Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival opens in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan on Feb. 4, 2026, with about 2 million people expected to visit the event featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures through Feb. 11.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Kokomo Murase of Japan poses with the bronze medal she won in the women's snowboard big air event at the Beijing Olympics during a medal ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 15, 2022.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan is pictured after finishing her second jump at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama (C) of Japan poses for a photo with members of the Japanese team, after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

(From L) Nozomi Maruyama of Japan, Eirin Maria Kvandal of Norway and Nika Prevc of Slovakia pose on the podium after respectively winning silver, gold and bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan (L) embraces teammate Yukiya Sato after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan competes en route to winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

Traditional bean-throwing event

Traditional bean-throwing event

A traditional bean-throwing event is held at the World Heritage-listed Fudarakusan-ji temple in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, for Setsubun celebration in February.

[Breaking News]Icefall festival in Hokkaido

KAMIKAWA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8. (Kyodo)

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect visit houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

[Breaking News]Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

SENDAI, Japan, Jan. 20 Kyodo - Video taken at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 19, 2026, shows conger eels protruding from pipes resembling "ehomaki" sushi rolls that are eaten on Setsubun day on Feb. 3 marking the turn from winter to spring. The annual event at the aquarium ends on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

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.

Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

Photo taken at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 19, 2026, shows conger eels protruding from pipes resembling "ehomaki" sushi rolls that are eaten on Setsubun day on Feb. 3 marking the turn from winter to spring. The annual event at the aquarium ends on Feb. 8.

Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

Conger eels at northeastern Japan aquarium

Photo taken at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 19, 2026, shows conger eels protruding from pipes resembling "ehomaki" sushi rolls that are eaten on Setsubun day on Feb. 3 marking the turn from winter to spring. The annual event at the aquarium ends on Feb. 8.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Japan's Shota Hirayama competes en route to winning the men's moguls bronze at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Japan's Ikuma Horishima (C) poses after winning the men's moguls gold at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2026, alongside silver medalist Filip Gravenfors (L) of Sweden and bronze medalist Shota Hirayama of Japan.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Japan's Shota Hirayama competes en route to winning the men's moguls bronze at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Japan's Shota Hirayama competes en route to winning the men's moguls bronze at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Freestyle skiing: World Cup in U.S.

Japan's Ikuma Horishima poses after winning the men's moguls gold at a freestyle skiing World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on Jan. 16, 2026.