China: Monkey Snatches Man’s Snacks at Guizhou Temple

On November 28, in Guizhou, China, a video captured a monkey jumping onto a table at a temple to steal a man's snacks. The man attempted to chase the animal, but the monkey fled quickly with the loot.

Japan: Deer Casually Cross Nara Marathon Course, Delighting Spectators

At the Nara Marathon held on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, unique scenes rarely seen at any other marathon around the world were captured. As thousands of runners sped through the historic streets of the ancient capital, they were quietly watched by deer that live in Nara Park. Some deer casually wandered onto the course as runners passed by, creating heartwarming moments for spectators.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Pilgrims Continue Their Journey Toward Basilica of Guadalupe - Mexico

Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe arrive at the Basilica of Santa Maria Guadalupe to visit her temple during the Virgin of Guadalupe's day. on December 11, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Marco Gonzalez/ Eyepix Group)

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.

Japan: M7.5 Quake Leaves Damage to Ancestral Tablet Hall in Aomori

A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture in northeast Japan around 11:15 p.m. on Monday, December 8, injuring dozens of people and prompting immediate tsunami warnings and evacuation orders. This video shows damage to an ancestral tablet hall at a temple in Mutsu, northern Aomori, the following morning.

Japan: Autumn Colors Reach Their Peak Across Kyoto, Attracting Visitors 4

Kyoto and neighbouring areas witnessed the peak autumn foliage across various locations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.

Yomari Punhi Festival - Nepal

Yomari Punhi Festival - Nepal

People dance Guozhuang, a traditional Tibetan square dance, at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, December 4, 2025. Xizang marked the annual Fairy's Day, also known as the "Women's Festival," on Thursday, the 15th day of the tenth month in the Tibetan calendar. Photo by Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE ALSACE BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. PERCHED ATOP THE DONON MASSIF, THE TEMPLE WATCHES OVER THE VOSGES RIDGES, AN ENIGMATIC SILHOUETTE EMERGING FROM A MISTY LANDSCAPE. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. PERCHED ATOP THE DONON MASSIF, THE TEMPLE WATCHES OVER THE VOSGES RIDGES, AN ENIGMATIC SILHOUETTE EMERGING FROM A LANDSCAPE STEEPED IN HISTORY. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE. ALSACE. BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. AT THE SUMMIT OF DONON, THE TEMPLE STANDS OUT IN THE AUTUMN MIST, OFFERING A MYSTICAL SILHOUETTE IN THE HEART OF THE VOSGES MOUNTAINS. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. AU SOMMET DU DONON, LE TEMPLE SE DETACHE DANS LA BRUME D'AUTOMNE, OFFRANT UNE SILHOUETTE MYSTIQUE AU C?UR DU MASSIF DES VOSGES. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. AT THE SUMMIT OF DONON, THE TEMPLE STANDS OUT IN THE AUTUMN MIST, OFFERING A MYSTICAL SILHOUETTE IN THE HEART OF THE VOSGES MOUNTAINS. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. AT THE SUMMIT OF DONON, THE TEMPLE STANDS OUT IN THE AUTUMN MIST, OFFERING A MYSTICAL SILHOUETTE IN THE HEART OF THE VOSGES MOUNTAINS. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE ALSACE (67) AT THE SUMMIT OF DONON, THE NEOCLASSICAL TEMPLE DATING FROM 1869 RISES OUT OF THE AUTUMN MIST, RECALLING THE MOUNTAIN'S FORMER SACRED PURPOSE. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

BAS-RHIN (67) GRANDFONTAINE. AU SOMMET DU DONON, LE TEMPLE SE DETACHE DANS LA BRUME D'AUTOMNE, OFFRANT UNE SILHOUETTE MYSTIQUE AU C?UR DU MASSIF DES VOSGES. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Vosges

Illustration - Vosges

FRANCE ALSACE (67) IN THE AUTUMN MIST, THE DONON TEMPLE APPEARS LIKE AN ECHO OF THE SACRED PAST OF THIS MYTHICAL MOUNTAIN. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Versailles

Illustration - Versailles

FRANCE, YVELINES (78) DOMAINE DE VERSAILLES, DOMAINE DU TRIANON, THE PETIT TRIANON, THE TEMPLE DE L'AMOUR IN THE ENGLISH GARDEN, QUEBEC CANADIAN TOURISTS FROM MONTREAL Photo by Jarry Tripelon/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Secretary General of the Horizons party and candidate for mayor of Paris Pierre-Yves Bournazel during the Act50 debate about housing, host by La Tribune at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, on December 1, 2025. Prior the 2026 Paris mayoral elections (municipales). Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Secretary General of the Horizons party and candidate for mayor of Paris Pierre-Yves Bournazel during the Act50 debate about housing, host by La Tribune at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, on December 1, 2025. Prior the 2026 Paris mayoral elections (municipales). Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Debate between Emmanuel Gregoire and Pierre-Yves Bournazel - Paris

Secretary General of the Horizons party and candidate for mayor of Paris Pierre-Yves Bournazel during the Act50 debate about housing, host by La Tribune at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, on December 1, 2025. Prior the 2026 Paris mayoral elections (municipales). Photo by Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM