Golden Week
Survey reveals a growing interest in facilities and experiences with beautiful scenery outside of central Tokyo.
Sadly for certain tourist hotspots, stricter measures must be enacted to protect their residents.
If you don’t want to waste a huge amount of time in Japan’s cultural capital, here’s something you’ll want to avoid.
One man is arrested in relation to the incident that injured a number of pedestrians during one of Japan’s busiest holidays.
As well as being the start of the new business and academic year, April in Japan also marks the time when new graduates make their first forays into the world of full-time employment and many companies rotate their staff both to keep them on their toes and help them acquire new skills. It’s a fun, frenetic time of year, and everyone from kids in their new school uniforms to fresh-faced employees wearing crisp, black suits looks tremendously smart and presentable as they hurry to their place of education or employment, eager to make the most of their day.
In May, however, it all comes crashing down. Reality sets in and people start to realise that everything is just as awful as it was before, albeit with a few quirks and a shiny new name badge or lunchbox. The fire in kids’ bellies goes out, the twinkle disappears from new employees’ eyes, and they start to approach their work with all the enthusiasm of a pot-smoking snail going through a serious emo phase.
This, dear reader, is gogatsu-byou; the phenomenon that occurs every May and affects millions of Japanese to some degree or other.
IKEA is a shopper’s paradise. The colors, the designs, and the price all work together and the impeccably presented showrooms make you want to recreate them in your own home. In Japan, there is the extra bonus of that “European style” that really speaks to some shoppers. IKEA is also well-known for its restaurant, where customers can relax and daydream about the new layout of their rooms while stuffing their face full of meatballs. For a limited time in Tokyo, IKEA has made it possible for you to experience living in a space all decked out in IKEA goods and stuff your face with Swedish meatballs at the same time!
This year’s Golden Week is shaping up to be awesome. Not only do people living in Japan get a handful of government sanctioned holidays sprinkled throughout the first week of May, we also get some sweet deals on food. Not only is McDonald’s giving away a free in-car “potato holder” to patrons who purchase a meal deal with a large order of fries, but Baskin Robbins Japan has just announced a 31 percent discount on a double scoop of ice cream during Golden Week!
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Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Ichiran releases its first-ever instant ramen!
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Princess Mononoke head magnets return, now with way to bypass blind-buy game of chance【Pics】
Japan’s favorite gyoza restaurant changes its gyoza recipe – Will gyoza life ever be the same?
Weekly
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes- Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
- Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?- Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Monthly
- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】- Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?- The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer- Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
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Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Ichiran releases its first-ever instant ramen!
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Princess Mononoke head magnets return, now with way to bypass blind-buy game of chance【Pics】
Japan’s favorite gyoza restaurant changes its gyoza recipe – Will gyoza life ever be the same?
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
McDonald’s Japan adds the flavour of okonomiyaki to its menu for a limited time
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The first driving test a few more times
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Decorative animal toys with massive chins now a thing in Japan for some reason
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