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NORFOLK, Va. (April 7, 2008) USS George Washington (CVN 73) prepares to depart Naval Station Norfolk. George Washington is departing Norfolk as her homeport for the last time, and will transit to her new homeport of Yokosuka.557 viewsNORFOLK, Va. (April 7, 2008) USS George Washington (CVN 73) prepares to depart Naval Station Norfolk. George Washington is departing Norfolk as her homeport for the last time, and will transit to her new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan. George Washington will replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the only forward deployed aircraft-carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L.H. Davis (Released)
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Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. Next to the hypocenter is the atomic bomb museum and registry shelf which stores the names of the atomic bomb victims.555 views
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Throwing sickles and shuriken.555 views
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Shinya Katabuchi vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto (Semi-final)554 views
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Finland: Land of Lakes 湖だらけの国554 viewsWhen you look at a map of Finland or see it from the air, the first thing you notice is that it has a lot of lakes. Ten percent of the country is covered by lakes, but from the air over the southern half, it looks like least 30%-40% of the land is water.
It looked like a field of giant puddles or one giant marshland. It was like the country was sinking into ocean. I had never seen so many lakes in my life. Incredible. And if it's not water, it's forests. Some 70% of Finland is covered by forests.
I think Finland will someday become a popular tourist destination, especially for people who need to escape the urban hustle-bustle and stressful lifestyle. There are nothing like trees and lakes which can pacify humans.
Basic intro to Finland: http://virtual.finland.fi/
Finland map: Virtual Finland map
上空からも直ぐ分かるけど、フィンランドは湖がとっても多い国。20万弱の湖。面積の一割が湖。なんと国の７割は森林。湖と森林は、人を癒すものである。
HP: フィンランド政府観光局（日本語）
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Closeup of white plum blossom554 views
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Mini octopus554 views
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Banner of shunga-style penis painting.554 views
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Hagoita Honey554 views
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Ladder going up to the attic.554 views
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The Ninja House also displays autographs by celebrities who visited the house. This is actor Harrison Ford who visited in Feb. 2000. He came unannounced with a taxi driver, interpreter, and his son.554 views
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Peace Statue553 viewsEvery Aug. 9, the anniversary of the atomic bombing, a memorial service is held here.
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Traditional minka house553 views
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Kubota Castle553 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri553 views
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Snip by Kitanoumi, the head of the Japan Sumo Association553 views
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Hagoita Honey poses in Asakusa553 views
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Going through the trap door.553 views
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The folded right leg symbolizes quiet meditation.552 views
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Nebuta Festival ねぶた祭552 viewsAomori
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Warlord banners, left to right: Kuroda, Fukushima, Honda, and Tokugawa.552 views
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552 views
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You have to applaud once in a while.552 views
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Ozeki Musoyama is defeated.551 views
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Tekomai Geisha, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, Tokyo550 viewsTomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Fukagawa, Tokyo holds the full-scale Fukagawa Hachiman Festival every three years in August. It is a parade of over 50 portable shrines preceded by a troupe of tekomai geisha.
Their colorful costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag along a metal wand. As they walk, they only sing traditional chant-like songs. They do not dance.
See more photos of this festival here.
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A large crowd tries to catch numerous mochi which are hard and can be dangerous if it hits you on the face or head. To avoid injury, do not look down and don't try to pick up mochi on the ground. You can get trampled, and most injuries occur this way.550 views
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Maki-bishi made of steel. Used for escape when they encountered an enemy. Many of the ninja's weapons were designed to buy time for the ninja to escape.550 views
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).550 views
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Even ninja get thirsty.550 views
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Main entrance to Miidera (Onjoji) temple. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect (founded by Priest Enchin) and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei, also in Shiga. MAP550 views
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Yuta Yazaki vs. Yohei Takai549 views
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Seven Gods of Good Fortune 浅草市村座七福神舞549 views浅草市村座七福神舞
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Pulling it tight549 views
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1717: Firemen's Acrobatics. Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (1677-1751) and Edo Fire Brigade. Ooka was a famous Edo magistrate who organized fire brigades in Edo. 大岡越前守と江戸町火消548 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri548 viewsHe could have had Yokozuna Asashoryu be either the sword bearer or dew sweeper, but he chose to have his stablemates to join his final dohyo-iri.
