Japan's year-end homecoming rush peaks as long year-end holiday begins

Japan's year-end homecoming travel rush peaked on Saturday, with major train stations and airports crowded from the morning as families with suitcases queued on platforms, kicking off a holiday stretch of up to nine days.With the year drawing to a close, after rising prices weighed heavily on daily life nationwide, many travelers said the long holiday offers a rare chance to relax and spend quiet time with family.At Tokyo Station, a 78-year-old company employee returning to Osaka Prefecture from a solo posting near the capital said prices rose across the board this year, making life tough, …READ FULL ARTICLE