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Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 18, 2024.

New strawberry from Tochigi Pref.

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 14 Kyodo - Photo taken in Utsunomiya on Nov. 14, 2018, shows a new variety of strawberry "Tochigi i37," developed by Tochigi Prefecture. The eastern Japan prefecture, with the nation's largest strawberry harvest, plans to put the new type of fruit on sale in a few years if a cultivation test and market study prove to be successful.

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Takayama Festival in central Japan

People walk along a street in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu during the Spring Takayama Festival on April 14, 2023.

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New kind of strawberry drawing attention in Japan

Photo taken March 5, 2015 shows a giant strawberry, called a "Skyberry," being sold at a fruit shop in Tokyo. Skyberry producers in the eastern Japan prefecture of Tochigi spent 17 years creating the new kind of strawberry. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Shizuoka to test market new strawberry variety 'Kirapika'

SHIZUOKA, Japan - A plate of a new variety of strawberries named "Kirapika" cultivated in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, is presented at the prefectural government office on Nov. 10, 2014. Shizuoka, the nation's fourth largest strawberry producer, said it will start trial sales of the new strawberries in the prefecture and in Tokyo from the following week.

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Komeito party leader Yamaguchi

Natsuo Yamaguchi (C), head of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visits a strawberry farm in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, on April 11, 2022.

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New strawberry brand Tochiaika

A woman holds a basket of new Tochiaika brand strawberries at a farm in Utsunomiya, eastern Japan, on Feb. 4, 2021.

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Japan PM Kishida visits disaster-hit Fukushima town

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) visits a strawberry farm in Okuma, a Fukushima Prefecture town hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster and the subsequent nuclear crisis, on Oct. 17, 2021, after visiting the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant co-hosted by the town. (Pool photo)

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Koizumi tries strawberries from Tochigi Pref.

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tries a strawberry from Tochigi Prefecture at his office in Tokyo on Dec. 9 offered by two women campaigners for prefectural products. (Kyodo)

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New head of Japan's LDP Suga

Photo taken Sept. 10, 2020, in Yuzawa in Akita Prefecture shows strawberry yogurt with a package featuring an illustration of Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the son of a strawberry farmer in the northeastern Japan prefecture. Suga won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election on Sept. 14 and is set to be appointed prime minister by parliament on Sept. 16.

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New strawberry brand Tochiaika

A woman holds a basket of new Tochiaika brand strawberries at a farm in Utsunomiya, eastern Japan, on Feb. 4, 2021.

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Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - Tourists admire a shower of sparks near the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. The event was a herald of spring in the ancient Japanese city. (Kyodo)

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New Year's tea ceremony

KYOTO, Japan - Sen Soshitsu (L), grand master of the Urasenke tea ceremony school, serves green tea to guests at the school's first tea ceremony gathering of the year at the Konnichian tea house in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2011. Grand masters of other tea ceremony schools as well as local government and business leaders, including Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada, took part in the ceremony.

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Auction for tea leaves

A batch of new Japanese tea leaves from the central Japan city of Shizuoka is pictured on April 12, 2024, after selling for a record 1.11 mil. yen ($7,250) per kilogram at the season's inaugural auction in the renowned Japanese green tea-producing city.

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New Year's tea ceremony

KYOTO, Japan - Sen Soshitsu (L), grand master of the Urasenke tea ceremony school, serves green tea to guests at the school's first tea ceremony gathering of the year at the Konnichian tea house in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2011. Grand masters of other tea ceremony schools as well as local government and business leaders, including Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada, took part in the ceremony.

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Kan attends New Year tea ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C) attends a New Year tea ceremony in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2011. After having tea prepared by Sen Soshitsu XVI (L), head of the Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony, Kan said, ''The color (of the tea) was beautiful and it was tasty.'' (Pool photo taken by Kyodo News)

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New Year tea ceremony

NARA, Japan - Worshipers at Saidai-ji, a temple in Nara, Nara Prefecture, enjoy green tea served in cups with a diameter of 30-40 centimeters and weighing about 5 kilograms, at an annual New Year tea ceremony on Jan. 15, 2014.

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New Year tea ceremony in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - The Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony holds a New Year tea ceremony with guests invited from the business and political worlds in the city of Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2015. Around 2,200 people have been invited over six days of the ceremony starting the same day.

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New Year's tea ceremony

KYOTO, Japan - Sen Soshitsu (far L), grand master of the Urasenke tea ceremony school, serves green tea to guests at the school's first tea ceremony gathering of the year at the Konnichian tea house in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2013.

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New Year's tea ceremony

KYOTO, Japan - The Urasenke tea ceremony school's first tea ceremony gathering of the year is held at the Konnichian tea house in Kyoto on Jan. 7, 2013.

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New Year tea ceremony in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - The Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony holds a New Year tea ceremony with guests invited from the business and political worlds in the city of Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2015. Around 2,200 people have been invited over six days of the ceremony starting the same day.

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Tea cups featuring Japan's new PM Ishida

Photo taken Oct. 2, 2024, shows tea cups featuring Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his predecessors at a pottery workshop in Toki in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu.

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Bamboo shoot seller

Bamboo shoots are young sprouts that come out of the underground roots. A man puts bamboo shoots harvested in the spring in a basket and sells them. The season word of the bamboo shoot is summer.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:Ogawa Kazumasa, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number44‐11‐0]

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Cabbage prices surging in Japan

Photo taken on Feb. 21, 2025, shows cabbage on sale at a vegetable store in Tokyo. Consumer price data the government released the same day showed cabbage prices jumped threefold in January from a year earlier.

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Deer cuisine shown as 'Dish of Year' for 2014

TOKYO, Japan - A sample of "gibier" wild game cuisine, named the inaugural "Dish of the Year" for 2014, is exhibited in Tokyo on Dec. 4, 2014, at the office of Gurunavi Inc., a restaurant guide portal operator. The dish is "savoy cabbage cannelloni stuffed with Hokkaido deer meat boiled in red wine."

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Mt. Aso eruption

A cabbage field in Takamori in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, is covered with volcanic ash on Oct. 21, 2021, a day after nearby Mt. Aso erupted.