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A group of men carry a red and white pole in front of Inazawa Station, on their way to Konomiya Shrine.548 views
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Finale547 views
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Oh, I gotta take a picture of this...547 viewsLook at the gyoji referee who must be thinking, "C'mon, hurry up!"
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Daihatsu546 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics546 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Old photo546 viewsThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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The Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri or Azalea Festival is held from April to early May at Nezu Shrine which has a slope filled with 50 varieties of azaleas.546 views
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders.546 views
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Musashimaru finally appears for a yokozuna belt demo545 views
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Established in 1617, Tsukiji Hongwanji temple is the Tokyo headquarters of the Nishi Hongwanji Jodo Shinshu sect. The present temple, based on Indian architecture, was built in the 1930s.545 viewsThe temple is the only one in Japan which is under the direct control of the sect. Its head priest is the Monshu Abbot himself. April 8 is observed as Buddha's birthday, called Hana Matsuri ("Flower Festival) in Japan.
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Yamato Awa Odori545 views
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545 views
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The first mikoshi is for Takeinadane-no-Mikoto coming to visit his wife of Tamahime at Tagata Shrine, where Tamahime's residence was located.545 views
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And it leaves the shrine.544 views
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On the left of the Beckoning Cat Temple is a shelf where you can offer your lucky cat after it has brought you good luck.544 views
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The following photos (watermarked "2008") of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence were taken before it was moved to its present location.544 views
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Awa Odori Dance, Koenji, Tokyo543 viewsIn late August, Koenji in Tokyo holds one of the largest Awa Odori dances outside Tokushima Prefecture. This woman is a different type of Awa dancer. She wears a head band, a happi coat imprinted with the name of her dance troupe, a pair of white shorts, and a pair of white sock-like shoes called tabi.
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Kanamara mikoshi543 views
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Giant painted pictures of Musashimaru decorating the arena inside. Each one commemorates a tournament victory.543 viewsThese giant pictures are actually black-and-white photographs taken in a photo studio and printed on large paper. Then it is hand-painted in color by a woman who has been doing it for years.
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Maiko with umbrella. The quickest way to tell if she is a geisha or maiko is by looking at her back. The tell-tale sign of a maiko is her long obi sash hanging down behind. Whereas the geisha's sash has a short knot instead.543 views
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Warrior armor displayed on second floor of Himeji Castle tower542 views
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His mom is next...542 views
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The battle started at the foot of the hill on the left of the road. The small hill on the right was where Shimazu Yoshihiro was stationed. Mt. Ibuki is in the background in the middle.542 views
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The upper walls have explanations about the Koka ninja and Mochizuki ninja family. "Koka" is the correct pronunciation, but the kanji can also be pronounced "Koga" which has become more common.542 views
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Cherry Blossoms, Potomac Park, Washington, DC。. Postcard made in the USA in the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was in 1912 (the year the Titanic sank) when Viscountess Chinda, the wife of Japan's Ambassador to the U.S., gave 2,000 small cherry trees.542 viewsIt was in 1912 (the year the Titanic sank) when Viscountess Chinda, the wife of Japan's Ambassador to the U.S., gave 2,000 small cherry trees to Mrs. Helen Taft, the wife of President Willian Taft. In a quiet ceremony, Mrs. Taft and Viscountess Chinda planted the first two cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in Potomac Park in Washington, DC. These two trees still exist today, marked by a special plaque. .
To read more about the interesting history of these cherry trees, see the National Park Service's Web site on the Washington Cherry Trees. You can read about how the original shipment of 2,000 cherry trees from Tokyo in 1910 had to be destroyed upon arrival in the US due to the infestation of harmful insects and diseases.
