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Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business Insider
I went to Japan during peak season. This is my one big tip for escaping the crowds.
If it seems like everyone you know has gone to Japan, you're probably right. The country is experiencing record tourism this year, with 14.4 million visitors in just the first four months of 2025, a 24.5% increase compared to 2024, according to The Japan Times. As with any popular tourist spot, the crowds can be overwhelming. My fiancé and I saw them firsthand when we visited Tokyo and Kyoto in March, just as Japan's famous sakura season was about to start. While exploring the famous attractions, we realized there was an easy and affordable way to enjoy the sights and escape the masses. The secret was in Japan's gardens. Tucked between the skyscrapers On our second day in Tokyo, my fiancé and I spent the morning wandering the packed stalls of Tsukiji Market. That night, we had tickets to visit TeamLab Planets, another big tourist attraction. What we needed in between was a moment of zen, especially as the jet lag started to creep in. We found it at Hama-rikyu Gardens, residing alongside Tokyo Bay. It costs just 300 yen, or about $2, to enter. The landscape garden, which dates back to the 17th century, felt serene and idyllic amid the bustle of Tokyo. We walked past seawater ponds that quietly glistened under towering skyscrapers as birds chirped from a beautiful field of yellow flowers. My favorite part was the teahouse, located on an island within the garden. My fiancé and I swapped our sneakers and boots for the provided slippers and brought our matcha to a bench outside to relax and watch the water. We found similar refuge the following day as we made our way through Harajuku, a Tokyo neighborhood also known to attract huge crowds. As we walked past throngs of people at the famous Meiji Jingu shrine, we came across the Inner Garden. Measuring over 890,000 square feet and older than the shrine itself, the garden has something beautiful to see no matter the season. The beloved iris garden — featuring over 1,500 plants — blooms in the summer, while the centuries-old Japanese maple trees turn stunning shades of orange and gold during autumn and winter. While the shrine was free, the Inner Garden required a separate entrance fee of 500 yen, or about $3. The extra cost seemed to keep out much of the crowd, as the garden was fairly empty when we visited. We easily found a bench by Nan-chi Pond and enjoyed the peace as we watched the water lilies. Hidden Kyoto gems At times, the crowds felt even larger in Kyoto, which is significantly smaller than Tokyo but just as popular with travelers. We could barely move as we shuffled through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with our fellow tourists, many wearing brightly-colored kimonos and sandals from nearby rental stores. Thankfully, a friend had recommended that we visit Ōkōchi Sansō Garden, located at the end of the forest. The 5-acre garden — which once belonged to the late samurai film star Ōkōchi Denjirō — costs 1,000 yen, or about $7, to enter. It features views of Kyoto City below, which my fiancé and I admired with no one around us. It seemed like we had the entire estate to ourselves as we strolled by the gardens, shrines, and traditional villa. The visit concluded at the teahouse, where we sipped free cups of hot tea and gazed at the bamboo groves from the large open windows. We discovered another beautiful garden while visiting Nijō Castle, which I was surprised to find had far fewer crowds than many of the Kyoto attractions we visited. The castle, with its stone walls and moats, was one of the sightseeing highlights of our entire trip. We paid 800 yen, or about $5, to enter the castle and an additional 500 yen, or about $3, to enter the Ninomaru Palace. This gave us access inside the palace, complete with stunning 17th-century illustrations painted on the sliding doors, as well as the Ninomaru Garden. The garden has a teahouse overlooking its pond, which we admired as we ate a delicious seasonal parfait. It was a lovely reprieve after we'd spent the morning lined up with hundreds of other tourists to see Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto's famous golden temple. All the moments in the gardens, enjoying sweets or drinks and taking in Japan's unique beauty, are among my favorite memories from an incredible trip. It showed me that while crowds are an inevitable part of traveling, you can always find some zen among the hidden gems.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Foreign residents closely follow Japan's election and party pledges
As Japan's foreign population continues to rise both in terms of quantity and diversity, one of the talking points during Sunday's election was how the country should deal with the increase of international residents. While foreign nationals do not have the right to vote unless they naturalize, as residents they contribute to the economy, pay taxes and raise families in Japan. As electoral results could impact their lives, The Japan Times asked several foreign residents to weigh in. Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity. Mark Williams (55) United States, resident of Japan since 2006 If I could vote myself, I'd want to see stronger enforcement of labor laws. I've been lucky, but I know people in other companies who are stuck in that culture where you can't leave until your boss does. That needs to change — for both Japanese people and foreigners alike. The cost of living is another big one. There are so many middlemen in the distribution process here that it drives up prices unnecessarily. Streamlining that could make a real difference. I have definitely noticed a shift in attitude (regarding foreigners), especially online. However, if I'm being honest, I've experienced far worse back home in the U.S. than I ever have here. There are people who've always held discriminatory views — now they just feel more free to voice them. It's not that there are more people who think this way, just more who are willing to say it out loud. When people say negative things about foreigners online, my wife or daughter will sometimes point it out to me. I might not have noticed otherwise, because I'm not glued to the TV or reading comments all the time. Day-to-day, I've only ever had positive experiences with people in Japan. My coworkers have always treated me well. I've never felt unwelcome in my workplace. I judge people based on how they treat me directly — not based on what's said online or in anonymous comments. Alexander Howell-Jackson (27) United Kingdom, resident of Japan for three years Anti-foreigner sentiment has definitely been rising. You can see it with parties like Sanseito. But it mirrors what's happening in the rest of the world. When the economy's stagnant and prices go up, people look for someone to blame and often that ends up being foreigners. Most Japanese people have never had a meaningful interaction with a foreigner. That leaves a vacuum for media narratives to shape their views. It's funny to see the 'foreigners are taking our jobs' narrative appear here too. Japan has a labor shortage and a shrinking population — there are so many unfilled jobs. There's no way to tell a tourist apart from a foreign resident, so we all get lumped together. Even if I've lived here for years, I get judged by what a tourist did last week. It's frustrating — when tourists don't know the rules, we all pay the price. It's not like we have 'foreign resident' stamped on our forehead with a visa type. That's not to say everyone is falling victim to this rhetoric. Online, the most racist people are the most vocal. Just because you see those kinds of comments doesn't mean everyone thinks like that. Simon Henderson (40) Australia, resident of Japan for three years I've been following the election very closely. It feels like a pivotal moment for Japan. There's a very real possibility of a political shift, which makes this election particularly significant. Foreign nationals contribute substantially to Japan's wellbeing, including through taxes. Yet we're still excluded from voting and often from political discourse entirely. Many of us have deep roots here. We work, we pay taxes, we raise families. But without the right to vote, we remain politically invisible. It's disappointing to see major parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party, echo xenophobic rhetoric rather than challenging it. Instead of framing foreign nationals as threats, Japan's political leaders should recognize the benefits of a more diverse society. Japan isn't alone in this shift. We're seeing nationalism rise worldwide — but that's no excuse for inaction here. Japan has internationalized a lot over the past decade, but its political institutions haven't kept pace with that change. If I could vote, I'd want to back candidates that understand Japan's future depends on inclusion — not fear. Climate change is also a top concern for me. I'd also support parties pushing for human rights reforms and more generous refugee policies. Additionally, it's contradictory that 18-year-olds can vote but can't run for the Upper House until they're 30 (unlike Australia, where the minimum age to run for office is 18). That sends a clear message: young people don't belong in politics. If Japan wants to improve voter turnout and engagement, especially among youth, it needs to reform its outdated candidacy laws. Maximo Arozarena (39) Mexico, resident of Japan for seven years On the surface, (the rhetoric regarding foreign nationals) doesn't always sound that bad — but for people who understand the context, it's a little bit worrying. I'm not super alarmed personally, because I've seen this kind of thing everywhere — in the U.S., even back in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. It's part of a global trend that worries me. I think the election last October, where the LDP took a big hit, felt more significant. But this one matters too, especially because of Sanseito gaining ground and how that will shift the tone going forward. There's