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Vegetable prices soar up in unusually cold winter

TOKYO, Japan - Retail prices of vegetables have soared as Japan has been hit by an unusually cold winter. Photo shows highly priced cabbage and lettuce sold in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Jan. 12. (Kyodo)

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Simmered bamboo shoots

Simmered bamboo shoots,washoku,Japanese cuisine,Japanese food,japan,food

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Digging up takenoko,bamboo shoots

In the bamboo grove, two men wearing hats and straw coats dig bamboo shoots with a hoe. To their right is a man wearing a coat and sandals with a boy riding on his shoulders.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number18‐39‐0]

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Fukiage Park,the Imperial Palace

The 8th Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune is said to have planted bamboo trees in Fukiage Garden located north of Hanzo-mon around 1725, a time when the shogunate was in dire financial straits. Bamboo was chosen because it is practical and abundant. The bamboo trees can still be seen today inside Hanzo-mon. Emperor Showa (1926-1989) used to enjoy digging up bamboo shoots here. Taken between 1877 and 1887 (second decade of the Meiji Period).==Date:unknown, Place:Tokyo, Photo:R. Stillfried, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number77‐6‐0]

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Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji Temple in the Japanese ancient city of Nara ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival on March 12. Buddhist priests moved around on the hall's stage holding together an 8-meter-long, 60-kilogram torch in the climax to the festival said to herald the spring. (Kyodo)

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Rice planting

Four women stand in a row to plant rice shoots. Men are carrying the rice shoots in bamboo baskets using balancing poles. They step back when a row is finished so that a new row can be planted at an equal interval.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number51‐75‐0]

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Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

NARA, Japan - This long-exposure photo shows the Nigatsudo hall of Todaiji, a Buddhist temple, ''in flames'' during the traditional Omizutori festival in Nara on March 12, 2010. An 8-meter-long, 70-kilogram torch was moved around in the climax to the festival that heralds the spring in the ancient Japanese city. (Kyodo)

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Children dress up as dolls in Japan's Doll Festival

MAEBASHI, Japan - Twenty-one kindergarten pupils dressed in ancient Japanese costumes duplicate the traditional display of Japanese dolls at the Japanese Doll Festival held at the Ikaho hot spring spa in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture on March 3. (Kyodo)

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Wakayama temples heralds spring with fire festival

HASHIMOTO, Japan - The Kongobuji temple in Koya, Wakayama Prefecture holds the ''Koya Fire Festival'' on March 4 to herald the arrival of spring and to expel evil spirits, with monks feeding prayer wood plaques into a 2.5-meter-high pyre especially built for the occasion (Kyodo)

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Kyoto Geisha dancers perform rites of spring

KYOTO, Japan - Geisha dancers perform the rites of spring in a grand rehearsal at the Gion Kobu theater in Kyoto on March 31. The ''Miyako Odori'' dance festival, which celebrates spring in the Gion district, will be held from April 1 through April 30 at Gion Kobu, with four daily performances. (Kyodo)

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Pre-spring fire festival takes place in western Japan

TONDABAYASHI, Japan - Men carry a 120-kilogram, 4.5-meter-high torch at a fire festival called "Dadaoshi" at the snow-covered Hasedera temple in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2014, in a traditional rite praying for the early advent of spring.

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Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

Colorfully decorated yatai floats proceed through a street in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2016, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival. A total of 12 floats, which are designated as Japanese significant intangible folk cultural assets, took part in the parade. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Traditional pre-spring festival in northern Japan

People wearing elaborate "eboshi" hats in the shape of horses' heads perform a traditional dance in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2016, the first day of a four-day festival to pray for the early advent of spring and a rich harvest. The festival is believed to have an 800-year history and is designated as one of Japan's Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Traditional pre-spring festival in northern Japan

People wearing elaborate "eboshi" hats in the shape of horses' heads perform a traditional dance in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2016, the first day of a four-day festival to pray for the early advent of spring and a rich harvest. The festival is believed to have an 800-year history and is designated as one of Japan's Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Hina" dolls on display in Gunma

About 3,000 "hina" dolls, or Japanese traditional dolls in colorful court dress, are displayed in a hot spring resort in Numata, Gunma Prefecture in eastern Japan, on Feb. 26, 2016, ahead of the March 3 Hina Matsuri, or the Doll Festival. Japanese families celebrate the festival to pray for the happiness and health of daughters by setting up displays of dolls in their homes. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

A total of 12 colorfully decorated yatai floats are gathered in the center part of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2016, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival. The floats are designated as Japanese significant intangible folk cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

A total of 12 colorfully decorated yatai floats, which are lit by as many as 100 chochin lanterns, proceed through a street in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on the night of April 14, 2016, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival. The floats are designated as Japanese significant intangible folk cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

A total of 12 colorfully decorated yatai floats, which are lit by as many as 100 chochin lanterns, proceed through a street in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on the night of April 14, 2016, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival. The floats are designated as Japanese significant intangible folk cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Some 200,000 tulips in full bloom at western Japan flower park

Some 200,000 tulips in 220 varieties are in full bloom at the just-started Spring Festival in the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park in the town of Nambu, in western Japan's Tottori Prefecture, on April 18, 2016. The festival will last until May 5. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Some 200,000 tulips in full bloom at western Japan flower park

Visitors admire a flowerbed themed on the children's story "Thumbelina" at the just-started Spring Festival in the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park in the town of Nambu, in western Japan's Tottori Prefecture, on April 18, 2016. Some 200,000 tulips in 220 varieties have come into full bloom in the festival, which will last until May 5. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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'Feather' men dance at spring festival in Gifu

NAGOYA, Japan - A group of men with four-meter-high bamboo ''feathers'' strapped to their backs dance with drums during a festival at Tanigumisankegon Temple in the town of Ibigawa, Gifu Prefecture, on Feb. 18. The dancers swung from side to side and twirled to the music, fanning tourists with the ''feathers'' in the festival to mark the start of spring.

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Dance performed at shrine in pre-spring festival in Japan

AOMORI, Japan - People perform a traditional dance at a Shinto shrine in the "Hachinohe Enburi" festival praying for the early advent of spring in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2014.

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Takayama festival in central Japan

Colorful floats go over a bridge during the Spring Takayama Festival in Takayama, located in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu, on April 14, 2024.

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Takayama festival in central Japan

A colorful float goes over a bridge during the Spring Takayama Festival in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2023.

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Takayama festival in central Japan

People watch doll performances carried out on colorful floats during the Spring Takayama Festival in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2023.

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Takayama festival in central Japan

Doll performances are carried out on colorful floats during the Spring Takayama Festival in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2023.

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Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallows sit on a wire in a stables, June 14, 2020. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Takayama festival in central Japan

People watch a doll show carried out on a colorful float during the Spring Takayama Festival in Takayama, located in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu, on April 14, 2024.

