As part of the NEA’s engagement with the next generation of nuclear energy scholarship IV and Deputy Director-General Nobuhiro Muroya hosted students from Tokyo Metropolitan Toyama High School on 28 March 2025 areas of interest and other aspects of nuclear energy They also learned about the importance of nuclear applications in sectors beyond energy where radioisotopes are being explored for novel cancer therapies Tokyo Metropolitan Toyama High School has a Super Science High School (SSH) designation from the Ministry of Education The designation comes from the school’s specialised science and mathematics coursework Director-General Magwood highlighted the need for young people to be engaged with the nuclear sector both as stakeholders and as potential professionals in the sector With nuclear energy expanding in many parts of the world the sector needs a growing number of professionals with diverse skills and backgrounds to meet its challenges The students learned of the agency’s commitment to gender balance in the sector with prominent female scientists honoured with commemorative plaques throughout the NEA offices The students had an opportunity to meet NEA staff who are working on topics they are studying helping them understand the relevance of their studies and the career possibilities in the nuclear sector The visit to the NEA headquarters was part of a larger tour for the students that included a site visit to a nuclear power plant and meetings with various stakeholders in the sector press@oecd-nea.org beliefs and nature combine in the land of dotoku This lesser-visited region of Japan is a treasure trove for the culturally adventurous and curious-minded It was my first trip to Japan and it often felt like I was either off the beaten track or very much on it This is a destination that demands the discerning traveller not simply scratch beneath the surface but take a shovel and dig the more you will be rewarded and the more you will benefit the local communities you meet Conveniently located a stone’s throw from the Golden Circle (the route combining Tokyo Kyoto and Osaka) is the prefecture of Toyama which is little more than two hours north-west of Tokyo by rail I alighted from the shinkansen (bullet train) to join a local branch line The train then ambled its way through pastures of glistening rice paddies which stretched to the toes of the mountains that cradle Toyama a once flourishing temple town known for its silk weaving; now it’s a suburb of Nanto City it has seen its young people leave for the cities in a bid to regenerate the town and its centuries-old  Zentokuji Temple – home to a rich folk-craft history – the Moritosha inn took over part of the temple and welcomed visitors inside I was invited to attend a service in the temple I spent a morning listening to the small congregation who saw me admiring a highly decorated wood-carved Amitābha (a widely venerated Buddhist figure) She told me it was a depiction of how the world should be The Buddhist teachings of Jōdo Shinshū prevail here; you’ll also find a majestic natural setting and a deep community spirit These forces combine to nurture the idea of dotoku – the desire to lead a better This philosophy goes hand-in-hand with an aspect of the region I was eager to see more of: its folk crafts Japan began the long process of opening up By the time the Meiji Restoration took hold in 1868 signalling the end of the shoguns and bringing modernisation to the country thanks to a period of rapid industrialisation the new Mingei (folk craft) movement began to postulate that there was beauty in everyday objects Hayashiguchi explained the Mingei belief that when something is created it is typically done so with ego anonymous makers strive to produce everyday objects The idea is that these objects are beautiful because they are ordinary Their minimalist yet elegant form is a manifestation of the idea of dotoku the movement both revived and helped define Japanese traditional crafts Moritosha is often dubbed a ‘Mingei museum’ in which you can stay with works deserving of a gallery on show throughout Guests can also enjoy a culturally immersive escape alongside the community It is a fine example of regenerative tourism affording a unique and authentic experience for visitors offering them interactions with the local community and providing income for the area The Toyama region maintains a centuries-long tradition of attracting artisans and master craftspeople Many artists now prefer to set up here instead of in the neighbouring ‘cultural capitals’ of Kyoto and Kanazawa Visitors can delight in a feast of galleries which runs an Autumn Craft Fair (usually in September) I visited the workshop of master craftsperson Shimatani Yoshinori who makes orin ‘singing bells’ (bells for temples) I learnt it takes about 20 years to train as an orin maker – and a patience-testing four years to make a large bell Yoshinori is a fourth-generation bellmaker and the studio has been in his family for 110 years Metal casting is another heritage industry A visit to the venerable Nousaku Factory offers the chance to see foundry flames lick the metal into life and then watch master craftspeople sculpt tin into fine interior goods I visited the pottery studio of Kim Kyungduk It was here that I began to sense the principles of dotoku Kyungduk converted an old farmhouse into his now pottery studio which sits in the surrounds of the serene countryside Kyungduk said he felt that if he stayed here then something good would happen the region had enticed him because of its alluring natural environment community and the customs that combine to create “the spiritual climate of the land” – otherwise known as dotoku visitors will find sights that capture the Japan of their dreams in a country where pockets badly suffer from overtourism those who travel off the beaten track will enjoy a richer experience – and it will matter more to the communities you visit the Noto Peninsula offers secluded beauty and rich traditions The area could also benefit from the income brought by visitors as it finds its feet following a tsunami in 2024 Sign up to our newsletter for free with the Wanderlust Club Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp New York – January 9, 2025: The Japanese cities of Toyama and Osaka have been designated as two of the "52 Places to Go" in 2025 by the New York Times The inclusion of two destinations within Japan on this prestigious list further solidifies the country’s perennial status as on the world’s most popular destinations; this comes alongside the official U.S.-Japan Tourism Year in 2024 as declared by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) to further enhance mutual tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries For adventurous travelers, the Tateyama Mountain Range boasts the highest hotel in Japan at the mid-point Murodo, and natural wonders like the Spring Quartet of Asahi rapeseed flowers and tulips bloom in a burst of colors to mark the start of spring “The demand for travel from the United States to Japan has seen the highest record in 2024 We are honored to receive this recognition on two important cities in Japan one from a central city destination like Osaka and another from the off-the-beaten path destination Toyama,” says Susumu Matsumoto Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) New York office JNTO NY Office will join New York Travel & Adventure Show at Javits Convention Center on January 25-26 showcasing various destinations including both Toyama For more information about travel to Japan, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO) JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan diversity and preservation of its history and culture JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages The perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to Japan: cities Can you really see Japan's best bits on a budget Explore our latest brochure for Japan trip inspiration It’s easy to categorise Toyama simply: a traditional incredible coast-side sushi and epic alpine landscapes But its true character goes beyond centuries-old temples and quaint shopping streets It’s a region where old charm meets modern ambition – and where tourists are a pivotal part of a new era One of New York Times top 52 places to visit in 2025 the Toyama prefecture is pricking up international ears The Shinkansen bullet train line seamlessly connects Tokyo to the Toyama region in just two hours the real story of Toyama goes beyond its convenience – it’s in the sheer skill and tenacity of its crafters the ingenuity of its people and the symbiotic relationship it has with its past and future a growing problem across Japan) are renovated into art hotels and Michelin listed restaurants Persimmon gluts are transformed into craft beer And its wood carving masters are teaching a new generation of young apprentices Western Toyama is on the cusp of a cultural renaissance – one driven not by spectacle but deep reverence for craft and connection The rhythmic tap of chisels punctuates your steps as you walk down Yokamachi Dori you’ll spot woodcarvers hunched over workbenches illuminated by natural light streaming through open-fronted shop windows This isn’t a staged performance – it’s a centuries-old tradition unfolding in real time Walking through Inami feels like stepping back into a bygone era The effect of this artisanal spirit is everywhere (there’s even a cat carving on a vending machine) it’s not a town overrun by visitors – just 1% of international tourists visit the Toyama prefecture – and it feels remote and the effects can be stark: vacant houses (over 9 million of them – that’s 14% of the country’s houses) Like the practice of making the orin bells used in Buddhist temples: there are only 10 remaining craftsmen skilled enough to make them people are reclaiming these spaces: not just for business and an immersive showcase of local art and skill Half an hour from Toyama City on the Tonami Plain bordered by rice paddies and the Oyabe and Shogawa rivers the Rakudo-An art hotel is an example of this deep desire to restore and repurpose Sari Hayashiguchi was heartbroken to see the vacant farmhouses of her home region in disrepair Appointed as a producer at Toyama West Tourism Promotion Association –  Mizu to Takumi in 2019 she converted a 120-year-old farmhouse into a boutique hotel paper or soil themed – is created in partnership with a local artisan providing guests with a uniquely beautiful place to sleep while acting as an advert for the artisan’s work Rakudo-An’s positive community support extends beyond the walls of the hotel 2% of room fees are donated back to the Kainyo Care Support Team who help to maintain the mini (and adorably named) “house forests” that surround and shelter surrounding homes from harsh winter elements These kainyo are an integral part of the region’s cultural landscape and traditional way of life with elderly residents struggling with tree management Staff and guests can volunteer to help prune the kainyo with the spruce offcuts then used in the hotel’s aromatherapy products Bed and Craft is a project that’s transformed six empty homes once again in partnership with local artists It functions as a “dispersed hotel” – with each of its uniquely designed accommodations located within reach of forward-thinking local amenities with its vision to create a “community-based brew” Young fruit pickers are helping with this: harvesting persimmons from abandoned houses or the gardens of older residents’ homes for Nat donates stale bread – which Nat use to make the aptly named “Zombie” beer the forgotten fruit of empty akiya and old bread are literally bringing new beer to life Organic farming is having its own growth spurt only 0.5% of all farmland in Japan was organic – now there’s a push to increase this to 25% by 2050 Yujiro Yamazaki worked in the Tokyo music industry until he was 30 he saw a documentary about farming which changed everything he mixes the brewery’s spent hops with fallen leaves from the gardens of Inami’s Zentokuji Temple to make organic soil What feels like a dramatic career change isn’t such a leap for Yamazaki In his words: “Music is the choice of what we hear “I’m proud of the fact that we recycle everything I use the hops from two breweries in Toyama to make organic soil – if I didn’t do that I also like that my daughter enjoys helping with the picking and the weeding – which is very useful!”   and a multi-generational return to the organic farming natural produce is bringing forth new life While the younger generation is tapping into new trends with a firm reliance on nature and community the older generation isn’t sitting back – they’re just as passionate about improving Toyama for years to come Inami is the focal point for Toyama’s woodcarving 200 artisans and the impressive Zuisenji Temple that stands at the centre of the craft Built in 1390 and intricately carved throughout the temple burned down a little over a hundred years ago This phoenix-like story of “rising from the ashes” is mirrored in the town’s struggle to maintain a craft under threat today “The average age of woodcarvers in Inami is 70 years old” explains Katsuhiko Nakajima from the Inami Woodcarving Association: “In ten years’ time we could be down to fewer than 50 woodcarvers” To prevent this decline and ignite a new generation of woodcarvers talent and a fresh drive to keep the tradition going: made up of himself From learning how to perfectly sculpt Buddha’s face to making a chess set (which takes months) Asaya is an inspiration to the school of woodcarvers in Inami On dedicating his life to promoting Inami tourism with a mission to increase the number of trainee woodcarvers and commissions “Time is running out to preserve techniques The disappearance of wood carving skill is a loss to humankind one man refused to let his children inherit a struggling business in a declining area As the fifth-generation owner of Masuda Sake Brewery Ryuichiro Masuda took action – purchasing abandoned buildings and inviting top chefs to open restaurants in them and Italian restaurants now all inhabit the once empty spaces “One man has completely regenerated a whole community” the UK representative for the Toyama prefecture people across Toyama aren’t merely preserving tradition – they’re actively shaping the future.”  