Feb 13 (FRANCE 24 English) - A record 37 million people visited Japan in 2024, six times the number from twenty years ago. While the surge is a boon for many businesses, it has sparked a debate about overtourism, amid reports of overcrowding and complaints that some foreign visitors are not adhering to the country’s rules and customs.
Tokyo has announced plans to begin commercial operations of flying cars as early as the 2027 fiscal year, with the aim to establish multiple takeoff and landing sites across the city by 2030, creating a network that connects the capital with neighboring prefectures.
Across Japan, aging underground infrastructure is leading to a rising number of road collapses, with an estimated 10,000 cases annually—about 29 per day. Nearly 30% of these incidents in urban areas are attributed to deteriorating sewer pipes.
JR Central has unveiled ultra-thin solar panels that can be installed on noise barriers along the Tokaido Shinkansen, aiming for deployment by 2050. Measuring just about one millimeter thick, the perovskite solar panels are lightweight and flexible, allowing them to be fitted onto the curved surfaces of noise barriers.
Following the Japan-U.S. summit during the Trump administration, discussions about liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports gained momentum. The agreement to expand LNG purchases from the U.S. was seen as a key development, but significant challenges remain. Will this lead to lower gas prices in Japan? And what are the five countries that pose obstacles to fulfilling this commitment?
Japan’s recent decision to ease visa requirements for Chinese tourists has sparked mixed reactions, with some expecting an influx of visitors and others arguing that the impact will be limited.
Ueno may be best known for being home to Japan’s oldest zoo, the Ameyoko shopping street, and one of Tokyo’s most popular hanami spots: Ueno Park. But did you know that, beyond the bustling streets and lively crowds, this area has a serene and quiet side? (Japan by Food)
A record 37 million people visited Japan in 2024, six times the number from twenty years ago. While the surge is a boon for many businesses, it has sparked a debate about overtourism, amid reports of overcrowding and complaints that some foreign visitors are not adhering to the country’s rules and customs. (FRANCE 24 English)
Tired of the usual Narita to Haneda transfer? In this video, I'm sharing an unusual but amazing way to get from Narita (NRT) to Haneda (HND) with breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. This scenic route is worth the extra time. (Solo Travel Japan)
The world's oldest wombat in captivity celebrated its 36th birthday at a zoo in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture. Wine, a male wombat living at Mayuyama Zoo, turned 36 last month, an age equivalent to over 100 in human years.
Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts is undergoing its first major renovation since its opening, and during the process, a ceiling from 1936 was discovered. The museum also found graffiti left from the postwar period when the building was under the control of the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Allied Forces.
With just two months remaining until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, new initiatives are being introduced to enhance visitor convenience.
Local government leaders have gathered to discuss efforts to bring the long-envisioned San’in Shinkansen, which would connect Osaka and Yamaguchi, closer to reality.
Foreign tourists spent a record 8.1 trillion yen in Japan last year, an amount equivalent to the cost of building 203 Tokyo Skytree towers. As Japan continues to attract visitors from around the world, many are curious about where this money goes and the financial backgrounds of those spending it.
