Travel

Foreign Tourists Increase but Japanese Travelers Remain Low Compared to Pre-COVID Levels

TOKYO, May 14 (News On Japan) - The number of people using international flights at Kansai Airport during this year's Golden Week reached approximately 694,600, a 63% increase compared to last year, according to the Osaka Immigration Bureau.

The breakdown includes 176,270 Japanese travelers and 518,330 foreign tourists.

However, compared to 2019, the number of Japanese travelers remains at about 40% of pre-pandemic levels. The decline is attributed to factors such as the yen's depreciation.

Source: YOMIURI

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

AI-Themed Poem Takes First Place in Salaryman Senryu

Every year, the “Salaryman Senryu” competition captures the mood of the times through humorous verse, and this year’s top ten results were announced on May 29th.

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MORE Travel NEWS

Okinawa Plans Lodging Tax by 2026

Okinawa Prefecture announced during a meeting with the tourism industry on May 27th that it is aiming for its annual tourism revenue to exceed 1 trillion yen for the first time in fiscal 2025, and plans to introduce a lodging tax during fiscal 2026.

Man Dies in Attempt to Swim from Island to Mainland in Fukuoka

A 20-year-old man who went missing while attempting to swim across Hakata Bay from Nokonoshima Island to the mainland was found in the water and later confirmed dead.

Climbers Warned to Prepare for Hypothermia Risks in Hokkaido Mountains

A British couple in light clothing was rescued from Mount Yotei in Hokkaido on May 13th, after sending an SOS due to the cold. The incident has reignited concern over poorly prepared climbers, especially foreign visitors, as mountain guides emphasize the need for greater awareness of hypothermia risks, particularly in northern Japan.

48 Hours in Naha – Not the Okinawa You Know

Naha is the gate city for Okinawa vacation. It's not a place with beautiful beaches, but it's great base for traveling across Okinawa main island and other islands. Naha also has charm that you can explore, without getting a rental car. (Tokyo Kenchan)

Sapporo's Lilac Festival Draws Record Visitors

The city of Sapporo announced that this year's Lilac Festival, which concluded on May 25th, drew a record-breaking 769,000 visitors.

In Search of Hokkaido’s Hidden Scenic Wonders 2025

While working as a civil servant in Sapporo, Mitsuhiko Kamata spent decades capturing the natural beauty of Hokkaido through his lens. Now, having taken early retirement after 35 years, he has dedicated himself full time to pursuing the fleeting, miraculous moments found in nature—moments he believes must rise to the level of art to truly move the viewer.

Two-Row Escalator Etiquette Gains Ground at Osaka Expo

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the common Japanese practice of leaving one side of the escalator open for those in a hurry is quietly disappearing. Instead, both visitors and commuters are increasingly adopting a two-row standing system, both at the venue and nearby Yumeshima Station.

Traditional Samurai Horse Race Draws Huge Crowds in Fukushima

The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

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