Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Flying vehicle test flight field

Flying vehicle test flight field

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a field to be used for test flight of a flying vehicle in Yamaguchi, western Japan, unveiled to the media by SkyDrive, based in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. The scheduled demonstration flight on the day was canceled due to strong wind.

Flying vehicle test flight field

Flying vehicle test flight field

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a field to be used for test flight of a flying vehicle in Yamaguchi, western Japan, unveiled to the media by SkyDrive, based in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. The scheduled demonstration flight on the day was canceled due to strong wind.

Flying vehicle test flight field

Flying vehicle test flight field

Photo taken on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a field to be used for test flight of a flying vehicle in Yamaguchi, western Japan, unveiled to the media by SkyDrive, based in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture. The scheduled demonstration flight on the day was canceled due to strong wind.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks to reporters in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026.

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Noda

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks to reporters in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

People listen to a stump speech by a politician in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves to voters after making a stump speech in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the general election on Feb. 8.

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.

[Breaking News]Traditional winter festival in Nara

NARA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - A winter festival is held in Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, with burning on Mt. Wakakusa and fireworks lighting up the sky. (Kyodo)

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

IKARUGA, Japan, Jan. 26 Kyodo - Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. The date was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple buildings burned down on the same day in 1949. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Frozen waterfall in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a frozen waterfall basin and icy rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

SHINGU, Japan, Jan. 26 Kyodo - Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. (Kyodo)

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. The date was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. The date was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. The date was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito bumps his fist with a voter in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Tetsuo Saito makes a stump speech in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, ahead of a general election on Feb. 8.

Traditional winter festival in Nara

Traditional winter festival in Nara

A winter festival is held in Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, with burning on Mt. Wakakusa and fireworks lighting up the sky.

Traditional winter festival in Nara

Traditional winter festival in Nara

A winter festival is held in Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, with burning on Mt. Wakakusa and fireworks lighting up the sky.

Traditional winter festival in Nara

Traditional winter festival in Nara

A winter festival is held in Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, with burning on Mt. Wakakusa and fireworks lighting up the sky.

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks seek donations

Buddhist monks from the Koyasan Shingon Sect visit houses in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026, for an annual event to collect donations.

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.

US: Winter Storm Creates Rare Snow Rollers in New York Suburb

Dozens of rare “snow rollers” appeared overnight in the Rochester suburb of Chili, New York, after a winter storm brought strong winds and fresh snow. The unusual snow formations develop only under specific conditions, when wind, moisture and temperature combine to allow snow to roll and grow naturally.

Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

NARA, Japan, Jan. 21 Kyodo - A vehicle carrying Tetsuya Yamagami, the man who fatally shot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, enters the Nara District Court in Nara for a ruling on Jan. 21, 2026. The court sentenced him to life in prison for killing Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022. (Kyodo)

Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a frozen waterfall basin and icy rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Frozen waterfall in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows ice on the rock surface at the World Heritage-listed Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan.

US: Thundersnow Caught on Camera in Buffalo, New York

Rare thundersnow was captured in North Buffalo, New York, on Wednesday evening, January 21. A video posted on social media shows a flash of blue light followed by booming thunder during blowing snow.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - People light lanterns during a memorial at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Fire festival in Wakayama

KUSHIMOTO, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - A 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean is burned as a fire festival is held in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)

5th anniv. of nuclear weapons ban treaty

5th anniv. of nuclear weapons ban treaty

People light candles at the Peace Memorial Park near the World Heritage-listed Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026, to mark the fifth anniversary of the coming into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

5th anniv. of nuclear weapons ban treaty

5th anniv. of nuclear weapons ban treaty

People light candles at the Peace Memorial Park near the World Heritage-listed Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026, to mark the fifth anniversary of the coming into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

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)

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

Photo shows a snow-covered street in the western Japan city of Tottori on Jan. 21, 2026.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

People walk through the falling snow in the western Japan city of Tottori on Jan. 21, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Photo shows snow-covered Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori, western Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026.