What sets Toyama apart is the ingenuity of its regeneration tourism is a necessary catalyst for sustainable change “It’s almost impossible to revitalise the region with just the local residents We would like visitors to participate and join us to preserve it.”   “One of the most distinctive things about Toyama is the symbiotic relationship between nature and people people are grateful for blessings from nature Tourists can feel that atmosphere – even if they don’t know exactly what it is.”  And that’s just it – you may not be able to put your finger on exactly what makes Toyama so special but that’s because there’s so much at work: nature Regeneration is embedded into Toyama’s DNA From a 300-year-old wood carved temple rising from the ashes to Zombie beer made from abandoned garden fruit Toyama’s ingenuity and tradition is the recipe for its success – and the reason why you should weave it into your next trip to Japan Find inspiration for your Japan holiday plans by exploring our latest brochure Visit our main site to read more about this topic or contact one of our specialists Each January the famous newspaper selects "52 places to go" in the coming year The New York Times (NYT) “52 Places to Go” list has highlighted two Japanese destinations for 2025: Toyama city at number 30 and Osaka city at number 38 NYT selects 52 places to visit for the coming year causing a lot of excitement in the Japanese travel world noted Toyama’s unique position between the Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan Serving as a gateway to the Noto Peninsula an area recovering from the 2024 earthquake and floods Toyama is now encouraging tourism as part of its revitalization Key attractions include the Kengo Kuma-designed Glass Art Museum described as a “cathedral of timber and light,” and the Owara Kaze no Bon festival The journalist also drew attention to a few of Toyama’s eateries where you can enjoy the combination of oden and natural wine The upcoming World Expo will be held in Osaka in 2025, which means that it’s no surprise that this Kansai city appeared on the list. The Osaka Expo will run from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, and is projected to attract over 28 million visitors The NYT entry highlighted the city’s push towards sustainability with its Grand Green Osaka project transforming a former rail yard into a mixed-use lifestyle hub with sprawling green spaces It also noted Osaka’s new luxury accommodations including Japan’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel and the Four Seasons property that opened there last year “Arguably Japan’s most progressive city,” pointing out its sustainability and LGBTQ+ initiatives in the only G7 country in which same-sex marriage is prohibited Tokyo Weekender’s recommendations for Toyama and Osaka Osaka is known for the rowdiness of its inhabitants and there’s no better way to enjoy the city’s atmosphere than by visiting one of the many street food areas Grab some local specialty takoyaki (octopus balls) or some okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) it’s also worth visiting the “Tower of the Sun,” Taro Okamoto’s famous sculpture we recommend the Toyama Museum of Art and Design (TAD) which has a rooftop garden beloved by locals The surrounding areas also boast some great attractions a village known for traditional paper making The New York Times has praised Toyama as a place to go to “enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.” designed by world-renowned architect Kuma Kengo as one such symbol of a “cultural wonder.” The museum was opened by the city in 2015 to mark the culmination of an urban development program aimed at promoting Toyama as a city of glass art Along with a permanent exhibition featuring Japanese and international contemporary glass artists is evocative of the impressive Tateyama Mountain Range In contrast to this metallic external appearance the warm spacious interior has been created with generous use of Toyama-sourced wood The New York Times complimented it as being “a towering cathedral of timber and light.” The exterior of Toyama Glass Art Museum The interior of Toyama Glass Art Museum Visitors who want to do more than just look are recommended to visit the Toyama Glass Studio They offer a taster lesson where visitors can first learn about glassblowing and then make their own original glass or small vase The glassblowing taster experience at Toyama Glass Studio While the New York Times highlights a few hip eateries, Toyama’s most representative fare is seafood, such as buri (yellowtail) and firefly squid known as the “jewel of Toyama Bay,” but as quantities are scarce These shrimps can be deep-fried in their shells to give a crispy and aromatic taste When peeled and served as sashimi or placed between sheets of konbu to age to make kobujime they have a unique creamy texture and delicate sweetness Shiroebi glass shrimp Shiroebi kakiage Among the “B gourmet” cheap-yet-classic dishes in the region what makes this dish distinct is its jet-black soup Each ramen shop offers its own variation and overall roughly chopped onions and coarsely ground pepper The richly flavored ramen is said to originate from the postwar reconstruction period created for the hardworking laborers in central Toyama to provide them with a source of salt and which could also be served as a side dish for rice Toyama Black ramen A festival known as Owara kaze-no-bon is held every year from September 1 to 3 in Toyama Dancers stream down the street in matching yukata and straw hats pulled down low over their faces as it was believed to be a day when the wind would be strong The dance came to be called kaze-no-bon (literally “bon dance of the wind”) because it was performed at the start of typhoon season as a prayer against wind damage Dancing at the Kaze-no-bon festival If this has you thinking of taking a trip to Toyama cherry blossom season is just around the corner You can either enjoy viewing them while strolling along the banks of the Matsukawa River or while taking a pleasure boat ride The spectacular sight of cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Tateyama Mountain Range is something that can only be seen in Toyama Cherry blossoms along the banks of Matsukawa River (© Pixta) The New York Times has published a list of “places to go” around the world Morioka and Fukuoka were chosen in 2023 and Yamaguchi in 2024 Banner photo: A pleasure boat traveling along the Matsukawa River TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and Informa we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities Bokeh Game Studio co-founder and creative director Keiichiro Toyama on returning to horror by way of Chinese folklore Toyama explained he'd been thinking about the concept before his departure from Sony which followed the closure of Japan Studio Yet this game about supernatural monsters taking over humans and hiding in plain sight until their grotesque forms burst out from the head to devour their victims' brains is not just a retread of the past Although Slitterhead has you starting off weak and struggling to survive against its horrifying monsters it quickly unleashes a diverse cast of characters that have the power to not just fight back but actively hunt them "My original inspiration wasn't to survive the threat of the Slitterheads but to be able to overpower them with supernatural abilities and skill," Toyama explains That's revealed early on in the game when you're able to possess and body-hop between different NPCs but eventually encounter "Rarities," humans who the spirit is able to create a unique bond with and grant their conscious host unique abilities Toyama mentions his affection for seinen manga whose protagonist becomes a half-ghoul who then also must consume human flesh in order to survive the book the concept had sprung from goes further back Liaozhai Zhiyi's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio a collection of short stories written between the early 1670s and early 1700s One of these short stories introduces the Yegouzi a supernatural creature with the body of a human and the head of a dog that eats human brains "I had borrowed the idea and thought the contrast of having them disguised as humans in a crowded city would be a good setting for a horror-themed game." with Kowloon Walled City as its key inspiration A densely populated urban setting is certainly unexpected given that horror tends to take place in more remote and isolated environments but it makes sense for a game where players can jump between and control a multitude of hosts where the whole city is essentially able to fight back against the enemy hidden among them Kowloon Walled City has reached a mythical status over the years depicted in Shenmue II and the inspiration behind the location in Stray It has undoubtedly endured in Toyama's imagination even when he had visited Hong Kong for on-site research "I had a sense of regret that I wasn't able to see the city as it once was so the desire to bring this unique setting to life had always been there," he says it's Hong Kong cinema from the 1990s that served even more inspiration and perhaps why Kowlong also takes its design from the still-present Kowloon City iconic for its neon signs and high-rises that caused planes to fly over dangerously close during their descent to the old Kai Tak Airport Exploring the perpetual night time of Kowlong's chaotic streets and seedy underbelly stacked on floors of cramped and rundown housing conjures images of Chungking Mansions depicted in Wong Kar Wai's 1994 film Chungking Express while the introduction of rarity Alex riding on a motorcycle through a tunnel even feels like a callback to a scene in 1995's Fallen Angels Yet while one might expect Kowlong to be depicted as an open world city the team was also getting to grips with learning the ins and outs of Unreal having long been used to working with Sony's proprietary engines Although many open world games are made with Unreal a key issue had been with memory due to all the NPCs populated the city we opted for a mission-based structure," says Toyama "I believe this decision actually allowed us to have more control over the pacing of the game progression." For all the bold choices Slitterhead opts for from a diverse ensemble with equally diverse abilities and movesets an Indian housemaid who fights with oven mitts an old lady evidently named after the late Queen of England there is nonetheless much of the DNA from Toyama's past works the team was able to learn from The ensemble cast makes it something of a spiritual successor to Siren including the first game's use of a time-looping structure as the story progresses The ability to switch between character perspectives through possession is essentially an evolution of that series' sightjacking mechanic which even has an explicit nod in certain moments when players can sightjack to see from a Slitterhead's point of view in order to track down their location Yet perhaps the most unusual inspiration isn't from horror at all "The experience with Gravity Rush was valuable for this project as we'd drawn on level design that utilizes verticality as well as the experience of having numerous interactive NPCs." On reflection the ability to possess and hop between NPCs in order to reach paths blocked by a fence or up to a rooftop isn't all too dissimilar and unusual as getting around by changing the directional pull of gravity This also marks Toyama's reunion with composer Akira Yamaoka since the two were employed by Konami when developing Silent Hill we went through the process of understanding one another's way of approaching the concept so this time I had absolutely no concerns for Yamaoka-san who I know has spent so much time playing through the game to make iterations and worked hard to convey the unique atmosphere of the game." While there's some menacing sound design that will be familiar with Silent Hill's Otherworld from the adrenaline of rock during exhilarating chase and combat sequences to dreamlike and noirish soundscapes in between missions That there's also two original Cantopop songs adds to the feeling of being immersed in a Wong Kar Wai film Slitterhead is a radically different creation showing that while Toyama may be returning to horror he's not just content with doing what's expected Toyama reminds us that through his past works he's always been consistent when it comes to having a desire and approach to create something unique and unfamiliar "While I do strongly hope that many people can have a chance to play Slitterhead I hope that people familiar with my work will be able to resonate with that same distinctive atmosphere we try to convey." This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place Today's print edition Home Delivery The cities of Toyama and Osaka have been featured in The New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go in 2025.” which is located between the Sea of Japan coast and the Japanese Alps was praised by the Times as a place where tourists could “enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.”googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The paper noted how the area has been appealing to tourists as part of its recovery efforts following an earthquake and torrential rain that devastated the Noto Peninsula in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture last year In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Metrics details there have been worldwide reports of massive tsunamis drawing attention to how tsunamis are intensified by submarine landslides triggered by earthquakes precise data on tsunamis caused by submarine landslides are scarce leading to insufficient information for a thorough discussion of the characteristics of such tsunamis during the Noto Peninsula earthquake (Mw7.5) that occurred in Japan on January 1 a nonseismic tsunami distinct from those originating from fault ruptures were observed and tsunami trace heights along the coast of Toyama Bay we validated scenarios capable of reproducing the observed records using an integrated landslide–tsunami model It was found that assuming the existence of 5 submarine landslides along the underwater canyons of Toyama Bay enabled the precise explanation of multiple types of data our study revealed that submarine landslides occurred approximately 50 s after the earthquake coinciding with the peak ground shaking in Toyama Bay Compared to the seismic tsunami originating solely from the Noto