Golf: Suntory Ladies

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Shiho Kuwaki celebrates after winning the Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on June 14, 2026.

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Shiho Kuwaki poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on June 14, 2026.

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Shiho Kuwaki celebrates after winning the Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on June 14, 2026.

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Golf: Suntory Ladies

Shiho Kuwaki poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament at Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on June 14, 2026.

Japan: Arima Inari Shrine Engulfed in Fire, Priest Couple Hurt 2

A fire broke out late Tuesday night, June 9 at Arima Inari Shrine near the Arima Onsen hot spring resort in Kobe, Japan, destroying the shrine office and other structures. The head priest and his wife, both in their 80s, sustained minor injuries, while guests at a nearby hotel were temporarily evacuated to a sister property. Firefighters faced significant challenges reaching the site due to approximately 200 steps leading to the shrine, and it took around five hours to fully extinguish the blaze.

Japan: Arima Inari Shrine Engulfed in Fire, Priest Couple Hurt

A fire broke out late Tuesday night, June 9 at Arima Inari Shrine near the Arima Onsen hot spring resort in Kobe, Japan, destroying the shrine office and other structures. The head priest and his wife, both in their 80s, sustained minor injuries, while guests at a nearby hotel were temporarily evacuated to a sister property. Firefighters faced significant challenges reaching the site due to approximately 200 steps leading to the shrine, and it took around five hours to fully extinguish the blaze.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Spears Tokyo Bay players are pictured after their loss to Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after defeating the Spears Tokyo Bay 22-13 in the Japan Rugby League One final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after defeating the Spears Tokyo Bay 22-13 in the Japan Rugby League One final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Rugby: Steelers win League One title

Kobe Steelers players celebrate after clinching the Japan Rugby League One championship with a 22-13 win against the Spears Tokyo Bay in the final at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on June 7, 2026.

Football: WE League MVP

Football: WE League MVP

INAC Kobe Leonessa's Yui Narumiya smiles at an award ceremony in Tokyo on May 26, 2026, after being named Japan women's football WE League MVP for the 2025-2026 season for leading the club to the second league title, the first in four seasons.

Football: WE League MVP

Football: WE League MVP

INAC Kobe Leonessa's Yui Narumiya smiles at an award ceremony in Tokyo on May 26, 2026, after being named Japan women's football WE League MVP for the 2025-2026 season for leading the club to the second league title, the first in four seasons.

Football: WE League MVP

Football: WE League MVP

INAC Kobe Leonessa's Yui Narumiya poses at a ceremony in Tokyo on May 26, 2026, after being named Japan women's football WE League MVP for the 2025-2026 season for leading the club to the second league title, the first in four seasons.

[Breaking News]Figure Skating Sakamoto at retirement press conference

KOBE, Japan, May 13 Kyodo - Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

KOBE, Japan, May 13 Kyodo - Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026. (Kyodo)

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs through her tears during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, wipes away tears during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (R), a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, receives flowers from Hisashi Ietsugu, chairperson and CEO of Sysmex Corp., the sponsor of Sakamoto, during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, wipes away tears during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, wipes away tears during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Figure Skating: Sakamoto at retirement press conference

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, a two-time women's figure skating Olympic medalist and four-time world champion, laughs during her retirement press conference at a hotel in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on May 13, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Al Ahli players celebrate after Ivan Toney scored the Saudi Arabian team's second goal in the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Japan's Vissel Kobe on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Galeno (L) of Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli scores the equalizer in the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Japan's Vissel Kobe on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto (back) of Japan's Vissel Kobe opens the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto (C) of Japan's Vissel Kobe opens the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto (2nd from L) of Japan's Vissel Kobe celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto (L, top) of Japan's Vissel Kobe is congratulated by teammates after opening the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto of Japan's Vissel Kobe reacts after opening the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Football: ACLE

Football: ACLE

Yoshinori Muto of Japan's Vissel Kobe reacts after opening the scoring in the first half of an Asian Champions League Elite semifinal match against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on April 20, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Japan: Sea Sparkle Lights Up Ocean Surface in Blue, Signaling the Arrival of Spring

Noctiluca scintillans, known as sea sparkle, a type of bioluminescent plankton, lit up the ocean surface with a vivid blue glow, signaling the arrival of spring. This video was filmed on Sunday, April 5 at Suma Beach in Kobe.

[Breaking News]Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 30 Kyodo - The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki leaves after making a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) poses for a photo following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) smiles following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki (C) waves his hand following a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.