Travel

Shinmoedake Eruption Alert Raised to Level 3 as Volcanic Activity Increases

KYUSHU, Mar 31 (News On Japan) - The eruption alert level for Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima mountain range on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, has been raised to Level 3, or "entry restrictions," due to increased volcanic activity.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, volcanic earthquakes around Shinmoedake began increasing around March 28th, and crustal deformation indicating swelling of the mountain was observed in the early hours of March 30th. In response, the agency raised the alert level from Level 2, which restricts access near the crater, to Level 3, which prohibits approaching the mountain. This is the first time since June 2018 that the alert level has reached 3.

While authorities do not expect an immediate large-scale eruption, the Meteorological Agency is urging caution within a roughly 4-kilometer radius of the crater due to the potential for large volcanic rocks to be ejected.

Source: FNN

Japan-Bound Tanker Clears Strait of Hormuz

An Idemitsu Kosan crude oil tanker has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first vessel bound for Japan to do so since attacks on Iran heightened tensions in the region and effectively disrupted maritime traffic.

Golden Week Crowds Seen From Above

Japan’s Golden Week holiday period got fully underway on April 29, drawing large crowds to major tourist destinations and airports, where long lines formed as overseas travel surged.

Giant Bears Return to Hokkaido

A series of sightings involving unusually large brown bears in Hokkaido has heightened concerns among local residents, with one 330-kilogram animal captured in Tomamae and another 280-kilogram bear attacking a hunter in Shimamaki.

Golden Week Travel Kicks Off

Full-scale Golden Week travel began on April 29, with Chubu Centrair International Airport experiencing its busiest outbound travel day of the holiday period. The airport was crowded from the morning with vacationers heading overseas.

Japan Faces Higher Power and Gas Bills

Electricity and gas bills for usage in May will rise slightly in Japan, with the impact of tensions involving Iran expected to appear in utility charges from June onward. Larger increases could follow in subsequent months.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

60-Year-Old Hot Spring Marks End of an Era

A long-standing hot spring facility in Kagoshima brought down the curtain on nearly six decades of history on April 29, Showa Day, as a cameraman documented its final day, capturing memories of an era shaped by Japan’s postwar growth.

Kansai Airport Sets Record High

International passenger traffic at Kansai Airport reached a record high of 27.08 million in fiscal 2025, up around 2 million from the previous year and highlighting strong demand for overseas travel across western Japan.

Okinawa Residents Get Early Ride on Tornado Coaster

Residents of Okinawa were given an early preview on April 27 of a new thrill ride at theme park JUNGLIA OKINAWA in Nakijin Village, Okinawa Prefecture.

Rare Mirage Returns to Toyama

A rare spring mirage appeared over Toyama Bay on April 26, creating a striking optical illusion in which a bridge seemed to transform into a flattened diamond shape floating above the water.

Electric Passenger Ferry Begins Service Between Nihonbashi and Toyosu

Regular service by an electric passenger ferry linking Tokyo's Nihonbashi and Toyosu began on April 26. It marks Japan's first scheduled service using a fully electric passenger vessel operated by a private company.

New Sightseeing Train 'GRAN Tenku' Links Namba and Koyasan

A new sightseeing train operated by Nankai Electric Railway began service on April 24, connecting Osaka's Namba Station with Koyasan, a World Heritage site, raising expectations for regional tourism growth.

Bear Alerts Issued at Record Pace

Bear sightings are surging across northeastern Japan in an unusually early spring trend, prompting the fastest issuance on record of bear alerts in multiple prefectures including Aomori and Iwate. Incidents have already left a police officer seriously injured and a member of the Self-Defense Forces attacked.

Clouds Gather Over Hokkaido Shinkansen Extension

The planned extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo has come under renewed scrutiny after Japan's Finance Ministry said the project had reached a level at which it should, in principle, be canceled.

< 2 3 4 5 >