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9:20 am: Long line behind. If it's a sunny day, it's sunburn time. We waited here for over 30 min.541 views
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Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)541 viewsThis is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
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Hagoita Honey541 views
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Teruha with chrysanthemum. The flower she's holding matches her kimono design that shows the same flower. Her name was Teruha and she appeared in many postcards. She was born in 1896 in Osaka and worked as a geisha in Shimbashi, Tokyo. Click to read m541 viewsTeruha with chrysanthemum. The flower she's holding matches her kimono design that shows the same flower. Her name was Teruha and she appeared in many postcards. She was born in 1896 in Osaka and worked as a geisha in Shimbashi, Tokyo before becoming a Buddhist priest in Kyoto. Read more about her interesting life by James A. Gatlin at geikogallery.com.
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Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム541 views
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Big expressive eyes.540 views
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Veranda of Iga-ryu Ninja House 538 views
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Heading out to the torii gate 神輿の巡幸537 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri537 views
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Oda Nobunaga 織田信長537 views
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Tekomai537 views
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Gunpowder case537 views
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Cherry Blossom Room, Kobuntei Villa536 views
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Kanamara mikoshi salutes the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine536 views
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Portable shrine procession 神輿の巡幸536 views
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Entering the main shopping street536 views
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Two for the price of one!!536 views
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Othello536 views
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Toyama Castle536 views
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Bow twirling (called Yumitori-shiki) is the final ceremony at the end of the tournament day which is around 6 pm. 536 views
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The Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom) Festival is held annually from early Feb. to early March. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers and on weekends, stage entertainment can include belly dancers and Shiraume Taiko women drummers.536 viewsThis is the entrance to Yushima Tenjin Shrine (also called Yushima Tenmangu) flanked by plum blossoms on the right.
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Rope knots hung on roof eaves, etc., were also used for communication.535 views
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My lunch. Ball-shaped gyoza. The skin is slightly crunchy.534 views
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Roof with ninja family crest.534 views
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Filling up the plaza533 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance533 views
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Cosplayer teenager posing on the road.533 views
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Towel throwing532 viewsDuring the finale, the geisha started throwing hand towels to the audience.
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Suzuki Ionis532 viewsA real ballerina-type model danced in front of the car. I like this picture.
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Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消532 views
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The End of Hawaii's Golden Age in sumo. For the first time since 1968, no wrestler from Hawaii is in the top Makunouchi division.532 views
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Todaiji Temple531 views
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Yumitori-shiki bow-twirling ceremony531 views
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Facing the right in thanks...531 views
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Closing words530 viewsThe women standing in the back are the okami-san (proprietress) of high-class Japanese-style restaurants in Kagurazaka where the geisha are hired to perform at private geisha parties.
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Heading out of the shrine (old photo)530 viewsThis picture was taken in the 1980s.
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Nijubashi Bridge, the symbol of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. One of Japan's most famous bridges. There is another bridge behind this one. 二重橋530 views
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At the top, see the two large rocks which served as a table and bench for Ieyasu. 家康の腰掛岩と机石530 views
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Right view from Nijubashi Bridge. In the distance, you can see another parallel bridge which leads directly into the inner grounds of the palace. We will cross that bridge too. There is also the castle-like structure called the Fushimi Turret.529 views
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もっと奇麗に歩け529 views
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Steps going up to Tokugawa Ieyasu's first base camp at Momokubari during the Battle of Sekigahara on Oct. 21, 1600 (Sept. 15 of Keicho 5). Today it's just a small hill. The highway seemed to have cut through most of it.529 views
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529 views
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A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.529 views
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Numerous azalea bushes528 views
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Yasukuni Shrine's main torii during Mitama Matsuri528 views
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Bird's eye view of Shirakawa-go from Ogimachi Castle ruins.528 views
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Another Shinsaibashi Top Lady528 views
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Makushita sumo match527 viewsLower-division wrestlers wear black belts, while the upper division wrestlers wear white belts (during practice) or colored belts during official matches.
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Toshi-gami deity of harvests is pulled on a palanquin instead of being carried.527 views
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Stairs to go back down to the 1st floor. There's a rotating door. Ninja worked behind the scenes and were very secretive. They hardly told others about their activites nor left written records. Sometimes they worked as spies or mole.527 views
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No Tripods526 views三脚使用禁止 - The bold characters read, "Sankyaku shiyō kinshi" meaning tripod use is prohibited. The sign further explains that since tripods hinder the view of other spectators, they are not allowed except in the press photographers' box.
