JAL and ANA offer greener flight options
Nikkei -- Jan 03
In the face of rising concerns about environmental degradation and a global move toward sustainability, two of Japan's top airlines have begun to transform their operations to greener practices.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has started experimentally operating what it calls a net-zero emissions charter flight, while All Nippon Airways has been using a "sharkskin" film that improves a plane's aerodynamics and allows less fuel to be burned.
JAL operated its first such flight, from Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Naha Airport in Okinawa, on Nov. 18. With the one-day tour costing 25,000 yen ($189) per person, the flight was boarded by some 250 tour-goers.
The plane flew on 40% sustainable aviation fuel made from a variety of sources including recycled waste oil. To achieve net zero, the carrier also "offsets" emissions by investing in forest preservation and taking other measures.
The flight's offset costs roughly 330 yen per person. ...continue reading
Rainy season begins in wide regions in Japan as typhoon approaches
NHK - May 30
Weather officials say the rainy season appears to have started in wide regions in Japan, with rain clouds spreading over western to eastern Japan. In the country's southwest, Typhoon Mawar will be approaching the Okinawan islands around Wednesday.
[Monsters In Tokyo] #8 Maman Giant Spider
NOJ - May 29
The Maman Spider Sculpture by the late Louise Bourgeois is a famous landmark in Roppongi Hills.
Bird strike crushes nose of Air France Airbus A350 in Osaka
simpleflying.com - May 29
An Air France service between Osaka and Paris was forced to turn back on Sunday after a bird strike damaged its nose cone.
'Very, very hot': Japanese backpacker nears Cairns after travelling 3,000km across Australia on a scooter
theguardian.com - May 26
On a service road to the Bruce Highway, one of Australia's most dangerous roads, is a lone traveller on a kick scooter. He set out from Melbourne in late January and has been making the exhausting and occasionally perilous journey almost 3,000km to Cairns in far-north Queensland.
Narita airport to hike user fees for passengers from September
Japan Today - May 26
The operator of Japan's Narita airport plans to raise user charges for international passengers from September, including up to 330 yen for a facility fee, reflecting recent price and labor cost hikes, a source close to the matter said Wednesday.
[Monsters In Tokyo] #9 Tire Park Dinosaurs
NOJ / Japan Travel - May 25
Tire Park is every child's dreams come true. Over 3,000 tires (and a lot of sand) were used to build the coolest playground in Tokyo. It's filled with robots, dinosaurs, rocket ships, and more...
Riding Japan’s Most LUXURIOUS Steam Train -- FIRST Class in Hokkaido
Abroad in Japan - May 25
Hokkaido is home to Japan's most luxurious and rarest steam train, the winter express. Only in operation several weeks of the year, we bag ourselves tickets as we continue our journey across Japan.
What I wish I Knew Before Coming to Japan - Unspoken Rules
Inaka Adventure - May 25
You DON'T Need to worry about Traveling to Japan, but you DO Need to know some these simple unspoken RULES when you come to Japan
[Monsters In Tokyo] #10 Kitaro Square Chofu
NOJ - May 24
Kitaro Square has play objects featuring Yokai (spirit-monster) and others, including "GeGeGe no Kitaro," from manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.
Haneda Airport to reopen Terminal 2 area for international flights
NHK - May 23
Tokyo's Haneda Airport will reopen an area for international flights in Terminal 2 in July to handle surging demand since Japan eased its entry rules. The part of the terminal had been shut down due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan eyes revamping tax-free shopping rule to stem illicit resale
Kyodo - May 23
Japan is considering overhauling its tax-free shopping scheme for foreign visitors in response to a growing number of cases of tax-free items being resold overseas for profit at tax-inclusive prices, sources close to the matter said Monday.
Yellow sand likely to spread to eastern Japan on Pacific coast
NHK - May 22
Japanese weather officials say yellow sand from China's deserts is expected to blow into wide regions from northern to western Japan, and even spread to the Pacific coast through late Monday night.
Discovering Japan's unexplored rabbit island of rabbits that was hidden for a long time
WION - May 22
Okunoshima or Usagi Shima is a tiny, pretty, and abandoned (no human) island in the Inland Sea of Japan, sitting in the city of Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Like a Roller Coaster! Riding Japan's Scary Upside-Down Train | Shonan Monorail
travelgeek - May 21
Today, we are trying a monorail which looks like running upside-down in Kanagawa Japan. Just relax and enjoy the unique trip.
Qantas to double Japan flights in bet on global travel rebound
Nikkei - May 20
Qantas Airways will double the number of flights to Japan later this year as part of an international service expansion, the airline said Friday, as it seeks to ride the tailwind of a recovery in travel demand.
