Category Archives: TRAVEL GUIDE

News and articles on all things related to Japanese culture, travel, and more.

With the coming of spring, let’s say hello to a plethora of flora!

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Beautiful pink Rhododendron | Photo: FirePress Japan


Japan is pretty set in its rituals, and that includes the annual change of the seasons. We can pretty much be ready for the appearance of an assortment of Azaleas colors! Let’s take a look at just a couple instances of these beautiful, seasonal flowers!

Spring in Japan is typically surrounded sakura aka cherry blossoms from left to right, but what about other seasonal flowers? Here, let’s take a look at another common flowers you’re bound to see toward the end of April to the middle of May: Rhododendron, or more specifically, Azaleas or ツツジ in Japanese!

The common azaleas that we often see in Japan are actually a subspecies of rhododendron called Tsutsusi or simply romanized from Japanese, Tsutsuji. They are distinguished from rhododendron by having only five anthers per flower.

▲ Photo: FirePress Japan

The colors of Azaleas vary in Japan, some of the most being the white or pink variations, as you can see above, but there are also deep purple and red color variations as well, which you can see in the following posts below.

The one thing that you simply cannot get through these photos alone is the amazing fragrance that the flowers give off– it’s such a sweet and light fragrance that truly encapsulates the essence of spring. It’s especially the best after a light rain.

Another aspect to these flowering plants is that they tend to take over a large area– so you will most likely find these taking up a large area or even sometimes following the entire length of a major road or sidewalk. In some cases, cities might even try to cut these plants back when they get too huge, and thus many of the flowers quickly die off because of the lack of sunlight, so don’t be too concerned if you see many of these bushes being cut back–there is definitely a reason for everything, and this is one of them.

There’s also a sort of thing called the “Language of Flowers” in Japan, so here’s the symbolic meaning behind these flowers: Azaleas encompasses various meanings like moderation, modesty, and effort.

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Foreign visitors to Japan surpasses 3 million for the first time in March

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Record number of tourists in the month of March | Photo: Storyblocks


If anyone came to visit Japan during the Cherry Blossom season, you might just be included in these figures that acknowledge the highest influx of foreign visitors in history.

March marks a historic milestone as the number of foreign visitors to Japan surpasses 3 million for the first time. With 3,081,600 visitors entering the country, this figure reflects a 10% increase compared to pre-COVID levels, marking the highest recorded number to date.

The Japan National Tourism Organization reported on the 17th that March 2024 witnessed a record-breaking influx of foreign visitors, exceeding 3 million in a single month for the first time in history. 

This represents a significant increase of about 1.7 times compared to the same month the previous year and an 11.6% rise from March 2019, before the onset of the COVID pandemic.

The surge in visitors can be attributed to various factors, including heightened interest in Japan during the spring cherry blossom season and the start of the Easter holiday at the end of March, which contributed to the spike in foreign visitors.

Among the top countries/regions sending visitors to Japan in March, South Korea led the pack with 663,100 visitors, followed by Taiwan with 484,400, China with 452,400, the United States with 290,100, Hong Kong with 231,400, and Thailand with 131,700.

While countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have surpassed their pre-COVID levels, China experienced a decline of 34.6% compared to March 2019 figures.

Vietnam, India, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and the Nordic region achieved record highs for single-month visits, while a multitude of countries including South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and the Nordic region recorded their highest visitor numbers for the month of March.

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McDonald’s Japan introduces three new variations of classic items

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Check out the new Case Closed! / Detective Conan collaboration at McDonald’s in Japan, starting Wednesday, April 17.

Customers can now enjoy two types of burgers at McDonald’s in Japan: the classic Chicken Tatsuta and the new You Lin Ji Cheese Chicken Tatsuta. Both will be available simultaneously, along with Rice Chicken Tatsuta and the new Rice Chicken Tatsuta, starting from 5:00pm; with the collaboration actually beginning on Wednesday, April 17.

A total of 7 options, including new offerings like Shaka Shaka Potato (R) Grilled Corn Flavor and McFizz (R) / McFloat (R) 3 Types of Citrus Mix, will be accessible at McDonald’s outlets nationwide starting on the 17th, but only for a limited time.