The kanji characters for tripod consists of "san" for three (the 3 horizontal lines make it obvious), and "kyaku" which means legs.
Place: Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine (during the Yabusame Festival), Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref.
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Porsche526 views
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Sagami River Koi-nobori525 viewsMore pictures here
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Shuriken Dojo Hall 手裏剣道場525 views
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Hummer524 viewsShe was charming...
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The scissors (golden)524 viewsI think it was given by French President Chirac who is a sumo fan.
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9:35 am: Walking toward the second bridge. We walked up a slight slope to reach the second, parallel bridge. The Fushimi Turret is in the background.523 views
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Year 1702: The 47 masterless retainers arrive to avenge their lord. In 1701 in the shogun's palace, Lord Asano Naganori draws his sword in a fit of anger and cuts Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking master of protocol who had mocked Asano.523 viewsAsano was immediately forced to commit ritual seppuku. At the end of the following year, his 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku. This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura."
義士の討ち入り
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Elizabeth mikoshi carried by she-males523 views
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Iga-ryu Ninja House garden. They take you in groups, so you may have to wait a while before you can go in.523 views
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Finale522 viewsEveryone performed in the finale.
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Portable shrine procession522 views
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Musashimaru acknowledges a spectator as he proceeds to the ring.522 viewsThis was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
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Fukuoka Castle, Kinen Turret520 views祈念櫓
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Ladies in waiting (hey there, look up!)520 views下を向いたらあかん。
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Palanquin for Deity of Harvests520 views
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Back view520 views
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Next to the Ninja house is the Koka Ninja Museum (Koka Ninjutsu Hakubutsukan). This was also a fomer house transplanted here. 甲賀忍術博物館520 views
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People behind fill up the rest of the plaza519 views
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She wears a juni-hitoe kimono and rides in a carriage called Oyoyo. 斎王代、齋藤彩子さん (21)519 views腰輿（およよ）
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According to one story, the Nebuta has its roots in the 8th century.519 viewsAccording to one story, the Nebuta has its roots in the 8th century when there was a rebellion in Ezo (Hokkaido). Ordered by Emperor Kanmu to quell the rebellion, generalissmo Sakanoue no Tamuramaro went to Ezo. However, he failed to capture the elusive chief of Ezo who went into hiding in the mountains.
Sakanoue then set up a trap with large votive lanterns which were lit and accompanied by taiko drums and flutes. This lured the curious Ezo chief out of hiding and led to his capture. The large lanterns were the forerunner of the Nebuta.
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Shuriken throwing.519 views
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Danger, Keep Out518 views危険 立入禁止 - The kanji characters on the right say "kiken" meaning danger. The big characters on the left say "tachi-iri kinshi" meaning "entry prohibited." Remember the word "kiken" (危険）. It is one of the three most common words on warning signs in Japan. Another one is "kinshi" （禁止）. If you see it, be aware that something is prohibited.
Place: Ohara beach, Chiba.
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Omi-Maiko Station on JR Kosei Line. It makes it easy for people in Kyoto to visit Omi-Maiko. MAP518 viewsSign says "Welcome to Omi-Maiko." Omi-Maiko was in the former town of Shiga-cho that merged into Otsu.
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Kanamara boat mikoshi518 views
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Entrance to Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace and Ginze. One of Tokyo's most centrally-located parks. Free admission.518 views
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More people than the real tournament517 viewsAbout 8,000 people took time out from their Golden Week holidays to see this official sumo practice of all sumo stables.
