hokkaido

LAW & CRIME

Japan’s Internet Wants Uchida Riko Executed. Here’s Why That Won’t Happen

The Internet is calling for blood in the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl. But prosecutors are following decades of precedent.

RACE IN JAPAN

Ainu Group Demands Return of 279 Remains Held by Japan’s Government

The lawsuit, the first of its kind, argues that Ainu burial tradition vests the right to manage their remains in the kotan…

TRAVEL

Japan’s Inbound Tourism Crowds Into Just Seven Prefectures: Report

A Tokyo Shimbun and Kyodo analysis of 2025 smartphone-location data finds seven prefectures account for 72 of Japan's top 100 inbound-tourist hotspots,…

TRAVEL

Where Japanese People Actually Travel in August (And Why Foreign Tourists Don’t)

While inbound tourists mainly clog up the Golden Route, domestic Japanese travelers make full use of hisho-chi, highland summer resorts.

TRAVEL

Scenic Train Journeys in Japan That You Can’t Miss

Sometimes, it really is more about the journey than the destination. Here are some romantic train rides in Japan that prove it.

POLITICS

Japan Confirms Ainu Indigenous Rights After Right-Wing Politician’s Statement

Ainu rights are in the news again after the head of the Conservative Party of Japan questioned their indigenous status.

TRAVEL

Anime Pilgrimage in Japan: From Fandom to Infrastructure

How anime pilgrimage in Japan has evolved from a fan ritual into a coordinated regional strategy to boost tourism.

TRAVEL

Check Out the 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast for Japan

Time to buy your tickets! Here are the predictions for cherry blossoms blooming across Japan so you can time your trip.