Japan has many spiritual and geological ... The surrounding basalt rock formation resembles the appearance of a snake’s scales. Be sure to pick up a stamp rally card when you visit the site and stop ...

There are religions that put their believers' faith to the test with harsh trials. On a mountain in Japan, that test is not ...

Large cod were carried in procession and dedicated to a local Shinto shrine in this northern Japan city Feb. 4 in a unique ...

NIKAHO, Akita -- Large cod were carried in procession and dedicated to a local Shinto shrine in this northern Japan city Feb ... are known for summer rock oysters and winter cod.

While Spain's headline trail now attracts up to half a million pilgrims a year, its twin is often uncrowded and offers a ...

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TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of people soaked and splashed themselves in painfully icy cold water on Saturday in a pool at a Tokyo shrine, adhering to Japanese tradition to purify the soul and pray for ...

A scantily clad shrine parishioner throws icy cold water ... 18, 2025, a traditional Japanese way of purifying soul and praying for their health in the new year. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) ...