Locals celebrated the century-old festival held at the Shinto temple, rebuilt after the tsunami caused by the 2011 earthquake that destroyed it. With prayers for good fish catches and safety at sea, the traditional Taue Odori dance was performed Feb. 18 at Kusanojinja Shrine as part of the Anba Matsuri festival, which has more than 300 years of history. The new temple was completed earlier...
UNESCO World Heritage-listed Todaiji Shrine is planning a partial easing of COVID-19 restrictions, allowing the public to participate in the Shunye Torch Ceremony during the main event from March 1 to 14. Known as "Omizutori," the ceremony, which began in 752, will mark its 1,273rd installment. The preliminary "koro bekka" ritual, conducted by 11 monks known...
Yokohama's famous Chinatown neighborhood comes alive in honor of the annual Spring Festival, which celebrates the Lunar New Year. This 20-year illumination event features 550 lanterns, including about 100 lanterns lined up in a zigzag pattern to represent the Chinese dragon. Also present are large lanterns shaped like mythical creatures such as the phoenix. The illumination event runs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and...
The eruption took place in the Minamidake crater of Sakurajima volcano, and for the first time since 2020, a column of ash and smoke rose to a height of 5 kilometers, and rocks and lava scattered to a distance of 1.3 kilometers. The eruption was characterized by an explosive nature. Residents were warned of possible ash fallout both in the immediate vicinity of the volcano and in remote areas due to wind. Meteorologists ...
The Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel has made an installation of 10,000 magnificent hanging hina dolls. The annual exhibition will run through March 3: "Hinamatsuri" or "Girls' Day," dedicated to hina dolls. The suspended hina jewelry, dating from the late Edo period (1603-1867), expresses wishes of health and prosperity for girls and successful marriages in the future. The dolls featured at the hotel are made by...
A museum featuring the work of Japanese digital art collective teamLab opened Friday at the new Azabudai Hills complex in Tokyo. The Mori Building digital art museum named TeamLab Borderless, located in the newly opened Azabudai Hills in Japan, features about 50 works of art that make full use of projectors and various lighting effects, creating "a world of artworks without...
Volunteers have begun assisting residents of Noto City in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was severely affected by a powerful earthquake on the first day of the new year. Since January 27, Ishikawa Prefecture has been sending volunteers to areas affected by the earthquake, including the cities of Nanao and Suzu. Eleven people registered with the prefecture arrived in Noto on Thursday morning. They promptly traveled to the designated areas,...
A Ukrainian-born Miss Japan beauty pageant winner has relinquished her crown after a tabloid published an account of her affair with a married man. Caroline Shino, 26, was crowned Miss Japan two weeks ago, but her win sparked a public debate because of her background. While some applauded the citizen's crowning, others believed ....
Four Vietnamese nationals have been arrested and taken to court after allegedly committing a long series of robberies at UNIQLO and other clothing stores across Japan, according to Fukuoka Prefectural Police. According to police, the four said they traveled to Japan to steal merchandise, which they then planned to sell on a flea market app in...
At least 109 people had been taken to Tokyo hospitals by Tuesday morning because of injuries sustained in a fall on slippery snow in eastern Japan, the Tokyo Fire Department said. Injured victims taken to hospital by 10 a.m. ranged in age from 4 to 92, and none were in critical condition....
