Crowds Rush to Final Weekend of Osaka-Kansai Expo

Oct 11, 2025 | News On Japan

OSAKA - With just three days left until the Osaka-Kansai Expo closes, total attendance had surpassed 28 million as of October 10th, and the venue remained packed on October 11th as visitors continued to pour in for the final weekend.

Long lines formed from early in the morning outside the venue’s east gate, and when the gates opened around 9 a.m., crowds streamed in and made their way to their favorite pavilions. Many expressed mixed feelings about finally getting a chance to attend just before the event ends. “I’m glad I made it in at the very last moment — I wish they would extend the run,” said one visitor. Another added, “It’s sad to see it end, so I’m going to make the most of the last day.”

On the same day, Shanghai — a sister city to Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City — hosted a special one-day event, giving visitors a chance to enjoy Chinese music and dance performances and experience overseas culture.

Expo organizers also reminded attendees that unused tickets without reserved dates can still be exchanged for admission passes until October 12th, the day before the event closes. The Expo, which has spanned 184 days, will officially end on October 13th.

Source: Kyodo

Typhoon No. 26 Strengthens as It Approaches Okinawa

Typhoon No. 26 (Surigae) is expected to intensify as it moves over unusually warm waters south of Japan, potentially bringing prolonged periods of strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous seas to Okinawa from September 27, according to the latest forecast issued at 9 p.m. on September 25.

Flood-Hit Chiba Faces Double Blow From Another Typhoon

Residents in flood-hit areas of Chiba Prefecture continued clearing mud and damaged belongings from their homes on September 25 as emergency repairs began on a breached embankment at Lake Inba, with fresh heavy rain forecast for the weekend and Typhoon No. 26 threatening to bring further disruption next week.

Asian Games Day 7: Japan Takes Four Skateboarding Medals

Japan's teenage skateboarders delivered two gold medals and two bronze medals on September 25, with 15-year-olds Mizuho Hasegawa and Ian Nagahara winning the women's and men's park competitions at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

10-Vehicle Pileup Closes Kobe Expressway

A major traffic accident involving 10 vehicles, including trucks and passenger cars, left one man seriously injured and nine others with minor injuries on the Daini Shinmei Road in Kobe on September 24, forcing the closure of part of the expressway.

ANA Plane Makes Emergency Landing at Naha Airport

An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight bound for Saga Airport made an emergency landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa at 10:05 p.m. on September 23 after developing trouble with its right engine shortly after takeoff, with some passengers suffering minor injuries during an emergency evacuation.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Japan's Overnight Trains Make a Comeback

Japan's overnight trains are attracting renewed attention as railway companies introduce special services that combine affordable travel with exclusive experiences, highlighted by the country's first overnight Shinkansen service, which carried passengers from Osaka to Tokyo during the Silver Week holidays on September 22.

ANA Plane Makes Emergency Landing at Naha Airport

Rare Blue Bees Bring Happiness to Shiga Temple

A rare blue-and-black bee known as the "blue bee that brings happiness" has become a popular attraction at Chojuji Temple in Konan, Shiga Prefecture, where visitors are gathering to catch a glimpse of the colorful insect.

Japan's Airports and Bullet Trains Packed as Five-Day Holiday Ends

Airports and railway stations across Japan were crowded on September 23 as travelers returned from their hometowns and holiday destinations on the final day of the five-day Silver Week holiday, with international flight arrivals reaching their peak and many afternoon Shinkansen services fully booked.

Japan's First Overnight Shinkansen Runs From Osaka to Tokyo

Japan's first overnight Shinkansen service departed Shin-Osaka Station at around 10 p.m. on September 22, taking passengers on a special journey to Tokyo that included a six-hour stop at Shin-Fuji Station, where travelers spent the night aboard the train before enjoying views of Mount Fuji at dawn.

Road to Imperial Palace's Otemon Gate Flooded by Typhoon

The road leading to Otemon Gate at Tokyo's Imperial Palace was flooded on September 22 after heavy rain from a typhoon caused water in the surrounding moat to overflow.

Typhoon No. 25 Leaves Major Rail Disruption Across Chiba

Extensive railway disruption continued across Chiba Prefecture on September 23 as JR East warned that several lines damaged by Typhoon No. 25 would remain closed beyond the Silver Week holiday, even as flights returned toward normal, all typhoon-related expressway closures were lifted and some highway bus services resumed. The storm has left widespread damage to railway tracks and embankments, with flooding, landslides and fallen trees complicating restoration work.

Typhoon No. 25 Death Toll Rises to 9, With 4 Still Missing

The death toll from Typhoon No. 25 rose to nine on September 23, with four people still missing in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, as renewed rainfall raised fears of further landslides in communities devastated by the storm.

< 2 3 4 5 >