Travel
Japan visitors down 99.6% in May from 2019 on tough border controls
Kyodo - Jun 17
The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in May was down 99.6 percent from the pre-pandemic year of 2019 as a result of tougher travel restrictions to prevent the spread of highly contagious coronavirus variants, government data showed Wednesday.
Shinjuku, the best area in Tokyo?
ONLY in JAPAN * GO - Jun 10
Where is the best location in Tokyo to stay, to visit, to eat? Many say it’s Shinjuku.
U.S. government lowers Japan travel warning level
soranews24.com - Jun 10
Last month, the United States placed Japan on its list of Level-4 travel advisory countries, the highest possible ranking and one which carries a “do not travel” warning, due to the country’s coronavirus conditions. Just over two weeks later, though, Japan has now been removed from Level-4 status.
Temperatures soar across Japan
NHK - Jun 10
The mercury rose above 35 degrees Celsius for the first time in Japan this year on Wednesday as temperatures surged across wide areas of the country.
Osaka ranked world's second most livable city, Tokyo fourth
Japan Times - Jun 09
The pandemic has shaken up the rankings of the world’s most livable cities, a study released Wednesday showed, with Osaka and Tokyo ranking in the top five and metropolises in Australia and New Zealand also leaping ahead of those in Europe.
Imperial Household Agency reopens East Gardens
NHK - Jun 09
The Imperial Household Agency has reopened the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The site was closed for six months, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Japanese hotel transforms into airsoft ‘survival’ games centre after Covid-19 closure
South China Morning Post - Jun 09
A capsule hotel in Yokohama, Japan has been transformed into an venue for airsoft survival games after going out of business during the coronavirus pandemic. With the premises still in good shape, the hotel’s owners partnered with an airsoft-themed bar to host the competitions.
Akihabara’s empty buildings are on the rise
ONLY in JAPAN - Jun 07
Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba.
Climbing season opens for Mt. Ontake
NHK - Jun 07
Local officials in central Japan have prayed for the safety of trekkers on Mount Ontake as the climbing season opened for the area. The mountain erupted seven years ago, causing the country's deadliest volcanic disaster since World War Two.
Japan's Most Dangerous Airplane | Nightmare at 10,000 Feet
Abroad in Japan - Jun 07
We fly over Japan's most active volcano, Sakurajima, before heading to the subtropical paradise of Yakushima island. But not all goes according to plan. Journey Across Japan: The Lost Islands begins!
Former prime minister’s art on show at heritage site in Kyoto
Asahi - Jun 07
Morihiro Hosokawa, who served briefly as prime minister and devoted his retirement from politics to painting, on June 5 presented a series of his sliding screen ink work to a Buddhist temple here that has centuries-old links with his family.
First weekend after state of emergency extended
NHK - Jun 06
Japan has entered its first weekend since the coronavirus state of emergency was extended for nine prefectures, including Tokyo and Osaka. Some facilities have reopened with anti-infection measures in place.
This Is the Perfect Road Trip Meal
outsideonline.com - Jun 06
When it comes to eating on the road, there are a few schools of thought. Some pack pretzels, fruit, and lunch meats into a cooler with Tetris-like precision. Others prefer rolling the dice on roadside stands and gas station burritos.
Japan's Robot Hotel
VICE - Jun 04
Motherboard goes to Japan to visit the Henn-na Hotel, which is staffed almost entirely by robots. Our host Ben Ferguson meets some of our future android companions and talks to CEO Hideo Sawada about his vision to replace human workers with machines.
EU eases restrictions on nonessential travelers from Japan
Kyodo - Jun 04
The European Union said Thursday that it has added Japan to a small list of countries for which restrictions on nonessential travelers should be lifted.
Tokyo nightlife bustles despite state of emergency
Japan Today - Jun 03
COVID-19 cases are still high and hospitals remain under strain despite a state of emergency as Japan on Thursday marks 50 days before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.
