Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Kanagawa Prefecture—Visitors can wander through an enchanting wonderland of pink and white flowers at the Yugawara Plum Grove’s 30th annual plum festival nine-hectare grove contains around 4,000 plum trees of 28 varieties The early-blooming Ryokugakushidare trees are particularly striking Rock climbers on the cliff can also enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean beyond the grove a free shuttle bus runs from Yugawara Station and vendors sell local products and plum-flavored ice cream from stalls at the grove The plum blossoms are expected to reach full bloom within a week Geisha and ‘maiko’ welcome visitors at plum blossom festival ‘Umeshu’ plum wine producers from Wakayama court the French Digital art brings nightly spectacle to blossom-filled Kairakuen park 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 If you’ve found yourself imagining a life with a cat, but you've lacked the fortitude to commit to an unknown roommate, there’s an inn located in Japan that might be the perfect testing grounds for you. Located in the hot spring town of Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, My Cat Yugawara is an inn that’s enticing its visitors with a cuddly proposition: a “trial” sleepover with a cuddly feline Traditional Japanese inns known as “ryokans” are most recognizable by their signature minimalistic designs and furnishings as well as communal baths and personalized services This particular ryokan has the added bonus of the overnight guest potentially ending in pet ownership saw an opportunity to help those seeking cat companions but wrestled with uncertainties because of various living conditions The owner wanted to provide hopefuls a safe trial run at pet ownership The “trial packages” are attached to the price of a normal room booking so an entire family can experience a day in the life of pet ownership Those who seek the packages are first required to spend time in the establishment’s cat café, where staff can gauge how comfortable they are around its feline residents. Ochi comments know the personality of each and every cat ‘child’ we have because of how close we all are and calm.” The owner also explains that this special sleepover is a passion project “We are not operating for profit,” Ochi admits “A huge portion of our income goes to maintaining the facility including feeding the cats and maintaining their health.” The guests (who are referred to as “foster parents”) will need to agree to the inn's rules for being a hospitable roommate and caregiver a cat will arrive at the guest’s room at 5:30 PM and will stay until 9:00 AM the following morning guests aren’t allowed to leave the cat unattended This is to encourage them to bond with a feline visitor via feeding they can move on to the next phase—they have to fill out an adoption application followed up by an interview This last stage is so staff can determine if the guest and the cat are a great fit for one another cats are then called “graduates” and are celebrated at their departure This novel approach to pet adoption and cat feline relations is certain to provide memorable stories and welcomed additions to families Adorable Cat Parfaits Are Served at This Traditional Japanese Book Cafe Weatherman’s Cat Crashes His Home Broadcast and She’s Now a Beloved Co-Host Modular Cat Furniture Doubles as Chic Wall Art That Pet Parents Will Love Japan Releases a Range of Miniature Furniture for Cats Want to advertise with us? Visit My Modern Met Media Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening as previously reportedA bouldering event was held by ARC'TERYX and Huinum on Thursday a bouldering gym located a 30-second walk from Ogikubo Station It is a popular facility visited by a wide range of people from beginners to national athletes and Olympians This event was designed for complete beginners The event was designed to introduce readers to the roots of Arcteryx and to give them a chance to experience the appeal of bouldering with two instructors leading a lecture on the basic rules and tips for climbing The photos below will give you an idea of what the participants thought of the event Here is a report on the "firsts" of the participants who gathered at the venue The two instructors for this year's event are Let's start with an explanation of the rules The colorful protrusions on the wall are called "holds," and you start by grabbing a taped hold with both hands and lifting both feet off the ground The climber then climbs up using the same color hold as the starting point and reaches the goal when he or she touches the topmost hold This type of climbing course is called a "challenge the color of the tape indicates the level of difficulty In the case of "B-PUMP OGIKUBO," pink is the gentlest grade 8 and light green is the 2nd level for very advanced players Everyone cleared the beginner level without any difficulty saying that climbing up to the top is pure fun "It is good to connect the recoil from bending the lower body to the movement of the upper body "It is important to