New tax for tourists visiting Miyajima goes into effect
NHK -- Oct 02
Visitors to the western Japan island of Miyajima, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Itsukushima Shrine, must pay a tax to the city of Hatsukaichi, starting Sunday.
A ferry ticket to the island in Hiroshima Prefecture now includes a tax of 100 yen or about 67 cents.
Miyajima residents and people who work or study there are not charged the tax.
City officials say the new fee will help them keep Miyajima a sustainable tourist destination.
They expect the fee to generate 104 million yen or about 700,000 dollars in tax revenues by the end of the current fiscal year next March.
The officials say the money will be spent on maintaining toilets and ferry terminals as well as moving power cables underground. ...continue reading
Oct 02 () - 世界遺産の厳島神社がある広島県廿日市市の宮島で訪れた人から1人100円を徴収する「訪問税」が始まりました。 ...continue reading
I Spent $1,000 on Japan's Tiniest Car (It was a bad idea).
Abroad in Japan - Dec 02
21 days. A 2,000km Journey Across Japan. Just one problem. We need a vehicle. And so with a budget of $1,000 we go in search of Japan's tiniest car.
New Year's royal greeting won't require lottery
News On Japan - Dec 01
The Imperial Household Agency has announced that the New Year's public greeting, scheduled for January 2nd next year, will be held without a lottery system and will return to almost its pre-pandemic state for the first time in four years.
2025 Osaka Expo advance tickets go on sale
NHK - Nov 30
Advance admission tickets for the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, went on sale on Thursday, 500 days before the opening.
Intense cold wave hits Japan, snow to reach 1 meter
News On Japan - Nov 30
Northern Japan witnessed its coldest temperatures of the season Thursday morning, as snow begins to accumulate rapidly, set to surpass 1 meter for the first time this winter.
Japan relaxes visa requirements for Saudi nationals
Arab News - Nov 30
Japan on Wednesday announced the relaxation of visa requirements for Saudi nationals, introducing multiple-entry visa schemes for Saudis who meet certain financial requirements.
Severe weather continues in northern Japan, heavy snow forecast
News On Japan - Nov 29
Unstable weather conditions continue in northern Japan on Wednesday morning, with further snowfall expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Thursday morning, Nov 30.
TOKYO NIGHTLIFE: THINGS GOT WEIRD!! (JAPAN)
Malini Angelica - Nov 29
In this episode I explore Tokyo's famous nightlife, Tokyo has many entertainment districts and I hit up the most popular ones like Shinjuku and Shibuya which offer plenty of weird and wacky options!
Inside Japan's WORST TINY HOTEL
Tokyo Lens - Nov 29
This is Japan's Worst, Tiniest, and CHEAPEST Hotel... But it's also in Japan's Most DANGEROUS Area [WARNING] - Japanese people call this area The Slum of Japan and it is filled with cheap and tiny hotels.
Forest theme park 'JUNGLIA' set for 2025 launch in northern Okinawa
News On Japan - Nov 28
A theme park centered around experiencing the forests of 'Yanbaru', a World Natural Heritage site located in northern Okinawa, is set to open in 2025.
Utsunomiya hosts parade of kimono through the ages
News On Japan - Nov 27
An event featuring women clad in kimonos from past, present, and future eras paraded through the streets of Utsunomiya on Sunday.
China to allow visa-free entry for 6 countries, but not Japan
NHK - Nov 26
China will soon allow visa-free entry for citizens of six countries, in a move widely seen as an attempt to spur the faltering domestic economy.
Tokyo's Imperial Palace opens for autumn
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
Kyoto stuns with 'sea of autumn leaves'
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
Northern Japan hit by heavy snowfall
News On Japan - Nov 25
The strongest cold snap of the season has brought a dramatic drop in temperatures to northern Japan, where snow began falling Friday morning, with up to 50 cm expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Saturday evening, and a chance of blizzards.
Tourists flock to Kyoto's autumn hotspots
News On Japan - Nov 23
As Kyoto's autumn foliage reaches its peak, swarms of tourists have converged on the ancient capital, captivated by stunning displays like Wednesday evening's illumination at Kiyomizu Temple.
Naked Festival set for full revival after four years
News On Japan - Nov 22
In the crowded halls of the Nishi-Achiyama Kannon-in Temple in Okayama City, men, completely devoid of clothing, press tightly against each other. This is the famous "Naked Festival."
