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Why this iconic view of Mt Fuji is set to be obstructed

<p>One small town in Japan is fed up with disrespectful tourists, and is set to take drastic measures to block an iconic view of My Fuji to deter travellers. </p> <p>Fujikawaguchiko, at the foot of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji, has long been overrun with tourists who are hellbent on getting the perfect picture of the Japanese mountain. </p> <p>Tourists specifically flock to the Lawson convenience store to take their pictures, with the contrast between the busy neon-lit shop and the peaceful mountain behind it making for the perfect holiday snap. </p> <p>However, in recent years since Japan reopened its borders to international tourists after harsh Covid lockdowns, these tourists have had the run of the town, and locals have had enough. </p> <p>To combat the over tourism of the area and deter travellers, local officials of the town are set to erect a giant mesh barrier atop the store, blocking the picture perfect view.</p> <p>One town official said that there have been ongoing problems with tourists leaving trash and not following traffic rules, despite signs and security guards being posted to warn them.</p> <p>"It is regrettable that we had to take such measures," the official said.</p> <p>The net, which measures 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long, will be erected early next week.</p> <p>The crowds plaguing the small town, which is in Yamanashi prefecture, to the north of Fuji and about 100 kilometres west of Tokyo, is just one part of a larger over tourism issue in the whole of Japan. </p> <p>"Overtourism – and all the subsequent consequences like rubbish, rising CO2 emissions and reckless hikers – is the biggest problem facing Mount Fuji," Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefectural government official, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/mount-fuji-overtourism-intl-hnk/index.html">told CNN Travel</a> in 2023.</p> <p>Some locals had even nicknamed the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) mountain, called Fuji-san in Japanese, "trash mountain."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

International Travel

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Dr Chris Brown recalls embarrassing moment on crowded train

<p>Dr Chris Brown tends to attract attention wherever he goes with his 6'5 height and beautiful blond hair - but he got more than he wanted on his recent trip to Japan. </p> <p>Appearing on the morning radio show<em> Triple M’s Mick and MG in the Morning Show, </em>he<em> </em>recalled an embarrassing incident that he would rather forget. </p> <p>“It may not surprise you to learn that I do tend to stand out a little bit on the streets of Tokyo,” he began, to the amusement of radio host Mick Molloy.</p> <p>“Um, six foot five, blond hair, and on the subway especially.</p> <p>“But, I don’t know if you know, in Japan you can buy beers absolutely anywhere — vending machines on the streets, in the subway when you’re just queueing for a train, and so I got involved in this.</p> <p>“I bought a can of Asahi, nice Japanese beer, and was carrying it in my bag, just over my shoulder.”</p> <p>As he got into the crowded train and made his way, the TV vet shared that started to feel a “cold trickle” down his leg. </p> <p>“I realised very quickly that the beer I’d bought had exploded in my bag,” he said.</p> <p>“And I now have a rapidly growing wet patch across my groin, running from my bag to my groin and down my leg, and a highly suspicious amber fluid going across a crowded train carriage,” he continued, making everyone in the studio laugh. </p> <p>“If I couldn’t stand out any more, I found a way.”</p> <p>He added that nobody said a word because Japanese people are so polite, but he did say there was “endless gazing," because they thought he wet himself. </p> <p>“They’re connecting the dots from the trickle along the carriage back up my leg and up to my very wet body,” he added. </p> <p>“Oh wow, oh well I hope you were filming that,” Mick Molloy chuckled.</p> <p>“By the way, that’s how I leave the station every day, on a train, with a wet patch, talking to myself,” he quipped.</p> <p>“Well, I tell you what, if you want to clear some space, it’s a great way to do it, let me tell you,” the TV vet laughed. </p> <p><em>Images: Mick &amp; MG in the morning</em></p>

International Travel

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Aussie grandma and former Greens candidate jailed in Japan claims she was scammed

<p>Donna Nelson, a 57-year-old Perth grandmother, has found herself entangled in a nightmarish situation in a Japanese prison, accused of a crime she vehemently denies.</p> <p>Nelson, an Aboriginal health advocate and former Greens candidate, has been incarcerated for nearly a year without a trial date set, facing allegations of attempting to smuggle two kilograms of meth into Japan. However, her plight is not as straightforward as it may seem, and her family and legal team are tirelessly fighting to clear her name.</p> <p>The ordeal began on January 4, when Nelson was arrested at Narita Airport in Tokyo. Authorities claimed to have discovered drugs concealed within a false compartment in her luggage. According to the prosecution, a customs officer suspected her of acting suspiciously. But the narrative has taken a complex turn as Nelson's defence team unveiled a shocking revelation: she alleges she was deceived and manipulated by a Nigerian scammer who had groomed her for two years.</p> <p>Since her arrest, Nelson has been confined to Chibu prison, located an hour outside Tokyo. Her living conditions are appalling; she spends 23 hours a day isolated in her cell, showers are allowed only every three days, and communication with other inmates and visitors is strictly prohibited. This form of treatment is a reflection of Japan's infamous "hostage justice" strategy, aimed at coercing confessions from detainees.</p> <p>The only individuals granted access to Nelson are her lawyers, Australian embassy representatives, and a pastor. Legal representatives have identified a significant issue with translation throughout the case, and it could very well hinge on an inaccurate translation by the customs officer at the time of her arrest.</p> <p>Rie Nishida from Shinjuku International Law Firm, one of Nelson's lawyers, explained, "The main evidence from the prosecution is mainly a customs officer who said she acted suspiciously. There's a lot of mistranslation that's also the difficulty in this case."</p> <p>This mistranslation issue is not trivial; it extends to the messages exchanged between Nelson and the man she believed she had a romantic connection with, who ultimately turned out to be a scammer.</p> <p>Matthew Owens, another member of the legal team and a translator for the case, noted, "Some of them were completely wrongly translated, so we had to re-translate those messages and submit them back to the prosecutor."</p> <p>Nelson remains steadfast in her conviction that she is innocent of the accusations against her. Her lawyer,  Owens, relayed her message, saying, "Donna wants to say that she is going to be able to prove her innocence, she's 100 per cent confident of that, and she wants everyone in Australia and the world to know she is innocent."</p> <p>If found guilty, Nelson could face a harrowing 20-year sentence in a Japanese prison, a terrifying prospect for both her and her family. Her five daughters and grandchildren are distraught, but they are not giving up the fight to prove her innocence. They believe they have evidence to substantiate the claim that she was scammed and unjustly accused.</p> <p><em>Image: Australian Greens</em></p>

Legal

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Unlocking Japan: Insider tips and mistakes to avoid for first-time travellers

<p>Traveling to a new country for the first time can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. With so much information online, it can be tough to keep track of what to do and what to avoid.</p> <p>While it is important to consider the rules of <a href="https://www.klook.com/en-AU/blog/do-and-donts-japan-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">etiquette</a> in Japan, there are a few uncommon things that you might miss if you're a first-time traveller. </p> <p>Here are a few of our do's and don'ts: </p> <h5>DO use a luggage transfer service to travel "hands-free"</h5> <p>Japan is all about efficiency, and one of the things you can do to make sure you can travel more freely is to use a luggage transfer service.</p> <p>We recommend <a href="https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yamato Transport </a> a luggage transfer service that delivers all of your bags from the airport to your hotel and from hotel to hotel. </p> <p>Prices depend on the weight and size of your bags, but for same-day delivery, it was around $40-50 AUD for two 30kg bags. </p> <p>Depending on where you are staying, your hotel may or may not provide the Yamato services directly, but if they don't, you can always check with the nearest Family Mart as some convenience stores will do it for you.</p> <p>Alternatively, you can search for the nearest Yamato on Google maps. </p> <p>It is important to note that there may be delivery delays depending on road and traffic conditions, and in some cases they don't do same-day delivery to the airport, so it's good to double check. </p> <h5>DON'T listen to the influencers </h5> <p>With the rise of influencer culture, a lot more restaurants and tourists spots have become even more popular. </p> <p>Avoid queuing in line for over an hour for the hottest restaurant that's always "so good" and pull out Google or Apple maps, as you can find more hidden gems that the locals visit and are actually worth your time.</p> <h5>DO bring cash </h5> <p>Although most places accept card, places like Kyoto - the ancient capital - still mostly take cash. </p> <p>A lot of tourist spots like Kiyomizudera, some markets, and buses in Kyoto only take cash.</p> <p>On another note, if you have an <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IC card</a> like the Suica or Icoca, you can also use these as a form of payment at certain vending machines, shops and restaurants. (It's kind of like using your Opal card to pay for things).</p> <h5>DON'T lose or damage your JR Pass </h5> <p>Most travel blogs recommend that you get the <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JR pass</a> ,which is a rail pass that offers unlimited rides on the JR trains for one, two or three weeks, and allow you to travel nation-wide. </p> <p>What they don't tell you is that they only hand out physical passes that you cannot lose or damage, as they will not re-issue another card until your current one expires.</p> <p>With the cost of the JR passes increasing in October, it might also be worth booking one-way travel tickets instead, as they might be cheaper depending on which region you're travelling to. </p> <h5><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">DO bring good socks and wear your comfiest shoes</span></h5> <p>There is a lot of walking involved, and sometimes lifts can be hard to find – especially at certain stations – so make sure you wear shoes with a lot of padding (or whatever's best for you).</p> <p>You will have to take off your shoes more often than you think, especially in changing rooms and certain traditional accommodation. So leave your hole-y socks at home or wear slippers wherever you go! </p> <h5><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">DON'T book that morning flight </span></h5> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Check-in for a lot of places is usually at 3pm and you want to avoid the morning rush, especially if you're catching public transportation.</span></p> <p>These are a few of our tips, are there any we've missed? </p> <p><em>Images: Getty/ Supplied</em></p>

International Travel

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"You ought to be ashamed": Aussie tourist causing strife in Japan

<p>Sydney-sider Turan William Salis has been slammed after a TikTok of him entering the "women's only" train carriage in Japan went viral. </p> <p>The video, which racked up over 2.3 million views, showed the 20-year-old unashamedly entering the strict female-only carriages on a Tokyo metro. </p> <p>“You guys, did you know in Japan they have women-only carriages?” he said, before entering the carriage. </p> <p>“It is like Saudi Arabia in here. I am the women-inspector, checking there is only women on this carriage.</p> <p>“Yep yep, there is only women here. Cool. No men. I don’t see a single man in sight.</p> <p>“Check complete, it really is a women-only carriage guys, wow.”</p> <p>Salis was met by confused and furious stares from female passengers who were sitting in the carriage. </p> <p>“This women-only carriage is the last thing I would expect to be seeing in such a free country like Japan, reminds me of something I would see in a country with strict segregation rules," he captioned the clip. </p> <p>“Japan was the last place I expected to be seeing strict male-female segregation in public.”</p> <p>The reason why Japan has female-only carriages is to protect women from sexual harassment and help them feel safe while taking public transportation. </p> <p>A<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">ccording to Japanese National Police Agency and the Ministry of Justice</span>, the number of indecent assaults in train carriages nationwide in Japan ranges from 300 to 500 each year, with indecent sexual behaviour – such as groping, unwanted touching and intimidation – a major issue on trains, especially during peak hours.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Over half of female passengers on the trains in Japan had, at one point in their lives, been groped on trains around Tokyo according to a 2005 investigation. </span></p> <p>Female-only carriages have become a permanent fixture since the early 2000s and are common feature around the country because of this.</p> <p>Thousands of people across the world have slammed Salis. </p> <p>“You should get out of Japan, you disrespectful piece of s**t,” commented one person.</p> <p>“They have these carriages to protect them from weirdos like you,” another said.</p> <p>“This is such a disgrace. You ought to be ashamed.” </p> <p>One Japanese man even created a response video about Salis' clip, slamming him for invading a safe space for women. </p> <p>“You knew that that was the women-only passenger car, which means you can’t go in, men cannot enter. But you didn’t care. You broke the rules, you invaded a safe space for women," he said. </p> <p>“Do you know why we have those? That’s because there are so many creepy men in Japan, who try to go behind the women, try to take pictures under their skirts.</p> <p>“There has been a lot of physical harassment as well. It has been a very serious issue.</p> <p>“That is why they had to take these measures. But you dare to call it segregation.</p> <p>“You don’t know anything about my country. You go there, and you don’t have any intention to respect our culture and rules.</p> <p>“It’s incredibly disrespectful, I can’t believe this kind of behaviour. If you have no intention of respecting us, then leave my country.</p> <p>“We are not there so that you can make TikTok and YouTube videos, so that you can be famous.”</p> <p>This is not an isolated incident for Salis, who has been on holiday in Japan since mid-August.</p> <p>The tourist previously landed himself in a strife after walking around without a shirt on, which is socially unacceptable in Japan. </p> <p>In another video, Salis filmed himself picking up dogs - who were distressed by his actions - despite getting yelled at because there are strict rules to not pick up the animals at the dog cafe. </p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Social media snaps map the sweep of Japan’s cherry blossom season in unprecedented detail

