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Japan: Typhoon Halong Leaves Trail of Damage 2

On Thursday, October 9, a powerful Typhoon Halong brought torrential rain and strong winds to Japan, causing severe flooding, landslides, downed trees, and power outages on Hachijo Island, a special ward located southeast of Tokyo. The metropolitan government requested the Japan Self-Defense Force to dispatch disaster relief personnel due to the extensive damage.

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Japanese folk ritual "Namahage"

OGA, Japan, Dec. 31 Kyodo - Men dressed as a deity called Namahage visit a residential house in Oga in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Akita on Dec. 31, 2024, during an annual event to bring good fortune. The Japanese folk ritual was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. (Kyodo)

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Japanese folk ritual "Namahage"

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage visit a residential house in Oga in the northeastern Japan prefecture of Akita on Dec. 31, 2024, during an annual event to bring good fortune. The Japanese folk ritual was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018.

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Sapporo HD president change press conference

Sapporo HD president change press conference. Photo shows Hiroshi Tokimatsu, President-Elect of Sapporo HD (right) and President Masaki Oga shaking hands.=December 18,2024,Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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Sapporo HD president change press conference

Sapporo HD president change press conference. Photo shows Hiroshi Tokimatsu (left), President-elect of Sapporo HD, and Masaki Oga, President, at the press conference.=December 18,2024,Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

AKITA, Japan - Men disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, talk to a little boy in his house in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2014. Namahage, considered a divine messenger bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible folklore cultural assets.

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"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

AKITA, Japan - A man disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, talks to a little boy in his house in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2014. Namahage, considered a divine messenger bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible folklore cultural assets.

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Certificate of expertise on 'Namahage' folkloric demons

AKITA, Japan - A man holds a certificate of expertise on June 4, 2014, on "Namahage," folkloric demons of Oga, Akita Prefecture, known for their customary frightening New Year's Day visits to children in the northeastern Japan prefecture. The certificate, issued by the city's tourist association, is becoming increasingly difficult to get due to its popularity.

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Shale oil excavation in Akita Pref.

AKITA, Japan - Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. shows to the press on May 23, 2014, a pipe used in shale oil excavation during a demonstration experiment at the Fukumezawa oil field in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

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Shale oil excavation in Akita Pref.

AKITA, Japan - Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. shows to the press on May 23, 2014, a demonstration experiment site for shale oil excavation at the Fukumezawa oil field in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

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Polar bears in Akita

AKITA, Japan - Polar bear Miruku (R), 13 months old, receives a snow cake at Oga Aquarium Gao in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2014, during a ceremony before her departure for a zoo in Hokkaido. At left is her mother Kurumi.

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Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.

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Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.

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Polar bear cub

AKITA, Japan - Photo shows a female polar bear cub and her mother at Oga Aquarium GAO in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on May 1, 2013. The aquarium unveiled the cub, born in December 2012, to the public the same day.

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Anti-nuke protest in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Ayako Oga (2nd from R), 38, and Saeko Uno, 39, (3rd from R) from Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, take part in a protest against nuclear power in Taipei on April 30, 2011, following the ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

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Chinese TV crew in Akita

AKITA, Japan - Actress Natsuki Kato (2nd from L) takes part in location shooting for a variety show for China's Guangxi TV at Namahage Museum, which showcases costumes of local folklore demons, in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on July 30, 2010.

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Yuko Oga

Yuko Oga, basketball player (photo taken on March 5, 2008)

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Mayor stands in as Canadian polar bear at aquarium opening

AKITA, Japan - A polar bear greeted visitors at the July 13 opening of Oga Aquarium GAO in Akita Prefecture -- not the real one that should have arrived from Canada, but Oga Mayor Issei Sato clad in a polar bear outfit as a ''temporary stand-in.'' Sato had promised that if the polar bear, a main attraction of the new prefectural aquarium, failed to arrive in time for the opening, he would put on the outfit ''as a performance.'' ''It's hot,'' Sato said when asked by reporters how it felt. ''I hope a real bear gets here as soon as possible.''

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Japanese Zoo Seeking Name Of Baby Seal

AKITA, JAPAN – JUN. 17: A zoo in Japan is publicly seeking the name of a baby harbor seal which was born in April and attracting visitors. The Oga Aquarium in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, is accepting ideas for the female seal until end June.

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The Grudge 2 (2006)

Ohga Tanaka Characters: Toshio Film: The Grudge 2 (2006) Director: Takashi Shimizu 12 October 2006 DF-03606 - Oga Tanaka stars in Columbia Pictures and Ghost House Pictures

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Snow White And The Three Stoog - film (1961)

Patricia Medina & Guy Rolfe Characters: Queen & Count Oga Film: Snow White And The Three Stooges (USA 1961) Director: Walter Lang 26 May 1961 X Date: 26-May-61

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Japan to seek UNESCO listing of 7 regional events

People in "namahage" outfits in the Japanese city of Oga celebrate the government's decision on Feb. 17, 2016, to seek the addition of seven indigenous regional events to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. In the Oga Namahage in Akita Prefecture, residents dressed as messengers from the gods visit homes to expel evil and wish good health. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" end-of-year rituals

Men disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw yell to boost their spirits in Oga, northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2015 ahead of visiting houses. Namahage, considered divine messengers bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" end-of-year rituals

A child cries while being lifted by a man disguised as "Namahage" wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, in Oga, northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2015. Namahage, considered divine messengers bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible cultural assets. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Revived ancient lotus in full bloom in park east of Tokyo

