this is bbc news. the headlines: the palestinian health ministry says an israeli air strike on a refugee camp in gaza has killed at least seven people. an official said the dead included a woman and four children, who were inside their home in the al—shati camp. there was no immediate comment from israel. china's first mission to mars has succeeded in putting a spacecraft safely on the planet's surface. the tianwen—i lander touched down by parachute after surviving the treacherous descent known as the seven minutes of terror. the next phase is to deploy a six—wheeled solar powered rover, named zhurong. japan has declared a state of emergency in three more regions hit hard by the pandemic, casting further doubt over whether the olympic games in tokyo should go ahead. a petition has been submitted to the capital's governor calling for the entire event to be cancelled.

now on bbc news, this week's travel show comes from tokyo where carmen roberts looks back at some of her favourite recent stories from japan. coming up on this week's show, we are approaching the first rapid and it's meant to be this deepest and most exciting. and that said? i do feel ninja like here. hello and welcome to

the travel show. coming to you this week from tokyo, a city that has been my home for a little over seven years, and where the big talking point is whether this summer's olympic games will definitely go ahead, and if they do, what form will they take? it was back at the end of march last year that the ioc and the japanese authorities decided to postpone the tokyo olympic and paralympic games, which were due to kick off with a spectacular opening ceremony in the capital's new national stadium on the 23rd ofjuly 2020. since then, japan and the rest of the world have been through a series of lockdowns, and most countries still have international travel restrictions in place. and other the postponed games due to go ahead at the end ofjuly, rising infection rate injapan coupled the recent extinction

of the state of emergency here in tokyo means that everyone is closely watching the news, waiting for a definitive answer. in the meantime, when i joined me as we take a look back at some of our favourite travel show stories from here. last year there was a big campaign here injapan for people to holiday at home, with lots of discounts and incentives on offer, and not wanting this out, i headed around 5000 kilometres south—west of tokyo on the main island of honshu, to the countryside surrounding were akiyama to try a rafting adventure with a different. for centuries that would he was so sought after that it was used in buildings all around the country, by transporting it was no easy task. they came up with a novel solution, and today travellers can experience the old journey downstream. it does

look quite strange by today's standards. i don't know what i was expecting but it really is just a bunch of logs strung together. it must float ok, it's been around long enough. so what is it like to drive and steer such a long raft like this?

in the past, once the trees had been fouled in strung together, the rafters would write them down the river to the destination. today, with travellers on board, the rafts are safer. there are lifejackets, handrails, and a bench, plus additional measures for coronavirus, like masks and reduced capacity. but it's still very open to the elements. we are approaching the first rapid and it's meant to be this deepest and most exciting. hang on! this is great! i'm totally soaked from

my waist down. this is the slower part of the ride, so to speak, but is just fascinating to think this is what they would have been doing 600 years ago to transport all the logs down to the city to make the temples and the shrines. so we are approaching a rapid now and we stand up so we don't get too wet. here we go! laughter.

that was our last rapid. it so interesting to watch these four guys navigate this seven ton log raft down a riverjust like there would have 600 years ago. it's amazing! definitely a unique way to travel, if you don't mind getting your feet wet. each big japanese city has its own particular and distinctive feel and if you are looking for a laugh, then you better head to osako, which over the osa ko, which over the generations osako, which over the generations has earned itself a reputation of being the comedy capital ofjapan — osaka. back in 2015, we headed there to get in 2015, we headed there to get in on thejourney. in 2015, we headed there to get in on the journey. osaka is japan's mecca of comedy. these guys are really famous air.

this theatre claims to be the busiest and most popular comedy venuein busiest and most popular comedy venue in all ofjapan. demand is phenomenal, it's open 365 days of year 2 full houses of up days of year 2 full houses of up to four shows a day, that's around people each year. fans travel from all over the country to see the stars live on stage. the show includes many types of comedy, but one of the most common and popular is mansai, double acted with a straight guy and a funnyman trading jokes, and it's this style that in osaka. i wanted to find out more about the roots of comedy in the city.

nice to meet you! katsura kaishi practices the traditional story telling, and he says that the style of comedy evolved from its trading history.

rakugo comedy was invented by buddhist monks to make their teachings more entertaining. there was a car accident, mother, father and children all lost lives, but a monkey was the only one left. �*s of the police said i wish this monkey could talk. police said i wish this monkey could talk-— could talk. it's a storytelling tradition that _ could talk. it's a storytelling tradition that obviously - tradition that obviously resemble stand—up comedy, but this is some 200 years older. what would the father do? he was drinking, he was drinking and driving. what were you doing? monkey?— and driving. what were you doing? monkey? and driving. what were you doin:? monke ? �* , ., doing? monkey? after the show! wanted to get _ doing? monkey? after the show! wanted to get some _ doing? monkey? after the show! wanted to get some tips -

doing? monkey? after the show! wanted to get some tips from - wanted to get some tips from the experts. monkey, what was the experts. monkey, what was the father doing? hang on a minute, what were you doing monkey? and that's it? you should maybe _ monkey? and that's it? you should maybe move - monkey? and that's it? you should maybe move to - monkey? and that's it? 7m. should maybe move to japan monkey? and that's it? 7m, should maybe move to japan and should maybe move to japan and should be a professional rakugo performer. should be a professional rakugo erformer. ., . ~ should be a professional rakugo performer-— performer. packing a punchline ja anese performer. packing a punchline japanese style _ performer. packing a punchline japanese style in _ performer. packing a punchline japanese style in osaka - performer. packing a punchline japanese style in osaka back. performer. packing a punchline japanese style in osaka back inj japanese style in osaka back in 2015. stay with us, because still to come on the travel show... this wall is as tall as me! i get put through my paces as a visit a ninja training camp. it as a visit a nin'a training cam, , ., , as a visit a nin'a training cam . _ , ., , ., as a visit a nin'a training cam. , ., , ., , as a visit a nin'a training cam. _,, ., camp. it stars move up and dance move _ camp. it stars move up and dance move upon - camp. it stars move up and dance move upon dance - camp. it stars move up and - dance move upon dance move, it's so complicated! and dance move upon dance move, it's so complicated!— dance move upon dance move, it's so complicated! and we set out to wow _

it's so complicated! and we set out to wow the _ it's so complicated! and we set out to wow the crowds - it's so complicated! and we set out to wow the crowds in - it's so complicated! and we set out to wow the crowds in a - out to wow the crowds in a traditional festival in traditionalfestival in hokkaido. when you think of japan, things like cherry blossoms, tea ceremonies, temples and karaoke will spring to mind. but if you are a film or comic book fan, the ninjas will also be high on your list. backin will also be high on your list. back in 2016! travelled to nagoya to meet some martial arts fans to become modern ninjas, and i even gave it a go myself. needless to say i did not get hired. then injure, a mysterious, undercover agent in feudaljapan, skilled in espionage and assassination, living in the shadows, and now, you can apply to be one. far from hiding in the dark, the next generation of ninjas answered a job ad. full—time, centraljapan, around 1600 us dollars per month in salary. hundreds of people applied an

audition for thejobs, including many from overseas. this is the nagoya castle and these are some of the chosen few. the mui ninjas.- these are some of the chosen few. the mui ninjas. few. the mui nin'as. every kid dreams about _ few. the mui ninjas. every kid dreams about becoming - few. the mui ninjas. every kid dreams about becoming a - few. the mui ninjas. every kid| dreams about becoming a ninja at some point in their life. just for me i held onto the dream a bit longer than most people. i dream a bit longer than most --eole. ~' ., dream a bit longer than most neale, ~' ., [q dream a bit longer than most --eole. ~ ., ., , people. i know you have 'ust started but i people. i know you have 'ust started but what's �* people. i know you have 'ust started but what's it i people. i know you have 'ust started but what's it like i people. i know you havejust started but what's it like to l started but what's it like to be the only foreign ninja. it’s be the only foreign nin'a. it's a challenge! * be the only foreign nin'a. it's a challenge! i i be the only foreign ninja. it�*s a challenge! i thought that i could come to japan, find a ninja clan, become a ninja, and then that would be it, but it is a constant progression of learning, studying, and struggling with japanese, but i love it, i'm never been happier. love it, i'm never been happier-— happier. it's not 'ust physical. fl happier. it's not 'ust physical. there h happier. it's notjust physical. there is i happier. it's notjust i physical. there is also happier. it's notjust - physical. there is also history to be learned. it will be an