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Setsubun bean throwing at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo with Tamao-chan, Ai-chan, and Tochiazuma517 viewsAi-chan was really cute and seemed to be having a great time throwing the beans. Nakamura Tamao (actress), Fukuhara Ai (table tennis player) and Ozeki Tochiazuma (sumo wrestler)
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行516 views
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Akita bijin (beauties) promoting Akita rice515 views
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The Ninja house was built in 1842. There is a guide (dressed in ninja costume) inside to show you around.515 views
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Medicine ad sign reading Ninjutsu-gan. For belly aches. Although the ninja's medicine-making remains today, the art of ninjutsu is ironically no longer practiced in Koka. It is not a martial art like karate and judo.515 views
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Shin-Iwakuni Station514 views
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Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナー514 views
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Map of Hama-rikyu Gardens. Main entrance is on the upper left corner.513 views
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Uradome Coast, Tottori512 views
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Alpine511 viewsShe had horde of photographers crowded in front of her. But she managed to find me and smiled.
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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り511 views
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Kanamara mikoshi511 views
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To Dogenzaka and Center-gai arcade511 views
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Takeinadane-no-Mikoto511 views
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The Registry Shelf points to the hypocenter.510 views
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510 views
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George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier.510 viewsPACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 28, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits off the coast of Southern California conducting its combat operations efficiency evaluation with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy's only forward deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Second Class Clifford L. H. Davis/Released)
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At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Sailors aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Chokai (DDF 176) come along side the Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS).510 viewsAt sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Dec. 10, 2002 -- Sailors aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) ship Chokai (DDF 176) come along side the Kitty Hawk to receive fuel during a replenishment at sea (RAS). Kitty Hawk had the opportunity to work with the JMSDF during exercises conducted earlier in the deployment. Kitty Hawk is the U. S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
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Headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect, Enryakuji is a large complex of temples, halls, buildings, and monuments on Mt. Hiei in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. It boasts buildings which are National Treasures. MAP510 views
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509 views
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Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle509 views
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Imabari Castle 今治城509 views
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Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.509 views
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Hypocenter508 views
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8:43 am: Passed body check and walking to waiting line. After seeing these coned lanes, I was glad that I went early. I don't know if all these lanes were later filled with people, but probably yes.508 views
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Sumo jinku508 viewsThey are singing sumo jinku, a chant-like song about sumo and sumo wrestlers. They are singing about Musashimaru and his career.
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Kimono women going to a convenience store, Ako, Hyogo508 views
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At 4 pm, the festival's final event is the mochi-nage or rice-cake tossing. First, they warn eveyone that the shrine won't be liable for any injury you might incur from this. And the elderly and children should avoid this mochi-nage.508 views
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Temple office sells souvenirs such as the maneki neko beckoning cat in various sizes (and prices).508 views
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Harie is a unique rural neighborhood where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata.508 viewsHarie is in Takashima, Shiga, near JR Shin-Asahi Station on the Kosei Line, the gateway to Shin-Asahi and Harie. 新旭駅 MAP
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Preparing unagi eel, Narita, Chiba. Also see the video at YouTube.507 viewsSlicing it in half lengthwise.
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Koi-nobori carp streamers over Sagami River. Also see the video at YouTube.507 views
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Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter delivers remarks at the arrival ceremony for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).506 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter delivers remarks at the arrival ceremony for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington's arrival from its former homeport of Norfolk, Va., marks the beginning of its role as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and as centerpiece of the U.S. 7th Fleet's Carrier Strike Group Five. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Oki/Released)
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Held only once every 5 years, the Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance was held on Oct. 3, 2010 in Ueno, a small neighborhood at the foot of Mt. Ibuki. 506 views
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Real ninja obviously did not wear a pink costume, but in the manga/anime world, pink looks cute.505 views
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The array of ninja weapons and tools was very impressive. This Ninja House strives to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions of the ninja. A visit is highly recommended.505 views
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Everywhere you go in Iga-Ueno, you see a ninja motif.505 views
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Nijubashi Bridge straight ahead!504 views
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Musashigawa stablemaster (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) in the entrance hall504 viewsInside the entrance hallway, there was a long table on the left side with ribbons which served as name tags for distinguished guests. Musashigawa is the name of Musashimaru's sumo stable.
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Statue of Chiba-no-suke Tsuneshige built in Dec. 2001 to commemorate Chiba city's 80th anniversary. 千葉介常重504 viewsLord Chiba-no-suke Tsuneshige was the founder of Chiba Castle in 1126.
