Study: Mt. Fuji Ash Would Paralyze Tokyo

Above, a shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Coronavirus aside, here's something interesting from Japan.

If a major eruption of Mount Fuji should occur, it would paralyze Tokyo in just three hours. This is something that should be considered since several of Japan's volcanoes have erupted over the past several years.

According to News On Japan:

A Japanese government panel says Tokyo would become unable to function as the country's capital in about three hours if a large-scale eruption of Mount Fuji were to occur. 

When Mount Fuji last erupted in December 1707, it spewed ash for more than two weeks. Several centimeters accumulated in the city of Edo, which later became Tokyo. 

The government panel simulated what would happen if an eruption of that scale were to occur today, covering the greater Tokyo area with volcanic ash. 

It found that the ash would likely reach central Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama just three hours after the eruption.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport Entry & Departure Made Easier

Above, Narita Airport's arrival lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looming a year away and to make arriving and departing from Narita Airport much easier, the aiport now has new procedures to accomplish that.

The Asahi Shimbun reported:

Simplified entry and departure procedures are in place for foreign visitors at Narita Airport under a government policy of making Japan a more attractive tourist destination. 

The airport, located about 60 kilometers [roughly 37 miles] east of the capital in neighboring Chiba Prefecture, is the main hub for the greater Tokyo area. 

Previously, only Japanese citizens could use the facial recognition gates and electronic customs declaration service to leave and enter the country. The eased procedures were extended to overseas visitors on Aug. 27 to reduce stress after long haul flights. 

Passengers using the facial recognition system need passports with electronic chips, which are scanned by dedicated devices at the gates to automatically match the photo in the travel document with one taken of the holder at the gate. 

The mechanism was introduced in June last year at Narita Airport to smooth entry procedures for Japanese. The program was expanded to cover Japanese passengers leaving the country in October that year as well. 

The service was recently further improved to enable foreign visitors staying in Japan for up to 90 days for sightseeing and other purposes to easily depart from the country.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport Gets Midnight Trains To Tokyo

Above, a Keisei Skyliner train at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have a late arrival at Narita Airport will soon be able to take a midnight train into Tokyo. Bus lines will also have later departures.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

TOKYO -- Train and bus operators announced on Thursday plans to run more nighttime trips between Narita Airport and nearby Tokyo and Chiba to accommodate travelers taking advantage of the hub's service extension this fall. 

Narita, which now lets aircraft take off and land until 11 p.m., will push this back to midnight in late October. Both travelers and staff will need ways to get to and from the airport at that hour. 

Keisei Electric Railway's Skyliner express train to downtown Tokyo will add an 11:20 p.m. departure from Narita. A new timetable going into effect Oct. 26 will boost the number of daily trips by 40% to 41 in each direction, with about 20 minutes between each. 

The company will expand service on its regular line as well. Trains that had terminated at Keisei Narita Station will continue on to Narita Airport, meaning that the last train to the airport will be almost half an hour later than under the current schedule.

To read more, go here. 

Heavy Snow Forecast For Tokyo Region

Above, Keisei Line trains stuck at a train station in Chiba Prefecture due to snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In February 2014, a big snowstorm and I arrived in the Kanto region at the same time.

Flights out of Narita were canceled and transit lines going to and from Narita International Airport where shut down. I should know, I spent about 22 hours in a train car in Chiba Prefecture (midway between Tokyo and Narita Airport) at a train station due to heavy snow. A second big snowstorm hit later that week. These were the heaviest snowstorms to hit the area in years.

This all may happen again this weekend.

News On Japan reported:

Weather forecasters in Japan are warning of possible heavy snowfall on Saturday in the Kanto region comprising Tokyo and surrounding prefectures. 

The Meteorological Agency says a strong cold air mass and passing low-pressure system are likely to bring snow to wide areas from morning to night. 

Snowfall through late Saturday afternoon may reach up to 10 centimeters in southern Kanto; eight centimeters in northern Kanto; and five centimeters in Tokyo's 23 wards. 

Forecasters say more snow may fall in the evening. They're urging people to watch out for icy roads and disruption to transportation services. Drivers are advised to use winter tires or snow chains. 

Airline companies have cancelled some flights for Saturday.

So, if you are heading into Tokyo this weekend, beware!

To read more, go here. 

Misconceptions About Japan's Trains

Above, a Keisei Line train stopped at a Chiba Prefecture station due to snow in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the joys of visiting Japan is riding their trains (except during rush hour) . 

