Early blossoming likely means early full bloom at this breathtaking park within day-trip distance of Tokyo.
nature
With mirrors, art installations, and a Peter Rabbit garden, this festival is the perfect day trip from Tokyo.
Likely wanderer from Nara Park won’t be going back, but has a new place to live in a hot spring town.
Escape the urban sprawl by taking a tour on “Japan’s last clear stream” that will leave you clearly in tune with nature.
Woodlands that inspired the creation of My Neighbor Totoro sit at the edge of the biggest city in Japan, but this fund helps keep them green.
No one’s sure what to do with them, since Nara’s deer lose their protected status when they leave the park.
Three cities share the status of this year’s first sakura arrivals, with a fourth joining them one day later.
Updated forecast says a burst of warm weather, with more sun to come, will be speeding up cherry blossom buds’ development.
Things got off to a good start on our crazy-cheap trip to the land of the gods, but with funds running low, will we have a roof over our heads on a snowy night?
In-home trespassing, public urination, and other bad manners bring an end to a local tradition.
Forecast shows you might need to move your cherry blossom plans in Japan up by a few days.
Grab your coat and scarf, we’re headed out to see the best cold-weather scenery east Japan has to offer!
Shinto shrine in Kyoto has become globally famous for its beauty, but inconsiderate visitors are ruining the view for everyone but themselves.


![Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video] Deer that appeared in downtown Osaka gets a new home, a new name, and a lot of snacks[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/sy-1.jpg?w=640)


![Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video] Deer are appearing in Osaka City, may have wandered there from Nara[Video]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/od-1.jpg?w=640)

![When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast] When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/mk-1.jpg?w=640)




![Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2] Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]](https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/sb-100.jpg?w=640)







Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Almost all Japanese women say they dislike random gacha/blind-box toys in survey
Enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional storehouse
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s elementary school backpacks grow up with new high-class randoseru for adults
Do 7-Eleven Japan’s new back-to-budget-friendly-basics rice bowls make us happy?【Taste test】
Sushi chains Sushiro and Kyotaru combine to make fishy megastore, but we spot major oversight
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional storehouse
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s elementary school backpacks grow up with new high-class randoseru for adults
Do 7-Eleven Japan’s new back-to-budget-friendly-basics rice bowls make us happy?【Taste test】
Sushi chains Sushiro and Kyotaru combine to make fishy megastore, but we spot major oversight
Have we been making pancakes wrong this whole time? Japan’s Zen-Noh shares the best technique
We get our hands on some “Booby Ice Cream” from Kochi Prefecture
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Tokyo losing another iconic arcade with announced closure of 40-year-old Ikebukuro game center
No, that’s not French bread, it’s Japan’s crazy-big gobo!
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
This Tokyo apartment complex lets you paint your room, offers community BBQ and camping gear
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]