cherry blossoms and refreshing onsen in Toyama this springtime Nestled in Toyama Prefecture on Japan’s western coast From its delicious red snow crab to serene gardens picturesque parks and renowned hot springs the city offers something for every traveler — whether you’re a foodie an outdoor enthusiast or simply seeking relaxation Uozu is famed for its red snow crab a culinary treasure celebrated for its sweet a type of paste made from a crab’s innards The city boasts the highest landings of red snow crabs in Toyama Prefecture and the largest catch in all of Japan Its proximity to the fishing grounds also allow the crabs to reach market shelves within hours of being caught ensuring the crabs are at their freshest and most flavorful when served From September to May, Uozu’s fish markets and seafood restaurants serve up this delectable crustacean in a variety of ways — steamed, grilled or as part of an indulgent full-course meal at restaurants which you can check out here Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite or a luxurious dining experience, the red snow crab is a must-try dish in Uozu. You can learn more about these crab experiences at the Uozu City Tourism Association website (in Japanese only) Spring is a magical time to visit Uozu, as the city comes alive with vibrant cherry blossoms and lush greenery. Mira Park stands out as a premier cherry blossom viewing spot drawing locals and tourists alike with its breathtaking blooms and family-friendly atmosphere.  Nearby attractions include the Uozu Aquarium, the oldest in Japan, and Mirage Land, a theme park with a Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the Sea of Japan and the Tateyama Mountain Range. Mira Park also hosts various events throughout the year, with past events including yoga sessions and outdoor cinema screenings. Check the park’s website for details on upcoming activities during your visit.  For a tranquil experience, Hana no Mori Tenjinyama Garden stands out as one of Toyama’s most photogenic locations. Renowned Singaporean photographer Kai, owner of Studio Jove, named it one of the seven most picturesque spots in the prefecture This serene retreat showcases the beauty of spring with its diverse array of seasonal flowers providing a peaceful escape to connect with nature Whether you’re strolling beneath the cherry blossoms or capturing vibrant floral displays both parks offer an idyllic backdrop for a spring day there’s no better way to unwind than at Kintaro Onsen a hot spring resort recognized among Japan’s 100 best hot springs by the Kanko Keizai newspaper scenic natural setting and tranquil atmosphere Kintaro Onsen provides a luxurious retreat to relax and rejuvenate The hot springs are rich in minerals believed to have therapeutic properties aiding relaxation and improving skin health Whether soaking in an outdoor bath surrounded by lush greenery or enjoying the serenity of indoor baths Kintaro Onsen offers the perfect escape to refresh both body and mind Kintaro Onsen also offers accommodations that seamlessly blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort Sleep in a traditional tatami room and wake up to stunning views of nature After a rejuvenating soak in the hot springs savor local delicacies in the resort’s restaurant including dishes featuring fresh red snow crab For more information about Kintaro Onsen and its facilities, please visit their official website For a flexible and scenic way to experience Uozu renting an electric-assisted bicycle is the perfect option The city offers four rental stations where visitors can easily pick up bikes equipped with electric motors making rides more enjoyable and accessible Cycling through Uozu’s charming streets allows you to discover hidden gems, visit parks and restaurants and take in the peaceful shorelines of the Sea of Japan. With the ease of electric assistance travelers of all fitness levels can explore the city comfortably at their own pace. For more information, visit the Uozu Cycle Navigation website stunning natural beauty and relaxing accommodations Uozu is an ideal destination for experiencing the best of spring in Japan away from the crowds This hidden gem offers something for everyone — from savoring fresh red snow crab to exploring scenic parks soaking in the rejuvenating waters of Kintaro Onsen or cycling through the city’s charming streets For a comprehensive map of things to do in Uozu, check out the city’s official English tourist map, or visit the Uozu City Tourism Association website 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 No reproduction or republication without written permission Focus on Japan A deep-sea slender oarfish is examined at the Uozu Aquarium in Uozu TOKYO >> A mysterious fish that lives deep below the ocean’s surface has been popping up in the waters of Toyama Bay causing marine experts to scratch their heads A deep-sea slender oarfish was caught in a fixed net .62 miles off Imizu Jan 28 and delivered to the Uozu Aquarium in Uozu in the prefecture That makes three fish caught in Toyama Bay last month as two slender oarfish were also found on Jan characterized by long silvery-white bodies and red fins The fish is called “ryugu no tsukai” in Japanese meaning “messenger from the palace of the dragon king.” The latest fish caught was nearly 13 feet long the fourth longest to be found in Toyama Prefecture 20 slender oarfish have been found in Toyama Bay since 2009 “(Finding several in a row) is said to be the forerunner of an earthquake or to be influenced by ocean temperatures but research is scarce and we don’t know the cause,” said Satoshi Kusama According to the prefecture’s Fisheries Research Institute the water temperature on the surface of Toyama Bay this month is several degrees higher than usual while temperatures at the depth of the fishes’ habitat are slightly below average The fish’s carcass is in good condition and was exhibited last weekend at the aquarium Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Japan’s northwestern coast is home to many mystical sightseeing destinations Uozu is an old fishing town that allows you to experience the elements in an unprecedented way but it is one of the few places in Japan where you can see them year-round “mirage” is synonymous with “spring.” Head to Uozu’s coast where you can witness a fascinating trompe-l’œil you can see the remains of an ancient forest from 2,000 years ago While learning about how the forest stayed intact for centuries visitors can view its underwater roots and even touch the protruding stumps The museum is also home to a café that offers instagrammable desserts made with whole fruits there is a beautiful local delicacy lurking in the waters: the hotaru ika Firefly squids are famous for their unique bioluminescence which makes them appear to glow in the dark but one of the largest schools of firefly squids in the country come to shore to lay their eggs in Uozu Enjoy eating this unique fare in a variety of forms around town — including sashimi Blessed with both abundant ocean and freshwater resources Uozu has a plethora of delicacies on offer what appears on your plate will change drastically with the seasons Some nationally-celebrated exports from Uozu include apples Uozu manages to grow a range of produce thanks to stellar management of water sources Measuring 9 meters tall and 12 centimeters in diameter the Higashiyama Cylinder Cistern is a true engineering wonder It was built out of stone over 50 years ago and still stands strong water from the mountains evenly distributed between three surrounding municipalities but this simple yet effective water tank resolved several centuries’ worth of debates on local water rights in one swift flush Uozu’s estival festivities took the streets by storm this summer Numerous celebrations around this season fall under the Jantokoi Uozu Festival umbrella but the main event is the 300-year-old Tatemon Festival which takes place on the first weekend of August The Tatemon Festival features a float with 16-meter-tall pillars with 90 paper lanterns hanging from them The float is then pulled by 80 people in traditional festival garb the float made its way from downtown Uozu to the coast Its thought that the pyramid shape replicates that of an altar with offerings to the Gods will bring the local fisherman a good catch A mysterious fish that lives deep below the ocean's surface has been popping up in the waters of Toyama Bay A deep-sea slender oarfish was caught in a fixed net about 1 kilometre off Imizu on Monday and delivered to the Uozu Aquarium in Uozu in the prefecture That makes three fish caught in Toyama Bay just this month as two slender oarfish were also found on January 19 in waters off Imizu and Namerikawa Slender oarfish live at a depth of 200 to 300 meters and are characterised by long silvery-white bodies and red fins The fish is called "Ryugu no tsukai" in Japanese meaning "messenger from the palace of the dragon king." 20 slender oarfish have been found in Toyama Bay since the first confirmed sighting there in 2009 "[Finding several in a row] is said to be the forerunner of an earthquake or to be influenced by ocean temperatures but research is scarce and we don't know the cause," said Satoshi Kusama According to the prefecture's Fisheries Research Institute while temperatures at a depth of about 200 to 300 meters are slightly below average The fish's carcass is in good condition and will be exhibited on February 2 and 3 at the aquarium Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs Meet the ritual figures invented by the Japanese to try to tame the elements which celebrates the best of contemporary photography And that’s exactly what draws you into Fréger’s documentation of ritual Japanese figures: just how contemporary tradition can be I was in Delhi working in schools on the idea of school transportation where you can’t navigate by car because roads are so narrow people use school rickshaws to transport children I was looking into the communities of Delhi through that lens It’s a sort of portrait of India and its social classes R&K: How do you usually prepare for these projects I went with an assistant and I had three Indian assistants on location that had organized meetings with schools and that helped me contact certain groups The preparation for each trip is much longer than the shooting time We need to find the subjects but also the place and then contact them and create a schedule I’m always preparing many projects at the same time five or six trips that might or might not work out R&K: How much time did you spend on the project Yokainoshima Fréger: Not very long, I took five trips in two years. The book is called Yokainoshima A yokai is a creature that is strictly Japanese and that can be a monster and that shows up on Earth to poison people’s daily lives and also a god that descended from the mountains to bring a message and to scare children All of this is a question of how you consider each creature and what the context of the celebration is “Yokainoshima” is not a real island I came up with that title because throughout the project I always thought about being on an imaginary territory and