The Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya’s Chikusa Ward launched its annual ‘Night Zoo & Garden’ on August 9th. (News On Japan)

Foreign tourists are flocking to Kansai in record numbers, but along with the economic boost comes an unwelcome side effect: a surge in abandoned suitcases. In Osaka’s bustling Minami district, police and business owners are increasingly encountering luggage left on sidewalks and in alleys, some still in usable condition. (News On Japan)

A peaceful town in Okayama, Kurashiki is often called Japan’s own Venice for its scenic canals and historical ambiance. This Kurashiki travel guide highlights the timeless charm of the Bikan Historical Quarter and its picturesque canal rides. Discover Ivy Square, a former cotton mill beautifully transformed into a vibrant cultural space. (Happy Trip)

Hop aboard the brand-new Uwajima Unyu Ferry – Reimei Maru for a brilliant 3-hour cruise from Beppu Port to Yawatahama Port. (ITSUKA JAPAN)

Around 50,000 hybrid sunflowers, growing up to two meters tall, are in full bloom at Awaji Farm Park England Hill in Minami-Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, creating a vast, vibrant yellow flower field. (News On Japan)

Ahead of the Obon holiday period beginning on August 9th, Kansai International Airport is already seeing a wave of travelers heading overseas. The international departures lobby was crowded from the morning, with families and other travelers carrying large suitcases. (News On Japan)

Tokyo, which is a world within a whirl of activity, presents a unique mix of old and new. The city has here the serene shrines that have stood for centuries and the modern skyscrapers that shoot up to the sky; also, it has traditional culture and high-tech trends. (News On Japan)

In a historic heatwave, the city of Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture recorded a scorching 41.8 degrees Celsius on August 5th, setting a new all-time high for the highest temperature ever observed in Japan. (News On Japan)

A summer spectacle is reaching its peak at the Heijo Palace Ruins, a World Heritage site in Nara, as tens of thousands of swallows gather in the night sky. (News On Japan)

The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the volcanic alert level for the area around Mt. Shirane and the Yugama crater on the Gunma side of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane to Level 2, restricting access near the crater due to an increase in volcanic earthquakes. (News On Japan)

The Akita Kanto Festival, one of the Tohoku region’s major summer events and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the national government, opened on August 3rd. (News On Japan)

JR East has received government approval to revise fares, including a 10-yen increase in the base fare for the Yamanote Line, raising it from 150 yen to 160 yen. (News On Japan)

Lawson has launched a trial service at select stores in Chiba Prefecture, allowing overnight stays in its parking lots for travelers sleeping in their cars for 2,500 to 3,000 yen per night. (News On Japan)

The Japan Meteorological Agency held a second press conference at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, announcing that elevated tsunami conditions are expected to continue for at least another day. (News On Japan)

Don’t get lost in Shinjuku Station! This complete guide explains how to navigate Japan’s busiest railway hub. Learn the layout of JR platforms including Narita Express, Yamanote Line, and Chuo Line. (Tokyo Kenchan)

The Kansai Expo site in Osaka was alive with the rhythms of summer on July 28th, as roughly 8,000 participants gathered for a large-scale Bon Odori dance atop the iconic roof ring structure. (News On Japan)

A wild brown bear was filmed attacking an Ezo deer on a national highway in Rausu, eastern Hokkaido. The footage, taken from inside a vehicle, shows the bear gripping the deer by the neck and dragging it into the forest. (News On Japan)

A Guinness World Record was set on July 26th at the outdoor arena of the Osaka Kansai Expo site, where thousands came together to perform Bon Odori in a display of international unity. According to the official Guinness adjudicator, 3,946 participants from 62 countries took part, setting a new record for the largest Bon Odori dance with the most nationalities involved. (News On Japan)

The theme park "Junglia Okinawa" opened on July 25th in Nakijin Village, Okinawa Prefecture. Set amidst lush natural surroundings, the park offers a sense of openness and adventure, featuring 22 attractions including the "Dinosaur Safari," where visitors can ride through the jungle while being chased by dinosaurs. (News On Japan)

From spring 2026, passengers will be able to ride the entire Tokyo Metro network using contactless payments via credit cards or smartphones, without the need for tickets or transit IC cards. (News On Japan)