Lucky Daruma dolls were piled high at the Daruma Festival in Mihara over Valentine’s Day weekend. Festival goers purchase the roly poly dolls and draw in one eye when making a wish or setting a goal. Once the wish has been fulfilled, the other eye is filled in.

Visitors leave tiny torii as prayer offerings at a shrine in Nagoya. This photo was taken over Christmas 2009.

A woman prays at Buttsuji Temple near Mihara. This photograph was taken from inside the temple, looking out.

This photo was taken at the Hatsukai Ebisu Festival in Sera Town.

Izu Nudibranch, Joshua Zimmerman

IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship Japan 2009

By Stephen Packer

Chalk Art, by Matt Rose

Hiroshima Castle, by Stephen Packer