Candles illuminate a snow dome during a photo session on the eve of the opening of an annual snow festival dating back around 450 years in the Akita Prefecture city of Yokote, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 14, 2023. The Yokote Kamakura Festival, named after the snow domes called "kamakura," will be held with tourists for the first time in three years after the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo 

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