Autumn foliage has reached its peak along the Irohazaka winding road in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, where maple, beech, and azalea trees are glowing in shades of red and yellow as streams of cars carrying tourists move slowly up the scenic route.
Tokyo’s JR Yamanote Line marked the 100th anniversary of becoming a full loop around the city center in the Taisho era. The circular operation, which connects the capital’s major districts and links suburban private railways to terminal stations, laid the foundation for Tokyo’s urban development.
A test lighting was conducted on October 30th at Hashiguiiwa, a nationally designated natural monument located in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, ahead of its annual illumination event. The unique rock formations rising from the sea were bathed in shades of orange and blue, creating an ethereal coastal scene.
AI tools are increasingly finding their way into Japan’s classrooms, from language practice to career counseling. Among them is the “AI University Lecturer,” developed by DOU Inc., a system designed to supplement human instruction by providing tailored support to each student based on their academic data.
A subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a leading chipmaker, signed a location agreement with Kikuyo Town in Kumamoto Prefecture on October 24th for the construction of its second factory in Japan.
The Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory announced on October 23rd that the season’s first snow had been observed on Mount Fuji, which stands 3,776 meters tall. Around 6 a.m., an official visually confirmed that snow had clearly accumulated near the summit.
A woman who had been in critical condition after being struck by a small car near JR Nagoya Station was confirmed dead on October 15th, according to Aichi Prefectural Police. The 49-year-old victim was among three pedestrians hit at an intersection in Nakamura Ward when the vehicle veered out of its lane.
The six-month Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, themed "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," featuring participation from 158 countries and regions, will come to a close on Monday, with total attendance surpassing 25 million people.
With just three days left until the Osaka-Kansai Expo closes, total attendance had surpassed 28 million as of October 10th, and the venue remained packed on October 11th as visitors continued to pour in for the final weekend.
At the 21st Clarino Beautiful Legs Award 2025 ceremony held in Tokyo on October 6th, actress Risa Naka was honored in the 30s category, alongside Runa Nakajima in the teen division and Hikaru Takahashi in the 20s division. The annual event recognizes celebrities with outstanding leg beauty and health.
Former HKT48 member Haruka Kodama attended the press conference for the Cabinet Office’s “Local Revitalization 2.0” model project, titled “Revitalizing Communities with Idols,” held in Tokyo on October 1st.
A luxury hotel with rates reaching as high as 3.75 million yen per night has opened near Nagoya Castle, aiming to attract wealthy guests from Japan and abroad.
A fire broke out near Haneda Airport in Tokyo’s Ota Ward around 9:10 a.m. on Monday at a demolition site, with black smoke seen rising from the area, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.
Ohnosato claimed his fifth career championship at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on September 28th at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, prevailing in a playoff against fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu after both finished with 13 wins and 2 losses.
The Supreme Court’s Second Petty Bench, presided over by Chief Justice Akira Ojima, ruled on September 26th that the current system for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives is constitutional, despite a maximum disparity of 2.06-to-1 in the value of votes cast in last October’s general election.
The Tokyo District Court on September 24th approved the release on bail of actor Hiroya Shimizu, 26, who has been indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act by possessing cannabis.
Residents in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, have decided to file for pollution mediation against chemical manufacturer Daikin Industries, whose plant is located in the area, after groundwater was found to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), some of which are suspected of being carcinogenic.
Is high quality a curse? Reports in South Korea that Hitachi is considering selling its white goods business have drawn attention, raising questions about the future of Japanese appliances.
The stage play Daigyakuten! Sengoku Warlords Honored, a fantastical period drama blending impersonations, songs, and slapstick comedy, opened on September 20th at the Meijiza Theater in Tokyo.
Katsuura Hachiman Shrine in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, held its annual festival on September 21st, drawing tourists with the spectacular "Underwater Purification" ritual in which carriers of the mikoshi, or portable shrine, leapt into the sea from the fishing port pier.
The Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture held the Ofunashiro Festival on September 17th, a ritual in preparation for the 2033 Shikinen Sengu, the periodic rebuilding of its sanctuary. The ceremony involves felling sacred timber used to make the vessel known as the Ofunashiro, which holds the sacred container called the Mihishiro for enshrining the deity.
A research group including Okayama University of Science announced in the British scientific journal Nature on September 17th that they have discovered the world’s oldest fossil of a pachycephalosaur, a dinosaur recognized for its thick, dome-shaped skull and often called the “headbutting dinosaur.”
More than 80% of internet users in Japan say they have encountered so-called "dark patterns"—web or app design practices that mislead consumers into accepting unfavorable contracts or purchases, according to a survey conducted by an internet industry group.
Naoya Inoue, the unified world super bantamweight champion across four organizations, successfully defended his titles on September 14th at IG Arena in Kita Ward, Nagoya. The victory marked his 26th consecutive win in world championship bouts, tying the all-time record.
Japan’s Ministry of Finance has taken the unusual step of cutting issuance of ultra-long-term government bonds after demand from major buyers weakened, highlighting concerns among investors about Japan’s fiscal outlook.