Trains vary from high-speed bullet trains (shinkansen) to older steam locomotives. Japan Today has an article the clears up five misconceptions about Japan's trains.

It begins with:

TOKYO - Japan is a train lovers paradise, but some trains are a bit more difficult to love. 

Japanese trains are famous all over the world for being high-tech, lightning fast, impossibly punctual and cramming passengers into the cars like Tetris blocks. But what if I told you this was only a half truth? 

A capital city is never a reflection of the entire nation. My home country of England is so much more than just London and Japan is so much more than just Tokyo. The trains may be a nightmare scrum in the metropolis, but the majority of Japan has a much lower population and thus the trains — and the way people ride them — are different in a variety of ways.

To read more, go here. 

New App Guides Visitors Through Narita Airport's Terminals

Above, Narita Airport Terminal One Arrival Lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's main gateway into the country is Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

TRBusiness reported that the airport has a new smartphone app that will guide visitors "seamlessly" through the airport's terminals.

They wrote:

Toyko’s Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) has released a new mobile app to guide passengers seamlessly through its terminals. 

NAA claims the airport is the first in Japan to utilise ‘precise indoor navigation from any location to a boarding gate or other destination’. 

NariNavi enables travellers to track their current location using a smartphone to lead them efficiently to the boarding gate, restaurants or shops.

To read more, go here. 

Yoshinoya Enters India Market

Above, a Yoshinoya restaurant in Chiba Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This following story caught my eye. 

Kyodo News reported:

NEW DELHI - Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Japan's major fast-food restaurant operator popularly known for its beef bowls, is advancing into the Indian market by establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary. 

Yoshinoya recently set up Yoshinoya India Pvt. Ltd. in Gurugram in the northern state of Haryana, documents filed with India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs show. 

"It is difficult to explore store opening without setting up an entity," a Yoshinoya spokeswoman told NNA.

The story caught my eye for a couple of reasons. I was wondering if there are any Yoshinoya restaurants in New Mexico. I did some checking and there are some in Albuquerque. Since I will be in Albuquerque next month, I will make it a point to stop in. I love their beef bowls.

The other, and main, reason is (from PBS.org):

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus in India. They were the favorite animal of Lord Krishna, and they serve as a symbol of wealth, strength, and abundance. 

Since India is predominately a Hindu nation, how well would Yoshinoya (with their beef bowls) do in that country since cows are considered sacred (thus the term "sacred cow")? I wonder, how serving beef in India will go over with the people? It will be interesting to see.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Saw Heaviest Snow Since 2014

Above, snow covers streets near the Chiba Prefecture train station I was stopped at in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It doesn't seem like four years have passed since I experienced two heavy snowstorms in Japan. That kind of experience does not leave the mind that easily.

It was then that I had to wait nearly 24 hours in a Keisei Line train car in Chiba Prefecture while heading into Tokyo from Narita Airport. The train was stopped at a train station as heavy snows covered the tracks.

Above, with the Skytree in the background, snow covers the streets in Tokyo's
Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" district in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A snowstorm on January 23 was the heaviest since those February 2014 snowstorms.

According to Kyodo News:

Tokyo woke up on Jan. 23 to over 20 centimeters of snow that had accumulated from the previous day, with the heaviest snowfall in four years disrupting business and traffic, and leaving about 360 people injured across the Japanese capital. 

Snow began falling on Jan. 22 and triggered a heavy snow warning for Tokyo for the first time since February 2014.

To read more, go here.

10 Things To Do At Narita Airport

Above, Narita Airport's departure Terminal 2. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the exception of the 2004 G-TOUR, I don't think I've been at Narita International Airport any longer than three hours before my flight back to L.A. In the case of G-TOUR, a group of us went back into Tokyo for a few hours (we had flown to Narita from Osaka).

In case one is going to be at the Narita Airport for just a couple of hours or so and need something to do, Time Out Tokyo has some suggestions.

They begin with:

Perhaps you've missed your flight, showed up three hours too early, or have a transfer not quite long enough to visit Narita city before boarding your next flight. In any case, OK, you've got some time to kill at Narita Airport. Considering the size of the complex and its three passenger terminals, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there's a fair share of entertainment to be had here. Read on for our top picks of how to have fun at Tokyo's (OK, Chiba's) main international airport.  

Note that some of these are after passport control and require a plane ticket to access.

To read more, go here. 

Narita's Fast-Lane Immigration Service A Dud, So Far

Above, the meeting point at Narita Int. Airport Terminal One arrival lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One project that Japan had initiated to make the country more tourist-friendly this past year has not been very successful, according to an article in the Japan Times.

