Sand Festa kicks off in Kagoshima

Sand Festa kicks off in Kagoshima

MINAMISATSUMA, Japan, May 1 Kyodo - Photo taken May 1, 2015, shows a sand sculpture themed on an advance in railway technology, with a steam locomotive (L) emerging from a tunnel and a shinkansen bullet train (R) climbing skyward, displayed at the annual Sand Festa that began the same day near a dune in Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan. About 100 sculptures created by artists and local citizens will be shown during the festival lasting until May 31.

Sand-made Himeji Castle at Sand Festa

Sand-made Himeji Castle at Sand Festa

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - A sand sculpture of World Heritage and national treasure Himeji Castle attracts attention at the annual Sand Festa on May 2, 2014, in the sand dune area of Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Yearly Sand Festa opens in Kagoshima Pref.

Yearly Sand Festa opens in Kagoshima Pref.

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - People attend the annual Sand Festa exhibition on May 2, 2014, in the sand dune area of Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture, which opened under the theme of Japanese treasures. The event featuring about 100 sand sculptures by Japanese and foreign sculptors as well as children runs through May 31, 2014.

Annual sand festival opens in southwestern Japan

Annual sand festival opens in southwestern Japan

A sand sculpture of a mermaid is displayed at the annual Sand Festa in Minamisatsuma in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on its opening day on May 1, 2016. With the theme of "gifts from the sea," the festival, featuring about 110 sand sculptures by Japanese and foreign sculptors as well as local students, will run through May 31. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Annual sand festival opens in southwestern Japan

Annual sand festival opens in southwestern Japan

The Kumamoto prefectural mascot Kumamon is carved into the corner of a sand sculpture displayed at the annual Sand Festa in Minamisatsuma in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on its opening day on May 1, 2016. Running through May 31, the festival features about 110 sand sculptures by Japanese and foreign sculptors as well as local students. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sand Festa kicks off in Kagoshima

Sand Festa kicks off in Kagoshima

Photo taken May 1, 2015, shows a sand sculpture themed on an advance in railway technology, with a steam locomotive (L) emerging from a tunnel and a shinkansen bullet train (R) climbing skyward, displayed at the annual Sand Festa that began the same day near a dune in Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan. About 100 sculptures created by artists and local citizens will be shown during the festival lasting until May 31. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo