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. 

Japan Crosses 10 Million Visitors Through March

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

Those of us who have interests in Japan remember the days when the country sought to get at least 10 million foreign visitors to the country in a year.

They have well exceeded that long-ago goal. They've done it in three months this year.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Japan crossed the 10 million visitor mark at the fastest ever pace this year, reaching that level already in March, official data showed on Wednesday, as the weak yen propelled an unprecedented tourism boom.

Arrivals of foreign visitors for business and leisure reached 3.5 million last month, bringing the total through the first quarter to 10.54 million, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Last year, Japan reached 10 million visitors in April.

 To read more, go here.

Japan's "Golden Route" For First-Timers

Above, Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have never been to Japan, there are several websites that will greatly aid in one's vacation planning. 

One such site has posted an article on "The Golden" route that is aimed to first-time visitors. It was posted by Japan Today.

It begins with:

TOKYO - The Golden Route is the quintessential travel itinerary for first-time visitors to Japan. It traditionally includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and (sometimes) Hiroshima, offering a well-rounded introduction to Japan’s modern and historical sites. This route is ideal for first-time visitors as it provides a mix of modern cityscapes, historical sites, natural beauty and cultural experiences. The entire journey typically takes 7 to 14 days, depending on how long you stay in each location.

The Golden Route is well-connected by the Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed bullet train, making travel between major stops fast and convenient. Local train lines, buses and subway networks will also make accessibility a breeze in each city. Many travelers opt for the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, which offers unlimited travel on most JR trains, including Shinkansen services, making it a cost-effective option.

This guide provides a summary of each destination in the order you would travel, including practical travel information.

To read more, go here. 

Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

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

On October 1, Japan Rail raised the prices on its Rail Passes, by around 70%,

I traveled around Japan during my eight visits there over the years and found it to be economical. Now that the prices have been raised, the question now is, "Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?"

An article in Japan Today discusses this.

They begin with:

TOKYO - There are many things to love about Japan, from the food to the living tradition to the ultra-modern streets of fast-paced Tokyo. Of course, there are also the trains. Sleek and punctual, they whisk passengers from one corner of the country to the other in comfort and style.

Regular visitors will know about the Japan Rail Pass, an affordable, all-you-can-ride ticket that grants access to the many Japan Rail-associated trains, including the famous bullet train, the shinkansen. However, prices have recently increased—and by quite a lot.

Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it? 

To read the full article, go here. 

Be sure to read readers' comments.

Japan's Worst Tourist Traps and Where To Go Instead

Above, Tokyo Tower. Tourist trap or not? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

No matter where one goes, there are places that could be considered "tourist traps" and some that would be more valuable culturally.

Such is the case with Japan. Japan Today posted an article on what the writer considers "tourist traps" and what places one should go to instead.

It begins with:

TOKYO - The best destinations in Japan include serene traditional streets and ancient temples in places like Kyoto. In Tokyo, iconic “must-see” attractions such as the Tokyo Tower or the “exhilarating” experience of cruising in go-karts are hard to miss.

However, while these activities offer a glimpse into the culture and are undoubtedly enjoyable for some, they only tell part of the story. Japan’s frequently recommended destinations have earned their reputation for good reasons. Yet, they can often be swamped with tourists. These sites sometimes cater so heavily to foreign visitors that they risk becoming mere reflections of travelers’ preconceptions rather than showcasing the authentic essence of Japan.

Thankfully, for those eager to dig a bit deeper, Japan is peppered with innumerable hidden gems. These lesser-known spots can satisfy your wanderlust, providing experiences that echo the allure of the more renowned locales without the crowds.

To read more, go here. 

5 Everyday Japan Experiences To Try

Above, shopping at a konbini is one suggestion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Japan is fully open to foreign visitors, the usual attractions there beckon. But there are ordinary things to see and do while there. Those are worthwhile to do as well.

Japan Today has listed five everyday experiences one should try in Japan. I've done them all.

They begin with:

TOKYO - If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you no doubt have all the big sights on your list—traditional shops and streets around Kyoto, towering samurai castles, the iconic Mount. Fuji and much more. A good place to plan your trip is our very own GaijinPot Travel.

But for me, what really makes for an interesting travel experience are the smaller things that are mundane for people living in a country but novel and captivating for newcomers. So if you want to feel truly immersed in Japanese culture, check out these quintessential everyday experiences you might have left off your list.

Be sure to read the comments with the article. Some feel the list is silly, but others have better suggestions.

To read more, go here. 

Experience Godzilla Daily Attacks In Atami

Above, Atami Castle sits on a hill overlooking the town. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Atami has the distinction to Godzilla fans as the place where the battle between Godzilla and King Kong ended in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).