Pinkish "Oga lotus" flowers are seen in full bloom in Chiba Park, Chiba city, east of Tokyo, on June 20, 2015. The plant is named after botanist Ichiro Oga, who succeeded in 1951 in reviving the ancient species from a seed found in underground ruins of about 2,000 years ago. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Revived ancient lotus in full bloom in park east of Tokyo

Visitors to Chiba Park in Chiba city, east of Tokyo, walk among fully bloomed "Oga lotus" flowers on June 20, 2015. The plant is named after botanist Ichiro Oga, who succeeded in 1951 in reviving the ancient species from a seed found in underground ruins from about 2,000 years ago. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baby seal at Japan aquarium

A 2-month-old spotted seal eats fish at Oga Aquarium GAO in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 12, 2015. The aquarium is soliciting from visitors until the end of the month names for the female seal born April 15. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Baby seal at Japan aquarium

Photo taken June 12, 2015, shows a 2-month-old spotted seal at Oga Aquarium GAO in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan. The aquarium is soliciting from visitors until the end of the month names for the female seal born April 15. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Decreasing catch of sailfin sandfish in Akita Pref.

A haul of sailfin sandfish is unloaded in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in December 2014. Catches of the fish in the northern prefecture have been declining recently after their temporary recovery following self-imposed restrictions on the fish. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Decreasing sailfin sandfish haul in Akita Pref.

Workers sort male and female sailfin sandfish in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in December 2014. Catches of the fish in the northern prefecture have been declining recently after their temporary recovery following self-imposed restrictions on the fish. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Lower-cost, eco-friendly battery-powered trains

Photo taken Feb. 25, 2017, shows battery-powered rolling stock being charged up at the northeastern Japan station of Oga. Railway operators are replacing rural Japan's diesel-guzzling trains with new battery-powered ones, taking advantage of the low-maintenance, environmentally friendly modern technology to cut costs and emissions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Chinese TV crew in Akita

AKITA, Japan - Actress Natsuki Kato (2nd from L) takes part in location shooting for a variety show for China's Guangxi TV at Namahage Museum, which showcases costumes of local folklore demons, in the city of Oga, Akita Prefecture, on July 30, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A junior high school student poses with men dressed in long straw coats with demon-like masks to impersonate a deity called Namahage after running in the Tokyo Olympic torch relay at a shrine in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga, northeastern Japan, on June 9, 2021.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A junior high school student poses with men dressed in long straw coats with demon-like masks to impersonate a deity called Namahage after running in the Tokyo Olympic torch relay at a shrine in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga, northeastern Japan, on June 9, 2021.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A junior high school student poses with men dressed in long straw coats with demon-like masks to impersonate a deity called Namahage after running in the Tokyo Olympic torch relay at a shrine in the Akita Prefecture city of Oga, northeastern Japan, on June 9, 2021.

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Anti-nuke protest in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Ayako Oga (2nd from R), 38, and Saeko Uno, 39, (3rd from R) from Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, take part in a protest against nuclear power in Taipei on April 30, 2011, following the ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (Kyodo)

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"Namahage" end-of-year rituals in Akita

AKITA, Japan - A man disguised as "Namahage" by wearing a demon-like mask and a costume made of straw, talks to a little boy in his house in Oga, Akita Prefecture, in northeastern Japan on Dec. 31, 2014. Namahage, considered a divine messenger bringing blessings to people, visit houses in the area every New Year's Eve, yelling and telling children they have to behave themselves in a tradition designated as one of Japan's important intangible folklore cultural assets. (Kyodo)

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Certificate of expertise on 'Namahage' folkloric demons

AKITA, Japan - A man holds a certificate of expertise on June 4, 2014, on "Namahage," folkloric demons of Oga, Akita Prefecture, known for their customary frightening New Year's Day visits to children in the northeastern Japan prefecture. The certificate, issued by the city's tourist association, is becoming increasingly difficult to get due to its popularity. (Kyodo)

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Certificate for UNESCO intangible heritage

A man dressed as a "namahage" attends a conferment ceremony in Tokyo on May 27, 2019, for a set of Japanese folk rituals featuring "Raiho-shin," or visiting deities, which have been approved for addition to the intangible cultural heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The rituals listed include "Oga no Namahage" from Akita Prefecture, northern Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage perform a dance during the Namahage Sedo Festival at Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage walk down a snowy mountain during the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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"Namahage" festival in Japan

Men dressed as a deity called Namahage walk down a snowy mountain during the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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UNESCO-designated Japanese folk ritual

A girl cries in fear as she is held by a "namahage" in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2018. The northeastern Japan city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals in which people dressed as gods visit people's homes to bring good fortune, was approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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UNESCO-designated Japanese folk ritual

A girl cries in fear as she is held by a "namahage" in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2018. The northeastern Japan city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals in which people dressed as gods visit people's homes to bring good fortune, was approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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UNESCO-designated Japanese folk ritual

A girl cries in fear as she is held by a "namahage" in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2018. The northeastern Japan city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals in which people dressed as gods visit people's homes to bring good fortune, was approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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UNESCO-designated Japanese folk ritual

A girl cries in fear as she is held by a "namahage" in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 31, 2018. The northeastern Japan city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals in which people dressed as gods visit people's homes to bring good fortune, was approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Namahage practice ahead of year-end ritual

People dressed as a deity called Namahage take part in practice in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 20, 2018, ahead of the year-end ritual. The city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Namahage practice ahead of year-end ritual

People dressed as a deity called Namahage take part in practice in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 20, 2018, ahead of the year-end ritual. The city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo