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Stage entertainment held on one end of the street. 街角ステージ 第5回浅草観音うら 一葉桜まつり494 views
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Watch Out for Pickpockets!493 viewsスリに御用心 - Another human animal to watch out for. "Suri ni go-yōjin!" means watch out for pickpockets! "Suri" means pickpocket, and "go-yōjin" is like "chūi."
Place: Takayama Festival, Gifu Pref.
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Honda Motorcycles493 views
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Musashimaru's final dohyo-iri ends493 views
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Yodobashi Camera store on west side of Sapporo Station.493 views
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Poor posture and how not to pose in a kimono.493 views
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On Oct. 25-26, 2008, the first Yuru-Kyara (Mascot Character) Matsuri was held on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road in Hikone. This sign at Hikone Station points the way. Map493 views
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2nd floor492 views
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Medicine packages from Koka ninja-related medicine companies. Even today, Koka has numerous medicine manufacturers.492 views
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From the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the procession proceeds on main roads to Heian Shrine.492 views
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Installed inside the shrine's Honden main hall, the new giant penis will replace the old one.491 views
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491 views
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Modeled after Chinese temple architecture common during the Kamkura Period, the temple layout is said to resemble the human body, with the head at the top on this map. Three temple buildings were designated as National Treasures in 1997.491 views
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Even the trains have a ninja (female) paint job.491 views
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Panoramic shot of the Kintaikyo Bridge area.490 views
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490 views
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490 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) arrives at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josh Cassatt (Released)
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489 views
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Carried by men singing kiyari laborers' songs, the smaller wooden phallus also goes to enter the shrine's main hall.489 views
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Castle wall to climb on.489 views
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The Koka Ninja House also has a Shuriken Dojo. Pay 200 yen for five shuriken throwing stars (300 yen for 10) and try hitting the bull's eye.489 views
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They wore wooden geta clogs with flippers which helped them propel themselves underwater. The wooden floating ring is collapsible and quite light. Almost like balsa.489 views
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Bridge to Enoshima. Two bridges, one for vehicles and the other for pedestrians, enable access to this small and charming island.488 views
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Asashoryu joins in488 views
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488 views
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Posing with maybe with their school teacher.488 views
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Contrary to popular belief, ninja cannot walk on water. "Mizugumo" means water spider. To move across water, they used a wooden floating ring shown here, and sat in the middle.488 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. This was the last act. Somewhat tacky end to the festival.487 views
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He performs his last yokozuna dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony. He is flanked by Musoyama on the left as the sword bearer, and Miyabiyama on the right as the dew sweeper.487 views
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Ninjas under cherry blossoms.487 views
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Next is a palanquin (not mikoshi) for the Toshi-gami deity of harvests. 御歳神486 views
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The parade started at 1:10 pm and ended at 6 pm.486 views
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Magistrate Procession 奉行485 views
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Snip by actor Hiroshi Fujioka, who played Kamen Rider in the '70s.485 views
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Otsu Exhibition, Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2005 at Shiga Kaikan, Otsu, Shiga. Right across from the Shiga Prefectural Office. 滋賀会館485 viewsFor this exhibition, I created my own photographic rendition of the places and scenes mentioned in the song and also photographed all the stone monuments dedicated to the song. I used Photoshop to composite images and to alter the colors into a dreamy condition as the song suggests. I also translated the lyrics into English.
The exhibition was held at Shiga Kaikan, right across from the Shiga Prefectural Office. Shiga Kaikan has two spaces for exhibitions, and I used the smaller space called Bunka Salon Gallery.
Map: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/map.html
Address: Kyomachi 3-4-22, Otsu, Shiga Pref.
Phone: 077-525-9995
〒520-0044 大津市京町三丁目 4-22
Web site: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/
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The shrine is dedicated to Sarutahiko and Ukano-mitama. Sarutahiko is a god which serves as a pathfinder guide. Deities for land/sea transportation safety. 二見485 views
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Yamagata Castle is closest to JR Yamagata Station. This is the east side. The train station and surrounding area changed a lot since my first visit years ago.485 views
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Ninomaru Palace entrance, National Treasure. Open to the public, but photography inside is not allowed. 二之丸御殿484 views
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484 views
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Small revolving door connected to a closet. The Koka ninja's main activity was gathering information. As they traveled and sold medicines, they always talked to people and their customers. They tried to find out how many guns the enemy had, etc.484 views
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Woman on bicycle. That's a thick shawl she's wearing. Must've been winter. It's unusual to see a bicycle used as a studio prop. Riding a bicycle while wearing a kimono must have been difficult. The postmark looks like 1908. Hand-colored.484 views
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Mud Fight Round 2483 views
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483 views
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9:28 am: Finally walking toward Nijubashi Bridge. There were a lot of men in trench coats gazing at the crowd.483 views
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It is really good! Different flavors are offered during different days of the tournament. Top is shoyu (soy sauce) flavor, and bottom is salt flavor. Miso flavor is also offered.483 views
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Bullets with various gauges.483 views
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Where you can rent a ninja costume.483 views
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Exiting the building482 views
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Towel throwing481 viewsThere were women in the middle the hall also throwing towels to people sitting further back.
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Awaiting the final cut as we listen to one of his famous matches.481 views
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The parade was over after 30 min. (11:30 - 12 pm).481 views
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Looks like Suganuma, another village in Gokayama area.481 views
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Path down to Koka Ninja Village. Lots of greenery. MAP481 views
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PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 2, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler from the "Gauntlets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks" of Attack Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, launch nearly simultaneously.481 viewsPACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 2, 2008) An EA-6B Prowler from the "Gauntlets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks" of Attack Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, launch nearly simultaneously off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is sailing off the coast of Southern California where the crew is conducting training evolutions with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. George Washington departed San Diego Aug. 21, en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where the ship will replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan L. Guimont/Released)
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480 views
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Occupying a huge plot of land in the center of the city, Kanazawa Castle has undergone extensive renovations and reconstruction. The main castle buildings are now magnificently restored.480 views
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See many people wearing ninja costumes during the ninja festa.480 views
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At the same time as Niagara Falls, they lit the two giant torches. It was hard to watch both the Niagara Falls and giant torches at the same time. But Niagara soon petered out.480 views
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479 views
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Female schoolmates of the baton twirlers block the cameras of unrelated photographers when the baton twirlers passed. カメラ小僧を妨害するバトン部の先輩たち。479 viewsThis was the first time for me in Japan to see people blocking photographers from taking pictures at a festival. They did it to me as well. If they don't want to be photographed, why do they appear in this public festival??
妨害しても無駄だと思いますが。撮られるのがいやでしたら、まつりに出ない方がいいですよ。
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479 views
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Nakamura Tamao (actress), Fukuhara Ai (tennis), and Tochiazuma at Zojoji Temple setsubun479 views
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Wakayama Castle is a short bus ride from JR Wakayama Station. The East Moat (東堀) is what you see when you get off at the Koen-mae bus stop. The Ichinohashi Bridge at Otemon Gate is on the right.479 views
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Finale: "Hana Utage" (Flower Banquet) 花うたげ478 views
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478 views
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The Bulgarian (Kotooshu) on the left477 views
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Where the penis goes, the crowd follows.477 views
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476 views
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Yokozuna "tsuna" belt demo476 views
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Cherry blossoms and Chiba Castle476 views
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Tokorozawa Aviation Museum. The building on the left is an IMAX theater, and the larger structure on the right is modeled after a blimp on the inside to show retired planes and helicopters. Looks like jet turbine too. 所沢航空発祥記念館476 views
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JR Toya Station is the closest train station to Lake Toya. From this station, take a bus or taxi. There are also other buses going to Lake Toya from other places such as Sapporo and Date.476 views
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Some babies wear beautiful kimono for the occasion.475 views
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Cigarette break on Coming-of-Age Day. Yes, they can now smoke legally.475 viewsAko, Hyogo Pref.