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrian-dyer-387798">Adrian Dyer</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-dorin-12573">Alan Dorin</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carolyn-vlasveld-1442834">Carolyn Vlasveld</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/moataz-elqadi-1442833">Moataz ElQadi</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>Social media contains enormous amounts of data about people, our everyday lives, and our interactions with our surroundings. As a byproduct, it also contains a vast trove of information about the natural world.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0367253023001019#sec0024a">new study published in Flora</a>, we show how social media can be used for “incidental citizen science”. From photos posted to a social site, we mapped countrywide patterns in nature over a decade in relatively fine detail.</p> <p>Our case study was the annual spread of cherry blossom flowering across Japan, where millions of people view the blooming each year in a cultural event called “hanami”. The flowering spreads across Japan in a wave (“<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom_front">sakura zensen</a>” or 桜前線) following the warmth of the arriving spring season.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529000/original/file-20230530-15-mix84k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="ALT TEXT" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Celebrating the cherry blossom is a centuries-old tradition in Japan.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami">hanami festival</a> has been documented for centuries, and research shows climate change is making <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac6bb4">early blossoming more likely</a>. The advent of mobile phones – and social network sites that allow people to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1574954116302321">upload photos tagged with time and location data</a> – presents a new opportunity to study how Japan’s flowering events are affected by seasonal climate.</p> <h2>Why are flowers useful to understand how nature is being altered by climate change?</h2> <p>Many flowering plants, including the cherry blossoms of Japan (<em>Prunus</em> subgenus <em>Cerasus</em>), require insect pollination. To reproduce, plant flowers bloom at optimal times to receive visits from insects like bees.</p> <p>Temperature is <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200549">an important mechanism</a> for plants to trigger this flowering. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01269.x">Previous research</a> has highlighted how climate change may create mismatches in space or time between the blooming of plants and the emergence of pollinating insects.</p> <p><iframe id="rtiQ0" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rtiQ0/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>It has been difficult for researchers to map the extent of this problem in detail, as its study requires simultaneous data collection over large areas. The use of citizen science images deliberately, or incidentally, uploaded to social network sites enables <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_data">big data</a> solutions.</p> <h2>How did we conduct our study?</h2> <p>We collected images from Japan uploaded to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/">Flickr</a> between 2008 and 2018 that were tagged by users as “cherry blossoms”. We used computer vision techniques to analyse these images, and to provide sets of keywords describing their image content.</p> <p>Next, we automatically filtered out images appearing to contain content that the computer vision algorithms determined didn’t match our targeted cherry blossoms. For instance, many contained images of autumn leaves, another popular ecological event to view in Japan.</p> <p>The locations and timestamps of the remaining cherry blossom images were then used to generate marks on a map of Japan showing the seasonal wave of sakura blossoms, and to estimate peak bloom times each year in different cities.</p> <h2>Checking the data</h2> <p>An important component of any scientific investigation is validation – how well does a proposed solution or data set represent the real-world phenomenon under study?</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=591&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=591&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=591&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=743&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=743&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528702/original/file-20230528-21-4fxpkv.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=743&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Blossom dates calculated from social media images compare well with official data.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Our study using social network site images was validated against the detailed information published by the <a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/see-and-do/cherry-blossom-forecast-2023/">Japan National Tourism Organization</a>.</p> <p>We also manually examined a subset of images to confirm the presence of cherry flowers.</p> <p>Plum flowers (<em>Prunus mume</em>) look very similar to cherry blossoms, especially to tourists, and they are frequently mistaken and mislabelled as cherry blossoms. We used visible “notches” at the end of cherry petals, and other characteristics, to distinguish cherries from plums.</p> <p>Taken together, the data let us map the flowering event as it unfolds across Japan.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=619&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=619&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=619&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=777&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=777&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528769/original/file-20230529-17-wmgf5g.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=777&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An animated map showing cherry blossom flowering across Japan" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Images uploaded to social media over a ten year period 2008-2018, let us map the cherry blossom front as it sweeps across Japan.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Out-of-season blooms</h2> <p>Our social network site analysis was sufficiently detailed to accurately pinpoint the annual peak spring bloom in the major cities of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo">Tokyo</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto">Kyoto</a>, to within a few days of official records.</p> <p>Our data also revealed the presence of a consistent, and persistent, out-of-season cherry bloom in autumn. Upon further searching, we discovered that this “unexpected” seasonal bloom had also been noted in <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45898333">mainstream media</a> in recent years. We thus confirmed that this is a real event, not an artefact of our study.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528832/original/file-20230529-25-wonef0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Cherry blossom photographs from Flickr taken within Japan from 2008 to 2018 show an April peak as well as an unexpected smaller peak in November.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ElQadi et al.</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>So, even without knowing it, many of us are already helping to understand how climate change influences our environment, simply by posting online photographs we capture. Dedicated sites like <a href="https://wildpollinatorcount.com/">Wild Pollinator Count</a> are excellent resources to contribute to the growing knowledge base.</p> <p>The complex issues of climate change are still being mapped. Citizen science allows our daily observations to improve our understanding, and so better manage our relationship with the natural world.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206574/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrian-dyer-387798">Adrian Dyer</a>, Associate Professor, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alan-dorin-12573">Alan Dorin</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Technology, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carolyn-vlasveld-1442834">Carolyn Vlasveld</a>, PhD candidate, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/moataz-elqadi-1442833">Moataz ElQadi</a>, Adjunct Researcher, Faculty of Information Technology, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/social-media-snaps-map-the-sweep-of-japans-cherry-blossom-season-in-unprecedented-detail-206574">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Technology

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French tourist arrested in Japan for punching woman in the face

<p dir="ltr">A 23-year-old French man Charlie Evan was arrested on suspicion of punching a woman in the face and leaving her on the streets of Tokyo.</p> <p dir="ltr">Local reports said Evan and his friends collided with the woman in her 20s, leading to her dropping her lunch box and prompting a fight.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video of the incident, which went viral on social media shows the woman grabbing Evan’s shirt as he backs away. Evan can then be seen punching the woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground before he runs away.</p> <p dir="ltr">People are heard screaming and cursing at Evan in English and another man runs after him. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr">🔴 Un Français se rendant au Japon a été arrêté, après avoir frappé une femme au visage dans les rues du quartier Minato de Tokyo.</p> <p>C’est Charlie Evan, un ressortissant français de 23 ans, qui a été arrêté<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Japon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Japon</a> <a href="https://t.co/mnm7KzqgfN">pic.twitter.com/mnm7KzqgfN</a></p> <p>— Click Actu (@ClickActu) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClickActu/status/1648676032684146689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">It was reported that the woman’s injuries will take three weeks to fully heal.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Evan denied all allegations against him. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I don't remember,” he reportedly claimed.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is unknown whether Evan was intoxicated at the time of the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is also unknown whether he was formally charged in Japan as suspects there can be held for up to 23 days before charges are filed. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

Legal

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Explore Japan in all its glory