we didn’t know what we would find on each We see how figures and traditions that come from far away have migrated or how they created themselves on their own There are things that resemble what you would find in Cambodia but there are also things that resemble European masquerades R&K: You specifically looked at Europe’s winter traditions in your book Wilder Mann Were you looking for the same types of celebrations in Japan At first I started working on one tradition that had a strong resemblance to what I had photographed for Wilder Mann: the Namahage but when I decided to continue this project We are not in the same mindset of what I found in Europe—carnivals and masquerades Japan’s traditions accompany the inhabitants of a town or of an island throughout the rhythms of life and of nature and also remind them of their responsibilities towards the community R&K: You had to work around quite a few restrictions on how and when you could photograph these traditions Some groups allowed me to photograph them only on the day of the celebration otherwise the project would have taken 20 years My work was not to document the celebrations It was to pick out figures I was interested in and to photograph them in my visual territory a place coherent to me with all the subjectivity that implies R&K: How were you able to pick out the shoot locations so quickly Fréger: I just showed up an hour or two before Most of these groups came from small towns or villages so it was easy One tradition was in the suburbs of Tokyo though Preparation isn’t the most complex part What was difficult was the weather and the willingness of people to get involved and to take time to do this R&K: Just putting on the costume must have taken a while in some cases and that’s also why certain groups only agreed to be photographed during the festival; simply wearing the costume was complex Some costumes are made with natural materials They were made on the day of the celebration so in those cases we had to be there that day It was similar for the straw men in Wilder Mann R&K: How were you able to see what the costumes would look like in advance Had they already been documented in photographs or drawings Fréger: These figures are often used in villages as tourist draws so there is a little bit of material—documents there are these little black devils and then we’d go to find them because I’m interested in the character People wear masks that don’t cover the entire face so you’ll see the person’s ears or cheeks for example European masks often cover the face completely We hide the hands and whatever gives the man away behind the costume I think there is a willingness to show that the man is still there People aren’t transformed; they are playing What’s really apparent about Japan in this project is theatricality we were documenting the transformation of people R&K: You’ve worked in Japan already “Rikishi,” and the one about the Seijinshiki ceremony What did this new project teach you about the country Fréger: “Rikishi” was made in Tokyo and its surroundings for two years “Seijinshiki” was made in Osaka and Kyoto I traveled throughout the rest of Japan and discovered something else entirely Sometimes I think Japanese people think food drops from the sky It’s so much more chic to sell robots and cell phones than to grow rice we are arriving at a point where it’s crucial to ask questions like: what does it mean to live in Japan when 80% of the population lives in the cities and the countryside is deserted many people don’t know anything about rural life and what takes place in the countryside people told me they knew about the Namahage but they didn’t know about 90% of these traditions R&K: Will these traditions disappear for good Maybe that’s what I want to believe in but these festivals are still important to people I went to tiny villages where people came back from cities or from other countries even just to participate in winter celebrations It’s a mistake to think that these traditions will disappear for good There are many urban practices that go away without us noticing will we say tomorrow that graffiti has disappeared but in the rural space we talk about extinction What really counts in the countryside is how many people will be capable of perpetuating the traditions but it’s the fact that things go so quickly that we forget them and we move on to the next new thing we’ll notice that no one is skateboarding anymore because I spend my time traveling to places that are more and more bruised I don’t really believe in globalization What I see is that despite this idea of a globalizing world there are practices that continue and that are being reinforced What I’m most worried about is how the environment in which I travel is being destroyed and worn out I don’t really feel like an environmentalist but many of their beaches are real dumpsters R&K: What you are saying about globalization sums up your entire body of work they all have one thing in common: community The sense of having something in common with your neighbor that also means having something in common against someone else Identity would be vague without some sort of rivalry If there wasn’t a soccer team against another soccer team then there wouldn’t be communal stimulation There is a strong energy in the idea of wanting to be together and create a common identity We are told that we live in an age of individuality but people are constantly on their cell phones Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up. Inevitably when you travel, no matter how far you go or how different the people, your