Quake and tsunami victims can now enjoy a bath at one of the emperor's residences in northern Japan, the first time a royal facility has been opened for public use.

Evacuees are queuing outside Tochigi royal residence's bath house, which will open twice a week until the end of April. It will be able to handle 50 guests at one time. Around 250,000 victims are living in shelters and hundreds of families in northern Japan are still without water and electricity. Guests talked about how a warm bath is making life a little easier during these tough times.

Japanese Evacuee, said, "I wouldn't have been here even by mistake, so I am so grateful to be here."

"The bath helps you forget you are an evacuee even if it's just for a short moment."