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Swallow raises chicks on speaker

OSAKA, Japan - A parent swallow feeds chicks in a nest set up on a speaker at a train station in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, in this undated photo.

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Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, white swallow-wort

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, white swallow-wort in the National Nature Reserve Zahrady pod Hajem in the White Carpathians, Zlin Region, Czech Republic, June 7, 2019. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Swallow

Undated file photo shows a swallow.

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Iriomote Island in southern Japan

A Pacific swallow pecks the body of a pigeon on a road on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on the evening of May 12, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flowering in Pruhonice, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic, on April 30, 2020. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flowering in Pruhonice, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic, on April 21, 2020. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flowering in Pruhonice, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic, on April 30, 2020. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2023, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 9, 2023. The windsocks will be on display through Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers

MAEBASHI, Japan - A total of 6,340 carp streamers called ''koinobori'' fly over a river against a backdrop of cherry blossoms during a festival in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, on April 10, 2012. Koinobori are displayed to wish for children's happiness on Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers

MAEBASHI, Japan - A total of 6,340 carp streamers called ''koinobori'' fly over a river against a backdrop of cherry blossoms during a festival in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, on April 10, 2012. Koinobori are displayed to wish for children's happiness on Children's Day on May 5.

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350 Carp streamers fly in Osaka Pref.

TONDABAYASHI, Japan - A total of 350 carp streamers fly over the Ishikawa river in Tondabayashi, Osaka Prefecture in western Japan, on April 22, 2014, ahead of the May 5 Children's Day.

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Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2025, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp-shaped streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 9, 2023. The windsocks will be on display through Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers for refugee children

Carp streamers in blue -- the color of the United Nations' emblem -- are on display at Okayama Castle in Okayama, western Japan, on June 9, 2023, to wish for the happiness of child refugees ahead of the U.N.-designated World Refugee Day on June 20. Carp streamers are usually hoisted in May for Children's Day in Japan in celebration of the festival.

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Carp streamers for refugee children

Carp streamers in blue -- the color of the United Nations' emblem -- are on display at Okayama Castle in Okayama, western Japan, on June 9, 2023, to wish for the happiness of child refugees ahead of the U.N.-designated World Refugee Day on June 20. Carp streamers are usually hoisted in May for Children's Day in Japan in celebration of the festival.

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Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2023, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

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Astronaut Noguchi addresses university students

TOKYO, Japan - Screen shows an image of Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi, recorded from the International Space Station, during an entrance ceremony for the University of Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan gymnasium in Tokyo on April 12, 2010. Noguchi, a graduate of the university, congratulated some 3,200 new students who entered Japan's most prestigious school. (Kyodo)

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Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2025, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

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1.05 mil. recruits step into 21st century

TOYOTA, Japan - Some 1,530 new recruits attend an entrance ceremony held by Toyota Motor Corp. in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, on April 2. An estimated 1.05 million new recruits attended similar ceremonies at companies and government agencies across Japan the same day.

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Strawberry picking at Abeno Harukas

Photo taken on March 3, 2021, shows a strawberry patch-hosting greenhouse on the roof of the lower section of the Abeno Harukas building in Osaka, Japan's tallest building. Kintetsu Department Store Co., whose outlet operates from the 300-meter-tall building, set up the 60-square-meter strawberry picking experience, which began the same day and runs through early June.

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Strawberry picking at Abeno Harukas

Photo taken on March 3, 2021, shows a strawberry patch-hosting greenhouse on the roof of the lower section of the Abeno Harukas building in Osaka, Japan's tallest building. Kintetsu Department Store Co., whose outlet operates from the 300-meter-tall building, set up the 60-square-meter strawberry picking experience, which began the same day and runs through early June.

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Japan defense academy graduation ceremony

Students toss their hats into the air at the National Defense Academy's graduation ceremony in Yokosuka, Japan, on March 17, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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School modeled on Eton opens in Japan

NAGOYA, Japan - New students attend an entrance ceremony at Kaiyo Academy, a high school modeled on Britain's renowned public school Eton that opened April 8 in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture. About 120 students were recruited from all over Japan through very competitive selection for the boys-only boarding school offering junior high and senior high school education.

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Aquarium's initiation ceremony in water tank

TSU, Japan - New employees of Toba Aquarium in Toba, Mie Prefecture, participate in an entrance ceremony with fish and a sea turtle in an aqua tank on March 31, 2011.

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Entrance ceremony at aviation college

MIYAZAKI, Japan - New students sing the school song at an entrance ceremony for the Civil Aviation College in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 4, 2011. The ceremony which had initially been scheduled in June was delayed after its Sendai branch in Miyagi Prefecture was damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

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University of Tokyo entrance ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - New students pose for photos before the entrance ceremony for the University of Tokyo, Japan's most prestigious university, at the Nippon Budokan gymnasium in Tokyo on April 11, 2014.

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University of Tokyo entrance ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - New students pose for photos before the entrance ceremony for the University of Tokyo, Japan's most prestigious university, at the Nippon Budokan gymnasium in Tokyo on April 11, 2014.

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Univ. of Tokyo holds entrance ceremony

TOKYO, April 13 Kyodo - The University of Tokyo, Japan's most prestigious university, holds an entrance ceremony at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on April 13, 2015.

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Entrance ceremony for new employees

New employees of Kansai Electric Power Co. attend an entrance ceremony in Osaka, western Japan, on April 3, 2023, the first weekday of the new business year.

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Entrance ceremony for new employees

New employees of Toyota Motor Corp. attend their entrance ceremony in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 3, 2023, the first weekday of the new business year.

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[Breaking news] Entrance ceremony for new employees

TOKYO, Japan, April 1 Kyodo - New employees of Japan Airlines Co. attend an entrance ceremony in a hangar at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 1, 2024, the first day of the new business year. (Kyodo)

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Entrance ceremony for new employees

TOKYO, Japan, April 1 Kyodo -New employees of Japan Airlines Co. attend an entrance ceremony in a hangar at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 1, 2024, the first day of the new business year.(Kyodo)

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Entrance ceremony for new employees

New employees of Japan Airlines Co. attend an entrance ceremony in a hangar at Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 1, 2024, the first day of the new business year.

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Seven & I group holds induction ceremony for 1,340 new recruits

TOKYO, Japan - A total of 1,340 new recruits by retail giant Seven & I Holdings Co. attend an induction ceremony held at a Tokyo hotel on March 15.

