Travel

Tourists Flock to See Hokkaido's Sinking Phantom Bridge

HOKKAIDO, Jun 19 (News On Japan) - The Taushubetsu River Bridge, an old arch bridge from the former National Railway Shihoro Line in Kamishihoro, Hokkaido, has once again begun to sink beneath the waters of Lake Nukabira this year.

Known as the "phantom bridge" because it appears and disappears depending on changes in water levels caused by snowmelt and electricity demand, the site remains a popular attraction for tourists. On June 19th, under clear skies, the 130-meter-long bridge with its 11 arches stood out against the backdrop of the Daisetsu mountain range, drawing visitors who eagerly pointed their cameras at the scene. The concrete railway bridge was completed in 1937 and ceased operation in 1955 following the construction of Nukabira Dam for hydroelectric power. In recent years, its deterioration has been accelerating.

Source: Kyodo

Typhoon No. 22 (Haikui) Forms Near Okinawa, Mainland Japan On Alert

[11:56] Typhoon No. 22, which formed at 3 a.m. on October 5th, was moving slowly westward about 280 kilometers south of Chichijima as of 9 a.m. The storm is expected to gradually intensify as it continues west and could reach strong intensity by October 8th.

Takaichi Wins Leadership Race, Declares All Must Work Like Horses

Sanae Takaichi, elected as the Liberal Democratic Party’s new president on October 4th, declared on stage, “I ask everybody to work like a horse,” after defeating agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff to become the party’s first female leader.

Honey Trap Crimes Becoming More Malicious

A string of so-called “honey trap” cases is drawing attention across Japan as schemes once limited to extortion have become increasingly violent, involving physical assaults and life-threatening intimidation.

Woman Killed with Dozens of Stab Wounds in Higashi-Osaka

Police have revealed that a woman killed by her former partner in Higashi-Osaka had sustained dozens of stab wounds across her body, including injuries that pierced internal organs.

Mega Solar Farm Sparks Backlash Over Deforestation

Vast hillsides have been cleared for the construction of a large-scale solar power facility in Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture, leaving piles of felled trees scattered across the slopes. The development covers approximately 146 hectares, or the size of 32 Tokyo Domes, and involves cutting down about 365,000 trees to make way for 470,000 solar panels.

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MORE Travel NEWS

Balloon Tours Offer Panoramic Views of Mozu-Furuichi Tombs

Sakai City will begin operating sightseeing hot-air balloons on October 4th, offering aerial views of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The balloons will take off and land at Daisen Park, with a maximum capacity of 30 passengers.

Nara’s Shosoin Opens Treasure House

At the World Heritage-listed Shosoin in Nara, the annual ‘Opening Ceremony’ was held, during which the doors of the treasure house were unsealed.

Overtourism: Arashiyama Launches Night Event To Ease Daytime Crowds

Arashiyama has launched a new night event called Moonlit Path on October 1st to tackle overtourism by shifting visitor traffic into the evening and channeling proceeds back into the local community. The illuminated walk runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through October 31st, lighting up Nagatsuji Street and the famed Bamboo Grove, with a paid zone featuring bamboo-themed light installations.

Autumn Travel Season Begins in Japan

Japan has entered the autumn travel season, with visitors across the country enjoying colorful foliage, seasonal foods, and cultural traditions.

Kyoto Temple Turns Iconic New Year Bell Into Ticketed Event

The iconic New Year’s Eve bell at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto will shift to a fully paid and reservation-only system this year, with entry limited to 2,000 people, in response to overwhelming crowds in recent years.

Gang of Monkeys Invades Popular Tourist Spot

At Yamba Dam, a well-known sightseeing spot in Gunma Prefecture, visitors were surprised by an unusual scene: a group of monkeys scratching themselves and gazing out at the view as if enjoying the scenery. Unlike the occasional lone monkey, this time a whole troop appeared.

Luxury Hotel Opens Near Nagoya Castle

A luxury hotel with rates reaching as high as 3.75 million yen per night has opened near Nagoya Castle, aiming to attract wealthy guests from Japan and abroad.

Nagoya Bar Exposed for Overcharging with Hidden Fees

Nagoya’s entertainment district is once again under scrutiny after an undercover investigation revealed deceptive billing practices and aggressive solicitation tactics at local bars.

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