“Touring the Koko-en Gardens adjacent to the Himeji castle was an unexpected highlight of our visit”, wrote Jeff Solar, 64, of Silver Spring, Md., about his trip to Japan. “The fall colors were outstanding and the gardens were both amazing and a bargain (just a few Yen added to the cost of the Himeji Castle admission)”. (Photo by Jeff Solar/2017 Washington Post Travel Photo Contest)

Revellers of street parties known as blocos, dance during a protest against restrictions by city officials in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. City Hall has banned the street parties during Carnival celebrations, which were delayed by almost two months due to the pandemic. (Photo by Silvia Izquierdo/AP Photo)

Indonesia's Mount Sinabung erupts, sending a column of volcanic materials as high as 16,000 feet into the sky on August 10, 2020. The volcano, one of two currently erupting in Indonesia, was dormant for four centuries before exploding in 2010, killing two people. Another eruption in 2014 killed 16 people, while seven died in a 2016 eruption. (Photo by Sutanta Aditya/Abaca/Sipa USA via AP Images)

Attendants wait for visitors to the the exhibition entitled “Forging Ahead in the New Era”, showing the country's achievements during his past two terms, at the Beijing Exhibition Center in Beijing on October 12, 2022, ahead of the 20th Communist Party Congress meeting. (Photo by Noel Celis/AFP Photo)

A squirrel digs into a pumpkin in Washington, U.S., November 28, 2022. (Photo by Amanda Andrade-Rhoades./Reuters)

Hyper realistic flesh-like objects created by Masataka Shishido, also known as DJ Doooo, are displayed at his home, during a photo opportunity in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan on January 26, 2023. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

Members of the Scottish Chinese community take part in Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival on January 30, 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 2022 marks the Chinese Year of the Tiger, Chinese New Year in Edinburgh has become one of the largest celebrations of its kind in Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

A couple enjoys viewing illuminated autumn leaves with projection mapping at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden during a preview at the garden in Tokyo, Japan on November 22, 2023. The illumination will start on 22 November through 03 December 2023. (Photo by Kimimasa Mayama/EPA/EFE)