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Seven & I starts new business year with fewer new hires

TOKYO, Japan - New recruits of Seven & I Holdings Co. do stretching exercise before an induction ceremony at a hotel in Tokyo on March 12. The number of new hires at the top Japanese retailer's 16 group firms, at 1,266, is off some 200 compared with a year ago.

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Toyota training school's graduation ceremony

Students of the Toyota Technical Skills Academy, Toyota Motor Corp.'s training school, attend their graduation ceremony in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb, 17, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Toyota training school's graduation ceremony

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda gives a commencement address at a graduation ceremony at the Toyota Technical Skills Academy, the automaker's training school, in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb, 17, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Toyota training school's graduation ceremony

Students of the Toyota Technical Skills Academy, Toyota Motor Corp.'s training school, attend their graduation ceremony in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb, 17, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Hanami Kaiseki

Hanami Kaiseki, Kaiseki cuisine, Kaiseki course,Japanese cuisine, Japanese food,washoku,food

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10th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Students unleash balloons attaching flower seeds during a graduation ceremony of a junior high school in Kitaibaraki in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 11, 2021, the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

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10 years after Great East Japan Earthquake

Photo taken March 10, 2021, shows a signboard for a graduation ceremony left at a junior high school gymnasium in Okuma, northeastern Japan, since a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the Fukushima Prefecture town on March 11, 2011. Okuma co-hosts the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant with the town of Futaba.

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Graduation ceremony at high school hit by March 2011 disaster

A student of Takata High School in the northeastern Japan city of Rikuzentakata, which was severely hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, receives a diploma during a graduation ceremony at a newly-built school building on March 1, 2016. It was the first graduation ceremony of the school, at which 22 students and a teacher were killed by tsunami, since it was rebuilt on higher ground. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Young Ehime Maru survivors graduate from high school

UWAJIMA, Japan - A graduation ceremony is held March 1 at Uwajima Fisheries High School in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture in western Japan, for about 80 students, including nine students who survived a collision between their fisheries training ship and a U.S. Navy submarine off Hawaii in February last year. One among the nine did not attend the ceremony.

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Koizumi tells defense graduates of need to tackle terrorism

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Graduating students of the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, toss their caps upward at the academy's graduation ceremony on March 18. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told the cadets that Japan is working to tackle weapons of mass destruction, the spread of ballistic missile technology and international terrorism.

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Face masks at school graduation ceremonies

Students at Gifu prefectural high school in the Gifu prefectural capital of Gifu, central Japan, wear face masks at a graduation ceremony on March 1, 2023. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in February that the government will not urge students and teachers to wear face masks at school graduation ceremonies slated for March as part of its plan to ease COVID-19 guidelines on protective face masks.

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Face masks at school graduation ceremonies

About half of students attend a graduation ceremony without wearing face masks at Sendai Daiichi High School in the Miyagi prefectural capital of Sendai, northeastern Japan, on March 1, 2023. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in February that the government will not urge students and teachers to wear face masks at school graduation ceremonies slated for March as part of its plan to ease COVID-19 guidelines on protective face masks.

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A teahouse for hanami,flowerviewing

Cherry blossoms in full bloom along the road. Several tea houses line the road, in a slightly lower position. A woman steps down the stairs. The easy atmosphere of the times can be felt.==Date:unknown, Place:unknown, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number24‐10‐0]

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National Defense Academy commencement ceremony

Students toss their hats into the air at a graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2025.

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Sakura mochi

Wagashi,Domyoji mochi,traditional Japanese sweets,cherry blossom rice cake,tea cakes,confectionery, spring, April, hanami

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Tokyoites celebrate 'hanami' at Ueno Park

TOKYO, Japan - Groups of Tokyoites drink and sing April 8 in ''hanami'' festivities, as cherry trees, Japan's favorite, are in full blossom at Ueno Park.

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Hanami Kaiseki

Hanami Kaiseki, Kaiseki cuisine, Kaiseki course, grilled turban shell, lobster, steamed egg custard, Japanese cuisine, Japanese food,washoku

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Tokyoites celebrate 'hanami' at Ueno Park

TOKYO, Japan - Groups of Tokyoites drink and sing April 8 in ''hanami'' festivities, as cherry trees, Japan's favorite, are in full blossom at Ueno Park.

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Licca-chan doll exhibition in Paris

A Licca-chan doll from Japanese toymaker Tomy Co. is displayed at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris, dressed in kimono while enjoying a cherry blossom festival, on Dec. 8, 2016, ahead of the 50th anniversary in 2017 of the launch of the popular doll. In the doll's back story, Licca is the daughter of a French musician and a Japanese fashion designer. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Dolls displayed ahead of March 3 Doll's Festival

KATSUURA, Japan - About 15,000 dolls are displayed in Katsuura, Tokushima Prefecture, on Feb. 18 ahead of the March 3 Doll's Festival. The dolls will be shown until March 21.

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30,000 dolls displayed in Tokushima ahead of Doll's Festival

KATSUURA, Japan - About 30,000 'hina dolls' are displayed in Katsuura, Tokushima Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2010 ahead of the Doll's Festival in Japan on March 3.

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30,000 dolls displayed in Tokushima ahead of Doll's Festival

KATSUURA, Japan - About 30,000 'hina dolls' are displayed in Katsuura, Tokushima Prefecture, on Feb. 19, 2010 ahead of the Doll's Festival in Japan on March 3. (Kyodo)

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Doll-float ceremony in Wakayama

A seasonal doll-float ceremony was held on Kada beach in Wakayama, western Japan, on March 3, the Doll's Festival day. Some 20,000 dolls were sent to the ceremony, where a service was held to drive away evil spirits by floating many dolls out to sea. About 15,000 residents and tourists gathered to watch the three small doll-carrying boats decorated with peach and rape blossoms.

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20,000 dolls displayed ahead of March 3 festival

KATSUURA, Japan - About 20,000 dolls are displayed in Katsuura in Tokushima Prefecture, on Feb. 19 ahead of the March 3 Doll's Festival. (Kyodo)

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Sumo wrestlers throw beans at temple

NARITA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (R) and Estonian ozeki Baruto scatter beans during the annual Bean-Throwing Festival marking the lunar calendar start of spring at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2012. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional ''setsubun'' events in early February.

