Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Dancers holding colorful parasols adorned with bells perform during the Shan-Shan festival in Tottori, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026.

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Dancers holding colorful parasols adorned with bells perform during the Shan-Shan festival in Tottori, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026.

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Dancers holding colorful parasols adorned with bells perform during the Shan-Shan festival in Tottori, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026.

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Parasol dance festival in western Japan

Dancers holding colorful parasols adorned with bells perform during the Shan-Shan festival in Tottori, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026.

[Breaking News]Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

KOCHI, Japan, Aug. 10 Kyodo - Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12. (Kyodo)

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

People join the "Niwaka-ren" impromptu dance group during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

People join the "Niwaka-ren" impromptu dance group during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during an Awa Odori traditional folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during an Awa Odori traditional folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Select members of Awa Odori traditional folk dance teams perform on the stage of a hall in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, ahead of a four-day street dancing starting on Aug. 12.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Select members of Awa Odori traditional folk dance teams perform on the stage of a hall in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, ahead of a four-day street dancing starting on Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform on the eve of the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 9, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform on the eve of the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 9, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform on the eve of the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 9, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan.

Japan-Vietnam student exchange in Hanoi

Japan-Vietnam student exchange in Hanoi

Vietnamese students perform a welcome dance for Japanese junior and senior high school students during a cultural exchange event in Hanoi on Aug. 6, 2026.

Japan-Vietnam student exchange in Hanoi

Japan-Vietnam student exchange in Hanoi

Vietnamese students perform a welcome dance for Japanese junior and senior high school students during a cultural exchange event in Hanoi on Aug. 6, 2026.

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers wave hats adorned with orange safflowers in a parade at the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa Festival on Aug. 5, 2026, in Yamagata, northeastern Japan.

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers wave hats adorned with orange safflowers in a parade at the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa Festival on Aug. 5, 2026, in Yamagata, northeastern Japan.

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers wave hats adorned with orange safflowers in a parade at the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa Festival on Aug. 5, 2026, in Yamagata, northeastern Japan.

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers wave hats adorned with orange safflowers in a parade at the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa Festival on Aug. 5, 2026, in Yamagata, northeastern Japan.

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dance festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers wave hats adorned with orange safflowers in a parade at the traditional Yamagata Hanagasa Festival on Aug. 5, 2026, in Yamagata, northeastern Japan.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Ainu festival in New York

Ainu festival in New York

Performers from the Ainu indigenous community in Hokkaido, northern Japan, present a traditional dance during a festival introducing Ainu culture in New York, on July 22, 2026.

Crown Princess Kiko visits high school in western Japan

Crown Princess Kiko visits high school in western Japan

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (L) watches the Kagura Shinto ritual dance during a visit to a high school in Hino in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People dance while waving U.S. flags in central Washington in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026.

Geiko, Maiko dance practice

Geiko, Maiko dance practice

Geiko and their apprentice Maiko from Kyoto's five entertainment districts rehearse in the western Japan city on June 26, 2026, for the two-day Miyako-no-Nigiwai dance performance starting the following day.

Geiko, Maiko dance practice

Geiko, Maiko dance practice

Geiko and their apprentice Maiko from Kyoto's five entertainment districts rehearse in the western Japan city on June 26, 2026, for the two-day Miyako-no-Nigiwai dance performance starting the following day.

Maiko dance practice

Maiko dance practice

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, from Kyoto's five entertainment districts rehearse in the western Japan city on June 26, 2026, for the two-day Miyako-no-Nigiwai dance performance starting the following day.

Maiko dance practice

Maiko dance practice

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, from Kyoto's five entertainment districts rehearse in the western Japan city on June 26, 2026, for the two-day Miyako-no-Nigiwai dance performance starting the following day.

Maiko dance practice

Maiko dance practice

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, from Kyoto's five entertainment districts rehearse in the western Japan city on June 26, 2026, for the two-day Miyako-no-Nigiwai dance performance starting the following day.

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Japanese Princess Kako (front row, C) watches a performance by Belgian dance company Rosas at Saitama Arts Theater in Saitama near Tokyo on June 19, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Japanese Princess Kako (front row, C) watches a performance by Belgian dance company Rosas at Saitama Arts Theater in Saitama near Tokyo on June 19, 2026. (Pool photo)

National Dance Awards in Britain

National Dance Awards in Britain

Japanese dancer Ryoichi Hirano, a principal of the Royal Ballet, speaks during an award ceremony in London on June 15, 2026, after winning the Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards presented by the Critics' Circle in Britain.

National Dance Awards in Britain

National Dance Awards in Britain

Miyako Yoshida (R), artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan, and Japanese dancer Ryoichi Hirano, a principal of the Royal Ballet, pose for a photo in London on June 15, 2026, as the Japanese company wins the Stef Stefanou Award for Outstanding Company and Hirano wins the Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards presented by the Critics' Circle in Britain.

National Dance Awards in Britain

National Dance Awards in Britain

Miyako Yoshida, artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan, speaks during an award ceremony in London on June 15, 2026, as the company wins the Stef Stefanou Award for Outstanding Company at the National Dance Awards presented by the Critics' Circle in Britain.

National Dance Awards in Britain

National Dance Awards in Britain

Miyako Yoshida, artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan, speaks during an award ceremony in London on June 15, 2026, as the company wins the Stef Stefanou Award for Outstanding Company at the National Dance Awards presented by the Critics' Circle in Britain.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the 2026 football World Cup held at Mexico City Stadium in the Mexican capital on June 11, 2026, ahead of the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa.

[Breaking News]Figure skating: Uno returns to competition with Honda

TOKYO, Japan, May 22 Kyodo - Japanese former figure skating world champion and Olympic medalist Shoma Uno and former world junior champion Marin Honda pose for photos in Tokyo on May 22, 2026. The pair announced in an Instagram post earlier in the day that they will return to competition in ice dance from the new season. (Kyodo)