lift your body upward with the power of your legs The participants were improving as they climbed which is difficult for beginners to climb in a day which is said to be difficult for beginners to climb in a single day it is a joy to turn "I can't do it" into "I can do it It seems that everyone felt the same pleasure in bouldering Everyone in the room watches as the boulder rises to the challenge This sense of unity is perhaps one of the charms of bouldering We asked the two participants what they had felt during these few hours of bouldering I was very grateful that beginners were able to get together and work together like this Everyone laughed at us even when we failed That kind of at-home atmosphere was the best part of the event the problem I worked so hard to climb was only grade 6 I wondered if this was still for beginners.. I need to learn how to use my lower body," said Mikio Kato I thought it was interesting to think about how to climb I thought it was interesting to think about that I have only done bouldering once in a college class But when you have an instructor giving a lecture like this you can absorb more than if you try it alone I had a strong image of Arcteryx as a hard shell to wear in the city on rainy days so I will check out items in that genre as well as fashion The next event will be held on Tuesday, November 19 at Makuyama Park in Yugawara. Like this event, it will be a beginner event with an instructor. Even though it is on the outer rock, it is a light event that anyone can enjoy, so if you are interested, please contact us atPlease feel free to apply! And you can discover it all in just 48 hours: You can reach Yugawara from Tokyo in about an hour by taking the shinkansen to Atami and then changing to the Tokaido line more budget option is to take the Tokaido line all the way get in the proper Yugawara mood by soaking your hands in the relaxing hand spa in front of the station The city is famous for its traditional yet affordable ryokan inns and hotels many of which offer shuttle services from the station so you can either go check in early or leave your bags at the local baggage storage and start your exploration of Yugawara Take the bus for Oku-Yugawara or Fudotaki and get off at Ochiaibashi and you’ll arrive at one of “The 100 Best Historical Parks in Japan.” Fans of history will appreciate the park’s monument inscribed with the only poem about a hot spring found in the Man’yoshu an 8th-century collection of Japanese waka poetry which happens to be about the Yugawara Onsen there’s also the Doppo-no-Yu footbath facility with nine types of onsen waters said to cure all sorts of ailments (adults: ¥300 don’t forget to drop by the park’s historic Kumano Shrine yoshi0511 / Shutterstock.com get on a bus going towards Oku-Yugawara and get off at Fudotaki to arrive at the Fudo and Godan waterfalls Fudo is only 15m-high but it’s been praised for its massive volume of water is over 100m in height and seems to be falling down a five-step staircase hence its name (“godan” means “five steps”) The vapors at the bottom of the Godan Waterfall also tend to make the entire area look like an onsen hot spring head back to your ryokan or hotel for a long hot spring bath tamu1500 / Shutterstock.com From early February to mid-March, the 40,000 ume (plum) trees at Makuyama Park turn it into a fantastical landscape of white and red that attracts thousands of visitors each year simply take a bus going towards Makuyama Koen and get off at the terminal Entry to the park during plum season costs ¥200 but in return you’ll get the chance to walk through a fragrant sea of color enjoying relaxing hiking trails and forest streams Yugawara isn’t just hot springs and ancient history. In the 20th century, it became one of Japan’s cultural centers, the legacy of which is the Yugawara Art Museum showcasing the works of artists with some connection to the city the museum also exhibits the works of Shinsui Ito a painter who specialized in bijinga(portraits of beautiful women) or the contemporary master Reiji Hiramatsu cdrw / Shutterstock.com 1:30 PM – The Great Buddha Head (Fukusenji Temple) Get on a bus going towards Fudotaki, then get off at Izumi Iriguchi. This will bring you face to face with the ceramic face of the Buddha at the Fukusenji temple. This… unique statue was originally housed at Nagoya Castle whose lord The statue was supposedly built whole but today only the head remains While it is the most famous part of the temple Fukusenji itself should not be overlooked as it is a beautiful historic place with more statues and examples of traditional architecture found all throughout its grounds Be sure to grab some local souvenirs like kibimochi (a dessert made from millet and rice flour coated with soybean flour) or a Yugawara dried fish and then say goodbye to Kanagawa’s onsen paradise Feature photo: wassei / Shutterstock.com famous for its hot springs and idyllic coastal views Iida Shouten (らぁ麺屋飯田商店) gives the town another claim to fame – award-winning ramen Visitors who make the journey out here may frown at the low-key setting—an