Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

Sumo grand champion Onosato scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

Sumo grand champion Hoshoryu (L) scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2026.

Traditional bean-throwing event

Traditional bean-throwing event

A traditional bean-throwing event is held at the World Heritage-listed Fudarakusan-ji temple in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, for Setsubun celebration in February.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

[Breaking News]Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

KYOTO, Japan, Dec. 12 Kyodo - Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China. (Kyodo)

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

KYOTO, Japan, Dec. 12 Kyodo - Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China. (Kyodo)

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, surrounded by red maple leaves, is lit up during a test event on Nov. 21, 2025, a day before the start of the special night viewing through Dec. 7.

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi at the Jogyesa temple - Seoul

People make Kimchi, pickled vegetable, for a sharing event at the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, November 16, 2025. Local people made Kimchi, which will be shared with their neighbours in need, during a sharing event held here on Sunday. Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

[Breaking News]Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 7 Kyodo - Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10. (Kyodo)

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Kyoto temple special light-up for autumn foliage

Eikando Zenrinji temple in Kyoto is lit up for a test run on Nov. 7, 2025, ahead of its special event for nighttime viewing of autumn foliage running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 10.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles lit up at Kyoto temple

Candles are lit on a test basis at Myoshin-ji temple's Torin-in in Kyoto on Oct. 16, 2025, a day ahead of the start of a special nighttime visitation event through Oct. 26.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

NARA, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event. (Kyodo)

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha in Nara

Monks at Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara sweep dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2025, in an annual cleaning event.

Dalai Lama turns 90

Dalai Lama turns 90

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C) attends a celebratory event on July 6, 2025, at a temple in Dharamshala, a northern Indian city where he lives in exile, as he turns 90 the same day.

Dalai Lama turns 90

Dalai Lama turns 90

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C) attends a celebratory event on July 6, 2025, at a temple in Dharamshala, a northern Indian city where he lives in exile, as he turns 90 the same day.

Yoga event in Tokyo

Yoga event in Tokyo

People practice yoga at event held at Tsukiji Honganji temple in Tokyo on June 21, 2025, the United Nations-designated International Day of Yoga.

Yoga event in Tokyo

Yoga event in Tokyo

People practice yoga at event held at Tsukiji Honganji temple in Tokyo on June 21, 2025, the United Nations-designated International Day of Yoga.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 24, 2025, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 3.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

NARITA, Japan, Feb. 19 Kyodo - Japanese actor Tasuku Emoto and actress Yuriko Yoshitaka scatter roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 3, 2024.

Bean-throwing event

NARITA, Japan, Feb. 2 Kyodo - A traditional bean-throwing event is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025, with participants scattering roasted beans to wish for good harvest and recovery of disaster-affected areas. (Kyodo)

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

New sumo grand champion Hoshoryu scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

New sumo grand champion Hoshoryu (back, 2nd from L) scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

A traditional bean-throwing event is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025, with participants scattering roasted beans to wish for good harvest and recovery of disaster-affected areas.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro Hakuen (C) scatters roasted beans during a traditional bean-throwing event at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025.

Bean-throwing event

Bean-throwing event

A traditional bean-throwing event is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita near Tokyo on Feb. 2, 2025, with participants scattering roasted beans to wish for good harvest and recovery of disaster-affected areas.

Chinese New Year 2025 - Indonesia

Chinese New Year 2025 - Indonesia

(R-L) Brother and sister-in-law, Bulan, 25, and Yolin, 23, are seen together in the vibrant atmosphere of the Earth Snake Chinese New Year celebration at the Maitreya Temple in Chinatown, located in the Cemara Asri Complex in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on January 28, 2025. The event is marked by a spirit of harmony and tolerance, which enhances the significance of the 2025 Earth-Snake Chinese New Year festivities and inspires all Indonesians to appreciate the beauty of diversity. Photo by Sutanta Aditya/ABACAPRESS.COM

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect gather at their temple before visiting houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2025, for an annual event to seek donations.

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

Buddhist monks dust down statues at World Heritage-listed Yakushi-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 29, 2024, in an annual event to prepare for New Year.

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

Buddhist monks dust down statues at World Heritage-listed Yakushi-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 29, 2024, in an annual event to prepare for New Year.

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

Buddhist statues at Yakushi-ji get dust-down for New Year

A Buddhist monk dusts down a statue at World Heritage-listed Yakushi-ji temple in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 29, 2024, in an annual event to prepare for New Year.