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Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

A giant "ema" votive plaque (R) bearing an illustration of a horse, next year's Chinese zodiac sign, stands at World Heritage-listed Niukanshobu shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 7, 2025, replacing an older plaque (L) with an illustration of a snake, the zodiac sign for 2025.

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Western Japan traditional shrine ritual

A man dressed as a demon holds a bamboo pole during a traditional ritual to pray for a good rice harvest and protection against epidemics at Shiide Itsukushima shrine in Kudoyama in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Aug. 16, 2025.

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Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2025, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

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Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits take part in a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2025.

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Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits take part in a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2025.

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Preparations for 2025 Year of Snake

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of a snake, the next year's Chinese zodiac sign, stands at a shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 1, 2024.

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Samurai parade in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits march in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2024, during a traditional festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

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Samurai parade in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits march in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2024, during a traditional festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 14, 2024.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 14, 2024.

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Preparations for 2024 Year of Dragon

A chief priest performs a purification ritual in front of a giant "ema" prayer plaque with an illustration of a dragon, the Chinese zodiac sign for 2024, at Niu Kanshobu shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 3, 2023.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp-shaped streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 9, 2023. The windsocks will be on display through Children's Day on May 5.

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 9, 2023. The windsocks will be on display through Children's Day on May 5.

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Big wooden plaque at Shinto shrine before sheep year

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Shiro Miyazaki, chief priest of the Niukanshobu Shrine in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, shows off a large wooden plaque depicting sheep on Dec. 7, 2014, before the start of 2015 or the Year of the Sheep in the Chinese zodiac calendar. The Shinto shrine is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site involving pilgrimage routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

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Premium brand persimmon hits market

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A staffer of a local branch of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives group shows a box filled with "Yume" (Dream) premium-brand persimmons in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 4, 2014, on the first day of shipment.

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Jison-in's pagoda lit up for Pink Ribbon campaign

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Jison-in "tahoto," a pagoda at the Buddhist temple in Kudoyama town in Wakayama Prefecture, turns pink on Oct. 18, 2014, to appeal for the importance of breast cancer's early detection and rapid cure. Jison-in is part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Forum held on feudal Japanese warlord Sanada Yukimura

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A forum on feudal warlord Sanada Yukimura is held in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2014. The Japanese samurai warrior (1567-1615) hid himself there for 14 years in the evening of his life.

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'Kasahoko' ritual in Wakayama Pref.

HASHIMOTO, Japan - The 300-year-old "kasahoko" ritual praying for good harvest takes place at Kosawaitsukushima shrine in Kudoyama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2014.

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OSK star Oka leads procession in memory of legendary samurai

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Noboru Oka, an OSK Revue star, takes part in a traditional procession on May 5, 2014 in the town of Kudoyama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, honoring the memory of legendary samurai Yukimura Sanada and his fellow warriors.

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Doll display begins in Wakayama pref. town of Kudoyama

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A visitor views a display of dolls themed after Japanese folk stories on April 1, 2014, in Kudoyama Town in Wakayama Prefecture.

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Big plaque of priest Kukai set up at Wakayama shrine

HASHIMOTO, Japan - People gather before a giant wooden plaque depicting an encounter between Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, and Kariba Myojin, the deity of the Niukanshobu-jinja shrine, set up at the shrine in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, on Jan. 15, 2014.

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Japanese painter Hirayama dies

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama is seen sketching at Jisonin Temple in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, on May 2, 2007. Hirayama, a traditional-style Japanese painter known for his works with themes based on the Silk Road and Buddhism, died of a stroke Dec. 2, 2009.

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Preparations for 2023 Year of Rabbit

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of rabbits, the next year's Chinese zodiac sign, stands at Niu Kanshobu shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 4, 2022.

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Preparations for 2023 Year of Rabbit

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of rabbits, the next year's Chinese zodiac sign, stands at Niu Kanshobu shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 4, 2022.

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About 100 carp streamers fly over river in Wakayama Pref.

Around 100 carp streamers fly over a river in the town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2016. The streamers, suspended from two wires strung across the 110-meter-wide river, will be displayed through May 8. The carp streamer is a symbol of the May 5th Children's Day national holiday. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Top-class persimmons get quality check in western Japan

This year's first selection of top-quality Fuyugaki persimmons called "Yume" (Dream) is held in the western Japanese town of Kudoyama, one of the major producers of the fruit, Wakayama Prefecture, on Nov. 27, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Ancient court carriage parades on approach to temple in western Japan

An ancient court carriage, with Japanese writer Tamao Ariyoshi aboard, parades on the approach to the Jison-in temple in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 8, 2015. The Buddhist temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site registered as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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People pull carriage as part of temple festival in western Japan

People in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, draw an ancient court carriage during a festival at the Jison-in temple on April 8, 2015. The Buddhist temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site registered as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Georama of 15th-century era scene on show in Wakayama, western Japan

A georama featuring the Sanada clan in the 15th-century Warring States period is displayed for tourists in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 1, 2015, as part of a doll festival. The georama depicts the departure from Kudoyama for Osaka Castle by Sanada Yukimura and his 10 followers known as the "Brave 10." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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About 100 carp streamers fly over river in Wakayama Pref.