a lot of stress around the economy — the yen being weak, interest rates, even the ripple effects from tariffs and the U.S. elections. It's all adding to this general anxiety, and you can feel that in the conversations people are having. If I could vote, I'd back (a candidate advocating for) more progressive social policies — equal rights, gay marriage — but also economic strategies that go beyond short-term fixes. I know it's idealistic, but that's what I'd hope for. For example, tourism is critical for Japan's economy now, but the way it's handled isn't sustainable. Locals are frustrated with overtourism, and as someone working in the industry, I feel that frustration too. We need better planning — something that supports the economy without overwhelming communities. Right now, it just feels like we're improvising. One good thing I've seen in recent elections is that Japanese people seem more and more politically engaged. Hopefully, that leads to something positive, and not just empty rhetoric.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pokémon Sleep boosts Japan's average sleep by 32 Minutes in two years
Pokémon Sleep is making a measurable difference to sleep habits in Japan, with users gaining an additional 32 minutes of rest each night since the app's launch two years ago. During Pokémon Sleep's second anniversary event in Tokyo on July 16, The Pokémon Company shared that Japanese users now average seven hours and ten minutes of sleep per night, up from six hours and 38 minutes the previous year. The data, reported by Automaton, highlights the app's positive effect. However, Japan still ranks last in average sleep among seven tracked regions, including Germany, the UK, France, Canada, the US, and Italy. Sleep deprivation has been a persistent issue in Japan, where adults typically sleep just over six hours per night, falling short of recommended levels for maintaining good health. A government-backed study cited by The Japan Times found that while most workers recognise the need for at least six hours of sleep, only half achieve that consistently. Pokémon Sleep encourages healthier routines by rewarding users with in-game Pokémon based on their sleep duration and consistency. Players are categorised into 'Dozing,' 'Snoozing,' or 'Slumbering' based on their rest patterns, receiving rewards for meeting recommended targets. Since its launch in July 2023, Pokémon Sleep has become the most downloaded gamified sleep app, achieving a Guinness World Record in June 2025 with over 14.9 million downloads.
Business Insider
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Kim Jong Un says he'll 'unconditionally support' Russia's war amid a report he's sending 30,000 more troops against Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday that he was all in on Russia's war against Ukraine. Pyongyang's foreign ministry wrote that Kim had met with Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, during which the two leaders pledged to "strengthen strategic and tactical cooperation" between their countries. Kim said he was "willing to unconditionally support all measures taken by the Russian leadership in relation to the fundamental resolution of the Ukrainian situation," the report said. It comes as CNN reported on July 2, citing a Ukrainian intelligence assessment and an unnamed Western official, that said there was information indicating that North Korea was planning to send 25,000 to 30,000 troops to Russia. Such a new tranche of fighters would more than triple North Korea's infantry presence in the war, up from its initial batch of about 11,000 soldiers who fought for Russia in Kursk. Western estimates say 6,000 of those North Korean troops were killed or wounded. The Japan Times, however, reported on Sunday that Ukraine's intelligence directorate (GUR) said it had "no information" about Pyongyang's plans to increase its troop count in Russia to 30,000. GUR's press team did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. A more likely expansion is the 6,000 extra personnel Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's security council, said North Korea had pledged to Kursk. In June, Shoigu said at least 1,000 of these people would be sappers, while another 5,000 would help with construction. Meanwhile, top Russian officials have been traveling frequently to meet with Kim. According to Russian media, Shoigu visited Kim at least three times in three months in early summer. The partnership between the two increasingly isolated nations has worried both South Korea and the West. Seoul's intelligence arm said on Sunday that it believed Pyongyang had already supplied Russia with some 12 million 152mm artillery shells, which could fill roughly 28,000 shipping containers. By comparison, the US said in March that it has sent Ukraine roughly 3 million 155mm shells since the start of the war in 2022. In return for his troops, ammunition, and weapons, Kim's government has been reported to be receiving food, cash, battlefield experience, and technological assistance for its space and arms programs.