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Maiko throw beans

KYOTO, Japan - "Maiko" apprentice geisha participate in an annual bean-throwing event at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine on Feb. 2, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Maiko throw beans

KYOTO, Japan - "Maiko" apprentice geisha participate in an annual bean-throwing event at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine on Feb. 2, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Scattering peanuts at Tsutenkaku Tower

OSAKA, Japan - People throw peanuts at the Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, western Japan, on Feb. 1, 2012. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional ''setsubun'' events in early February.

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Lion King characters throw beans in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Performers from Shiki Theatre Co.'s musical "The Lion King" participate in an annual bean-throwing event atop Tsutenkaku tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, western Japan, on Feb. 1, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Actor Matsuyama throws beans at temple

NARITA, Japan - Japanese actor Kenichi Matsuyama (C) scatters beans during the annual Bean-Throwing Festival marking the lunar calendar start of spring at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2012. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional ''setsubun'' events in early February.

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BEAN-THROWING AT THE TEMPLES

BEAN-THROWING AT THE TEMPLES==Date:Feb, 1963, Place:Zojoji?,Tokyo,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

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Popular actor, actress throw beans for luck in temple festival

NARITA, Japan - Popular actor Satoshi Tsumabuki (L) and popular actress Takako Tokiwa throw packets of beans during the annual ''setsubun'' Bean-Throwing Festival marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, on Feb. 3. Tsumabuki and Tokiwa invited good fortune by throwing the beans to visitors.

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SETSUBUN FESTIVAL

SETSUBUN FESTIVAL==Date:Feb, 1964, Place:,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

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Bean-throwing festival at temple

NARITA, Japan - Japanese actress Haruka Ayase throws bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Bean-throwing festival at temple

NARITA, Japan - Japanese actress Haruka Ayase (L) and actor Hidetoshi Nishijima throw bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Bean-throwing festival at temple

NARITA, Japan - Estonian sekiwake Baruto (L) and Mongolian grand champion Hakuho throw bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Bean-throwing festival at temple

NARITA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho (R) and Estonian sekiwake Baruto throw bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Harumafuji throws beans

HADANO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Harumafuji throws bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at the Sagami branch of Izumo Taisha Shrine in Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

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Bean-throwing festival at temple

NARITA, Japan - Japanese actress Haruka Ayase (L) throws bags of beans during the annual bean-throwing festival, marking the start of spring according to the lunar calendar, at Naritasan Shinsho Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Feb. 3, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and attract good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February. Actor Hidetoshi Nishijima (C) and actor Hiroki Hasegawa (R) also took part in the event.

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Demon-expelling ritual at Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

NARA, Japan - The "Tsuina-e" ritual to exorcise demons and wish for happiness is performed at the East Golden Hall, a natural treasure, at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara on Feb. 3, 2014, as part of the "Setsubun" bean-throwing festival.

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Takarazuka performers at bean-throwing ceremony in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Three members of the all-women Takarazuka Revue musical theater troupe throw beans during a "setsubun" ceremony at Tsutenkaku tower in Osaka on Feb. 1, 2014. The 300-meter tall Abeno Harukasu skyscraper can be seen in the background to the right. Bean-throwing ceremonies are held across Japan around the day before the beginning of spring.

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Festival in Nara welcomes demons kicked out elsewhere

TONDABAYASHI, Japan - A traditional Japanese "setsubun" festival commemorating the turn from winter to spring is held at Kimpusenji, a temple on Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, on Feb. 3, 2014. The festival at the temple in western Japan, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, is unique because while other similar events are held to ward off demons and bring in fortune, this one welcomes both.

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Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025.

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CORRECTED: Bean-throwing event at Japanese temple

Actress Haruka Fukuhara (L) scatters roasted beans during the annual "Setsubun" event marking the turn from winter to spring at a Naritasan temple in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture in western Japan on Feb. 3, 2023.

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Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025.

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Wisteria flowers in eastern Japan

People watch wisteria flowers at a flower park in Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 26, 2023.

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[Breaking News]Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

SHINGU, Japan, Jan. 24 Kyodo - Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Kyodo)

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Wisteria flowers in eastern Japan

People watch wisteria flowers at a flower park in Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 26, 2023.

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People treated to pink floral shower

ASHIKAGA, Japan - People enjoy viewing a lit up wisteria in full bloom at the Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on May 8, 2010. The huge tree is some 140 years old.

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Illuminated wisteria trellis

A wisteria trellis is illuminated with about 300,000 LED lamps at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2022.

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Illuminated wisteria trellis

A wisteria trellis is illuminated with about 300,000 LED lamps at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2022.

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Wisteria in bloom in Wakayama

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Wisteria is in full bloom at Koyasujizo Temple in Hashimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on April 18.

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Illuminated wisteria trellis

A wisteria trellis is illuminated with about 300,000 LED lamps at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2022.

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Wisteria flowers at eastern Japan park

People wearing face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic look at wisteria flowers at a flower park in Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 22, 2021.

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Illuminated wisteria trellis

A wisteria trellis is illuminated with about 300,000 LED lamps at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 10, 2022.

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Wisteria flowers at eastern Japan park

People wearing face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic look at wisteria flowers at a flower park in Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 22, 2021.

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Wisteria flowers at Tochigi park

Combined photo shows wisteria flowers at Ashikaga Flower Park (top) in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan. The top photo taken May 5, 2017, shows people visiting the park during the Golden Week holiday season, while the bottom one taken May 3, 2020, shows only staff as the park is closed under a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Wisteria flowers at Japanese temple

Wisteria flowers grown by chief priest Shinyu Yoshimoto are in bloom on the premises of Juunji temple in Daisen in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on April 27, 2021.

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Wisteria flowers at Japanese temple

Wisteria flowers grown by chief priest Shinyu Yoshimoto are in bloom on the premises of Juunji temple in Daisen in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on April 27, 2021.

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Wisteria flowers in Japan

Wisteria flowers are in bloom at Juunji temple in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on May 7, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Plum blossom festival at Kyoto shrine

KYOTO, Japan - "Maiko" apprentice geisha serve tea to visitors during a plum blossom festival at Kitano Temmangu, a shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 25, 2014.

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Plum blossom-viewing festival in Kyoto

An open-air tea ceremony is held during a plum blossom-viewing festival at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 25, 2025, with "maiko" and "geiko" traditional Japanese entertainers serving tea to visitors.

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Plum blossom-viewing festival in Kyoto

An open-air tea ceremony is held during a plum blossom-viewing festival at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 25, 2025, with "maiko" and "geiko" traditional Japanese entertainers serving tea to visitors.