mind looks for parallels between your life and theirs. Hong Kong, as seen through the flaring lens of Liam Fitzpatrick/Black Bauhinia. One phone, 11 million people. The artists and musicians of São Paulo share an iPhone throughout September. Photographer Louise te Poele returns home to photograph the farmers she knew as a child. An R&K interview about her controversial work. The main threats are large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rains with an isolated tornado also possible. FORECASTSHARE PHOTOS & VIDEOGiant squid surfaces in Japanese harborby Jamie Barrientos The appearance of numbers of the creatures is believed to be an omen of natural disaster I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice One specimen measuring just under 4m was accidentally caught in a fixed net about 1km off Imizu At least three others have been found over the past week According to the Uozu Aquarium in Toyama bay the first confirmed oarfish sighting in the area came in 2009 since then 20 have been found with four of those in 2015 which is distinguished by a long silvery body and red fins has reportedly left marine biologists perplexed as they live between 200m and 1,000m (650ft to 3,200ft) below the surface which are known as “Ryugu no tsukai” in Japanese or the “Messenger from the Sea God’s Palace,” has long been believed to be an omen of natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis According to the region’s Fisheries Research Institute the water temperature at the surface in Toyama Bay is several degrees higher than average while at deeper depths – between 200m and 300m Speaking to the Straits Times Satoshi Kusama of Uozo Aquarium said: “[Finding several in a row] is said to be the forerunner of an earthquake or to be influenced by ocean temperatures but research is scarce and we don’t know the cause.” Yoshiaki Kai, assistant professor at Kyoto University’s Maizuru Fisheries Research Station, told the paper: “I have never heard of so many of them coming up like this. There have been occurrences of fishermen releasing them into the sea after catching them in stationary nets because they couldn’t sell them on the market.” Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds The most recent fish’s carcass was on display at Uozu Aquarium over the weekend. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Toyama Prefecture--When Taku Suganuma hauled up his fixed fishing net off the coast of Imizu he made a catch of the day that he had never seen before The strange fish had a unique face with a protruding head rippling its dorsal fin and shaking its 1-meter-long silver body caught the fish on the Shintokumaru fishing boat when the firefly squid fishing season was coming to an end which is often caught in nets during this season a younger colleague knowledgeable about fish species said it might be a deep-sea North Pacific crestfish Suganuma decided to give the fish to the Uozu Aquarium because of its rarity a North Pacific crestfish hadn't been spotted in Toyama Prefecture for more than 30 years since one was found washed up at the mouth of the Katakaigawa river in Uozu in 1988 eight of the unicornfish either were caught or were snared in nets between February and April last year The North Pacific crestfish is characterized by a red dorsal fin and releases black ink from its anus in response when it senses danger It is believed that the fish lives in the intermediate layer at depths between 200 and 1,000 meters offshore but details about its life remain unknown because it is rarely caught Specimens usually quickly die due to differences in the water temperature and other factors when brought to the surface Only one of the eight fish taken to the aquarium remained alive for about an hour It released a large amount of ink several times as it swam around in a large tank containing 16 tons of seawater instantly limiting visibility to only 10 centimeters ahead said that the white flesh of the fish is crunchy like flounder when served as sashimi A close look at the contents of its stomach provided hints of the North Pacific crestfish's life and ecosystem as well as a threat to marine life: plastic waste where the water suddenly deepens from the shore fish that live in the intermediate layer could wander into fixed nets." a senior researcher at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) who is an expert in marine biology "Because they have poor swimming capabilities they seem unable to return to deep water once they are carried by the current that flows to the surface." Many deep-sea creatures stay still and wait for prey to conserve their energy There are also discoveries that emerged after the North Pacific crestfish was caught in May Packaging film for medicines and video cassettes were found in its stomach It is thought that the fish mistakenly consumed such waste items because it uses its big eyes to find food It is said that modern research into the deep sea started in 1872 with the expedition of the HMS Challenger Although there have been a wide variety of findings since then "At least 90 percent of the deep seas surrounding Japan have never been explored by anyone," Fujiwara said it is even more surprising when details about creatures living in the dark environment come to light It has been learned that there are life forms in the deep sea where light is absent that use chemical substances streaming from the Earth's surface as energy sources Other mysterious creatures include predatory tunicates which remain still and patiently wait for their food to drift toward them and "honekui-hanamushi," a