On May 22, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) established the Facility for Accelerating Financial Inclusion (FAFI), a loan facility of up to US$1 billion as part of its overseas investment and financing initiatives. This facility was established as one of Japan’s contribution initiatives in light of Prime Minister Kishida’s announcement on May 20, 2023…
JORDAN “Enjoy Expo ’70 Commemorative Park Enjoy Pass” for a discount. Includes 1-day Osaka Monorail ticket + bonus coupon
JORDAN will launch the “Save Money and Enjoy Expo ’70 Commemorative Park Enjoy Pass” on May 22 at 9:00 a.m. on its transfer guide application (Android/iOS version). A mobile ticket that includes an admission ticket to the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park (Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture) (Natural Culture Park/Japanese Garden) and a one-day…
LOKAL HOUSE, VOCO Osaka Central’s grill restaurant, to open simultaneously on May 30
voco Osaka Central (1-7-1 Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture) will simultaneously open the social lifestyle dining restaurant “Lokal House” on the opening day, May 30. Reservations are now being accepted. The restaurant features an open kitchen in an open space with large all-glass windows, offering Western grill dishes to be shared and enjoyed. The…
Best One Cruises launches 9-day mystery cruise to/from Yokohama at 50% discount.
Bestone.com, operator of the cruise booking site “Bestone Cruises,” has launched a new “Mystery Cruise” course. This is a 9-day/8-night cruise departing from the port of Yokohama in June, limited to inside cabins. The fare is 88,888 yen, about half the regular price. The ship name, course, and other details will remain a secret until…
The sewage network was established in the 19th century with the great remodeling of Paris. Part of the active sewage system is now a museum.
The Musée des égouts de Paris (Paris Sewerage Museum) reopened in 2021 after a major 3-year renovation starting in 2018. I have always wanted to go there and finally was able to! It is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, at the foot of the Pont de l’Alma over the Seine. The museum has…
NEC exhibits face recognition system used at Narita Airport and other airports at the Hiroshima G7 Summit
NEC (NEC Corporation) exhibited the face recognition system used in the “Face Express” system at Narita Airport and other systems at the government PR corner of the G7 Hiroshima Summit being held in Hiroshima from May 19 to 21. NEC’s face recognition system has been adopted at the security gate of Narita Airport and USJ…
Baby woolly monkey born at Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia, open to the public until the end of May & nickname vote
On May 3, a baby woolly monkey was born at Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia (1175-1 Kamishirane-cho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture). This is the first mating in 17 years at the zoo. Open to the public until May 31st, where mothers and children can be seen from 9:30 to 11:30 each day. A nickname contest is also…
Iwanumaya, a long-established inn in Sendai, rebranded and opened as a hot spring resort hotel “TAOYA Akiu” on June 12
Oedo Onsen Monogatari Hotels & Resorts will rebrand Oedo Onsen Monogatari Sendai Akiu Onsen Iwanumaya and open it as TAOYA Akiu (107 Yumoto Aza Yakushi, Akiu-cho, Taihaku-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture) on June 12. TAOYA is a brand of hot spring resort hotels based on the concept of “relaxed and carefree,” introducing an all-inclusive package that…
Tokyo Skytree to hold a special opening for the first time in four years to allow visitors to view the Sumida River Fireworks Festival from the observation deck. Limited to about 900 people.
Tokyo Sky Tree (1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo) will hold a special opening for the Sumida River Fireworks Festival from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 29 in conjunction with the 46th Sumida River Fireworks Festival to be held for the first time in four years. Tickets will be sold to 500 people by lottery on…
Kurobe Gorge Trolley Train’s “Unazuki Onsen 100th Anniversary Commemorative Ticket”. Includes one-day bathing and souvenir ticket.
Toyama Prefecture’s Kurobe Gorge Railway will release “Unazuki Onsen 100th Anniversary Commemorative Ticket” on June 1. The package includes a round-trip ticket for the Kurobe Gorge Trolley Car (Unazuki Station to Keyakidaira Station), a one-day Unazuki Onsen Town bathing ticket, and a souvenir ticket (worth 500 yen) that can be used at stores and restaurants…