intensive month ahead of this modern day ninja team's debut. it's only a training session, there is already a lot of media interest, and for me it feels like there's a reality tv or talent show element to this project. but not everyone is buying into the hype. some purists are worried that this sort of campaign is sending a distorted image of the japanese icon to the rest of the world. two hours from nagoya i've been told this is the heart of ninja country. so, hundreds of years ago, real—life needs judges trained here in these mountains. i've come to this ninja training camp to change it and authentic ninja experience. ninja no

mori, or ninja forest, has been set up to cater to tourists. a look the part, but can a cut it as a real—life ninja? to my relief, we started the day with some prayers and meditation. then it was time to leave the safe surrounds of the temple and head to the training corps. first, it was onto the wire. what would this be used for? if there was a castle and a moat? so, the rope would help me get over the water? i do kind of feel ninja—like here. this is

the — it's quite difficult! ok. i don't think ninjas i meant to giggle. ok. oh, my goodness! and then the skill of scaling walls undetected. you don't expect me to do that, do you? ganbatte. ah! this wall is as tall as me! i wouldn't say it was easy, and it definitely wasn't pretty. but i managed it. so they upped the ante. time to let go of any

dreams i have of becoming a true ninja. i still defy anyone my size without superhuman powers to get over that wall. well, to finish off this week's look back at some of our favourite japanese adventures, we head to the far north of the country, to the island of hokkaido, where in 2018, rajan took part in an annual festival based on the island's seafaring history. and he even managed to pick up a few dance moves along the way. eskies orana is one of the way. eskies orana is one of the region's biggest international dancing competitions. it's all inspired by the soran. it's come a long

way! i had arranged to meet someone to take part in this festival, many times since she was a child, but finding one dancer on long 13,000 others was proving trickier than i expected. was proving trickier than i exoected-_ was proving trickier than i expected.- can - —— konnichiwa. you are going to teach me about this? yuri n? fantastic. what makes this festival you need?- festival you need? yosakoi soran festival _ festival you need? yosakoi soran festival in _ festival you need? yosakoi soran festival in hokkaido | festival you need? yosakoi i soran festival in hokkaido has two rules: just one, every team, every dancer as this. naruko. do you know soran music? ., , .

music? even though the music miaht music? even though the music might sound — music? even though the music might sound different, - music? even though the music might sound different, inside, | might sound different, inside, you have to have the same melody? yes, yes, yes. how does the melody go? and while it is something that clearly takes a lot of practice, i'm told in my case one hours should do it. this is what i have to wear? yes! yes. very good. ok. o, this is what i have to wear? yes! yes. very good. ok. a very ublic yes! yes. very good. ok. a very public training _ yes! yes. very good. ok. a very public training session _ yes! yes. very good. ok. a very public training session for - yes! yes. very good. ok. a very public training session for new. public training session for new people like me taking part in a festival parade around the streets of the city. tell me about the first time you entered the festival, tell me about how it felt for you and

what you did? hah! yeah! that's what you need, attitude. it'sjust dance move upon dance move upon dance moves, it's so complicated! many of these moves are based on the tasks old fisherman performed, like dragging nets, lifting robes and luggage over their shoulders. can lifting robes and luggage over their shoulders.— their shoulders. can you tell? ok! their shoulders. can you tell? 0k! that's — their shoulders. can you tell? ok! that's only _ their shoulders. can you tell? ok! that's only the _ their shoulders. can you tell? ok! that's only the practice! | ok! that's only the practice! and we haven't _ ok! that's only the practice! and we haven't even - ok! that's only the practice! and we haven't even startedj ok! that's only the practice! - and we haven't even started the real thing yet. so, and we haven't even started the realthing yet. so, i'vejust had a rigourous workout and

