Test tours underway in Japan
海外観光客受け入れ 来月10日再開 “爆買い”期待
A participant from a travel agency in Australia said, "we really hope that the Japanese people are excited about having tourism back in the country again."
Japan's Tourism Agency says information gathered from the test groups will help the government finalize COVID-19 guidelines for hotels and other tourism-related businesses.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced on Thursday that his country will begin welcoming foreign tourists starting June 10.
People from nearly 100 countries and territories including the US and China, will be able to travel through packaged tours, as long as they are escorted by a guide.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary says they are being cautious. Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Friday that the government will make an appropriate decision for the management of the total number of those entering Japan, taking into account the quarantine system and prevention measures. He added the government will also consider the COVID-19 infection situation at home and abroad, as well as border control measures in major countries.
Sustained rains in Japan leave damage, landslide risks
Kyodo - Aug 06
Torrential rains have continued to fall across a wide part of Japan on Friday, with record downpours reported in Fukui and Shiga prefectures as rivers have overflowed and many areas are left at increased risk of landslides.
Heavy rain lashes Sea of Japan coast
NHK - Aug 05
Officials are warning of more rain on Friday after record rainfall hit parts of the Japanese region of Hokuriku and Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures from Wednesday through Thursday, causing flooding and landslides. They are urging vigilance over landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.
JAL system makes air travel easier and lets you keep laptops, liquids in bag for security check
soranews24.com - Aug 05
Passengers can keep computers and liquids inside their carry-on until they actually want to use them, thanks to new system.
Revitalization of Japanese tourism to Hawaii slower than expected
kitv.com - Aug 04
The highly anticipated return of Japanese travelers to Hawaii was expected to dramatically increase with foreign border restrictions loosening back in June 2022.
Heavy rain causes wide damage in north, central Japan
NHK - Aug 04
Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued an emergency heavy rain warning for Niigata Prefecture, next to Yamagata Prefecture, where the same warning was issued on Wednesday night. It's a level 5 alert, the highest on the emergency scale.
Kanto lighting up the night sky for the first time in three years
時事通信トレンドニュース - Aug 04
"Kanto Festival" is being held in Akita City for the first time in three years.
JAPANESE FESTIVALS are CRAZY (it was too hot!) *street food, dancing, and games*
ちゅーそんちゃんねるChuson Channel - Aug 04
We are going to Tokyo SkyTree for a festival.
Ohtaki No Yu - Kusatsu, Japan
Sauna Channel - Aug 04
Time to relax in one of Kusatsu’s natural hot spring baths, commonly known as onsen, with Sho Ikushima at Ohtaki No Yu.
Heatwave continues to grip western, eastern Japan
NHK - Aug 03
The ongoing heatwave is gripping wide areas of western through eastern Japan on Wednesday, with the mercury reaching 39 degrees Celsius in some cities near Tokyo. Officials are urging people to take full precautions against heatstroke.
Japan swelters as temperatures climb over 30 C
Japan Today - Aug 02
Temperatures rose across Japan on Tuesday, topping 30 C from the morning in 380 locations, with the weather agency warning of heat-related illnesses.
Mercury tops 39 degrees in Obama City on Sea of Japan
NHK - Aug 01
Scorching heat prevailed again on Monday over wider Japan, with temperatures soaring above 39 degrees Celsius in Obama City on the Sea of Japan coast.
Japan is open to travel. So why aren't tourists coming back?
CNN - Aug 01
Summer 2022 has been dominated by stories about travel mishaps, overcrowding at major destinations and airports and life-threatening heat waves in Europe. Yet in Asia, where many countries are reopening in a more gradual fashion -- with fewer flight cancellations or horror stories about lost luggage -- tourists have been slow to come back.