aging two-storey prefab in this quiet residential backstreet—but as customers quickly gather outside in the mid-morning sunshine a sense of growing anticipation hints at something special Stepping inside will reset any assumption possibly made about this ramen shop's cosy A major refurbishment in June 2016 has transformed the interior into one of the best looking ramen shops in Japan wide L-shaped wood finish counter overlooking a giant kitchen area There's a sense of unity with the chefs' workspace as onlookers are invited to gaze at the magic that goes on in front of them The bowl itself is a divine experience and certainly one of the best bowls out there though the shoyu is probably the natural choice for the first-time visitor Poring over the select ingredient list reveals a level of detail fairly consistent with modern ramen trends unpasteurised soy sauces from across Hyogo Gunma and Wakayama to deliver a unique blend (including 4 dark soy sauces Nagoya-cochin and Sansui-jidori chicken to enhance the flavour chewy and flavourful – so good in fact I could lots of people ordering extra a blend of domestic wheats from across Hokkaido Fukuoka and Kagawa is used alongside natural sea water from Inner Mongolia and Okinawan Nuchi-masu salt Char siu comes in two varieties: local Kanagawa-born Sagami pork and chicken The optional wonton topping feels like a signature addition to the bowl You even get two: the black pork wonton (looks like a tiny Dementor) uses Hirata pork from Yamagata with the white wonton uses Tankai-jidori chicken from Shiga The shio tare uses a blend of 4-5 different salts Ishigaki salt and a Fukuen variety from China Even the bowls are specially made – Arita-yaki from Saga prefecture Expansive coastline just 5 minutes from the shop Iida Shouten is just a 10 minute walk from Yugawara Station with great access to Tokyo (JR) and the rest of Kanagawa (Odakyu Despite Iida Shouten's remote location you can still expect to queue over an hour on weekends they dish out numbered tickets ('seiriken') at set times of 8 a.m. Ticket holders get priority queuing from 10:50 a.m. * Closed on Mondays and 3rd Tuesday of every month Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan Focus features two in-depth reviews each month of fine art architecture and design exhibitions and events at art museums galleries and alternative spaces around Japan The contributors are non-Japanese art critics living in Japan The Living National Treasures Museum (Ningen Kokuho Bijutsukan in Japanese) was founded in 2007 to house the art collection of Nobuhiro Yamaguchi a local entrepreneur who continues to serve as the museum's chairman with galleries spread over three small floors but the museum very nicely brings together the work of some of the most celebrated Japanese traditional craft artists of the 20th century The Living National Treasures Museum in Yugawara and a view inside the current special exhibition of dolls amid concern that the nation's cultural patrimony was losing ground to Westernization the Japanese government set up a system to identify and support individuals with key skills in traditional crafts and performing arts The enabling legislation doesn't actually use the wording "Living National Treasure" -- that was coined by a newspaper reporter -- but the term has been widely adopted as snappier and easier to remember than the official wording ("Preserver of Important Intangible Cultural Properties") more than 175 individuals have been certified to date in eight categories including ceramics The designation comes with an annual stipend that ends upon death but the benefits to fame and reputation remain The museum exhibits about 200 works at any one time with themed shows that change three times a year pairs some 60 masterpieces of traditional doll making with paintings from the museum's collection There is no Living National Treasure designation in painting but the artists represented are well known and Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934.) Dolls currently on display include an amazingly lifelike depiction of a toddler holding a sparrow skillfully crafted by Goyo Hirata (1903-81) who was designated a Living National Treasure in 1955 Titled Koyorokobu ("Happy Child") this charming work is one of the museum's most popular exhibits to the point that visitors complain when it's not on view This exhibition is also a good opportunity to see a number of works by celebrated doll makers Ryujo Hori (1897-1984) and Juzo Kagoshima (1898-1982) Some of the outstanding ceramic pieces in the museum's collection a large bowl with camellia design by Rosanjin Kitaoji Yosaikaki (Aurora Vase) by Yasokichi Tokuda (1933-2009) who was designated a Living National Treasure in 1997 As you'd expect at a museum with this name most of what you'll see on any visit will indeed be the work of Living National Treasures frequently on display and worth the trip for its own sake is a large ceramic bowl with a design of camellia flowers made by Rosanjin Kitaoji (1883-1959) Rosanjin was offered the Living National Treasure designation in 