Peninsula offshore fault rupture the subsequent tsunami triggered by submarine landslides amplified the tsunami height by approximately 30% along Toyama Bay The black dots represent the tide or wave gauge stations The red shaded area near the Toyama tide gauge station indicates the landslide area detected by the Japan Coast Guard (d) Flowchart of submarine landslide modeling (e) Schematic diagram of assumed rectangular blocks of an unstable soil mass These investigations have suggested that changes in seafloor topography due to events associated with the earthquake such as submarine landslides or turbidity currents because submarine landslides occur concurrently with earthquake fault rupture it is difficult to investigate the characteristics of landslide-induced tsunamis there are no highly accurate observation records of tsunamis generated solely by submarine landslides many aspects of tsunamis caused by submarine landslides remain largely unknown multiple types of data of the nonseismic tsunami remain The recorded data on tsunamis generated by submarine landslides could provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms controlling such events worldwide we investigate the characteristics of the nonseismic tsunamis that occurred in Toyama Bay through multiple approaches involving the analysis of recorded datasets we discuss whether the data observed in this event reflect tsunamis triggered by submarine landslides and the necessity of future disaster prevention measures It was suggest that if the slip amount of N3 is significantly increase the tsunami at the tide gauge station in Kashiwazaki would be overestimated to balance the tsunami heights between Kashiwazaki and Naoetsu This study focuses on identifying the source of the tsunami that occurred in Toyama Bay we prioritize improving the reproducibility of tsunamis caused by earthquake faults within Toyama Bay we adjusted the slip amount of N3 (= 6.5 m) to enhance the consistency between the tide/wave gauge records of Toyama Bay and the numerical simulation results tsunamis caused by submarine landslides arrive earlier than tsunamis caused by earthquake faults making it possible to evaluate the scale of tsunamis caused by only submarine landslides based on the initial part of the waveforms after determining the scale of tsunamis caused by submarine landslides it is possible to adjust the slip amount of earthquake faults the peak moment rate is reached approximately 30 s after an earthquake occurs and the fault rupture ends approximately 50 s after the earthquake we set the rupture onset time for each fault by assuming that the fault rupture propagated uniformly from the epicenter: 30 s for N4 and 5; 40 s for N2 and 3; and 50 s for N1 The strike of the rectangular block was set according to the steep slope and the seafloor canyon orientations and thickness of the unstable soil mass as shape parameters enabling the consideration of many scenarios in a straightforward manner forward modeling was conducted to develop a model that matches the observed data The simulation results were compared with observed tide/wave gauge records and tsunami trace heights If the simulation did not sufficiently match these observations the submarine landslide scenario was revised we verified whether the computed waveform’s water level and arrival time trends matched those of the observed waveform accuracy was assessed using geometric mean and geometric standard deviation as indicators This iterative process was repeated hundreds of times until a sufficient match with the observation records was achieved we added a 50-s time delay for the occurrence of submarine landslides From video images captured during the tsunami we can see that the strongest shaking occurred approximately 50 to 60 s after the earthquake confirming the validity of selecting this time delay Tsunami height distribution at 31 locations in Toyama Bay The green shading in the graph indicates the range of 1.0–1.5 m Red circles represent locally high tsunami heights The blue circle indicates the location where the tsunami ran up rivers the coastline on the southern side of the bay is industrialized making it difficult to gather eyewitness accounts from residents Some fishermen present at the ports on the southern side of the bay said that the tsunami did not reach past the coastline suggesting that there could be not only areas with considerable tsunami heights but also areas with tsunami heights of less than 1.0 to 1.5 m The solid lines indicate the wave front when the tsunami arrived while the dotted lines represent the wave fronts one minute before the tsunami arrived orange and pink lines indicate the wave fronts determined from the data from the Toyama The triangle indicates the Toyama wave gauge station The rectangles denote the assumed positions of the submarine landslides Comparison of (b) the observed tsunami waveforms and (c) tsunami trace heights with the computed results Figure 3b compares the observed tsunami waveforms at each tide/wave gauge station with the numerical results Our calculated results are in good agreement with the observed waveforms confirming that the tsunami was indeed generated by submarine landslides considering a time delay of 50 s from earthquake onset the arrival times were also accurately reproduced a wide area of seafloor movement results in longer-period tsunamis and lifting the seafloor higher generates higher tsunamis the breadth (width and length) of the landslide source mainly affects the wave period while the thickness affects the wave amplitude the location of the tsunami source affects the arrival time By adjusting each parameter and assuming the position of the unstable soil mass representing the initial landslide condition we were able to systematically explore solutions from hundreds of scenarios that reproduce the observed tsunami waveforms it is evident that the tsunami generated by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake was amplified by approximately 30% in Toyama Bay due to the occurrence of submarine landslides (a) Snapshots of the images after tone adjustment captured at the Amaharashi coast (provided by the Takaoka cable network) The red circle indicates the position of water surface extraction it is possible to clearly extract the boundary between the rocks and the water surface (b) Water surface fluctuations at each frame extracted from the images The vertical axis indicates the pixel position of the water level from the bottom of the image The blue dots represent values smoothed with a moving average of 30 frames The red line represents a guide curve obtained by smoothing the values of the blue dots with a 30-s moving average The spike at 9 min is due to the influence of aftershock shaking on the video frame Comparison of simulation results and observed data for each assumed landslide scenario: (a) fault only, (b) fault and SL1, (c) fault and SL1-2, (d) fault and SL1-3, (e) fault and SL1-4, and (f) fault and SL1-5. The green lines depicted on the graph for Amaharashi indicate the peak times of the positive waves obtained through image analysis (Fig. 4b) (a) Comparison of simulation results with and without SL5 The right panel shows the maximum tsunami height for the fault with landslides SL1-5 (b) Snapshots of tsunami water level distribution We further estimated the root mean square error (RMSE) between observed tide/wave gauge data and computed results both with and without submarine landslides during the 30 min following the earthquake while the values without considering submarine landslides are 0.28 resulting in no improvement in the RMSE value at the Toyama wave gauge significant improvements were noted in the RMSE values for Toyama and Fushiki Influence of time delay with landslide and fault occurrence: (a) no time delay (b) time delay for the submarine landslides and (c) time delay for submarine landslides and fault The simulation results regarding the movement positions of the soil mass from the submarine landslides after 3 hours The white shaded area indicates the sea area deeper than 800 m where the crab pots were lost we infer that the effects of the submarine landslide off Nyuzen were minor in Toyama Bay although further research is necessary to understand the actual situation and assess the risk of future events This study revealed that multiple submarine landslides amplified the tsunami in Toyama Bay triggered by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake The seafloor topography of Toyama Bay results in a high potential for submarine landslides to amplify tsunamis following large earthquakes submarine landslide risk is not considered in Japan's tsunami hazard maps or evacuation plans it is essential to investigate and consider the future risks associated with submarine landslides we examined a nonseismic tsunami that occurred in Toyama Bay following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake through field surveys by hypothesizing 5 landslides near submarine canyons within Toyama Bay and conducting numerical simulations we were able to explain multiple observational datasets A comparison between numerical simulations with and without submarine landslides revealed that approximately 30% of the tsunami height was amplified by the occurrence of submarine landslides during this event it was inferred that the submarine landslides did not collapse immediately after the fault rupture but rather began collapsing approximately 50 s after the earthquake occurred utilizing a rectangular block of unstable soil mass was found to be both simple and capable of adequately recreating observed records with sufficient accuracy Considering the risks of submarine landslides in vulnerable regions this method enables extensive calculations of tsunami scenarios incorporating submarine landslides and thus is valuable for designing tsunami disaster prevention measures All data were referenced to Tokyo Peil (T.P.) which is elevation above the average sea level in Tokyo Bay All method were approved by the Human Subjects Research Ethics Committee of Tohoku Gakuin University Our surveys were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations of Tohoku Gakuin University interviews were conducted after explaining that it was university research aimed at investigating the tsunami and obtaining informed consent from all subjects no personally identifiable information was collected in these surveys \(M\) and \(N\) are the discharge in the \(x\) and \(y\) directions \(\alpha\) is the ratio of the densities of the water and soil masses (\({\rho }_{1}/{\rho }_{2}\)) \({K}_{0}\)= \(\alpha +(1-\alpha ){K}_{s}\) \({K}_{s}\) is the lateral soil pressure ratio \(\beta\) is the correction factor of momentum (1.25 in the debris flow) and \(INTF\) indicates the interface resistance Subscripts 1 and 2 represent the upper and lower layers We used the following equations to estimate the interface resistance: where \(\Phi\) is the internal friction angle and \({n}_{2}\) is the Manning coefficient of the lower layer the first term significantly influences the current velocity of the soil mass while the second term determines the cessation of soil mass movement The lateral soil pressure ratio \({K}_{s}\) was assumed to be \(1.0\) few previous studies have examined the parameters of the friction law based on the Coulomb viscosity model for tsunamis caused by submarine landslides resulting in uncertainties in the accuracy of the parameters Although these parameters may not significantly represent the observed wave period and waveform shape they could affect the tsunami wave height caused by submarine landslides the balance between the thickness of the unstable soil mass and the friction parameter determines the tsunami height the thickness of the unstable soil mass may not necessarily match the actual landslide thickness and it is necessary to clarify the relationships among the actual landslide shape and thickness of the unstable soil mass in the future the accuracy criteria are defined as 0.95 < \(K\)  < 1.05 and \(\kappa\) < 1.45 We used the values of the data averaged over 30 images (approximately 10 s) for the graph USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, M 7.5 - 2024 Noto Peninsula, Japan Earthquake. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000m0xl/finite-fault JMA Press Releases. the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake - Third Report. https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/2401/01c/kaisetsu202401012130.pdf (2024) Slip distribution of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake (MJMA 7.6) estimated from tsunami waveforms and GNSS data NHK NEWS. Earthquake Causes Significant Impact on Winter Delicacy Red Snow Crab Fishing at Toyama's Shinminato Fishing Port. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240110/k10014316791000.html (2024) Japan Coast Guard Press Releases. Confirmation of Submarine Landslide Traces in Toyama Bay (Second Report). https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/info/kouhou/r6/k240311_2/k240311_2.pdf (2024) NHK NEWS. Toyama Bay: Earthquake Causes Severing of Intake Pipes for Deep-sea Water from the Ocean Depths. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240213/k10014356871000.html (Accessed 05 Aug 2024) terminal deep-sea fan and sediment wave fields associated with the Toyama deep-sea channel system in the Japan Sea Numerical simulation of the tsunami generated by the 2007 Noto Hanto Earthquake and implications for unusual tidal surges observed in Toyama Bay Tsunami generated by the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Japan Coast Guard. Submarine Volcano Database. https://www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/kaiikiDB/list-2.htm (Accessed 05 Aug 2024) Fault model of the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake estimated from coseismic deformation obtained by the distribution of littoral organisms and GPS: Implication for neotectonics in the northwestern Noto Peninsula Micro-bathymetric evidence for the effect of submarine mass movement on tsunami generation during the 2009 Suruga Bay earthquake Japan Submarine Mass Movements and Their Consequences Edited by Y Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research Did a submarine landslide contribute to the 2011 Tohoku tsunami? Accretionary prism collapse: A new hypothesis on the source of the 1771 giant tsunami in the Ryukyu Arc On the effects of rheological behavior on landslide motion and tsunami hazard for the Baiyun Slide in the South China Sea On tsunami waves induced by atmospheric pressure shock waves after the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption On the characteristics of landslide tsunamis Near-field survey of the 1946 Aleutian tsunami on Unimak and Sanak Islands The destructive1946 Unimak near-field tsunami: New evidence for a submarine slide source from reprocessed marine geophysical data Solving the puzzle of the 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunami: The case for a slump The slump origin of the 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami Submarine landslide source models consistent with multiple tsunami records of the 2018 Palu tsunami Consideration of submarine landslide inducedby 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami within Palu Bay Mayuyama collapse and the resulting tsunami using two-layer model Numerical simulation of the landslide and tsunami due to the 1741 Oshima-Oshima eruption in Hokkaido Surface displacement due to shear and tensile faults in a halfspace Effects of bathymetry on tsunami propagation: Application of ray tracing to tsunamis A simplified approach for efficiently simulating submarine slump generated tsunamis The time from emergency earthquake alert provision to the arrival of the main shock (2024) Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI). the GNSS Earth Observation NETwork System (GEONET). https://www.gsi.go.jp/ENGLISH/geonet_english.html (Accessed 05 Aug 2024) Modeling for tsunamis generated by landsliding and debris flow In Tsunami Research at the End of a Critical Decade (ed Model of tsunami generation by collapse of volcanic eruption: The 1741 Oshima-Oshima tsunami In Progress in Landslide Research and Technology Progress in Landslide Research and Technology (eds Sassa An integrated model simulating the initiation and motion of earthquake and rain induced rapid landslides and its application to the 2006 Leyte landslide Flow of variably fluidized granular masses across three-dimensional terrain 1 numerical method of tsunami simulation with the Leap-Frog scheme Reliability of a tsunami source model derived from fault parameters Download references The video data used in this study were provided by Wataru Ikeda of the NHK Toyama Broadcasting and Tetsuya Kishi of the Takaoka Cable Network Tide gauge records in Ikuji and video data around the Kurobe area were provided by Yuichi Takamura of the Ministry of Land Kunio Nishimoto of the Shinminato Fisheries Cooperative provided information on port and fishery damage Kiyoshi Wakabayashi and Yuki Hiroshima of Nyuzen town provided information for the underwater surveys performed near the Nyuzen area we conducted interviews with residents and individuals associated with fishing ports regarding the tsunami We sincerely thank everyone who kindly cooperated with us despite being busy with postdisaster recovery activities This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (grant numbers 23H00528 and 22KK0010) Department of Social and Environmental Studies Faculty of Social and Environmental Studies proposed the topic and designed the research All authors participated in discussions and approved the final manuscript The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69097-w Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Peruvian Highly Recommended labour boutique Vinatea & Toyama has bolstered its offering by promoting two associates to partner expert analysis and essential resources from the Latin Lawyer experts Copyright © Law Business ResearchCompany Number: 03281866 VAT: GB 160 7529 10 This firm has professional notice in the Latin Lawyer 250 Get more from LLSign up to our daily email alert Unlock unlimited access to all Latin Lawyer content India Nitric Acid Market Analysis: Industry Market Size Copyright © ChemAnalyst - 2020 | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy if one’s first image or impression of space remains in one’s mind it will surely become a precious experience (Hiroshi Naito) A visit to the coastal region of Toyama Prefecture towards the Northern Alps of Japan should be accompanied by an introspection of one of Japan’s most beautifully designed museums, Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design. Located next to Toyama city’s Fugan Canal Kansui Park which is flanked by the long-stretched Fugan Unga Canal TAD (Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design) offers a perfect natural and cultural setting that envelops greeneries and the surrounding Tateyama Mountain Range Designed by renowned architect Hiroshi Naito, the enormous structure consists of a curved parabolic shape and is cut off by an 11-metre-high glass curtain wall on the front façade. The main lobby opens to a full panorama of the Tateyama Mountain Range. The brilliant coercion with the neighbouring landscape is, therefore, achieved. Naito explained the east-facing side of the museum is covered with an all-glass wall the exhibition rooms are contained in closed spaces The contrast of enclosure and openness allows visitors to absorb the intimate atmosphere indoors as they interflow with nature outdoors The museum’s special characteristic lies in its Onomatopoeia Rooftop an ingenious and marvelous greenscape of children’s play equipment inspired by sounds eight play zones named after Japanese onomatopoeia words—guru-guru (round and round) and others—glitter across the stretched-out grass perimeter with colourfully geometrical-shaped installations The exhilarating 360-degree view captures not only Tateyama Mountain Range the galleries on the second and third floors are situated on the sides of the central corridor with adjustable fittings that permit possible changes in the paths around the exhibit spaces These fittings are made of cedarwood from Himi City in western Toyama and are cut into latticework Japanese ash wood was used for the flooring elegantly immersed with the delicate interior finish of plaster TAD first opened in 1981 under the name of Museum of Modern Art At that time when the era addressed a modern Japanese lifestyle the fresh philosophy was to incorporate design as a cultural activity The museum focused on 20th century posters and chairs and boasted one of the best poster design collections in Japan A new plan for the museum expansion commenced in 2013 under Architect Naito and finally the current TAD opened in 2017 apart from its interactive rooftop and exhibition rooms the building houses the TAD Gallery for works by local people Atelier for workshops and open studio events The permanent exhibit highlights the Shuzo Takiguchi Collection and Szymon Goldberg Collection He centred on Surrealism during pre- and postwar Japan and was the first Japanese poet to write surrealistic poems About 700 pieces of his works are displayed Polish classical violinist and conductor Goldberg married pianist Miyoko Yamane in 1988 after his first wife died and found recluse at the Tateyama Kokusai Hotel in Toyama at the foot of Mount Tateyama He spent his last days at Toyama until 1993 The museum stores Goldberg’s wide collection of oil and watercolor paintings Running until February 4th this year, the TAD Collection Ⅲ presents selected works on themes of Diverse Expressions in 20th Century Impressive pieces by celebrated international artists such as Léonard Foujita and Taro Okamoto are also on display In the ongoing Design Collection Ⅲ until February 11th winners of The International Poster Triennial in Toyama Excellent poster designs from the first event in 1985 to 2021 reveal the vigorous promotion of graphic design throughout the years The varied subjects encompass social issues environmental awareness and universal messages that transcend from paper to digital media such as Kazumasa Nagai and Ken Miki fill up the exhibit room trademark chair designs by world-renowned Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Jasper Morrison and Sōetsu Yanagi are unmissable Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design is absolutely a comprehensive and delightful hub of art and culture that brings together all ages and backgrounds right in the center of the region’s most treasured natural backdrop There are no statistics available for this player Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here complete with spectacular forests and charming thatched-roof houses Its World Heritage alpine villages of Suganuma and Ainokura are nestled between sweeping mountain ranges The Kurobe Dam stands out as Japan’s tallest while the Tateyama Mountains hide an equally impressive natural wonder: a volcanic crater lake Access to the Sea of Japan makes the region known for its fresh seafood (including the signature firefly squid) and master artisans and wood carvings in traditional Japanese fashion Toyama has become a culinary hotspot in Japan drawing international chefs with its offering of quality seafood ingredients like squid and baigai (a local mollusk.) In Toyama’s storied Iwase district centuries-old warehouses now host sake and beer breweries that carefully guard a distilling legacy that dates back generations The New York Times elevated some of Toyama’s cultural offerings into the spotlight encouraging visitors to add the Glass Art Museum - from world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma - to their itinerary September sees the Owara Kaze no Bon festival light up Yatsuo literally with lanterns and figuratively with traditional dance Toyama Castle Park packs a reconstructed feudal keep and a serene Japanese garden into central Toyama offering an ideal day trip excursion and a perfect place to stop for a restful lunch Toyama is accessible via Japan’s bullet train system (shinkansen) from Kanazawa connecting Toyama with Matsumoto city and other popular transport hubs From the most common access point of Tokyo the bullet train to Toyama takes two and a half hours When The Telegraph journalist, Gemma Knight-Gilani, saw our Hidden Zen trip, she was so excited by the itinerary, it became part of her honeymoon she shared her top five cultural experiences in Toyama – an often skipped-over region that holds some of the most skilled crafters in Japan you can experience how rural communities lived 350 years ago mould your own sake cup and taste wine at one of Japan’s few wineries Gemma kindly agreed to share her top five cultural experiences to be found in Toyama and overflowing with the sort of intricate storied crafts and customs that make Japan such catnip for overseas visitors unassuming Toyama prefecture remains so often missed by tourists along Honshu’s eastern coast and the well-loved “Golden Route” or north to Hokkaido with its ski slopes and rugged landscapes to where Toyama sprawls inland from a huge horseshoe bay creeping across a large floodplain – dotted with grand black-eaved houses (coloured thus to encourage snow melt) each one surrounded by rice paddies – then climbing slowly up towards the Northern Alps The few who do make this little leap across the country’s midriff are treated to a perfect slice of everyday Japan: neither rurally isolated nor aggressively urban but replete with modern communities working hard to preserve their cultural heritage and keen to help visitors gain greater understanding of Japan’s history and customs by immersively experiencing it Here are five wonderful ways to do just that Visit Toyama as part of our Hidden Zen Self-Guided Adventure Speak to one of our Japan experts to plan your trip Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata was a special guest in the Let's Throw Let's Hit Bun Bun Cup an event sponsored by Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Toyama City The Toyama Prefecture will host the next NPB All-Star Game and Kokoa Higashi (Yomiuri Giants Women's Team) interacted with 110 children in morning and afternoon sessions "My eldest son is in the first year of junior high school," said Ibata in his closing remarks "Parents and children can only do things together until elementary school So I hope parents and children can have as much fun as they can during that time I would be happy if baseball were one of the things they do." Ibata told the local press that children not living in metropolitan areas have fewer chances to watch baseball live "We need to keep doing these kinds of activities," he said Ibata also spoke about the RAXUS Samurai Japan Series. World No. 1 Japan will face No. 7 Netherlands on March 5 and 6 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka It will be the first chance to work on the World Baseball Classic 2026 team "We won't select players on the WBSC Premier12 team We will look to new players," Ibata explained The manager also confirmed he will also serve as the U-15 National Team head coach again this year having filled the dual role last year Sitemap Media Data Protection Contacts Avenue Général-Guisan, 45 CH-1009 Pully | Switzerland The WBSC is recognised as the sole competent authority in Baseball and Softball by the International Olympic Committee There is much to take in as you settle into your seat in Ebitei Bekkan’s pristine second-floor dining room: the vivid grain of the wood on the counter and on the ceiling above; the gleaming lacquerware tray that marks your place; the vase with its single owner-chef Kentaro Mura is finalizing his preparations for the extensive meal that lies ahead he affects an old-school look that is in marked contrast to the striking new premises that house Ebitei Bekkan in Toyama.