The Diplomat
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Japan-Canada Sign Security of Information Agreement
On July 8, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand signed the Security of Information Agreement (SIA) to enable exchanges of national security-related data and facilitate two-way defense procurements. Japan already has similar agreements with the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Negotiations for the SIA began over two years ago – before the start of the current Trump administration – and signing such an agreement was the first bullet point under the Japan-Canada 'Action Plan for contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region' inked in October 2022. During her two-day trip to Japan, when the agreement was signed, Anand penned an op-ed for The Japan News. In it she stated, 'Canada is determined to use its G7 presidency this year to show the world there is a viable alternative to the global disorder we are seeing. Japan, a longtime friend of Canada, is central to this vision of upholding the rules-based international order and the rule of law, respecting territorial integrity, and protecting human rights and democratic values.' General Jennie Carignan, Canada's chief of the defense staff, similarly highlighted Japan's importance to Canada in an interview with The Japan Times on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue last month. Japan is a 'priority partner' for Canada. Furthermore, 'We oppose unilateral positioning in the region because it is destabilizing and affects our capacity to freely access our various trade partners. Hence, our commitment to be present in the area, to allow for the international rules to be followed and ensure that freedom of navigation is exercised.' The SIA would be legally binding and must still be ratified by parliament. The deal does not authorize or specify what information will be exchanged, but it does regulate how sensitive data will be shared, handled, stored, and disposed of by Japan and Canada. Iwaya noted, 'With this agreement… the sharing of confidential security information between Canada and Japan will become markedly smoother.' Anand described the SIA as giving Canada and Japan the 'tools we need to strengthen our security partnership.' While the SIA allows for greater security cooperation, the Japanese and Canadian governments and private sector actors must take advantage of the streamlined framework to truly get the benefits of security cooperation. Information security deals normally allow vetted firms to access classified information and bid on sensitive procurements in foreign markets. To truly collaborate, the Japanese government must be willing to let Canadian firms participate in opportunities in their defense, security, aerospace, marine, nuclear, and space industries – and vice versa. Just as importantly, the Japanese and Canadian firms must have an interest in pursuing such collaboration. The next steps in Japan-Canada security cooperation would be the signing of a bilateral defense equipment and technology transfer deal. Canada may also become the fifth country since 2022 to sign a visiting forces pact with Japan. Australia, the U.K., and the Philippines already have such agreements with Japan, and France is likely to complete one soon. A visiting forces agreement could open the door to larger and more complex joint military training on each other's territory and rotational troop deployments. Japan and Canada – in addition to greater collaboration through the Five Eyes arrangement – may also find themselves collaborating as partners in the U.S.-U.S.-Australia AUKUS Pillar II arrangement. The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec will dock in Japan and participate in drills with the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) this summer, and Japan is interested in participating in Canada's Arctic defense exercise, Operation Nanook. Japan-Canada cooperation is also growing in importance in non-security domains. On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in The Hague last month, Iwaya and Anand agreed on the importance of realizing the free and open Indo-Pacific, lauded Canada's initiatives to monitor illegal fishing activities and illicit maritime activities in the region, and discussed economic issues, including energy cooperation, LNG Canada, and small modular reactors. At the most recent meeting between Iwaya and Anand, they also welcomed the start of imports of Canadian LNG by the Japanese private sector. During Prime Minister Ishiba and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, also last month, Ishiba and Carney touched on the SIA – which has been signed now – the agreement concerning transfer of defense equipment and technology, as well as economic issues including energy cooperation, critical minerals cooperation, and the uncertainty of the global economy. Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell recently traveled to Japan and met with Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) President Hiroshi Yamakawa. Japan and Canada are committed to common space goals, such as advancing peaceful exploration of space, strengthening industry ties, and supporting innovation. Japan is also pursuing an SIA with New Zealand. New Zealand is the only Five Eyes country with which Japan does not have such an agreement yet. Last November, Japan became the first non-Five Eyes country to host a gathering of senior enlisted service members from this intelligence partnership.
