Dollar At ¥159 In Tokyo

Happy April Fool's Day!

Yes, today is April 1 but the following is not an April fool joke. 

As we're in a new month, it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in foreign exchange for those planning a vacation in Japan.

According to The Mainichi:

The U.S. dollar briefly weakened to the lower 158 yen range in Tokyo, as buying on flight-to-safety demand subsided amid speculation of a cease-fire, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 158.79-80 yen compared with 158.66-76 yen in New York and 159.62-64 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tourism 2026 Transformation

Above, Fukuoka Tower in Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For years, Japan has endeavored to increase tourism to the country. Now that they have (with the Japanese yen adding a big incentive), they can't seem to handle the influx in foreign visitors.

This influx presents two differing patterns.

It is interesting to note that first-time visitors prefer visiting familiar cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. But, experienced Japan visitors are looking for something new and venturing out in the countryside.

Travel and Tour World has posted an article on this.

They begin it with:

Japan’s tourism sector is entering a new phase in 2026.  Travel behaviour is changing quickly. Visitors are no longer following the same fixed routes. Instead, they are making choices based on experience and familiarity. This shift is creating two distinct  travel patterns.

Industry observations show that first-time visitors prefer famous cities. Meanwhile, repeat travellers are exploring beyond them. This change is influencing how travel companies design packages. It is also shaping how destinations promote themselves.

Tourism planners now focus on offering both classic and unique experiences. This balanced approach helps attract a wider range of global travellers.

To read more, go here.

"Godzilla Minus Zero" Getting Worldwide IMAX Release

For those who are Godzilla fans as well as also being IMAX fans, a big treat is coming this fall.

Godzilla Minus Zero will be seeing a worldwide IMAX release.

According to JoBlo: 

One of the biggest surprises in recent years was the impact Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One made worldwide. I think it was tempting for non-Godzilla devotees to write it off as just another Godzilla movie (although the faithful would wonder what exactly is wrong with that), but it ended up being perhaps the greatest installment of the franchise to date. It earned critical raves (with even Steven Spielberg hailing it), and the box office was outstanding, grossing a huge $57 million in North America. It also won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, beating out movies with budgets that eclipsed it by hundreds of millions. As such, the sequel, Godzilla Minus Zero, is a major event.

Befitting how anticipated the movie is, word leaked today that Toho and their North American subsidiary, GKIDS, are giving the film a global IMAX release. Godzilla Minus One came out on IMAX screens in Japan and eventually played a limited run in North America in that format, but it looks like it will be getting a more robust IMAX release right off the bat. It hits North American theaters on November 6th, which is only three days after its Japanese release.

To read more, go here. 

Dollar At ¥156

With the U.S., Israel military action against Iran, the world markets are keeping an eye what transpires. Some are jittery, some aren't.

Since we're in a new month, it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen for those who are planning to travel to Japan anytime soon.

Currently, the exchange rate is ¥156.0350/dollar (Source: Yahoo! Finance).

"Adventures of Superman" Japanese Opening

 

Some years ago, I posted that Emperor Hirohito (now referred to as Emperor Showa) was a big fan of the Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves. The Emperor was such a fan of Adventures of Superman that he sent actor George Reeves a fan letter in 1958.

The above video is the Japanese version of the opening of the show.

According to The Vintage News:

The Adventures of Superman was such a smash hit with audiences that it transcended territorial boundaries. The series became a hit in Japan, with the program being dubbed over. It’s no surprise, then, that Emperor Hirohito, the 124th Emperor of Japan, was a big fan of the series.

Japan Hit By Heavy Snows

Above, my commuter train stopped at a Chiba station due to heavy snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a story that brings back memories.

Japan is currently being hit by a rare heavy snowstorm. The storm has caused flight cancellations and Shinkansen stoppages.

According to Travel + Leisure:

Parts of Japan, including southwestern Fukui Prefecture, eastern Tottori Prefecture, Kyoto, Tokyo, and other regions along the Sea of Japan coast, are grappling with heavy snowfall. Extreme weather in Japan has made roads dangerously icy, triggering widespread travel disruptions such as cancelled flights and bullet train suspensions. The operational crisis triggered over 100 cancelled All Nippon Airways and ANA Wings flights, and delays were reported by Japan Airlines and Ibex. So far, over 371 flight cancellations and 1,710 delays have been reported in total. 

Above, yours truly at the Chiba station.

This all brings back memories of my 2014 trip to Japan. Upon arrival at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, a heavy snowstorm also arrived. I managed to get on a commuter train to Tokyo, but the storm forced the train to halt at a train station midway. I was stuck in the train car for almost 24 hours. 

Luckily for me, a Japanese gentleman called my hotel for me to let them know of my predicament. 

Above, the snow-covered Godzilla slide in Yokosuka. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was an interesting trip nonetheless. I was able to go to the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka as well as Yokohama. I also went to Kappabashi "Kitchen Town" in Tokyo and picked up some chef's knives.

Just before leaving Japan, a second storm hit. 

Above, my hotel after the second snow storm hit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full story, go here.

Japan Travel Changes Guide

Above, Godzilla peers over Shinjuku, Tokyo buildings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A number of changes in rules, shopping and taxes for foreign visitors to Japan has been enacted. Knowing them is essential for a trouble-free vacation to the Land of the Rising Sun.

To help steer visitors in the right direction, Travel and Tour World has posted a guide to them.

They begin with:

Japan remains one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, attracting millions of tourists every year. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the historic temples of Kyoto, the country promises unforgettable experiences. However, 2026 brings several important changes for travellers. These include updates to visa rules, new departure taxes, adjustments to tax-free shopping, and accommodation levies in key cities. Understanding these updates is essential for anyone planning a smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free trip to Japan. This guide provides everything global travellers need to know.

To read more, go here. 

Dollar At ¥153 In Tokyo

Now that we are in a new month, it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in Tokyo foreign exchange trading. 

According to the Asahi Shimbun, here's how the currencies looked on Friday:

The U.S. dollar has seen its value sink over the last year because of many of the same risks that drove gold’s price higher. Early Friday, the dollar was trading at 153.85 Japanese yen, up from 152.97 yen. The euro slipped to $1.1921 from $1.1967.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Visitors Exceeded 40 Million In 2025

Above, a view from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Years ago, Japan was working to exceed 10 million tourist visitors a year. After awhile, they finally reached that goal and then exceeded it.

Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and Japan was slow to reopen to tourists. Since then, due to the exchange rate of the yen against other currencies, people started coming in droves, which led to the coining of the term, overtourism (especially in places like Kyoto). 

Last year, Japan topped 40 million visitors in 2025, a new record. 

According to The Japan Times:

Foreign visitors to Japan hit a record 42.7 million last year, topping the 40-million mark for the first time, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko said Tuesday, steadily inching toward the government’s goal of 60 million by 2030.

The number of foreign visitors has been rising after Japan reopened the borders following COVID-19-era restrictions. The figure was a record-high for two years in a row, with 36.87 million foreign visitors coming to Japan in 2024. Foreign travelers have been a boon for the Japanese economy, spending a record ¥9.5 trillion in 2025, up from ¥8.1 trillion in the year before.

To read more, go here. 

Toho Steps Out Into the World With New Confidence

Above, Toho Studios in the Setagaya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, Godzilla Minus One won an Academy Award for Special Effects, the first Japanese movie to accomplish this.

Toho Co., Ltd. is hoping that lightning will strike twice as they are pushing for another Academy Award. They are doing so with new confidence this time. 

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- The COVID pandemic may be long over but Americans have yet to resume going to the movies nearly as often as they used to. Could a three-hour, subtitled, behind-the-scenes drama about the careers of two Kabuki actors turn things around?

Hiroyasu Matsuoka thinks it is worth a shot. Toho, the Japanese entertainment and real estate company he heads, put on a week of showings of "Kokuho," Japan's most popular local live-action movie in decades, in Los Angeles and New York in November ahead of a planned general release next month that is to reach at least 100 screens across North America.

Virtually every one of the November screenings sold out. Actor Tom Cruise kicked off one Los Angeles showing by telling the audience, "This is a very, very special movie, and one that you must see on the big screen."

Next week, Matsuoka and Toho will learn whether "Kokuho," Japan's official nominee, has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for best international feature film. Two years ago, he and the company celebrated "Godzilla Minus One" becoming the first Japanese movie to win the Oscar for best visual effects.

To read more, go here. 

5 Must-Visit Ryokans for Your Next Trip to Japan

Above, inside an Atami ryokan room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourists to Japan are missing out on experiencing something totally Japanese if they don't stay at a traditional Japanese inn, known as a ryokan. 

I have stayed at several ryokans over the years and found them more enjoyable than hotels. 

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on five "must-visit" ryokans.

They begin it with:

There are countless reasons to visit Japan, but warm hospitality, unmatched design, and rich culture are just a few topping the list. And where better to draw all these elements together than at one of the nation’s many ryokans? Roughly translating to “inn,” ryokans lie at the heart of Japanese culture, known for their home-cooked meals on cushioned floors and snug sleeps on tatami mats. Often built atop natural hot springs, called onsen, communal bathing is also common to these cozy establishments, while sliding paper walls, called shoji doors, are also fundamental to these intimate spaces, cleverly filtering through natural light while maintaining absolute privacy.

