 Most viewed - Chiyoda-ku 千代田区 |
Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Entrance dome in Oct. 2012.135 views
|
|
Entrance to sumo arena134 views
|
|
134 views
|
|
134 views
|
|
134 views
|
|
134 views
|
|
Sakashita-mon Gate 坂下門134 views
|
|
Prefectural trees from all prefectures 都道府県の木134 views
|
|
Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Entrance dome in 2007.134 views
|
|
133 views
|
|
Throne used by the Emperor in the National Diet during the Meiji Period. 御椅子133 views
|
|
桔梗門133 views
|
|
Ninomaru Garden 二の丸庭園133 views
|
|
Tokyo Station's Marunouchi North entrance in Oct. 2012. Lot of people were there gazing and taking pictures of the restored building.133 views
|
|
132 views
|
|
Garden 神池庭園132 views
|
|
Side view of castle tower foundation.132 views
|
|
131 views
|
|
131 views
|
|
131 views
|
|
Hie Jinja Shrine131 views
|
|
This looks more like something you would find in a tropical ocean.131 views
|
|
Signboard for nobles130 views
|
|
Guarded entrance to National Diet130 views
|
|
130 views
|
|
Miyazaki Prefecture's official tree 都道府県の木（宮崎県の木）130 views
|
|
Shinmon Gate 神門130 views
|
|
Tanabata streamers festoon the gate.129 views
|
|
Inari Sando torii gates 稲荷参道129 views
|
|
129 views
|
|
128 views
|
|
参集殿128 views
|
|
128 views
|
|
127 views
|
|
After the mikoshi, the Nebuta float and haneto dancers make an appearance.127 views
|
|
Moat near Sakashita-mon Gate127 views
|
|
126 views
|
|
126 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
Rest house125 views
|
|
Food stall125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
Shinmon Gate 神門125 views
|
|
125 views
|
|
124 views
|
|
House of Councillors Visitors' Lobby. Various exhibits are here. 参観ロビー124 views
|
|
Tokyo Station unveiled its fully-restored Marunouchi building on Oct. 1, 2012 after taking several years. To appreciate the extent of this splendid restoration, I've included photos of what it looked like before.124 views
|
|
Spotlights hit the torii.123 views
|
|
Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance dome has paint peeling off. A net catches the paint.123 views
|
|
On Aug. 15 at Yasukuni Shrine, you can see former soldiers and nationalists dressed in military uniform marching in the shrine.123 views
|
|
123 views
|
|
Houkago Princess123 views
|
|
123 views
|
|
Nippon Budokan is Japan's most famous and prestigious martial arts hall in the grounds of the Imperial Palace. It was built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.123 viewsThe Budokan was where the Beatles played in 1966, the first band to play there. The acoustics are not that good for concerts though. Playing at the Budokan is a hallmark of a bonafide rock star in Japan.
|
|
122 views
|
|
120 views
|
|
Inari Sando torii gates 稲荷参道120 views
|
|
Sanno torii gate leading to the Omotesando path to the shrine. 山王鳥居120 views
|
|
At night, 30,000 lanterns light up. A real summer spectacle.116 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
Rassera-rassera!115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
At 6:30 pm, a mikoshi portable shrine was paraded along the promenade.114 views
|
|
The National Diet building (Kokkai Gijido in Japanese) was built in Nov. 1936 after 17 years of construction. 国会議事堂114 views
|
|
On Aug. 15 at Yasukuni Shrine, you can see former soldiers and nationalists dressed in military uniform marching in the shrine.114 views
|
|
Shinmon Gate 神門113 views
|
|
112 views
|
|
111 views
|
|
|
109 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
109 views
|
|
One of the giant spotlights used to accent the mikoshi, torii, and night sky.108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
Awa Odori dancers also performed.108 views
|
|
The Central Tower is 9 stories high. Below it is the Central Entrance whose bronze doors are opened only for the Emperor of Japan, State Guests, and new Diet members on the first day of a Diet session.108 views
|
|
108 views
|
|
There was also singer providing music in the background.107 views
|
|
The Jinko-sai Procession passes in front of the Imperial Palace.106 views
|
|
106 views
|
|
Shishimai Lion heads105 views
|
|
104 views
|
|
There were two horse-drawn carriages and I correctly assumed she was riding in the first one. No one waved Japanese and American flags though.104 views
|
|
遊助103 views
|
|
One of the three portable shrines.102 views
|
|
Inside Hie Jinja Shrine's Shaden Worship Hall. 社殿102 views
|
|
So I stuck around for about 15 min. and sure enough, at around 4 pm, her horse-drawn carriage appeared after she had shown her credentials to the emperor. I whipped out my camcorder and still camera and started shooting.102 views
|
|
Ballot box and ballot slips. 投票箱・木札101 views
|
|
For a procession this large and grand, the crowd of spectators was extremely sparse. Good for photographers like me, but it was strange.101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
101 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Portable shrines100 views
|
|
Storehouse for Sanno Festival floats100 views
|
|
They march up to the end of the line of worshippers lined up to pray at the shrine. Then they turn around and head back.100 views
|
|
I shall miss the old Daimaru Dept. Store.100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Rear of Nijubashi Bridge.100 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
Inside Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Entrance in Oct. 2012. Hordes of people gawking and taking photos. 東京駅丸の内南口99 views
|
|
Hanzo Moat99 views
|
|
Fortunately, she was sitting on the right side of the carriage facing my side of the street. You can see her in this photo. Wish she waved to us. As soon as she passed, the crowd dissipated.99 viewsWe haven’t had such a star ambassador to Japan in a long time, not perhaps since Edwin Reischauer in 1960s or the beloved Mike Mansfield in the 1980s. Welcome to Japan, Sweet Caroline!