lessen and i supposedly know may moves. and now, to cap it all off, we are going to do the whole dance around the square in front of the crowds. help! thanks to your wonderful teaching, ifeel quite teaching, i feel quite confident. teaching, ifeel quite confident. oh, we're sprinting? let's go! confident. oh, we're sprinting? let's no! ., confident. oh, we're sprinting? let's go!- fantastic. - confident. oh, we're sprinting? let's go!- fantastic. the i let's go! yeah! fantastic. the nerves have — let's go! yeah! fantastic. the nerves have all _ let's go! yeah! fantastic. the nerves have all gone. - let's go! yeah! fantastic. the nerves have all gone. who - let's go! yeah! fantastic. the i nerves have all gone. who cares how good you are? this is about community, the festival. i’m community, the festival. i'm caettin community, the festival. i'm getting there. _ community, the festival. i'm getting there. are _ community, the festival. i“n getting there. are you? because it's exciting.

not a bad effort there from rajan back in 2018. well, that's all we've got time for this we don't like coming up next week it this make heads to the mass fame are in kenya to find out how the coronavirus pandemic was many lodgers to lower their prices, meaning more canyons got the chance to go on safari for the very first

time. ., ., , .. , time. now we are here because we can afford the rates. - we can afford the rates. welcome to join us for that, if you can. but in the meantime, let me leave you with some pictures from the climax of the festival in hokkaido in 2018. sadly, it was cancelled in 2020 but fingers crossed the festival can go ahead later this year. in the meantime, from all of us here from the travel show team here injapan, it's goodbye, and we'll see you next time. hello there.

if you're waiting for a prolonged, dry, warm spell of weather, you'll have to keep on waiting because this weekend it is going to stay cool and there will be plenty more heavy, thundery downpours. now, on the atlantic satellite picture, you can see this big pipeline of cloud just ploughing its way from west to east. you can think of this line of cloud as something of a barrier. it's keeping the warm air away from our shores. that warm air will lift temperatures across parts of southern spain this weekend into the low to mid 30s. but for us, we are stuck in cool air and we are stuck under the influence of low pressure. this will bring showers or longer spells of rain through the weekend. a band of cloud with outbreaks of rain drifting north—eastwards across england and wales, clipping into northern ireland as we head through saturday morning. behind that, well, we revert to that mix some of the showers will be heavy with hail and thunder. not too many showers across scotland, certainly across the northern half of scotland as we go through the day, although for shetland, it will stay pretty grey and damp all day long. temperatures struggling for north—eastern areas — just 11 degrees.

but even in the best of the sunshine, 15 or 16 — that is it. and then through saturday evening, the showers will try to fade but actually, i think through the early hours of sunday morning, the showers will pep up again down towards the south—west. that is the first sign of what is going to be quite a turbulent day of weather on sunday as this area of low pressure moves right on top of the uk. that means the air will be very, very unstable. so while most places will start with some dry weather and some sunshine, keep an eye on the skies — you will see big thunder clouds developing.

some really intense downpours with frequent lightning, some hail, some very squally, gusty wind and some particularly strong winds down towards the channel islands. there will be some sunshine between the showers but temperatures below par, 11 to 15 degrees. and as we head in to the start of next week, low pressure will still be close by. that means we will see further showers or longer spells of rain through the week ahead. some of those showers always with the potential to be heavy, possibly thundery. some sunshine in between, but no sign of anything warm on the horizon.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today: a warning from the prime minister — the spread of the indian variant could jeopardise plans to end lockdown restrictions in england in june. i have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress, and could make it more difficult to move to step four injune. the wait for a second vaccine is to be cut from 12 to 8 weeks for the over—50s and clinically vulnerable.

the military�*s been drafted in