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.

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).

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Tokyo's Yamanote Line Marks 100 Years of Operation

Above, a Yamanote Line train in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Tokyo during my eight trips to Japan, I have used the Yamanote train line many times. The Yamanote Line encircles central Tokyo and is quite handy in exploring the city.

According to Kyodo News, the train line has reached 100 years of operation.

They begin with:

TOKYO - JR East on Saturday marked exactly 100 years of operation of the iconic Yamanote loop line train that encircles central Tokyo.

Connecting with private railways entering from the outer suburbs, bustling commercial districts formed around hubs such as Shinjuku and Shibuya stations, and laid the foundations for the capital's development.

Redevelopment continues along the line today and its status as the main artery of Tokyo, carrying huge numbers of people daily, remains unchanged.

JR East held a commemorative event using a train enveloped in a past train design that departed from Ikebukuro Station and made a complete circuit in about an hour. 

To read more, go here. 

Trump Meets Emperor Naruhito (Video)

 President Trump is welcomed at Japan's Imperial Palace in Tokyo and meets with Emperor Naruhito.

Japan's Entry and Exit Fees To Rise

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall from Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those taking a trip to Japan will find that doing so will be a little more expensive starting next year.

Various fees will be hiked on foreign visitors to help pay for infrastructure needs and airport security.

Time Out reported:

Japan is an amazing place to visit. It’s bursting with culture, great food, and fascinating history – and its capital Tokyo is home to the world's coolest neighbourhood for 2025. However, if you’re currently planning a trip to Japan for 2026, there are a few things you should know, and a few extra costs you should account for.

As of next year, the government has announced a few changes to visas and fees for tourists. This includes increasing the exit tax, and the cost of single and multi-entry visas. According to Japanese financial newspaper the Nikkei, the money raised will go towards improving infrastructure and security in airports, as well as fund national projects like making high school free.

This will be the first time the exit tax will increase since its introduction six years ago, and the first upping of visa fees since 1978. No official announcements have been made yet about exactly when these new fares will be introduced. 

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla Is Coming To Tokyo's Haneda Airport

 

Above, an artist rendering of the Godzilla display at Haneda Airport.

Godzilla will be greeting travelers at Tokyo's largest airport.

The Big G will be on display at Haneda Airport from December 2025 to December 2026 according to Gizmodo.

They reported: 

The Haneda Airport in Japan is getting a kaiju-sized new feature in the form of a big-ass Godzilla installation. The King of the Monsters is packing his bags to move into position at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 as part of a partnership between Toho Co., Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., and the Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Considering Hiking Visa Fees For International Visitors

Above, Tokyo's Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan may end up paying more in visa fees.

This is one way the Japanese government is considering to fight overtourism, which, by the way, was of their own making.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya says that the government is considering raising visa fees for foreign visitors, as current fees remain low compared with those in the United States and European countries.

The government is reviewing visa fees, Iwaya told a press conference when asked about a report that Japan plans to raise them to levels seen in the United States and Europe as early as fiscal 2026.

"The details of the review are undecided, but we are considering various factors, including a possible impact on inbound tourism," the top diplomat said Friday. "We'll examine the fees set in other countries. I believe Japan's fees are quite low at present."

The number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to September rose 17.7 percent from a year earlier to around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record for surpassing 30 million within a year, a government report showed Wednesday.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla: The Monster That Defined Japan’s Pop Culture

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

Japan's pop-culture has numerous characters to choose from.

They run the gamut from giant monsters, anime, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Ultraman and others. But the one character that started it all was the King of the Monsters: Godzilla.

According to an article by Takashi Nagaya at Vocal Media's Geeks website, Godzilla defined Japanese pop-culture starting in 1954. Last year, Japan celebrated Godzilla's 70th anniversary.

The article begins with:

How a Nuclear-Age Beast Became a Global Icon

Few movie monsters are as instantly recognizable as Godzilla. For over seven decades, the towering kaiju has stomped through cities, battled rival creatures, and captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. But Godzilla is more than just a movie monster—it is a cultural phenomenon that reflects Japan’s history, anxieties, and creativity.

Above, yours truly with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in 2010.

To read more, go here. 

Japan’s Summer Holiday Travel Rush Is Here

Above, the famous Miyajima Island torii gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The summer travel rush in Japan has just started. 

Tourists, foreign and locals, are flocking to places around the country and filling up bullet trains and other public transportation.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Japan’s summer travel surge is here, and it’s feeling hot literally and figuratively. Trains and planes to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka are sold out. Families are reuniting, tourists are sightseeing, and everybody is moving, moving, moving. Long check-in lines, crammed concourses, and sold-out flights tell you this season is all systems go.

Last Saturday, JR Tokyo Station buzzed loud. Every Nozomi shinkansen seat zooming to Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka disappeared. Travelers formed long queues for unreserved seats on other lines, turning platforms into crowded waiting zones. Doesn’t stop there: expressway bumper-to-bumper jams sent drivers cursing. Many ducked into waiting rooms and concourses, seeking A/C relief from the summer furnace.

I have been to Japan during the summer once (that was the first G-TOUR in 2004) and it was very hot, especially in Kyoto. My preferred seasons for Japan travel are spring and autumn.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Becomes Top Pick For Global Tourists In 2025

Above, Asahi Beer Hall and Golden Flame in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is not so surprising that Japan is becoming a top pick for global tourists this year. This has been the case when pandemic-related restrictions ended.

This has prompted Travel and Tour World to post an article on Japan's booming tourism.

They begin it with:

In 2025, Japan is enjoying a robust tourism and travel boom, owing to more than 28.5 million international visitors in just the first half of the year, and projections now exceed 40 million for the whole year. This comes off the back of Japan’s cultural wealth, travel-friendly infrastructure, and international events such as World Expo 2025 in Osaka. This increase in tourism is also attributed to the demand for culturally immersive activities, Japan’s favorable exchange rates, and the fact that it caters to everyone from luxury seekers to solo and family travelers—making it one of the top travel places this year.

To read more, go here. 

Yen Falls To Four-Month Low Against Dollar

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 in foreign exchange.

According to Nippon.com:

Tokyo, Aug. 1 (Jiji Press)--The yen fell to hit four-month lows past 150.50 per dollar in Tokyo trading Friday morning, with market players believing that the Bank of Japan is cautious about an early interest rate increase.

At noon, the dollar was at 150.75-77 yen, up from 149.38-40 yen at 5 p.m. Thursday.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors

Above, a gate at Tokyo's Asakusa Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations today.

It is easy to see why. It is a first world nation and the current currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is a big draw.

Forbes has posted ten must-know Japan travel tips for first-time visitors.

They begin it with:

Japan is one of the most popular international destinations right now.

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

From basic etiquette and can’t miss public transportation tips to planning the best time of year to visit (and knowing best time of year to avoid), here are ten essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to plan the best visit possible to Japan.

 To read more, go here.