1955 but was one of the few artists to decline the honor The museum also holds a significant collection of the work of Morihiro Hosokawa (b who served as prime minister of Japan in 1993 and 1994 is the opportunity it gives you to take in your hands something created by a Living National Treasure -- and actually use it visitors are offered a cup of matcha green tea served in their choice of a dozen or so tea bowls from the hands of ceramic luminaries like Shoji Hamada This service is included in the reasonable cost of admission a visitor enjoys a complementary bowl of matcha (photo by Alice Gordenker) designated a Living National Treasure in 1994 you can only look," comments curator Kohei Hayakawa we want our visitors to not only see great works of art which is why our museum shop includes not just the usual postcards and souvenirs but real works by real Living National Treasures." the "Mobile Museum" program brought fine art to Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture a community heavily damaged in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami All photographs courtesy of the museum unless otherwise stated 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 MIYAZAKI — Most Japanese people expect proper crosswalks to be drawn in white paint on black asphalt roads but recently colorful ones have started to appear A ight red-and-white striped crosswalk showed up in August this year near the prefectural government office in the center of Miyazaki Laws stipulate that drivers are obligated to stop or slow down at crosswalks so that pedestrians can cross the road safely The colorful crosswalks are intended to attract drivers’ attention as more cars appeared to slow down before the crosswalk where crosswalks are often covered with snow red and white crosswalks have been in use since around 2008 and have actually reduced traffic accidents But many people are still unfamiliar with the efforts so they often post about it on social media out of surprise Crosswalks must be white as required by a government decree but there are no regulations regarding the spaces between the white lines the spaces were painted red because the color is “easily visible from a distance,” while in Yugawara Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun 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 Shoyu ramen purveyor Iida Shoten in Yugawara an onsen town in Tokyo’s neighbouring prefecture Kanagawa is one of the most popular noodle restaurants in this region It’s consistently ranked as the top ramen restaurant on Tablelog.  The good news is, you now don’t have to travel more than two hours from Tokyo to sample Iida Shoten’s crowd-pleasing ramen. The restaurant will be offering its cold tantanmen at chain diner Denny’s for a limited time this summer from June 18 to July 22 A popular style of ramen originating from China’s Szechuan province the hot and spicy tantanmen is characterised by its distinctive use of sesame seeds the Japanese adaptation of the dish is made less spicy with the addition of a creamy soup base While Japanese tantanmen comes in several variations Iida Shoten’s take on the noodles stands out for the use of chilled soymilk and black vinegar to create a mildly tart and cooling broth that’s light refreshing and not too heavy on the stomach almonds and walnuts of various sizes has just the right amount of kick to elevate the refined broth.  With its immense popularity, Iida Shoten only accepts diners with reservations – even then, it’s not easy to score a seat. But as Denny’s has over 100 outlets across Tokyo this summer collaboration serves up a good and easy opportunity to finally taste the famed ramen For more information, check out Denny’s website.The article was published on June 17 and updated on June 24.More from Time Out Tokyo You can now dine in a vintage Orient Express first-class carriage in Hakone Sakura in Chiba is hosting its grand fireworks show again in summer This new cracker snack in Japan features 75 types of Pokemon Shibuya is looking to ban public drinking on streets at night Shinjuku joins Shibuya in banning public drinking on Halloween 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 Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Kanagawa Prefecture has such famous tourist areas as Yokohama Kamakura and Hakone -- which are all well known But there are also many unique festivals in Kanagawa which you can join in so please check the relevant website before you go China Town in Yokohama is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world with 140 years of history The annual Chinese New Year celebrations are a riot of noise and energy with lion dancers bursting into restaurants to perform for startled diners The other event is the Dragon Boat Race which is held in the bay in front of Yamashita Park on weekends around Yokohama Port Opening Day Festival as a marine event for the 13th Yokohama Port Festival six dragon boats were transferred from Hong Kong to Yokohama and the first Yokohama Dragon Boat Race was held The 2021 Dragon Boat Race will be held on May 30 (Saturday) and 31 (Sunday) You can form your own team and participate in the race or just enjoy watching it If you’d like to participate in the race with your team paddles and life jackets at the association it is advisable to bring a change of clothes and marine shoes hearing the drum and excitement of the race http://www.yokohama-dragon.com/ YUKAKE Matsuri in Yugawara (Hot Spring Water Sprinkling Festival) Hot springs in Yugawara are famous for their efficacy to cure they delivered spring water to feudal lords' residences or imperial villas the hot spring water was splashed over the palanquin to pray for safety of travel A reproduction of this is the Yugawara Yukake Matsuri which is considered to be one of the unique festivals in the Kanto region The festival is held on the 4th Saturday in May each year The festival starts at Fudo waterfall and proceeds for about two kilometers to Izumi Park Four mikoshi (portable shrines) parade through the hot spring town of Yugawara Buckets containing hot spring water are placed on both sides of the road and the people sprinkle hot water over the mikoshi Both those carrying the mikoshi and those sprinkling the water get quite wet One of the four mikoshi has an open recruitment for those who want to experience being a mikoshi bearer this year's Yukake Matsuri has been cancelled https://trip.pref.kanagawa.jp/destination/yugawara-onsen-hot-spring-water-sprinkling-festival/1820 One of the most unique festivals in Kanagawa Prefecture or maybe all around the world is the Kanamara Festival held at Kanayama Shrine which is a very quiet small shrine near Kawasaki Daishi Temple Many people from all over the world come at the Kanamara Festival https://trip.pref.kanagawa.jp/destination/kanayama-shrine/1234 For more information on trips to Kanagawa, visit https://trip.pref.kanagawa.jp/ Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites 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 you may want to explore and experience the pleasant autumn season a popular tourist town with many beautiful attractions Fuji over its beautiful lake and mountains you don’t have to drive long to reach this picturesque destination it’s a short one-hour ride or easily accessible via train Since I live in Yokosuka City near the U.S my wife and I often hit the road for some R&R in Hakone and took the Route 134 coastal highway and Seisho Bypass a large town at the west end of the Kanto Plain within two hours Although there are several options to drive from Odawara to Hakone we usually choose the turnpike because it runs via Lake Ashinoko to Hakone Town and offers the scenic views and fresh mountain air we are seeking Taikanzan parking for a splendid view of majestic Mt Fuji and the impressive Hakone Mountain Range Taikanzan Parking Area (Sky Lounge & Observatory) After enjoying refreshing morning air and the beautiful view of Mt After parking the car at the large public parking lot near Lake Ashinoko’s ferry port The Hakone Sekisho is an elaborate collection of restored wooden gates and buildings built by the Edo Shogunate Government over 400 years ago there are samurai warrior wax figures to demonstrate the inspections travelers were subjected to during the time Take a break here for some great souvenirs a quick soba lunch and manju buns filled with azuki bean jam We spent hours exploring the checkpoint then hit the road to Yugawara Town another famous hot spring resort 30 minutes away Admission: middle schoolers or older: 500 yen Yugawara City is home to dozens of traditional hot spring ryokan inns a beautiful valley with waterfalls and spacious park stretching along the valley with spa facilities Man-yo Park in the city center spreads along the Chitose River and was selected as one of the best 100 historical parks of Japan The recreational area is great for hiking and a nice picnic drinks and snacks for our al fresco meal inside The park even offers Japanese-language book rentals so you can take a break from hiking to sit and read to your hearts’ content the park also has another unique feature — Soyu a sprawling spa with indoor and outdoor hot spring baths enjoy the facility for five hours and enjoy a lunch made local fish and vegetables the spa also has a nice library of books about the city Although we didn’t reserve the spa facility we instead enjoyed the foot spa at the entrance for free After we ate lunch on a bench overlooking the beautiful valley driving along the Manazuru Road coastal highway of eastern Izu Peninsula deep blue waters of Sagami Bay greeted us as we drove by we made sure to stop at a seafood shop for some dried horse mackerel and visited the Odawara Castle to wrap up our day trip Yugawara Man-yo Park - Soyu Terrace “Books and Retreat” Kanagawa Prefecture (One-hour drive from Camp Zama and NAF Atsugi) The landmark castle and icon of Odawara has been around for 550 years is a concrete reproduction constructed in 1960 Enter the tower to check out the castle’s history in exhibits featuring facts and figures The castle grounds have a vast flower garden spread along the stone walls a classic teahouse