Kashima Rinkai Railway in Ibaraki Prefecture draws attention with its unique dual strategy of operating both passenger and freight services. Factory night tours on normally restricted freight lines have become popular, while the 2024 logistics problem renews interest in rail freight. Exploring a survival model for regional railways in Japan.
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.
Ogaki City's digital regional currency "Gaki Pay" has gone viral on Japanese social media due to its quirky name. Learn about Japan's innovative approach to combating inflation through digital local currencies, the story behind the unusual name, and how regional currencies are transforming local economies across the country.
Restaurant Kamakura Village opens each year from late January to the end of February at Kamakura no Sato in Iiyama, Nagano. Diners sit inside a real snow hut over a pot of Noroshi Nabe simmered in Shinshu miso, and after dark more than 20 huts are lit from within. The 2026 season ran from January 23 to March 1.