After a long career in preschool education, Australian Linda Joyce is now taking up sustainable tourism as a bilingual concierge in rural Tochigi Prefecture. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2025/09/25/our-lives/linda-joyce-tochigi-tourism/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #community #ourlives #expats #tochigiprefecture #tourism #overtourism #sustainabletourism #hotels #rurallife
Linda Joyce: ‘We hope people recognize the benefits of exploring rural areas’

Former teacher Linda Joyce shifted careers to the tourism industry in 2024 and now works at a historic property in rural Tochigi Prefecture.

The Japan Times
An entrepreneur and local art patron built what is now the Nikko Kanaya Hotel over 150 years ago, making it the oldest Western resort hotel in Japan. Today it stands as the epitome of the culture-blending artistic and architectural tradition of its day. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/07/10/art/nikko-kanaya-hotel-art/ #culture #art #nikkokanayahotel #nikko #tochigiprefecture #meijiera
Nikko Kanaya Hotel: A gateway to the art of Meiji Japan in the hills of Tochigi

Over 150 years on, the structure stands as a remarkable example of Japanese art and architecture in an era known for rapid modernization.

The Japan Times
Fatally stabbed convenience store clerk previously contacted police about suspect

A 45-year-old female convenience store clerk in Utsunomiya City who was fatally stabbed last week had previously alerted police about the man in custody for the crime

TokyoReporter
Convenience store employee fatally stabbed; attacker commits suicide

A man died in an apparent suicide after he fatally stabbed a 45-year-old female convenience store clerk in Utsunomiya City on Wednesday

TokyoReporter
Man who 'travels nationwide searching for girls' arrested --- again

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 41-year-old man who has previously said he travels the nation to target young girls for sexual exploitation

TokyoReporter
NPO director convicted in illicit filming of girl’s soccer team

A court here this month convicted a 29-year-old director of a non-profit organization over the illicit filming of members of a girl’s soccer team he was coaching

TokyoReporter
Tochigi: Hostess club accused of employing 14-year-old girls

Tochigi Prefectural Police have arrested the manager of a hostess club in Utsunomiya City for allegedly employing 14-year-old girls

TokyoReporter
Tochigi: 3 corpses found in vehicle; group suicide suspected

Tochigi police are investigating what is believed to have been a group suicide after the discovery of three corpses in Nikko City last week

TokyoReporter