A smartphone caught fire at Narita Airport's Terminal 1 shortly after 7:30 a.m. on November 4th, prompting the dispatch of 10 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles before the blaze was extinguished about 30 minutes later, with no injuries reported.
Osaka's annual Midosuji Illumination began on November 3rd, lighting up approximately four kilometers of the city's main thoroughfare from Umeda to Namba with colorful displays celebrating the street's history as one of Osaka's most recognizable winter attractions.
Kyoto's popular Sagano Romantic Train is attracting large numbers of foreign tourists for its final autumn season, with the familiar red-and-black carriages set to retire at the end of 2026 after carrying a cumulative 30 million passengers, making way for new trains scheduled to enter service in 2027.
Tokyo's historic Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward was transformed into a dazzling nighttime spectacle on October 30th as a projection mapping event began, bringing 1,400 years of history and culture to life across the temple's main hall and Hozomon Gate.
A new rest facility featuring the first cafe inside the Imperial Palace opened in Tokyo's East Gardens on November 3, offering visitors a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, exhibits on the Imperial Family, and exclusive souvenirs.
Kyoto City announced plans on November 2nd to introduce tougher regulations on private lodging facilities, including a requirement for staff to be stationed permanently inside the properties or in nearby buildings, as complaints from residents continue to rise over noise and disruptive tourist behavior.
The Museum of the Imperial Collections at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo will reopen on November 3 following a major renovation that has expanded its interior space eightfold, with a series of special exhibitions featuring artworks associated with Japan's Imperial Family, including folding screens depicting scenes from The Tale of Genji and a celebrated painting by Ito Jakuchu.
Tokyo's Shibuya Ward issued 394 fines of 2,000 yen each for littering and street smoking during Halloween celebrations on October 31, while neighboring Shinjuku Ward recorded 498 cases of street drinking and smoking despite efforts to discourage disruptive behavior.