After demolishing Atami Castle, both monsters tumbled into the ocean.

Today, Atami has a new Godzilla attraction that fans may want to check out: daily Godzilla attacks.

Japan Today reported:

Atami has long been one of Japan’s most popular seaside travel destinations. Located in Shizuoka Prefecture at the eastern entrance to the Izu Peninsula, Atami’s abundant hot springs and sweeping ocean views make the archetypal itinerary a nice long soak and a luxurious meal served in your hotel room as you gaze out at the sea as the sun sets.

However, if rather than destressing you’re looking for something that’ll get your heartrate up in Atami, the Atami Bay Resort Korakuen hotel has just the amenity for you: daily Godzilla attacks.

The hotel is currently running the Escape from the Hotel Being Attacked by Godzilla escape room game. The event is one of the latest creations from Scrap, the Tokyo-based escape room design company (and also the people behind the amazing real-life Metal Gear Solid game). And even though Godzilla is targeting the hotel, non-guests can get in on the fun/terror too, since the game is offered in two formats.

To read more, go here. 

Visitor Spending In Japan Jumped Sevenfold In 2022

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

Since the restrictions of the pandemic have been lifted in Japan last October, tourists coming into the country have aided the economy with their spending.

Japan Today has posted that spending by foreign visitors in Japan has increased sevenfold in 2022.

They wrote:

TOKYO - Spending by foreign visitors to Japan in 2022 grew sharply from the year before to 898.7 billion yen as arrivals began increasing from October when border restrictions, initially imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, were eased, according to a government survey.

The figure was 7.4 times higher than the 120.8 billion yen spent in 2021, the lowest amount recorded since comparable data became available in 2010, but still down 81.3 percent from the 4.8 trillion yen recorded in 2019, the highest spending ever by overseas travelers.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency survey, the average expenditure per person was 234,524 yen, a 47.9 percent increase from 2019.

The government on Friday announced a basic plan to promote tourism in the country. Without setting a specific time limit, the aim is for 5 trillion yen in annual expenditures by foreign arrivals.

To read more, go here. 

Kappabashi, All Things Kitchen

Above, the giant chef bust tells visitors that they're in Kappabashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Longtime regular readers of this blog have read blog posts about Kappabashi, known as "Kitchen Town" in Tokyo.

Kappabashi is near Asakusa in Tokyo and the district has everything a cook, professional or otherwise, may need or want. 

Above, knives on display at the Kamaasa Knife Co. shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I first went to Kappabashi in February 2014 to pick up some chef's knives. Following my purchases, I wandered around the district to see what other things were available. I returned there a year later to pick up some more goods.

Japan Today has a nice detailed article about Kappabashi that would be useful for future visitors.

They begin it with:

TOKYO - To spend a few hours wandering the Tokyo neighborhood of Kappabashi, not far from Asakusa, is not just a fun shopping experience, it is also a lesson in how many different kitchen toys exist in the world. This neighborhood, and especially its main drag, is jammed with shops that sell everything imaginable for the kitchen, whether it’s a home kitchen or a professional one. It makes sense that a city as obsessed with good food as Tokyo would be home to one of the largest shopping districts for kitchen implements in the world.

The breadth of items available in the more than 170 shops in the area is astounding. There is everything imaginable, and a few things one could never imagine (unless, perhaps, you are a professionally trained chef).

The principal shopping street of Kappabashi, a strip less than a kilometer long, is just a few dozen meters from Tawaramachi station on the Ginza subway line. Its entry is marked by a gigantic bust of a chef atop the Niimi Building on the corner, home of a shop selling dishes.

To read more, go here. 

Finland, Sweden Moving Towards Joining NATO

The Russian war on Ukraine has made a couple of European countries rethink their position on joining NATO.

According to Japan Today:

The Kremlin warned about taking retaliatory “military-technical” steps after Finland’s leaders came out in favor of applying to join NATO, and Sweden could do the same within days, in a historic realignment triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the first war-crimes trial of a Russian soldier since the start of the conflict was set to open Friday in Kyiv. A 21-year-old captured member of a tank unit is accused of shooting to death a civilian during the opening week of the war.

On the ground, Russian forces pounded areas in central, northern and eastern Ukraine, including the last pocket of resistance in Mariupol, as part their offensive to take the industrial Donbas region, while Ukraine recaptured some towns and villages in the northeast.

Two and a half months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent a shiver of fear through Moscow’s neighbors, Finland’s president and prime minister announced Thursday that the Nordic country should apply right away for membership in NATO, the military defense pact founded in part to counter the Soviet Union.

