Japan continues to break tourism records, and now its famous bullet trains are getting a premium upgrade. Starting this October, select Shinkansen services between Tokyo and cities like Kyoto and Osaka will offer a new “Supreme Class” with private, lockable cabins. Passengers can adjust lighting and air conditioning to their liking, and the largest rooms even include small sofas. Additionally, a new sleeper car called “Luna Azul” (Spanish for “blue moon”) will debut next year along the Tohoku route, featuring lie-flat seats for overnight journeys to northeastern prefectures such as Aomori and Akita.
However, visitors should also prepare for a higher departure fee. Japan’s “sayonara tax” — added to airfare — will triple from ¥1,000 (about $6) to ¥3,000 ($18.50) starting July 1. The government says the revenue funds infrastructure improvements.
Elsewhere in travel news, extreme heat is affecting summer vacations across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Travelers are advised to visit outdoor attractions early, take breaks, and stay hydrated with water-rich foods like melons and grapes. In Turkey, a stretchy, non-dripping ice cream called dondurma offers a melt-free treat in Mediterranean flavors such as pistachio and sour cherry.
For off-the-beaten-path explorers, the Pacific island nation of Palau sees few tourists but offers unique attractions, including a jellyfish lake and World War II relics on the island of Peleliu, where remnants of tanks and cannons remain.
And in South Korea, Busan’s Haeundae Beach is hosting its 20th annual sand art festival, featuring intricate sculptures created by veteran artists.
