Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A man stands in an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

People stand in an inundated residential area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A riverside road is seen inundated in a residential area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 30, 2026, following torrential rain. The river is seen in front.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A road is seen inundated in Fukui Prefecture's capital in central Japan on Aug. 30, 2026, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A road is seen inundated in Fukui Prefecture's capital in central Japan on Aug. 30, 2026, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows Fukui Airport in Sakai in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2026, shows a submerged road in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2026, shows a submerged road in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Japan: Record Rain Triggers Highest-Level Emergency Warning in Fukui 2

Japan's weather agency issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for Heavy Rain, its highest alert level, for the cities of Fukui, Ono and Katsuyama in Fukui Prefecture on Sunday, August 30, as record rainfall caused flooding, swollen rivers and landslides across the region. Katsuyama recorded 350.5mm of rain over 24 hours. The warning was later downgraded to Level 4. This video shows swollen river and flooded streets in Fukui City.

Japan: Record Rain Triggers Highest-Level Emergency Warning in Fukui

Japan's weather agency issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for Heavy Rain, its highest alert level, for the cities of Fukui, Ono and Katsuyama in Fukui Prefecture on Sunday, August 30, as record rainfall caused flooding, swollen rivers and landslides across the region. Katsuyama recorded 350.5mm of rain over 24 hours. The warning was later downgraded to Level 4.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Buddhist monks walk along the Onyu River in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, in central Japan, on March 2, 2026, after pouring holy water into the river during a ritual. It is believed that the water arrives in a well at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara.

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Buddhist monks hold a ritual to pour holy water into the Onyu River in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, in central Japan, on March 2, 2026. It is believed that the water arrives in a well at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara.

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Buddhist monks hold a ritual to pour holy water into the Onyu River in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, in central Japan, on March 2, 2026. The water arrives in a well at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara.

Japan Embassy in Beijing promotes dinosaur-related tourist spots in Japan

Japan Embassy in Beijing promotes dinosaur-related tourist spots in Japan

The Japanese government pitches two tourist spots in Japan related to dinosaurs -- Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Junglia Okinawa theme park -- during an event held at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on March 1, 2026, for about 140 Chinese elementary school students and their guardians.

Japan Embassy in Beijing promotes dinosaur-related tourist spots in Japan

Japan Embassy in Beijing promotes dinosaur-related tourist spots in Japan

The Japanese government pitches two tourist spots in Japan related to dinosaurs -- Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Junglia Okinawa theme park -- during an event held at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on March 1, 2026, for about 140 Chinese elementary school students and their guardians.

Heavy snow in Fukui

Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Fukui

Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Japan: Hundreds of Vehicles Stranded on Hokuriku Expressway Amid Record Snowfall in Fukui

Heavy snowfall in Fukui Prefecture prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a weather warning on Friday, January 23. As rapid accumulation caused severe traffic disruptions, approximately 360 vehicles were left stranded on the Hokuriku Expressway near Tsuruga City.

Japan: Dinosaur Robots in Fukui Brave Through Heavy Snow Like Prehistoric Ice Age

In Fukui, a region famous for its numerous dinosaur fossil discoveries, dinosaur robots outside Fukui Station were seen moving through a heavy snowstorm on Friday, January 23. The sight of these prehistoric figures braving the conditions under a heavy snow warning created a powerful scene, making it feel as though the area had slipped back into a prehistoric ice age.

Japan: Dinosaur Robots in Fukui Brave Through Heavy Snow Like Prehistoric Ice Age 2

In Fukui, a region famous for its numerous dinosaur fossil discoveries, dinosaur robots outside Fukui Station were seen moving through a heavy snowstorm on Friday, January 23. The sight of these prehistoric figures braving the conditions under a heavy snow warning created a powerful scene, making it feel as though the area had slipped back into a prehistoric ice age.

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Boiled Echizen crabs are shown to the media at a fish wholesaler in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2026, as part of an annual event organized by the central Japan prefecture to present the winter delicacy to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members.