“You (Russia) caused this. Look in the mirror,” Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said this week.  

That would represent a major change in Europe's security landscape: Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, while Finland adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviets in World War II.

To read more, go here. 

Hilton To Open Hotel In Kyoto

Above, Kyoto Station will be a 15 minute drive from the new Hilton Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is interesting that Hilton has signed an agreement to open a hotel in Kyoto, Japan while the country is still closed off to foreign tourists. But here we are.

Japan Today reported that Hilton will open a new hotel in Kyoto which will feature enticing amenities.

The reported:

HONG KONG - Hilton has signed a management agreement with Tokyo Tatemono for a hotel in Kyoto.

Scheduled to open in 2024, the Hilton Kyoto will be located in Sanjo-Kawaramachi in the heart of downtown Kyoto.

The hotel will be within walking distance of major attractions such as the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Heian Shrine, Yasaka Shrine and Gion area. Kyoto City Hall Station and Sanjo Station will also be within easy walking distance, while Kyoto Station will be approximately 15 minutes away by car.

The 313-room hotel will feature four F&B outlets, a fitness center, spa, indoor pool, an executive lounge, and banquet and meeting rooms. 

Hopefully, Japan will be reopened to foreign tourism by 2024.

To read more, go here. 

Japanese Media On Akira Takarada's Passing

Above, Akira Takarada as Ogata in Godzilla (1954). Source: IMDb.

The Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, has reported the passing of actor Akira Takarada. 

This, and one from Japan Today, are the first reports I've seen on his passing from Japanese news sources (I'm sure there's more).

Asahi Shimbun begins it with:

Akira Takarada, an actor who starred in the first “Godzilla” movie and later became a peace activist, died of pneumonia on March 14. He was 87.

Born on the Korean Peninsula when it was under Japan’s colonial rule, Takarada and his family eventually moved to Manchuria and returned to Japan after the end of World War II.

Takarada was chosen as one of the new actors for Toho Co. in 1953, and he played the lead role in “Godzilla” the following year.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Today wrote:

TOKYO - Japanese actor Akira Takarada, who starred in the original 1954 "Godzilla" and several later films featuring the city-wrecking monster, has died in Tokyo aged 87.

Takarada, who appeared at the premiere of his latest film earlier this month, passed away in hospital having contracted pneumonia, Japanese media reported Friday.

"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Akira Takarada. May his memory continue to inspire the lives of many Godzilla fans," said a tweet posted by the official account of the Godzilla franchise.

To read more, go here. 

How Crowded Is Kyoto Now Without International Tourists?

Above, Kinkakuji in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I was in Kyoto was in October 2015 and all of the popular tourist attractions were teeming

with people. The "overtourism" in Kyoto got so bad in recent years that the locals started complaining.

Well, since early last year when the pandemic started, Kyoto has not been so crowded since foreign tourists have been barred from entering Japan.

A new article in Japan Today takes a look at some of the popular tourist attractions to see how crowed they are (or aren't) these days.

They begin with:

TOKYO - In recent years, Kyoto has been buckling under the strain of overtourism, with congestion, bad behavior, and etiquette problems becoming so widely reported in news reports that some people in Japan now totally avoid going there.

That all changed at the beginning of last year, however, when the coronavirus pandemic shut the country off to international tourism. The normally crowded tourist sites in the ancient capital became a lot quieter, and locals starting visiting again, not only to see the beautiful shrines and temples in the city, but to view them as they used to decades ago, before overtourism stole their quiet beauty.

Now, as the country begins to open up and people start traveling more freely again, there have been mixed reports about the number of tourists in Kyoto, with some reporting that the crowds are back at the city’s magnificent tourist sites.

We decided to take a look for ourselves to see what the crowds are really like right now, so sit back, relax, and join us as we take you on a virtual tour of some of the most popular spots in Kyoto, starting with:

To read more, go here. 

Japan's First "Highest Altitude Fireworks Display" At Mount Fuji

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

Plans are underway for Japan's "first highest altitude fireworks display" from the lower slopes of Mount Fuji.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO - Though fireworks are most commonly associated with summer festivals in Japan, there’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy them year round; and during the colder months when skies are clearer, the colorful displays contrast against the dark of night and appear to shine brighter than ever.

On the 18th of December this year, the lower slopes of Mount Fuji will become the setting for "Japan’s highest altitude fireworks display" when approximately 5,000 fireworks will be launched from the second station of the Fujinomiya trail.

The display will be taking place at Amusement Park Grinpa, which is located at the second station of the Fujinomiya trail (with most hikers starting their Fuji climb from the fifth stations, it’s also a great opportunity to get acquainted with the lesser-visited lower end of the trail).

