On March 24, 2026, Japanese lawmakers launched the MOKEI Culture Promotion Parliamentary League, chaired by former Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, to position plastic models as a national cultural asset. From Shizuoka's Bandai Hobby Center museum to Gundam Base Tokyo and Akihabara shops, discover why Japan's model kit culture deserves global recognition.
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.
On March 28, 2026, Nagoya City Science Museum unveiled 'Railway Square,' featuring the world's only surviving German-made B6 steam locomotive from 1904. Powered by compressed air, this 120-year-old engine now moves its wheels, sounds its whistle, and puffs smoke in downtown Nagoya — for free. Includes a rail fan travel route with SCMAGLEV and Railway Park and Meiji-mura.
Japan's food service industry hit its 50,000-worker cap under the Specified Skilled Worker visa, and new applications have been suspended since April 13, 2026. The skills test itself is halted too. We look at the gap between labor shortages and immigration caps, compare with South Korea and Singapore, and map what's left for foreign workers.
Oriental Land Company, operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, established a subsidiary on April 3 to launch Japan's first Disney cruise in fiscal 2028. A $2.2 billion investment and a new ship based on the Disney Wish, carrying 4,000 passengers out of Tokyo. Plus the 208,000-ton Disney Adventure port call in February, and where Japan's cruise market actually stands.
Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 was unveiled at Hong Kong's Kerry Hotel on March 25. The Chairman reclaims No.1 after five years, and Japan places 8 restaurants, led by Osaka's La Cime, though none reach the top 10 for the first time since 2013. The full breakdown, including the 10 Japanese entries at 51-100.
JR Central and JTB have launched the Hokusai Special Train, a foreign-tourist-only sightseeing train running from Mishima to Fujinomiya with Mt. Fuji views and Ukiyo-e art interiors. Part of a full-day tour at $151, this is Japan's latest approach to premium inbound tourism. Here's everything you need to know about booking and what to expect.
The TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey's End teams up with Universal Studios Japan for the first time. The ultra-immersive Story Walk attraction recreates Frieren's staff and Himmel's statue, running May 30, 2026 through January 11, 2027. A Story Ride and themed restaurant are also confirmed.
The global bonsai market is projected to reach roughly $13 billion by 2030, growing about 10% a year. Explore why wabi-sabi aesthetics are captivating the world, bonsai philosophy, and must-visit spots like Omiya Bonsai Village.
Behind the global matcha craze, Japan's domestic tea prices are surging to unprecedented levels. The cheapest tea grade now costs more than premium first-harvest leaves. With tea farms shrinking and overseas demand exploding, Japan's centuries-old tea culture faces its biggest challenge yet.
Discover the Owari Tsushima Wisteria Festival at Tennogawa Park in Aichi Prefecture. Walk beneath a 275-meter canopy of cascading purple blooms across 12 varieties of wisteria. Just 25 minutes from Nagoya by train, this post-cherry blossom spring destination features stunning water reflections and magical nighttime illuminations. Plus: the cultural significance of wisteria in Demon Slayer and Japanese tradition.
Meitetsu Group has unveiled LUVIA, an ultra-luxury tour bus with just 18 seats (down from 49), a bar counter, and dedicated attendant service. From a $3,200 Hokkaido tour to $360 day trips, this 'rolling luxury hotel' represents Japan's latest evolution in premium travel — following the success of luxury trains like Seven Stars and Shiki-shima.
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.
Japan's 2026 official land prices rose 2.8% nationwide — the steepest climb since the bubble era. Tokyo topped residential gains for the first time in 18 years, while semiconductor factories and record tourism reshape regional land markets. Foreign investors now account for 27% of property deals.
Chinese mobile payment platforms Alipay and WeChat Pay are rapidly expanding across Japan, driven by surging inbound tourism. While convenient for businesses and tourists alike, transactions bypassing Japan's financial system raise serious tax compliance concerns. Finance Minister Katayama calls it a 'grave issue' and vows G7 cooperation.
A pop-up convenience store in Tokyo where everything is free — if you can grab it without making a sound. The third edition of TOH, created by rapper TaiTan and partnered with Red Bull, fills a store with BMX bikes, skateboards, frozen ramen, and apparel. You have 60 seconds. One noise and you're out. Here's what happened at Japan's craziest experiential event.
Japan earned the top spot in the World Travel Index 2026 with a score of 88.33, widening its lead over competitors for a second consecutive year. With record 42.7 million visitors and $60 billion in spending in 2025, Japan's blend of safety, infrastructure, cuisine, and yen-driven value is unmatched — but overtourism and labor shortages pose real challenges on the road to its 60 million visitor target by 2030.
Sanrio is converting Harmonyland in Hiji, Oita into a stay-and-play resort under its Sky Park plan, announced December 8, 2025: 10 billion yen in initial investment, tens of billions in total, more than a decade to finish. On June 15, 2026 it acquired 30.85 hectares, growing the site roughly fivefold. Targets: one million visitors, then two million.
Japan's amended immigration law passed on May 29, 2026. On July 3 the draft ordinance set the numbers: permanent residency applications rise from 10,000 yen to 200,000, and status changes and renewals go from a flat 6,000 to a tiered scale topping out at 75,000. New fees apply from October 1; public comment closes August 2. JESTA arrives by March 2029.
Japan's departure tax tripled from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 (about $19) on July 1, 2026, driven by a record 42.68 million visitors. Japanese citizens pay it too. Here's what changed, Kyoto's new five-tier lodging tax, Fuji's ¥4,000 gate, how it compares to Australia and the UK, and where the ¥130 billion is supposed to go.