|
|
98 views
|
|
98 views
|
|
Kentosai Sacred Dance98 views
|
|
Remains of Ushigomi Mitsuke Gate along Sotobori Moat near Iidabashi Station.98 views
|
|
Police were on guard for crowd control. Although we could enter the palace until 3 pm, the crowds proved to be too much so they stopped entry by 1:30 pm.98 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
On Aug. 15 at Yasukuni Shrine, you can see former soldiers and nationalists dressed in military uniform marching in the shrine.97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
In fall 2008, they started to build scaffolding around the old Daimaru Dept Store building on the Yaesu side. By this time, the building was empty.97 views
|
|
By Sept. 2009, over half of the old Daimaru building was well removed.97 views
|
|
Mexican monument97 views
|
|
Sakurada Moat97 views
|
|
Second Nijubashi Bridge.97 views
|
|
After the Nebuta made its way in front of the shrine, a short prayer was held.96 views
|
|
96 views
|
|
By March 2009, the old Daimaru building was being demolished while totally hidden from view. We could still walk below the structure to enter the station.96 views
|
|
Hanzo Moat, near Hanzomon Gate.96 views
|
|
96 views
|
|
The shrine95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
Nice to see a bit of Aomori in Tokyo.95 views
|
|
Omiko Shrine maidens95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
Hanzo Moat with Hanzomon Gate in the distance.95 views
|
|
Weeping cherry blossoms near Otemon gate.95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
For the first time, they allowed the public to enter the Imperial Palace to view cherry blossoms along a short path called Inui-dori during April 4-8, 2014.95 views
|
|
Insane crowds at Imperial Palace on April 4, 2014.95 views
|
|
They plan to open Inui-dori to the public again in autumn for the fall leaves.95 views
|
|
During this break period, the shrine priest and other representatives enter the Imperial Palace to pray for the peace, happiness, and prosperity of the Imperial family. Hie Shrine is the only shrine in Japan bestowed with this privilege.94 views
|
|
94 views
|
|
Near Hie Shrine is (or was) Capital Tokyu Hotel where the Beatles stayed in 1966.94 views
|
|
On July 13, 2009, I went to see the floating lantern festival held on the Chidorigafuchi moat.94 views
|
|
Remains of Ushigomi Mitsuke Gate along Sotobori Moat near Iidabashi Station.94 views
|
|
94 views
|
|
On Nov. 19, 2013, I took a friend around Tokyo and when we headed for the Imperial Palace, we saw this large crowd on the streets. Most were middle-aged and older people. The palace was closed off to tourists as well. 94 viewsCouldn’t see the famous Nijubashi Bridge.
|
|
I asked a bystander what was going on. She said they were waiting for “Caroline.” No mention of the last name. “Caroline” in Japan automatically means “Kennedy.”94 viewsAlthough I always think of Neil Diamond’s song which coincidentally is about the Caroline they were waiting to see.
|
|
94 views
|
|
It was worse during the weekend.94 views
|
|
Lanterns93 views
|
|
The National Diet is Japan's political and legislative center. The capital of Japan. Free 60-min. tours (in Japanese only) are conducted every hour every day when the Diet is not in session.93 viewsYou can see the House of Councillors (Sangiin), the central tower, and the Emperor's Room.
