Photos show a town praying for marine safety at a seaside festival near Tokyo
As a portable shrine called mikoshi, decorated with Shinto ornaments, was lifted onto bearers' shoulders, the audience cheered.
The mikoshi had started from Sumiyoshi Shrine and was paraded through neighborhood alleyways. Shrine priests paused to bless offerings and pray for good fortune for people gathered outside their homes.
When the procession reached the beach, the priests danced and chanted. The festival reached its climax when the bearers entered the water up to their neck, their sweaty faces splashed with seawater.
The procession made a final stop at the nearby ferry terminal, where the mikoshi was carried onto a vessel for prayers for its safe travels.
'Everyone has been looking forward to this day all year,' said Shuji Shimizu, head of the Kurihama Neighborhood Association. 'It's a celebration of our own strength and unity. Please stay safe out there ... and enjoy every moment.'
As evening fell, the mikoshi was carried back to storage at the shrine, until next summer.
___
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Skift
9 hours ago
- Skift
The Maldives Sees 9% Tourism Growth
The Maldives welcomed 1.29 million tourists by July 2025, marking a 9.5% increase year-on-year, with strong off-season growth. The Ministry of Tourism said the country welcomed 180,438 visitors in July alone, an 11.8% increase over July 2024. The average number of daily arrivals is now exceeding 6,000. 73% of the tourists are staying at resorts, but guesthouses now account for 22% of stays. This segment has seen notable growth in recent years, particularly among budget-conscious travelers and regional source markets. A further 2% of arrivals opted for hotels and liveaboard safari vessels, which cater to niche segments such as divers and marine-focused travelers. As of July 2025, China leads all inbound markets with 188,317 arrivals, up 14.6% year-on-year. Russia was up 11.8% to 152,385 tourists, and the UK is in third place with 120,937 visitors, up 9.4%. The Maldivian government has set an ambitious target of reaching 2.5 million arrivals by the end of 2025, which woul
New York Times
15 hours ago
- New York Times
What Travelers Need to Know About the Fire Raging at the Grand Canyon
The Dragon Bravo Fire, which destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and has forced the closure of parts of Grand Canyon National Park, grew to more than 123,000 acres on Monday. The sweeping wildfire is 13 percent contained and continues to pose risks for visitors. The North Rim, a remote area that draws only about 10 percent of the park's visitors, has borne the brunt of the damage and is closed through 2025. The more popular South Rim remains open, though various restrictions are in place. There are also closures within the inner canyon because of smoke accumulation, particularly on trails that link the North and South Rims to the Colorado River below. Here's what travelers should know about safety and the fires in the Grand Canyon. Is it safe to visit Grand Canyon National Park? Yes, much of the park remains safe to visit, though travelers should heed the latest alerts from the National Park Service. In addition to the fire closures, the park also issued an extreme heat warning on Monday, citing 'dangerously hot conditions' in the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon. (Summer heat can be deadly for hikers at the park.) The park recommends that all hikers bring adequate gear, including sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, salty snacks, sufficient water and electrolyte drink mix. 'Doubling your calorie intake helps maintain your energy,' the warning states. As always, travelers should remain cautious about hiking alone and should familiarize themselves with the locations of water stations within the park to help avoid dehydration. Travelers should also monitor the air quality. As a general rule, an Air Quality Index over 100 or above can pose health risks for older adults, children and people with lung or heart conditions. An index above 150 is considered unhealthy. Visitors should consider wearing a mask if air quality worsens. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
5 Spots That Show Why Minato City Is Tokyo's Must‑Visit Food District
Minato City is a special ward in Tokyo located along Tokyo Bay. Neighborhoods within the area include Aoyama, Shiba, Roppongi, and Azabu. It's an upscale, wealthy enclave known for designer boutiques, high-end art, lush greenery, and most importantly, some of Tokyo's best eats. Umi This two-Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in edomae sushi and is revered by serious fish connoisseurs for its perfectly balanced rice, vinegar and fish. Located in Minami Aoyama, not far from Gaien-mae Station, Umi has retained its stars for over a decade. Expect an omakase menu that includes not only sushi but a range of seasonal dishes. The chef is both skilled and personable, and with only ten seats available, reservations are essential. Chef's Theatre Chef's Theatre inside Mesm Tokyo, one of the world's most stylish and design-forward hotels, offers a festive open kitchen environment featuring bistronomy-style French cuisine led by head chef Kouki Kumamoto. Many dishes are themed around activating all five senses using seasonal Tokyo ingredients. Dishes are story-based and inspired by the local environment, from the lush Hamarikyu Gardens to the glittering nightlife of Harajuku. One standout is the high tea program called Afternoon Exhibition, which changes seasonally, with elegant bites inspired by individual pieces of art. The current prix fixe dinner includes options such as pan-seared wagyu beef, asparagus and prawn charlotte and roasted duck with spring vegetable tart. Tofuya Ukai The aesthetic of Tofuya Ukai is reminiscent of the Edo period, 200 years ago. Located beneath Tokyo Tower, guests are encouraged to arrive early to explore its expansive Japanese gardens, complete with pine trees and koi ponds. This is a tofu-focused kaiseki experience with elaborate dishes crafted from spring water and premium soybeans. A multicourse meal might include tosui-tofu (tofu in a dashi-infused soymilk soup), artisan bean curd in hotpots or age-dengaku (fried tofu cooked over wood charcoal). Meals run at least three hours and are served inside a traditional Japanese house with tatami floors and garden views. For the best value, book a lunch reservation. Go now, this institution will permanently close its doors on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Ramen Jiro Mita Honten A cult favorite, this is the original location of the now-chain Ramen Jiro. Known for unapologetically over-the-top bowls, it's as controversial as it is beloved. Some call it ramen's version of fast food—massive portions, fatty cuts of chashu and a bold, salty broth made with the shop's own soy sauce. Unlike more refined ramen shops, bowls here are chaotic and intentionally excessive. Mita Honten—the original location—is a tiny shop, but worth the visit. Bonus points if you can finish the entire bowl. Miyachiku Takeshiba Located inside the WATERS Takeshiba complex, Miyachiku Takeshiba specializes in Miyazaki beef, considered by many to be the best in Japan. Choose from teppanyaki counter seats, sofa seating or private rooms with luxurious views of Tokyo Bay. The drink list is extensive, with selections from the Miyazaki Prefecture, including rare sake, cocktails, wines and French champagnes. A teppanyaki dinner might include Miyazaki beef loin, appetizers, grilled fish, vegetables, rice, dessert and post-meal beverages. Tsukiiji Market Tour For a morning excursion just outside Minato City, sign up for Arigato Travel's Tsukiji Market breakfast tour. It begins with a traditional Japanese breakfast featuring sweet grilled fish, miso soup and rice, followed by bites from market stalls like freshly shucked oysters, sliced tuna and Japanese sweets. Along the way, a local guide shares background on the market's history and leads a stop at a nearby shrine. Expect a family-style lunch experience after the tour with the freshest picks of the morning shared among guests.
