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Japan Today
20 hours ago
- Japan Today
Japan's top 10 travel experiences in the sky
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Your feet being in contact with the ground is a pretty fundamental aspect of walking, so the concept of going for a mid-air walk might sound like something you'd hear about from aspiring musicians or college freshmen philosophy majors. Today, though, it's Japanese travel provider Jalan that's broaching the subject, releasing its list of the top 10 places for 'a walk in the sky' in Japan. So what's Jalan's criteria? It has to be somewhere with high altitude-related breathtaking views and/or thrilling activities. That means places like skyscraper observation decks, suspension bridges, and alpine cable cars/ropeways are all eligible, and to compile its list, Jalan collected survey responses from 1,036 of its users, aged 20 to 59, with each participant allowed to vote for up to three places. 10. Kobe Port Tower Rooftop Observatory Website Adjacent to Meriken Park on one side and Kobe's harbor on the other, Kobe Port Tower is a symbol of the city that offers beautiful views, with the best coming from its observation deck, the Brilliance Tiara Open-air Deck. It earns that opulent name, though, thanks to a 2024 renovation that now allows guests to get out in the open air 90.28 meters (296.2 feet) above the street for 360-degree views, and with Kobe boasting some of Japan's best after-sundown city-lights skyline scenery, it's worth a visit day or night. 9. Ryujin Suspension Bridge Website Continuing on to another place with a cool name, Ryujin means 'dragon god,' and this suspension bridge that crosses the Ryujin Gorge in Hitachiota, Ibaraki Prefecture, is fittingly dynamic. It's 375 meters across and, more importantly, 100 meters straight down to the river below, with clear acrylic viewing panes for you to look down through if you're brave enough…and if you're really courageous, you can bungee jump off the bridge too. Meanwhile, those who get enough adrenaline from the height alone can stay firmly on the bridge while admiring the surrounding forestland, which turns a beautiful shade of crimson in the fall. 8. Shibuya Sky Website We're back in the big city for Tokyo's Shibuya Sky, which refers specifically to the rooftop observation deck of the Shibuya Scramble Square entertainment complex high-rise. The building also has observation spaces on its 14th, 45th, and 46th floors, but it's Shibuya Sky that really puts you in the skies of downtown Tokyo's most popular international tourism district, and the unobstructed lines of sight from 229 meters up are a great place to watch the sun set and the neon lights of the city come on from. 7. Tateyama Ropeway Website Having trouble seeing to the other end of the route in that photo? That's because at 37 kilometers in length, Toyama Prefecture's Tateyama Ropeway is the longest single-span ropeway route in all of Japan, with no support beams in the middle so as to lesson the impact on the surrounding environment and keep the view as pristine as possible. The ropeway is part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a multi-mode-of-transportation linking the town of Tateyama with Omachi in Nagano Prefecture, and includes a stop at Kurobe Dam, Japan's largest dam, along the way. 6. Mt Hakodate Ropeway Website Hokkaido Prefecture's Hakodate is beautifully situated on a narrow strip of land with ocean on two sides and a mountain rising up on another. With few tall buildings within the town, the best way to appreciate its picturesque positioning is to take a ride on the cable car that whisks you up Mount Hakodate, and it's an especially popular date-night destination when the lights of the city twinkle like jewels. 5. Umeda Sky Building Kuchu Teien Observatory Website Osaka's Umeda Sky Building skyscraper sticks with the Japanese name for its observatory even in its official English-language documentation, but Kuchu Teien translates to 'midair garden.' The facility bridges the 39th and 40th floors of the twin-spire building, letting you see one of Japan's most vibrant cities below, gaze at Mount Rokko off in the distance of neighboring Hyogo Prefecture, and watch the planes coming and going at Osaka Airport. 4. Biwako Valley Zipline Adventure Website Looking at a map of Japan, it's hard to miss Shiga Prefecture's Lake Biwa ('Biwako' in Japanese), since the country's biggest lake sits right in the middle of the main island of Honshu. It's also hard to miss Lake Biwa while ziplining around Biwako Valley, an outdoor activity center at the summits of Mount Uchimi and Mount Horai. The center has a total of six zipline courses, but Line 6, the one pictured above, is the one you don't want to miss. 3. Yume no Tsuribashi Website Things are more relaxed at Yume no Tsuribashi ('the suspension bridge of dreams') in Haibara, Shizuoka Prefecture. Part of the Sumata Gorge Prominade Course nature walk, rather than gazing up at the sky above a walk across this bridge surrounds you with the colors or the river and forest. Ordinarily, it takes about 90 minutes to walk the course, but that's not accounting for time spent taking in the view, and taking photos, from the bridge, so you might want to allocate some extra time if you're visiting, and also maybe get an early start (the course's gate opens at 7 a.m.) if you want to encounter the smallest crowds. 