HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026

 

Slot Release Schedule for February 2026

 

◆Applicable Operation Dates◆

・RJTT / RJCC: 01FEB26 – 28FEB26

・RJAA: 01FEB26 – 28FEB26

・RJBB: 01FEB26 – 28FEB26

◆Monthly Application Deadline◆

・RJTT / RJCC: 09JAN26 0730Z (1630L)

・RJAA: 05JAN26 0730Z (1630L)

・RJBB: 09JAN26 0730Z (1630L)

◆Daily Application Starts at◆

・RJTT / RJCC: 20JAN26 0800Z (1700L)

・RJAA: 15JAN26 0800Z (1700L)

・RJBB: 20JAN26 0800Z (1700L)

(*L=JST)

*Slots for today through 31JAN2026 may be applied for on a daily basis for RJTT/RJCC.

*Slots for today through 31JAN2026 may be applied for on a daily basis for RJAA.

*Slots for today through 31JAN2026 may be applied for on a daily basis for RJBB.

LATEST TOPICS

 

Kanji of the year "2025"

 

Each year in Japan, a single kanji (a Japanese character originated in China）is selected to capture the mood and defining events of the previous 12 months.

The kanji chosen to represent 2025 was 「熊」, meaning “bear”, reflecting a year marked by an unprecedented rise in bear-related incidents, as reported in our previous newsletter.

 

Across the country, reports of bear encounters followed one after another, with the animals even being spotted in towns and city centers. These incidents disrupted everyday life, caused damage in some areas, and had a noticeable impact on local businesses. At the same time, they prompted many people to pause and reconsider how humans and nature can coexist.

 

The character 「米」, meaning “rice”, ranked second in the vote. This reflected sharp rises in rice prices during the year, as well as government decisions to release stockpiled rice to stabilize supply. Third place went to 「高」, meaning “high”. The choice was influenced by a range of factors, including rising prices and rice costs, record highs in gold prices and the Nikkei stock average, the appointment of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (Taka means “high”), and the breaking of Japan’s highest-ever recorded temperatures.

The Kanji of the year is selected by the popular public vote, organized by the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society and has been held nationwide every year since 1995. The winning character is traditionally unveiled on 12 December at a ceremonial announcement held at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

 

Ise Jingu (Ise Shrine)

 

Ise Jingu, located in Ise City in Mie Prefecture, is widely regarded as the most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan. Dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess who is believed to be the ancestral deity of the Imperial Family, Ise Jingu holds a central place in the spiritual life of the nation.

 

Japan is home to an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Shinto shrines, yet Ise Jingu is held in especially high esteem among them. For centuries, it has been revered as a spiritual guardian for the Japanese people, a place closely tied to ideas of renewal, protection and tradition.

 

The history of Ise Jingu is said to stretch back around 2,000 years. Visitors approach the shrine along a quiet forested path, where towering cedar trees, some believed to be around 700 years old, stand alongside clear streams and carefully preserved natural surroundings. The setting creates a sense of calm and reflection long before the shrine itself comes into view.

 

Just nearby, Okage Yokocho (literally meaning “thankfulness-side street”) offers a warmer, more bustling atmosphere. Its traditional streets are lined with local food, small shops and familiar scenes that give visitors a glimpse of Japan’s everyday culture, past and present. Together, the serenity of the shrine grounds and the welcoming energy of the surrounding area make a visit to Ise especially memorable.

 

There is also the tradition of Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year. For many people in Japan, travelling to Ise Jingu at this time is seen as particularly meaningful, marking a fresh start for the year ahead and a moment to pause, reflect and begin again.