|
|
93 views
|
|
93 views
|
|
93 views
|
|
Worshippers at Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15.93 views
|
|
I was told that most breeders are older folk, in their 60s and 70s. Young people are not taking it up.93 views
|
|
93 views
|
|
Hanzomon Gate, Imperial Palace, Tokyo93 views
|
|
Sakurada Moat93 views
|
|
View of Marunouchi office buildings from Imperial Palace.93 views
|
|
What happened was, tens of thousands of people showed up. On the first day April 4, 2014, over 55,000 people came to see the Inui-dori sakura.93 views
|
|
On this fine day on March 31, 2016, 66,950 people visited Inui-dori. During March 25–April 3, 2016, a total of 508,010 visited Inui-dori.93 views
|
|
Nebuta close-up92 views
|
|
Stage entertainment is also provided during the festival.92 views
|
|
Shrine maidens dance in front of the three portable shrines near Sakashita-mon Gate.92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
Hanzo Moat, near Hanzomon Gate.92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
Hanzomon Gate92 views
|
|
Marker for an old high school.92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
92 views
|
|
A total of 360,000 people visited Inui-dori during the period it was open to the public.92 views
|
|
The exit at Inui Gate92 views
|
|
Sample of various stones used in the building. As much as possible, domestic materials were used in the construction.91 views
|
|
Some entertainment.91 views
|
|
Quite a spectacle.91 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
In Japanese, the festival is called Chiyoda-ku Noryo no Yuube. 千代田区納涼の夕べ91 views
|
|
Maihime cherry blossoms 舞姫91 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
Judo91 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
Rest stop near Sakashita-mon Gate at the Imperial Palace.90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms in front of British Embassy near Hanzomon.90 views
|
|
Hanzomon Gate is guarded. This is the closest gate to the Emperor's residence. This is where they normally enter and leave the palace.90 views
|
|
People waited 2-3 hours to get in and underwent body searches. I arrived at 2 pm and it was too late to get in.90 views
|
|
Inui-dori is a somewhat narrow paved path along a moat. It has small cherry trees and autumn foliage.90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
Next to the museum was a display of different lanterns, including a Neputa (left) and Nebuta (right).89 views
|
|
The Nebuta then went back to the promenade.89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
People on rowboats in the moat await darkness.89 views
|
|
Finally, it got dark enough to start releasing the candlelit floating lanterns into the moat.89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
Weeping cherry tree, too early.89 views
|
|
89 views
|
|
The lanterns are written with the names of the donors.88 views
|
|
The original procession included many high floats. However, due to overhead power lines and overpasses, such floats cannot be included.88 views
|
|
Rising Sun flag88 views
|
|
Worshippers at Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15.88 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Hanzomon Gate88 views
|
|
Hanzomon Gate88 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms along Hanzo Moat.88 views
|
|
Long house88 views
|
|
Inui Gate from the outside.88 views
|
|
87 views
|
|
Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance in Oct. 2012.87 views
|
|
They started another line of people.87 views
|
|
Sakashita Gate on the other side.87 views
|
|
Imperial Palace Chowaden, where formal banquets are held and where the Imperial family appears in public for New Year's and Emperor's Birthday.87 views
|
|
Dokan moat87 views
|
|
Karate87 views
|
|
In early Jan., it holds the Kagami-biraki (rice cake cutting ceremony) and Budo-hajime (martial arts demonstrations) New Year's event.87 viewsThis is a kadomatsu New Year's decoration next to the Budokan entrance.
|
|
86 views
|
|
Side view of the House of Councillors (Sangi-in).86 views
|
|
Inside the Central Tower. Stained glass and murals depicting the four seasons.86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Map of Jinko-sai Route.86 views
|
|
From Kudanshita Station to the first torii, the path is jammed with political activists not even related to the war or shrine.86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Police vans during cherry blossom season when they opened Inui-dori to the public in late March to April 3, 2016. 皇居乾通り一般公開86 views
|
|
Long line to enter Inui-dori, a 600-meter path lined with cherry trees along a palace moat. 皇居乾通り一般公開86 views
|
|
After waiting for about 15 min. in the heat, just when I seriously thought about giving up and going home, the line moved forward to the checkpoint where they checked our bags and gave us a body check. It was quick and easy.86 views
|
|
|
86 views
|
|
Lots of people, but very civil. No pushing or shoving. No time limit either. I took my time, taking pictures.86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Inui-dori is overrated. But because it's the Imperial Palace and the path is not normally open to the public, it has the image of exclusivity so lots of people want to see it.86 views
|
|
They will do major gardening work from this year, so Inui-dori will not be open this fall and next spring. Have to wait until fall 2017 to see this again.86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
Aikido86 views
|
|
Aikido86 views
|
|
86 views
|
|
The bigger lanterns have artwork. Some of them were done by celebrities.85 views
|
|
85 views
|
|
Neputa is from Hirosaki, Aomori Pref.85 views
|
|
85 views
|
|
On the next day on June 12, 2004, was Miya-iri or portable shrines entering Hie Shrine. Led by this cart of festival musicians. 山王まつり宮入り85 views
|
|
On Aug. 15, the anniversary of Japan's surrender and the end of World War II, Yasukuni Shrine is a busy with worshippers and police. These are police buses.85 views
|
|
85 views
|
|
| 1556 files on 7 page(s) |
 |
3 | |
|
|
|
