Travel

Giant Papier-Mache Figures Appear at Wakayama Hot Spring

Wakayama, Jan 13 (News On Japan) - At Kawayu Onsen in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, known for its rare hot springs that bubble up when the riverbed is dug, giant papier-mache figures—a winter tradition—have gone on display.

The jumbo papier-mache figures appear each year at this time as guideposts for Yakushi Nyorai, regarded as the guardian deity of Kawayu Onsen, when the deity is believed to return from the mountains to the village, expressing gratitude for the blessings of the hot springs.

This year, 11 distinctive figures made by pasting paper over bamboo frames and coloring them have been installed along the suspension bridge over the Oto River that flows through Kawayu Onsen, including an ema-style image of the zodiac animal for the year, the horse, as well as bears, which drew particular attention last year.

The giant papier-mache figures will remain on display through mid-February, delighting visitors to the hot spring resort during the winter season.

Source: YOMIURI

Violent Typhoon No. 9 Batters Mariana Islands Before Turning Toward Okinawa

Large and violent Typhoon No. 9 passed closest to the Mariana Islands on the morning of July 6, bringing a dangerous storm to Guam, Saipan and Rota, and is forecast to move toward Okinawa later this week while maintaining exceptional strength.

Japan Lowers Passport Fees to 7,000 yen

Japan lowered passport application fees from July 1, drawing large crowds to application counters such as the one in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, although applicants are being warned that issuance could take as long as about one month.

Tokyo to Set Accommodation Tax at 3% From Next April

Tokyo will introduce a 3% accommodation tax on hotel and other lodging stays from April 2027, formally replacing its current flat-rate system and extending the levy to private lodging services.

Heavy Rain Disrupts Rail Services in Northern Kyushu

Heavy rain continued across northern Kyushu, with some parts of Fukuoka Prefecture recording 120 millimeters of rainfall in the 24 hours through 3 p.m. on July 5.

Osaka Mosasaur Fossil May Rewrite Japan’s Prehistoric Record

A fossil discovered in Osaka has led to Japan’s first finding of its kind, raising the possibility that a giant marine predator believed to have swum in the seas around the Kansai region about 70 million years ago was a previously unknown species.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Beloved Steam Locomotive Turns 80

The steam locomotive C57 No. 180, affectionately known as the "Lady," is marking 80 years since its manufacture as it continues to run as the SL Banetsu Monogatari.

Best eSIM for Japan: Avoid Expensive Roaming Charges

A good connection matters in Japan because so much of the trip depends on your phone working smoothly. You may need it for station directions, translation, booking confirmations, digital tickets, or finding the right exit in a large city.

Hokkaido Rausu Trail Reopens After Bear Fatality

A hiking trail on Mount Rausu in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, reopened on July 5 after being closed since last August following a fatal brown bear attack on a climber.

Oiso Long Beach Opens with Pool Party

Oiso Long Beach, a popular summer destination in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, opened its pools for the season on July 4, drawing about 1,300 visitors as the facility strengthened heatstroke prevention measures.

Smart Bears Outwit Hunters

A bear was seen walking openly through a residential street in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, on the morning of July 3, appearing in a popular hot spring area with a history of 1,200 years that attracts many tourists.

Mount Fuji Climbing Season Begins

Mount Fuji’s Yoshida Route on the Yamanashi Prefecture side opened for the climbing season on July 1, with favorable weather at the 3,776-meter summit giving visitors a clear view of the sunrise at around 4:30 a.m. as sunlight broke through gaps in the clouds.

Bear Attack Near Tochigi Elementary School Raises Alarm

A man in his 70s was injured early on June 30 after being attacked by a bear near an elementary school in Tochigi Prefecture, as bear-related incidents continue to rise across Japan ahead of the full onset of summer heat in July.

Japan’s Digital Border Revolution: How QR-Based Entry Systems Are Transforming Travel in 2026

Japan’s tourism recovery has entered a new phase in 2026, marked not just by rising visitor numbers but by a deeper structural shift in how the country manages entry procedures.

< 2 3 4 5 >