees—planted to mark births, marriages, and other milestones—on to future generations.

Suruga Bay Ferry Resumes Service After Three Months

Service on the Suruga Bay Ferry, which connects Shimizu Port in Shizuoka City and Toi Port in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, resumed on April 18th after a suspension of about three months.

Ginza Line Walking Tour – Part 2: Aoyama-ichome to Toranomon

Welcome back to the Ginza Line Walking Tour. This is part 2 of 6. Today, let’s pick up from where we left off—Aoyama-itchome—and walk past the vast Akasaka Imperial Residence toward Akasaka-mitsuke. (Video Street View Japan)

Expo Sees 500,000 Visitors in First Week with Long Lines Each Morning

The Osaka-Kansai Expo marked its first full week on April 20th, with cumulative attendance surpassing 500,000 and the venue continuing to draw large crowds.

When is the best time to visit Japan?

With over 123 million residents, this island nation ranks as the 11th most populous country in the world. Its 47 prefectures offer everything from snowy mountains to tropical beaches, making timing crucial for travelers.

Capsule Hotel Prices in Tokyo Surge Past 20,000 Yen

As Golden Week approaches next weekend, one major headache for travelers is the soaring cost of hotel stays. In central Tokyo, a single night can now cost 23,000 yen—not for a luxury or business hotel, but for a capsule hotel.

Kobe Airport Launches First International Flights to Five Asian Cities

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.

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