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Monument for Sarutobi Sasuke, a famous Koga ninja who was born in Koka. However, he was only fictional character. Ninjas never tried to become famous. 猿飛佐助の碑504 views
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Ceiling of Ninja House.504 views
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Practice503 views
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在原業平 東下り503 views
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The veranda is another escape route after opening trick windows from the inside. Ninja avoided direct combat and preferred to defend themselves and escape from enemies. Assassination was only a minor part of their activities.503 views
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.503 views
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Men Take Strands of Straw502 views
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Statue of castle founder and 1st lord, Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康502 views
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Defensive barriers on Mt. Sasaoyama, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp. 笹尾山 石田三成陣跡502 views
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Oiran and her attendants then performed a short but spectacular oiran show on the stage from about 2 pm. おいらんショー502 views
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Blow tube and blow darts.502 views
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502 views
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Ichinomiya Station has both the JR Tokaido Line and Meitetsu Line. Ichinomiya literally means "Shrine No. 1."502 views
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JR Miharu Station on the Ban'etsu-to Line, two stops from JR Koriyama Station on the Tohoku shinkansen line.502 views
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Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto502 views
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Panoramic shot of the Kokugikan501 viewsNotice the upper floor was quite empty, similar to Akebono's retirement ceremony.
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Shelf for beckoning cats, maneki neko. Gotokuji temple, Setagaya, Tokyo.501 views
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Swinging down a rope.501 views
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.501 views
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Mud Slinging500 views
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Lotus at Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu.500 views
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499 views
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Path to Gifu Castle tower499 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu palanquin. This is how the daimyo traveled--in a comfortable box hand-carried by men. 参勤交代 大名行列499 views
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Turning around at the end of the route.499 views
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April 8, 2006 at Ushigome-Tansu Kumin Hall in Kagurazaka, Tokyo499 viewsStarting at 4 pm, this was the third and last show of the day and all 400 seats were sold out.
The performance had two parts separated by a 20-min. intermission. Each part had several different dances.
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Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列499 views
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499 views
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Beware of Flashers!498 viewsエッチマン注意！ - Besides watching out for poisonous snakes, jellyfish, and wild monkeys as you saw in the previous images, there's one last wild animal to watch out for: the flasher. Apparently, this country neighborhood has had a flasher (a person who shows his genitals) so often that they put up this sign to warn female passers by.
The sign reads "H man chūi!" "H" is for "hentai" meaning pervert. "Man" is man, and you know what "chūi" means.
Place: Country road, northern Shiga Pref.
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497 views
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497 views
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Press conference by Keiji Suzuki497 views
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The outstretched left hand symbolizes tranquility and world peace.497 views
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Onomichi Castle (tourist facility). The castle was finally dismantled in 2020-21. A very slow process since heavy duty equipment cannot access the structure.497 viewsThis is not based on an actual castle, but built as an amusement attraction. Now closed.
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497 views
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Iga-Ueno Ninja Festa poster497 views
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The Gun turret was a part of the main gunnery system of Battleship Mutsu and was transferred to Imperial Naval Academy for use as a study aide in 1935.497 views
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496 views
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Kumamoto Castle before the earthquake. Unfortunately, it suffered major damage by the Kumamoto earthquake and remains closed. 熊本城496 views
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Steps going up to Tokugawa Ieyasu's first base camp during the Battle of Sekigahara.496 views
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The famed Bansenshukai Ninja Bible detailing ninja tools and techniques. This is a replica.496 views
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The cars were all glossy and colorful, very nice.496 views
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Another ninja museum.496 views
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Road to Himeji Castle. From Himeji Station, the main road leads to the castle which can be seen in the distance.495 views
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Geisha on a palanquin, Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka495 views
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Tres Flores. Intriguing pose. It looks like a modern postcard, but it's postmarked 1907!495 views
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The 61st Sapporo Snow Festival was held during Feb. 5-11, 2010 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Among the giant snow sculptures was Hawaii's Iolani Palace made of ice. It was the reason why I decided to see this festival again.495 views
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Musashimaru greets the crowd494 views
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Koganei Park sakura494 views
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Old Tokyo Station sign on the Yaesu side (old Daimaru Dept. Store).494 views
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