Osaka Hikes Accommodation Tax

OSAKA, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - Osaka Prefecture raised its lodging tax by up to 200 yen starting September 1st.

Until then, guests staying at hotels with nightly rates of 7,000 yen or more had been subject to a tax ranging from 100 yen to 300 yen, depending on the room rate. Under the revised ordinance, the threshold was lowered to 5,000 yen, and the tax was raised to between 200 yen and 500 yen per night, according to the accommodation fee.

The increase is expected to lift annual lodging tax revenue by around 6 billion yen, bringing the total to roughly 8 billion yen.

Meanwhile, the prefecture decided not to introduce a separate levy aimed at foreign visitors. Instead, the additional revenue is to be allocated to events after the conclusion of Expo 2025 and measures to address overtourism.

Source: KTV NEWS

Tokyo Elementary School Fire Injures 11 Pupils And Teachers

Eleven pupils and teachers were injured after a fire broke out at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Tokyo's Kita Ward at around 11 a.m. on June 19, forcing more than 300 children to evacuate and briefly trapping several pupils on a narrow ledge outside a fourth-floor classroom.

Weekend Downpours Expected as Typhoon No. 7 Looms

Heavy rain is expected across a wide area of Japan this weekend, with western Japan facing cloudy and rainy conditions on June 19 and Kyushu likely to see torrential rain and thunderstorms before rain clouds move eastward toward eastern Japan and Tohoku through June 21.

Volcanic Alert Raised Ahead of Hokkaido Hiking Sesson

The eruption alert level for Mount Tokachidake in Hokkaido was raised to Level 2 on June 18 for the first time in 12 years, prompting authorities to restrict entry within 1.5 kilometers of the crater and close parts of hiking trails just days before the mountain’s official opening for the summer climbing season.

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Bear attacks and sightings are increasing across Japan, with multiple people injured on June 17 and experts warning that bears are becoming more accustomed to human environments, potentially leading to more dangerous and unpredictable encounters in the years ahead.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

JR Central and JR West on June 17 announced pricing and service details for the new private-room seating that will be introduced on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October, creating a new top-tier class above the existing Green Car service.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Bears Growing More Aggressive in June and July

Historic Myoshin-ji Gate Damaged by Dog Pee

Kyoto's Myoshin-ji Temple, one of Japan's largest Zen temple complexes, is facing a growing problem that temple officials warn could eventually lead to costly restoration work and even pose safety risks to visitors.

Abandoned Pirate Ship Removed from Kawasaki Canal

A long-abandoned sightseeing boat that has sat tilted in a canal in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, for nearly eight years is finally being removed by city authorities after officials determined the deteriorating vessel posed a serious safety risk.

Supreme Class Debuts on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen

Nara's Ancient Capitals Seek Final Push for World Heritage Status

Nara Prefecture has conducted a promotional tour for ambassadors and diplomats from member states of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to showcase the Asuka and Fujiwara Palace Sites as the property moves toward formal inscription as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Shirahama Approves Accommodation Tax Up to 1,000 Yen Per Night

Shirahama, one of the Kansai region's leading tourist destinations, has approved the introduction of an accommodation tax, becoming the third municipality in the region after Osaka Prefecture and Kyoto City to adopt such a measure.

Massive LED Canvas Unveiled at Ueno Station

JR Ueno Station has unveiled "Ueno Canvas," a new 75-square-meter LED display featuring videos that highlight the area's cultural attractions, tourism destinations, and artistic heritage as part of a station renovation aimed at connecting people and the city through culture.

Earthquake Shakes Gunma and Saitama, Reaching Lower-5 Intensity

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck eastern Japan at around 7:46 p.m., with a maximum seismic intensity of lower 5 recorded in parts of Gunma and Saitama prefectures, though no injuries or major damage had been confirmed and there was no risk of a tsunami.

< 2 3 4 5 >