2. Mishima Skywalk Website Also in Shizuoka is the massive Mishima Skywalk suspension bridge, which is 400 meters across, but if instead of walking all the way back you'd rather return by its 560-meter zipline course, that's also an option. The big draw here, though, is the view of Japan's biggest mountain, Mount Fuji, which isn't all that far away, and with Mishima being at the northern end of the Izu Peninsula, you can see Suruga Bay as well. 1. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Bridge World Website When it was completed in 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge finally linked Hyogo Prefecture's Awaji Island with Japan's main island of Honshu, crossing the Akashi Strait and coming ashore in Kobe. It also created an opportunity for incredible views like the one seen in the photo above. As you can probably guess, the spot where that picture was taken isn't part of the regular route across the bridge, as it's part of the Bridge Tower Top Tour that the facility offers. Yes, prior reservations are required, and there are a number of special safety precautions (such as all participants must be 13 years old or older), but fans say the extra trouble is worth it to see the scenery from 300 meters above sea level, making it the list's top pick for an unforgettable sky experience in Japan. Source, images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Japan's top 10 food travel destination prefectures【Survey】 -- Explore Japan's volcanic beauty at Hakone's latest attraction -- Sorakaze: New Hakone sightseeing cruise boat on Lake Ashi is as stunning as the Mt Fuji views External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Pokémon theme park area announced for Kanto region, opens in less than a year
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 With each new generation the Pokémon franchise moves to a new region, but as fans fondly remember, the adventures all started in the Kanto region, so it's only fitting that the first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park area is going to be in Kanto too. And no, you won't need to find a way to isekai yourself into the Pokémon anime or video games in order to visit. That's because Pokémon's Kanto region shares its name with the real-world Kanto region of Japan, which makes up the eastern part of the country. Poképark Kanto will be located in Tama Hills, which straddles the border of Tokyo and its neighbor to the south, Kanagawa Prefecture. The park, with an area of around 2.6 hectares (nearly 280,000 square feet), will have more than 600 Pokémon, the designers say, split between two habitats: the Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. In the Pokémon Forest area, fans can amble along a nature trail surrounded by Pokémon great and small. Some will be out in the open, but others will require a keener eye to spot. Meanwhile, Sedge Town promises to be like stepping into a settlement from the games/anime that Pokémon Trainers pass through on their journeys to become full-fledged Pokémon Masters, with amenities such as a Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, and Pokémon Gym. This is also the part of Poképark Kanto Pokémon where Pokémon parades and meet-and-greet events will be held, and the designers say that the Primarina Fountain in the town square will be a place where you can 'connect with Pokémon Trainers and Pokémon alike' for an 'unforgettable experience,' suggesting that there could be some sort of interactive element to what goes on there. ▼ Oh, and apparently there's also going to be an adorable Pikachu flying merry-go-round too, according to this preview illustration. ▼ Poképark Kanto preview video Poképark Kanto will be situated at the edge of the Yomiuri Land amusement park, which previously hosted the limited-time Pokémon Wonder event. Poképark Kanto, though, looks to be a project on a much larger scale, and also it's going to be a permanent facility that's open year-round. The fact that the park's official website also has an English version indicates that the designers are planning to make its activities and events accessible for foreign travelers to Japan as well. It's not currently clear whether admission to Poképark Kanto will be entirely separate from Yomiurui Land or if some sort of combination pass will be offered. Ticket prices/purchase procedures will be revealed this fall, with Poképark Kanto's grand opening currently slated for spring of 2026. Source: PR Times, Poképark Kanto official website Insert images: YouTube/ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル, PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Will Yomiuriland's Pokémon Wonder attraction be a good place to play Pokémon GO? We investigate -- Poképark Pokémon theme park area announced for Japan's real-world Kanto region -- This Japanese theme park just made a real-world Pokémon forest for you to go Pokémon spotting in External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Pokémon theme park area announced for Kanto region; opens in less than a year
