Fire festival at foot of Mt. Fuji

Fire festival at foot of Mt. Fuji

A fire festival marking the end of the summer climbing season is held at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the Yamanashi Prefecture city of Fujiyoshida on Aug. 26, 2026. About 120 torches about 3 meters tall are lit along a way leading to a shrine during the festival, which dates back over 400 years.

Fire festival at foot of Mt. Fuji

Fire festival at foot of Mt. Fuji

A fire festival marking the end of the summer climbing season is held at the foot of Mt. Fuji in the Yamanashi Prefecture city of Fujiyoshida on Aug. 26, 2026. About 120 torches about 3 meters tall are lit along a way leading to a shrine during the festival, which dates back over 400 years.

Summer festival in quake-hit Kumamoto Pref. city

Summer festival in quake-hit Kumamoto Pref. city

People gather at a summer festival in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 23, 2026, about one month after a powerful earthquake hit the region on July 28.

Baseball: National high school championship

Baseball: National high school championship

Chiben Wakayama High School baseball club players celebrate winning the summer national high school championship title on Aug. 22, 2026, at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya in the western Japan prefecture of Hyogo.

Baseball: National high school championship

Baseball: National high school championship

Chiben Wakayama High School baseball club players celebrate winning the summer national high school championship title on Aug. 22, 2026, at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya in the western Japan prefecture of Hyogo.

US: Damaging Storm Rips Through Tahlequah, Oklahoma

A summer storm ripped through Tahlequah, in eastern Oklahoma, on Monday morning, August 17, causing power outages and significant damage in some areas. One person was reportedly killed in a vehicle crash on State Highway 82, believed to have been unable to see the road due to heavy rainfall.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Travelers fill an arrival lobby of Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 16, 2026, after spending Japan's "Bon" summer holidays overseas.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Travelers fill an arrival lobby of Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 16, 2026, after spending Japan's "Bon" summer holidays overseas.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Chuo Expressway's outbound lanes (R) packed with cars heading to holiday destinations on Aug. 8, 2026, in Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan.

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Chuo Expressway's outbound lanes (R) packed with cars heading to holiday destinations on Aug. 8, 2026, in Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan.

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

A departure lobby at Kansai airport in Osaka, western Japan, is crowded on Aug. 8, 2026, with passengers heading to their hometowns or resorts for Japan's Bon holiday period.

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Summer holiday rush in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Tomei Expressway's outbound lanes (R) packed with cars heading to holiday destinations on Aug. 8, 2026, in Yamato in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan.

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

A departure lobby at Kansai airport in Osaka, western Japan, is crowded on Aug. 8, 2026, with passengers heading to their hometowns or resorts for Japan's Bon holiday period.

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

Summer holiday exodus in Japan

A departure lobby at Kansai airport in Osaka, western Japan, is crowded on Aug. 8, 2026, with passengers heading to their hometowns or resorts for Japan's Bon holiday period.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 5

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 4

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 3

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

Japan: Nagaoka Fireworks Festival Lights Up Sky With 20,000 Shells 2

The Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks displays, was held on Sunday and Monday, August 2 and 3, along the Shinano River in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. The two-day event featured about 20,000 fireworks, including large traditional shells that bloomed into flowers roughly 650 meters wide.

[Breaking News]Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

ASAHIKAWA, Japan, July 25 Kyodo - A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026. (Kyodo)

US: Summer Storms Bring Heavy Rain to New Jersey

Intense summer storms brought heavy rain to New Jersey on Tuesday, July 28, causing flash flooding across of the state.

Summer Vibes

Summer Vibes

Summer Vibes=July 23,2026,Japan

Summer Vibes

Summer Vibes

Summer Vibes=July 23,2026,Japan

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Penguins are given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A lesser panda is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A lesser panda is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Spain: Hailstorm Hits Ripoll, Catalonia

A hailstorm hit Ripoll, Spain, on Thursday, July 23.

Keidanren summer forum in resort town Karuizawa

Keidanren summer forum in resort town Karuizawa

Yoshinobu Tsutsui (R), chairman of the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, holds a press conference following a summer forum it hosted in the resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

A thermometer in front of JR Isesaki Station in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, shows the mercury at 40 C on July 22, 2026.

Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

A thermometer in front of JR Isesaki Station in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, shows the mercury at 40 C on July 22, 2026.

Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

People walk under mist showers on a sweltering hot day in Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on July 22, 2026. The mercury topped 40 C in some central Japan cities the same day, the nation marking a "cruelly hot day," a heat warning term used by the country's weather agency this year, for the second straight day.

Summer, the image of a parasol

Summer, the image of a parasol

Summer, the image of a parasol=July 10,2026,Osaka

Summer, the image of a parasol

Summer, the image of a parasol

Summer, the image of a parasol=July 10,2026,Osaka