Tokyo — capital and largest city of Japan

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Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Tokyo

capital and largest city of Japan

In brief

Japan’s land prices rose 1.5% for a fifth year as Furano residential land jumped 32% and Hakuba commercial land rose 35.6%.

Waymo, GO, and Nihon Kotsu plan Japan’s first fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo by 2027, with a phased rollout of up to about 100 Level 4 autonomous vehicles accessible via the GO and Waymo apps, pending safety verifications and regulatory approvals. The initiative follows extensive testing since 2025 and involves Nihon Kotsu on-site operations while Waymo provides the autonomous system and fleet management, illustrating a coordinated push toward wider autonomous mobility in Japan.

LatestIHG to Debut Noted Collection Brand in Tokyo With Two HotelsIHG will bring its Noted Collection to Japan with two Tokyo hotels: a 207-room Shinjuku property to be renovated and opened in 2027, and an 81-room new-build in Ginza scheduled for 2029. The signings mark the brand’s first entry into Japan and East Asia-Pacific, pairing hotels’ distinct local identities with IHG’s global network and loyalty program.Sep 28, 2026