Travel

Cherry Blossoms Reach Final Stage, Six Days Earlier Than Average

HOKKAIDO, May 08 (News On Japan) - Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Wakkanai and Kushiro, marking the near completion of Japan's cherry blossom front for 2025.

The Wakkanai Local Meteorological Office confirmed the blooming of five to six flowers on an Ezoyamazakura tree—the northernmost sample tree in Japan—located in a city park on May 7th. This observation officially marked the start of the blooming season in Wakkanai. Compared to 2024, this year's bloom came six days later, but still six days earlier than the historical average.

Shortly after, the Kushiro Local Meteorological Office also confirmed the blooming of Ezoyamazakura, leaving only Abashiri among the 58 locations nationwide where the Japan Meteorological Agency monitors cherry blossoms.

With this, the cherry blossom front that has swept from southern Japan to the north is now close to reaching its final stop.

Source: HBCニュース　北海道放送

Japan's Population Declines for 16th Straight Year

Japan’s population of Japanese nationals has decreased for the 16th consecutive year, according to demographic data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. As of January 1st, 2025, the Japanese population stood at 120.65 million, a drop of roughly 910,000 from the previous year—marking the largest annual decline on record.

Dangerous Heat Leaves Cows Exhausted and Summer Crops Failing

A severe and prolonged heatwave is taking a widespread toll across Japan, affecting everything from traditional summer events to vegetable harvests and dairy farms.

Officials Investigate Fireworks Fiasco

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge.

Japan's Rice Strategy Fails

Japan’s government plan to flood the market with stockpiled rice to lower prices is facing setbacks, as demand slumps and cancellations from retailers increase. Initially popular, the rice is now piling up on shelves, prompting calls to extend the end-of-August sales deadline. Even discounted imported rice is struggling to sell. Meanwhile, rice prices have unexpectedly risen for the first time in 10 weeks.

Australia to Jointly Develop New Warships with Japan

Australia has selected Japan’s proposal for the joint development of next-generation naval vessels, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Japan Sets All-Time High Temperature

In a historic heatwave, the city of Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture recorded a scorching 41.8 degrees Celsius on August 5th, setting a new all-time high for the highest temperature ever observed in Japan.

60,000 Swallows Roost at Nara’s Heijo Palace

A summer spectacle is reaching its peak at the Heijo Palace Ruins, a World Heritage site in Nara, as tens of thousands of swallows gather in the night sky.

Volcanic Alert Raised to Level 2 in Gunma

The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the volcanic alert level for the area around Mt. Shirane and the Yugama crater on the Gunma side of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane to Level 2, restricting access near the crater due to an increase in volcanic earthquakes.