Observed at 13:00, Thursday 2 January BBC Weather in association with MeteoGroup, external All times are Japan Standard Time (Asia/Tokyo, GMT+9) unless otherwise stated.

HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima Prefecture--The famed “floating” torii gate of Itsukushimajinja shrine, a World Heritage site under repair, was revealed for the first time in about three and a half years.

HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima Prefecture--Visitors to Miyajima island here will face a new tax of 100 yen (70 cents) starting Oct. 1 next year to pay for much-needed upgrades to tourist facilities.