Tradition

Orthodox Christian worshippers braved cold weather and plunged into cold wateron Monday to retrieve a wooden cross during the traditional blessing of the Orthodox Epiphany Day.

It's all part of efforts to leave last year's troubles behind and start afresh in January.

What a way to begin the new decade.

After it was lunch with the grandchildren and then a nap.

On Sunday, members of a volunteer group and local children put the three-meter-tall rat statue at the entrance of Tatsumizu Shrine in the town of Misato in Mie Prefecture

The huge rice cakes are supposed to ensure good health and an abundant harvest in the coming year.

Workers toil on a frozen river in northeast China before dawn, using hand tools and machines to carve large bricks for an annual winter sculpture festival

Craftmanship is an ancient tradition in Japan and artisans in two cities well known for metalwork are blending ancient skills with modern technology.

Pope Francis on Sunday blessed the statuettes of Baby Jesus brought by hundreds of children to the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square.

Changan Lake fishermen are safeguarding a Mongolian tradition of paying homage to the lake and awakening the fishing net.

The organizer of the event said that "rei" reflects the desire for happiness of the Japanese and a better future in the new era, which began when Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1.

"The tradition is long-standing, beautiful and you can't find it anywhere else," said a villager.

Urabandai in the Fukushima Prefecture is a place that’s become very popular for nature sightseeing - and it’s at its best during autumn.

Onsen are a fundamental part of Japanese culture and it's in the natural hot springs that Japanese people love to leave behind the hectic pace of city life and enjoy the ultimate in relaxation

Ginza lies in the heart of Tokyo. Here upmarket shopping and futuristic architecture meet traditional Japanese culture and design. The old and new link together - as you can see at the city’s latest and most luxurious shopping mall, Ginza Six.

The southern city of Fukuoka comes alive at night with these mobile stalls across the city, but they must be gone before the sun rises

A giant skeleton breaks out of the ground in the middle of a street, while the dead come alive wearing traditional outfits. It's a Day of the Dead tradition particular to the Mexico City neighborhood of Tlahuac.

Disco queens and over-the-top salutes to musical icons entertained revellers during Saturday night's Fantasy Fest Parade, the highlight of Key West's 10-day costuming and masking festival that ends Sunday.

Euronews reporter Naomi Lloyd discovers that Tokyo is a city of contrasts - where rich traditions sit alongside futuristic innovation.

The Okinawa archipelago in Japan is breaking records in terms of long life. Made up of 160 islands bordered by the Pacific Ocean with a subtropical climate, we meet friendly Okinawans who show us why it’s a great place to live (for a very long time).

Michelin-starred chef Thierry Voisin guides us through the flavours that make Japan.

In Japan, soy sauce is an art made with three elements: raw materials, techniques and fermentation time to create a unique product.

Thierry Voisin is the French Michelin-starred chef of the "Les Saisons" restaurant at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Why not try this French-Japanese fusion at home and become a true chef?

Yellowtail is one of Japan's favourite fish.and to meet the demand, researchers have developed a pioneering technology to produce it, whilst preserving the oceans.

"Buri" is one Chef Thierry Voisin’s signature dishes, made from Yellowtail fish and is perfect to impress your dinner guests.