Travel
An online travel company just collapsed. Here’s how to avoid being left stranded by an online deal
Traveldream.com.au sold discounted holidays – curated hiking tours, boutique cruises and cultural getaways through a slick website and polished social media ads. But news emerged last week that the Melbourne-based travel company has collapsed into administration, leaving customers out of pocket by thousands of dollars, and in some cases, stranded overseas. What many… Read
Kamioka is a charming Showa-era time capsule nestled in Japan Alps
Kamioka is a charming Showa-era time capsule nestled in the Japan Alps. Part of Hida City in Gifu Prefecture, Kamioka was once a mining town. While the industry and population have declined, Kamioka’s old-world charm and fascinating history continue to draw visitors. The best way to experience the town is to take a… Read
The Ghibli Golden Route: Japan’s most accessible destinations for fans and first-time visitors
Since the 1980s, Studio Ghibli has produced globally acclaimed films. These movies have captivated both children and adults because while the studio’s animated worlds are full of whimsy and adventure, they are also not afraid to feature universal themes and realities such as romance, grief, war and coming of age.… Read
Festivals celebrating irises: An early summer pleasure
As spring moves to summer, Japan is always blessed with colorful flowers: cherry blossoms, azaleas, wisteria, roses and irises, each in their turn. Japan’s irises are best viewed in public parks or specialized iris gardens. Perhaps some of the most spectacular iris displays are to be found along the Hitachi… Read
Japan to launch prescreening of visa-free travelers in FY2028
Japan will launch prearrival screening of visa-free travelers in fiscal 2028, as the government aims to boost its booming inbound tourism further, according to the Justice Ministry. The government is looking to raise the efficiency of the process by introducing screening modeled on the United States' Electronic System for Travel… Read
Get ready for Sado Island’s Earth Celebration 2025 music festival
Sado Island’s Earth Celebration 2025 has launched its English-language website ahead of tickets going on sale. In August, the island will mark the 38th anniversary of the three-day-long music festival, featuring the world-renowned Kodo taiko performing arts ensemble and guest artists from Japan and abroad. Feel the beat on Sado… Read
Japan, S Korea plan fast-track entry system for tourists
Japan and South Korea plan to set up dedicated entry lanes for tourists visiting each other's countries at four airports in June to speed up the immigration process, as the month marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties, government sources said. The lanes will be introduced… Read
Himeji Castle Festival: A blend of Edo-period reenactments, traditional performing arts and lively community spirit
Every May, the grounds surrounding Himeji Castle hold the Himeji Castle Festival (Himeji Oshiro Matsuri). Held over three days, this historic celebration blends Edo-period reenactments, traditional performing arts and lively community spirit. First held in 1948 as a symbol of postwar recovery, the festival celebrates the cultural legacy of Himeji Castle. The… Read
U.S. set to lose $12.5 bil in foreign tourism in 2025: industry
The United States is on track to lose some $12.5 billion in revenue from foreign tourists this year, a tourism industry group said Thursday, as the Trump administration has led a crackdown in immigrants. The study by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economics found that the… Read
Stanley Tucci returns to Italy with National Geographic series and vows to 'go more in depth'
You can't keep Stanley Tucci from his beloved Italy just like you can't keep cheese from lasagna. The Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor is once again elegantly roaming through the land of his heritage in National Geographic’s new food-travel series “Tucci in Italy,” less than three years after a similar… Read
