Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Hikone Mayor Issei Tajima (front row, 4th from L) celebrates with the western Japan city's popular mascot Hikonyan at the city government headquarters in Shiga Prefecture on Sept. 3, 2026, after a Japanese government council selected Hikone Castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

File photo taken in May 2025 shows Hikone Castle in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan. Japan on Sept. 3, 2026, selected the castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

People visit Hikone Castle in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 3, 2026. Japan the same day selected the castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

File photo taken in May 2025 shows Hikone Castle in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan. Japan on Sept. 3, 2026, selected the castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

File photo taken in May 2025 shows Hikone Castle in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan. Japan on Sept. 3, 2026, selected the castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

[Breaking News]Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

NARA, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event. (Kyodo)

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The interior of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of projection mapping display on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The interior of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of projection mapping display on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The interior of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of projection mapping display on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The garden of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of autumn foliage illumination on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The garden of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of autumn foliage illumination on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

Special light-up at temple in northeastern Japan

The garden of Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is lit up for a test run of autumn foliage illumination on Nov. 13, 2025, ahead of its public opening scheduled for the following day.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia-Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City

The Asia Pacific's First Smurfs Theme Park at Shanghai Shimao Dream City, created by Shimao Group in collaboration with the Belgian national treasure cartoon IP Smurfs copyright holder imps, Shanghai, China on November 5, 2025.

Princess Kako visits Kyoto guesthouse

Princess Kako visits Kyoto guesthouse

Japanese Princess Kako is briefed about a kimono on display from Kunihiko Moriguchi, living national treasure for his mastery of "yuzen" resist dyeing technique, during a visit to a guesthouse operated by Panasonic Holdings Corp. in Kyoto on Oct. 9, 2025. (Pool photo)

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

NARA, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event. (Kyodo)

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Lotus flower at northeastern Japan temple

Lotus flower at northeastern Japan temple

Lotus flowers start blooming at Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure located in Ganjoji temple in the city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 25, 2025.

Lotus flower at northeastern Japan temple

Lotus flower at northeastern Japan temple

Lotus flowers start blooming at Shiramizu Amidado hall, a national treasure located in Ganjoji temple in the city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 25, 2025.

[Breaking News]Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

TSURUI, Japan, Feb. 18 Kyodo - Red-crowned cranes, designated as a Japanese special national treasure, are in mating season on their snow-covered feeding grounds in the Hokkaido village of Tsurui, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2025. (Kyodo)

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes, designated as a Japanese special national treasure, are in mating season on their snow-covered feeding grounds in the Hokkaido village of Tsurui, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes, designated as a Japanese special national treasure, are in mating season on their snow-covered feeding grounds in the Hokkaido village of Tsurui, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes, designated as a Japanese special national treasure, are in mating season on their snow-covered feeding grounds in the Hokkaido village of Tsurui, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2025.

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido

Red-crowned cranes, designated as a Japanese special national treasure, are in mating season on their snow-covered feeding grounds in the Hokkaido village of Tsurui, northern Japan, on Feb. 17, 2025.

SpaceX: Debris From Starship Spotted In Skies Over Caribbean After Test Flight Fails

Debris from SpaceX's Starship rocket was spotted in the skies over the Caribbean on Thursday, January 16, after the test flight ended in failure with the rocket exploding mid-air. This video was shot from the Disney Treasure cruise ship sailing through the Caribbean Sea.