Latest news with #GoldenWeek
a day ago
- Entertainment
Nearly 40% of Japan's Main Leisure Facilities Increase Entrance Fees
Japan Data Inflation means that the cost of a day out in Japan is rising at many amusement parks, theme parks, aquariums, and zoos. A Blow to Summer Vacation Plans A survey conducted by Teikoku Databank found that 71 of Japan's 190 major leisure facilities, or 37.4%, raised their admission fees in 2025. These facilities include amusement parks, theme parks, aquariums, and zoos. Almost twice as many facilities increased their fees compared to 2024. Notably, 51 of the 100 theme or amusement parks surveyed raised their entrance fees. The highest fee charged in 2025 for an entrance ticket or unlimited 'free pass' was ¥11,900 for the one-day studio pass at Universal Studios Japan. The average admission fee charged at leisure facilities rose year on year by 4.2% in 2025, to ¥1,695. The average price for the popular free pass commonly offered at amusement or theme parks, which includes both admission and unlimited rides, increased year on year by 5.4%, to ¥4,846 While many facilities have kept their standard entrance fee unchanged, an increasing number are introducing a variable pricing system, charging peak-season rates during Golden Week or the summer vacation, as well as special pricing for weekends and holidays. With these changes, the average price for a free pass is nearing ¥5,000. A representative of Teikoku Databank noted: 'As electricity and labor costs rise, it seems likely that the trend toward increasing admission fees will continue next year, including the use of peak-season pricing to ease congestion. Data Sources Report on prices of major leisure facilities (Japanese) from Teikoku Databank. (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo © Pixta.)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Want to travel Japan in under ₹1.3 lakh? Travel influencer couple shares itinerary, tips and tricks for 2 people
Often, when people are planning to travel to Japan from India, the budget holds them back from making their travel dreams come true. But what if you could do it under ₹1.5 lakh? The couple shared a 7-day itinerary to travel around Japan in just ₹ 1.3 lakh for two people. Also Read | Thinking of travelling solo? Tracee Ellis Ross has suggestions on how to do it well In a post shared on July 30, travel influencers Nupur and Ranjan, who visited Japan recently, shared their itinerary on Instagram, sharing how they travelled around the country under a budget of just ₹1.3 lakh for two people. Here are the details the couple shared: Travel to Japan from India on a budget of ₹ 1.3 lakh Sharing a 7-day itinerary to travel around Japan in just ₹1.3 lakh for two people, Nupur suggested starting in Tokyo and spending three nights there. The couple advised exploring Team Labs, soaking in the Japanese culture, and witnessing the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. Next, they suggested taking the bullet train to Osaka and catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji on the way. 'Stay two nights here, pre-book the Universal Studios Twilight Pass, walk through history at Osaka Castle, and dive into the neon lights and street food at Dotonbori,' the influencers advised in the video. Lastly, Kyoto was the couple's final destination in Japan. They visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and hiked the Fushimi Inari. 'Fly back from Nagoya to save some cost,' they suggested. Japan Itinerary: Tips and tricks to do Japan in ₹ 1.3 lakh Here is the detailed cost breakdown that the couple mentioned in their post: Mid-week flight bookings: According to the couple, flights and hotels are 20–30 percent cheaper between Tuesday and Thursday. While making bookings, they found flights for ₹ 60,000 onwards (book in advance for good deals). Return flights with 1 stop start at ₹ 30,000. 60,000 onwards (book in advance for good deals). Return flights with 1 stop start at 30,000. Visa: ₹ 2,600 (collect at centre) 2,600 (collect at centre) Travel off-peak season: The influencers suggested avoiding cherry blossom (March-April) and Golden Week (April 29 - May 5). Universal Studios: For Universal Studios, purchase Twilight Pass (Universal Studios Twilight Pass: ₹ 3,600 per person, Team Labs: ₹ 2,100 per person) online in advance, prioritise weekdays, and use the USJ app to plan your day 3,600 per person, Team Labs: 2,100 per person) online in advance, prioritise weekdays, and use the USJ app to plan your day Stay at mid-range hotels > hostels: During their vacation, staying at mid-range hotels, instead of hostels, which they described as 'clean, compact, reliable', cost the couple ₹ 19,600 ( ₹ 2,800 per night). 19,600 ( 2,800 per night). Dine smart, not cheap: The couple preferred eating at 7-Eleven, local eatery joints, and convenience stores, which cost them ₹ 1,500 per day. 1,500 per day. Transport: Lastly, instead of Uber, they travelled around the country using local transport, which was fast, clean, safe, and cheap. Miscellaneous (insurance): ₹ 1,200 The couple also suggested a few free attractions that you can visit during your trip: Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Senso-Ji Temple, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Odaiba Seaside Park (Statue of Liberty), Akihabara (Electric Town) Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion District, Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Nishiki Market Osaka: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori Riverwalk, Umeda Sky Building Lastly, for souvenirs, they suggested visiting the 100 yen shops, and to skip SIM cards as free wifi is available at stations, hotels, and cafes, instead get an e-SIM if needed.
