Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the Gion Festival's Yamahoko Junko parade in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2026.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their Maiko apprentices, wearing formal attire, prepare to take part in a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their apprentices Maiko, wearing their formal attire, recite a pledge during a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Repainted Heian Jingu outer hall

Repainted Heian Jingu outer hall

Photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025, shows the Daigokuden outer hall of worship at Heian Jingu shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, following repainting and seismic reinforcement work.

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are under way for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2025, with wooden boards with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional "kantei-ryu" style of calligraphy -- wishing for a full house -- on display at Minamiza Theater.

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are under way for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2025, with wooden boards with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional "kantei-ryu" style of calligraphy -- wishing for a full house -- on display at Minamiza Theater.

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are under way for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2025, with wooden boards with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional "kantei-ryu" style of calligraphy -- wishing for a full house -- on display at Minamiza Theater.

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates Shimon Sakaguchi (L) and Susumu Kitagawa hold talks at Kyoto University in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 10, 2025. Osaka University distinguished professor Sakaguchi is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, and Kyoto University distinguished professor Kitagawa is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates Shimon Sakaguchi (L) and Susumu Kitagawa hold talks at Kyoto University in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 10, 2025. Osaka University distinguished professor Sakaguchi is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, and Kyoto University distinguished professor Kitagawa is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates hold talks in Kyoto

Nobel laureates Shimon Sakaguchi (L) and Susumu Kitagawa hold talks at Kyoto University in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 10, 2025. Osaka University distinguished professor Sakaguchi is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, and Kyoto University distinguished professor Kitagawa is a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Foreign tourists number to hit record

Foreign tourists number to hit record

Foreign tourists pack Kiyomizuzaka near Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2025. The number of foreign visitors to Japan between January and September was around 31.65 million, marking the fastest pace on record in surpassing 30 million within a year.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

A decorated "yamahoko" float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during the annual Gion festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 24, 2025.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as floats with illuminated lanterns are on display during the annual Gion festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2025.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets to see floats with illuminated lanterns on display as well as street performances during the annual Gion festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2025.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats takes place on a street during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2025. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A decorated "yamahoko" float is pulled around for a "tsuji-mawashi" corner turn during a parade of 23 floats, a highlight of the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2025. The parade is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats takes place on a street during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2025. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

Decorated "yamahoko" floats parade down a street during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2025. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A parade of decorated "yamahoko" floats takes place on a street during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2025. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Volleyball: ACL final

Volleyball: ACL final

Osaka Bluteon players pose for a photo after losing to Qatar's Al-Rayyan in the final of the 12-team Asian Champions League men's volleyball tournament in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 18, 2025.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Sneak peek of TV animation series at Kyoto Kabuki theater

Sneak peek of TV animation series at Kyoto Kabuki theater

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - A sneak peek event for the Japanese animated television series "The Eccentric Family," based on the original Japanese novel written by Tomihiko Morimi, is held at Minamiza Theater, a Kabuki theater, in Kyoto on June 16, 2013.(Kyodo)

Japanese novelist Morimi

Japanese novelist Morimi

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Japanese novelist Tomihiko Morimi is pictured in 2007 in Ponto-cho in Kyoto, where he has lived since entering university and where his novels are set.(Kyodo)

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are underway for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2024, with wooden signs with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional style of "maneki-gaki" calligraphy, wishing for a full house, on display at Minamiza Theater.

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are underway for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2024, with wooden signs with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional style of "maneki-gaki" calligraphy, wishing for a full house, on display at Minamiza Theater.

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations for Kabuki performance in Kyoto

Preparations are underway for a year-end Kabuki performance in Kyoto, western Japan, on Nov. 26, 2024, with wooden signs with the names of Kabuki actors written in the traditional style of "maneki-gaki" calligraphy, wishing for a full house, on display at Minamiza Theater.

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (in screen) speaks during the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Entomology in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito speaks during the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Entomology in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024.

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Entomology conference in Kyoto

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (L), Crown Princess Kiko and their son Prince Hisahito (3rd from L) visit the first day of the six-day International Congress of Entomology in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 25, 2024. (Pool photo)

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

Kyoto Animation Co. President Hideaki Hatta (R) meets the press following a memorial ceremony marking a 2019 deadly arson attack on one of its studios, on July 18, 2024, the fifth anniversary of the incident, at the site of the former studio in Kyoto, western Japan.

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

Kyoto Animation Co. President Hideaki Hatta heads to a memorial ceremony marking a 2019 deadly arson attack on one of its studios on July 18, 2024, the fifth anniversary of the incident, at the studio's former site in Kyoto, western Japan.

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

5th anniv. of Kyoto Animation arson attack

Photo shows the venue for the memorial ceremony of a 2019 deadly arson attack on a Kyoto Animation Co. studio, set up at its former site in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 18, 2024, the fifth anniversary of the incident.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A decorated "yamahoko" float is pulled around a corner during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2024. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

"Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival

A decorated "yamahoko" float is pulled around a corner during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 17, 2024. The parade of 23 floats is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

World's 1st wooden satellite

World's 1st wooden satellite

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, speaks about the world's first-ever wooden satellite "LignoSat" during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 28, 2024. Scientists at Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company Sumitomo Forestry Co. developed the spacecraft, a cube with 10-centimeter sides and weighing 1 kilogram.

World's 1st wooden satellite

World's 1st wooden satellite

Takao Doi, a Japanese astronaut and a program-specific professor at Kyoto University, speaks about the world's first-ever wooden satellite "LignoSat" during an interview in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 28, 2024. Scientists at Kyoto University and Tokyo-based wood products company Sumitomo Forestry Co. developed the spacecraft, a cube with 10-centimeter sides and weighing 1 kilogram.