Ryokans are rooted in tradition, and there are plenty of historic places to choose from—but a flurry of new developments has reimagined their iconic Japanese customs for modern audiences. Mineral-rich waters in private bathrooms, low rather than floor beds, and entire ryokan rentals are just some adaptations that have entered the scene—but all share the same goal of immersing guests in the ultimate authentic experience. Whether you’re looking for a bolthole passed through generations or a refreshing take on the lodging style, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest ryokans for your next trip to Japan. (Or, for a more familiar stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Japan.)

To read more, go here. 

"Shin Godzilla" Stomping Back Into Theaters

Above, Shin Godzilla. Toho Co., Ltd photo.

If you haven't seen Shin Godzilla on the big screen, you will have a chance to do so this summer. It is going to be re-released and tickets are now going on sale.

MSN reported:

GKIDS has officially announced the theatrical return of Shin Godzilla, the critically acclaimed 2016 entry in the long-running kaiju franchise directed by Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and co-directed by Shinji Higuchi (Shin Ultraman). Tickets are now on sale for the film’s nationwide release onAugust 14, with select screenings available in 4DX and D-BOX, giving fans a fully immersive experience as the monstrous terror resurfaces in Tokyo Bay, along with a new trailer for the epic take on the legendary monster.

Shin Godzilla is decidedly a quirky entry. Many Godzilla fans didn't like it at first, but some (like me) have grown to like it. It is a take on the kaiju that is definitely different than what fans are used to.

To read more, go here.

Don't Do These 5 Things When Traveling To Japan

Above, Godzilla peers over buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one has traveled to Japan, there are some etiquette customs that visitors should be mindful of. If one has been there before, it is always to have a refresher.

Fortunately, Times of India has listed them for our perusal.

They begin with:

Japan is one of the most organised and visitor-friendly countries in the world, but daily life here runs on unspoken social rules that tourists are expected to follow. Clean streets, quiet public transport, and orderly public spaces are not accidental, they exist because people are careful about how their actions affect others. Visitors sometimes assume that common tourist habits, such as speaking loudly, eating while walking, or discarding garbage casually, are acceptable, but these behaviours can be seen as inconsiderate in Japan. With international tourism continuing to grow, local authorities and communities have repeatedly reminded travellers to be mindful of etiquette, especially in crowded cities and popular tourist areas.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla Minus Zero" Opens November 6

Above, the teaser poster for Godzilla Minus Zero.

Two Godzilla movies are on the horizon. One from the U.S. (Legendary Pictures) will arrive in 2027 and one from Japan (Toho Co., Ltd.) this year.

The Legendary Pictures feature is titled, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and the Toho feature is titled, Godzilla Minus Zero.

According to Variety:

“Godzilla Minus Zero,” the upcoming sequel to the successful “Godzilla Minus One,” will open in North America on Nov. 6 from Toho and GKids. The release comes just three days after the Japanese release, which Toho says is a rare near-simultaneous bow for a Japan-produced Godzilla movie.

The Nov. 3 Japanese release marks the same day the original “Godzilla” opened in theaters in 1954, now observed as Godzilla Day. “Godzilla Minus One” also opened Nov. 3 in Japan in 2023, going on to become the highest-grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film and winning the Oscar for visual effects.

To read more, go here. 

No Trash Cans In Japan?

Above, a clean street in the Shibuya section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the cleanest countries in the world.

One can visit anywhere in the country and find the streets in the cities and small towns to be immaculate. This is remarkable considering there are no (or very few) public trash cans to be found.

I first noticed this during my first trip to Japan in 2001. Since then, I have gotten used to it or know where a trash can be found. 

This is the topic of an article in USA Today.

They begin it with:

TOKYO and GIFU, Japan — The mileage my sneakers earned on my first full day in Tokyo was 12.4 miles, and impressively, some of my gum wrappers logged just as much.

As one of the world's largest cities, Tokyo requires travelers to be out for hours at a time, and I carried each day's garbage with me until I returned to my hotel at night.

Back at my hotel every night, I'd flip my tote bag upside down, and out came a flurry of konbini snacks, souvenirs, omamori (good luck charms from temples), along with empty gum wrappers, random receipts, crumpled tissues and perhaps an empty water bottle. This wasn't by choice; there are so few public trash cans in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

What To Buy In Tokyo's Kappabashi

Above, Kappabashi's Giant Chef. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2014 trip to Japan, one of the places in Tokyo I explored was the Kappabashi district.

Kappabashi is known as "Kitchen Town" where food preparation products can be bought. I bought three chef's knives while there.

Above, I bought 3 knives at Kamaasa Knife Co. in Kappabashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Times has posted an article on Kappabashi.

They begin with:

In Kappabashi, a roughly 800-meter-long strip between Asakusa and Ueno, locals and tourists alike spill out from a dense row of nearly 170 kitchenware shops. Their shopping bags tell the story — knives, chopsticks, cake molds and plastic sushi souvenirs.

No wonder they call this place “Kitchen Town.”

To read more, go here. 

Why Japan’s Bullet Train Is Simply the Best On the Planet

Above, a Tokaido Shinkansen train arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyone visiting Japan has to put one item on their "bucket list" of things to do.

That is taking a ride on Japan's Shinkansen, or Bullet Train.

I have ridden aboard several bullet trains over the years and found them to be comfortable and relaxing. If one is lucky, views of Mount Fuji can be seen from the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Above, Mount Fuji from the Tokaido Shinkansen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Los Angeles Times has posted a guide to riding the speedy Shinkansen.

They begin it with:

It begins as a gentle rumble as you see motion out of the window: that slight lurching forward. With a steady gait, the train leaves the station, passing a crisscross melange of different city and regional rail lines also staking out on their journeys. Through the maze of tunnels, trestles, flyovers and what feels like one million buildings, the sleek N700 hums evermore to life, as speed limits start to ease and the endlessness of Tokyo … well, ends.

And then, without exactly knowing how it happened or even feeling it, you realize you are traveling at around 175 miles per hour and the world is flying by.

To read more, go here. 

USD/JPY Extends Toward ¥157

Now that we're in a new month, it is time to take a little peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen. This should be of particular interest to those planning on taking a vacation trip to Japan this month.

According to Trading News:

USD/JPY Extends Toward ¥157 as Japan’s Finance Minister Warns of “Non-Fundamental” FX Swings and Markets Eye Intervention

The USD/JPY pair traded close to ¥156.70 after Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stated that recent yen volatility “is not moving based on fundamentals.” Speaking on Fuji TV, Katayama emphasized that stability reflecting economic reality is essential, signaling Tokyo’s rising discomfort with the yen’s slide. The remark followed a sharp monthly depreciation that erased earlier gains and positioned the yen near its weakest level since the summer, as traders priced in persistent policy divergence between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan (BoJ).

To read more, go here. 

Ishiro Honda Documentary To Screen In New York

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and yours truly in Tokyo in 2014.

Jonathan Bellés's documentary on Godzilla director Ishiro Honda will be screening in New York on December 16.

According to Rue Morgue:

It’s a heartfelt celebration of the kaiju king.

ISHIRO HONDA: MEMOIRS OF A FILM DIRECTOR will have its first commercial U.S. showing, following screenings at Sitges, G-Fest XXX and other festivals, on Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady, New York. Tickets can be ordered here. Written and directed by Jonathan Bellés and distributed by SRS Cinema, the documentary focuses on the director whose genre career began with the seminal 1954 GOJIRA/GODZILLA and encompassed seven more movies starring the Big G, as well as further classics like RODAN, MOTHRA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and others. Later in his career, he worked alongside Akira Kurosawa on films such as KAGEMUSHA and the Oscar-winning RAN.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla -0.0" Is Toho's Next

Above, the official logo. Image by Toho Co., Ltd.

The next Godzilla movie's title has been announced. It is a sequel to Godzilla Minus One.

Variety reported:

Toho has officially revealed the title of its next “Godzilla” feature: “Godzilla -0.0” (Godzilla Minus Zero). The announcement was made at the annual Godzilla Fest in Tokyo and confirmed via Toho’s official X account.

And, from The Wrap:

Earlier this year it was announced that “Godzilla Minus One” director, screenwriter and visual effects supervisor Takashi Yamazaki would return for a new installment in the franchise.

Now, at Godzilla Fest 2025, held Monday on Godzilla Day at Tokyo’s Kanadevia Hall, the title for the new film was revealed – “Godzilla Minus Zero.” The official logo was also revealed, drawn by Yamazaki himself (see above).

As to what “Godzilla Minus Zero” means, considering “Godzilla Minus One” referred to the fact that it took place before 1954’s “Godzilla,” well, the official release said, simply, “Stay tuned for further updates.”

Could it be a remake of the original film? Only time will tell.

To read more, go here.