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); But what really grabs your attention is the picture window behind Mura it looks out onto the upper branches of a splendid row of veteran cherry trees it forms a gently moving tableau that changes subtly by the minute — and constantly with the cycle of the seasons then to autumnal hues and finally bare branches (hereinafter referred to as “Yonex”) is excited to announce the construction of a new manufacturing facility for badminton racquets and strings in Tateyama Town Yonex will be aiming at increasing production capacity to expand its manufacturing network and enhance a stable supply system Yonex signed an advancement agreement with Tateyama Town on March 4 The Growing Global Badminton Market and Yonex’s ChallengeBadminton continues to gain global popularity and the demand for high-quality racquets and strings is rising As a brand committed to innovation and craftsmanship Yonex is expanding its production capabilities to ensure athletes at all levels have access to the best equipment The new factory in Toyama Prefecture will be a strategic step in strengthening our global supply chain ensuring that players worldwide can rely on Yonex for performance-driven products a Region with Deep Badminton RootsConsidering its accessibility to our existing Niigata factory as well as its stable natural environment with a relatively low risk of natural disasters Toyama Prefecture emerged as an ideal location for our new manufacturing base Toyama prefecture is home to the TONAMI Badminton Team which won its 12th championship title in the S/J League 2024* and has fostered top athletes competing on the world stage As a region with a deep-rooted badminton culture Toyama provides an ideal location for our new facility Yonex aims to deepen ties with the local community and work together to further develop sports in Toyama Prefecture Building on Our Craftsmanship in NiigataSince its founding in Nagaoka Yonex has continuously refined its craftsmanship merging tradition with cutting-edge technology Niigata will remain our primary production base we will continue to innovate in Niigata and expand our pursuit of new innovations in Tateyama delivering MADE BY YONEX high-quality products to customers worldwide *S/J League is Japan’s top badminton league where 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams compete for the national title [Factory Location]Tateyama Inter Industrial Site (Sawanohata and Nomachi areas) Tateyama-cho [Factory Overview]- Business: Manufacturing of badminton racquets and badminton strings- Site Area: 26,040 m²- Completion: 2027 (Scheduled) Contact Us This is Radio Schuman, your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news, insights, and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond. From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs, this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans. Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics. No agenda, no argument, no bias, No Comment. Get the story without commentary. Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives. With explanations, engaging Q&As, and lively conversations, the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society. Europe's water is under increasing pressure. Pollution, droughts, floods are taking their toll on our drinking water, lakes, rivers and coastlines. Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters, how our wastewater can be better managed, and to discover some of the best water solutions. Video reports, an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters, from Euronews. We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source, analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing. We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt. and meet the warm-hearted people who call this region home and uniquely nestled along Japan's coastline Hokuriku is brimming with scenic beauty and authentic encounters The region is also characterised by a resilient spirit embodied in the way communities have come together to rebuild after the Noto earthquake in January 2024 Lying off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, Sado is among the largest islands on Japan's coastline. Among its many attractions is the chance to meet some of Japan's most charming birds, the toki (crested ibis) at the Toki Forest Park With a white body and distinctive pink wings and tail toki were common throughout Japan until about the 1930s when they were driven to extinction on the island due to overhunting and habitat loss thanks to a breeding programme supported by China – where toki are also found – along with collaborative efforts from wildlife experts and local farmers The toki are now inhabitants of Sado Island "The toki have shown us that a species can disappear due to human actions and also reminds us that creating an environment where we can co-exist with other creatures can improve quality of life for us humans as well," says Tomoki Tsuchiya from the Agricultural Policy Division of Sado City Office we now practise agriculture that's more mindful of wildlife such as reducing the use of pesticides in rice paddies while still producing safe and high-quality agricultural products." Tsuchiya says the hope is for this successful human-ibis coexistence to expand nationwide in the future but for now Sado Island is the go-to destination to see the birds and learn more about their remarkable story Sado can be reached from the Niigata mainland by ferry in about two-and-a-half hours or by high-speed boat in just over an hour home of the acclaimed Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale PreviousAn onsen bath overlooks an expanse of mountains at Satoyama Jujo.Satoyama Jujo preserves exquisite private residences that have stood the test of time.Satoyama Jujo preserves exquisite private residences that have stood the test of time.Trek across rice fields a quintessential part of Niigata’s landscape (Photo credit: Uchida Haruyuki “Memory of the Earth” photo by Kioku Keizo)Kiss & Goodbye by Jimmy Liao in the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field is set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Makihata early mornings unveil a mesmerising sea of clouds drifting through the valley below The restaurant at Satoyama Jujo was featured in a 2020 Michelin Guide for Niigata showcasing a "mountain-to-table" philosophy featuring bounty foraged from the surrounding mountains recognised by Unesco as a Global Geopark for its outstanding geological heritage Mount Hakusan is considered one of Japan's holiest mountains. According to legend, in the year 717, a revered Buddhist monk known as Taicho (682–767) was the first person to ascend the mountain, where he carried out ascetic rituals. Visit the atmospheric Hakusan Shirayama-Hime Shrine the grand shrine that sits at the foot of the sacred mountain and is said to protect the Hokuriku region follow trails through shimmering cedar forests and flower-filled alpine meadows up the mountain to the smaller Okumiya (the upper shrine of Hakusan Shirayama-Hime) and soak in the tranquility at the summit PreviousThe Mikata Five Lakes glimmer with different shades of blue and green.Find multiple lookout points by exploring the region around the lakes.The beautiful foliage surrounding the Mikata Five lakes changes with the seasons Next13People have enjoyed the Mikata Five Lakes for thousands of years and this legacy continues through respectful management of the lakes' resources today Learn more about local culture at Kumagawa-juku a historic staging post town dating back to 1589 Once a flourishing hub for travellers on the Saba Kaido – the route used for transporting mackerel from Wakasa to Kyoto – some of Kumagawa-juku's traditional wooden buildings have been preserved allowing visitors to explore the town's rich history Take a scenic journey through one of Japan's most breathtaking landscapes aboard a very unique train in Toyama Prefecture. Set among mountains blanketed in lush forest, the Kurobe Gorge Railway route through the stunning Kurobe Gorge is the deepest V-shaped ravine in Japan and home to Kurobe Dam Originally built in 1923 to transport workers and materials for dam construction the Kurobe Gorge Railway now serves as a tourist attraction carrying visitors by open-air trolley train from late April to November PreviousHop on a sightseeing train to journey through the Kurobe Gorge Railway.The trolley train traverses multiple tunnels and bridges.The majestic Yamabiko Bridge is part of the Kurobe Gorge Railway route.A journey made unforgettable by autumn leaves illuminating the iconic route. Next14Departing from Unazuki Onsen Station the trolley train meanders through Kurobe Gorge treating passengers to views of forested mountainsides towering cliffs and the azure waters of the Kurobe River below While the autumn foliage season is very popular the scenery is a feast for the eyes at any time Highlights include the vibrant red Yamabiko Bridge along with hiking trails and secluded onsen (hot springs) accessed from stops along the way Advance reservations are recommended to secure your spot for this unforgettable journey aboard the trolley train Whether you're seeking peaceful solace Hokuriku's diverse natural landscapes and deep-rooted traditions offer opportunities to connect with a different side of Japan with moments steeped in the rich history and enduring beauty of the region. Visit Hokuriku for unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime A commercialproduction byA Tapestry of Tradition and ResilienceImmerse yourself in the heart of Hokuriku where rich landscapes shape vibrant cuisine From Niigata's lush rice fields to Fukui's timeless artistry explore Toyama's coastal beauty and Ishikawa's historic charm Let Hokuriku's resilience and deep connection to nature inspire your journey Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo this attraction in Toyama is having a two-month-long festival for its 2025 season you can see the best of the area's beautiful winter scenery The snow corridor is a 500-metre-long path along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route near the Murodo Plateau The trail is flanked by towering snow walls up to 20 metres tall the area sees heavy snowfall throughout winter the road finally opens up when snowploughs clear away the snow One part of the road is open for pedestrians to wander through this icy wonderland Running parallel to the snow corridor is the Panorama Road Open daily between April 15 and May 6 from 10am to 3pm the promenade provides great views of the Tateyama mountain range 見つけられた？秘密は…「手で何代目かを表している」です☝️ pic.twitter.com/TRPI6zSvtM Before venturing through the snow corridor or the Panorama Road make sure to check out the large snow plough that’s used to clear masses of snow to the sides of the road. The snow plough exhibition corner is open from 9.30am to 3pm 「立山ユキテラス」こんな感じでくつろげるんです😳❄️室堂にて、土日祝日限定開催！詳しくは特設サイトから☕️ https://t.co/MDfAdQ7ywi… pic.twitter.com/lfgoVGSFVP there'll also be a special Snow Terrace where you can relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding area The terrace will be open from April 26 to May 6 from 10am to 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) hop on the Tateyama cable car that departs from Tateyama Station in Toyama prefecture and get off at Bijodaira Station it’s another 50-minute ride to Tateyama Murodo via the Tateyama Highland Bus For more information, check the festival website This article was originally published on March 30 2022 and updated on March 3 2025 Here's the official Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2025 Unregistered Suica and Pasmo transport cards to resume sales from March These are the 11 award-winning travel experiences in Japan for 2025 Le Pristine Tokyo at Hotel Toranomon Hills now offers weekend brunch Enjoy hi-fi tunes on the streets of Tokyo at the city’s first mobile listening bar Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.  facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us Across diverse regions in Toyama Prefecture there are many seasonal ingredients that herald the arrival of spring One of the profound delights of traveling is getting to savor freshly harvested local delicacies prepared using time-honored culinary traditions please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Yuki Deguchi / Special to Ryoko Yomiuri Publication To fully appreciate hotaruika firefly squid during this period visit the Hotaruika Museum in Namerikawa in the prefecture which provides detailed information on their ecology Located near the fish-landing port of Namerikawa the museum stands on the grounds of a Michi-no-Eki roadside rest area Named for their captivating ability to emit a bluish-white light reminiscent of fireflies dancing across the night sea firefly squid have about 1,000 light-producing organs within their small 7-centimeter-long bodies These migratory cephalopods travel to Toyama Bay each spring to spawn characterized by a sudden and dramatic descent from the coastline is believed to attract these large schools of squid Last season’s exceptional catch exceeded 4,000 tons Firefly squid fishing in Toyama Bay is done with fixed nets set 2 to 3 kilometers offshore “Firefly squid typically dwell in the deep sea at depths of 200 to 600 meters Only females ascend to shallower coastal waters during the spawning season leading to the capture of squids,” said Masaki Kobayashi director of business operations at the Hotaruika Museum Panorama Restaurant Kousai boasts a breathtaking panoramic view of Toyama Bay through its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows Visitors can even see the fixed nets for firefly squid it is no wonder that the morning’s catch promises to be exceptionally fresh and flavorful I enjoyed “firefly squid gozen,” a feast of cephalopod delicacies including firefly squid dressed with vinegar and miso The plump flesh of the boiled squid along with the rich taste of its entrails proved utterly irresistible proved that this exquisite taste can only be found in this prime harvesting region the Firefly Squid Boat Tour 2025 will offer an extraordinary opportunity to witness firefly squid fishing firsthand The sight of a large school of firefly squid emitting light all at once in the dark sea before dawn is an ethereal spectacle worth seeing The museum will also host its annual spring firefly squid festival on April 26 including its freshly pickled firefly squid marinated in soy sauce Toyama Prefecture also offers the delicate taste of white shrimp are harvested exclusively in Toyama Bay at the Iwase and Shinminato fishing ports earning them the nickname “jewels of Toyama Bay.” with the largest catches occurring in June and July but last year’s catch dropped to an unprecedented 190 tons This dramatic decline is likely to have stemmed from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake which altered the seabed topography and disrupted the white shrimp’s habitat founded in 2021 by local fishermen near Mizuhashi Fishing Port is a beloved restaurant renowned for its fresh seafood The eatery features dishes with white shrimp and firefly squid caught in the bay The peeled white shrimp here had an exceptionally silky texture and its rich sweetness proved absolutely delicious The shrimp’s sweetness increases when fried and its delicate flavor pairs beautifully with the lightly crisped onions This restaurant also benefits from its proximity to the firefly squid fishing grounds “Our secret is to gently poach the firefly squid in a finely crafted broth of kelp and bonito flakes,” said Yu Kunogi The classic firefly squid dressed with vinegar and miso is also exceptionally delicious Japan Tourism is presented in collaboration with Ryoko Yomiuri Publication, which publishes Ryoko Yomiuri, a monthly travel magazine. If you are interested in the original Japanese version of this story, click here.   Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun traditional Japanese architecture has been made of wood and has been designed with harmony with the natural environment in mind (Kengo Kuma) Toyama Prefecture is becoming a sought-after tourist destination Bearing a rich history from the Sengoku war period (15th to 16th centuries) and blessed with robust farmlands and flourishing heavy and chemical industries At first glance, the exterior facade of Toyama Glass Art Museum stands out like glistening ice dikes of a huge mountain. World-class architect Kengo Kuma precisely envisioned the image of the surrounding Tateyama mountains by combining granite with the city’s indigenous materials—glass and aluminium The shimmering effect filters through varied angles diffusing continuous light throughout the city slanted cylinders usher in light beams into the interior and directly onto the floors and mirrors create magical shadows and reflections—as though the entire structure glows under a forest sunlight the museum sits inside the TOYAMA KIRARI complex which also houses the Toyama City Public Library The Glass Art Passage from the second to the fourth floor presents approximately fifty works by twenty artists connected with Toyama Prefecture The exclusive Glass Art Garden on the sixth floor highlights installations by American glass artist Dale Chihuly The stairwell to this stunning art space is bathed in natural light from the ceiling that travels across the galleries one is greeted by three seaweed-like gleaming chandeliers in yellow The shadows leave layers of moving patterns around the walls and floors numerous blue hand-blown glass spikes erect vertically from Japanese cedar linear impression aligns accordingly to the vertical louvers canopied around the museum the staggering Toyama Persian Ceiling (2015) consists of a web of multicoloured glass sea creatures Incredible prisms of coloured lights disperse throughout the gallery space All the floors appear to be connected around the slanted Atrium composed of cedar wood shingles Café Kouma and the Museum Shop on the second floor are designed with vertical wood slats on the ceiling elegantly complementing the wood floor panels and furniture The institution was responsible for the advancement of industrial arts—glassware Gallé’s success summited with his presentation of innovative works during the 1878 The exhibition stages a parade of the artist’s outstanding pieces predominantly created during his time in Paris Vase in Shape of Columbine (1898-1900) reveals various techniques with open Columbine flowers and leaves in earth colours The graceful composition and combination of feminine hues exude utter elegance Footed Cup with Dragonfly Design (1903-04) depicts a curved dragonfly sliding from the brim to the bottom with its shadows exposed in the glass It was said that Gallé created the cup at the time of his illness His G signature at the back of the cup is itself shaped like a dragonfly The glasswork appears to emit the artist’s spirit Experiencing the brilliance of the museum’s architecture and artworks is a perfect gateway to appreciate the majestic glass city of Toyama. Video Game News 28th Nov 2024 / 10:07 am Posted by Game designer Keiichiro Toyama has claimed that while working at PlayStation he conceptualised a sequel to his cult PS2 game Siren which would go on to become indie title Slitterhead Speaking to Denfaminicogamer (via Automaton) the creator explained that while working at SIE he began to wonder what a sequel to Siren would look like with a large budget SIE allegedly wanted this title to be an AAA title, so Toyama conceptualized a large budget game that had a “Siren-like concept.” He said that one of the ideas led to the prototype for Slitterhead “Slitterhead was born out of the idea of What if I were to make Siren 3?” Toyama said was seeing an emergence in popularity which made Toyama consider the possibility of bringing the series back “It all started back when I was working at SIE,” Toyama continued the popularity of “SIREN” was reviving so there was talk of making a related work He went on to say that he didn’t think that the style of horror games he likes to produce work well in the triple-A space there are more and more games that are labelled ‘horror,’ but I personally think that the horror genre and AAA game development don’t go well together.” VGC’s Slitterhead review called it “a PS3 game that never existed.” it’s heart-warming to see something that’s so clearly such a singular vision We’re disappointed that vision is sold short by basic combat and a focus on the game’s ugly characters but we’re glad it exists and would welcome more attempts like it.” Jordan is a games journalist from Scotland, formerly of the BBC. Already a patron? Click the button below to log in with Patreon. Not a member yet? Visit our Patreon page to become a patron and get access to community discussions and other exclusive benefits. Slitterhead goes on my list of games to play that are probably more interesting than your typical AAA game receiving a 7 or 8. © 1981 Media Ltd No part of this site or its content may be reproduced without the permission of the copyright holder Website by 44 Bytes The game's setting and mechanics could have been used in the Siren successor the creator of the newly released horror Slitterhead developed by Bokeh Game Studio shared that the game was based on his ideas for the Siren successor that he came up with while working at Sony In a recent interview with Denfaminicogamer (via Automaton) the developer said: "Slitterhead was born out of the idea of What if I were to make Siren 3?" While Toyama worked at Sony Interactive Entertainment the company wanted to create a new AAA game that would be the next installment to the Siren franchise given the popularity of the critically acclaimed games Toyama shared that one of his ideas for the supposed "Siren 3" led to the prototype for Slitterhead He came up with the idea of setting the game in an open-world Hong Kong of the 1990s The dev explained that he chose this place because he would like to visit it himself: "I thought that if I chose a place that I really felt like visiting and experiencing there would surely be others who felt the same way." Toyama left Sony Interactive Entertainment but didn't abandon the idea of creating a horror set in vintage Hong Kong The title also features mechanics reminding players of the Siren games Keiichiro Toyama is the creator of the beloved Silent Hill, and he shared that "commitment to freshness and originality even if it means being a bit rough around the edges" is the attitude that was common for both Silent Hill and Slitterhead 80 level 80LV logo are registered trademarks of 80LV LLC We use cookies on this website to make your browsing experience better. By using the site you agree to our use of cookies.Learn more Silent Hill and Siren creator Keiichiro Toyama talks about the origins of his indie debut title Slitterhead which he initially came up with while still at Sony Bokeh Game Studio released Slitterhead worldwide on November 8 for the PC (Steam), PS4/PS5 and Xbox Series X❘S. It is the first major project of Silent Hill and Siren creator Keiichiro Toyama since his departure from Sony’s Japan Studio in 2020. In a recent interview with Denfaminicogamer the creator revealed some insights into the origin of his new indie studio’s body-hopping “Slitterhead was born out of the idea of What if I were to make Siren 3?” Toyama told Denfaminicogamer while the creator was still at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) the Siren series saw a revival in popularity which prompted talks about making a successor so Toyama conceptualized a big budget game that had a “Siren-like concept.” He explains that one of the ideas he came up with for this “Siren 3” led to the prototype for Slitterhead there are more and more games that are labelled ‘horror,’ but I personally think that the horror genre and AAA game development don’t go well together,” Toyama admits he came up with the idea of making the stage of his Siren successor an open-world 90s Hong Kong “I thought that if I chose a place that I really felt like visiting and experiencing there would surely be others who felt the same way.”  while Toyama was in the midst of conceptualizing the game “various circumstances” led to his leaving SIE and going indie As this meant his new project would no longer be a triple-A game he ultimately decided against discarding the idea and the rest of Bokeh Game Studio voted for developing it.  No longer being part of SIE meant that Toyama was able to make Slitterhead with a high age-rating (17+ in the US “This would have been difficult to achieve during my time at SIE I thought I’d take on a daring challenge.”  Slitterhead is available now for the PC (Steam/Epic Games Store), PS5/PS4 and Xbox Series X|S.    She grew up playing Duke Nukem and Wolfenstein with her dad and is now enamored with obscure Japanese video games and internet culture Currently devoted to growing Automaton West to the size of its Japanese sister-site while making sure to keep news concise and developer stories deep and stimulating Dynasty Warriors Origins focused on balanced sex-appeal that doesn’t compromise female characters’ roles and backgrounds, says series producer  Japanese NFT game company’s currency crashes after users discover infinite money glitch Shin Megami Tensei artist Kazuma Kaneko says teaching AI to draw like him was more time-consuming than making art from scratch  and website in this browser for the next time I comment AUTOMATON WEST is operated by Active Gaming Media Inc.Reproduction in any form or medium without acknowledgment of Active Gaming Media Inc Copyright © 2025 - AUTOMATON WEST / Theme by Creative Themes Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb, an Amazon company© 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc. TOYAMA — The 2025 Tonami Tulip Fair kicked off Tuesday in Tonami, Toyama Prefecture, showcasing 3 million tulips of about 300 varieties. To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page. This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies. Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The flowers are on display at Tonami Tulip Park in the city, which is one of Japan’s leading tulip-producing areas. The park features a 30-meter-long, 4-meter-high tulip corridor modeled after the “Snowy Great Valley” of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a famous location in the prefecture. “Tulips are everywhere,” a woman from Kanazawa said. Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are different games they all feature the studio's signature gameplay loop "I don’t feel it’s my place to give them advice but I think going back to what I said earlier about the balance of routine and preserving the style of your games is relevant," Toyama said of the closure "You look at an example like FromSoftware: they keep making different games but certain styles and aspects of their games stay the same That’s an obvious example of how a studio is successful Not changing everything every time might be the key to life and surviving." Tango Gameworks' closure came alongside other lay-offs at Microsoft, including the shutting down of Redfall developer Arkane Austin Microsoft's gaming executives have remained vague so far on the exact reasons for the closures, but Xbox boss Phil Spencer later discussed it with IGN "I have to run a sustainable business inside the company and grow and that means sometimes I have to make hard decisions that frankly are not decisions I love but decisions that somebody needs to go make," he said Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day. That’s one way to put your opposition out of business ","upvoteCount":8,"downvoteCount":0},{"@context":"http://schema.org/","@type":"Comment","datePublished":"2024-07-16","author":{"@context":"http://schema.org/","@type":"Person","name":"MercWithTheMouth"},"text":"While I agree with his assessment that for a game studio to have success that they need to stick with the style they were good at part of the problem is that Tango took a long time to find what it was good at Hi-Fi Rush was its most acclaimed game but it was its last They started with The Evil Within which was just fine and tried to refine it with its sequel but was still just an okay game Then they tried to pivot a bit by going with an open world game that still had some horror trappings It wasn't until they made a huge departure from their horror roots that the studio got critical acclaim He is also talking like Demon's Souls was FromSoftware's first ever game The studio made 49 other games in the 15 years before Demon's Souls came out If you look at those games there are definitely some that inspired the Souls games but many others that are wildly different It really just boils down to Tango being extremely unlucky the video game industry is currently at a point where even 1 failed game can sink a studio and they were owned by Microsoft who has become a bit trigger happy closing studios they are setting up to fail with the whole Day 1 Gamepass initiative as that makes it far less likely for people to buy the games outright \"You look at an example like FromSoftware: they keep making different games but certain styles and aspects of their games stay the same Not changing everything every time might be the key to life and surviving.