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Plum blossom-viewing festival in Kyoto

An open-air tea ceremony is held during a plum blossom-viewing festival at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 25, 2025, with "maiko" and "geiko" traditional Japanese entertainers serving tea to visitors.

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Plum Blossom Festival at Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Geisha and apprentice geisha known as maiko serve tea to visitors at an open-air tea ceremony at the Plum Blossom Festival at Kitano Tenmangu, a shrine in Kyoto, on Feb. 25, 2010. Some 1,500 red and white plum blossoms are in bloom.

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Plum blossom festival at Kyoto shrine

KYOTO, Japan - "Maiko" apprentice geisha serve tea to visitors during a plum blossom festival at Kitano Temmangu, a shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 25, 2014.

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Mito Plum Blossom Festival begins

Visitors stroll through Kairakuen, known as one of the three greatest gardens in Japan, in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Feb. 18, 2017, at the beginning of the annual Mito Plum Blossom Festival scheduled to run through March 31. The garden, created in 1842, contains around 3,000 plum trees representing about 100 varieties. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Tulips are in full bloom

SAKURA, Japan - Tulips are in full bloom in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on April 6.

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Colorful carpet of tulips in Hokkaido draws tourists

KAMIYUBETSU, Japan - A tourist takes photos of his family against a backdrop of 1.2 million tulips in Tulip Park in the town of Kamiyubetsu on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido on May 17. Sayaka Suzuki, 7, from the main island of Honshu, admired the flowers in full bloom, saying, ''It is not like Japan here.''

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Tulips in full bloom in Hokkaido

KAMIYUBETSU, Japan - Colorful tulips numbering some 1.2 million are in full bloom in the Hokkaido town of Kamiyubetsu on May 26 as late spring lands on Japan's northernmost island.

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100,000 tulips in bloom at Hiroshima highland farm

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Visitors marvel at blooming tulips at the Sera Kogen Nojo highland farm in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture, on April 29. According to farm officials, the color tone of the 100,000 tulips planted last fall has been enhanced by sharp daytime and nighttime temperature differences on the 500-meter-high highland. The tulip festival on the farm will run through May 11.

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Tulip festival in Toyama

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken April 28, 2012, shows tulips in a park in Tonami, Toyama Prefecture, where an annual tulip festival is under way.

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Tulip festival in Toyama

TONAMI, Japan - Photo taken April 28, 2012, shows a picture drawn on the ground with tulips in a park in Tonami, Toyama Prefecture, where an annual tulip festival is under way.

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Scenic spot in Toyama, central Japan

Photo taken on April 3, 2023, in the Toyama prefectural town of Asahi in central Japan, shows a landscape dubbed "Spring trio," in which cherry blossoms and tulips can be seen together in front of the snow-covered Hida Mountains, or Northern Alps, stretching through Nagano, Toyama and Gifu prefectures.

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Scenic spot in Toyama, central Japan

Photo taken on April 3, 2023, in the Toyama prefectural town of Asahi in central Japan, shows a landscape dubbed "Spring trio," in which cherry blossoms and tulips can be seen together in front of the snow-covered Hida Mountains, or Northern Alps, stretching through Nagano, Toyama and Gifu prefectures.

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Tulips at western Japan flower park

Tulips and cherry trees bloom at Tottori Hanakairo flower park in Nambu, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on April 10, 2023.

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Tulip park in Hokkaido

Tulips bloom at Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu, a town in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 16, 2023.

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Tulip park in Hokkaido

Tulips bloom at Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu, a town in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 16, 2023.

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Tulip park in Hokkaido

Tulips bloom at Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu, a town in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 16, 2023.

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Tulip fair in Japan

Visitors look at colorful tulips at Tonami Tulip Fair in Tonami in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on May 1, 2023.

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Tulip park in Hokkaido

Tulips bloom at Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 20, 2024.

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[Breaking News]Tulip park in Hokkaido

Hokkaido,Japan, May 20 Kyodo -Tulips bloom at Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park in Yubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 20, 2024.(Kyodo)

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Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips bloom at a park in Tonami in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama on May 2, 2024.

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Tulip fair in Japan

Visitors look at colorful tulips at Tonami Tulip Fair in Tonami in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on May 1, 2023.

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Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips bloom at a park in Tonami in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama on May 2, 2024.

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Tokyo Tower lit up in blue to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day

Tokyo Tower is lit up in blue on April 2, 2017, to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. In the foreground are cherry blossoms hanging over Chidorigafuchi, a moat in central Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people enjoying blooming cherry blossoms from boats in Chidorigafuchi, a moat in central Tokyo, on April 7, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Linköping - Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Landscape In Linköping, Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Landscape In Linköping, Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Landscape In Linköping, Sweden

A view of a field of yellow flowers in Linkoping, Sweden, on July 14, 2024, is showing canola mainly used to make cooking oil. (Photo by Pradeep Dambarage/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Enjoy Rape Flower in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride among the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, China, on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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CHINA-CHONGQING-COLE FLOWERS (CN)

(240316) -- CHONGQING, March 16, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A girl flies a kite amid blooming yellow canola flowers in Changsheng Town of Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. Changsheng Town has made efforts to inject new vitality into rural revitalization in recent years. The town has built a demonstration base where farmers cultivate paddy rice and cole in rotation, and held a variety of agritourism activities to improve farmers' incomes. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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Tourists Take boats ride to See The Blooming Rapeseed Flowers in Xinghua

Tourists are taking a boat ride to see the blooming rapeseed flowers in Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, East China, on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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CHINA-CHONGQING-COLE FLOWERS (CN)

(240316) -- CHONGQING, March 16, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2024 shows fields of yellow canola flowers in Changsheng Town of Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, southwest China's Chongqing. Changsheng Town has made efforts to inject new vitality into rural revitalization in recent years. The town has built a demonstration base where farmers cultivate paddy rice and cole in rotation, and held a variety of agritourism activities to improve farmers' incomes. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Rapeseed Flower Field

An aerial photo is showing a rape flower field in Pilin village, Luoxiang town, Congjiang county, in Congjiang, China, on February 8, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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CHINA-CHONGQING-COLE FLOWERS (CN)

(240316) -- CHONGQING, March 16, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A girl flies a kite amid blooming yellow canola flowers in Changsheng Town of Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, southwest China's Chongqing, March 16, 2024. Changsheng Town has made efforts to inject new vitality into rural revitalization in recent years. The town has built a demonstration base where farmers cultivate paddy rice and cole in rotation, and held a variety of agritourism activities to improve farmers' incomes. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

