Foreign travellers to Japan have increased 2-fold since borders reopened in October. Heavy snow though is hampering the winter sport season for Niigata with roads closed throughout the prefecture. And while tourism slowly returns to normal, some, it would seem, are taking their love for the country a little too far. "I Love You" was reportedly carved into the historic Kintai Bridge of Yamaguchi Prefecture, while the monthly festival Shimai-Kobo took place for the final time this year at Kyoto's To-ji Temple. And with this episode of NOTEBOOK being the last of 2022 , we look at the year ahead and what lays in store for arts and culture in 2023.