type of tube worm that takes root in the bones of dead whales on the seabed to absorb organic matter The Atlantic footballfish has a "fishing rod" on the top of its head Although the male is so tiny that it appears to be a lump on the body of a female he bites into her skin and connects its blood vessels to those of the female to live on nourishment from her "We learn more and more about how artful creatures can be to survive and how cleverly they have evolved That's the charm of the deep sea," Fujiwara said (This article was written by Mamoru Takatsu and Natsuki Edogawa.) Southern fish survive winter off Izu amid warmer waters The nation's first cases of suspected side effects from vaccination against COVID-19 were reported after a patient developed hives The individual who developed hives was inoculated at Toyama Rosai Hospital in Uozu The person's condition was said to have improved by the end of the day after receiving treatment Hives is known to be among side effects associated with inoculation against strains of influenza The health ministry said it is the nation’s first case of a suspected side effect from the coronavirus vaccination that the government became aware of The health ministry said it had confirmed one other case of a suspected side effect from the novel coronavirus vaccination by 5 p.m an individual developed chills after receiving a jab on Feb Initially the hospital said it was anaphylaxis Vaccination against the novel coronavirus began on Feb with health care workers the first to receive their shots COVID-19 vaccinations start for ‘eager’ medical workers Cartoon dog pitches COVID vaccines to skeptical Japanese public EDITORIAL: Government must have proper plan in place for vaccine rollout Government indecision frustrates local vaccine plans High hurdles await Japan’s unprecedented vaccine program SPONSORED BY CENTRAL JAPAN TOURISM ASSOCIATION through its exhibits and housing the impressive preserved remains of cedar trees from a forest engulfed and buried in floodwaters roughly 2,000 years ago offers a rich insight into the effects of an event borne through local climate change Some of these “trees from the underworld” were said to have been 500 years old at the time of the disaster Submerged in tanks of the area’s pristine waters and remarkably devoid of algae and other diseases the buried trees became home to a diverse microbial community testament to the famed quality of Toyama’s water flexibility and adapting to change are commonly found characteristics in businesses belonging to some of Toyama’s oldest industries Much of the Kanayamachi (metalwork district) in Takaoka speaks of the area’s history as quarters for Japan’s best metalworkers metalware and casting at the invitation of feudal lord Maeda Toshinaga over 400 years ago Walking along Kanayamachi’s cobbled streets latticed storefronts hint at businesses past but there’s also a slow-burning gentrification of the area restaurants and cafes — support long-established firms Visitors can tour the Risaburo Studio Foundry to see age-old bronze casting techniques Bronze foundry Yotsukawa Works exemplifies the straddling of old and new in its brands one brand associated with incense and tea wares as well as factory tours where visitors can observe manufacturing processes Tableware made of 100% tin and wind chimes are just a couple of product lines Nousaku specializes in expert knowledge and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations over 100 years nodding to Yoshida’s experiences and the company’s expansion overseas where participants can indulge in the handicraft of making fasteners before machines were invented and made such tasks automated while adjacent parkland features 180 cherry trees representing 14 species Fujitsu crafts sustainable innovation for itself, society an oarfish measuring nearly four metres from snout to tail was found tangled in a fishing net off the port of Imizu The fish was already dead but was later taken to the nearby Uozu Aquarium to be studied snake-like fish were discovered in Toyama Bay nine days earlier A record four oarfish were found in Toyama Bay in 2015 but that could be surpassed this year The species – characterised by long silver bodies and red fins – usually inhabit deep waters and the fish are rarely seen from the surface although legend has it that when oarfish rise to shallow waters Even the species’ traditional Japanese name ryugu no tsukai – which translates as “messenger from the palace of the dragon king” – hints at its links to natural disasters in the past Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version The schoolgirls with a taste for adventure just thought they were set for a fun day of investigation in the spring of 1996 the bodies of Megumi Yashiki and Narumi Takumi were found in a car at the bottom of a nearby port That tragic discovery ended a generation-long search for the girls' whereabouts - but it hasn't silenced some people's theories about what happened to Megumi and Narumi in Uozu City that fateful day early internet forums were awash with rumour and intrigue about the pair's fate North Korean kidnappers were suspected, as well as thugs from a bosozoku biker gang The second theory was likelier than the first - the derelict Hotel Tsubono which closed amid financial ruin in the 1980s became a popular haunt for the criminal biker groups But that doesn't explain why the girls were found in Megumi's car at the bottom of the Fushiki Port on the journey home to Himi City from Uozu Narumi Takumi and her friend were not found for almost 25 yearsREAD MORE: Celebs