•  

Japan: Red Tide Turns Sea Surface Crimson off Aichi Coast

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

  •  

Japan: Noctiluca Lights Up Aichi Coastline in Glowing Blue After Red Tide

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

  •  
Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido are displayed for the season's first auction at a wholesale market in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

  •  
Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

A pair of Yubari melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido fetches a record price of 5.8 million yen ($36,470) at the season's first auction in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

  •  
Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

A Mycena lux-coeli mushroom emits a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

  •  
Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Mycena lux-coeli mushrooms emit a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

  •  
Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Mycena lux-coeli mushrooms emit a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

  •  
Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

  •  
Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

  •  
Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

  •  
U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

People rally in Susono in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 20, 2026, in protest over a U.S. military artillery drill being conducted using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in the central Japan prefecture.

  •  
U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

The season's first haul of bluefin tuna are landed at a port in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Bluefin tuna are lined up for auction following this season's first haul at a port in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on May 20, 2026.

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and former Empress Michiko (C) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (front, 2nd from R) and former Empress Michiko (front, R) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and former Empress Michiko (3rd from L) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

  •  
Wildfire in Hiroshima Pref.

Wildfire in Hiroshima Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter engaging in firefighting operations in Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on May 18, 2026. The fire, which broke out the previous day, was later put under control.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at zoo

Japan emperor, empress at zoo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako see Peace the polar bear, who was reared by bottle feeding, at Tobe Zoological Park in Tobe, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress leave Ehime

Japan emperor, empress leave Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are greeted by Ehime Gov. Tokihiro Nakamura before their departure from Matsuyama Airport in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026, following their two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

  •  
Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

  •  
Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

Photo taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako return to Tokyo's Haneda airport on May 17, 2026, following their two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture of Ehime.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako return to Tokyo's Haneda airport on May 17, 2026, following their two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture of Ehime.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako return to Tokyo's Haneda airport on May 17, 2026, following their two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture of Ehime.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan emperor, empress return to Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako return to Tokyo's Haneda airport on May 17, 2026, following their two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture of Ehime.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, alongside Empress Masako, addresses a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako plant saplings at a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako plant saplings at a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, alongside Empress Masako, addresses a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, alongside Empress Masako, addresses a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito plants a sapling at a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito plants a sapling at a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave at a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

A national tree-planting ceremony is held in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, with the attendance of Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on May 17, 2026.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

A national tree-planting ceremony is held in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, with the attendance of Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on May 17, 2026.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito addresses a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026.

  •  
Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan emperor, empress at tree-planting ceremony

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a national tree-planting ceremony in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at their accommodation in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16, 2026, during a two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at their accommodation in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16, 2026, during a two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at their accommodation in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16, 2026, during a two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

  •  
Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan emperor, empress visit Ehime

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako talk with people affected by deadly torrential rain in 2018 in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16, 2026, during a two-day trip to the western Japan prefecture. (Pool photo)

  • Main
  • Top
  • Editorial
  • Creative
  • About Us
  • About ILG
  • Terms of use
  • Company
  • BEHIND
  • Price List
  • Single Plan
  • Monthly Plan
  • Services
  • Shooting
  • Rights Clearance
  • Support
  • FAQ
  • How To Buy
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Partner

© KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

All Rights Reserved.

  • Editorial
  • Olympics
  • News
  • Sports
  • Japan
  • Tech
  • Royal
  • Disaster
  • NorthKorea
  • Old Japan
  • SNS
  • Creative
  • Food
  • Japan
  • Landscape
  • Animal
  • Popular
  • #Ukraine
  • #China
  • #coronavirus
  • #N. Korea
  • #Thailand
  • #Russia
  • #Ukraine
  • #China
  • #coronavirus
  • #N. Korea
  • #Thailand
  • #Russia
  • Food
  • Japan
  • Landscape
  • Animal
  • Olympics
  • News
  • Sports
  • Japan
  • Tech
  • Royal
  • Disaster
  • NorthKorea
  • Old Japan
  • SNS