Nearly 1 in 5 Japanese travelers now prefer solo trips, the highest rate among 39 countries. "Suitcase Cancel," a trend of ditching wheeled luggage for a single backpack, is reshaping how Japan travels. We explore the coin locker crisis and the rise of minimal travel.
Airbus A321XLR achieves a range of 8,700km with its revolutionary structural fuel tank. American Airlines has launched commercial operations, and Japan's Peach Aviation plans to introduce it by 2028. Discover how this narrow-body jet is rewriting the rules of budget long-haul travel.
Disney's largest-ever cruise ship, the 208,000-ton Disney Adventure, is heading to Tokyo. Plus, a dedicated 140,000-ton ship will launch from Tokyo in 2028 with a ¥330 billion ($2.2 billion) investment. Here's how Disney is transforming Japan's cruise industry and what Japanese people think about it.
JETRO hosted its first-ever pop culture-focused event "Super Japan in Cairo" in Egypt's capital, bringing 16 Japanese companies including Bandai Namco and Yamaha to showcase anime, matcha, and stationery to 3,000 young Egyptian fans. With a population exceeding 108 million and a median age of 24, Egypt is emerging as a major untapped market for Japanese content in Africa.
JTB's new immersive cultural brand "Kagerohi" offers a 3.5-hour multi-sensory journey at Kamakura's Hokokuji Temple for about $920 per person. Blending Noh vocal art, cello, storytelling, and gastronomy, it represents a seismic shift in Japan's luxury inbound tourism from quantity to quality.
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.
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.
A bowl of yakisoba costs ¥3,000 at Niseko, but profit is only ¥180. With hourly wages over ¥2,000 and Tokyo-level rents, discover the hidden economics behind Japan's world-class ski resort prices.
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.
JR East unveils major rail pass reforms starting March 2026. The new JR EAST PASS covers all JR East lines at ¥35,000 for 5 days or ¥50,000 for 10 days. With price increases and expanded coverage for other passes, Japan prepares its transportation infrastructure for the 40-million-visitor era. A comprehensive look at what's changing and why.
Discover why Japan's Unko Museum has attracted 2.5 million visitors worldwide. This unique "kawaii poop" entertainment facility transforms taboo into adorable, becoming a must-visit Tokyo attraction for international tourists.
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million foreign visitors in 2025, with spending reaching 9.5 trillion yen. Explore the current state of inbound tourism, overtourism challenges in Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, and Japan's innovative solutions for sustainable tourism.
Japan's major airlines JAL and ANA are significantly expanding European routes to meet record inbound tourism demand. ANA launched new services to Milan, Stockholm, and Istanbul, while JAL introduces the latest A350-1000 aircraft. Discover how Japanese carriers are reshaping international travel strategies.
Achi Village's "Heavenly Night Tour" in Nagano Prefecture has welcomed over 1.2 million visitors. This article explores the rural revitalization success story leveraging Japan's No.1 starry sky certified by the Ministry of Environment. Discover why tourists flock here even in freezing temperatures, the synergy with hot springs, and global astrotourism trends.
JUNGLIA Okinawa opened in July 2025 with massive expectations but quickly faced backlash over long wait times, misleading ads, and operational issues. Explore what went wrong with this ambitious theme park and its future prospects.