Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Year-end ritual at Nachi Falls

Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a year-end ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2025.

E

Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of a horse is put up at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2025, ahead of the start of the Year of the Horse in 2026.

E

Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of a horse is put up at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2025, ahead of the start of the Year of the Horse in 2026.

E

Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of a horse is put up at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2025, ahead of the start of the Year of the Horse in 2026.

E

[Breaking News]Traditional boat race

SHINGU, Japan, Oct. 16 Kyodo - Wooden "speedboats" rowed by shirtless men compete in a traditional boating race as part of the Mifune festival on the Kumano River running near World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Oct. 16, 2025. (Kyodo)

E

Traditional boat race

Wooden "speedboats" rowed by shirtless men compete in a traditional boating race as part of the Mifune festival on the Kumano River running near World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Oct. 16, 2025.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2025. (Kyodo)

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2025.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2025.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2025.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2025.

E

Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 11 Kyodo - Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site. (Kyodo)

E

Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site.

E

Sacred rope replaced at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a large "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2025, ahead of a festival at the nearby shrine, a World Heritage site.

E

[Breaking News]Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

SHINGU, Japan, July 4 Kyodo - Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2025, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual. (Kyodo)

E

Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2025, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual.

E

Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2025, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual.

E

Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 4, 2025, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual.

E

Hydrangea festival at western Japan shrine

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, June 14 Kyodo - "Miko" shrine attendants perform a ritual during an annual hydrangea festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on June 14, 2025, to pray for people's health and safety. (Kyodo)

E

Horse-riding event at Mie shrine

A horse ridden by a local young man climbs the slope at Tado Taisha shrine in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, on May 4, 2025, during a traditional festival to pray for good harvests.

E

Horse-riding event at Mie shrine

A horse ridden by a local young man climbs the slope at Tado Taisha shrine in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, on May 4, 2025, during a traditional festival to pray for good harvests.

E

Horse-riding event at Mie shrine

A horse ridden by a local young man climbs the slope at Tado Taisha shrine in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, on May 4, 2025, during a traditional festival to pray for good harvests.

E

[Breaking News]Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, April 14 Kyodo - "Miko" shrine attendants at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, dance in front of a waterfall during a ritual praying for a rich harvest on April 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

E

Imitation chrysanthemum production peaks in western Japan

TANABE, Japan, April 3 Kyodo - Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers peaks in the city of Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2025, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the Kumano Hongu Taisha, a World Heritage-listed shrine, starting on April 13. (Kyodo)

E

Imitation chrysanthemum production peaks in western Japan

Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers peaks in the city of Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2025, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the Kumano Hongu Taisha, a World Heritage-listed shrine, starting on April 13.

E

Imitation chrysanthemum production peaks in western Japan

Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers peaks in the city of Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2025, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the Kumano Hongu Taisha, a World Heritage-listed shrine, starting on April 13.

E

Sumo: New grand champion Hoshoryu

New sumo grand champion Hoshoryu performs a ring-entering ritual at Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine in Osaka on March 1, 2025.

E

Sumo: New grand champion Hoshoryu

New sumo grand champion Hoshoryu performs a ring-entering ritual at Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine in Osaka on March 1, 2025.

E

[Breaking News]Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

SHINGU, Japan, Jan. 24 Kyodo - Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Kyodo)

E

Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025.

E

Making of lucky charms at Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025.

E

Making of paper charms at Japanese shrine

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 14 Kyodo - "Kimenfuda" paper charms depicting ogres are printed at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2025, ahead of a Feb. 2 bean-scattering ceremony to drive out devils and attract good fortune. (Kyodo)

E

Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 8 Kyodo - Priests dressed in traditional attire beat wooden boards with willow branches in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 8, 2025, during a ritual at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine to enhance the effectiveness of the talisman to ward off misfortune. (Kyodo)

E

CORRECTED: Making of paper charms at Japanese shrine

"Kimenfuda" paper charms depicting ogres are printed at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2025, ahead of a Feb. 2 bean-scattering ceremony to drive out devils and attract good fortune.

E

CORRECTED: Making of paper charms at Japanese shrine

"Kimenfuda" paper charms depicting ogres are printed at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2025, ahead of a Feb. 2 bean-scattering ceremony to drive out devils and attract good fortune.

E

Ritual at waterfall in western Japan

Priests dressed in traditional attire beat wooden boards with willow branches in front of a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 8, 2025, during a ritual at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine to enhance the effectiveness of the talisman to ward off misfortune.

E

[Breaking News]Year of Snake in 2025

TANABE, Japan, Oct. 23 Kyodo - Making of a giant votive tablet with an illustration of a snake is completed at Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine in Tanabe in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 23, 2024, in preparation for the coming of 2025, the Year of Snake in the Chinese zodiac. (Kyodo)

E

Year of Snake in 2025

Making of a giant votive tablet with an illustration of a snake is completed at Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine in Tanabe in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 23, 2024, in preparation for the coming of 2025, the Year of Snake in the Chinese zodiac.

E

Year of Snake in 2025

Making of a giant votive tablet with an illustration of a snake is completed at Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine in Tanabe in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 23, 2024, in preparation for the coming of 2025, the Year of Snake in the Chinese zodiac.

E

[Breaking News]Traditional boat race

SHINGU, Japan, Oct. 16 Kyodo - Wooden "speedboats" rowed by shirtless men compete in a traditional boating race as part of the Mifune festival on the Kumano River running near World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine in Shingu in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Oct. 16, 2024. (Kyodo)

E

Traditional boat race

Wooden "speedboats" rowed by shirtless men compete in a traditional boating race as part of the Mifune festival on the Kumano River running near World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine in Shingu in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Oct. 16, 2024.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 14 Kyodo - White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2024. (Kyodo)

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2024.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2024.

E

Fire festival in western Japan

White-robed men hold up flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Nachikatsuura, western Japan, on July 14, 2024.

E

[Breaking News]Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

SHINGU, Japan, July 3 Kyodo - Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 3, 2024, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual. (Kyodo)

E

Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.(Kyodo)

E

Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.

E

Sacred rope replace at western Japan waterfall

Shinto priests at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a "shimenawa" sacred rope with a new one at a waterfall in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2024, ahead of a festival.

E

Cypress fans at western Japan shrine

Hiogi fans, whose blades are made from cypress wood, are aired out at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 3, 2024, ahead of the annual July 14 Ogi-tate Matsuri ritual.