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Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops green bamboo stalks, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2026.

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Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Men posing as monk soldiers chop green bamboo stalks, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2026.

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Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops green bamboo stalks, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2026.

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Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops green bamboo stalks, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2026.

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Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 11, 2026. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

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Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 11, 2026. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

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Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 11, 2026. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

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"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

Performers shove dishes from the stage in a popular dish-smashing routine during a "Mibu Kyogen" traditional drama at Mibu temple in Kyoto on April 29, 2026.

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"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

Performers shove dishes from the stage in a popular dish-smashing routine during a "Mibu Kyogen" traditional drama at Mibu temple in Kyoto on April 29, 2026.

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"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

"Mibu Kyogen" drama in Kyoto

Performers shove dishes from the stage in a popular dish-smashing routine during a "Mibu Kyogen" traditional drama at Mibu temple in Kyoto on April 29, 2026.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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No. of foreign visitors to Japan tops 40 mil.

No. of foreign visitors to Japan tops 40 mil.

Tourists pack a street near Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 20, 2026. The number of foreign visitors to Japan surged 16 percent to an estimated 42.7 million in 2025, exceeding 40 million for the first time.

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[Breaking News]Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

KYOTO, Japan, Dec. 12 Kyodo - Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China. (Kyodo)

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Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

KYOTO, Japan, Dec. 12 Kyodo - Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China. (Kyodo)

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New Year's Eve bell-ringing rehearsal at Kyoto temple

New Year's Eve bell-ringing rehearsal at Kyoto temple

Monks ring a giant bell at Chion-in temple in Kyoto on Dec. 27, 2025, in a rehearsal for a bell-ringing ritual on New Year's Eve.

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New Year's Eve bell-ringing rehearsal at Kyoto temple

New Year's Eve bell-ringing rehearsal at Kyoto temple

Monks ring a giant bell at Chion-in temple in Kyoto on Dec. 27, 2025, in a rehearsal for a bell-ringing ritual on New Year's Eve.

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Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

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Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

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Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

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Japan: Autumn Colors Reach Their Peak Across Kyoto, Attracting Visitors 2

Kyoto is witnessing peak autumn foliage across various locations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.

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Japan: Autumn Colors Reach Their Peak Across Kyoto, Attracting Visitors

Kyoto is witnessing peak autumn foliage across various locations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.

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Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

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Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

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Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

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[Breaking News]Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 7 Kyodo - Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10. (Kyodo)

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Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

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Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

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Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

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Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

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Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

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Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

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Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

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Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

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Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign tourists pack Sanneizaka 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.

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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.

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Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign visitors to Japan rise at record pace

Foreign tourists pack Ninenzaka 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.

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Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops a green bamboo stalk, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2025.

  •  
Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

Ceremony to pray for rich grain harvest at Kyoto temple

A man posing as a monk soldier chops a green bamboo stalk, representing a big snake, during a traditional ceremony dating back over 1,000 years to pray for a rich harvest of grain at Kurama Temple in Kyoto on June 20, 2025.

  •  
Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

  •  
Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

  •  
Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Japanese stewartia at Kyoto temple

Torin-in temple's garden is dotted with fallen Japanese stewartia flowers in Kyoto, western Japan, on June 9, 2025. It opened to the public for two weeks that day to allow visitors to view the flowers, which bloom and fall in a single day.

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Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Photo taken on May 28, 2025, shows hydrangea flowers portraying Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, at Mimuroto-ji temple in Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan.

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Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Hydrangea art featuring Osaka expo mascot

Photo taken on May 28, 2025, shows hydrangea flowers portraying Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, at Mimuroto-ji temple in Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train retires

"Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train retires

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 29, 2025, shows the "Doctor Yellow" T4 edition track-testing bullet train for Japan's high-speed shinkansen lines making its final run with a five-story pagoda at the World Heritage-listed Toji temple in Kyoto in the background. Owned by JR Central, the T4 made its debut in 2001 and will not be replaced as the N700S passenger trains will carry test and observation equipment from 2027.

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Snow-covered Kinkaku-ji temple

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 10 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 10, 2025, shows Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion temple, dusted with snow in the western Japan city of Kyoto. (Kyodo)

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