Soma-Nomaoi festival in Fukushima Pref.

Soma-Nomaoi festival in Fukushima Pref.

SOMA, Japan - A horseback rider wearing old style riding gear participate in "yoinorikeiba" of the Soma-Nomaoi, a 1,000-year-old traditional festival, in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 26, 2014. The number of participants almost returned to the level before the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Soma-Nomaoi festival starts in Fukushima Pref.

Soma-Nomaoi festival starts in Fukushima Pref.

SOMA, Japan - The Soma-Nomaoi, a 1,000-year-old traditional festival, begins in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on July 26, 2014.

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

MIHARU, Japan - A more than 1,000-year-old cherry tree, known as "a waterfall cherry" because of the resemblance of its branches to the cascading rivulets of a waterfall, is lit up in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 17, 2014. The 13.5-meter-tall tree is designated as one of Japan's national treasures by the government.

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

MIHARU, Japan - A more than 1,000-year-old cherry tree, known as "a waterfall cherry" because of the resemblance of its branches to the cascading rivulets of a waterfall, is lit up in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 17, 2014. The 13.5-meter-tall tree is designated as one of Japan's national treasures by the government.

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

1,000-year-old cherry tree in Fukushima

MIHARU, Japan - A more than 1,000-year-old cherry tree, known as "a waterfall cherry" because of the resemblance of its branches to the cascading rivulets of a waterfall, is lit up in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 17, 2014. The 13.5-meter-tall tree is designated as one of Japan's national treasures by the government.

Design of Japan's new 2,000-yen bill

Design of Japan's new 2,000-yen bill

TOKYO, Japan - The front (above) of the new 2,000-yen bill features an illustration of the Shureimon Gate in Naha, a symbol of Okinawa Prefecture, while the reverse shows a scene from the 1,000-year-old literary classic ''The Tale of Genji'' and a portrait of its author, Murasaki Shikibu. The bill, unveiled Oct. 29, will be issued in time for the summit of the G-8 nations in Okinawa next July.