Saturday, January 26, 2013

Japanese Macaques Form Huddle To Keep Warm

Japanese macaque monkeys huddle together in a group to protect themselves against the cold weather at Awajishima Monkey Center on January 26, 2013 in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Severe low temperatures has hit Japan with more heavy snowfall. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
 ©Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Monday, January 21, 2013

Japanese Sake Brewery In Himeji

Japanese sake brewery workers spread out steamed rice for cooling at Tatsuriki sake brewery on January 21, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The Hyogo prefecture is the largest sake producing region in Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Friday, January 18, 2013

Oni Oi Perform


A man performs ritual ogre dance as man takes photographs during the Oni Oi annual festival at Shosha Temple on January 18, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. Two men dress as Red-skinned ogre and a green-skinned ogre holding a sword, a bell and a flaming torch in their hands perform ritual dance inside the dark temple building with sounds of the temple bell. Many Japanese Buddhist temples perform ritual Oni oi festival beginning of the year to pray for a bountiful harvest and remove misfortune.  (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Kobe Marks 18th Anniversary Of Hanshin Great Earthquake

A man lights a candle for victims of the 1995 'Great Hanshin earthquake' during a memorial ceremony on January 17, 2013 in Kobe, Japan. Memorial services were held to mark the 18th anniversary of the 1995 massive earthquake, hundreds of people gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,400 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Monday, January 14, 2013

Twenty Years Old Japanese Celebrate Coming Of Age Day

20 years old woman dressed in traditional kimono walks in the rain for her 'Coming-of-Age Day' celebration at Cultural Hall on January 14, 2013 in Himeji, Japan. The event involves 20-year-old Japanese people celebrating their eligibility to drink alcohol, smoke and vote. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) 
The second Monday of January in Japan is annually celebrated as the Coming of Age Day or Seijin no hi in Japanese.
This year, the day comes on 14 January when it is time to congratulate and encourage all those who have reached the age of majority (20 years old) over the past year, as well as to celebrate adulthood.


©Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images