<p dir="ltr">Japan attracts tourists from all corners of the world thanks to its beautiful scenery and diverse history. There are so many different sites tourists can explore and it's filled with locations where views and experiences remain unmatched. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>1. Tokyo</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Tokyo is optimal for those wanting to experience Japan’s contemporary culture. It’s a densely populated area with beautiful architecture and contemporary art. It’s constantly evolving and if you’re a fan of pop culture, drinking and entertainment, then Tokyo is your go-to.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>2. Kyoto</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Kyoto, once the country’s capital, is home to more than a thousand temples. It’s rich in culture, specifically tea, where you can go and visit one of its many elegant teahouses. It is also bursting with traditional music and dance. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>3. Mt Fuji</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">For all avid sightseers, Mt Fuji offers one of the most breathtaking views in the world. It’s a timeless attraction for tourists standing at around 3,776m high, it is Japan’s tallest peak and hundreds and thousands of people climb it every year. It’s a picture-perfect view from any angle. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>4. Hiroshima </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Hiroshima is an eye-catching city with a rich history. Here you can visit the Peace Memorial Museum where you’ll learn the painful extent of the atomic bomb tragedy. It offers many opportunities for reflection and offers some of the finest foods in Japan.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>5. Osaka</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Osaka is where it’s happening in terms of street food and nightlife. It’s Japan’s third-largest city and has beautiful nightscapes such as a beaming display of LED lights, animated signage and flashing videos. It’s also great for food, with an unofficial slogan - ‘<em>kuidaore</em>’ - eat till you drop. </p> <p dir="ltr">No matter what your interests are, Japan is one of the most interesting, diverse and simply stunning countries you could ever visit. <span id="docs-internal-guid-99f3ac8c-7fff-6070-2aab-a4ebeaf9f4c3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

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10 incredible things to do in Tokyo

<p>Tokyo is a city that defies definitions. An intersection at which modern living combines with old-fashioned sensibilities, Tokyo has been captivating tourists for years.</p> <p>We’re going to take a look at the top 10 things to do when visiting this famous city. It’s fair to say a visit to this famous city is not complete without trying these experiences.</p> <p>We've also included a selection of photographs depicting these experiences. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. The pictures correspond to the list below.</p> <p>1. <strong>Tsukiji Market</strong> – If you’re an early riser, Tsukiji Market offers world famous tuna auctions that start around 5am and are truly an experience for travellers to behold.</p> <p>2. <strong>Meiji-jingū</strong> – The centrepiece of this captivating shrine is the towering, 12 metre high gate created from 1500-year-cyprus, which gives the region an authentic feel.  </p> <p>3. <strong>Shibuya Crossing</strong> – We’ve covered this <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/shibuya-pedestrian-crossing-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">pedestrian crossing before</span></strong></a>, but it’s definitely worth a second mention. Controlled chaos on an unimaginable scale.</p> <p>4. <strong>Sensō-ji</strong> – One of Japan’s most-famous temples, which is home to a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and a variety of captivating sights.</p> <p>5. <strong>Tokyo Sky Tree</strong> – Opening in May 2012 as the world’s tallest free standing tower, Tokyo Sky Tree provides glorious, panoramic views of the enchanting surrounds.</p> <p>6. <strong>Tokyo National Museum</strong> – This captivating museum has a range of exhibits including pottery, sculptures, weapons and the world’s largest collection of Japanese art.</p> <p>7. <strong>Ōedo Onsen Monogatari</strong> – An onsen (hot spring)-themed amusement park gives you the real onsen (hot spring) experience and provides utter relaxation.</p> <p>8. <strong>Kabuki-za</strong> – Providing a captivating observation of Japanese culture, this ancient theatre allows visitors to experience a range of memorable performances.</p> <p>9. <strong>Sumo wrestling</strong> – A traditional sumo wrestling tournament is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Japan and is a captivating look at this ancient culture.</p> <p>10. <strong>Zoetrope</strong> – Whisky fans need look no further than Zoetrope, which has more than 300 varieties of Japanese whisky, including some no longer commercially available.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Top tips for first time travellers to Japan

