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)

The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which brought together 158 countries and regions over 184 days before closing on October 13th, now faces a crucial question: how can its legacy be preserved for future generations? Experts say the answer lies not only in what remains physically — such as pavilions, iconic structures, and innovative technologies — but also in how the event continues to inspire people long after the crowds have gone home. (News On Japan)

More than 450 cars — from sleek red Ferraris celebrating 20 years of Nagoya’s sister-city ties with Turin to world-class rally machines — attracted a wide range of petrol heads in Hisaya Odori Park over the weekend. (News On Japan)

Authorities in Sapporo’s Nishi Ward killed a mother bear and her cub on October 14th after the pair were caught in a box trap, marking the latest incident in a string of bear encounters in the city’s Nishino district. (News On Japan)

An All Nippon Airways flight bound for Iwakuni was forced to return to Haneda Airport on the night of October 13th after a possible incident involving its landing gear and a runway light during takeoff. (News On Japan)

The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which ran for six months, came to a close on October 13, drawing large crowds eager to witness its final moments. A closing ceremony was held on the last day, during which the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) flag was handed over to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, host of the 2030 World Expo. (News On Japan)

The six-month Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, themed "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," featuring participation from 158 countries and regions, will come to a close on Monday, with total attendance surpassing 25 million people. (News On Japan)

As bear sightings in Hokkaido’s urban areas surge beyond expectations, Tamaki Yasuo, head of the brown bear control unit of the Hokkaido Hunters’ Association’s Sapporo branch, warns that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage and that humans cannot predict what might trigger a bear to panic. (News On Japan)

With just three days left until the Osaka-Kansai Expo closes, total attendance had surpassed 28 million as of October 10th, and the venue remained packed on October 11th as visitors continued to pour in for the final weekend. (News On Japan)