Photo Journal: A new beginning

The "dankazura" path to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, is filled with worshippers as it is opened for use following the end of repair work, on March 30, 2016. The historic walkway, said to have been built in 1182 by shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo to pray for a safe childbirth by his wife Masako, had been undergoing repairs since November 2014. Cherry blossom trees along the path, originally planted in the Taisho Era, were also replaced with new ones due to their advanced age. (Mainichi)