\" Gaming is a form of art and sometimes it can take a lot of work to get your style figured out…and sometimes if you keep jumping around too much between projects you lose focus and start to make lesser works It’s pretty rare to see developers that excel in every genre or style of game it seems like people wanted more Evil Within so maybe that should have been their focus area to really succeed I prefer developers that take risks and try new things they've been essentially making the same game for 15 years at this point I only played the time trial when it came out I actually liked Ghostwire more the second time I tried it Great look and it has really cool stuff in it Bunch of mid games doesn't pay bills I guess Seriously anyone comparing a Tango game they played through once for 10hrs to a multilayered open world like ER filled with secrets and hrs of gameplay needs to have a wake up call cause some things are just plain better than others and Tango's games were not that guy pal The project demon souls was first proposed and supported by japan studios I know they have asobi and xdevs acting on behalf of Japan studios that help make stellar blade I can say not all vampires are good because some vampires can kill because of the urge of blood but with time they can control this We can do cool stuff if we concentrate on the environments around us I was born a vampire and my mom too was a vampire I can also turn into a normal human who can be a vampire too which most vampires do not know of or do not want to tell You about If you want more research on us contact GREAT VAMPIRE LORD via greatvampirelord1 @ gmail com  I would not like to reveal all about us here because society seems to have different ideas about us You can contact me for more info at thedharrison1 @ gmail Unfortunately its a number game now and its what have you done for me Now not Last month! Most artists are not and should not be one-trick p0nies And thanks fanboys for teaching openweb that word as a no-no term Like with any job you need to make yourself inexpendable - and if Xbox thought \"Well we cant close Tango theyre the only ones that can make THESE\" maybe theyd have a better shot NEW YORK — Toyama City and Osaka City have been selected for The New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go in 2025.” the list describes Toyama as a city that enables visitors to “enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.” By Takanori Yamamoto / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent The list introduces Toyama as a gateway to the Noto Peninsula which was devastated in 2024 by the New Year’s Day earthquake and torrential rain in September [the city] is now courting tourists as part of [Noto’s] recovery efforts,” the list says Attractions recommended by the list include the Toyama Glass Art Museum and the Owara Kaze no Bon festival at which people dance to pray for a plentiful harvest As “culinary delights,” the list recommends a restaurant that offers Japanese-style curry and an izakaya that “unexpectedly — but deliciously — pairs natural wine with oden.” The list mentions that Osaka will host this year’s World Expo a redevelopment complex near JR Osaka Station built on what used to be a rail freight yard Yamaguchi City was among the recommended places on the paper’s 2024 list the main venue of the 2025 Tonami Tulip Fair from the viewing platform on the roof of Tonami Cultural Hall The city’s mascots Tuli-kun and Lip-chan are also depicted using 210,000 flowers Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Toyama Prefecture—A woman in her 40s was pleasantly pleased after taking a tour of a home up for sale boasts five bedrooms and stands in a seaside urban area The asking price was equivalent to the cost of a piece of candy and what is wonderful about it is selling for 100 yen ($0.70),” she said on Sept The property became available under the Uozu city government’s “100-yen Akiya Bank” program which was started this fiscal year to encourage sales of “akiya” abandoned homes by setting their price at 100 yen The municipality has been asking residents to register information on vacant homes under the “Akiya Bank” system and publicizing the list It introduced the 100-yen program in a further step to reduce the number of empty homes and reinvigorate the community by getting more people to move in Akiya are considered worthless if they fall into disrepair or suffer from other serious damage The program puts akiya homes on the market when they are still in reasonably good shape Vacant homes eligible for the program are those that can be made habitable after renovation and sold in a month or so Buyers must move into the house with at least another occupant intend to live for a long time and meet other conditions Akiya owners receive the city’s help to unload unused properties that still require maintenance costs and other expenses When city officials advertised the first property in August three groups of potential buyers turned up from Uozu and the Kansai region The woman learned about the seaside property from a colleague She and her husband live in a rented apartment in the city with their two children who lived in the house until about 20 years ago before he rented it out He thought about demolishing the house after the tenants moved out in autumn last year But as soon as he learned about the 100-yen program so I feel a twinge of sadness if I have to tear it down,” he said “If there are people who are happy to use it The city was also inspired by the “Zero-yen Akiya Bank” program introduced by the Kamiichi town office also in Toyama Prefecture to trade vacant homes for free the Uozu officials decided to sell each akiya property for 100 yen Real estate dealers are restricted from trading properties for free they could be excluded from transactions under the program Officials said they hope to clear concerns and questions of buyers and sellers by having professional real estate agents explain important matters about properties City officials and agents can organize tours of the properties and the owners can select the buyers after holding meetings with the applicants The city provides 200,000 yen in subsidies to the owner as a brokerage fee for the real estate agent and up to 100,000 yen to dispose of household furnishings The buyer receives 500,000 yen in subsidies to register the house and perform other procedures and up to 700,000 yen to renovate the home “We wish to serve as a bridge between homeowners who want to make use of their cherished homes and those who want to live in Uozu,” said an official at the urban planning division of the city government Apartment prices soar in Kyoto; city fears young people will leave Overseas interest rises for Japan’s abundance of vacant homes Ministry OKs Kyoto city’s plan to tax vacant properties Booming tourism driving surge in land prices nationwide Revised law takes effect to reduce ‘akiya’ vacant homes Japan considers tax break review to slash number of vacant homes Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission. and the procedure ran out of steam during the COVID-19 pandemic with several opportunities that arose during it still not completed So it was a surprise to see that the prefecture that administers Toyama Airport is seeking a competitive bidding process for it and that it has already attracted attention from 25 potential bidders They are probably Japanese conglomerates and SMEs that believe they have something special or extra to offer any consortium; that has often been the way of things there Foreign organisations may be conspicuous by their absence The reason is that where local pride comes into the equation in Japan; that is not the case with foreign organisations which only see the bottom line and the potential for profitable expansion Toyama does not seem to offer much opportunity in that respect as things stand but that does not mean a deal is not possible by any means The following report looks into Toyama Airports Our Analysis Reports are only available to CAPA Members CAPA Membership provides exclusive access to in-depth insights on the latest developments in the aviation and travel industry developed by our team of dedicated analysts located in Europe Each report offers a fresh perspective on the latest industry trends and is available online or via the CAPA mobile app with customisable alerts to help you stay informed and identify new business opportunities CAPA Membership also provides access to our full suite of tools including a tailored selection of more than 1,000 News Briefs every week and comprehensive data and analysis on thousands of companies around the world So it was a surprise to see that the prefecture that administers Toyama Airport is seeking a competitive bidding process for it The reason is that where local pride comes into the equation in Japan; that is not the case with foreign organisations Toyama The following report looks into Toyama Airports The New York Times has once again highlighted Japan as a top travel destination listing Toyama and Osaka among its “52 Places to Go in 2025.” 7 has been met with enthusiasm by local governments eager to attract more international tourists “Enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.” The Times highlighted the city’s traditional events like the Owara Kaze no Bon dance festival and local culinary experiences such as pairing wine with oden pot dishes The article also acknowledged the impact of the Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck the region in January last year noting that the city is working to attract tourists as part of its recovery efforts Toyama Mayor Hirohisa Fujii expressed his delight at the recognition as well as its innovative urban planning initiatives “I believe that our Kengo Kuma-designed Glass Art Museum and our compact city policy have also been well-received,” he said noting how the city integrates residential administrative and cultural facilities along the tram lines He expressed hope that more tourists would visit Toyama and the wider Hokuriku region to help the area recover from the disaster The Times commended the city’s “game-changing” redevelopment project which is creating a vast green space near JR Osaka Station This project is seen as a significant departure from Osaka’s traditional image as a bustling metropolis focused on food and shopping Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura welcomed the news expressing hopes that the increased international attention would lead to a successful Osaka-Kansai Expo “The world’s fair is a golden opportunity to showcase the charms of Osaka and the wider Kansai region to the world,” Yoshimura said The Times has been compiling its recommended travel list annually since 2005 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the author’s birth Other notable destinations listed include the Galapagos Islands several other Japanese cities have made the list including Yamaguchi in 2024 and Morioka and Fukuoka in 2023 (This article was written by Takehiro Tomoda and Yoshito Asakura.) Omicron variant infections now confirmed in 17 prefectures Nippon Ishin election marked by bitterness Magnitude-6.3 earthquake causes damage in Ishikawa Morioka is still business as usual after placing 2nd on NYT travel list Nara working to shake day trip-only image with hotel subsidies Toyama Sushi & Ramen brings speciality sushi and ramen to the Katy area. (Courtesy of Toyama Sushi & Ramen) Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb TOYAMA — Toyama City has made The New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go in 2025,” recognized for such attractions as its stunning glass museum and a traditional festival — both long popular among local residents — and distinctive restaurants Toyama ranked 30th on the “52 Places to Go” list The city was praised as a place to “enjoy cultural wonders and culinary delights while skipping the crowds.” “The city of Toyama serves as a gateway to the Noto Peninsula which was devastated in 2024 by an earthquake and torrential rain and is now courting tourists as part of its recovery efforts,” The New York Times said The paper also recommended restaurants well known to local residents such as the Suzukeema curry restaurant and the Hanamizuki no Heya jazz bar “Someone called me in the morning and told me about it,” said Haruko Nakamura “I was surprised that our shop has been mentioned by The New York Times.” Blue Train is popular among railway enthusiasts because they can enjoy coffee while watching model trains running around in the shop which The New York Times described as a “towering cathedral of timber and light,” was designed by architect Kengo Kuma This year marks the 10th anniversary of its opening The museum holds an international exhibition of glass artwork created by members of the general public once every three years It receives entries from more than 50 countries and regions each time Museum director Ruriko Tsuchida said in a statement: “It is a great honor for us to be recommended in the list and take the inspiration they get here back home.” The list also mentions the Owara Kaze no Bon festival a traditional event in which dancers perform in procession over three days and three nights accompanied by minyo traditional Japanese folk music played on stringed instruments such as shamisen and kokyu such as uchiwa fans and tenugui hand towels Events were also held in which participants both watched the dancing and tried it themselves at a local tourist facility According to the Toyama municipal government a total of 135,586 foreign tourists stayed overnight in the city in 2019 The number of overnight foreign visitors dropped to 2,630 in 2021 during the pandemic Morioka was selected for The New York Times list in 2023 and that year the number of overnight foreign tourists increased to nearly 9.5 times the level in 2022 general manager of the ANA Crowne Plaza Toyama hotel nearly 30% of its guests are foreign nationals with many tourists impressed by the view of the Tateyama mountain range from their rooms “Toyama is a compact city that has a lot to offer visitors “I hope the city’s inclusion on the list will provide opportunities for many people to learn about the beauty of the Toyama townscape.” TOYAMA--Any hospital patient being wheeled off to surgery is bound to feel anxious about the procedure and the possibility that something might go wrong administrators realized that the corridor leading to its operating theaters is a cheerless place that needs sprucing up So they mounted a crowdfunding drive to decorate the walkway with cheerful murals to make patients feel at ease just before they are put under with anesthetics who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as cosmetic surgery explained that the hospital has to prioritize