Illuminating the Night: Japan’s Ambitious Push for After-Dark Tourism
In June 2025, Japan’s tourism industry shifted focus toward a brighter and more inclusive strategy: the development of “night tourism.” Recognizing both the potential for economic revitalization and the need to alleviate daytime congestion, the Japan Tourism Agency officially launched a nationwide initiative to expand tourism activities after dark. This effort—embracing cultural performances, light shows, extended museum hours, and evening temple visits—aims to make Japan’s nights as memorable as its days.
Across the country, cities and towns have responded with creativity. In Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, a newly introduced evening tour features illuminated temples paired with live geisha dance performances. Tokyo’s Ueno Park has piloted a night museum program that allows visitors to explore exhibits under ambient lighting with guided commentary. Smaller towns such as Takayama and Kurashiki have introduced lantern-lit streets and traditional night markets, reviving local crafts and cuisine. These programs not only enhance visitor experiences but also create economic opportunities in regions often overlooked during the typical tourist rush.
Central to this initiative is the blending of traditional culture with modern technology. Shrines in Nara and Miyajima now offer augmented reality (AR) guided experiences that project historical scenes as visitors walk the grounds. Similarly, historic castles and gardens have implemented projection mapping and synchronized light displays, drawing in crowds without the mid-day heat or crowds. Night tourism is being positioned as a sustainable, culturally respectful way to manage growing visitor numbers while highlighting Japan’s heritage.
The Tourism Agency has set ambitious targets: to double nighttime tourism-related spending by 2027 and establish at least 50 designated “Night Tourism Priority Zones” across the country. Public-private partnerships are being incentivized through grants and marketing support, with a special focus on preserving local culture while embracing innovation. The movement has been met positively by both local communities and international travelers, offering a balanced alternative to mass daytime sightseeing.
This new chapter in Japan’s tourism evolution reflects a larger theme: harmony. By extending travel into the evening and spotlighting regional charm, Japan seeks not only to diversify tourist experiences but also to foster a more sustainable and enriching model of travel. Whether it’s savoring grilled street food in a moonlit alley or watching kabuki theater beneath the stars, night tourism is poised to become a defining part of Japan’s post-pandemic travel identity.
Heatwave Hits Japan: Alerts, Labor Rules, and Vulnerable Populations
June 2025 also saw record-breaking heat spread across Japan, pushing maximum temperatures above 36 °C (97 °F) in regions like Tokyo and triggering widespread heat-stroke alerts. The scorching heatwave prompted government warnings for children, the elderly, and outdoor workers to avoid midday sun and stay hydrated.
These rising temperatures are not unusual in the Japanese summer—but 2024’s data raised concern: more than 2,000 heat-related deaths were recorded between June and September, with older adults accounting for more than half of hospitalizations, especially those aged 65 and up. In June 2025, multiple prefectures issued emergency heatstroke alerts, and local hospitals reported a surge in patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.
A major policy response came on June 1, when Japan’s Ministry of Health and Labor revised the Industrial Safety and Health Ordinance. Employers are now required by law to implement proactive measures: provide shaded rest areas and cooling for outdoor workers, enforce mandatory hydration breaks, and reduce work intensity during peak heat. Construction firms, delivery companies, and agribusinesses are scrambling to meet these new standards before fines take effect.
Heat stress is also being felt by families at home, where many rely on air conditioning to stay cool. But ethics and cost are a concern; the government is promoting public cooling centers and subsidies for air-conditioning in elder care facilities. Schools and community centers have started to operate “cooling rooms” during the day, especially for students left at home while parents work.
Japan’s early heat spike also disrupted seasonal planning. Events like Osaka Expo’s outdoor water fountain shows had to modify designs to reduce airborne bacteria growth while school sports days are being rescheduled to morning or after sunset. Experts believe that without aggressive action—including revised school schedules or greater investment in green infrastructure—outdoor cultural and athletic life may become increasingly untenable by 2065, as hotter summers become the norm.
This June’s heatwave serves as a wake-up call: climate resilience is no longer optional. Governments, businesses, and communities are being forced to rethink public health, labor rules, and urban design in a warming world. Japan’s policy recalibration this summer—with combined heat alerts, labor protections, cooling programs, and public awareness campaigns—may offer a model for other nations facing similar temperature extremes.