Seventeen years ago (it hardly seems that long ago), the first G-TOUR had the tour group at Lake Kawaguchi for a fireworks festival. Silhouetted against the night sky was Mount Fuji. It was a display that the tour group never forgot. 

Too bad that tourists won't be able to see this display since the country is closed to foreign visitors. Hopefully, this display will be an annual event after the pandemic ends.

To read more, go here.

JNTO To Relaunch "Enjoy My Japan" Campaign

Above, the Saikai Bridge that was featured in Rodan (1956) in Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is still closed off to foreign visitors. But when the country does reopen to foreign visitor, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will be ready. They hope.

JNTO is relaunching its "Enjoy my Japan" promotional campaign.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO - While Japan has not yet re-opened its borders to overseas visitors, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and the country’s many local attractions are gearing up for the resumption of international travel.

JNTO has re-invigorated its global “Enjoy my Japan” campaign, originally launched in 2018, signaling Japan’s readiness to meet its ambitious goal of welcoming 60 million overseas visitors by 2030.

Promoting Japan as a destination that can be enjoyed by all travelers, the campaign highlights seven unique travel passions – Nature, Outdoors, Traditions, Cuisine, Art, Relaxation, and Cities. The key message is that Japan offers more than just iconic sites in Tokyo or Kyoto; there are a whole range of diverse destinations offering something for every traveler. Whether their dreams include exploring mystical waterfalls or immersing their bodies and minds in a high-tech museum, Japan will fulfill them.

The campaign theme “Enjoy my Japan” emphasizes the interaction between overseas visitors and local people. The goal is not only to motivate travelers to form deeper and more personal connections with Japan; the campaign also aims to encourage local Japanese to welcome visitors warmly and with open arms.

The updated campaign website is available in six languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Russian. The attention of visitors to the home page will immediately be drawn to the menu bar along the top, which offers routes to pages focusing on specific travel passions. Under each theme, they can find insightful history, useful travel tips, and vivid illustrations of the numerous destinations and activities.

To read more, go here. 

Alec Baldwin Sued Over Fatal Shooting

Now it begins.

Actor and producer of the film Rust Alec Baldwin is being sued over the on-set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.

Japan Today reported:

Los Angeles - U.S. actor Alec Baldwin is being sued by a "Rust" crew member over the fatal on-set shooting of a cinematographer last month, lawyers said Wednesday.

The negligence suit also names armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who claimed through her legal representatives that she was being "framed" for the death of Halyna Hutchins.

The low-budget movie's chief lighting technician Serge Svetnoy says in the lawsuit that the accidental killing "was caused by the negligent acts and omissions" of lead actor and producer Baldwin and others.

"Simply put, there was no reason for a live bullet to be placed in that .45 Colt revolver or to be present anywhere on the 'Rust' set, and the presence of a bullet in a revolver posed a lethal threat to everyone in its vicinity," the suit, submitted to a Los Angeles court, says.

Baldwin, assistant director Dave Halls and Gutierrez-Reed did not follow film industry practice on the handling of weapons and "allowed a revolver loaded with live ammunition to be pointed at living persons," the suit alleges.

Cinematographer Hutchins was shot and killed as Baldwin rehearsed a scene on the 19th-century western in which he fires a gun at the camera.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Keeping Tourism Freeze Despite Virus Case Drop

Above, the area near Harajuku Station in Tokyo during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I've said before when it comes to tourism to Japan, I'll believe it when I see it.

It looks like Japan will remain off-limits to foreign tourism for the foreseeable future.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Filled with pink and fuzzy things and cuddly bears, 6%DOKIDOKI, a tiny store in the heart of Tokyo’s Harajuku district, is bursting with “kawaii,” the Japanese for “cuteness.”

What it doesn’t have enough of, as in zero, are foreign tourists. And it could sure use some.

Like much of Asia, including Taiwan, Vietnam and Australia, Japan’s borders remain closed to tourists. While other Asian countries are inching toward reopening, Japanese borders will likely remain shut for some time to come. That’s a hardship for the many businesses that had come to rely on foreign tourists, who numbered 32 million in 2019, before the pandemic.

While mandatory quarantine requirements have been eased somewhat after the number of new coronavirus cases plunged from hundreds per day to a few dozen per day in Tokyo, unlike the Indonesian resort island of Bali and some destinations in Thailand, Japan remains off-limits to foreign tourists.

Japan has also effectively shut out foreign students and business travelers. A big exception, much criticized, was made for athletes and officials arriving for the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year.

People remain nervous about foreign travel in this insular “island culture,” said Kotaro Toriumi, a tourism analyst and travel books author.

