Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Japan envoy answers Russian summons amid Putin isle visit spat

Japan envoy answers Russian summons amid Putin isle visit spat

Japanese Ambassador to Russia Akira Muto (R) leaves the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on Aug. 18, 2026, following a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. Muto was summoned by Russia following the Japanese government's protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Russian-controlled, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (far R) leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (C) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (L) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) meets the press at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after he summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev and lodged a strong protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

[Breaking News]Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

ASAHIKAWA, Japan, July 25 Kyodo - A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026. (Kyodo)

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) meets with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Ainu festival in New York

NEW YORK, United States, July 23 Kyodo - Participants try playing the traditional Ainu mouth harp known as the mukkuri with the help of performers from the Ainu indigenous community in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a festival introducing Ainu culture in New York, on July 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A polar bear is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Penguins are given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A lesser panda is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

Hokkaido zoo animals cool off with ice

A lesser panda is given ice as a summer gift at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 25, 2026.

Ainu festival in New York

Ainu festival in New York

Participants try playing the traditional Ainu mouth harp known as the mukkuri with the help of performers from the Ainu indigenous community in Hokkaido, northern Japan, during a festival introducing Ainu culture in New York, on July 22, 2026.

Ainu festival in New York

Ainu festival in New York

Visitors pick up and see traditional wood carvings made by craft artists from the Ainu indigenous community in Hokkaido, northern Japan, at a festival introducing Ainu culture in New York, on July 22, 2026.

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.

Lavender fields in northern Japan

Lavender fields in northern Japan

People take photos as they stroll through lavender fields at a farm in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 13, 2026.

Robot wolf to scare away wild animals

Robot wolf to scare away wild animals

Photo taken on July 13, 2026, shows a Monster Wolf robot set up on an automated lawnmower at Kushiro airport in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The device, introduced by the airport in June, is designed to prevent wild animals from entering the runway.

Baseball: Lions vs. Fighters

Baseball: Lions vs. Fighters

Kaima Taira of the Seibu Lions pitches in a Pacific League baseball game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 19, 2026.

Baseball: Dragons vs. Fighters

Baseball: Dragons vs. Fighters

Chusei Mannami of the Nippon Ham Fighters hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on June 14, 2026.

Baseball: Dragons vs. Fighters

Baseball: Dragons vs. Fighters

Chusei Mannami of the Nippon Ham Fighters hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Chunichi Dragons at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on June 14, 2026.

American swims across Japan strait

American swims across Japan strait

American endurance athlete Rob Lea (L) celebrates after swimming across the Tsugaru Strait between Japan's two largest islands of Honshu and Hokkaido in northern Japan on June 30, 2026.

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

A Densuke watermelon, a specialty of Toma town in Hokkaido, is pictured after fetching 700,000 yen ($4,350) at the season's first auction at a wholesale market in the nearby city of Asahikawa on the northernmost main island of Japan on June 19, 2026.

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

The season's first auction of Densuke watermelons, specialties of Toma town in Hokkaido, is held at a wholesale market in the nearby city of Asahikawa on the northernmost main island of Japan on June 19, 2026.

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

Premium watermelons in Hokkaido

Densuke watermelons, specialties of Toma town in Hokkaido, are displayed for the season's first auction at a wholesale market in the nearby city of Asahikawa on the northernmost main island of Japan on June 19, 2026.

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

A fisherman sorts Hokkai shrimps aboard a sailing boat in Notsuke Bay off Betsukai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, as the season for traditional shrimp fishing starts on June 15, 2026.

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Boats for traditional Hokkai shrimp fishing sail in Notsuke Bay off Betsukai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in the early morning of June 15, 2026, the first day of the shrimp fishing season.

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

Shrimp fishing in northern Japan

The season's first catch of Hokkai shrimps is pictured on a sailing boat in Notsuke Bay off Betsukai in Hokkaido, northern Japan, as the season for traditional shrimp fishing using sailing boats starts on June 15, 2026.

Japan: White Killer Whale Filmed off Rausu, Hokkaido in Rare Encounter

A rare white killer whale has been spotted off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido, in northeastern Japan — an exceptionally uncommon sighting even by global standards. The white orca was filmed on Monday, June 8, among a pod of killer whales approximately 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-northeast of Rausu Port. The animal is believed to be a leucistic individual rather than an albino — leucism results in reduced pigmentation while retaining the ability to produce melanin, unlike albinism, which causes red eyes. The orca's eyes appear dark, which is consistent with leucism.

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Harvested kelp is unloaded from a fishing vessel at a port in Nemuro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on June 1, 2026. Japanese fishing vessels started harvesting the seaweed the same day in waters around Kaigara Island of the Russian-held Habomai islet group off Nemuro Peninsula as this year's harvesting season began.

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Japanese fishing vessels harvest kelp in waters around Kaigara Island of the Russian-held Habomai islet group off Nemuro Peninsula in Nemuro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on June 1, 2026. The vessels started harvesting the seaweed in the waters the same day as this year's harvesting season began.

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Kelp harvesting season begins in Hokkaido

Fishing industry officials wave to vessels as they depart from a port in Nemuro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on June 1, 2026, to harvest kelp in waters around Kaigara Island of the Russian-held Habomai islet group off Nemuro Peninsula. Japanese fishing vessels started harvesting the seaweed in the waters the same day as this year's harvesting season began.

Premium melons from Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan, May 22 Kyodo - A pair of Yubari melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido fetches a record price of 5.8 million yen ($36,470) at the season's first auction in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Japan: Decomposing Whale Carcass Discovered on Hokkaido Coastline

A dead humpback whale measuring 8 to 10 metres was discovered washed ashore in Samani Town, Hokkaido, Japan, on May 26. The decomposing carcass will be buried nearby, with residents warned to keep away.

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido are displayed for the season's first auction at a wholesale market in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

A pair of Yubari melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido fetches a record price of 5.8 million yen ($36,470) at the season's first auction in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

[Breaking News]Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

MAKUBETSU, Japan, May 11 Kyodo - Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February. (Kyodo)

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.