Don’t get lost in Shinjuku Station! This complete guide explains how to navigate Japan’s busiest railway hub. Learn the layout of JR platforms including Narita Express, Yamanote Line, and Chuo Line. (Tokyo Kenchan)
The Kansai Expo site in Osaka was alive with the rhythms of summer on July 28th, as roughly 8,000 participants gathered for a large-scale Bon Odori dance atop the iconic roof ring structure.
A wild brown bear was filmed attacking an Ezo deer on a national highway in Rausu, eastern Hokkaido. The footage, taken from inside a vehicle, shows the bear gripping the deer by the neck and dragging it into the forest.
A Guinness World Record was set on July 26th at the outdoor arena of the Osaka Kansai Expo site, where thousands came together to perform Bon Odori in a display of international unity. According to the official Guinness adjudicator, 3,946 participants from 62 countries took part, setting a new record for the largest Bon Odori dance with the most nationalities involved.
The theme park "Junglia Okinawa" opened on July 25th in Nakijin Village, Okinawa Prefecture. Set amidst lush natural surroundings, the park offers a sense of openness and adventure, featuring 22 attractions including the "Dinosaur Safari," where visitors can ride through the jungle while being chased by dinosaurs.
From spring 2026, passengers will be able to ride the entire Tokyo Metro network using contactless payments via credit cards or smartphones, without the need for tickets or transit IC cards.
A procession of elaborately decorated yamahoko floats took place on July 24th in central Kyoto as part of the latter half of the Gion Festival, known as the Ato-matsuri. The parade featured 11 floats, each adorned with luxurious decorations, making their way through the streets on a route opposite to that of the earlier procession held on July 17th.
During the Osaka-Kansai Expo, a total of eight "Japan Fireworks Expo" events are scheduled to take place between April and October, featuring fireworks crafted by pyrotechnicians from across Japan specifically for the Expo.