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Giant phallus makes its way to the shrine.475 views
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Apparently it can become erect too. (Compare with previous photo.)475 views
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Final match: Keiji Suzuki vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto474 views
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Wall to climb on474 views
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Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. The train platform is still too small for the hordes of tourists that arrive.474 views
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Yamaha Motorcycles473 viewsAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
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SAN DIEGO (May 31, 2008) A fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) caused damage to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration shop.473 viewsSAN DIEGO (May 31, 2008) A fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) caused damage to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration shop. George Washington is in San Diego for damage assessment and repairs following an at sea fire on May 22. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Phillip Pavlovich (Released)
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Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.473 views
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By this time, all the men are filled with sake and gregarious.472 views
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In front of mirror. Hand-colored postcard sent as a Christmas card in 1914.472 views
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The Saio princess wears a juni-hitoe (12-layer) robe reserved only for Imperial family members. For this festival in 2009, the Saio princess is portrayed by 20-year-old Chiaki Koyama (神山千明) from Shigaraki, Koka. 472 views
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Matsuda Sakura Festival brochure.472 views
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Entrance. The entrance gate is 22 meters tall and 19 meters wide.471 views
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471 views
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Miss Shakunage (Rhododendron)471 views
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The Koka Ninja House is located 2 km from JR Konan Station on the JR Kusatsu Line. There are no buses going to the Ninja House. The house is open every day 9 am - 5 pm. Closed Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Admission is 600 yen for adults. 望月出雲守471 views
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From late April to early May, five long strings of giant carp streamers swim in the air high above the Sagami River in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. This event was started in 1988.470 views
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Tsukubusuma Shrine (National Treasure) on Chikubushima island, Nagahama, Shiga. It worships Benzaiten as well as the Dragon God and Azai-hime. 都久夫須麻神社470 views
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Hairdressing demonstration470 views
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My YouTube video featuring hula dancers in waraji straw sandals, hip-hop, belly dancers, and more during the 1st Waraji Day Dance Contest on Ekimae-dori near Fukushima Station on Aug. 8, 2009 at 12:30 pm. Also, giant waraji races.470 views
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This crow was unafraid of humans. It was right in front of me and seemed to wait for food.470 views
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469 views
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Shuriken Dojo has a few stalls. For a few hundred yen, you can throw real shuriken at wooden targets.469 views
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Gaijin girls had an easy time attracting men who happily tried to converse in English and bestow cloth strips.468 views
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Cold-water ablutions is not unusual in ascetic Buddhism, but to see it at a Shinto shrine is unusual.467 views
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Walking toward the second bridge466 views
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Breakfast at Otaya466 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu inspecting the head of his enemies at his base camp466 views
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Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dancers and Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, Shiga.466 views
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465 views
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Kiyotaki Tokugen-in temple's three-story pagoda in Maibara, Shiga.465 views
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Kaizu-Osaki is a peninsula easily accessible from Makino or Nishi-Azai Station. You can rent a bicycle at Makino Station on the Kosei Line or at Nagahara Station. Makino Station is closer so I rented a bicycle there at the tourist info office.465 views
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464 views
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Azuchi Castle replica464 views
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This is the lower level with zabuton box seats costing over 10,000 yen.464 views
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Both the Marunouchi and Yaesu sides have three main entrances/exits at the north (Kita-guchi), center (Chuo-guchi), and south (Minami-guchi) ends. Tokyo Station platform sign464 views
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A sketch shows how they were "water spiders." They were largely submerged in the water, with the wooden ring also submerged, but buoyant enough for them to float across while kicking through the water with the flipper clogs.464 views
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Swinging chain with weights on the ends. Wrap it around the opponent's neck.464 views
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The famous Dobuita Street with military shops, bars, etc. "Dobu" means sewer, and "ita" is plank. They once had wooden planks covering a sewer gutter running down the street.464 views
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The yobidashi changes once in a while. Dressed in black and sitting as one of the judges is former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, now Kokonoe oyakata.464 views
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどき463 views
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Main entrance to Spa Resort Hawaiians, a huge water park and onsen hot spring amusement facility built in 1966. I visited for the first time shortly after they reopened on Feb. 8, 2012.463 views
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Mt. Daisen, Tottori Pref.462 views
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Even Hello Kitty threw beans for Setsubun at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo462 views
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Pair of Geisha, autographed. One of my most treasured cards. This card was signed (on the chest area) by these two geisha with a fountain pen. Several other geisha also signed the back of the card. (See the next image.)462 views
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461 views
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One room's upper walls display a chronological history of the Koga ninja.461 views
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Straw sandals with metal claws for traction.461 views
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Risa リサ461 views
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Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field...461 views21 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.
