Month: August 2026

While more and more people are turning to social media to gather information about their travel destinations, even in this day and age, recommendations from locals still hold a special appeal. In this section, we ask staff members at lodging facilities across the country to share the highlights of their workplaces and their top recommendations…

I’ve lived in France for a little over 20 years, and I’ve attended several funerals during that time. This year, I attended the funeral of my husband’s great-uncle in Orléans, in central France, and that of an acquaintance in Paris. In France, when someone dies in a hospital or at home, it is customary to…

The “Fukushima Manpuku Taste Tour Bento” was a limited-time ekiben (station bento) available this past spring. Although it is no longer on sale, I’d like to feature it here because it was a wonderful product that introduced people to Fukushima’s local specialties through ekiben. Let’s start with the rice. The variety used here is “Fuku,…

Mitsubishi Jisho Simon will hold its biannual major sale, “PREMIUM OUTLETS BARGAIN,” at 10 Premium Outlets locations nationwide from August 21 to 30. A total of approximately 1,000 stores are participating, offering great deals on everything from items to beat the lingering summer heat to fashion for the start of fall. Discounts of up to…

Tokyo Disneyland has decided to name the new Space Mountain, set to open in 2027, “Space Mountain: Earthrise,” and unveiled the logo design for the first time. With the opening of the attraction, the surrounding plaza will be renamed “Tomorrowland Plaza.” Space Mountain: Earthrise, an iconic attraction in Tomorrowland that has been beloved since the…

Tokyo Disneyland announced that the official name of the new attraction set to open in the spring of 2027 is “Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue” and unveiled the logo design for the first time. “Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue” is the world’s first indoor attraction based on the movie “Sugar Rush.” It will open in the “Tomorrowland”…

Google will hold the grand opening of its company-operated flagship store, “Google Store Omotesando” (4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), at “Omokado” in Tokyu Plaza Omotesando—located across from the Jingumae intersection in Harajuku—at 2:00 p.m. on August 13. The store spans from the first basement level to the second floor above ground, and is said to have…

Mitsui Fudosan Hotel Management is running the “Mitsui Garden Hotel Okayama Renovation Commemorative Campaign” through September 23. After registering for the “MGH Rewards Club” membership program (no enrollment or annual fees), apply via the campaign page in the “Mitsui Garden Hotels Accommodation & Points App,” and you’ll be entered to win one of 15 sets…

ANA will reduce the amount of the special fuel surcharge applied to tickets issued between September 1 and October 30. The company determines its fuel surcharge every two months based on the average market price of kerosene in Singapore over the previous two months. Based on the average price for the period from June 1…

Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA, visited Nepal, Malaysia, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from July 26 to August 6. During this visit, he held meetings with leaders of the three countries, participated in ceremonies and seminars, and inspected JICA cooperation projects. Through these activities, he reaffirmed the deep bonds between Japan and these Asian…