Five-Day Silver Week Holiday Begins

Japan's Silver Week began on September 19 with five consecutive days off, marking a first in 11 years. Despite rainy weather in the Kanto region due to Typhoon No. 25 approaching, crowds flocked to food and festival events throughout the country. In Tokyo, visitors gathered at Hibiya Park for the Niku Matsuri meat festival, featuring grilled skirt steak, horse-meat hamburg steaks, and stewed offal.

The Umai Aomori Festival in Aomori Prefecture showcased apple-based desserts. At Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture, a craft beer festival offered over 150 varieties of craft beer. Meanwhile, in Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival started, with massive floats racing through the city's streets. Typhoon No. 25, a large and strong storm, moved northwest over waters south of the Tokai region at around 6 a.m. on September 20 and was forecast to bring torrential rain, violent winds, and transport disruption.

A drone crash involving an illuminated Nagoya City Hall headquarters occurred on September 17. Meanwhile, Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido continued to emit volcanic smoke, prompting a Level 3 alert and cancellations at nearby hot spring inns. Starbucks considered selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at $3 billion.

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen. Typhoons disrupted tourism, with Nagatoro's river cruises suspended and increased water flow at Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture drawing more visitors. A new Supreme Class offering private compartments on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen debuted on October 1.

Tokyo Disney Resort launched its annual Halloween event on September 16, and visitors could climb to the top of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge for panoramic views.