tourism

LIVING IN JAPAN

The Debate Around Japan’s Driver License Exchange Loophole is Tinged With Racism

Japan may make it tougher for foreigners to perform a driver's license exchange. Is the current debate driven by facts - or…

FOOD

Is This Ramen Chain Closing Stores Because It Sucks?

Why is this chain about to close a third of its stores in the Tokyo area? Some fans are blaming its lack…

TRAVEL

UK Couple Rescued From Hokkaido Mountain in T-Shirts, Shorts

A couple's vacation to Hokkaido turned out worse than expected when they got stuck at 1,750 meters elevation in street clothes.

TRAVEL

Some Restaurants in Japan Set Up Tip Boxes For Confused Tourists

Some bars, coffee shops, and taxi services in Japan are experimenting with tips. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

INSIDER

[Insider] Could Osaka Expo Go Up in Smoke?

A World Expo. A worrying quantity of methane gas. Nicotine addicts with no place to go. What could possibly go wrong?

TRAVEL

Manga Warning of “Great July Tsunami” Convinces Hong Kong Tourists to Avoid Japan

Some Hong Kong travelers are putting off visits to Japan - and it's all thanks to a manga published in 1999.

TRAVEL

Plagued by Overtourism, Shirakawagō Considers Reservation System for Tour Buses

The village of Shirakawagō has 1,500 residents but welcomes two million tourists a year. It may clamp down in a bid to…

TRAVEL

Japanese Police Shut Down Tourist Sword “Tryouts”

Wanna slice something open with a samurai sword while in Japan? Well, you can't, because the Japanese police are party poopers.