A cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean with a Japanese passenger on board has become the center of a widening international health response, as multiple countries confirm infections linked to a rare strain of hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
The final day of Golden Week on May 6th saw heavy congestion at Tokyo Station, where returning travelers crowded Shinkansen platforms, with unreserved seating on some lines exceeding 160% capacity.
A man in his 40s was injured after being attacked by a bear in a rice field next to an elementary school in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, on May 5th, marking the first confirmed human injury from a bear in the prefecture in 2026, as sightings continue across tourist areas during the Golden Week holiday.
A large number of families gathered at Oigawa Railway in Shimada, Shizuoka Prefecture, on May 5th for Children’s Day, where the popular “Percy” steam locomotive from the Thomas the Tank Engine series drew enthusiastic crowds.
A purification ritual known as the "Misogi no Gi" was held ahead of the Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, as the Saio-dai and other participants underwent a traditional cleansing ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine.
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.