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Ahhh...460 views
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460 views
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Baton holder460 views
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Typical woman and flower. Give a woman a flower and ask her to pose with it, and this is how she typically would hold it.460 views
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460 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii, Takashima. One of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land. Rent a bicycle or go by taxi from Omi-Takashima Station (Kosei Line).460 views
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Fuji TV with professional cheerleaders459 views
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It makes you wonder how they fit the temari threaded ball into the round glass bottle.459 views
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Shigaraki pottery lessons459 views
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458 views
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The kids gradually get bigger.458 views
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Every three years (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026, etc.), the full-scale version of this festival is held in mid-Aug. The festival's last day is the climax with this procession of over 50 portable shrines. Led by this banner which reads Tomioka Hachimangu.458 views
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Asakusa hangyoku (apprentice geisha in Tokyo). 半玉 千福458 views
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Red and white plum blossoms457 views
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Male hula dancer at one corner457 viewsThe original plan was for the hula dancers to perform on the ring itself. But at the last minute, Musashimaru decided that it was not appropriate so they danced outside the ring.
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Illustration of Mt. Matsuo where Lord Kobayakawa Hideaki was based.457 views
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It is not yet full bloom. A few patches of green.457 views
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Tired from walking, Narita Gion Matsuri456 views
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No Tripods and Monopods, unless...456 views三脚 一脚 - This sign says "Sankyaku, ikkyaku go-shiyō no kata wa, kyokasho (2,000 yen) ga hitsuyō desu." Since you learned the characters for "tripod" in the preceding image, you should also know the characters for monopod, called "ikkyaku," literally "one leg."
This sign is a warning and a money-making scheme. It says that you cannot use a tripod or monopod in this garden unless you pay 2,000 yen to obtain a permission slip.
Place: Heian Shrine Garden, Kyoto.
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Baby Buddha statue456 viewsLadles are provided for pouring the sweet tea over the Buddha. Sweet tea is also provided to worshippers. It symbolizes the sweet rain that fell when the Buddha was born.
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Horyuji temple Five-Story Pagoda and Kondo Hall, National Treasures 五重塔 金堂456 views
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456 views
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Straw ninja hat with a deep brim to hide their face. Dressing like a priest, merchant, etc., would arouse the least suspicion while they traveled.456 views
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Snip by singer Shigeru Matsuzaki455 viewsFamous for his classic hit, "Ai no Memory."
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The closed eyes express a prayer for all war victims.454 views
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Ainokura454 views
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Kenrokuen is one of Japan's three most famous gardens (besides Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito, Ibaraki). The garden was originally the castle garden for Kanazawa Castle. 454 viewsKatsurazaka Entrance to Kenrokuen Garden 桂坂口
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Jodogahama literally means Paradise Beach.454 viewsRikuchu-Kaigan National Park, Iwate Pref.
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Shirahige Shrine torii as seen from the cruise boat.454 views
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Drawing of Commodore Perry, Grossly distorted if not humorous rendition of Commodore Perry by a Japanese artist who apparently never knew what Perry really looked like. It was drawn at a time when the Japanese thought all foreigners were barbarians.454 views
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Take Off Your Shoes453 views土足厳禁 - It says "Dosoku genkin" or footware prohibited. "Dosoku" literally means dirty feet, and "genkin" is like "kinshi," meaning prohibited. So we have to take off our footwear before going up the stairs to see the second floor of this museum.