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Rapeseed Flower Field

An aerial photo is showing a rape flower field in Pilin village, Luoxiang town, Congjiang county, in Congjiang, China, on February 8, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto)

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AUSTRALIA-CANBERRA-CANOLA FLOWER-BLOOM

(230919) -- CANBERRA, Sept. 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023 shows blooming canola flowers on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

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AUSTRALIA-CANBERRA-CANOLA FLOWER-BLOOM

(230919) -- CANBERRA, Sept. 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023 shows blooming canola flowers on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

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Pakistan's oilseed industry to bloom under China-Pakistan agriculture cooperation

STORY: Pakistan's oilseed industry to bloom under China-Pakistan agriculture cooperation DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: GUJRANWALA, Pakistan CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): MISBAH SABA MALIK, Xinhua reporter 2. various of the farmland 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GHAZANFAR ALI, Head of marketing, Evyol group 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ZHOU XUSHENG, Director of the int'l business department, Wuhan Qingfa-Hesheng Seed Co., Ltd. 5. various of the farmland STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): MISBAH SABA MALIK, Xinhua reporter "The bloom in canola flowers is the harbinger of established oil seed industry in Pakistan through Pak-China agriculture cooperation." Chinese seed company Wuhan Qingfa Hesheng and Pakistani company Evyol group jointly provide high-quality hybrid seeds to Pakistani farmers to help the country meet its edible oil demand. Pakistan's annual consumption of cooking oil is around 5 million tonnes, but due to the low economic potential of oilseeds in the local m

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Canola flowers in Fukushima

Visitors stroll in a field of canola flowers in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 5, 2022.

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Canola flowers in Fukushima

Visitors stroll in a field of canola flowers in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 5, 2022.

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Canola flowers at western Japan park

Canola flowers are in full bloom at a park in Moriyama in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 20, 2021.

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Canola flowers at western Japan park

Canola flowers are in full bloom at a park in Moriyama in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 20, 2021.

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Canola flowers in full bloom in Yokosuka

A family takes a selfie amid canola flowers in full bloom at a park in Yokosuka, eastern Japan, on Feb. 4, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Canola flowers in full bloom in Yokosuka

A family takes a selfie amid canola flowers in full bloom at a park in Yokosuka, eastern Japan, on Feb. 4, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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New coronavirus

People wearing masks view cherry blossoms at Ueno Park in Tokyo on March 15, 2020, amid the spread of the new coronavirus. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Canola flowers in full bloom in Yokosuka

Children pose amid canola flowers in full bloom at a park in Yokosuka, eastern Japan, on Feb. 4, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people enjoying blooming cherry blossoms from boats in Tokyo's Inokashira Park on March 31, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people enjoying blooming cherry blossoms from boats in Chidorigafuchi, a moat in central Tokyo, on April 7, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Tokyo cherry blossoms in full bloom

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken April 6, 2012, shows Tokyo Sky Tree and cherry blossoms in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. A local observatory said blossoms on the ''someiyoshino'' variety of cherry trees fully bloomed that day in Tokyo, three days later than usual and the same as the previous year. (Kyodo)

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Cherry-viewing

The rickshaw was invented in 1868, and developed rapidly as a vehicle in the era of civilization . In 1877 in Tokyo, there were 14,000 rickshaws for two passengers, and 10,000 for a single passenger. Women dressed in contempory style sit under the cherry blossoms.==Date:Middle Meiji, Place:unknown, Photo:Ogawa Kazumasa, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number10‐42‐0]

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Tokyo cherry blossoms in full bloom

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken April 6, 2012, shows Tokyo Sky Tree and cherry blossoms in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. A local observatory said blossoms on the ''someiyoshino'' variety of cherry trees fully bloomed that day in Tokyo, three days later than usual and the same as the previous year. (Kyodo)

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Cherry trees and women on jinrikishas,Ueno Park

This street used to be called Kuromon Dori (Black Gate Street) because there was a black gate at the entrance of Ueno Park. The street stretches from the bottom of the stairs located in the park square to present-day Tokyo National Museum. Currently, this street is referred to as Sakura Dori (cherry blossom street) because of its many cherry trees. Young women from the flower quarter are enjoying the cherry blossoms from rickshaws.==Date:unknown, Place:Tokyo, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number87‐4‐0]

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Cherry trees along the Koganei embankment

Until the Murayama and Yamaguchi reservoirs were built in 1927 and 1934, respectively, the Tamagawa Waterway seen in this photograph was the main source of water for Edo and later Tokyo. Huge cherry trees stand along the banks. Only a few old cherry trees remain at present because most of them were cut down in 1954 to allow for the expansion of the Itsukaichi Highway north of the waterway. The spaces where people could put out blankets to sit and enjoy the cherry blossoms also disappeared, and people began to go to Koganei Park for cherry blossom viewing. Taken around 1897.==Date:unknown, Place:Tokyo, Photo:unknown, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number54‐46‐2]

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo

People row boats in the Chidori-ga-fuchi Moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 29, 2015. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, cherry blossoms in Tokyo were in full bloom five days earlier than average. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in central Tokyo

People row boats in the Chidori-ga-fuchi Moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms in full bloom on March 31, 2016. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the same day that cherry blossoms in Tokyo were in full bloom three days earlier than usual. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Tokyo pond blanketed with cherry petals

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows boats on a pond covered with cherry petals in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, Tokyo, on April 8, 2016, a day after rain stripped trees of their blossoms. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom

TOKYO, Japan - People crowd Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo on March 24 to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms at their best. Due to a warm spring this year, the cherry trees in the Metropolitan area bloomed about two weeks earlier than normal years.

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Cherry blossom viewing in Tokyo

People view cherry blossoms along the Meguro River in Tokyo on April 2, 2022, wearing masks for protection against the coronavirus.

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at Tokyo's Chidorigafuchi Park as temperatures climbed in many areas across the Japanese archipelago on April 6. Tokyo Tower is seen on the left-hand side. (Kyodo)

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - People view cherry blossoms in Sumida Park along the Sumida River in Tokyo against the backdrop of illuminated Tokyo Skytree tower in the evening of March 23, 2013. Cherry blossoms reached full bloom the previous day in central Tokyo, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

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Tokyo cherry blossoms in full bloom

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 6, 2012, shows cherry blossoms in full bloom at Ueno Park in Tokyo's Taito Ward. A local observatory said blossoms on the ''someiyoshino'' variety of cherry trees were in full bloom that day in Tokyo, three days later than usual and the same as the previous year.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

TOKYO, April 2 Kyodo - Photo taken April 2, 2016, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a large number of people visiting Ueno Park in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms.

