Travel

Severe Winter Storm Grounds Flights in Hokkaido

HOKKAIDO, Jan 15 (News On Japan) - A powerful winter pressure pattern is expected to bring severe blizzard conditions mainly to northern Japan through January 15th, prompting authorities to warn of violent snowstorms and high waves that are likely to disrupt transportation. In Hokkaido, flight cancellations mounted as the storm intensified, forcing around 900 passengers to spend the night at airports after services were suspended.

On January 13th, widespread blizzard conditions swept across Hokkaido, leading to the cancellation of a total of 126 flights at New Chitose Airport, where roughly 900 travelers were unable to leave and remained overnight inside the terminal.

One stranded passenger said that after boarding the aircraft it never took off and they were informed it had been canceled, adding that the provision of mats and blankets by airport staff was greatly appreciated under the circumstances.

On January 14th, blizzard warnings were issued for the Ishikari and Rumoi regions of Hokkaido, reflecting the severity of the weather system moving through the area.

Maximum instantaneous wind speeds are forecast to reach up to 35 meters per second in parts of Hokkaido, comparable to typhoon-level gusts that could further worsen conditions.

With intense blizzards expected to continue across northern Japan through January 15th, authorities are urging heightened caution over potential disruptions to transportation networks.

Source: FNN

Chinese National Arrested Over Fake Mobile Base Station in Tokyo

A 31-year-old Chinese national has been arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of operating an illegal mobile phone base station that forced more than 10,000 smartphones onto a 2G network in less than two hours, allowing phishing messages to be sent to unsuspecting users in busy shopping districts including Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Typhoon No. 32 Maintains Intensity on Path to Japan Islands

As of 3 p.m. on November 9, Typhoon No. 32 was moving north-northwest over waters south of Japan while maintaining strong intensity, with forecasts indicating it could turn eastward on November 10 and approach the Ogasawara Islands through the morning of November 11, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous waves.

270-Kilogram Bear Killed in Hokkaido After Repeated Farm Attacks

A male bear weighing approximately 270 kilograms was killed by hunters in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, on November 8th after being caught in a box trap, with local hunters suspecting it was responsible for a series of attacks on a nearby poultry farm that left more than 100 chickens and ducks dead since August.

Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on November 8th, registering an upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Aichi Prefecture and injuring at least 21 people, while damaging buildings and disrupting Shinkansen and conventional railway services across the region.

Railways Reopen Following Aichi Earthquake

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed normal-speed operations across its entire route at 8:57 a.m. on November 8th after a magnitude 5.7 earthquake disrupted rail services across central Japan, with JR Central reporting delays to 29 bullet trains affecting approximately 17,000 passengers, while Meitetsu restored services across its entire network by 9:15 a.m. following widespread morning suspensions.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Young Japanese Turning Away From Cars

Japan's younger generation is increasingly turning away from driving and car ownership, with the number of driver's license holders aged 24 and under falling by approximately 590,000 over the past decade to around 5.15 million in 2025, reflecting changing attitudes toward transportation, spending and the traditional appeal of owning a car.

TeamLab Illuminates 20,000 Cosmos Flowers at Osaka's Nagai Botanical Garden

A field of approximately 20,000 cosmos flowers has reached peak bloom at Nagai Botanical Garden in Osaka's Higashisumiyoshi Ward, where a limited-time installation by art collective teamLab is transforming the autumn landscape into a glowing display of light and sound after dark.

Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan

Sapporo's Snow-Clearing Tram Makes Early Winter Debut

Sapporo deployed its distinctive Sasara snow-clearing tram for the first time this season early on November 7th, the second-earliest deployment in 10 years, after snowfall reached 8 centimeters at 4 a.m., prompting a vehicle to leave its depot to clear snow from the city's streetcar tracks.

JR East Unveils Haneda Airport Access Line Ahead of 2031 Opening

East Japan Railway (JR East) opened its Haneda Airport Access Line construction site to the media on November 6, offering a glimpse of a major underground railway project that will connect Haneda Airport directly with central Tokyo, with services scheduled to begin in fiscal 2031.

Awaji Island Vacation Rentals Spark Growing Complaints From Residents

Residents of Awaji Island, one of the Kansai region's most popular resort destinations, are facing growing disruption from vacation rentals, with complaints involving late-night drinking, outdoor barbecues, fireworks, illegal parking and garbage disposal violations, while one property operator has been accused of destroying a warning sign installed by neighbors.

Bear Charges at Resident in Western Tokyo

A bear cub charged toward a family standing outside their home in Ome, western Tokyo, on November 3rd, rushing straight toward the front door moments after a high-pitched cry was heard from nearby bushes, in an encounter that left the resident shaken.

Typhoon No. 31 Accelerates Away From Japan

As of 3 a.m. on November 6, Typhoon No. 31 (In-fa) was moving northeast across the Pacific Ocean east of Japan at 75 kilometers per hour and was expected to become an extratropical cyclone by Friday afternoon, although dangerous swells and high waves could continue along Japan's Pacific coast throughout the day.

< 2 3 4 5 >