Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Monks walk on a path at Daihonzan Eiheiji temple in Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, for the Keichoe ritual, marking both the funeral of the 80th abbot of the temple, Minamisawa Donin, and the inaugural ceremony for the new abbot, Hani Sodo.

Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Monks walk on a path at Daihonzan Eiheiji temple in Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, for the Keichoe ritual, marking both the funeral of the 80th abbot of the temple, Minamisawa Donin, and the inaugural ceremony for the new abbot, Hani Sodo.

Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Ceremony at Eiheiji temple in central Japan

Monks walk on a path at Daihonzan Eiheiji temple in Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, for the Keichoe ritual, marking both the funeral of the 80th abbot of the temple, Minamisawa Donin, and the inaugural ceremony for the new abbot, Hani Sodo.

Torrential rain in central Japan

SAKAI, Japan, Aug. 31 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

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: 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.

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.

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.

Snow crabs for Japanese imperial family

Snow crabs for Japanese imperial family

Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2025, in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, shows boiled snow crabs selected for presentation to the Japanese imperial family.

Snow crabs for Japanese imperial family

Snow crabs for Japanese imperial family

Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2025, in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, shows boiled snow crabs selected for presentation to the Japanese imperial family.

Japan: Heavy Snowfall Hits Sea Of Japan Coast 5

Heavy snowfall has battered a wide area of Japan, especially the Hokuriku region along the Sea of Japan coast. This video shows blizzard conditions in the city of Sakai, Fukui Prefecture.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

The gate of Kehi Jingu shrine in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, is covered with snow on Feb. 5, 2025.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Elementary school pupils head for school amid heavy snowfall in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 5, 2025.

Sake Making At Jozan Brewery In Fukui - Japan

Sake Making At Jozan Brewery In Fukui - Japan

A flower basket marking the 220th anniversary of the establishment at Jozan Brewery in Fukui. Japanese alcoholic beverages, including sake (nihonshu), shochu and awamori, are made from grains and water. Craftspeople use koji mold to convert the starch in the ingredients into sugar, and oversee the process to make sure the mold grows in optimal conditions. Jozan, a brewery located in Fukui Prefecture, a region renowned for its high-quality rice, has upheld traditional sake-making for over 220 years. Led by Shinpei Tokoyama, the brewery exemplifies its ongoing efforts in coping with challenges in modern era while preserving traditional craftsmanship. With modern techniques, Jozan has realized a meticulous control over the brewing process, ensuring the consistency of product quality without compromising the essence of traditional making methods. In 2017, Jozan also renovated its brewing space, combining functionality with modern design to accommodate both production needs and visitors from around the world. The