<p><strong>Travelling to Japan for the first time? Here’s what you need to know</strong></p> <p>It may be hard to believe, but Japan wasn’t always the perennial bucket list topper it is now. According to the World Tourism Organisation, Japan was only the 31st most-visited country in the world in 2010, attracting a humble 8.6 million visitors. That figure soared to 28.6 million visitors in 2017, making Japan the world’s fastest-growing tourist destination.</p> <p>So what changed? Surely not Japan, which has a deeply ingrained cultural identity that’s remained the same for hundreds of years. What has changed is our appreciation of it. After all, Japan is undoubtedly a stunning place: filled with ancient temples, majestic mountains, soaring skyscrapers and fascinating customs.</p> <p><strong>The best times to visit Japan</strong></p> <p>To say Japan offers a wide range of climates is an understatement – neatly situated between the Asian continent and the Pacific Ocean, Japan is essentially a vast collection of islands stretching over thousands of kilometres. That means the northern island of Hokkaido is chillier than the southern subtropical island of Okinawa. It also means that there is somewhere in Japan worth visiting any time of year.</p> <p>Not surprisingly, spring’s cherry blossoms and autumn’s golden-hued foliage make these two transitional seasons the busiest times to visit. Summers are typically hot, humid and wet – the rainy period in the southern regions takes place in June. Regions in the northwest of Japan receive snowfall between December and February. Overall, winters are the least busy time to visit but if you’re a skier, then you may want to head to the Japanese ski fields.</p> <p><strong>Consider the roads less travelled</strong></p> <p>Being a top travel destination does have one significant drawback: crowds. With 127 million residents packed into just 364,555 square kilometres, Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.</p> <p>While Tokyo is a tried-and-true destination that won’t disappoint, you can have an equally rich experience if you wander off the beaten track, such as Takayama in the the Gifu Prefecture whose narrow streets in the historic district are lined with wooden merchants’ houses dating to the Edo Period; Matsumoto in the mountainous Negano Prefecture, the serene castle town of Hagi (above) whose narrow streets are lined with samurai-era residences; and Ōtsu, the former imperial capital that’s home to Lake Biwa – the largest lake in Japan.</p> <p><strong>Are you a heavy packer?</strong></p> <p>Japan is best experienced by rail, which means a lot of walking up and down stairs to catch trains with limited storage space, so packing light would be to your advantage. If you’re guilty of overpacking however, skip lugging around your belongings and consider Japan’s Takuhaibin: a transport service that ships luggage nationwide. Your gear will be picked up at your hotel and delivered to your next destination the following day – service can be arranged at your hotel.</p> <p><strong>The railway system is super-efficient </strong></p> <p>With signage in English almost everywhere on Japan’s rail network, riding the metro and high-speed trains (150 lines and 2000 underground and aboveground stations in Tokyo alone) is not as daunting as it once was. The other good news is, you’ll always be safe and on time. In the 50-plus year history of Japan’s Shinkansen, the country’s bullet train system, there hasn’t been a single passenger fatality or injury due to train accidents. (Keep in mind, that stat encompasses the system’s 10 billion passengers in total!) If that isn’t impressive enough, the operators of the Tsukuba Express, a railway line operating in central Tokyo, gave a formal apology to riders in 2017 when their train departed 20 seconds early.</p> <p>Travel tip: A Japan Rail (JR) Pass can save you big bucks! Unlimited passes give you access to the Shinkansen, JR-branded commuter trains, buses and ferries. Passes are valid for a certain number of days within a seven, 14, or 21-day period.</p> <p><strong>Vending machines are everywhere</strong></p> <p>Japan has the highest density of vending machines worldwide, with a grand total of five million across the country. (That’s approximately one vending machine for every 23 people.) Soft drinks, hot and cold coffee, tea, cigarettes, desserts, warm meals – if you can consume it, chances are there’s a vending machine selling it. Their enduring popularity isn’t surprising: the Japanese love automation and convenience. Plus, there’s very little vandalism in Japan, meaning that these machines are rarely ever broken into.</p> <p><strong>There aren't many public rubbish bins</strong></p> <p>Following a series of deadly sarin gas attacks on the Tokyo Metro in 1995, most public rubbish bins were taken out of circulation. It isn’t as inconvenient as it sounds, however: Japanese residents typically bring a small plastic bag out with them for their rubbish. The lack of garbage bins hasn’t affected Japan’s streets, either. Because of a cultural emphasis on cleanliness, urban life in Japan is generally very tidy.</p> <p><strong>Japan is incredibly safe</strong></p> <p>Don’t worry about carrying large amounts of yen in your wallet or going for a walk late at night: Japan has very low crime rates. In fact, if you drop your wallet, don’t be surprised to find out it was delivered to the nearest police station or Koban (police box). Experts have pinned Japan’s relative safety on a low unemployment rate, strict gun control, and a society that reinforces concepts of honour and community.</p> <p><strong>Toilets are truly cutting edge</strong></p> <p>Japanese toilets have long been famous for their high-tech functionality: heated seats, various flush types, built-in rinse sinks, remote control technology and even music for those who want to, erm, hide their bodily noises. These features aren’t exclusive to the home either, and can be spotted in public places like restaurants, roadside petrol stations and department stores.</p> <p><strong>No tipping allowed</strong></p> <p>The price on the bill is the price you pay. Restaurant employees usually get paid by the hour and don’t depend on tips. The same goes for taxi drivers. Two exceptions would be if you stay at a traditional Japanese inn, or have a tour guide.</p> <p><strong>7-Eleven food is tasty</strong></p> <p>They may look like your run-of-the-mill convenience stores on the outside, but Japanese 7-Elevens are anything but. With more than 20,000 locations throughout the country, Japan’s largest convenience store chain can easily double as a restaurant. Expect to see entire aisles dedicated to beer, sake, instant noodles, desserts, condiments and fresh produce. If restaurants are sometimes daunting, you won’t go hungry with 7-Elevens quality meals like Bento (lunch box), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), ramen, sandwiches, rice balls and sushi, which are clearly on display so you know what you’re buying. The only downside are the large amounts of plastic that come with it.</p> <p><strong>Learn a few basic words and phrases</strong></p> <p>For the most part, you can get around Japan just fine without knowing any Japanese. Most restaurants provide pictured menus, too. Once you venture outside of the tourist spots, however, it’s common to see solely Japanese lettering. Familiarise yourself with how to say: ‘thank you’ – arigatō; ‘please’ – okudasai; ‘excuse me’ – gomenasai and ‘good morning’ – ohaiyoo gozaimasu. Your efforts will be appreciated by the locals, and you’re guaranteed to have a better time.</p> <p><strong>Keep your voice down</strong></p> <p>It’s no secret that the Japanese are fiercely protective of their customs and have no intention of watering them down, even for tourists. Speak loudly in Japan and you’ll bring unwanted attention to yourself and your travel companions. Watching the volume of your voice and the subject of your conversation is essential. Also, most trains will have a quiet carriage, so make sure you’re not in one of these if you intend swapping travel stories with fellow backpackers.</p> <p><strong>Know when to take your shoes off</strong></p> <p>Leaving your shoes on when entering someone’s house is a sign of disrespect, especially if they feature traditional tatami rooms. The same goes for temples. This is also the norm for some restaurants, so be sure to check around if you should slip your shoes off or not.</p> <p><strong>The Japanese are spiritual rather than religious</strong></p> <p>Shinto, the country’s major religion alongside Buddhism, doesn’t have a founder, sacred scriptures or a single deity. Kami, the equivalent of gods in the Shinto religion, are sacred spirits that take the form of things and concepts like the wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility. And while Japan does indeed have its fair share of Shinto shrines, residents go there to pay their respects, not to pray. Above all, the Japanese value spirituality.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/top-tips-for-first-time-travellers-to-japan?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Shinzo Abe dies after fatal shooting

<p>Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest running prime minister, has died in hospital after being shot in the neck. </p> <p>The 67-year-old was confirmed dead by Japan's public broadcaster, saying doctors art the Nara Medical University Hospital were unable to save him despite their best efforts. </p> <p>The former PM was rushed to hospital after being shot while giving a campaign speech, and was bleeding profusely when he arrived to the hospital. </p> <p>Shinzo sustained bullet wounds to the right side of his neck, with doctors saying he had no vital signs upon his arrival.</p> <p>Despite a blood transfusion, the doctors were unable to save Mr Abe as the injuries he sustained during the shooting where deep enough to reach his heart. </p> <p>One doctor said, "Because of the large amount of haemorrhage, it was not possible for us to stop the bleeding."</p> <p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Mr Abe's death, as he expressed his condolences for "one of Australia's closest friends".</p> <p>He said, "The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news. On behalf of the Australian Government and people, we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs Abe and to Mr Abe’s family and friends, and to the people of Japan."</p> <p>"He will be greatly missed."</p> <p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shared a tribute to the leader, writing on Twitter, "So deeply shocked to hear about the past PM of Japan-Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I met when I became PM. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous &amp; kind. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan."</p> <p>"Events like this shake us all to the core."</p> <p>Japan's leader Fumio Kishida said the attack on Abe during an election campaign was an attack on “the very foundation of democracy”.</p> <p>“This barbaric, malicious act in the middle of an election cannot be tolerated,” he said.</p> <p>A 41-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the shooting. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Japan's former PM shot during public campaign speech

<p><em><strong>UPDATE: </strong></em>Japan's current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has confirmed Shinzo's condition is critical, as doctors are "doing everything they can" to keep him alive.</p> <p><em><strong>EARLIER...</strong></em></p> <p>Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot following an attack at a campaign event in Nara.</p> <p>Abe, 67, was reported to be unconscious and unresponsive just after 11:30am Tokyo time and has allegedly entered a state of cardiac arrested.</p> <p>According to various reports from the event, Abe had collapsed after gun shots were heard, while people at the scene started to perform CPR. Local media sources have also stated that he was bleeding profusely from the neck at the time he collapsed, prompting him to be rushed to hospital.</p> <p>The alleged gunman who made no attempt to run away was then apprehended by police, who confiscated his weapon. The man is believed to be in his 40s.</p> <p>In the past few weeks, Abe had been campaigning on behalf of the Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the House of Councillors election on July 10th.</p> <p>Not only was Shinzo Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, but he was also the most influential Japanese political figure of his generation. He held office in 2006 for one year and again from 2012 to 2020, when he was forced to step down due to a debilitating health condition.</p> <p>Australian PM Anthony Albanese has taken to Twitter shocked about the news, keeping Abe’s family and the people of Japan in his thoughts.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot - our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time</p> <p>— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1545263750818988032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>There have been no official reports stating Shinzo has gone into heart failure, with an update on his condition yet to be confirmed.</p> <p>More to come.</p> <p><em>Image: ABC News / NHK Japan</em></p>

