Latest travel news, local updates, and tourism information in Japan.
Arakurayama Sengen Park Cancels 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival Due to Overtourism FUJIYOSHIDA, YAMANASHI – The city of Fujiyoshida has announced the cancellation of the 2026 Arakurayama Sengen Park Cherry Blossom Festival, an event that draws over 200,000 visitors annually to…
Witness thousands of candles, sky lanterns, and fireworks illuminate the winter sky against the silhouette of Mount Fuji at this magical one-day event. On a single, fleeting evening in February, the shores of Lake Yamanakako transform into a breathtaking world…
Togakushi Shrine Closes Famous Cedar Avenue Until Spring 2026 NAGANO, JAPAN – In an unprecedented move, Togakushi Shrine has completely closed the iconic cedar-lined path leading to its Upper Shrine (Okusha) until spring 2026. The restriction, effective immediately, bars all…
2026/01/12(Mon) For travelers planning a trip to Japan in early 2026, there’s exciting news: the famous Kawazu Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Shizuoka Prefecture are predicted to bloom earlier than ever, offering a rare chance to see Japan’s iconic flower well…
Current date: 2026-01-02 (JST) What Happened Japanese experts are reminding the public that Mount Fuji, which has not had a major eruption in over 300 years, remains an active volcano. While there is no immediate sign of an eruption, volcanologists…
Current date: 2025-12-27 (JST) What Is Happening The traditional winter phenomenon known as “Omiwatari” (御神渡り), or “The God’s Crossing,” on Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture has not occurred since the winter of 2018. If the lake does not freeze completely…
Overview Visit Japan Web is an online service for completing immigration and customs procedures before you arrive in Japan 1. It is designed to make entry faster. However, the system often creates confusion for foreign visitors, especially families. Using the…
Current date: 2025-12-19 (JST) What Happened Shibuya Ward will implement a revised ordinance to address the growing issue of littering in its busiest districts. Starting June 1, 2026, individuals caught dropping trash in public spaces will face a 2,000 yen…
Current date: 2025-12-19 (JST) What Happened Across Japan, local municipalities are moving from requests to concrete actions to manage the effects of high tourist numbers. Instead of national-level policies, specific towns and districts are implementing their own rules, including fines,…
Current date: 2025-12-18 (JST) What Happened Japan’s National Police Agency announced a record number of enforcement actions against illegal taxi operations, known locally as “shirotaku” (白タク), through October 2025. According to a report from Kyodo News, there were 113 cases,…
