Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture is emerging as a craft tourism destination where visitors can enter real workshops of 1,500-year-old washi paper, nail-free tansu furniture, and hand-forged knives. Artisans share how welcoming tourists is helping preserve traditions, attract new audiences, and revitalize their community—all made more accessible by the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension.
Over 5,200 protected hermit crabs were illegally poached from Japan's UNESCO World Heritage island of Amami Oshima. Explore the growing crisis of wildlife trafficking driven by overseas pet markets, the limits of current law enforcement, and community-led conservation efforts to protect endemic species.
Japan's hotel industry faces a severe labor shortage, with about 60% of hotels reporting a lack of full-time staff. From AI chatbots and facial recognition check-in to cleaning robots and dynamic pricing, Japanese hotels are turning to technology as a lifeline. Explore real-world cases including the famous Henn na Hotel, which runs 144 rooms with just 7 staff, and the latest generative AI initiatives backed by Japan's tourism agency.
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million visitors in 2025, with tourism spending reaching ¥9.5 trillion. While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto still dominate, rural prefectures like Tottori (+151%) and Niigata (+69%) are experiencing remarkable growth. Explore how Japan's lesser-known regions are preparing for—and benefiting from—the inbound tourism wave, while tackling overtourism and infrastructure challenges.
Lufthansa Group's leisure carrier Discover Airlines will retrofit all 16 A330s with the "Ocean Blue" cabin from spring 2027. Featuring business class suites with sliding doors, 4K screens in every seat, and free Starlink Wi-Fi, this LCC is challenging full-service airlines. Here's what it means for the future of air travel.
JR West launches new-type facial recognition ticket gates at Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations from March 2026. By retrofitting existing IC card gates with dual cameras, the system combines face authentication with IC card functionality — a practical shift from futuristic arch-style gates to scalable standard designs, paving the way for nationwide expansion.
A ¥3,000 plate of yakisoba in Niseko, Hokkaido, has drawn attention. Behind such prices are hourly wages above ¥2,000, Tokyo-level rents and a business that must earn a year's income in about 100 winter days; one operator says a ¥3,000 katsu curry leaves only about ¥180 in profit. A look at the economics of a world-class resort and its shadows.
Backcountry skiing accidents involving foreign tourists have surged at Japanese ski resorts. In just 3 weeks, 29 people were rescued—90% foreign nationals. From Niseko to Furano, powder-chasing tourists venturing off-piste face unique risks. Exploring Japan's safety measures, local rules, and cultural differences in mountain safety.
Discover Japan's most spectacular fire festival in Omihachiman, Shiga. The 400-year-old Sagicho Festival features massive floats decorated entirely with food ingredients, intense "fighting" where floats crash together, and a dramatic burning finale. Once beloved by warlord Oda Nobunaga, this "most eccentric festival" heralds spring in the Lake Biwa region.
A 117-year-old Meiji-era prison designated as an Important Cultural Property has been transformed into HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, which opened June 25, 2026. Experience luxury suites created by connecting solitary cells of about 5㎡ each, starting at $1,000/night. Discover Japan's first prison hotel.
Nagoya's revolutionary SRT (Smart Roadway Transit) began service on February 13, 2026. An 18-meter Mercedes-Benz articulated bus connects Nagoya Station to Sakae, offering futuristic design, barrier-free access, and contactless payment. Discover how Japan is reshaping urban mobility ahead of the Linear Shinkansen era.
