General
Nebuta Festival 2026: Aomori's Giant Illuminated Floats Return August 2–7
Aomori's Nebuta Festival runs August 2–7, 2026, with giant illuminated floats parading nightly through the city streets. One of Japan's top summer festivals.
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Travel News
Visa changes, new flight routes, events, and disruptions: what you need to know before and during your Japan trip.
Disruption
Kumamoto Earthquake: Kyushu Shinkansen Suspended, Airport Disrupted
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 28 July. The Kyushu Shinkansen is fully suspended, Kumamoto Airport cancelled all flights and afters...
Flights
Typhoon Noul: Over 1,300 Flights Delayed at Japanese Airports
Typhoon Noul caused 1,325 flight delays and 50 cancellations at Japanese airports on 27 July. Check your JAL or ANA flight status before heading to the airport.
Event
Tenjin Matsuri 2026: Osaka's Great Summer Festival July 24–25
Tenjin Matsuri runs July 24–25, 2026 in Osaka - one of Japan's three great festivals. Ceremonial boats cross the Okawa River under fireworks.
Flights
Storm Mekkhala Cancels 120+ Flights: Okinawa and Kagoshima Hit
Tropical Storm Mekkhala hit Okinawa and Kagoshima July 21, cancelling 120+ flights. Disruption continues July 22 with 55 cancellations and 538 delays.
General
Mount Fuji 2026: All Four Trails Open With Mandatory ¥4,000 Climbing Fee
All four Mount Fuji trails opened from 10 July 2026. A mandatory ¥4,000 fee and advance online reservation now apply across every route for the full season.
Event
Gion Matsuri Returns: Kyoto's Ato Matsuri Float Parade Takes Place on 24 July
Kyoto's Gion Matsuri Ato Matsuri float parade falls on 24 July 2026. Evening Yoiyama festivals run 21–23 July along Shijo-dori, free to watch.
Flights
Typhoon Bavi: JAL and ANA Cancel 80+ Flights on 9 July
Typhoon Bavi is approaching Japan, forcing JAL to cancel 48 flights and ANA 34 flights on 9 July, mainly at Okinawa airports. 15,000+ passengers affected.
Visa
Japan Visa Fees Rise Fivefold from 1 July 2026
Japan's cabinet approved a fivefold increase in visa fees on 19 June 2026, taking effect 1 July. Single-entry visas jump from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000.
General
Japan Rail Pass Prices Rise 5–6% From October 2026
JR Group confirmed a 5–6% Japan Rail Pass price rise from 1 October 2026. The 7-day pass rises from ¥50,000 to ¥53,000. Here is what to know.
General
Mount Fuji 2026: Climbing Season Opens July 1 With Pre-Registration
Mount Fuji's 2026 climbing season opens 1 July. Pre-registration at fujisan-climb.jp and a ¥4,000 fee are required. Daily caps and gate closures apply.
General
JNTO Targets Gulf Tourists With Hokkaido Summer Push
Japan's tourism board is promoting Hokkaido as a summer destination for Gulf travellers, building on record 2025 visitor numbers and growing GCC demand.
Disruption
Japan Issues Tsunami Advisory After June 8 Earthquake
Mindanao's 7.8 earthquake on 8 June triggered tsunami warnings for Japan's Pacific coast, disrupting coastal travel in Okinawa, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.
Disruption
Sakurajima Eruption Grounds Kagoshima Flights
Sakurajima erupted on 7 June 2026, sending ash 3,500m over Kagoshima City, cancelling 43 flights and suspending ferries. Airport remains affected.
General
New Local Accommodation Taxes Hit Nagano, Kumamoto and Miyazaki
Nagano, Kumamoto City, and Miyazaki City begin levying accommodation taxes from June 2026, adding to Japan's expanding patchwork of visitor charges.
Disruption
Typhoon Jangmi Disrupts Japan Flights and Rail on 3 June
Typhoon No. 6 Jangmi is causing major travel disruptions across Japan today, with over 700 domestic flights cancelled and key JR East lines suspended.
Event
Tokyo's Sanno Matsuri Grand Festival Returns This June
Sanno Matsuri, one of Tokyo's three great Edo festivals, holds its full biennial grand procession through central Tokyo from 7 to 17 June 2026.
Event
Tanabata 2026 in Japan: Star Festival Dates, Locations and Tips
Japan's Tanabata Star Festival runs across July and August 2026. Here are the key dates, best locations, and what to expect at each event.
General
Japan's Departure Tax Triples to ¥3,000 from July 2026
Japan's departure tax rises from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per person from 1 July 2026, adding roughly US$20 to every outbound flight or ferry.
Event
World's First Pokémon Airport Opens in Japan's Noto Region
Noto Satoyama Airport becomes the world's first Pokémon-themed airport from 7 July 2026, aiding earthquake recovery in Ishikawa Prefecture through 2029.
Flights
United Airlines Launches Nonstop US Flights to Sapporo and New Chicago–Tokyo Service
United Airlines adds daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita service from October 2026 and the first nonstop continental US flights to Sapporo from December 2026.
Disruption
Domestic Flight Disruptions at Osaka Itami, Kagoshima, and Yakushima Airports Today
Flights at Osaka Itami, Kagoshima, and Yakushima airports face 118 delays and 20 cancellations on 14 May, affecting JAL, ANA, and Peach Aviation.
Event
Tokyo's May Grand Sumo Tournament: Ten Days Still to Go
The Natsu Basho runs at Ryogoku Kokugikan until 24 May 2026. Same-day tickets go on sale at 8 am - arrive by 6:30 am for the best chance.
General
Mitsui Ocean Cruises Launches Summer Japan Sale With Up to $1,000 Onboard Credit
Mitsui Ocean Cruises offers up to $1,000 in onboard credit on eleven Japan sailings from June to September 2026 aboard the Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
Flights
Greater Bay Airlines Launches Daily Hong Kong–Okinawa Service from July 2026
Greater Bay Airlines adds a daily nonstop Hong Kong–Okinawa flight from 11 July to 3 September 2026, opening a new budget option to the island.
General
Japan Launches Tourist Pasmo IC Card for International Visitors
Japan's new Tourist Pasmo IC card launches at Narita and Haneda airports in May 2026 - no deposit required, 28-day validity, usable nationwide.
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