A collection of bonsai carefully preserved and passed down by staff of the Imperial Household Agency’s garden division continues to play an important role within the Imperial Palace grounds, where roughly 500 trees across about 90 varieties are maintained and around 300 are used annually in official settings.
As Golden Week travel picks up across Japan, a growing number of tourist destinations are introducing “dual pricing” systems that differentiate between local residents and visitors, with Takeshima Aquarium setting admission fees at more than double for non-residents compared to city citizens, while the central government moves to formalize guidelines for the practice.
Shirarahama Beach in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, opened for the swimming season on May 3rd, marking the earliest “sea opening” on Honshu and the start of operations for the popular beach destination.
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the Okinawa region is believed to have entered the rainy season, marking the second such declaration nationwide following the earlier onset in the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture, with the timing coming six days earlier than the average year and one day earlier than in 2025.
The first fawn of the year has been born in Nara Park, where the deer designated as a national natural monument are entering their annual birthing season.
A seasonal rafting attraction offering both adrenaline-pumping rapids and serene mountain scenery opened on May 3rd in Kitayama Village, Wakayama Prefecture, drawing visitors eager to experience the region’s natural beauty while riding traditional log rafts through a winding river course.
Roads leading into forested areas of Towada Oyu in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, have been closed at 45 locations following a series of past bear attacks that left people dead or injured, with the measures set to remain in place until the end of June.
JR West announced on April 30th that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways to address social challenges in western Japan, aiming to boost inbound tourism and explore future integration of reservation systems.