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Fur real: Meet the man who wants to become a dog

<p dir="ltr">A Japanese man says he has fulfilled his life-long ambition of becoming a four-legged animal, and all it took was spending two-million Yen (AU$22,000; NZ$24,000) on a dog costume.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man, who goes by the name of Toko, commissioned an agency called Zeppet, who then spent 40 days making the bespoke Collie outfit.</p> <p dir="ltr">Posting photos of himself in the costume, Toko, said: ‘I made it a Collie because it looks real when I put it on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought that a big animal close to my size would be good - considering that it would be a realistic model, so I decided to make it a dog.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A bizarre video clip of the man dressed in the Collie costume emerged on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeq8vyxEIrI&amp;t=3s">YouTube </a>early in April, which shows him standing on all fours in front of a camera with jaunty piano music playing in the background.</p> <p dir="ltr">While some have praised the life-like outfit as ‘awesome’, others have said it looks unnatural, with one viewer commenting: 'No matter how much money you spent, you won’t be a real dog.'</p> <p dir="ltr">The suit was made by Japanese company Zeppet, which provides costumes and figures for TV commercials and films.</p> <p dir="ltr">The post, which now has over 50,000 likes, has divided the internet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Writing on Toko’s YouTube page, one viewer said: ‘Being freak, god level! Well done!’</p> <p dir="ltr">Another wrote: ‘You spent money on that? Lol well at least it's realistic to a degree.’</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a6248a1c-7fff-e110-f223-841d2cf5c109"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">But others praised his bravery and courage to follow a life-long dream.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

<p dir="ltr">If you struggle a lot with procrastination then the only thing left for you to do is to book a ticket to Japan and head to this one cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unless you procrastinate that too, but hear us out. </p> <p dir="ltr">Manuscript Writing Cafe in Tokyo is the one-stop destination for procrastinators looking to get their work done.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are 10 workstations and people are allowed to leave ONLY when they have finished their work.</p> <p dir="ltr">And the staff will make sure you have completed your projects as they come to check in on you at least six times an hour. </p> <p dir="ltr">They also bring with them free snacks, tea, coffee, water and high-speed wifi. </p> <p dir="ltr">Once you have completed all your tasks, you are given a paper with an orange stamp and you are free to leave. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@leanneinjapan/video/7095383871398694149?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> and has been viewed more than 624,000 times and has received around 120,000 likes with many commenting about how they need to be at the cafe all the time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Yup, I definitely need to work there.. ah.. maybe later,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Kindness and torture at the same time,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess I'm bringing a sleeping bag,” another joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll go later,” another joked about procrastinating their visit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So essentially I'd be living there,” read another. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

International Travel

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How far would you go to save $1?

<p dir="ltr">Would you spend the night at this one-star hotel for just $6?</p> <p dir="ltr">If you’ve travelled on a very strict budget, you’ve probably come across some interesting finds. </p> <p dir="ltr">One TikToker user has people divided over where to draw the line – even if it is cheap – after posting a video at a one-star hotel.</p> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesseogn/video/7056825451565550850" data-video-id="7056825451565550850"> <section><a title="@jesseogn" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesseogn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@jesseogn</a> Would you stay at this hotel?? <a title="japan" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/japan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#japan</a> <a title="tiktokjapan" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktokjapan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#tiktokjapan</a> <a title="japantiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/japantiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#japantiktok</a> <a title="japantravel" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/japantravel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#japantravel</a> <a title="osaka" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/osaka" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#osaka</a> <a title="creepy" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/creepy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#creepy</a> <a title="♬ Amityville Horror - Scary Halloween Sound Effects - Halloween Sound Effects" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Amityville-Horror-Scary-Halloween-Sound-Effects-6780285433650612226" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ Amityville Horror - Scary Halloween Sound Effects - Halloween Sound Effects</a></section> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">While travelling through Japan, TikToker Jesse checked in to the 500 yen per-night stay (about $6) in Osaka.</p> <p dir="ltr">Upon entry, Jesse notices the dodgy bedding, rickety TV and overall petite size of the room, before making his way to the questionable window.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The room came with a pillow, blanket, stained mattress and TV,” he says in the tour.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The room had a funky smell but I couldn’t open the window because it was broken,” he explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">Adding to its…appeal, he then demonstrated how small the room is, with just a few inches above his head when standing and lying down.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tour ends on a slightly more sinister note, as he makes his way to a creepy find at the entrance of the hotel – a poster of wanted criminals.</p> <p dir="ltr">The comments section was divided on the hotel, with some claiming it was a steal, while others said they’d rather pay a bit more and stay somewhere else.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I mean, for $90 a month… I’d probably live there,” one person said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c6fd309-7fff-1d6e-5a0a-83eb65748a9f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d stay there. Too bad they didn’t have mattresses with plastic covers on it. Great deal,” a commenter added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Tips

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23 cities you learned about in school that no longer exist

