Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats is held during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats is held during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats is held during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats is held during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan, July 17 Kyodo - An intricately decorated float drives through the streets of Kyoto during the traditional Gion Festival on July 17, 2019. (Kyodo)

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A procession of decorated floats takes place down a street in Kyoto, western Japan, during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A procession of decorated floats takes place down a street in Kyoto, western Japan, during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade on July 17, 2026.

[Breaking News]Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - A "yamakasa" decorated float is carried along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. (Kyodo)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

A "yamakasa" decorated float is carried along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

A ritual is held at Kushida shrine in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on June 30, 2026, to bring a god into a decorated festival float called Kazariyamakasa.

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

A ritual is held at Kushida shrine in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on June 30, 2026, to bring a god into a decorated festival float called Kazariyamakasa.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

A Mexico supporter wears a traditional sombrero hat decorated with a trophy, a ball and football shoes in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup opener at the venue the same day.

Wind bells at flower park in western Japan

Wind bells at flower park in western Japan

Visitors take a stroll along an allay decorated by wind bells at Tottori Hanakairo flower park in Nambu in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on June 13, 2026.

China: Tame Eel Responds to Owner’s Tank Tap in Guangxi

On May 20, 2026, a video from Guangxi, southern China, showed an owner feeding an orange eel kept in a decorated water tank filled with plants and moss. When he tapped the tank, the eel surfaced, licked his finger, then took the shrimp from his hand before sinking back to the bottom to eat.

China: Ride-Hailing Driver Creates Miniature Landscape With Live Fish Tank Inside Car

On May 8, 2026, in Yueyang, Hunan, China, a video showcased the elaborately decorated car of a ride-hailing driver. On the center console sat a miniature landscape featuring a bonsai, green plants, tiny houses, stone furniture, and a small figurine. Concealed among the rocks and plants was a tiny pond with four live fish.

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 3, 2026, shows a Japan Airline Co. plane decorated with Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends in commemoration of the Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary. The Boeing 737-800 will be operated on domestic flights for a limited period from June 4, 2026.

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 3, 2026, shows a Japan Airline Co. plane decorated with Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends in commemoration of the Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary. The Boeing 737-800 will be operated on domestic flights for a limited period from June 4, 2026.

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

JAL plane commemorating Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 3, 2026, shows a Japan Airline Co. plane decorated with Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends in commemoration of the Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary. The Boeing 737-800 will be operated on domestic flights for a limited period from June 4, 2026.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

Starbucks

Starbucks

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JANUARY 13, 2026 - Starbucks Coffee Shop decorated retro colorful lanterns to welcome the Chinese Spring Festival in Shanghai, China on January 13, 2026.