Gunma Flower Park (2471-7 Kashiwagura-cho, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture) will change its name to “Gunma Flower Park+” and reopen in the fall of 2025. Prior to this, the designated manager, Gunma Flower Park JV, released a teaser website. The new facility will be transformed into a hands-on park where visitors can not only appreciate flowers, but…

Eight Knots is conducting a trial operation of an automated vessel on a regular route in Osakikamishima-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, from January 13 to March 31. Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN, an autonomous navigation platform utilizing AI and robotics technology, is installed on a 19-ton small vessel. The vessel will operate a regular route between Osakikamishima-cho and…

Tokyo Metro will implement a timetable revision on March 15. On the Yurakucho Line, the S-Train, a paid-seat reserved train, will operate 30 minutes earlier on weekday evenings and nighttime hours. This applies to trains 101-109 running from Toyosu to Kotesashi. On the Namboku Line, the destination of the last train bound for Akabane-Iwabuchi Station…

Seibu Railway will implement a timetable revision on March 15 for all lines except the Tamagawa Line. The main points of revision are described here. On the Ikebukuro Line, to relieve morning congestion at Tokorozawa Station, some weekday up trains departing from that station will now depart from Kiyose or Kotesashi Station. On weekday evenings,…

On January 23, the Tokyo head office of the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Yomiuri Giants, and Yomiuri Land held a groundbreaking ceremony for the aquarium in the “TOKYO GIANTS TOWN” joint development project. The aquarium is scheduled to open in 2027. The aquarium will be attached to the Giants Town Stadium, which will open on March…

Workman announced on January 23 that it will rename “#Workman Girls” to “Workman Colors”. Since rural areas with smaller populations need to attract a wider range of customers, the store name is intended to make it easier to attract male customers as well. Workman Colors will also enter the market by offering women’s wear that…

JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) held a regular press conference at its headquarters in Tokyo on January 23. The first topic is the application for the Travel Industry Management School for 2025. The Travel Industry Management School is a study group run by industry volunteers since 1999. It is a place to learn “how…

Terakoya will open “Chiikawa Mogu Honpo Kawagoe Store,” a goods store based on the theme of “Chiikawa” and “Mogu (eat),” on February 20 in Kawagoe Confectionery Yokocho, Saitama Prefecture. Designed with artwork inspired by kurazukuri (storehouse) architecture and confectioner’s alley, the store also features a photo spot with Chiikawas and a jinrikisha (rickshaw). Japanese accessories,…

Mizuno Corp. and Aoyama Shoji Co. released the “SPLIT-STRAP Day Bag,” a backpack for new workers, on January 23. The price is 15,290 yen. Available only in black, the bag measures 21 x 25 x 45 cm and has a capacity of approximately 25 L. It has a dedicated pocket for a 15-inch laptop, a…

Japan Airport Terminal (JAT) has notified the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of a change in the maximum fees for domestic passenger handling facilities at Haneda Airport. The new fees will be effective for flights departing on April 1. The Facility Usage Fee, which covers the use of common facilities such as…