"Renka-chan" mascot completes blog travel

"Renka-chan" mascot completes blog travel

TONDABAYASHI, Japan - "Renka-chan" (center right), the mascot of Katsuragi, Nara Prefecture, is greeted by fellow mascots at Asukadera, a temple in the western Japan prefecture, on Nov. 6, 2013, as she completes her trek of what is believed to be the oldest state-funded road. Renka-chan posted blog reports of her travel on the 1,400-year-old road that connects Nara with Osaka.

Heroine of Kyoto's Aoi Festival purifies herself

Heroine of Kyoto's Aoi Festival purifies herself

KYOTO, Japan - Makiko Sen (C), who has been selected as the heroine of this year's Aoi Festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, purifies herself in a ceremony May 4 by dipping her hands into a river at Shimogamo Shrine before the 1,400-year-old event on May 15.

Torch festival held at Kamikura Shrine in Wakayama Pref.

Torch festival held at Kamikura Shrine in Wakayama Pref.

SHINGU, Japan - Men carrying torches await the opening of a gate to Kamikura Shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, in the 1,400-year-old torch festival on Feb. 6.

Torch festival held at Kamikura Shrine in Wakayama Pref.

Torch festival held at Kamikura Shrine in Wakayama Pref.

SHINGU, Japan - About 2,000 men carrying torches run down the 538 steps of a shrine approach to Kamikura Shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, in the 1,400-year-old torch festival on Feb. 6.

Aoi Festival held in Kyoto

Aoi Festival held in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Some 500 locals clad in traditional Japanese robes lead a procession in the annual Aoi Festival in the ancient capital of Kyoto on the morning of May 15. The procession was later canceled in the afternoon due to rain. The 1,400-year-old festival reenacts imperial processions in feudal times to Kamikamo and Shimokamo shrines.