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

Pro Golf Tournament Canceled After Bear Sighting

A professional women’s golf tournament scheduled to begin on July 17th in Miyagi Prefecture was canceled after a bear was spotted on the course, as bear-related incidents continue to mount in northern Japan.

Host Club Owner First in Japan Arrested Over Debt Collection

A host club operator in Nagoya has been arrested for allegedly threatening a female customer at her home in an attempt to collect about 1 million yen in unpaid club bills. This marks the first such arrest in Japan following the enforcement of revised regulations on the adult entertainment industry.

Nissan to Shut Down Oppama Plant in 2027

Nissan Motor announced on the evening of July 15th that it will end vehicle production at its key Oppama Plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, by the end of fiscal 2027. Company President Ivan Espinosa held a press conference at 5 p.m. to explain the decision.

Late-Night Crowd of Train Photographers Causes Chaos

About 300 railway enthusiasts gathered near JR Ōmiya Station in Saitama City around 3 a.m. on July 13th, creating chaos that escalated to the point of police intervention.

Clothes Removed by Deepfake AI in 30 Seconds

Sexual deepfakes, created using generative AI, are rapidly emerging as a new form of digital abuse, with cases increasing across Japan. Without their knowledge, individuals—especially minors—are finding their photos misused to produce sexually explicit images or videos, often in under a minute.

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Typhoon Makes Landfall in Hokkaido for First Time in Nine Years

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Foreign Tourists in Japan Flock to Information Centers

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Illegal Outdoor Bathing Spot in Niseko Forced to Close

A hot spring inn in the popular resort area of Niseko, Hokkaido, has been forced to suspend operations at one of its baths after an unauthorized open-air bath was found to have been built near its hot spring source.

Legoland Japan Kicks Off Summer with Pirate Water Cannon Show

Legoland Japan in Nagoya’s Minato Ward unveiled a new water attraction on July 11th as part of its special summer program, "Soaking Wet Summer at Legoland," which features six different water activities.

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