Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

NARA, Japan, May 16 Kyodo - A traditional outdoor Noh play is performed at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan, on May 16, 2025. (Kyodo)

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

A traditional outdoor Noh play is performed at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan, on May 16, 2025.

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

A traditional outdoor Noh play is performed at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan, on May 16, 2025.

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

Traditional outdoor Noh play in Nara

A traditional outdoor Noh play is performed at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient capital of Nara, western Japan, on May 16, 2025.

Major repair work at Kofuku-ji temple pagoda

Major repair work at Kofuku-ji temple pagoda

Monks attend a ground-breaking ceremony held at Kofuku-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on April 6, 2025, ahead of the first major repair work in about 120 years for its five-story pagoda, likely to be completed in March 2034.

Major repair work at Kofuku-ji temple pagoda

Major repair work at Kofuku-ji temple pagoda

Monks attend a ground-breaking ceremony held at Kofuku-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on April 6, 2025, ahead of the first major repair work in about 120 years for its five-story pagoda, likely to be completed in March 2034.

Demon-expelling ritual at Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

Demon-expelling ritual at Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

NARA, Japan - The "Tsuina-e" ritual to exorcise demons and wish for happiness is performed at the East Golden Hall, a natural treasure, at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara on Feb. 3, 2014, as part of the "Setsubun" bean-throwing festival.

Temple refurbishes exhibit of wooden god reliefs

Temple refurbishes exhibit of wooden god reliefs

NARA, Japan - A Buddhist priest watches a refurbished display of the wooden reliefs of 12 gods, designated as national treasures, at Kofuku-ji temple in the ancient capital of Nara in western Japan on Sept. 17, 2014, on the eve of the public opening of the exhibition.

Fire drill at ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

Fire drill at ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

NARA, Japan - Fire fighters pump water to the five-storied pagoda of the ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara in a fire drill held on Jan. 26, the Cultural Assets Fire Prevention Day. The pagoda is designated a National Treasure.

Fire drill at ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

Fire drill at ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara

NARA, Japan - Fire fighters pump water to the five-storied pagoda of the ancient Kofuku-ji temple in Nara in a fire drill held on Jan. 26, the Cultural Assets Fire Prevention Day. The pagoda is designated a National Treasure. (Kyodo)

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

Kofuku-ji temple in Nara is deserted on May 14, 2020, ahead of the scheduled lifting later in the day of a coronavirus pandemic state of emergency in 39 of Japan's 47 prefectures, including the western Japan prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

An area around Kofuku-ji temple is deserted in Nara, western Japan, on April 18, 2020, under a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

An area around Kofuku-ji temple is deserted in Nara, western Japan, on April 18, 2020, under a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kofuku-ji temple

Kofuku-ji temple

File photo taken Feb. 19, 2020, shows Kofuku-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo