Rare Sunny Weekend in Tokyo

Mar 11, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A high pressure system brought calm weather across Japan on Sunday, with Tokyo experienced its first sunny weekend in a month, drawing crowds to various outdoor events.

Tokyo's First Sunny Weekend in a Month

Yoyogi Park in Tokyo was packed with people attending festivals from Egypt and Thailand. The international gourmet offerings, such as Thai cuisine and kebabs, were also popular.

An event organizer stated, "We host international exchange events from various countries. This time, we're focusing on Egypt and Thailand. The weather greatly affects us, as rain can reduce the number of visitors. We're grateful for the warm and sunny weather today and yesterday, which brought in many guests."

A Pleasant Day Nationwide

Flowers are signaling the arrival of spring.

In Toyama, colorful snowdrops are blooming.

In Yamanashi, a mysterious flower blooms while surrounded by snow. Named "Zazenso" because it resembles the figure of a mediative monk, it is now in bloom.

In Saga, children challenged a Guinness record. Over 300 children attempted to create sand molds, resulting in 20 disqualifications but ultimately achieving a world record.

The disaster-stricken areas are slowly hearing the footsteps of spring after a long, harsh winter.

In Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, which experienced winter-like cold, water supply was restored in parts of the city for the first time in about two months.

An evacuee expressed relief, "We had to do everything with just a cup of water, so I'm really happy that water is flowing again."

However, the restoration on March 10th only covered about 2% of all households in the city. Full restoration is expected next month.

Temporary housing using paper materials is also being constructed for those living in evacuation shelters in greenhouses.

Tazuko Seto said, "I'm looking forward to it. This place is scary, and it was cold all night long last night."

The temporary housing uses paper tubes for columns and beams, designed by architect Shigeru Ban.

Seto added, "I want to live somewhere as close to home as possible."

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Monkeys Hit Popular Hot Spring Resort

A man in his 40s was injured after being attacked by a troop of wild monkeys in Yugawara, a popular hot spring resort town in Kanagawa Prefecture, on September 17, marking the area's first reported case of a person being bitten by a monkey and prompting authorities to strengthen monitoring of the animals using GPS tracking devices.

Tokyo Ward Expands Short-Term Rental Restrictions

Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward will expand restrictions on private lodging businesses across the entire ward from January 2027 after the ward assembly approved an ordinance amendment on October 7 aimed at tightening controls on minpaku short-term rentals.

Acorn Shortage Raises Fear of Bear Attacks

Bears are becoming increasingly active across Japan ahead of winter, with poor acorn harvests in parts of the country raising concerns that hungry animals may venture closer to homes and tourist areas in search of food.

JAL Unveils Revamped Domestic Lounge at Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines has revamped its domestic lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, adding private workspaces, meal options timed to passengers' departures and facilities for families as it seeks to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse range of travelers.

Fans Gather at Furano Filming Locations After Screenwriter's Death

Fans from across Japan gathered in Furano, Hokkaido, on October 3 to visit filming locations from the television drama "From the Northern Country," marking the first weekend since the death of the series' screenwriter, So Kuramoto.

200-Year-Old Horse Festival Begins

Young men leaped onto horses racing at full speed through the grounds of Kasuga Shrine in Takahama, Aichi Prefecture, on October 3 as the city's traditional Takahama Omanto Festival got underway.

38,000 Dolls Farewelled at Tokyo Shrine

Around 38,000 dolls, including traditional Japanese dolls and stuffed animals, were brought to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward for the annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where visitors bid farewell to old and damaged dolls in a ceremony expressing gratitude for the years they had been cherished.

A Year After Osaka Expo, a Peaceful Forest Remains

Nearly one year after the Osaka-Kansai Expo closed, the former exhibition grounds were opened to the media on October 2, revealing that around 90% of the pavilions and other facilities have been demolished, while the Forest of Tranquility remains a peaceful green space at the center of the site.

< 2 3 4 5 >