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Mt. Fuji chosen as Heritage site

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from Oshino, Yamanashi Prefecture, shows cherry blossoms at the foot of snow-capped Mt. Fuji on April 18, 2013. The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on June 22, 2013, decided to inscribe Mt. Fuji on the World Heritage List.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, March 14 Kyodo - A woman walks on the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 14, 2020. "Somei Yoshino" cherry blossoms at the shrine came into bloom the same day amid falling snow.

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Out-of-season snow in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, March 29 Kyodo - Out-of-season snow falls at Tokyo's Ueno Park, famous for its cherry blossoms, on March 29, 2020.

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Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom In Tokyo 2

Many tourists and local residents were seen at famous cherry blossom spots across Tokyo as the full bloom was announced in the capital on April 4, which was later than usual because of cold weather.

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Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom In Tokyo

Many tourists and local residents were seen at famous cherry blossom spots across Tokyo as the full bloom was announced in the capital on April 4, which was later than usual because of cold weather.

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Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom In Tokyo 4

Many tourists and local residents were seen at famous cherry blossom spots across Tokyo as the full bloom was announced in the capital on April 4, which was later than usual because of cold weather. This video was shot on April 2 at Chidorigafuchi Green Way, where many visitors come to enjoy the view of illuminated cherry blossoms every year.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

People view cherry trees in full bloom along the Meguro River in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.

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Cherry blossoms near Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Rows of cherry blossoms are in full bloom along Chidorigafuchi moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 7, 2024.

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[Breaking News]Cherry blossoms near Imperial Palace in Tokyo

TOKYO,Japan, April 7 Kyodo -Rows of cherry blossoms are in full bloom along Chidorigafuchi moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 7, 2024.(Kyodo)

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Cherry blossoms near Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Rows of cherry blossoms are in full bloom along Chidorigafuchi moat near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 7, 2024.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry trees are in full bloom along the Meguro River in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry trees are in full bloom along the Meguro River in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.

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Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry trees are in full bloom along the Meguro River in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.

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Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 6

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows cherry blossom trees along Meguro River, one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Fukuoka

People view cherry blossoms at a park in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 30, 2016, where the earliest full blooms of sakura in the country were recorded. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Fukuoka

People view cherry blossoms at a park in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 30, 2016, where the earliest full blooms of sakura in the country were recorded. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Fukuoka

People view cherry blossoms at a park in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 30, 2016, where the earliest full blooms of sakura in the country were recorded. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Fukuoka

People view cherry blossoms at a park in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 30, 2016, where the earliest full blooms of sakura in the country were recorded. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Sample cherry tree blooms in Sapporo

A "Somei Yoshino" sample cherry tree used to declare the official start of the spring sakura season in the northern Japan city of Sapporo comes into bloom on April 15, 2023, the earliest blossoming since record-keeping began in 1953.

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Cherry blossom in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - A cherry blossom blooms near Osaka Castle (visible in the background) in Osaka, western Japan, on April 2, 2012.

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Canola flowers at eastern Japan park

Canola flowers are in full bloom at a flower park in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Feb. 13, 2021.

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Famous cherry tree in Fukushima lures visitors in full bloom

People enjoy the famous "Miharu Takizakura" (waterfall cherry tree) in full bloom on April 13, 2015, in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The Miharu Takizakura, a weeping cherry tree more than 1,000 years old, is one of the three most magnificent cherry plants in Japan and is designated as a national treasure. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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(12)Dutch city Huis Ten Bosch

SASEBO, Japan - Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo, Nagasaki, goes bankrupt due to massive investment in environmental facilities. The photo was taken Feb. 26, 2003. (Kyodo)

Spring in Japn

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

New strawberry from Tochigi Pref.

Takayama Festival in central Japan

New kind of strawberry drawing attention in Japan

Shizuoka to test market new strawberry variety 'Kirapika'

Komeito party leader Yamaguchi

New strawberry brand Tochiaika

Japan PM Kishida visits disaster-hit Fukushima town

Koizumi tries strawberries from Tochigi Pref.

New head of Japan's LDP Suga

New strawberry brand Tochiaika

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

New Year's tea ceremony

Auction for tea leaves

New Year's tea ceremony

Kan attends New Year tea ceremony

New Year tea ceremony

New Year tea ceremony in Kyoto

New Year's tea ceremony

New Year's tea ceremony

New Year tea ceremony in Kyoto

Tea cups featuring Japan's new PM Ishida

Bamboo shoot seller

Cabbage prices surging in Japan

Deer cuisine shown as 'Dish of Year' for 2014

Mt. Aso eruption

Vegetable prices soar up in unusually cold winter

Simmered bamboo shoots

Digging up takenoko,bamboo shoots

Fukiage Park,the Imperial Palace

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring-heralding festival

Rice planting

Todaiji Temple 'in flames' in spring festival

Children dress up as dolls in Japan's Doll Festival

Wakayama temples heralds spring with fire festival

Kyoto Geisha dancers perform rites of spring

Pre-spring fire festival takes place in western Japan

Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

Traditional pre-spring festival in northern Japan

Traditional pre-spring festival in northern Japan

"Hina" dolls on display in Gunma

Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

Takayama Festival begins in Gifu Prefecture

Some 200,000 tulips in full bloom at western Japan flower park

Some 200,000 tulips in full bloom at western Japan flower park

'Feather' men dance at spring festival in Gifu

Dance performed at shrine in pre-spring festival in Japan

Takayama festival in central Japan

Takayama festival in central Japan

Takayama festival in central Japan

Takayama festival in central Japan

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

Takayama festival in central Japan

Swallow raises chicks on speaker

Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, white swallow-wort

Swallow

Iriomote Island in southern Japan

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Taraxacum officinale, the common dandelion, flower, bloom

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Carp streamers in western Japan

Carp streamers

Carp streamers

350 Carp streamers fly in Osaka Pref.

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers in western Japan

Carp streamers for refugee children

Carp streamers for refugee children

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Astronaut Noguchi addresses university students

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

1.05 mil. recruits step into 21st century

Strawberry picking at Abeno Harukas

Strawberry picking at Abeno Harukas

Japan defense academy graduation ceremony

School modeled on Eton opens in Japan

Aquarium's initiation ceremony in water tank

Seven & I group holds induction ceremony for 1,340 new recruits

Seven & I starts new business year with fewer new hires