Japan itineraries: 5 of the best routes to explore the country

Some of the most unusual things happen at a hotel, and Hotels.com is pulling back the covers on some of the strangest things that guests have left behind and requested.

London Heathrow Airport retains its position as the most internationally connected airport in the world in 2024, according to the latest figures from OAG.

Visiting Japan will get slightly more complex in the coming years.The country is preparing to introduce a new travel authorization system in 2030 that will require visitors to declare personal information online in order to obtain permission to enter the country, Japan Today has reported.The new system is not all that unlike what the United States uses for foreign visitors, according to media reports. Individuals seeking to visit the United States, for instance, must use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which was rolled out as an anti-terrorism security measure.ESTA is used to assess whether a traveler is eligible to visit the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, before the individual gets on a plane to come here.In a similar fashion, the new program being introduced for those seeking to visit Japan, dubbed JESTA, is also meant to screen individuals before they embark on a journey to Japan, per Japan Today.Introduction of the JESTA program in Japan marks a departure from the easy breezy process visitors from 71 visa-exempt countries have experienced for years. Those from visa-exempt countries have historically been able to make short-stay visits without requiring any visa documents.The Japanese government has said their goal is to reduce the entry of illegal immigrants who come from visa-exempt countries and stay longer than is allowed.Data from the Japanese government shows that of the 49,801 illegal short-term visitors to the country in January 2016, more than 28,000 arrived from visa-exempt countries and regions, according to Japan Today.Under the forthcoming JESTA program, visa-exempt foreign travelers will be required to declare their purpose of entry and place of stay online for screening by immigration officials before getting on a plane to come to Japan.And in cases where the online application is flagged for risk of illegal stay, the individual will not be approved to visit Japan. Instead, the traveler will be encouraged to obtain a formal visa through their local embassy in order to visit.The Japanese government will continue researching the proposed JESTA program over the coming year.

Japan appears on track to welcome its first casino by 2030. Osaka IR, the operator of Japan’s long-awaited first casino resort, has forfeited its right to withdraw from the project within the next two years, as per reports.

The newest iPhones will come with an easy way to ask generative AI about real-life visuals. For travelers, that means easier ways of navigating new cities. 

The latest data from Viator, an online travel agency for travel experiences, offers a window into evolving travel habits.

Sep 8, 2024 • 5 min read

I've been traveling with my two boys, ages 13 and 15, since they were babies.

If you’ve experienced enough of cosmopolitan Tokyo and need a change of pace from serene Kyoto, then you’ll need a list of the best things to do in Osaka, the spirited heart of the western Kansai region. Osaka is known as “the kitchen of Japan,” best known for signature Japanese delicacies like takoyaki, ball-shaped snacks often made with octopus meat; and okonomiyaki, savory pancakes made on teppan (Japanese metal grill plates). The city’s massive food scene features all types of dining spots, ranging from street vendors to Michelin-starred restaurants. Osaka is also an entertainment capital where you can meet Mario and Luigi at Super Nintendo World, part of Universal Studios Japan, or catch a baseball game at the Osaka Dome with over 36,000 fans from all over the world.

Japan is widely considered to be a polite, rule-following country, but knowing its reputation didn't fully prepare me for my recent trip.

Japan has been known for its easy entry policy for travelers from 71 visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, Singapore, and France. But that’s about to change.

In a bid to clamp down on overtourism and protect places of interest, popular holiday destinations across Europe and beyond have introduced various forms of a “tourist tax”. In recent years, this has come into play in destinations such as Venice, Lake Como, Brussels, and parts of Japan—and now, UK hotspots are following suit.