In most places, it will be obvious that you have to take off your shoes before entering the castle, museum, temple, etc. At the entrance hall, you will see a shelf to store shoes and indoor slippers lined up on the floor.
Place: Azuchi, Shiga Pref.
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No Smoking on Street453 views路上喫煙はやめましょう - This is "Rojō kitsuen wa yamemashō." It means please don't smoke while walking on the street.
Place: Street corner near a train station in Tokyo.
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Hanagasa Festival, Yamagata453 viewsDuring early August, northern Japan holds several large-scale summer festivals. One of them is the Hanagasa (Flower Hat) Festival in Yamagata city. Held in the evening, it is a long parade of women dancing while wearing a flowered hat.
See more photos of this festival here.
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Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.453 views騎女
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Shibuya Station, South Exit, as seen from Tokyu Plaza 渋谷駅南口453 views
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Manga cells. Ninja manga characters are famous. However, real ninja never became famous. Being famous in name or face would greatly decrease the value of that ninja.453 views
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Oda Nobunaga actually started living in Azuchi Castle's main tower or donjon. Normally, the castle lord resided in a separate palace.452 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)452 views
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Fan-shaped Neputa float.452 viewsThe painted picture on the front of the Neputa depicts mostly warriors and on the back are beautiful courtesans.
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The Nishiyama Crater Trail (Nishiyama Kako Sansakuro) is accessible by car or bus from Toyako Onsen Spa or Toya Station. Get off at the Nishiyama Kako Kitaguchi which is in front of this former fire dept. station. 旧西胆振消防組合本部452 views
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Gift shop selling medicines, tea, and ninja goods.452 views
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The thrown cushions are hastily piled up at ringside.452 views
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"Shidare" actually means "drooping."451 views
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Perfect for snorkeling, Uradome Coast, Tottori451 views
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Laughing Geisha with low neck. She's almost semi-nude. It is probably her sexiest pose of all. A great summertime card and one of my favorites. Hand-colored and postmarked Feb. 25, 1908 in Yokohama. The actual card is more yellowed.451 views
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Friends and family members welcome the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.451 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25, 2008) Friends and family members welcome the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. 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 Kari Bergman/Released)
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451 views
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Due to financial reasons, the Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Drum Dance is held only once every 5 years. I went to see it on Sept. 23, 2009. MAP451 views
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450 views
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Himeji Castle (National Treasure)450 views
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Kobuntei Villa, fusuma sliding door with painting of maple leaves450 views
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Mt. Mitake is one of Tokyo's easily accessible peaks via cable car. But it still requires a good deal of climbing up slopes and steps. You can also hike to adjacent Mt. Hinode-yama. Great daytrip getaway from Tokyo's concrete jungle.450 viewsGetting off the train at Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. I wasn't the only one who decided it was a good day to hike up Mitake. 御岳駅
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In 1604 at age 30, the Tokugawa government called him to Edo to supervise the building of Zojoji temple (where many Tokugawa shoguns are buried). He also supervised the building of the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. This same statue is at Toshogu Shrine.450 views
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Mud Paddy. Main site of the Warabi Hadaka Matsuri held every Feb. 25.449 views
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Burning old New Year's decorations, Hokoku Jinja, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.449 views
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Penetration successful. This is 3:30 pm.449 views
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Three out of five of my shuriken at least stuck on the board. But all missed the target which is quite low. Probably geared for kids.449 views
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For the 12th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival held during Aug. 3-6, 2008, Hula Halau'O Kamuela performed every night for an hour as the festival's main event (free admission). 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバルのメリーモナークショー449 views
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449 views
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Green pine and white sand of Omi-Maiko, Lake Biwa.448 views
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Panorama shot of sumo arena during a sumo tournament. There are two levels.448 views
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Cherry blossoms line the Meguro-gawa River from Naka-Meguro Station (Hibiya Line) to Ikejiri Ohashi Station (Toyoko Den'en Toshi Line).448 views
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Tourist Information Center447 views観光案内所 - "Kankō Annai-sho." A string of kanji characters any tourist in Japan should remember. "Kankō" means sightseeing, "annai" means guide, and "sho" is place. You can find sightseeing maps and pamphlets, sometimes in English.
