Travel | 5

Japan's average temperature from December last year to last month was 1.27 degrees Celsius higher than the average, making it the second warmest since statistics began in 1898, following the winter four years ago, which was 1.43 degrees above average.

Starting this summer, a 2,000 yen toll will be required for climbing Mount Fuji.

The sacred water-drawing "Omizutori" festival has begun at Nara's Todaiji Temple as part of the two-week-long Shuni-e ceremony.

The streets of Katsuura have come alive with Hina dolls, with over 10,000 adding a decorative touch to the city's public spaces, for the celebration of the annual Big Hina Festival.

A promotional video released by Tokyo Disney Resort has recently stirred controversy, raising questions on what constitutes official park policy.

A giant cat has appeared at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and further ahead, a massive kokeshi doll lies horizontally. This 7th iteration of the contemporary art exhibition, 'Artists' Fair Kyoto,' features works by artists active both domestically and internationally, along with pieces by emerging artists.

Regular services for riverboat tourism on the Kumano River and its tributary, the Kitayama River, commenced Saturday, with tourists exploring the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," a World Heritage site known for the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, and is also referred to as the "river pilgrimage route."

Japan's vending machines, a charm for foreign tourists, are now drawing crowds to a famous spot where over 100 retro machines from the Showa era are lined up.