<p>Looking around your city, it may be hard to imagine that there might be a time when it no longer exists. But that’s exactly what happened to these communities.</p><p>Read on to learn all about the fires, floods, disasters and unsolved mysteries that led to these cities no longer existing.</p><p><strong>East Berlin, Germany </strong></p><p>The Soviet sector of Berlin was established in 1945 and existed until 1990. The Wall that divided it from West Berlin became a symbol of the evils of communism to the rest of the world until it finally fell in 1989.</p><p>Today, a united Berlin is the largest city and capital of Germany. Berlin has also earned the distinction of being deemed one of the most honest cities in the world.</p><p><strong>Hashima Island, Japan</strong></p><p>Hashima Island was formerly one of the most populated cities in the world. The 6 hectare island provided jobs to more than 5000 people, many of whom made their living at the island’s underwater coal mines.</p><p>When the mines were closed, Hashima Island was abandoned. Today it is nothing but dilapidated high rises and forgotten buildings as evidenced in these pictures of Hashima Island.</p><p><strong>Consonno, Italy</strong></p><p>Consonno was a tiny town with a population of less than 300 and roots dating back to the middle ages. The residents made their living harvesting crops like chestnuts and celery.</p><p>Then Mario Bagno came along and decided to turn the area into the Las Vegas of Italy and planned on calling it the City of Toys. He demolished nearly every building and set to work on building his masterpiece.</p><p>Then disaster struck: in 1976 a landslide buried the access road and the project was never finished. Today, Consonno has been abandoned.</p><p><strong>Little America, Antarctica</strong></p><p>Little America was the name of not one, but five different postal outposts in Antarctica. The first was established in 1933 and the last, in 1958.</p><p>Where did they go? The answer is as unique as Antarctica itself. One by one, they floated out to sea. If the glaciers continue to melt, that could spell disaster for Antarctica.</p><p><strong>Eastern Settlement, Greenland</strong></p><p>Eastern Settlement in Greenland isn’t just an abandoned city, it’s also a mystery. Once the most populated area in Greenland, the area was abandoned and no one knows why.</p><p>The last known writings from the area pertained to a wedding in 1408 and offered no clues.</p><p><strong>Pompeii, Italy</strong></p><p>Pompeii was once a resort town in Italy where wealthy Romans spent their vacations.</p><p>In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city under ash. It was all but forgotten until 1800 years later when archaeologists found the city that remained intact beneath the rubble.</p><p><strong>Machu Picchu, Peru</strong></p><p>Today Machu Picchu is on the bucket list of dream trips for many travellers, but there was a time it was an Incan city spanning over eight kilometres.</p><p>Historians believe it was a religious or royal site but the city’s origins are largely mysterious. Machu Picchu was abandoned in the early 1500s around the time of the Spanish Conquistadors.</p><p>Since archaeologists haven’t discovered evidence the area was attacked, many speculate the population could have been wiped out by a smallpox epidemic.</p><p><strong>Troy, Turkey</strong></p><p>Troy was rendered immortal in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. For many years, the Troy of Ancient Greece was merely the stuff of legend but in the 1800s its location was discovered in what is now Turkey.</p><p>The site contains layers of ruins archaeologists are still studying.</p><p><strong>Bannack, Montana</strong></p><p>Gold was discovered at the site that became Bannack in 1862 and the city that sprung up around the ensuing boom briefly served as the capital of the Montana territory.</p><p>Like many cities built during the gold rush, Bannack is now a ghost town. The location and old buildings have been preserved as a state park for visitors who want to experience a little bit of history.</p><p><strong>Kolmanskop, Namibia</strong></p><p>Komanskop was once an affluent mining village that owed its riches to the world’s never-ending need for diamond engagement rings.</p><p>After World War II, the diamonds became increasingly scarce and by the 1950s the mine was depleted. With no way to earn a living, the residents eventually moved away and the abandoned city is now a tourist attraction.</p><p><strong>Hallsands, United Kingdom</strong></p><p>The people in the small town of Hallsands were minding their business one evening in 1917 when the entire village – save for one house – collapsed and fell into the sea.</p><p>The residents were left homeless and rebuilt elsewhere. Today the remains of the village of Hallsands are under the sea.</p><p><strong>Centralia, Pennsylvania</strong></p><p>Centralia was a tiny town whose residents relied on coal mining to make their living. Then in 1962, a fire made its way into a coal seam – and has continued to burn for 50 years. </p><p>In 1981 a young boy was almost killed falling through a sinkhole caused by the fire, prompting congress to buy out the remaining residents to give them the means to relocate.</p><p>There were a few holdouts, leading the state of Pennsylvania to condemn all the remaining buildings and strip Centralia of its postcode in 1992 to encourage the remaining residents to move.</p><p>Despite this, a church still stands in Centralia and is open to all who seek a place to worship.</p><p><strong>San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico</strong></p><p>San Juan Parangaricutiro was a thriving community until the Paricutin volcano erupted in 1943, covering the city in lava and ash. </p><p>The volcano continued to erupt for eight years, completely decimating all except the tower and altar of the city’s church. Today, the half-buried church is a major tourist attraction.</p><p><strong>Pripyat, Ukraine</strong></p><p>The nuclear disaster in Chernobyl led to the downfall of the once vibrant city of Pripyat when tens of thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes, never to return.  </p><p>Today, Pripyat is an abandoned city full of overgrown vegetation and crumbling high rises.</p><p><strong>Cahokia, Illinois</strong></p><p>Today Cahokia is the name of a village in Illinois but there was a time when the area was the site of an industrious indigenous community and the biggest city north of Mexico.</p><p>It was abandoned around 1350, although no one knows why. They did, however, leave behind the famous Cahokia Mounds, which you can still go and visit today.</p><p><strong>Lukangol, Sudan</strong></p><p>Lukangol was a bustling city until ethnic clashes led to a horrifying massacre in 2011. </p><p>Fortunately, nearly 20,000 people were able to flee before the attack, but there was nevertheless a severe loss of life. The city itself was burnt to ashes and the citizens of Kukangol were unable to return.</p><p><strong>Taxila, Pakistan</strong></p><p>The ancient city of Taxila, Pakistan flourished from the 5th century BCE until the 2nd century CE.</p><p>It was an important site for the scholarship and practice of Buddhism and the architecture reflected the influence of Persian, Greek and Central Asian cultures.</p><p>Unfortunately, the Epthlatites invaded and destroyed most of the city. It was never rebuilt and subsequently abandoned by its people. Its awe-inspiring ruins still remain today.</p><p><strong>Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia</strong></p><p>Ancient architects pulled off some pretty amazing feats, but perhaps none were more mind-boggling than Nan Madol, a city built on top of coral reefs. </p><p>The columns and stones are so heavy and imposing that even today, scientists have yet to figure out how it was built.</p><p>The city was the centre of the Saudeleur Dynasty until the first part of the 1600s when the Saudeleur were overthrown and the site was abandoned.</p><p><strong>Easter Island</strong></p><p>Easter Island is one of the seven wonders of the world, and for good reason. Originally known as Rapa Nui, the island is about as remote as you can get.</p><p>It’s located 3700 km from South America and 1700 km from the next nearest island.</p><p>To this day, scientists can’t explain when Easter Island was populated, how the citizens built its heavy stone statues, or why and how everyone left.</p><p><strong>Dead Cities, Syria</strong></p><p>The Dead Cities of Syria was actually a group of 40 villages dating from the 1st to 20th Centuries CE. Long enough to transition from the pagan religions of the Roman Empire to Christianity.</p><p>Although no one is sure why they were abandoned, most researchers theorise it was due to unfavourable trade routes or a series of invasions.</p><p>The cities still stand and remain an architectural wonder today.</p><p><strong>Fort Mose, Florida</strong></p><p>Fort Mose has a fascinating and important history. More than a quarter-century ago, escaped slaves from the Carolinas found refuge in America’s oldest city, St Augustine. </p><p>From there, they established America’s original underground railroad and toiled to free the people left behind. Eventually, they were granted their own town by Florida’s Spanish governor.</p><p>The community of Fort Mose has been long since abandoned but it will go down in the history books as the first legally sanctioned free black town in what is now the United States.</p><p><strong>Akrotiri, Greece</strong></p><p>The picture-perfect city of Santorini is built on top of the ancient city of Akrotiri. Akrotiri was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Thera during the 16th century and covered in ash and lava.</p><p>Many believe it was the origin story for the mythology of the Lost City of Atlantis.</p><p>Scientists have been working to preserve and excavate what they can of ancient Akrotiri since 1967 so we can learn more about the lives of the people who once lived there.</p><p><strong>Humberstone, Chile</strong></p><p>Humberstone was once known as La Palma. It was renamed after James Humberstone, a chemical engineer who emigrated to South America in the late 1800s and made a fortune mining saltpeter.</p><p>At its peak, Humberstone was a mining town that provided a home to approximately 3500 people. However, saltpeter was no longer needed after synthetic fertilisers were invented after World War I and the city was abandoned.</p><p>The city is still remarkably well preserved due to the area’s arid climate.</p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p><p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/24-cities-you-learned-about-in-school-that-no-longer-exist?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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World's oldest living person celebrates 119th birthday