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 With each new generation the Pokémon franchise moves to a new region, but as fans fondly remember, the adventures all started in the Kanto region, so it's only fitting that the first-ever permanent Pokémon theme park area is going to be in Kanto too. And no, you won't need to find a way to isekai yourself into the Pokémon anime or video games in order to visit. That's because Pokémon's Kanto region shares its name with the real-world Kanto region of Japan, which makes up the eastern part of the country. Poképark Kanto will be located in Tama Hills, which straddles the border of Tokyo and its neighbor to the south, Kanagawa Prefecture. The park, with an area of around 2.6 hectares (nearly 280,000 square feet), will have more than 600 Pokémon, the designers say, split between two habitats: the Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. In the Pokémon Forest area, fans can amble along a nature trail surrounded by Pokémon great and small. Some will be out in the open, but others will require a keener eye to spot. Meanwhile, Sedge Town promises to be like stepping into a settlement from the games/anime that Pokémon Trainers pass through on their journeys to become full-fledged Pokémon Masters, with amenities such as a Pokémon Center, Poké Mart, and Pokémon Gym. This is also the part of Poképark Kanto Pokémon where Pokémon parades and meet-and-greet events will be held, and the designers say that the Primarina Fountain in the town square will be a place where you can 'connect with Pokémon Trainers and Pokémon alike' for an 'unforgettable experience,' suggesting that there could be some sort of interactive element to what goes on there. ▼ Oh, and apparently there's also going to be an adorable Pikachu flying merry-go-round too, according to this preview illustration. ▼ Poképark Kanto preview video Poképark Kanto will be situated at the edge of the Yomiuri Land amusement park, which previously hosted the limited-time Pokémon Wonder event. Poképark Kanto, though, looks to be a project on a much larger scale, and also it's going to be a permanent facility that's open year-round. The fact that the park's official website also has an English version indicates that the designers are planning to make its activities and events accessible for foreign travelers to Japan as well. It's not currently clear whether admission to Poképark Kanto will be entirely separate from Yomiurui Land or if some sort of combination pass will be offered. Ticket prices/purchase procedures will be revealed this fall, with Poképark Kanto's grand opening currently slated for spring of 2026. Source: PR Times, Poképark Kanto official website Insert images: YouTube/ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル, PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Will Yomiuriland's Pokémon Wonder attraction be a good place to play Pokémon GO? We investigate -- Poképark Pokémon theme park area announced for Japan's real-world Kanto region -- This Japanese theme park just made a real-world Pokémon forest for you to go Pokémon spotting in External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Lawson's exclusive sparkling sake in a can is filled with surprises
By Oona McGee, SoraNews24 While browsing the drink selections at our local Lawson the other day, we came across something we'd never seen before — cans of Summer Fall Sparkling Sake. As it turns out, this new drink can only be purchased at Lawson convenience stores, where it's been on pre-sale since 8 July. Though initially only available in the Kanto region in and around Tokyo, these sweet little 250-milliliter cans are now being rolled out at the chain's locations around the country, and there's a lot that makes them stand out from the crowd. ou may have spotted it in the photo above, but one of the factors that makes this little drink so unique is the fact that it was 'Born in California, Crafted in Japan'. This tagline pays homage to the brand being born in California in 2024, but with manufacturing by Takara Shuzo, a company specialising in alcoholic beverages that was founded in Kyoto's Fushimi in 1842. Another factor that makes it unusual is its use of domestic yuzu juice instead of artificial flavoring. ▼ There's also the fact that it's sparkling sake in a can, which isn't common in Japan. Summer Fall brands its sake as a 'liqueur' as it's made with unpolished, local California rice, wine yeast, and white koji (a mould typically used to make shochu, a distilled alcohol). This new take on traditional sake is an intriguing one that aims to combine Japanese and American culture in the drinking experience, and when we cracked the lid on it, Japan stepped out first as the tangy scent of yuzu filled the air. The scent was a celebration of the popular citrus fruit, and it was far more aromatic and authentic than artificial flavoring. Pouring it into a glass, we could see the carbonation was quite strong, and it had a slightly pale, whitish hue, kind of like a sports drink. Giving it a taste, we were surprised to find that it lacked the typical sake flavor we're used to experiencing. It was refreshing, with a crisp finish, but the sweetness and aroma of rice that usually characterises sake seemed washed out, perhaps because of the yuzu flavour and the sharpness of the carbonation. Personally, we would've preferred it to have a bit more sake-esque mellowness and sweetness, because without that it didn't seem all that different to canned chu-hi drinks that contain distilled