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| The main feature of the Mitsuyama Taisai Festival, three 18 meters tall 'mountains.' are displayed at the Itate Hyozu Shrine on March 31, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The festival has been held once every 20 years since 1593. Priests of the Itate Hyozu Shrine welcome all the gods across the country from the top of 'three mountains' and treat with food for seven days starting today, praying for peace and prosperity. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A container full of sand lances sits at Mega Fishing Port on March 23, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. Sand lances are a popular local cuisine in Hyogo Prefecture. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A 20-year-old Japanese macaque monkey named Monday scratches her eyes while suffering an allergy to pollen from the cedar tree at Awajishima Monkey Centre on March 17, 2013 in Sumoto, Japan. Many monkeys are suffering the effects of hay fever at this time of the year, with the typical symptoms being the same as with humans. According to Awajishima Monkey center this year hay fever is higher than last year, the pollen season is from February to April. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A man rests under the blooming plum tree at Ayabeyama on March 14, 2013 in Tatsuno, Japan. About 20,000 Japanese plum trees of different varieties are currently in full bloom on Ayabeyama, the mountain will open to the public for viewing until March 21. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| A woman holds a candle as she commemorates victims of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in front of Kobe's light of hope memorial on March 11, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Japan is commemorating the second anniversary of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that claimed more than 18,000 lives. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| Anti-nuclear activists gather together and display a 'No Nukes' sign during an anti-nucler protest on March 10, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Japan to mark the second anniversary of the Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, that damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, residents of radiation contaminated area around the plant have been evacuated and unable to return for a long period of time. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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| Misao Okawa, who is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest woman, receives a birthday cake during her 115th birthday celebrations at Kurenai Nursing Home on March 5, 2013 in Osaka, Japan. Misao Okawa, was born in Tenma, Osaka, on March 5, 1898. A descendent of Kimono merchants, she married in 1919 and had three children, of which a daughter and a son are still alive, and four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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A Japanese woman plays koto, traditional
Japanese stringed musical instrument on March 3,2013 at international center in
Himeji, Japan. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto musical
instrument are about 180 centimetres length and have 13 strings. (Photo by
Buddhika Weerasinghe)
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| A Great Buddha statue located in the Daibutsuden (the temple's main hall) at Todaiji Temple on March 2, 2013 in Nara, Japan. The Buddhist Todaiji temple was built in 752 AD and is now one of seven sites in Nara to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