<p>Japanese woman Kane Takana has turned 119-years-old, making her the world's oldest living person. </p> <p>Her great-granddaughter Junko Takana took to Twitter to celebrate Kane's incredible milestone, and praising her resilience. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“Great achievement. (Kane Tanaka) reached 119 years of age,” Junko tweeted, with a photograph of her great-grandmother, who she saw in December. “I hope you’ll continue to live life cheerfully and to the fullest.”</p> <p><span>“Birthday gift 1: Introducing the presents received for Kane’s birthday. Really appreciate this gift. Coca-Cola company made a commemorative birthday bottle. It seems (Kane) is still drinking Coca-Cola as usual,” Junko tweeted.</span></p> <p><span>Kane was gifted the custom bottles from Coca-Cola, with labels displaying her name and age.</span></p> <p><span>Junko spoke to CNN in March 2021 when Kane was due to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. </span></p> <p><span>“I might be biased because I’m related to her but I think it’s kind of amazing - I wanted to share that with the world and for people to feel inspired and to feel her joy,” Junko said.</span></p> <p><span>Kane Takana was born in 1903 and married a rice shop owner at 19 years of age, and she continued to work in her family's shop until she was 103. </span></p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Tanaka has lived through a multitude of historical events, surviving two world wars and the 1918 Spanish flu, as well as living through 49 Summer and Winter Olympic Games.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“I don’t remember her talking much about the past ... She’s very forward thinking, she really enjoys living in the present,” Tanaka’s grandson, Eiji Tanaka, told CNN last year.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: CNN</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Olivia Newton-John receives Japan’s highest honour

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia Newton-John </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-03/dame-olivia-newton-john-to-receive-japans-highest-honour/100589182" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">will receive</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Japan’s highest honour for her contributions to developing the country’s musical culture and relations between Japan and Australia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Japanese government announced it would be conferring the Order of the Rising Sun on the Australian singer, who was the first foreign artist to perform in Fukushima following the nuclear disaster that forced the city to evacuate.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I first visited Japan in 1972 and since then I’ve been back more than 10 times, one of my favourite countries and favourite people. A particularly memorable moment was my ‘Pray for Fukushima’ concert in 2015 in Fukushima,” she said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Congratulations, Olivia Newton-John DBE AC <a href="https://twitter.com/olivianj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olivianj</a>. My favorite singer was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, the Government of Japan announced today. <br />Here is a video message from her! <a href="https://t.co/lNAcLTuwOR">pic.twitter.com/lNAcLTuwOR</a></p> — Ambassador YAMAGAMI Shingo (@YamagamiShingo) <a href="https://twitter.com/YamagamiShingo/status/1455625764267773973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was deeply touched by the resilience of the people affected by the disaster and it was a heart-warming experience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I so look forward to visiting Japan and seeing you all again soon, thank you so much.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 73-year-old has advocated for several causes, including promoting awareness of cancer, and post-disaster recovery efforts such as Fukushima and following Australia’s Black Summer bushfires.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Newton-John was previously made a dame in the Queen’s 2020 New Year’s honour list in 2019 in recognition of her services to charity, entertainment, and cancer research.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Man dressed as the Joker allegedly stabs 17 people on a train

<p dir="ltr">A man in Tokyo has been arrested after allegedly going on a stabbing rampage on a train on Halloween while dressed as the Joker. He is accused of stabbing at least 17 people and starting a fire in a carriage, before taking a seat and smoking a cigarette. He was subsequently taken into custody by police.</p> <p dir="ltr">Eyewitnesses told Japanese national broadcaster NHK of their fear during the attack. “I thought it was a Halloween event,” one witness said. “Then I saw a man walking this way, slowly waving a long knife.” The alleged attacker is believed to have sprayed hydrochloric acid inside the first and second cars of the train before setting them on fire. People rushed to escape through the train’s windows as the fire spread. A video posted to social media showed over a dozen people fleeing a burning carriage and huddling at the end of the next carriage.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police were later seen entering the carriage where the suspect, dressed as one of Batman’s most famous nemeses, was seated. Reports say the man did not resist as he was arrested and taken into custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">A man who filmed footage of the incident told NHK that he saw passengers fleeing before hearing an explosion. Shunsuke Kimura jumped from a window in an attempt to escape, but fell on the platform and hurt his shoulder. He said, “Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows. It was horrifying.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">こやつが<br />京王線の犯人です<br /><br />右手にナイフ<br />左手にタバコめちゃくちゃ手は震えてた<br /><br />とにかくこいつにむかつきました<br /><br />すごくみんな必死に逃げて<br />僕がみんなに窓から出ろ言い死にものぐるいでみんなででてたこいつの前まで来ました<br /><br />本当に許せなかった<br />殴りたかったです<br />#京王線#京王線刃物#犯人 <a href="https://t.co/fdlLN9nj1Z">pic.twitter.com/fdlLN9nj1Z</a></p> — 生形たけし (@takahashi9811) <a href="https://twitter.com/takahashi9811/status/1454791757917347846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Another passenger told the broadcaster that the attacker didn’t display any emotion during the attack. “He held a knife and started spreading liquid,” she said. “He was committing this act without showing any emotion, just mechanically. I think that brought fear to everyone.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Rail services were partially suspended after the incident, which took place just before 8 pm near Kokuryo in Tokyo’s western suburbs. Kyodo News said 15 people had been injured, while NHK reported that 17 were hurt, including a man in his 60s who was in serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">The character of the Joker is one of Batman’s most recognisable adversaries, and has famously been played by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix and Jared Leto. 2019’s<span> </span><em>Joker,<span> </span></em>starring Phoenix and which focused on the character’s origin story,<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/9/18/20860890/joker-movie-controversy-incel-sjw" target="_blank">caused concern</a><span> </span>amongst people who felt the film was excusing or justifying the character’s violent response to feeling unheard or ignored. These concerns were exacerbated by the adoption of Phoenix’s Joker as a relatable figure by a certain subset of men who feel betrayed by a society they view as heavily favouring women.</p>

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