[Breaking News]Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

YATSUSHIRO, Japan, July 29 Kyodo - A torii gate at a shrine lies toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity. (Kyodo)

Japan: Aftermath of Massive M7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake 3

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Japan on Tuesday, July 28, registering a level 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, leaving 36 dead as of Saturday, August 1. An explosion was reported at the AEON Mall Kumamoto shortly after the quake, a chimney also collapsed at a paper factory, and more than 1,500 homes were reported destroyed or damaged across the affected areas.

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a museum at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a museum at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a lumbermill in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. The princess will visit Ise Jingu shrine the following day to watch a rite for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, which is conducted every 20 years. The rite will be performed using trees processed at the workshop. (Pool photo)

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A "torii" gateway is seen collapsed at a shrine in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake hit the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A damaged shrine is pictured in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 31, 2026, three days after a powerful earthquake hit the region.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a torii gate at a shrine lying toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2026, shows the collapsed Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A torii gate at a shrine lies toppled in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A collapsed shrine is pictured in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

A collapsed shrine is pictured in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a toppled dog statue at Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed worship hall (back) at Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed worship hall at Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on July 29, 2026, shows a collapsed worship hall at Yatsushiro Gu shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity.

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Work to replace the "shimenawa" sacred straw rope hanging at the Kagura-den hall at Izumo Taisha shrine in Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, is underway on July 21, 2026, for the first time in eight years.

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Work to replace the "shimenawa" sacred straw rope hanging at the Kagura-den hall at Izumo Taisha shrine in Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, is underway on July 21, 2026, for the first time in eight years.

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Sacred rope replacement at Izumo Taisha shrine

Work to replace the "shimenawa" sacred straw rope hanging at the Kagura-den hall at Izumo Taisha shrine in Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, is underway on July 21, 2026, for the first time in eight years.

[Breaking news]Fire festival in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026. (Kyodo)

Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026.

Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026.

Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026.

Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026.

Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026.

[Breaking News]Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 9 Kyodo - Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a pre-festival ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026. (Kyodo)

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a pre-festival ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026.

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a pre-festival ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026.

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Sacred rope exchange at Nachi Falls

Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a pre-festival ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026.

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

KYOTO, Japan, July 7 Kyodo - Wearing "yukata" summer kimonos, Geiko and Maiko apprentices visit Yasaka shrine in Kyoto on July 6, 2026, to pray for health and the improvement of their performances in the traditional Osendo ritual. (Kyodo)

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Wearing "yukata" summer kimonos, Geiko and Maiko apprentices visit Yasaka shrine in Kyoto on July 6, 2026, to pray for health and the improvement of their performances in the traditional Osendo ritual.

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Wearing "yukata" summer kimonos, Geiko and Maiko apprentices visit Yasaka shrine in Kyoto on July 6, 2026, to pray for health and the improvement of their performances in the traditional Osendo ritual.

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Wearing "yukata" summer kimonos, Geiko and Maiko apprentices visit Yasaka shrine in Kyoto on July 6, 2026, to pray for health and the improvement of their performances in the traditional Osendo ritual.

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Geiko ritual at Kyoto shrine

Wearing "yukata" summer kimonos, Geiko and Maiko apprentices visit Yasaka shrine in Kyoto on July 6, 2026, to pray for health and the improvement of their performances in the traditional Osendo ritual.

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

A ritual is held at Kushida shrine in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on June 30, 2026, to bring a god into a decorated festival float called Kazariyamakasa.

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

Decorated festival float in Fukuoka

A ritual is held at Kushida shrine in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on June 30, 2026, to bring a god into a decorated festival float called Kazariyamakasa.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

OTSU, Japan, June 10 Kyodo - Women wearing traditional Japanese court dresses attend an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock. (Kyodo)

Japan: Arima Inari Shrine Engulfed in Fire, Priest Couple Hurt 2

A fire broke out late Tuesday night, June 9 at Arima Inari Shrine near the Arima Onsen hot spring resort in Kobe, Japan, destroying the shrine office and other structures. The head priest and his wife, both in their 80s, sustained minor injuries, while guests at a nearby hotel were temporarily evacuated to a sister property. Firefighters faced significant challenges reaching the site due to approximately 200 steps leading to the shrine, and it took around five hours to fully extinguish the blaze.

Japan: Arima Inari Shrine Engulfed in Fire, Priest Couple Hurt

A fire broke out late Tuesday night, June 9 at Arima Inari Shrine near the Arima Onsen hot spring resort in Kobe, Japan, destroying the shrine office and other structures. The head priest and his wife, both in their 80s, sustained minor injuries, while guests at a nearby hotel were temporarily evacuated to a sister property. Firefighters faced significant challenges reaching the site due to approximately 200 steps leading to the shrine, and it took around five hours to fully extinguish the blaze.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

An woman wearing traditional Japanese court dress attends an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Women wearing traditional Japanese court dresses attend an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock.