Costume role-players from Japan and abroad who won an Internet popularity contest visited Sendai on Tuesday to help promote the city's ongoing recovery from the March 11 disasters.
Four women, from Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand, posed for photos at the site of the former Sendai Castle with members of Datebushoutai, a local tourism promotion group whose members dress as warriors or warlords.
The women, who won the Internet "cosplay" contest run by a Thai company from September through November, dressed as characters from Japanese animated films and games.
"Although (reconstruction) may take much time, I hope they will hang in there," said Rayna from China.