Daily Japan travel news — visa updates, events, train fare changes, and JNTO announcements. Curated daily by the OlaChill team from JNTO and Japanese media.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · News
Hilton is set to open its luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts brand in Hakone Gora in summer 2028. This will be the second LXR property in Japan, following Kyoto, offering a new high-end accommodation option for visitors.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · News
International visitors spent a remarkable 2.3 trillion yen in Japan during the first three months of 2026, marking a 2.5% increase year-on-year. A French traveler spent over 400,000 yen per person.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · News
Japan Airlines (JAL) is demonstrating a new 'digital identity' system at Tokyo International Air Terminal (TIAT). This innovation allows passengers to use facial recognition, linked with smartphone information, for boarding and transfers, aiming for a smoother travel experience.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · news
Spirit Airlines has announced the immediate cessation of all flight operations in 2026 after failing to secure crucial funding. Passengers with upcoming Spirit flights are advised not to travel to the airport.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · News
Recent data indicates a substantial 4.5-times difference between the number of Taiwanese travelers visiting Japan and Japanese travelers heading to Taiwan in 2025. Taiwan's tourism administration is actively working to attract more Japanese visitors.
5/3/2026 · 1 min read · News
Tokyo will welcome the international hospitality technology conference, HITEC, for the first time in December 2026. This major event will bring together global leaders to showcase innovations shaping the future of travel experiences.
5/2/2026 · 1 min read · news
WHAT Museum in Tokyo presents 'Corrugated/Coral — Eight Practices to Project Architecture Afar,' a group exhibition starting in 2026. It explores the intricate relationship between humans and architecture, showcasing how each influences the other.
5/2/2026 · 1 min read · news
Jiro Hamasumi, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, recently addressed the U.N., advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons. He was exposed to the bomb in his mother's womb.
5/2/2026 · 1 min read · news
Fukuoka-born chef Yuya Nakamura takes the helm at Maz, promising an exciting exploration of Peruvian cuisine with a unique Japanese perspective. He steps into a significant role, following Santiago Fernandez.
5/2/2026 · 1 min read · news
As bears awaken from hibernation this spring, Japanese local governments are issuing warnings. Learn how to take precautions and enjoy your travels safely.
5/1/2026 · 1 min read · news
Kyoto's two main tourist bus routes will see boarding restrictions starting June 2026 to ease overcrowding in Gion and Kiyomizu-dera.
5/1/2026 · 1 min read · news
The Osaka Expo 2026 grounds reopen for limited self-guided tours through July 2026 — a quiet way to walk the iconic pavilion architecture.
5/1/2026 · 1 min read · news
JR East adds extra Tohoku Shinkansen services through May 6 for Golden Week 2026. Reservations strongly recommended.
5/1/2026 · 1 min read · news
Tokyo's late-season sakura events run through mid-May 2026 — Mt. Takao, Yoyogi Park late-bloomers, and night illumination at Chidorigafuchi.
8/15/2026 · 4 min read · news
On the evening of 14 August 2026, three people carrying golf clubs and a knife-like object entered a Vietnamese grocery in Hakozaki, Higashi ward, Fukuoka, and took about ¥4.1 million. One suspect has been arrested; two remain at large. Includes what shop owners should do now.
8/14/2026 · 6 min read · news
Decree 283/2026/NĐ-CP takes effect on September 10, 2026: workers who intentionally remain abroad illegally may be fined 80–100 million VND and required to return home; service companies may face fines of up to 200 million VND. This article compares the decree with claims circulating online and points out what has been misreported.
8/10/2026 · 4 min read · news
On the morning of 10/8, the National Assembly discussed amendments to the law governing Vietnamese workers employed overseas. Delegates proposed banning people with previous violations from leaving the country, tightening cost controls, and improving coordination on enforcement — key points for anyone preparing to go to Japan.
5/6/2026 · 1 min read · News
A cruise ship has confirmed a rare Andes strain of Hantavirus among its passengers in 2026. South Africa identified the strain, noting its potential for human-to-human transmission in rare cases.