its funds to update its medical instruments The fundraising drive offered the only option the pair said during a recent news conference adding that the hospital is grappling with soaring utility bills They also said that hospital finances are affected by the termination of government subsidies for hospital beds specifically for COVID-19 patients and a drop in physician visits compared with pre-pandemic levels Many national university hospitals around the country are more or less all in the same boat Toyama University at least posted an operating profit of about 890 million yen ($6 million) in fiscal 2022 “We keenly felt we have the public’s trust especially after we received at least 200 evacuees from the Noto Peninsula earthquake,” Hayashi said “We want to make the feelings of those who are willing to support our hospital a reality with the help of the crowdfunding campaign.” Toyama University Hospital is the only institution that provides advanced medical care in the prefecture performing more than 8,800 surgeries a year The 30-year-old corridor that leads to the operating theaters is dimly lit and spiritless The hospital is considering placing murals drawn by art students on the wall along the corridor themed on animals living on nearby Mount Tateyama They are also planning to introduce virtual reality goggles to alleviate children’s anxieties before their operations The hospital aims to raise 5.5 million yen through the crowdfunding drive the hospital also intends to use the funds for measures to increase and train nurses and other staff members assigned to the operating theaters This will involve producing promotional video clips to recruit staff members hosting seminars for aspiring medical workers and creating a PR magazine The crowdfunding drive is open until Sept. 26 at (https://readyfor.jp/projects/toyama-satakepj2024) Horyuji temple murals scorched in 1949 fire to go on special view Doctors plan less claustrophobic transport unit for virus patients Hospital beds again run low for emergency patients Donors will get rare look at Horyuji temple scorched murals Doctors say ‘3rd virus wave’ here; limits to remain at sports sites spoke about his new horror action-adventure game and going back to his roots of creating horror Developed as Bokeh Game Studio’s debut title Slitterhead is a battle-action-adventure game set in the densely cluttered streets of Kowlong the title casts players as the “Hyoki,” an entity devoid of memory and physical form His only motive is to eradicate the monstrous beings known as “Slitterheads” crawling around the city Hyoki must seek out allies among humans known as “Rarities,” infiltrate and track dangerous organizations and engage in battles harnessing the power of blood delve into the mystery behind Hyoki’s existence and the appearance of the Slitterheads While Toyama is happy about how the game is turning out he’s also a little doubtful about how it could be received: A lot of people are confused about the game at this point Toyama has always been searching for fresh new ways to surprise players from the first Silent Hill and Siren to the more recent Gravity Rush series I wanted to get back to my roots of creating horror and having horror themes in the game. I don’t want to reimagine something I have already done. One of the main motives for the game is Japanese manga, more specifically Seinen [a type of manga aimed at adults] but the characters in these works tend to have different abilities and skills players will come across a variety of characters with unique powers Toyama spoke about the importance of crafting a background for the protagonist If you want to have the players relate to the story you need them to relate to the characters in the story the father’s daughter is missing and he goes looking for her Toyama tries to apply this basic design principle to everything he creates and believes that creating relatable characters is crucial in game design He tries to find “a gimmick where [the player] feel relatable and can portray themselves onto the characters.” In Slitterhead the game director believes that having an amnesic spirit as the protagonist is “the ultimate example” of this philosophy as it allows players to simultaneously uncover more about the character and the game world He also spoke about the design of the fictional Asian city the game is set in: A lot of this [setting] is based on nostalgia and a feeling of loneliness I travel to a lot of cities and some parts of East Asia have changed drastically over the years and some [of their original] aspects have disappeared I missed those kinds of cities and how chaotic and busy they were The influence of Toyama’s youth and childhood fears also played a part in the game’s design When you grow up… you can’t really separate reality from fantasy I guess the thing that I’m particularly afraid of is that I’m still not familiar with the difference between the real world and fiction When I was growing up in the 70’s in Japan there was a lot of folklore through television But there was a trend with these shows and what they said They told scary tales and there were a lot of ghost stories at that period Those made me really scared and I couldn’t sleep at night or the dark underbelly of the human experience Toyama’s focus shares a common thread: I feel that the horror genre is quite different from other mediums because the aspect of fear is very particular and [it has] the feeling that you don’t want to be close to [something terrifying] or you don’t want to look at it but you end up going back and trying to have a look That aspect has been with me since I was a child I think it stands out for horror and compared to other genres I’m more drawn to the psychological fear of the unknown how you’re afraid of [it] and something just completely out of your imagination happens right in front of you I guess that kind of fear is more impactful than just being afraid of being hunted or being murdered I have always wanted to bring games that [stay] in your memory for a long time Toyama wrapped up the interview by saying he wants players to “feel confident” about Slitterhead and I’m quite comfortable with the end product an artbook with over 100 pages filled with gruesome details Special thanks to The Gamer for this fantastic interview! You can read the full interview here [Source] Rely on Horror is a free fan site with a dedicated team of content creators. In order to continue to deliver outstanding content, we need ad revenue! Please disable your adblock, or consider subscribing to our Patreon A man is talking to a group of high school students in a faltering voice “The fate of Japanese soldiers in the Pacific War was wretched There were about 2.3 million military casualties The others are said to have died from sickness Japanese casualties reached over 3.1 million including civilians.” “But this should not come as a surprise caused 15 million to 20 million casualties in China and Southeast Asia.” As a survivor of the bombing of Toyama in World War II he joins in activities designed to share the fearful experience and the reality of the war with the younger generation a group of students from Kanazawa University Senior High School in neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture visits Satō at his home with their teacher to learn about his experiences Satō explains the historical facts of the Pacific War and gives an overall picture based on materials he has gathered he shows them video footage from television reports while carefully explaining the chronology of the war Satō Susumu (right) gives clear answers to the questions from the Kanazawa University Senior High School students at his Toyama home we were also the perpetrators of that war.” Satō began his speaking activities in 2001 He was asked to share his experience of the city’s bombing by local children after which he was invited to speak at elementary and junior high schools This led to many more opportunities to present at schools: around 260 times up to the end of 2023 Some 20,000 students have now heard Satō share his story and his presentation on the facts of the war The bombing of Toyama occurred in the predawn hours of August 2 with 182 US Air Force bombers attacking Toyama over a two-hour period dropping a total of more than 1,400 tons of incendiary bombs The charred ruins of the Sōgawa shopping street as pictured in Toyama daikūshū (The Bombing of Toyama) Japanese history tends to focus on the air raids targeting major cities but damage assessment by the US military estimated that 99.5% of Toyama was destroyed the US Air Force also bombed the cities of Mito (Ibaraki) The New York Times described the bombing of the four cities as “the mightiest single air blow ever struck.” with companies such as Nippon Soda and Fujikoshi producing chemicals and machinery for use by Japan’s military Satō’s father belonged to a naval band he was assigned to the brass band of the Fujikoshi plant and his family was also relocated to Toyama Satō has a photo taken by US forces prior to the bombing Satō was sheltering in the family’s home because it’s quite clearly visible.” he crawled back into his futon and fell into a deep sleep fierce fires spread across the city from the west He fled with his mother and siblings to a rice field near the house and as they crouched under futons for protection he heard a loud thumping: the sound of bombs hitting the mud in the rice paddy the mud delayed detonation of the incendiary bombs I heard someone shout: Jump into the river My sister had strained her lower back in the mud but my mother managed to help her into the river too I should have been looking out for them: Even now I regret my actions at that moment.” The incendiary payload dropped on Toyama burned the city to the ground Fire spread close to the river where Satō and his family cowered under their wet futons until the flames receded we were greeted with the shocking sight of the smoldering ruins dozens of corpses washed ashore in the nearby city of Himi I heard they even found a young mother holding her newborn baby.” Satō continues his graphic account of the hellish scenes of the bodies that floated down the Jinzū River into Toyama Bay before they washed ashore on the coast of Himi “Try to imagine the consequence of bombing a densely populated residential area there are rules against attacking civilians But Japan and Germany were the first to break these rules Satō’s narration places the bombing of Toyama within the context of Pacific War chronology He studied the history of Japan’s aggression of his own volition visiting battle sites in Okinawa and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial gradually gathering more information for his talks After listening to Satō for almost an hour the students meekly share their impressions with him I thought Japan had been the victim in the war.” “I feel I’ve heard the true history of the war something I didn’t learn from school textbooks.” and the other is her teenaged daughter Nanako They are currently learning from the aging Satō and Akiyo suggested he should stop giving talks His response was “It’s my mission,” leading Akiyo to consider what she could do to help Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 spurred her into action A news flash reported that Ukraine’s capital Kyiv had been bombed and Russian ground troops had crossed the border reminding Akiyo of her father’s descriptions of World War II “I felt I couldn’t stay silent,” and she wondered what to do she read online of a project in Hiroshima training people to continue sharing the stories of hibakusha (atomic bomb victims) The city of Hiroshima launched the project in 2012 as a way of ensuring that the stories of victims would continue being shared with future generations two groups were engaged in bearing witness to the atomic bombing: actual survivors and “memory keepers.” Since 2022 the city has also started training a new group known as “family witnesses,” children and grandchildren of hibakusha who are accredited to relay the stories following two years of training “That’s what I could do,” and she also asked her daughter if she was interested Nanako’s response was immediate: “Yes I’ll do it!” She was also agonized by the news of the Russian invasion Satō’s granddaughter Nishida Nanako (center) and daughter Akiyo listen closely to his recollections The media showed young children in shelters crying “I don’t want to die,” or walking through the ruins “After learning there are children just like me who are caught up in war Doing nothing at all is the same as tolerating the violence I want to do what I can to make sure that the people who died or were injured in the war aren’t forgotten.” Nishida and her daughter began accompanying Satō when he gave lectures for “training.” In February 2024 the three traveled to Okinawa to visit former battlefields “Carrying on my activities requires broad knowledge Okinawa is the only part of Japan that experienced land battles during the war I want people to know how Japan’s military leaders exacerbated the devastation in its attempt to slow the US forces even slightly.” US forces use a flamethrower to attack Japanese troops and civilians hiding in a cave during the Battle of Okinawa on June 25 (Collection of the Okinawa Prefectural Archives) They visited the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum in Naha dedicated to a ship that was evacuating hundreds of schoolchildren from Okinawa to Nagasaki when it was sunk by the US military they went to the Himeyuri Peace Museum in Itoman which bears witness to the horrific conditions faced by school students who were mobilized to act as nurses on the battlefield The three made another stop at the Urasoe Castle ruins and passed the imposing US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma nearby as they drove northeast on National Route 58 American forces carry a colleague killed in action close to the Urasoe Castle ruins during the Battle of Okinawa on April 22 Nishida Akiyo gave a lecture on behalf of her father Nanako gave her first talk to students at an after-school facility but I’ll do my best to keep learning so I can keep his story alive.” Banner photo: The view of Toyama from the roof of the Toyama Electric Building immediately following the firebombing of the city from Toyama daikūshū [The Bombing of Toyama] AD Leave a rating/comment#Nihonga / Ukiyoe#Craft / FolkcraftBack to ArticlesSHARE