who helped solve crimes – Ashton Kutcher murder case to Teri Hatcher abuseThe last anyone heard from the pair was a pager message sent at 10pm on May 5 by Narumi to a friend: "We are in Uozu." Megumi and Narumi's parents reported them missing But police were preoccupied with Golden Week the major Japanese holiday period which takes place in late April and early May The authorities' response was slow and ineffective Japanese laws state Narumi and Megumi's names could not be publicly released until a year later The Tsubono Hotel in Uozu has long been thought haunted by locals(Image: URL:)READ MORE: Sonar images may solve 65-year-old mystery of missing plane following fatal crashThat was until 2014 when shocking witness testimony emerged to present a huge new lead in the girls' mysterious disappearance Three anonymous witnesses told local police they had seen a car with two girls inside roll backwards into the bay at Fushiki Port One of them said: “A car with two women dropped from a parking lot into the sea near Kaiomaru Park at midnight of a major holiday in 1996.” They added when they approached the car to speak to the girls "the car suddenly started moving backwards and fell" Want all the latest shocking news and views from all over the world straight into your inbox crime dramas and breaking stories - all delivered in that Daily Star style you love Our great newsletters will give you all you need to know from hard news to that bit of glamour you need every day They'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like You can sign up here - you won't regret it.. Asked why they hadn't come forward with this crucial information for 18 years Police believed them and chose not to suspect foul play - nor investigate further So it was another six years before Megumi and Narumi's families would finally get an answer police waited till March 2020 to send a crane into the bay to pull the car out Eight metres below the surface was the car containing "skeletal remains" and a credit card with the name "Yashiki Megumi" Screenshot from a 2010 video exploring the derelict Hotel TsubonoREAD MORE: Twisted 'Dating Game Killer' won TV show while secretly raping and murdering '130 women'Tragically Megumi's mother said she thought her daughter had simply run away from home She told a newspaper in 2020: "It was so long ago "I had a hope that she was doing fine and living somewhere else so I was puzzled to learn of the discovery of the car I feel sorry that [she existed] in such a cold place for so long." Megumi's father was less pleased with the police response saying: "I don't trust [the witnesses] at all The 25-year-old remains of the girls were found in Fushiki Port, in between Uozu and their home city Himi(Image: URL:)READ MORE: Daniel Morgan expert predicts 'police corruption' bombshell in private eye murder report"I don't know who they are. I have asked the police but they won't tell me." He said he wanted the investigation to continue, but the police refused. The chief of the Toyama prefecture's police department said: "We will investigate as needed in the future." Needless to say, the internet rumour mill has only intensified since the puzzling witness testimony, the discovery of the car and the bizarre time gap between each new development. A popular post on Reddit forum Unsolved Mysteries alleged it was simply a case of panic by various players involved. User Freak_Out_Bazaar wrote: "From the girls’ perspective I think they were startled when they were approached and they tried to move the car. The hotel had been abandoned since the 1980s"The car unbeknownst to them was in reverse, car starts rolling backwards, panic sets in, the accelerator is now the break in the driver’s head, driver tries to stop the car by pressing hard on the break (which the accelerator), car accelerates backwards into the water." "From the witnesses' perspective, it’s only natural to try to leave a traumatic situation, especially if it’s spontaneous and has nothing to do with you in person. "You sort of get frozen in place and the mind starts making up stories to fit the narrative that things are OK, 'They probably got out fine' or maybe 'They were just mannequins and someone’s trying prank us' etc. Hotel Tsubono has become a popular destination for ghost hunters‌"And of course, as more time passes it becomes nearly impossible to come forward. "Anecdotally, when I was a witness to a car accident (along with many others) it took a while for someone to actually do something. Once someone stepped in many followed but for the first while it was just a bunch of us staring. "People can act weirdly when subject to panic." Long-eared sea bream is originally a fish that inhabits 200 to 1000 meters of water depth and does not originally come to the sea level but it is said that the individual in the picture was the seventh animal raised in the same area during one season Uozu Aquarium Official (@uozuaquarium_official) shared a share- January 28 Nishima Kazusa of the Uozu Aquarium told CNN 'There is no scientific evidence that Ryugunotukai will appear before a big earthquake but there is no denying 100% of the possibility,' while 'global warming There may be some reasons why we are affecting Ryugu Notsukai or why we are not aware of it Uozu Aquarium Official (@uozuaquarium_official) shared a share- January 31 Three mechanisms that cause gusts at subway stations I tried using a new generation mosquito removing machine 'Mosquito Hoi Hoi Mosquito Sweeper' that captures mosquito without killing insecticidal ingredients. Jun 23, 2019 09:00:00 in Science,   Creature