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Residences

See inside this Japanese hotel brand’s expanded Pokémon room range

Every stay includes special-edition MIMARU-original merchandise, such as themed fabric bags and collectable items.

Residences

New hotels in Japan: The standout openings to book in 2026

From Kyoto heritage stays to a converted prison in Nara, Japan’s newest hotels reflect a shift towards design, identity and experience-led travel.

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A robot Sony built with AI is defeating human pros at table tennis

Japanese electronics giant Sony built the robotic arm it calls Project Ace and pitted it against professional athletes.

Japan

Japan issues tsunami warning after powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake

Authorities have urged residents of the affected areas to seek higher ground, heed safety instructions and exercise caution.

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Travel News

'Don’t Hike Naked in Switzerland': Top tips for first-time travellers

Think twice before you tip, throw coins in ponds or miss out on an opportunity to chat with a local. Lonely Planet and other experts share the unwritten rules of travelling abroad for the first time.

Moments

Europe has some of the world’s most eye-catching train journeys

Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train takes the crown, while three of the top five routes are in Europe.

Travel News

Travelling to Japan? All the changes to tourist taxes and fees in 2026

Some of the increased fees apply to all travellers, but some can be avoided depending on when you visit and where you stay.

Economy

Japan passes biggest ever budget at €664bn amid spending push

The upper house of the Japanese parliament has enacted a state budget of ¥122.3 trillion (€664bn), the largest allocation in the country's history. The move reflects PM Takaichi's goal of an expansionary fiscal policy.

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Revellers parade giant phalluses at Japan’s fertility festival

Crowds pack Kawasaki for Kanamara Matsuri, Japan’s colourful fertility festival using phallic shrines to celebrate life and challenge sex taboos.

Japan

Macron lauds Europe's 'predictability' in apparent swipe at Trump

Macron's office had expressed surprise at Trump's criticism of France for not letting planes carrying military supplies for the conflict fly over its territory.

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Office chair Grand Prix rolls through Japanese streets

The ISU-1 Grand Prix in Japan is a two-hour office chair race where teams rotate riders, entertain crowds and compete for a grand prize of 90 kilos of rice.

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Japan: Tokyo sakura season begins with Ueno Park picnics

Japan officially entered cherry blossom season in Tokyo on Thursday after the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the first blooming of Somei Yoshino trees at Yasukuni Shrine.

Residences

Luxury farm resort from the founder of Aman to open in Japan

Azuma Farm Koiwai, which has just 24 guest rooms, was created in collaboration with Adrian Zecha’s Azumi brand and East Japan Railway Company (JR East).

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Watch: Trump’s Pearl Harbor joke tests US-Japan alliance amid Iran tensions

Donald Trump joked about Pearl Harbor while urging Sanae Takaichi to expand Japan’s role in securing the Strait of Hormuz, drawing a muted response.

Japan

Rattled by Trump, Japan seeks closer ties with Europe

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets US President Donald Trump this Thursday in Washington. A long-planned visit upended by the Iran war. It's a tricky moment for the Japanese leader who needs to balance Trump's unpredictability with Tokyo's security needs.

Destinations

Japan tourism is booming as travellers look beyond Tokyo and Kyoto

Authentic experiences and adventure are driving growth in Japan, while next year’s Green Expo in Yokohama will bring natural and cultural sites to the fore.

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Japanese startup rocket launch fails shortly after takeoff

Japanese startup Space One aborted the launch of its Kairos rocket shortly after liftoff, ending its attempt to become the country’s first private company to put a satellite into orbit.

Sci-Tech

Japan’s new space pioneers

In partnership with The Government of Japan

Japan is transforming space technology into commercial solutions to safeguard Earth’s increasingly crowded orbit.

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Japan tests AI robot monk ‘Buddharoid’ to guide Buddhist faithful

An AI powered robot monk called Buddharoid debuts in a Kyoto temple, answering personal questions and raising new questions about faith and technology.

Tech News

Japan unveils AI-powered robot monk trained in Buddhist scriptures

Named “Buddharoid”, the humanoid robot has been trained on vast Buddhist scriptures and can hold engaging conversations while moving and gesturing like a human priest.