October 2026– date –
-
Mochi at New Year: Tokyo Fire Department’s Choking Warning
Tokyo Fire Department area, 2020–2024: 338 people taken to hospital after choking on mochi or similar foods, 135 of them in January. How to eat mochi safely. -
Japan’s New Year Closures: Offices Shut 29 Dec, Banks 31 Dec
Japan's government offices close 29 Dec 2026–3 Jan 2027, but banks only 31 Dec–3 Jan. What the two legal rules mean for ATMs, ward offices and museums. -
Buying a Japanese Kitchen Knife: The Part After the Shop
From 1 November 2026, tax on a knife bought in Japan comes back only after an airport customs check, so do the check before the knife goes in your checked bag.
12