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Boiled Echizen crabs are shown to the media at a fish wholesaler in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2026, as part of an annual event organized by the central Japan prefecture to present the winter delicacy to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members.

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

Photo taken Jan. 7, 2026, in Nagoya shows a list of sexually harassing texts that former Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto sent to female prefectural government staff, in an investigative report published the same day by external lawyers. The central Japan governor, who stepped down the previous month, sent approximately 1,000 inappropriate messages to multiple female staff members and also touched female staff members' bodies several times.

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

Photo taken Jan. 7, 2026, in Nagoya shows a list of sexually harassing texts that former Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto sent to female prefectural government staff, in an investigative report published the same day by external lawyers. The central Japan governor, who stepped down the previous month, sent approximately 1,000 inappropriate messages to multiple female staff members and also touched female staff members' bodies several times.

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

Ex-Japan governor sent sexually harassing texts to staff

File photo shows Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto speaking at a press conference in Fukui, central Japan, on Dec. 4, 2025, after the prefectural parliament approved his resignation over a sexual harassment allegation. An investigative report by external lawyers said on Jan. 7, 2026, that he sent some 1,000 sexually harassing texts to multiple female staff of the local government and touched female staff members' bodies several times.

Rally to seek return of Japanese abductees

Rally to seek return of Japanese abductees

Former Japanese abductee Yasushi Chimura speaks during a rally held in Fukui, central Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, for the return to Japan of other Japanese abducted by North Korea. Chimura, 70, abducted in 1978, is one of the five Japanese abducted by North Korea who returned home in 2002.

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

Photo taken Nov. 6, 2025, shows the season's first catch of Echizen crabs in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan.

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

An auction is held for the season's first catch of Echizen crabs in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

An auction is held for the season's first catch of Echizen crabs in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

Season's 1st catch of Echizen crabs

An auction is held for the season's first catch of Echizen crabs in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company “Lotte Hotels Japan” Through Japan-Korea Collaboration

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company “Lotte Hotels Japan” Through Japan-Korea Collaboration

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company ‘Lotte Hotels Japan’ Through Japan-Korea Collaboration. Photo shows Genichi Tamatsuka, President and Representative Director of Lotte Holdings; Tomoya Fukui, President and Representative Director of Lotte Hotels Japan; and John Hosok, CEO of Hotel Lotte.=September 2,2025,Tokyo

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company “Lotte Hotels Japan” Through Japan-Korea Collaboration

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company “Lotte Hotels Japan” Through Japan-Korea Collaboration

Lotte Holdings Establishes New Company ‘Lotte Hotels Japan’ Through Japan-Korea Collaboration. Photo shows Genichi Tamatsuka, President and Representative Director of Lotte Holdings; Tomoya Fukui, President and Representative Director of Lotte Hotels Japan; and John Ho-seok, CEO of Hotel Lotte.=September 2,2025,Tokyo

World Exhibition in Osaka

World Exhibition in Osaka

Photo taken at the World Exposition in Osaka on June 2, 2025, shows a dinosaur exhibition at the Kansai Pavilion section for Fukui Prefecture, known as the site of the largest number of dinosaur fossil discoveries in Japan.

World Exhibition in Osaka

World Exhibition in Osaka

Photo taken at the World Exposition in Osaka on June 2, 2025, shows a dinosaur exhibition at the Kansai Pavilion section for Fukui Prefecture, known as the site of the largest number of dinosaur fossil discoveries in Japan.

Samurai doll parade in central Japan

Samurai doll parade in central Japan

Floats carrying huge dolls representing samurai warriors parade during a traditional "Mikuni" festival dating back about 300 years in Sakai in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui on May 20, 2025.

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Buddhist monks hold a ritual to pour holy water into the Onyu River in the Sea of Japan coastal city of Obama in Fukui Prefecture on March 2, 2025. It is believed that the water arrives in a well at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara 10 days later.

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Ritual to pour holy water into river in Japan

Buddhist monks hold a ritual to pour holy water into the Onyu River in the Sea of Japan coastal city of Obama in Fukui Prefecture on March 2, 2025. It is believed that the water arrives in a well at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara 10 days later.