and a couple of museums housed in traditional buildings we walked around the center city of Odawara looking for some local souvenirs The area outside the castle has a variety of restaurants so grab a meal and some snacks before you head home By the time we had shopped ‘til we dropped Make plans to visit this beautiful region soon especially as the foliage starts to change to vibrant yellows and deep crimsons The weather and views are a good reason to go but the hot springs and delicious local foods make it a place you definitely have to see for yourself Admission: Castle Tower: High schoolers and older 510 yen Samuraikan: High schoolers and older 200 yen JAPANESE school students from the Port Stephens city sister of Yugawara this week visited the area as part of a one week exchange They attended St Philips Christian College and had an Australian family experience being billeted to families from the school The Japanese students were treated to the sites of Port Stephens with a variety of excursions to Chairman of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee spoke to News of The Area about the sister cities arrangements Tateyama and Kushiro) and one in Washington State (Bellingham).” “Sister cities relationships provide an opportunity for citizens of the sister cities to get to know another culture through educational and make enduring friendships in the interests of world peace.” “Visiting Yugawara students benefit culturally and linguistically through interaction with Australian students.” “St Philips students also benefit culturally through interaction.” The sister city arrangement with Yugawara in Japan has formally been in place since 1999 and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" National Report A 39-year-old woman in Saitama Prefecture recalled her astonishment when she began experiencing what she feared were symptoms of the novel coronavirus in early August who gave birth through an emergency Caesarean section after becoming infected with COVID-19 is urging authorities to quickly build a system to save the lives of mothers and babies Her call follows a shocking news report earlier this month that a woman with the coronavirus gave birth to a boy prematurely at home in Chiba Prefecture after no hospital bed could be found for her The infant was confirmed dead when he was rushed to a hospital The woman in Saitama Prefecture was due to deliver her second child on Aug It is not clear how she contracted the virus But a child’s infection was confirmed at a nursery school that her 5-year-old daughter attends Although the daughter tested negative in testing of other children at the school the woman began having a cough and nasal stuffiness The expectant mother still had her sense of taste She swiftly got tested for the coronavirus at a hospital and her infection was confirmed on Aug Her doctor told her that she had pneumonia which is tasked to sort out which patients should be hospitalized told her that no hospital bed was available for her The Tokyo metropolitan area was hit by its worst wave of infections this summer She works from home and rarely goes out as a precaution against COVID-19 A worker with the public health center told her that she might have gotten the virus when she talked with the mother of the infected child for five minutes or so while wearing a mask staying away from her husband and the daughter The health of many COVID-19 patients rapidly deteriorates even though their initial symptoms were deemed mild or moderate The public health center finally found a hospital that admitted her on the night of Aug The woman was diagnosed with pneumonia during an examination at the hospital the following day she decided to have an emergency C-section as a doctor said pregnant women with COVID-19 tend to develop serious symptoms She gave birth to a boy who looked slightly smaller than other newborns The boy was taken to a room for newborns right after his birth to avoid getting the virus The woman was reunited with her baby right before she was released from the hospital on Aug She said she learned about the report on the woman with COVID-19 in Chiba Prefecture when she was hospitalized “I was terrified and pained when I thought it could have happened to me,” she said “Why is the health care system still not equipped to save lives despite nearly two years after the pandemic began?” The woman said she is hoping more people get vaccinated against COVID-19 She hoped to get inoculated soon after becoming pregnant But a municipality where she lives did not accept appointments for the vaccinations of residents in their 30s It prioritized inoculations of health care workers and people 65 or older There was no priority program for pregnant women to get vaccinated through the local government “If more people receive shots to reduce the risks to pregnant women it will help us contain the virus,” she said She said she will raise her son with gratitude to so many people including workers at the public health center and her hospital Chiba hospital secures beds for pregnant COVID-19 patients 18 at-home COVID-19 deaths in Tokyo area since July Mom abandons newborn after being wrongly denied abortion COVID-19 patient forced to give birth at home At-home care for infections proved nightmare in fourth wave Tokyo doctors fear surge in deaths of virus patients at home Today's print edition Home Delivery Tokyo’s newest tourist attraction will open its doors on Thursday just across the street from the Toyosu fish market Designed to emulate an Edo-period cityscape the establishment known as Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai hosts restaurants — many of which incorporate fresh products from the Toyosu market — and an onsen area that uses hot spring water sourced from Yugawara and Hakone popular hot spring towns in Kanagawa Prefecture.