Chicken Tatsuta, a beloved product for over 30 years since its debut in 1991, is now part of a collaboration with the popular TV anime Case Closed! aka Detective Conan, marking the first of its kind.

This burger features a tatsuta patty flavored with ginger soy sauce, crunchy shredded cabbage, creamy and slightly spicy sauce, all sandwiched between fluffy original buns. The new You Lin Ji Cheese Chicken Tatsuta combines flavorful You Lin Ji sauce with mellow white cheddar cheese.

Also from 5:00pm, customers can savor the evening-exclusive Rice Chicken Tatsuta, served between 100% Niigata Prefecture Koshihikari rice buns, along with the new Rice Chicken Tatsuta You Lin Ji Cheese.

As a complementary side or dessert, the Shakashaka Potato Grilled Corn Flavor offers a fragrant soy sauce sauce and sweet corn aroma.

For beverages, McFizz and McFloat, available in three types of citrus mix each, provide a refreshing blend of Satsuma mandarin orange, Amanatsu, and Hinata summer fruit juices, offering a delightful carbonated drink experience.

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Shibuya holds a memorial service commemorating the 89th Anniversary since the faithful dog Hachiko’s passing

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Hachiko statue in Shibuya | Photo: FirePress Japan


Under cherry blossoms in full bloom, a group of roughly 80 people, both Japanese and foreign alike, gathered to celebrate the 89th Anniversary since the faithful dog Hachiko’s passing.

The story of Hachiko, a Shiba-ken bread of dog who patiently waited near Shibuya Station for the return of his deceased owner, gained considerable fame, both domestically and internationally. The 2009 feature film HACHI: A Dog’s Tale, staring Richard Gere, also aided the world-wide notability of the beloved dog.

Hachiko statue in Shibuya | Photo: FirePress Japan

The ceremony is typically held closer to the known date of Hachiko’s passing, March 8, but was pushed until early April to coincide with the warmer sakura cherry blossom season.

Roughly 80 attendees were present at the memorial service, among them were the family of the statue’s sculptor, Tsukasa Ando, Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe, and the mayor of Hachi’s hometown of Odate, Akita Prefecture.

Also in attendance was Junko Tsukasa, Ando’s eldest daughter, expressed, “I’m grateful we could hold the service amidst the falling cherry blossom petals. I wish for the Hachiko statue to endure as a symbol of peace into the future.”

▶︎ Where to Find the Statue

  • Take the Hachiko Exit at the JR Shibuya Station and walk straight and slightly to the right. The statue is not difficult to find. Please use the map below to help you find it!
Click the above image to view a larger map.

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More delays are in store for the new Linear Shinkansen

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JR Shinkansen | Photo: Fikri Rasyid



Construction for the new Linear Chuo Shinkansen has more hiccups as estimates for its completion gets pushed back to 2031 or later.

The construction project on the new Linear Chuo Shinkansen has been plagued by multiple setbacks and now it’s been announced that construction will likely be extended to 2031, a full 4 years longer than the original plan to open in 2027.

This comes on the heels of Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Heita Kawakatsu’s hesitation to allow construction along a narrow section through the prefecture. In lieu of essentially bring construction to a standstill in the region, Kawakatsu was quoted as saying he will be stepping down from his position after the June legislative season.

Photo: The Asia-Pacific Journal

The announcement of the extended construction period to 2031 has disappointed local residents, who have voiced concerns regarding a lack of explanation. The project’s stance on disclosing information to local residence has often been question. The longer construction is delayed, the more pressure will put on local residents; therefore, it is necessary to be as open as possible with information, including the nondisclosure of work-related accidents as well.

JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa stated, “A delay with starting construction in Shizuoka will directly lead to a delay in the opening in Nagoya.”

Once the new Chuo Shinkansen is completed, it will connect Tokyo with Osaka in a little over an hour traveling at a maximum speed of 314 mph (505 km/h).

▲ The trip on the current Shinkansen takes roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes.

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