An aurora colored the night sky red over Hokkaido on November 12th, offering a rare sight for residents and visitors. Footage from Kushiro Town captured the sky gradually glowing red as waves of light curved and streamed across the horizon, painting a vivid display. (News On Japan)

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) policy committee has drafted a resolution calling on the government to raise the “departure tax” to secure funds for overtourism countermeasures. The proposal seeks to increase the current 1,000 yen per-person levy to 3,000 yen, and to set the rate at 5,000 yen for travelers using business class or higher. (News On Japan)

About one month after the Expo’s closing, a guerrilla live broadcast showed the site as seen from a helicopter. This footage has now been released as an archived video, offering a rare aerial look at the grounds one month after the event’s conclusion. (News On Japan)

A sightseeing hot air balloon offering aerial views of the World Heritage-listed Daisen Kofun in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, has drawn more than 7,000 visitors within its first month of operation. (News On Japan)

Aerial images of Hokkaido showed a solitary round “hole” in the mountains near Mt. Yotei, leading a reporting team to Kyogoku Town where an unpaved forest road ended at a dam and, beyond a locked gate and warning signs, at a restricted facility on a ridge that turned out to be a perfectly circular reservoir built on the mountaintop. (News On Japan)

A special train designed to resemble a park filled with greenery ran on Tokyu lines in Tokyo, transforming the interior of an ordinary carriage into a lush, nature-themed space. (News On Japan)

A special nighttime viewing has begun at Eikando, one of Kyoto’s most famous spots for autumn foliage, where visitors can now enjoy a breathtaking illumination of maple trees. (News On Japan)

Nighttime offers a completely different perspective on the cityscape. From shimmering lights reflecting on riverbanks to quiet streets revealing hidden cafes and bars, traveling at night can be both magical and practical. (News On Japan)

Traveling with family can be a rewarding adventure, but it often comes with unique challenges. Balancing entertainment, comfort, and convenience is key to creating memorable trips for all ages. (News On Japan)

Passenger traffic at Fukuoka Airport reached an all-time high in the first half of the current fiscal year, marking a strong rebound in both domestic and international travel and putting the airport on track to post its first profit since being privatized in 2019. (News On Japan)

Autumn foliage has reached its peak along the Hida-Mino Seseragi Highway, which connects Takayama City and Gujo City in Gifu Prefecture. (News On Japan)

As snow approaches, auto supply stores in Sapporo are entering their busiest period of tire changes. (News On Japan)

A power outage that halted operations on the Sapporo Municipal Subway on November 3rd was caused by an aluminum-coated balloon. Investigations have revealed that similar troubles have occurred across various transportation systems in Japan. (News On Japan)

Archaeologists have uncovered new details about the remains of an ancient building in Nara Prefecture’s Asuka area, believed to have been used by emperors for imperial ceremonies more than 1,300 years ago. (News On Japan)

A rare migratory bird seldom seen in Okinawa has become the talk of the town after appearing in Nago City. The bird, identified as a spoonbill, was spotted along the Nasada River in the city’s Kogachi district. (News On Japan)

Georgia is a small country between Europe and Asia, known for its beautiful nature, rich history and warm hospitality. From high mountains to green valleys, from old churches to modern cities, Georgia offers something for every traveler. (News On Japan)

As of November 4th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that a tropical depression near the Caroline Islands is expected to develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. The system is separate from Typhoon No. 25 (Haiyan) currently near the Philippines and is projected to move northwestward once it intensifies. (News On Japan)

The Tenpyo Procession, in which participants don splendid period costumes and visit Todaiji Temple, was held in Nara on November 3rd. The event commemorates Emperor Shomu, who commissioned the construction of the Great Buddha, and Empress Komyo, known for her devotion to Buddhism. (News On Japan)

The opening ceremony of the annual Osaka Festival of Lights was held on November 3rd along Midosuji, Osaka’s main street, transforming the city’s nightscape with dazzling illuminations as trees lining the boulevard glowed with countless lights. (News On Japan)

Local authorities in Shari, a town in Hokkaido, are seeking donations to preserve and promote an old Japan National Railways bridge that has been registered as a national tangible cultural property. (News On Japan)