About 100 colorful carp streamers fly over a river in the town of Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 5, 2015. The streamers, suspended from two wires strung across the 110-meter-wide river, will be displayed through the May 5th Children's Day national holiday in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Carp streamers in western Japan

Some 100 "koinobori" carp-shaped streamers fly over a river in the western Japan town of Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture on April 11, 2021. The wind socks will be on display through Children's Day on May 5.

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Train painted in red in honor of feudal warlord in western Japan

A Nankai Electric Railway Co. train stops at Kudoyama Station in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama on Nov. 14, 2015. The train is painted in red, the symbol color of warlord Sanada Yukimura (1567-1615) who lived in seclusion in the area. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Western Japan rail station adorned in red in honor of feudal warlord

A new decoration is unveiled at Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s Kudoyama Station in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama on Nov. 14, 2015. The station is adorned with hanging screens and other items in red, the symbol color of warlord Sanada Yukimura (1567-1615) who lived in seclusion in the area. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Temple pagoda lit in pink for breast cancer awareness blitz

The two-storied Tahoto pagoda at Jison-in, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage site in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, is illuminated in pink on Oct. 31, 2015, as part of the Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness campaign. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Candle lit at temple in breast cancer awareness campaign

Comedian Kuniko Yamada, a survivor of breast cancer, lights a candle on Oct. 31, 2015, at an event to illuminate in pink the two-storied Tahoto pagoda at Jison-in, a Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. The event was held as part of the Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness campaign. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japanese painter Hirayama dies

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama is seen sketching at Jisonin Temple in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, on May 2, 2007. Hirayama, a traditional-style Japanese painter known for his works with themes based on the Silk Road and Buddhism, died of a stroke Dec. 2, 2009. (Kyodo)

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Jison-in's pagoda lit up for Pink Ribbon campaign

HASHIMOTO, Japan - Jison-in "tahoto," a pagoda at the Buddhist temple in Kudoyama town in Wakayama Prefecture, turns pink on Oct. 18, 2014, to appeal for the importance of breast cancer's early detection and rapid cure. Jison-in is part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Kyodo)

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Forum held on feudal Japanese warlord Sanada Yukimura

HASHIMOTO, Japan - A forum on feudal warlord Sanada Yukimura is held in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 11, 2014. The Japanese samurai warrior (1567-1615) hid himself there for 14 years in the evening of his life. (Kyodo)

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'Kasahoko' ritual in Wakayama Pref.

HASHIMOTO, Japan - The 300-year-old "kasahoko" ritual praying for good harvest takes place at Kosawaitsukushima shrine in Kudoyama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2014. (Kyodo)

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Year of Boar in 2019

A big-sized "ema" votive tablet bearing an illustration of boars is pictured at the Niukanshofu shrine in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 2, 2018, ahead of the Year of the Boar in the Oriental zodiac. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Preparation for year of ox in 2021

A giant "ema" votive tablet with an illustration of a cow and its calf is unveiled at Niukanshobu shrine in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 6, 2020, ahead of the year of ox in 2021 in the Chinese zodiac.

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Carp streamers

"Koinobori" carp streamers fly over a river in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 5, 2020. Koinobori will be displayed through Children's Day on May 5 to wish for their good health. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Premium persimmons in western Japan

"Fuyu" persimmons are prepared for shipment in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 3, 2019. One box containing five to six highest-graded fruits of the variety is expected to sell for around 15,000 yen in department stores. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Premium persimmons in western Japan

"Fuyu" persimmons are prepared for shipment in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 3, 2019. One box containing five to six highest-graded fruits of the variety is expected to sell for around 15,000 yen in department stores. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Carp streamers

Around 100 carp streamers or "koinobori" fly over a river in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 7, 2019. Koinobori will be displayed to wish for children's good health through Children's Day on May 5. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Carp streamers

Around 100 carp streamers or "koinobori" fly over a river in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 7, 2019. Koinobori will be displayed to wish for children's good health through Children's Day on May 5. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Year of Boar in 2019

A big-sized "ema" votive tablet bearing an illustration of boars is pictured at the Niukanshofu shrine in Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 2, 2018, ahead of the Year of the Boar in the Oriental zodiac. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Western Japan shrine ritual

A demon holds a crying child during a traditional ritual to pray for a good rice harvest at Shiide Itsukushima Jinja, a Shinto shrine, in the western Japan town of Kudoyama, Wakayama Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Demon shows up in traditional shrine ritual

A demon holds a crying child during a traditional shrine ritual to pray for a good rice harvest on Aug. 16, 2017, in the western Japan town of Kudoyama. While performing a dance, the demon made children giggle or scared them, filling the shrine grounds with their laughter and shouts. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo