The Batman franchise has announced that the twin city of Gotham City is in Japan, and more specifically in Fukuyama.
Located in the prefecture of Hiroshima, the city has everything to be the city of the superhero. His emblem, created in 1917, has similarities to Batman, resembling both a mountain and a bat. In addition, Fukuyama Castle, built in 1622, is located on Komoriyama Hill, or “bat mountain”.
As the city prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its castle, Fukuyama has been named Gotham's twin city, becoming the first city in Batman history to have a relationship with Gotham.
This is a huge publicity stunt, for this city which does not particularly attract all tourists going to Japan, from the franchise which releases its next film on March 11, “The Batman”.
Japanese rail company JR East has unveiled Japan's first hydrogen-powered train.
Together with Toyota and Hitachi, the companies are working on HYBARI (HYdrogen-HYbrid Advanced Rail vehicle for Innovation). This eco-friendly, hybrid-system train is powered by hydrogen fuel cells from Toyota and storage batteries supplied by Hitachi.
The first tests will take place at the end of March and the trian will be made public in 2030. The train will be able to reach a speed of 100 km/h with a range of 140 kilometres.
The project will cost 4 billion yen, or nearly 30.8 million euros. It is part of the country's goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.
By the sea, in Wajima, the Shiroyone Senmaida rice terraces are illuminated by 25,000 LEDs at night.
On the occasion of the Aze no Kirameki festival, which takes place until March 13, more than 1,000 rice fields on Honshu Island are lit by diodes powered by solar energy. Going from pink to green, gold and blue, the festival of light offers a breathtaking spectacle and landscape.
Winter events in Japan tend to play with lights, but this sight in Ishikawa Prefecture is unusual.
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