Sapporo Snow Festival begins; open to public for first time since 2020
SAPPORO, Feb 05 (Japan Today) -
The 73rd Sapporo Snow Festival began in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Saturday. The festival, featuring more than 160 ice and snow sculptures, is open to the public for the first time since 2020. It was held online only in 2021 and 2022 due to the coronavirus.
This year’s event also marks the 100th anniversary of Sapporo being incorporated as a city.
The festival, which runs until Feb 11, is being held at two venues — Otori and Susukino. The Tsudome venue is not being used this year.
Organizers said that some anti-coronavirus measures will be in place. There will be no food and beverage booths, visitors are asked to wear masks, while the number of people at viewing spaces and on walkways will be restricted to prevent crowding. ...continue reading
Online passport renewal applications start in Japan
The Japan News - Mar 28
Japan’s revised passport law took effect Monday, making online applications for passport renewal possible without visits to relevant administrative offices.
Japanese Penis Festival shrine distances itself from penis mascot
soranews24.com - Mar 28
Every spring, thousands of tourists from Japan and overseas descend on a shrine in Tokyo’s neighbouring prefecture of Kanagawa to celebrate one thing — the penis.
Japan to end service of adding blank passport pages, last in G-20
Kyodo - Mar 26
Japan will scrap Monday a service allowing passport holders to add pages when they run out of space for visas and immigration stamps, becoming the last member of the Group of 20 to stop such a system.
Weird things you should never do in Japan
Top Discovery - Mar 25
Japan's colors, views, and traditions have captivated tourists for thousands of years due to its one of the longest and most complicated histories of any nation on earth.
Asian Dust reaches Japan for first time in two years
NOJ / TV Asahi - Mar 24
A meteorological phenomenon known as Asian Dust, or yellow sand, covered the skies of Niigata on Friday, the first such observation in Japan since May 2021.
New terminal building opens at Kumamoto Airport
NHK - Mar 24
A new terminal building has opened at Kumamoto Airport on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu.
Volcanic alert for Mt. Asama raised to Level 2
NHK - Mar 23
The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the volcanic alert for Mount Asama from Level 1 to 2, warning people to refrain from approaching its crater.
Police urge cyclists to wear helmets ahead of mandate on April 1
Japan Today - Mar 23
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has begun urging cyclists to wear helmets before a helmet-wearing mandate goes into effect nationwide on April 1.
ANA to resume flights between Haneda and mainland China
NHK - Mar 23
ANA Holdings says it will resume flights between Tokyo's Haneda and mainland China on April 1 after a lapse of about three years.
Exploring Osaka For The First Time
Alina Mcleod - Mar 23
Osaka is a must for every itinerary in Japan. This city has a very different energy compared to Tokyo, considered to be the foodie capital of the country and home to many historical monuments.
Tokyo cherry blossoms in full bloom, matching 2nd earliest record
Kyodo - Mar 23
Cherry blossoms were in full bloom on Wednesday in central Tokyo, matching 2013, 2020 and 2021 to become the second-earliest day in the year for the seasonal phenomena to occur since records began, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Riding Japan's Northernmost Island Express from Hakodate to Sapporo Hokkaido | Hokuto Express
travelgeek - Mar 21
Today, we are traveling on Hokuto Limited Express from Hakodate to Sapporo in Hokkaido for 4 hours. Please relax and enjoy the Japan's northenmost island train.
Tokyo expected to hit full bloom Monday
TV Asahi News / NOJ - Mar 19
People are enjoying cherry blossom viewing parties at Ueno Park for the first time in four years.
Tokyo train fares rise to cover accessibility upgrades and reduced demand
Nikkei - Mar 18
Train riders from Tokyo to Osaka are set to see fares go up as railways spend on accessibility improvements and try to offset a drop in travel.
Tokyo Side Trips: 10 Places Around Mount Fuji
japan-guide.com - Mar 18
10 places to visit around Mount Fuji to inspire you for your future trip to Japan.
Hotels in western Japan urged not to request foreign residents' ID
Kyodo - Mar 17
The government in the western Japan prefecture of Kagawa has called on local hotel operators to stop asking foreign residents for identification when they check in, local officials said Thursday.