alcohol. Still, it's definitely tasty, especially when ice-cold and enjoyed on a sweltering hot day. Plus, the small volume doesn't affect the drinking experience at all, because it actually contains 11 percent alcohol. That's a lot of strength for a tiny 250-milliliter can, especially when 350-milliliter 'strong' chu-hi brands generally contain around 9 percent alcohol. Another thing to note is that the alcohol taste in the Summer Fall drinks becomes stronger at room temperature, which makes them a bit unpleasant, so you'll want to ensure it's icy cold before opening. Though it might not appeal to all tastes, the yuzu-flavored Summer Fall is worth trying at least once so you can make up your own mind on it. Photos ©SoraNews24 Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Sparkling sake in a can seeks to solve a problem that sometimes keeps sake off the dinner table -- Japan Super Budget Dining – What's the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Lawson? -- New Yuzu Sake KitKat combines Japanese rice wine with a zesty local citrus External Link © SoraNews24
Japan Today
2 days ago
- General
- Japan Today
7-Eleven Japan powers up even more with new baked-in-store breads and pastries
By SoraNews24 In every convenience store in Japan, you'll find a bread aisle, stocked with individually wrapped sweet and savory baked goods trucked in from a central kitchen to each of the chain's branches. That goes for 7-Eleven too, of course, but at some 7-Eleven locations you can also get various kinds of breads and pastries that they bake right there in the store. Craving both bread and convenience, our reporter Mariko Ohanabatake made the way to 7-Eleven to try out as much of the 7 Cafe Bakery lineup (as the baked-in-store breads are called) as she could, and in the showcase near the register she found six different taste test subjects. ● Fluffy Melon Bread (160 yen [US$1.10]) ● Chocolate Cookie (200 yen) ● Chocolate Croissant (210 yen) ● Crisp Croissant (190 yen) ● Sausage French Bread (250 yen) ● Buttery Financier (150 yen) To Mariko's pleasant surprise, the clerk didn't just scoop her bread out of the case and into a shopping bag. Instead, each piece got one last individual stint in the 7-Eleven oven, with customized settings for each, to ensure it was finished to perfection before being given to the customer. This filled the convenience store with he enticing aroma of warm butter and chocolate, and that same scent greeted Mariko when she got back to the office and took the baked goods out of their bag to plate them. Logically, Mariko chose to start her tasting with the Chocolate Cookie. Honestly, she wasn't all that impressed with how it looked, thinking it had a sort of 'made by middle schoolers during home ec class' kind of visual vibe to it. The name, 'Chocolate Cookie,' is also a little unusual, since the dough itself isn't chocolate, and this is what we'd ordinarily call a chocolate chip cookie. But Mariko would quickly eat her words, and her cookie. In contrast to its lackluster appearance, it tastes incredible. The dough is nice and sweet, and the pieces of chocolate inside are big enough that more so than chocolate chips, chocolate chunks is the proper description, Mariko feels. Between the chunks' size and semi-melted state, chocolate was seeping throughout the inside of the cookie, making Mariko very happy. It was now time for the Buttery Financier. This was another hit, reminding Mariko of the sort of fancy treats that people will line up for from famous shops in luxury department food sections. It was a little lighter on the almond notes than such premium-priced varieties, but with 7-Eleven being upfront about its butteriness this wasn't surprising or disappointing, and for its price of just 150 yen, this is one of the best financiers around. The texture in particular is just about perfect, fluffy and chewy on the inside with just a hint of crispness outside. Speaking of exquisitely contrasting textures, those are part of the deal for the Fluffy Melon Bread too: pillowy soft at its center, but with a satisfying touch of crunch to its cookie crust. The Crisp Croissant lives up to its name, and has a slight sweetness mixed in with its butter-forward flavor profile… …and since adding chocolate is pretty much always a good idea, we've got no real complaints about the Chocolate Croissant either. And last, the Sausage French Bread, with its crusty baguette-like bread would make a great lunch component, and also gives you a way to plausibly deny that you're just stocking up on pastries when you hit up 7-Eleven. With the 7 Cafe Bakery system still being pretty new, not every 7-Eleven branch us baking its own bread in-store, and not all of them that are have the same selection of items. For now, the 7-Eleven Japan website allows you to search by prefecture for locations offering 7 Cafe Bakery items here, and with how tasty they are, we wouldn't be surprised to see that list grow very quickly. Photos ©SoraNews24 Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- 7-Eleven Japan planning to become even more awesome by baking its own bread in-store -- Let's try all the melon bread types sold by Japanese convenience store Family Mart【Taste test】 -- What kind of magic happens when you put Japanese combini pastries into a hot sandwich maker? External Link © SoraNews24
