Travel

Pavilion Satisfaction No. 1? Mysterious Desert Experience at Jordan Expo Exhibit

OSAKA, Jul 23 (News On Japan) - The Jordan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo has become a standout attraction, offering a multi-sensory desert experience that includes red sand from a UNESCO World Heritage site, spa treatments with Dead Sea mud, sand art workshops, and even a sweet, spiced date shake.

Guests can walk barefoot on fine red sand brought from the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, enjoy immersive 360-degree visuals of the country’s landscapes, and experience interactive displays such as glowing ancient stones and Arabic script projections.

Upstairs, the pavilion offers a Dead Sea mud hand treatment, known for its mineral-rich properties and relaxing effects. A sand art section allows visitors to purchase custom-made bottles filled with colored sand designs, including personalized names in Arabic or Japanese. The pavilion also features a café where guests can enjoy a traditional date shake made with dates and cinnamon, described as a sweet and familiar taste for Japanese visitors.

Due to high demand, reservations are required and must be made online on the day of the visit. The pavilion is drawing praise for its immersive design and high level of visitor satisfaction.

Source: MBS

Tokyo’s Aging Expressway Reborn After Major Overhaul

After nearly a decade of construction, the newly rebuilt Haneda Line of the Metropolitan Expressway, one of Tokyo’s key arteries linking the city center with Haneda Airport, has been unveiled to the media ahead of its official switch to a new road on October 29th.

New Cabinet Takes On 'Takaichi Color'

The newly launched Takaichi Cabinet moved into full operation on October 22nd, with early personnel decisions revealing a clear conservative tone. Satsuki Katayama was appointed as finance minister and Kimi Onoda as minister in charge of foreign resident policy, underscoring what observers are calling the emergence of a distinct “Takaichi color.”

Hokkaido Launches Mass Culling After Bird Flu Detected

Authorities in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, have begun culling approximately 460,000 laying hens after a poultry farm in the region’s Iburi area confirmed infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the first confirmed outbreak of the season in Japan.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

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Kyoto Marks 130 Years of Jidai Matsuri

The Jidai Festival, one of Kyoto’s three grand festivals, was held as a parade of people dressed in costumes representing different historical eras made its way through the streets of the ancient capital.

Shizuoka Studies Yamanashi’s Approach to Managing Overtourism on Mt. Fuji

The Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly’s special committee on the preservation and proper use of Mt. Fuji held its fourth meeting on October 21st, hearing from officials of Fujiyoshida City in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture about their initiatives to curb “bullet climbing” — the practice of ascending the mountain overnight without adequate rest or preparation.

Winter Chill Hits Japan Early

Cold air brought Japan its lowest temperatures of the season on October 22nd, with even northern plains in Hokkaido blanketed by snow.

What to do with your luggage when traveling Japan?

Dragging heavy suitcases up and down stairs and through unfamiliar places is probably not what you had in mind for your Japan trip - that's where luggage storage and delivery come in. A safe and convenient alternative, these services allow you to ditch those bags and have your best Japan holiday. (Japan Guide)

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Tokugawa Birthplace Temple Turns Into Jungle

A historic temple in Ota, Gunma Prefecture, known as the birthplace of the Tokugawa clan name, is at the center of a dispute with local authorities after a once-picturesque pond within its grounds dried up and turned into an overgrown thicket.

Japan’s Inbound Tourists Top 30 Million at Fastest Pace Ever

The number of foreign visitors to Japan surpassed 30 million in the fastest time ever, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization. A total of 31.65 million people visited the country between January and September 2025, breaking the 30 million mark earlier in the year than ever before.

How to Preserve Osaka's Expo Legacy

The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which brought together 158 countries and regions over 184 days before closing on October 13th, now faces a crucial question: how can its legacy be preserved for future generations? Experts say the answer lies not only in what remains physically — such as pavilions, iconic structures, and innovative technologies — but also in how the event continues to inspire people long after the crowds have gone home.

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