Temperatures in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, fell to minus 1.1 degrees Celsius on the morning of October 29th, marking the lowest of the season and accelerating the autumn foliage at Kumoba Pond, which had been about two weeks behind schedule. (News On Japan)

The King and Queen portraying Ryukyu royalty promoted highlights of the upcoming Shuri Castle Restoration Festival, which will begin on November 1. The annual festival celebrates the culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom and aims to build momentum for the ongoing restoration of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed by fire in 2019. (News On Japan)

A factory tour offering a close look at Shinkansen maintenance facilities began on October 25th at JR Central’s Hamamatsu Works in Hamamatsu City, drawing large crowds of railway enthusiasts and families. The event, titled “Go to JR Central Hamamatsu Factory,” has been held annually since 2022 to help visitors experience the Shinkansen up close. (News On Japan)

Kyoto, long celebrated as Japan’s iconic autumn destination, is now facing a striking shift in its tourism landscape. In the city’s most famous spots, foreign tourists far outnumber Japanese visitors, raising questions about over-tourism and the city’s future balance between hospitality and livability. (News On Japan)

Around 500 blazing torches lit up the night sky on October 22nd as Kyoto’s famed Kurama Fire Festival, one of the city’s three most extraordinary festivals, took place around Yuki Shrine in Sakyo Ward. (News On Japan)

After having travelled to Japan's most famous tropical locations (Okinawa, Amami, Miyakojima etc), I wasn't expected Niijima to hold a candle to them, but I was wrong! I can't believe that the best beaches in the country are in Tokyo... (Currently Hannah)

With the arrival of autumn, Osaka’s Abeno Harukas is offering visitors breathtaking sunset views from the 58th-floor observatory 300 meters above ground. (News On Japan)

Hoshino Resorts announced on October 22nd that it will open seven new facilities across Japan in 2026, with a particular focus on regional areas. (News On Japan)

The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit. (News On Japan)

A child was rushed to the hospital after a safety belt slipped and tightened around their neck while riding the “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Tale” attraction at Tokyo Disneyland on October 21st. (News On Japan)

The Jidai Festival, one of Kyoto’s three grand festivals, was held as a parade of people dressed in costumes representing different historical eras made its way through the streets of the ancient capital. (News On Japan)

The Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly’s special committee on the preservation and proper use of Mt. Fuji held its fourth meeting on October 21st, hearing from officials of Fujiyoshida City in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture about their initiatives to curb “bullet climbing” — the practice of ascending the mountain overnight without adequate rest or preparation. (News On Japan)

Cold air brought Japan its lowest temperatures of the season on October 22nd, with even northern plains in Hokkaido blanketed by snow. (News On Japan)

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors. (News On Japan)

Around Osaka Station, nine long-distance bus terminals operate in close proximity, making the area one of Japan’s most competitive hubs for highway bus travel. Despite the speed of planes and shinkansen, the affordability and convenience of buses continue to attract a loyal following. (News On Japan)

Dragging heavy suitcases up and down stairs and through unfamiliar places is probably not what you had in mind for your Japan trip - that's where luggage storage and delivery come in. A safe and convenient alternative, these services allow you to ditch those bags and have your best Japan holiday. (Japan Guide)

A historic temple in Ota, Gunma Prefecture, known as the birthplace of the Tokugawa clan name, is at the center of a dispute with local authorities after a once-picturesque pond within its grounds dried up and turned into an overgrown thicket. (News On Japan)

The number of foreign visitors to Japan surpassed 30 million in the fastest time ever, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization. A total of 31.65 million people visited the country between January and September 2025, breaking the 30 million mark earlier in the year than ever before. (News On Japan)

The Nada Kenka Festival, famous for its dramatic clashes of mikoshi (portable shrines), was held in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, drawing large crowds of spectators eager to witness this centuries-old ritual. (News On Japan)

Temperatures soared past 30°C across parts of Kyushu and Okinawa on October 16th, with 90 locations recording midsummer-like conditions despite it being mid-October, while much of eastern Japan experienced a sharp autumn chill. (News On Japan)