Cranes wow New Year tourists

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220102_150/

People in Japan see the crane as a symbol of happiness. Amateur photographers flocked to a village in northern Japan to take pictures of the birds to celebrate the New Year.

Around 50 people braved the cold weather before dawn on Sunday and gathered by a river in eastern Hokkaido.

The temperature fell to minus 18 degree Celsius.
The red-crowned cranes were an inspiring sight for people enjoying the New Year break.

People were able to quickly photograph the graceful birds as they took flight in the early morning sunlight.

A man from the city of Asahikawa says he took pictures hoping that people can rise above difficulties this year like cranes taking to the sky.