JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

JAPAN HAS CHANGED | TOP 9 New Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan 2025

Hi, I’m Meg from Tokyo. In this video, I will 
share the top nine new things to know before traveling to Japan this autumn. We will cover the 
best fall events to enjoy, plus some important travel updates and things to watch out for. 
We also offer favorite tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. So, feel free to contact us through the 
link below. All right, then let’s go. Number one, autumn leaves forecast. The Japan Metrological 
Agency has released the official autumn leaves forecast. According to the report announced in 
October 2025, the best time to see the autumn colors is expected to be around early December 
in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. In northern Japan, such as Hokkaido, the leaves have already started 
changing color, and the peak viewing season will gradually move south across the country in the 
coming weeks. If you are planning a trip to Japan, make sure to check the peak foliage timing for 
each region in advance. Popular viewing spots tend to be less crowded around 8 to 9:00 a.m., 
while afternoons can get busy with tour buses and large groups. For the best experience, visit early 
in the morning or weekdays to fully enjoy Japan’s stunning autumn scenery. Number two, Kyoto Crowd 
Alert. Kyoto has officially entered the autumn foliage season and this year even heavier crowds 
are expected around popular spots like Kinkakuji and Kiomizilla temple. In preparation for the 
busy season, Kyoto city has strengthened its crowd control measures as much as possible. On the 
official Kyoto travel website, a crowd forecast calendar is now available. Visitors can check 
how crowded major tourist areas are expected to be before visiting. For example, in Arashyama, 
you can see forecast for sunny weekends when it’s packed or rainy days when it’s relatively 
quiet, making it easier to plan your trip and avoid heavy crowds. Many of Kyoto’s famous temples 
and gardens are not directly accessible by trains, so most travelers rely on buses or taxis. During 
the autumn season, city buses are often packed, and due to a nationwide shortage of drivers, 
it’s difficult to increase the number of buses in operation. At peak hours, delays and even boarding 
restrictions may occur. For safety reasons, some passengers carrying large suitcases may be asked 
not to board city buses during crowded times. Travelers are encouraged to store luggage at their 
hotels or station coin lockers and explore Kyoto hands-free. If you’re visiting Kyoto during the 
autumn season, make sure to check the crowd focus in advance and plan your trip for early mornings 
or weekends. That’s the best time to enjoy Kyoto’s stunning pole scenery without the crowds. Number 
three, taxi scams targeting foreigners. In Tokyo’s Ginda district, so-called illegal taxis known in 
Japan as Shiotaku have become a growing problem. Police have stepped up enforcement, and in October 
2025, they carried out a large-scale traffic crackdown on Ginsa’s main street, which is always 
packed with tourists. Ashotaku refers to a private driver offering paid fries without the proper 
license. Official taxis in Japan always have green license plates while these illegal ones use 
white plates. That’s the key difference. Recently, more drivers have recruiting passengers through 
social media and incidents have been reported not only in Ginsza but also in Shibuya, Shingjuku 
and even at Narita and Haneda airports. Also, it’s not just illegal taxis. Even some licensed green 
plate taxis may try to negotiate pairs directly, which is against to the rules. Japanese police are 
warning visitors not to use unlicensed taxis or any drivers who try to negotiate prices. For your 
safety, always take official taxis or use public transportation when traveling in Japan. Number 
four, Tokyo and Kyoto transport warning. Japan is currently facing a serious shortage of bus drivers 
nationwide. Even in Tokyo, many routes connecting major stations like Shinjuku, Shinagawa, and Weno 
have already reduced their services. The situation in Kyoto is even more challenging. Since many 
Kyoto’s tourist spots are hard to reach by train, most travelers rely on buses or taxis to get 
around. However, during the autumn polyage season and on weekends, buses become extremely crowded 
because of the driver shortage, it’s difficult to add more buses. So, there are cases where buses 
are completely full and passengers cannot get on. In addition, if you’re carrying large luggage, you 
may be refused boarding on certain buses during busy times. Traffic congestion is also common 
around tourist areas. So when visiting Kyoto, it’s best to book a taxi in advance or start 
your day early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Number five, Japan entry scam warning. 
As mentioned in one of my previous videos, Japan is planning to introduce a new online entry system 
called JSTA around physical year 2028. This system will allow travelers from visaexempt countries to 
complete entry procedures online before departure, similar to ESTA in the US. However, please be 
careful. There’s an important warning. Recently, fake websites using the name J Esta 
have been found online. At this moment, there is no official JSA website and the Japanese 
government has not released anything yet. So, please do not enter your personal or credit 
card information on any of these sites. Also, don’t forget to register with Visit Japan Web, 
the official government website that allows you to complete pre- arrival procedures for smoother 
entry at airports like Narita and Haneda. There have also been reports of fake visit Japan web 
pages. So, make sure you only use the official link provided in the description below. Stay 
informed, stay safe, and enjoy a smoother trip to Japan. Number six, fall events in Japan. Autumn 
in Tokyo is one of the best times to enjoy food, culture, and beautiful scenery all at once. 
During this season, the city comes alive with a variety of exciting events. In October, one of 
the highlights is the Iikibukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival. Every year, cosplayers from all over 
the world gather in Iikibulo, turning Sunshine Street and Nakairo Park into massive photo spots. 
It’s free to watch and known as a safe daytime Halloween event where anyone can enjoy Japan’s 
fun cosplay culture. Next, there’s a Tokyo Ramen Festa held at Komaazawa Olympic Park. Here, local 
ramen from all over Japan comes together. It’s the perfect food festival for autumn, always packed 
with ramen lovers. In November, don’t miss the Jingu Gayen Ginko Festival where golden goko trees 
light the street surrounded by food stalls and craft markets. a picture perfect symbol of Tokyo 
in autumn. And if you head to Kyoto, you will find the autumn foliage season in full bloom. From 
November, temples like Kiomiza, Toji, and Kitano Tangu hold special autumn openings. The scenery 
is stunning during the day, but the nighttime illuminations create a magical atmosphere that’s 
completely different. Admission usually cost around 500 to 1,000 yen, and it’s truly worth it. 
If you’re visiting Japan in October or November, make sure to check out these amazing autumn events 
and experience the best of Japan’s seasonal charm. Number seven, Japan enters full season. Japan has 
officially entered the full season, and this year it started about a month earlier than usual. If 
you start feeling sick or tired during your trip, you can buy over-the-counter medicine at 
mostarmacies. Common fever reducers like Tylenol Kona are widely available across Japan. 
If you need to find an English-speaking hospital, the official government website J&T’s medical 
support page is very helpful. For example, if you’re in Tokyo, you can select the Tokyo area 
and download a PDF list of hospitals that provide English language support. Another option is a 
service called Hotel Doctor 24. It’s available at some partner hotels and allows you to consult 
an English-speaking doctor online directly from your hotel room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
It’s a great option if you feel unwell and want to avoid going to a hospital in person. But keep in 
mind that medical costs in Japan can be expensive, so it’s highly recommended to have some travel 
insurance before your trip. Stay healthy, take care of yourself, and enjoy Japan safely. Number 
eight, Shiba ban street drinking. Every year during Halloween weekend, Shibuya has been known 
as a place where huge crowds gather in costumes, drinking, and partying on the streets. However, 
in recent years, bed behavior and safely concerns have become a serious issue, leading to more 
complaints from local residents and workers. In response, Shibuya Award introduced new rules in 
October 2024. Drinking alcohol on the streets and in parks around Shibuya Station at night is now 
banned all year round, not just during Halloween. This means visitors are stringly advised not 
to buy or drink alcohol outdoors at night when visiting Chibuya. The city is also taking steps 
to raise awareness among international visitors with multilingual warnings and cooperation with 
overseas media to spread the message. Meanwhile, the Iikbukulo Halloween Cosplay Festival, which 
I mentioned earlier, is gathering attention as a safe and fun alternative. Held every October on 
weekends and holidays, it attracts around 100,000 visitors, making it one of Japan’s largest cosplay 
events. Ikurulo is now becoming the new hot spot for those who want to enjoy Halloween safely and 
creatively. Definitely check it out if you’re in Tokyo this season. Number nine, new female prime 
minister. Japan is now entering a historic moment. It’s almost certain that the country’s first 
female prime minister will take office soon. Sai Takaii recently elected as a new leader of Japan’s 
ruling Liberal Democratic Party is known as a conservative politician who follows the policies 
of former prime minister Shinszo Abbe. Her official appointment as prime minister is expected 
to be finalized in the national diet on October 15, 2025. Takai has held several key government 
positions in the past and is widely recognized by the public. So what does this mean for 
foreign travelers? Since the news of her likely appointment, the Japanese yen has continued to 
weaken, which actually benefits foreign visitors, making travel, shopping, and dining in Japan 
more affordable. On the diplomatic side, Takaii is expected to take a stronger stance toward China 
while deepening Japan’s alliance with the United States. Her future relationship with former US 
President Donald Trump is also drawing global attention. As Japan enters this new political 
era, travelers may see some policy changes. But one thing is certain, the world is watching 
as Japan welcomes its first ever female leader.

Planning a trip to Japan in 2025? Japan’s autumn season has arrived — one of the most magical times to visit. 🍁
According to the 2025 Autumn Leaves Forecast, the colors in Kyoto are expected to peak from mid to late November, especially around Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, the famous Golden Pavilion. However, Kyoto is getting extremely crowded this year. Kyoto crowd alerts have already been reported on weekends. If you’re planning to travel beyond Kyoto, both Tokyo and Osaka also offer beautiful fall spots — from the gardens of Rikugien in Tokyo to the riverside views in Osaka Castle Park. But before your trip, there are a few important things to know. Recently, there’s been a Fake Visit Japan Web scam — fake sites asking for personal details or payments for Japan entry. For first-time visitors, this is your Japan travel guide and autumn travel tips: check crowd updates, plan early, and bring layers since temperatures can drop quickly at night. Japan in fall 2025 — from Kyoto’s temples to Tokyo’s skyline — will be truly unforgettable.

Time Stamp
0:00 Opening
0:22 1. Autumn Leaves Forcast
1:12 2. Kyoto Crowd Alert
2:42 3. Taxi Scams Targeting Foreigners
3:52 4. Tokyo & Kyoto Transport Warning
4:50 5. Japan Entry Scam Warning
5:54 6. Fall Events in Japan
7:27 7. Japan Enters Flu Season
8:36 8. Shibuya Bans Street Drinking
9:53 9. New Female Prime Minister

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