The Star
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Smile, it's visit Malaysia Year
VM2026 is off to a good start with tourist arrivals already beating Thailand, making us the top destination in the region. Welcoming tourists with a smile and service can only make things better. IT certainly feels good that Malaysia is now the number one tourist destination in Asean with record-breaking arrivals, overtaking Thailand as the region's most visited country. In the first quarter of 2025, we had over 10.1 million foreign tourists, with Malaysia seeing a 10% rise in international arrivals year-on-year, generating RM27.5bil in tourism revenue. That is a 24% increase, with the average spending per visit hitting RM4,300, according to reports. The challenge now for all of us is to maintain that pole position as we kick off Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). Promoting tourism isn't just the work of people like tourist guides, hoteliers, restaurant owners and drivers — it is the job of every Malaysian, and we should all see ourselves as ambassadors. These include our Immigration officers, who never seem to put on a smile at entry points, especially airports. There are also Customs officers who shout at arriving tourists to place their luggage for inspection, especially at busy KLIA2. Having travelled to 60 countries, I can vouch that many have the same attitude, but I have also experienced when officers smile and welcome me. It made such a big difference. The immediate test for us will be from Oct 1, when China's annual National Day 'Golden Week' starts. The one-week holiday is regarded as one of the world's busiest travel periods. It is an extended holiday for Chinese tourists because it combines public holidays and adjusted weekends, leading to a continuous week off until Oct 8 and more. According to reports, in 2023, about 11.82 million cross-border trips were made during the combined Mid‑Autumn and National Day 'Golden Week' (Sept 29-Oct 6), averaging 1.48 million border crossings per day – nearly 85% of the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Last year, Chinese travellers made 7.59 million outbound trips during the October holiday – a 33% increase year-on-year, with the peak day for border crossings coming on Oct 5, with 2.035 million individuals crossing. Malaysia is a preferred destination among the Chinese for many reasons, which our neighbours cannot match. The visa-free policy, cultural affinities, affordability, unparalleled destination, diversity and targeted marketing with continued government and industry support have made all this possible. Over 40 countries have offered visa-free entrance to Chinese tourists because everyone recognises Chinese tourists as the world's top spenders. They reportedly spent US$196.5bil (RM829.4bil) internationally in 2023. Malaysia is also just a short four-hour flight from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian and Chongqing, with the same time zone. Our hotels and transportation are excellent with good value for money, and it is certainly cheaper than Singapore or even Thailand, in some cases. Chinese tourists also prefer not to use cash as it has almost disappeared in their country. Digital payment integration, such as Alipay, Wechat Pay and automated Customs e-gates have helped. They also feel welcome here as ethnic Chinese form a significant part of Malaysia's multicultural society and Mandarin is widely spoken, with shared festivals, cuisine, and cultural touchstones. The new set of younger Chinese tourists no longer comes by the busloads. They prefer to visit Malaysia at their own pace. The environment and the seas are on their minds, which is why Sabah and Sarawak are top destinations. They also enjoy our clean beaches and sea, but they cannot understand why Semporna town, the gateway to Sipadan, continues to be an eyesore and a massive waste dump. Penang and Melaka are popular choices because of their heritage and cultural links to China, especially Hokkien-speaking Xiamen. Let the numbers speak. According to reports, 3.7 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia in 2024, soaring +130% year-on-year, with January-September 2024 seeing 2.5 million Chinese arrivals, surpassing 2023 totals. Malaysia is aiming for five million Chinese visitors in 2025, with tourism receipts from these travellers expected to reach RM30bil. All this, however, is bad news for Thailand, which used to be the number one spot for Chinese travellers. While the current political upheavals won't worry China tourists, Thailand is facing a sharp decline in visitors from its most important tourism market. A mix of safety concerns, rising travel costs, and changing traveller preferences is reportedly driving this dramatic shift. Public confidence in Thailand took a major dive earlier this year after the high-profile kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Wang was reportedly abducted by a criminal network linked to regional scam operations, prompting a media frenzy in China and a wave of trip cancellations. It is said that Chinese social media platforms were flooded with calls to avoid Thailand, with hashtags warning against visiting the country trending for weeks. The incident reportedly drew attention to the broader issue of scam networks and human trafficking operations along Thailand's border regions – raising alarms about tourist safety. It reinforced the message in a 2023 China-made movie, No More Bets, which explores the issue of Chinese citizens being trafficked to South-East Asia and forced into online fraud. The movie is said to be based on real-life events. Thailand is doing everything to welcome the Chinese, but the damage has been done. There was more bad news for Thailand. Reports of Thai durians containing Auramine O, a yellow dye and a chemical with potential health risks, being exported to China became major news. Thailand's loss has become Malaysia's gain, with many opting to come here instead. And VM2026 aims to attract 35.6 million tourists – a bulk of them from China – with a target of RM147.1bil in tourism revenue. Let's make this happen together with our smiles and friendliness. Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai is a National Journalism Laureate and Bernama chairman. The views expressed here are solely the writer's own.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rumors about an impending natural disaster, sparked by an old comic book, have hit Japan's tourism boom, leading some airlines to suspend flights to the country. Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines is one of them, announcing an indefinite suspension of flights to Tokushima on Wednesday. This follows the viral spread of predictions linked to a manga depicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, reportedly foreseen for July 2025, according to Japan Today. Why It Matters The downturn underscores how digital-era rumors can disrupt real-world economies by influencing consumer behavior—here, curbing a significant boom in Japan's tourism sector. Japan logged an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travelers in April 2025 before arrivals fell in May, particularly from Hong Kong, where superstition over the manga's forecast drove an 11 percent year-on-year drop, according to the most recent data cited by Japan Today. What To Know Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours said the warnings circulating on social media "had a significant impact," halving his agency's Japan bookings. With tourism central to many regions' economies, persistent fears threaten both travel patterns and business revenues, despite reassurances from scientists and even the manga's creator. Where the Trend Came From The trend originated from a manga titled The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. First published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, the comic's initial edition referenced a major natural disaster in March 2011—the month Japan endured a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan's northeast. Some readers now claim the latest edition predicts a new catastrophe specifically on July 5, 2025, sparking waves of alarm on social media in Hong Kong and neighboring Asian territories, Reuters reports. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. AP How Superstition and Social Media Amplified the Impact In Hong Kong, where fears about the prediction gained the most traction, some agencies reported dramatic reductions in Japan-bound travel. Steve Huen of EGL Tours stated that bookings had halved, only sustained by steep discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance. "The rumors have had a significant impact," Huen said. Effect on Travel and Flight Cancellations Greater Bay Airlines announced that it would suspend its service to Tokushima, western Japan, from September, citing insufficient demand. Other carriers signaled similar moves. The trend was especially pronounced among travelers from Hong Kong, with Japanese government statistics confirming an 11 percent decrease in arrivals from the region in May compared with the previous year, according to Reuters. Creator and Scientific Reaction Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, issued a statement through her publisher denying she was a prophet and downplaying interpretations of her work. "I am not a prophet," Tatsuki said. Seismologist Robert Geller from the University of Tokyo told Reuters that even scientifically-based earthquake prediction was "impossible." "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all," Geller said. He emphasized accurate earthquake prediction remains scientifically impossible. Japan's Earthquake Risk in Context Japan, positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces frequent seismic activity. Over 900 minor earthquakes have hit islands off Kyushu's southern tip in recent days. However, scientific authorities stressed there is no credible basis for the July 2025 disaster forecast, according to Reuters. Continued Demand and Adjustments Despite the anxiety, some travelers continue to visit. Serena Peng, a Seattle resident visiting Tokyo, described having initial doubts after seeing online speculation but ultimately continuing with her trip. "I'm not super worried right now, but I was before," Peng said outside Tokyo's Senso-ji temple. What People Are Saying Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours, said: "The rumors have had a significant impact…Japan-related business halve[d]. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance…prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero." Branden Choi, a traveler from Hong Kong, said: "If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September." University of Tokyo seismologist Robert Geller said: "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all." What Happens Next Airlines and tour companies are expected to continue monitoring booking trends and adjust schedules as traveler sentiment evolves. Japanese tourism officials and industry stakeholders have ramped up efforts to reassure visitors of their safety, emphasizing reassurances by scientists.
25-06-2025
- Business
Japan Average Pump Price Rallies amid Middle East Tensions
News from Japan Economy Jun 25, 2025 17:53 (JST) Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan's average retail price of regular gasoline rallied this week, reflecting rising crude oil markets amid the worsening Middle East situation, an industry ministry report showed Wednesday. The average gasoline price stood at 172.8 yen per liter as of Monday, up 1.6 yen from a week earlier, marking the first rise in nine weeks, excluding the Golden Week holiday period from late April to early May, when the survey was not conducted. To curb retail gasoline prices, the government launched a fixed-amount subsidy program in May and currently provides the upper limit of 10 yen per liter to oil wholesalers. In light of growing tensions in the Middle East, the government will implement an additional measure on Thursday to cap the average price at around 175 yen per liter. The amount to be provided under this measure in the week through June 2 is 13.4 yen per liter. According to the latest report, the average retail gasoline price rose in 43 of the country's 47 prefectures, remained unchanged in one, and fell in three. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
