Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 21, 2025.

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 21, 2025.

Italian week at Osaka expo

Italian week at Osaka expo

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at a ceremony marking the opening of the eight-day Italian week at the World Exposition in Osaka on Sept. 7, 2025.

Italian week at Osaka expo

Italian week at Osaka expo

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at a ceremony marking the opening of the eight-day Italian week at the World Exposition in Osaka on Sept. 7, 2025.

Geiko, maiko entertainers photo shoot

Geiko, maiko entertainers photo shoot

Japanese traditional female entertainers geiko and maiko, or apprentice geiko, pose in bright colored kimonos for photos for pamphlets for the November Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 31, 2025.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, pose in bright colored kimonos for photos for pamphlets for the November Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 31, 2025.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, pose in bright colored kimonos for photos for pamphlets for the November Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 31, 2025.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, pose in bright colored kimonos for photos for pamphlets for the November Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 31, 2025.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, pose in bright colored kimonos for photos for pamphlets for the November Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 31, 2025.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform on the opening day of the five-day Awa Odori traditional folk dance festival on Aug. 11, 2025, in Tokushima, western Japan.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

OSAKA, Japan, July 27 Kyodo - A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance. (Kyodo)

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

Largest number of Bon Odori participants at Osaka expo

A total of 3,946 people of 62 nationalities perform a Bon Odori dance at the World Exposition in Osaka on July 26, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most people of different nationalities to participate in the Japanese midsummer folk dance.

Lilac flowers in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - Lilac flowers are in full bloom at the Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 14, 2025. (Kyodo)

Lilac flowers in Hokkaido

Lilac flowers in Hokkaido

Lilac flowers are in full bloom at the Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 14, 2025.

Japan Parade in New York

Japan Parade in New York

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional Japanese folk dance during the fourth Japan Parade event on an avenue along Central Park in New York on May 10, 2025.

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

OSAKA, Japan, May 4 Kyodo - Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event. (Kyodo)

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event.

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event.

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event.

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event.

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Awa dance performance at World Exposition

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 3, 2025. About 700 dancers from nine groups in the western Japan prefecture took part in the event.

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Traditional dance festival in Kyoto

Maiko and geiko traditional Japanese entertainers pose for a photo in Kyoto on Feb. 19, 2025, ahead of their annual "Miyako Odori" dance performance in April.

Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 4 Kyodo - Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2025, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. (Kyodo)

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2025, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2025, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Sapporo White Illumination

SAPPORO, Japan, Nov. 22 Kyodo - Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 22, 2024. (Kyodo)

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 22, 2024.

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 22, 2024.

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination

Sapporo White Illumination, a popular seasonal light event, begins at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 22, 2024.

Season's 1st snow accumulation in Sapporo

Season's 1st snow accumulation in Sapporo

A person walks in Odori park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Nov. 7, 2024, as the northern Japan city witnesses its first snow accumulation of the season.

Japan tourism promotion event in New York

Japan tourism promotion event in New York

Dancers perform the Hanagasa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Yamagata Prefecture during a tourism promotion event at Japan Village in New York on Aug. 31, 2024.

Japan tourism promotion event in New York

Japan tourism promotion event in New York

Dancers perform the Awa Odori traditional folk dance of Japan's Tokushima Prefecture during a tourism promotion event at Japan Village in New York on Aug. 31, 2024.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, in bright colored kimonos pose for photos for pamphlets for the upcoming Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 30, 2024.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, in bright colored kimonos pose for photos for pamphlets for the upcoming Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 30, 2024.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, in bright colored kimonos pose for photos for pamphlets for the upcoming Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 30, 2024.

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko entertainers photo shoot

Maiko, or apprentice geiko, Japanese traditional female entertainers, in bright colored kimonos pose for photos for pamphlets for the upcoming Gion Odori dance performances at the Gion Kaikan hall in the western Japan city of Kyoto on Aug. 30, 2024.

[Breaking News]Bon Odori dance in Akita Pref.

UGO, Japan, Aug. 16 Kyodo - Dancers covering their faces with straw hats and black cloth masks perform during the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listed Nishimonai Bon Odori in Ugo, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 16, 2023. (Kyodo)

Folk dance festival in Gifu

Folk dance festival in Gifu

Bon Odori folk dance festival begins in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on July 13, 2024. The summer tradition, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, will run through Sept. 7, including four days of all-night street dancing from Aug. 13.

Folk dance festival in Gifu

Folk dance festival in Gifu

Bon Odori folk dance festival begins in Gujo, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on July 13, 2024. The summer tradition, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, will run through Sept. 7, including four days of all-night street dancing from Aug. 13.

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Tohoku Kizuna Festival in Sendai

Dancers of Miyagi Prefecture's Sendai Suzume Odori (sparrow dance) troupe march through a street during the Tohoku Kizuna Festival in the prefecture's capital Sendai on June 9, 2024. The event features parades involving six northeastern Japan prefectures, with the aim of revitalizing the region following the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Lilac flower festival in Hokkaido

Lilac flower festival in Hokkaido

Lilac flowers are in full bloom at the Sapporo Lilac Festival at Odori Park in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 15, 2024.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2024, ahead of Miyako Odori dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko" and their apprentice "maiko," set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2024, ahead of Miyako Odori dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko" and their apprentice "maiko," set to be held from April 1 to 30.

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

Traditional dance performance in Kyoto

A final practice session takes place in Kyoto on March 31, 2024, ahead of Miyako Odori dance performances by traditional Japanese female entertainers called "geiko" and their apprentice "maiko," set to be held from April 1 to 30.