Tourists are buying eyeglasses in Japan, where no prescription is required and an Osaka store says it can go from eye test to handover in 25 minutes. In the US, a replacement pair can take two weeks to a month.
From November 1, 2026, Japan drops instant tax exemption at the register. Visitors pay full price and get the 10% consumption tax back only after customs confirms the goods are leaving.
The July 2026 Henley Passport Index puts Japan second with visa-free access to 188 destinations, four behind Singapore. What that number is made of, why Japan waives visas for only 74 countries in return, and why just 17.8% of Japanese hold a passport.
Japan's AutoReserve sends an AI to phone restaurants on your behalf, including ones that never opted in and keep asking it to stop. It echoes Google's 2018 Duplex furor and points at an unsolved question for every AI agent, from Operator to computer use: who on the receiving end ever consented?
On June 1, Shibuya became the first of Tokyo's 23 wards to fine street littering on the spot, 2,000 yen a pop, with 10 penalties on day one. But this is a country that spent decades removing its public bins. Inside Japan's awkward don't-litter-but-good-luck-finding-a-bin paradox.
Japan welcomed 3.69 million foreign visitors in April 2026, down 5.5% from a year earlier, even as the yen sat near 159 to the dollar. We unpack the three forces behind the drop (China's travel advisory, an Easter calendar quirk, and Middle East flight cancellations) and ask whether this is actually the right moment for foreigners to book that long-postponed Japan trip.
Two Japanese volcanoes are on heightened alert at the same time. Sakurajima produced its first pyroclastic flow since 2018 on May 8, while Mount Meakan in Hokkaido recorded 254 volcanic quakes in 24 hours. Here's what tourists need to know about nearby destinations, alert levels, and trustworthy sources
Uber Japan has launched flight-linked pre-booking at six major airports, Haneda, Itami, Chubu, New Chitose, Naha, and Kobe, with automatic adjustment for delays and early arrivals. The new feature dramatically simplifies airport transfers for inbound travelers, though the surprising omission of Narita raises questions.
Japan's new Blue Ticket system fines cyclists on the spot, and yes, tourists on rental bikes are included. Here's a complete breakdown of 14 violations, fine amounts from $19 to $75, and essential tips for riding safely in Japan.
Japan's Cabinet approved a new 5-year tourism plan expanding overtourism countermeasures from 47 to 100 regions by 2030, tripling the departure tax to ¥3,000 ($19). Learn about specific measures in Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and Kamakura, plus how to enjoy Japan responsibly.
Starting April 2026, JNTO launches the TIC Call Center offering tourist information in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese at 050-3416-0010, open daily 9 AM–5 PM. Learn how Japan is upgrading its support system for over 42 million annual foreign visitors.