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The new establishment was set to open in 2018 — coinciding with the Tsukiji fish market's moved to Toyosu — and serve the same role as Tsukiji’s outer market local opposition to the move and the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed the opening for years 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 PORT Stephens Sister Cities program participants have been saying konichiwa once again as they have played host to a delegation of participants in the program from Yugawara in Japan President of the Yugawara International Exchange Association; Seiichi Tsuchiya Superintendent of the Yugawara Board of Education Nigel Dique of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee told News Of The Area “The aim of the visit was to explore ways of strengthening the sister city relationship by expanding cultural The delegation was briefed about the Port Stephens economy as well as visiting some of Port Stephens more iconic tourism attractions In respect to former Mayor and local MP John Bartlett who founded the Sister CitIes committee they also laid flowers at his grave The program was founded 30 years ago and is highly respected in Japan Anyone interested in getting involved in the Port Stephens Council Sister Cities program should visit www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au. Port Stephens has sister cities in Japan, and Bellingham in Washington. The Sister Cities program is a 355C committee of Council, and the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee receives funding each year for their administration costs. Membership to Sister Cities is open to everyone. Annual membership is $10 adults, $5 for youth or $25 for a family. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Are you sure you want to post this? We're asking people to rethink comments that seem similar to others that have been reported or downvoted this warning is a mistake Continue with Facebook Please use a standard web browser (like Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge) to log in with Google or Facebook. 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A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that usually features tatami-matted rooms and other public areas where guests may wear a casual summer kimono and talk to the owner Ryokans have existed since the 8th century which is also when the oldest hotel in the world these establishments are still relevant; one of them just went viral for its services It is called My Cat Yugawara and is located in the hot spring town of Yugawara there’s a “trial” package that allows guests to experience first-hand what it’s like living with a cat More info: mycat-yugawara.com Share icon Image credits: mycatyugawara told Bored Panda that there are people in Japan who want to keep or interact with cats but are unable to bring the animals to their home due to their living conditions a facility where such a person can spend the whole day in a room with a cat as if they belong to the same family is really needed “The cats in My Cat Yugawara are by no means working,” Ochi said “Everyone within My Cat Yugawara are family and best friends The owner said they are working a 24-hour shift themself A huge portion of our income goes to maintaining the facility Share icon Everyone who purchases the trial package will share their room with a cat The feline will arrive at 5.30 PM and stay until 9 AM guests must not leave the cat unattended Share icon Share icon First-time guests are also required to complete at least one session in the My Cat Yugawara cafe so that the staff can make sure they’re comfortable around the critters and that the cats are comfortable around them Share icon Share icon The trial package is not just fun and games Since the guests are responsible for taking care of the animal they will also have to clean its litter box with a scooper they will receive at check-in Share icon Share icon The trial package was created for people who are thinking about getting a cat as their pet but aren’t entirely sure whether or not that’s the right choice for them My Cat Yugawara hopes to help them to find out The best part is that if a person decides they not only want a cat but like the one they spent the night with My Cat Yugawara will make it possible to adopt it will have to go through an interview where the inn will determine whether or not they and the cat are a good fit Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon The trial package is a 2,200 JPY (about 21 USD) per-cat surcharge over the hotel’s regular price of 4,950 JPY (47 USD) per person or room rate of 3,190 JPY (30 USD) per guest for those staying in a room without a private bathroom Share icon Share icon Share icon These rates are without meals but the inn can happily help with placing orders with local restaurants that will deliver pizza or sushi Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Share icon Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing! Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to. This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself. Round attention Svg Vector Icons : http://www.onlinewebfonts.com/icon Report Hey..✅✅ Are you se︆︆x giant? ❤❤ i wait you here!! ✅✅Wr︆︆ite me!! >> ku︆︆︆︆tt.︆︆it/9cYf7h Round attention Svg Vector Icons : http://www.onlinewebfonts.com/icon Report Adopt a cat the responsible way. Hand it to the Japanese for being progressive. Round attention Svg Vector Icons : http://www.onlinewebfonts.com/icon Report Brian Link good 11comments 32 points 0comments 19 points 0comments 21 points 1comment 28 points 5comments 30 points 3comments 18 points 3comments 28 points 3comments 21 points 12comments 36 points 1comment 19 points Amazing Onsen Spots in Japan for Cherry Blossom Viewings Hot spring Onsen bath and Cherry Blossoms. This is possibly the best way to enjoy spring in Japan Check out the 5 greatest hot spring resorts in Japan where you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms while soaking up your body in Onsen bath *Please note that this article contains affiliate links Bandai Atami Onsen Hanare no Yado Yomogino (磐梯熱海温泉離れの宿 よもぎ埜) is a luxurious ryokan style hotel located in Bandai Onsen resort in Fukushima prefecture Offering 3 different baths for guests including “Mori to Sakura no Yu” where guests can bathe under the majestic cherry blossoms in day and night << Check the best rate for Bandai Atami Onsen Hanare no Yado Yomogino NOW! >> Price per person per night: 20,000 yen~ (dinner and breakfast included) Best time for cherry blossoms: mid to late April Official Website: http://www.yomogino.net/ Fuga no Yado Choseikan (風雅の宿 長生館) is located in Murasugi Onsen resort in Niigata prefecture which is known for efficacious radium spring water Offering one of the largest scale of open-air bath in Japan Cherry blossoms can be viewed in the bath and also their beautiful Japanese garden << Book Fuga no Yado Choseikan with the best rate now! >> Best time for cherry blossoms: early to mid April Official Website: http://www.chouseikan.co.jp/onsen/ Yugawara Onsen Fukiya (湯河原温泉ふきや) is located in Yugawara City which is a popular Onsen trip destination near Hakone town Guests can enjoy 7 different baths including an open-air bath with the magnificent mountain view and the Japanese garden front bath with cherry trees << Check the best rate for booking Yugawara Onsen Fukiya!! >> Official Website: https://www.yugawarafukiya.com/en/index.html Shogawa Onsen Furyu Midou Zashiki Yumetsuzuri (庄川温泉風流味道座敷ゆめつづり) is located in Toyama prefecture Their magnificent open-air hot spring bath can be enjoyed all year around with beautiful seasonal scenery The best time to is definitely spring with the spectacular cherry blossoms << Click HERE to book Shogawa Onsen Furyu Midou Zashiki Yumetsuzuri with the best rate!! >> Official Website: http://www.yumetsuzuri.com/english/index.html Yumoto Hou no Ya (湯元 宝の家) is located on Yoshino mountain in Nara prefecture Yoshino mountain is considered as the best viewing spot for cherry blossoms in Japan and this hotel is offering an unbeatable landscape from their open-air bath and the guest rooms Enjoy the exclusive cherry blossom view just for yourself << Book Yumoto Hou no Ya with the best rate now! >> Official Website: http://www.hounoya.gr.jp/eng/index.php ↓↓↓For more articles about Japan check these links!! ↓↓↓ "The world is my oyster." As a dedicated globetrotter and hammock enthusiast and discovering the world’s most incredible destinations I’ve always had a deep connection to my roots but my love for adventure has led me to spend over a decade exploring countries across the globe—from culture-rich cities to remote hideaways Travel isn't just a hobby for me; it's a lifestyle I'm constantly searching for new ways to fuel my wanderlust I’ve developed a wealth of knowledge and a treasure trove of tips that make traveling more enjoyable I've come to appreciate not only the beauty of travel but also the importance of understanding diverse cultures and I’m excited to share those lessons with others and firsthand stories that help travelers navigate their journeys to Japan or setting off on a global adventure From hidden gems in Japan to travel hacks that make any trip smoother I hope my insights inspire you to embark on your own adventures and make the most of every moment You can also find my stories here ▶ https://medium.com/@nahobm