Place: Local museum in the countryside.
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House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata). A replica of the top (best) part of Azuchi Castle is displayed inside. See this album to see what's inside. MAP447 views
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This Azuchi Castle tower replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain before it was moved here.447 views
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Musashimaru doll447 views
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Tokushima Awa Odori dancer447 views
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447 views
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Saio princess in juni-hitoe kimono.447 views
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447 views
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The Shiga Lakestars played against Takamatsu Five Arrows again on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009 at Hikone Shimin Taiiku Center gym, a 20-min. walk from Hikone Station. These photos were taken on Oct. 31, 2009.447 views
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Both ozeki watch446 views
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Chikubushima is home to Hogonji Temple first built in 724 as ordered by the Emperor to worship the Goddess Benzaiten. It belongs to the Shingon Buddhist Sect (Buzan School) and it is the 30th temple in the 33-Temple Pilgrimage of Saigoku. 宝厳寺446 views
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Shimizu Bank's relief of Kazutoyo and Chiyo446 views
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Coming-of-Age Day, Himeji446 views
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They spin around the phallus.446 views
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Even the engine is sparkling clean. Is that a gold-plated radiator hose??446 views
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Dramatic rock formations.445 viewsRikuchu-Kaigan National Park, Iwate Pref.
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Sarutahiko-no-Okami445 views
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The standard-bearer with a banner of shunga-style penis painting.445 views
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Otsu Prince Hotel, the main venue of the 11th Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention held Nov. 12-14, 2007.445 views
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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.445 views
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Sagami River Koi-nobori444 views
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Approaching the entrance near Nijubashi Bridge444 views
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Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe. They were all girls and super good!444 views大江戸助六太鼓
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Ishida Mitsunari, age 41 at the time of the battle444 views
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444 views
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Entrance to the road leading to the Cherry Dance theater (Gion Kobu Kaburenjo) in the Gion district. The sign says "Miyako Odori."444 views
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Honda Motorcycles443 viewsAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
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Lining up in line 1443 views
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Osaka Castle tower closeup443 views
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Musashimaru goes back and then comes back...443 views
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Asashoryu in the face-off443 views
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Chiba Castle443 views
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Ainokura443 views
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Mt. Sasaoyama, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp, as seen from the final battlefield. 笹尾山443 views
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Yamauchi Kazutoyo443 views
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Another sculpture in the Aviation Memorial Park.443 views
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Some balls have tassels.443 views
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Two Patriotic Maiko. To cheer up the soldiers on the front line, pretty and smiling maiko (apprentice geisha) often appeared on postcards for military mail. This card was postmarked Aug. 1940 from Shizuoka city. It was not addressed to a soldier though.443 viewsBoth women are maiko and not full-fledged geisha yet. The sleeves of a maiko's kimono reaches toward the ground as you can see here. (The sleeves of a geisha is shorter.) The kimono design is also more colorful and gaudy. Maiko also wear clogs called pokkuri. They are wedged at the front, so if you are not careful, you can trip forward. Geisha do not wear pokkuri.
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For 500 yen, you can rent a ninja costume of various colors.443 views
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The bj-league's final and championship game for the 2009-2010 season was held on May 23, 2010 at Ariake Coliseum in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Golden State Warrior Girls from California perform as special guests at the Final Four games.443 views
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442 views
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Chiba Park approach442 views
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Giant tanuki at Shigaraki Station. Wish they removed that pay phone.442 views
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Hirosaki Castle tower441 views
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441 views
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Shiga LakeStars poster for home games at Shiga Prefectural Gym in Otsu. 441 views
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Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, Kanagawa440 viewsAwa Odori dancers are characterized by their straw hats, a thin kimono called the yukata, and geta clogs. Their heels don't touch the ground, so they dance on their toes. They hop along while shaking their hands above their heads. Since the dance is performed in the summer, often the yukata gets soaked with perspiration.
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