Travel

50,000 Sunflowers Bloom at Awaji Island Park

HYOGO, Aug 09 (News On Japan) - Around 50,000 hybrid sunflowers, growing up to two meters tall, are in full bloom at Awaji Farm Park England Hill in Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, creating a vast, vibrant yellow flower field.

This year, the sunflowers bloomed slightly earlier than usual, thanks to the scorching heat that persisted through the summer of 2025.

A visitor commented, "It’s great, I got some nice photos. It really feels like summer."

In a bid to enhance the summer experience for visitors, watermelon was distributed to those in attendance.

The sunflowers are expected to be in full bloom until the 13th of this month.

Source: KTV NEWS

Japan to Release Oil Reserves as Early as March 16

Japan plans to release petroleum reserves as early as March 16 in response to surging crude oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the government also aiming to keep the nationwide average gasoline price at around 170 yen per liter.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Vessel Damaged in Persian Gulf, No Injuries Reported

A container ship owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines that had remained in the Persian Gulf following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was found to have sustained damage, although no injuries were reported among the crew.

Japan Approves Travel Authorization System

The Japanese government approved a bill on March 10th to revise the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to establish an electronic travel authorization system called JESTA that would screen foreign visitors before they arrive in Japan.

Mid-Winter Temperatures Return, Snow Falls in Central Tokyo

A blast of midwinter-like cold returned to the Kanto region, bringing rare March snowfall as Utsunomiya recorded its heaviest snow in 21 years for the month, while snow also fell in central Tokyo.

Two Men Fall While Climbing Mount Fuji

Two men fell while climbing Mount Fuji shortly before 3 p.m. on March 9th near the New Seventh Station, as authorities launched a rescue operation on the mountain where summit routes remain closed for the winter season.

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MORE Travel NEWS

Osaka Customs Cracks Down on Counterfeit Goods

Customs authorities in Osaka strengthened border controls on March 9th in response to a continued influx of counterfeit goods entering Japan, including fake merchandise linked to popular characters and events.

Two Men Fall While Climbing Mount Fuji

Nara Village Shaped by 1,400 Years of History

Nara Prefecture’s Asuka Village, with a history spanning 1,400 years, preserves numerous historic sites that tell the story of Japan’s ancient capitals, including the vividly colored wall paintings of the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus depicting the famed “Asuka Beauties,” while the surrounding satoyama countryside continues to evoke what many consider the original landscape of Japan.

Another Tree Falls in Tokyo Park

A day after a woman in her 70s was injured when a cherry tree collapsed at the same park, another tree was found toppled in Kinuta Park in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward on March 8th.

Taxi Apps Are Transforming the Industry

Once known as a “3K” job—dangerous, demanding and poorly paid—the taxi industry in Japan has long struggled with labor shortages, but drivers’ incomes have improved significantly in recent years, rising by roughly 40 percent compared with 2020 during the COVID-19 downturn.