The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the Okinawa region is believed to have entered the rainy season on May 22nd, marking the fourth-latest start since records began in 1951. The onset is 12 days later than the average year and one day later than in 2024. (News On Japan)

Japan and South Korea will introduce priority immigration lanes for each other’s citizens at four major airports for one month starting next month, in a move aimed at shortening entry procedures and improving travel convenience between the two countries. (News On Japan)

Following the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Dutch Pavilion will be relocated to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, organizers announced. Built using reusable materials with relocation in mind, the structure will be reconstructed by the Pasona Group in cooperation with the Dutch government. (News On Japan)

Starting in 2027, the number of giant snow sculptures produced by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for the Sapporo Snow Festival will be reduced from two to one, due to increasing demands on personnel for disaster response and winter training. (News On Japan)

A group of around 220 Ainu from across and beyond Hokkaido performed traditional dances at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on May 17th, conveying the Ainu spirit of mutual support and the importance of diversity and coexistence. (News On Japan)

In Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendsetting district, animal cafes are rapidly multiplying along the bustling Takeshita Street, drawing large crowds of foreign tourists. (News On Japan)

Two foreign tourists were rescued by helicopter on May 13th after becoming stranded due to the cold on Mt. Yotei in Kutchan, Hokkaido’s Shiribeshi region, where snow still remains at higher elevations. (News On Japan)

Rafting season has begun on the Kitayama River, which flows along the borders of Wakayama, Mie, and Nara prefectures, drawing tourists eager to experience its thrilling rapids. (News On Japan)

Japan doesn’t just offer a glimpse of its own culture, it holds up a mirror to ours - subtly exposing how much we long for coherence, respect, and a sense of shared responsibility. (Retro Japan)

The Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, a signature early-summer tradition of the downtown area, reached its peak on Saturday as groups of local carried mikoshi through the streets in the main 'Rengo Togyo' procession despite the rain. (News On Japan)

JR Central will launch a new remote customer assistance service at eight stations on the Tokaido Line in Shizuoka Prefecture starting June 1st. This initiative aims to support passengers at stations that are unstaffed during early morning and late-night hours, improving convenience for travelers. (News On Japan)

A canal built more than 130 years ago to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto is set to become the first modern civil engineering structure in Japan to be designated a National Treasure. (News On Japan)

Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most underrated travel spots, filled with cultural treasures and authentic local experiences. Whether you're exploring the famous Kenrokuen Garden or getting lost in charming old samurai districts, this Kanazawa travel guide will help you uncover the best things to do in Kanazawa. (News On Japan)

Southern Kyushu has entered the rainy season, marking the first time in 49 years that it has done so earlier than Okinawa. It is also the earliest rainy season start for any region in Japan since the Meteorological Agency began keeping records. Authorities are warning of heavy rainfall not only in Kyushu but across other parts of the country as well. (News On Japan)

Explosions and eruptions continued at Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture, with volcanic activity intensifying since May 15. In an early morning eruption before 6 a.m., a plume of ash rose approximately 2,700 meters above the crater. (News On Japan)

A city-wide puzzle-solving game will soon begin in Naha as part of efforts to boost tourism and help participants rediscover the charm of the area. (News On Japan)

The Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto’s three major traditional festivals, began on May 15th with a vibrant procession of around 500 people dressed in elegant Heian-period garments making their way through the streets of the ancient capital. (News On Japan)

Tokyo's push for river-based commuting is gaining momentum with the launch of a new weekday evening ferry route connecting Gotanda and Tennozu. (News On Japan)

JR East has announced its first-ever time-limited discount sale offering up to 60% off Shinkansen fares, with tickets available through its online reservation platform, Ekinet. (News On Japan)

Greater Bay Airlines, which resumed regular flights between Sendai and Hong Kong last December for the first time in 13 years, currently operates four round trips per week. However, starting this week and continuing through the end of October, the airline will reduce that to three weekly round trips due to declining travel demand. The number of flights to Tokushima will also be cut. What is behind this sudden downturn? (News On Japan)