Travel

Big Winter Ahead for Zao Ski Resort

YAMAGATA, Dec 12 (News On Japan) - A strong winter cold front has blanketed Japan, bringing snow to eagerly awaited regions. At the Zao Onsen Ski Resort, located at an altitude of about 1,300 meters, snow continues to fall daily after significant snowfall last weekend.

The resort opened a week early on December 7th, attracting about 200 skiers and snowboarders on weekdays. Zao Central Ropeway Station Chief Takayoshi Abe expressed his delight, noting the positive response to the snowfall, which is especially welcome after last year’s snow shortages.

Hotels in snow-covered areas are seeing a surge in demand. For instance, Lake Hibara’s surrounding hotels are experiencing increased reservations, especially from international tourists. Foreign staff members are helping accommodate the influx. The Rikugawa Lake Resort reported a 20–30% increase in bookings for the year-end and New Year period, thanks to inbound tourism and the long nine-day holiday.

The hotel, typically fully booked from New Year's Eve to January 2nd, will be almost fully booked from December 27th to January 4th this year. Guests can enjoy snow views, nearby ski resorts, and the scenic Goshikinuma ponds, where clear weather reveals breathtaking blue or emerald green water surfaces.

Source: ANN

Four Dead and Six Missing As Typhoon No. 25 Moves Away

Typhoon No. 25 had left four people dead and six others missing in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures by September 22, as the storm moved away from Japan and the extent of flooding and landslide damage across the Kanto region became clearer.

Typhoon No. 25 Continues to Disrupt Transportation

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 25 continued across Chiba Prefecture on September 22 even as flights and major highways returned toward normal, with entire sections of the JR network remaining suspended for the day and all Narita Express services canceled because of flooding, landslides and damage to railway infrastructure.

Japan Pushes India to Final Ball in Historic Sano Cricket Match

Japan came within two runs of producing one of international cricket's biggest upsets on September 22, pushing reigning T20 world champion India to the final ball before losing a rain-shortened match at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

Japan Secures More Medals as Asian Games Day 4 Intensifies

Japan's Asian Games campaign continued across a packed Day 4 schedule on September 22, with the women's badminton team securing another medal, the women's basketball team completing an unbeaten group stage, and Japan adding a historic bronze medal in mixed air rifle shooting as several of the host nation's biggest medal opportunities moved into the evening.

Japan Takes 12 Medals on Asian Games Day 3

Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey.

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MORE Travel NEWS

Readable Phone Booth Appears at Haneda Airport

A phone booth that converts the voice of the person on the other end of a call into real-time text has been installed at Haneda Airport for four days, offering visitors a glimpse of technology designed for people who have difficulty hearing telephone conversations.

Peach Launches Narita-Incheon Route

Peach Aviation began scheduled flights between Narita Airport and South Korea's Incheon International Airport on September 20, marking the low-cost carrier's first new international route from Narita in seven years.

Five-Day Silver Week Holiday Begins

Japan's Silver Week began on September 19 with five consecutive days off for the first time in 11 years, drawing crowds to food and festival events across the country despite rainy weather in the Kanto region as Typhoon No. 25 approached.

Mount Tokachi Volcano Continues to Emit Smoke

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Kyushu Shinkansen Back on Track for Silver Week

The Kyushu Shinkansen will resume operations along its entire route on September 18 after suffering extensive track and other damage in the Kumamoto earthquake, raising hopes that the long-awaited restoration will help revive tourism in disaster-hit areas ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.

Bear Sighting Raises Alarm at Popular Tokyo Hiking Spot

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Tourism Ahead of Silver Week

Prolonged rain is disrupting tourism ahead of Japan's Silver Week holidays, forcing Nagatoro's popular river cruises to remain suspended for an 11th consecutive day while increased water flow at Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture is drawing more visitors.

Shinkansen Introduces New Luxury Private Compartment

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

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