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.

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.

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

DAZAIFU, Japan, May 19 Kyodo - Video 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. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

TOKYO, Japan, May 18 Kyodo - People participate in Asakusa Shrine's Sanja festival in Tokyo on May 16, 2026. (Kyodo)

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.

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.

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

People participate in Asakusa Shrine's Sanja festival in Tokyo on May 16, 2026.

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

People participate in Asakusa Shrine's Sanja festival in Tokyo on May 16, 2026.

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

People participate in Asakusa Shrine's Sanja festival in Tokyo on May 16, 2026.

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

Sanja festival in Tokyo's Asakusa

People participate in Asakusa Shrine's Sanja festival in Tokyo on May 16, 2026.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

[Breaking News]Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan, April 22 Kyodo - A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on the occasion of its three-day spring festival on April 22, 2026. (Kyodo)