Toriumi, who teaches at Tokyo's Teikyo University, thinks foreign tourism won’t revive for another year or two, even though about 73% of Japanese are fully vaccinated. That’s a much higher rate than most other Asian countries, except for Singapore.

Even if the borders reopen, tourism won't revive if Japan continues to require 10-day quarantines by travelers arriving from overseas, he said.

To read more, go here. 

How 9/11 Changed Air Travel

Above, Godzilla at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One week from today, it will be 20 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.

As the attacks were carried out by using airline planes as weapons, drastic security changes at the nation's airports were implemented and they are still with us today.

My first trip to Japan was a month later in late October 2001. At that time, the airports had National Guard soldiers stationed in the terminals. My mom told me that travelers had to be at the airport four hours before boarding. Well, that was unnecessary, as it turned out. So I spent over three hours in the United Airlines terminal at LAX bored stiff. LAX was almost like a ghost town in the terminal.

At least the rest of the trip went well (even despite getting a 24-hour flu bug while there) and I attended the Tokyo International Film Festival's premiere screening of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

Japan Today posted an article on how 9/11 changed air travel and how we have more security and less privacy.

They start it with:

DALLAS - Ask anyone old enough to remember travel before Sept 11, 2001, and you're likely to get a gauzy recollection of what flying was like.

There was security screening, but it wasn’t anywhere near as intrusive. There were no long checkpoint lines. Passengers and their families could walk right to the gate together, postponing goodbye hugs until the last possible moment. Overall, an airport experience meant far less stress.

That all ended when four hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

The worst terror attack on American soil led to increased and sometimes tension-filled security measures in airports across the world, aimed at preventing a repeat of that awful day. The cataclysm has also contributed to other changes large and small that have reshaped the airline industry — and, for consumers, made air travel more stressful than ever.

Two months after the attacks, President George W. Bush signed legislation creating the Transportation Security Administration, a force of federal airport screeners that replaced the private companies that airlines were hiring to handle security. The law required that all checked bags be screened, cockpit doors be reinforced, and more federal air marshals be put on flights.

There has not been another 9/11. Nothing even close. But after that day, flying changed forever.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Lines Require Vaccinations, Tests Amid Virus Surge

Above, passengers shopping aboard a cruise ship to Key West and Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cruise ships are essentially "floating petri dishes" anyway, but the stubborn coronavirus and its variants have made matters worse for travelers.

Since the delta variant reared its ugly head, cruise lines have to modify their requirements on vaccinations and take other protective measures.

According to an article in Japan Today:

Miami - Joel Steckler was eager for his first cruise in more than a year and a half, and he chose the ship that just two months ago became the first to accept passengers again after a long pandemic shutdown.

Steckler was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that was enough to resume cruising, under initial guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Now, the 63-year-old from Long Island, New York, is going to postpone the trip he had planned for Saturday amid new, tighter guidelines prompted by the delta-variant-fueled surge in cases and breakthrough infections.

“You just have to make a personal decision,” said Steckler, who takes medication that suppresses his immune system and changed his plans after consulting his doctor. “You don’t want to be in a position where you are sick on a cruise and you have to fly home or somehow get home.”

Cruise lines have detected infections among vaccinated crew members and passengers, including in an elderly traveler who recently died. Last Friday, the CDC began advising travelers who are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness to avoid cruises. It is also recommending that passengers show both a recent negative COVID test and proof they've been immunized.

To read more, go here. 

Korean Air Expands Baggage Notification Service To All Flights

Above, a Korean Air jet being loaded for a flight to Japan at LAX. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One main concern when flying domestically or internationally of travelers is that their luggage makes it to their destination when they do.

It has happened to me twice (once domestically and once internationally) that my luggage didn't make it to my destinations with me. They weren't lost for they were delivered to me by the airlines to my hotels the next day. Still, it is unnerving, to say the least.

Here's something that will ease one's mind.

Korean Air has an expanded luggage notification system that will tell passengers when their luggage was loaded onto their planes. It's a good idea, too.

According to Japan Today:

SEOUL - Korean Air has confirmed that it will expand its baggage notification service to all international and domestic flights, starting 1 May 2021.

Passengers will receive a message such as "Your baggage KE123456 has been loaded on flight KE1211 bound for Jeju (CJU)" on Korean Air’s new mobile app “Korean Air My” as soon as their checked baggage is successfully loaded on their aircraft.

The messages can be checked in the app’s notifications or baggage tracking sections.

The push notification service is available for SKYPASS members who have enabled push notifications on “Korean Air My”.

At present, Korean Air is my favorite airline for traveling to Japan.

To read more, go here.