A Japanese woman who has the coronavirus has told NHK that she initially thought she had caught a cold and didn't suspect her symptoms were caused by the virus.

The woman in her 20s is being treated at a hospital. She was found to be infected on Thursday last week.

Visitors at a Buddhist temple in western Japan marked a time-honored tradition by soaking themselves in cold water in a ritual aimed at toughening the body and soul.

Monday is "daikan" in the traditional Japanese calendar, which means the coldest time of the year. About 10 people braved the chilly temperatures by soaking themselves in frigid water.