They wrote:

Few passengers are using the fast-lane immigration service at Narita International Airport, four months after Tokyo’s main gateway became the first airport in Japan to introduce the service, the transport ministry and the airport’s operator said Saturday. 

The average number of daily users stands at 10 after the airport in Chiba Prefecture launched fast lanes on March 30 targeting foreign visitors such as conference attendees and VIPs. 

A total of eight lanes were set up at Terminals 1 and 2, based on an estimate that each flight would bring about five users. 

Passengers are allowed to enter the special lanes upon showing a coupon provided in advance by their carrier.

I have to wonder if there just hasn't been enough publicity for the fast-lanes to make people even aware of them.

To read more, go here.

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Snow In Japan

Above, workers measuring the snow on the train tracks in Chiba Prefecture in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This has a familiar ring to it.

Japan Today reported that a snowstorm caused problems throughout eastern and northeastern Japan (including Tokyo) today.

They wrote:

TOKYO —Heavy snow hit many areas of eastern and northeastern Japan on Monday, including downtown Tokyo and other locations usually unaccustomed to snowfall, resulting in injuries to hundreds of people and disruptions to transport systems. 

The weather, caused by an atmospheric low pressure system that moved along Japan’s Pacific coast, led to around 250 injuries chiefly due to falls on slippery roads and other accidents, according to a Kyodo News tally. In Tokyo alone, which saw up to 6 centimeters of snow, more than 40 people were taken to hospitals with injuries.

Regular readers of this blog know that in February 2014, I arrived in Japan at the same time that the first of two heavy snowstorms hit the country. I got stuck in the Keisei Line train midway between Narita International Airport and Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. I didn't reach my hotel until 22 hours after landing.

To read more, go here.

Japan Info: "The 6 Best Things To Do During Winter In Japan"

Above, two Keisei Line trans stranded midway between Tokyo and Narita Airport due to snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are contemplating a winter vacation in Japan, there are things to do that only the winter season will allow for.

Japan Info has listed six of them in, "The 6 Best Things To Do During Winter In Japan".

It begins with:

Winter in Japan is not just about skiing or snow. For some, it may even just be a season of snow shoveling and endless layering of clothes. But just so you know, adventures and fun do not cease in winter in Japan. Each season has its own beauty and surprises that everyone enjoys, and winter is no exception. There are a lot of things that you can do in Japan during this season. I know you can’t wait to know them, so let’s get started!

Being stranded in a Keisei Line train in Chiba Prefecture between Narita International Airport due to unusually heavy snow, as I was last year, is definitely not one of the six items.

To see what they are, go here. 

Tsunagu Japan: 38 Tips To Save Money While Traveling In Japan

Above, to save money on food, dining at a Yoshinoya is one of the tips.
This one is located in Chiba Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everybody loves to save money, right? Especially saving money during international travel.

Tsunagu Japan has an article with "38 Tips To Save Money While Traveling In Japan."

They begin their article with:

Traveling overseas takes a lot of money. When you’re planning your trip to Japan, don’t  you think about ways to save as much money as possible? 

This article is split up into various categories for money-saving tips: 

• A. Transportation
• B. Food
• C. Lodging
• D. Shopping
• E. Communication and Mail
• F. Miscellaneous 

Please check these tips out and make your trip as affordable as possible!

To see how you can save money while traveling in Japan, go here. 

Tokyo Snow A Year Ago

Above, Keisei Line trains stuck in a station in Chiba Prefecture. My train is on the left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo received its first snowfall last Friday and Saturday. Several news organizations posted photos of the the snow taken at different points in the city.

They all brought back memories of last February 8 when I arrived at Narita International Airport to find myself having a difficult time getting a train out of the airport and when I did, I ended up getting stuck in a train car (at least we were at a station where food and restroom facilities were available) for 16 hours due to the snow.

Above, snow in front of a Tokyo supermarket. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I knew beforehand that Tokyo gets snow on occasion, but the snowfall that week was unusually heavy (there were two big storms and some smaller flurries in-between) and the city didn't seem to know how to cope with it. I was surprised that I didn't see any snowplows out clearing the streets. Could it be that Tokyo doesn't have any?

Above, the Toho Studios Godzilla statue and snow remnants. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At least the snow made the trip a little more interesting (not that it was necessary to do so) and I managed to get some photographs of it.

Above, the second big storm hit Tokyo on February 15. This is a view of it from my hotel window. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the street in front of Tsukuba Hotel in Ueno the morning after the
second big snowstorm of the week to hit Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.