 Most viewed - Tatebayashi 館林市 |
Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.416 views
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Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple. 321 views
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Tatebayashi The Treasures Garden (renamed "Tobu Treasure Garden" in April 2015) was a fairly large garden with various flowers, especially roses and moss pink. It was open from April to Nov. from 8 am to 6 pm (till 5 pm in autumn).296 viewsSadly, Tobu Treasure Garden permanently closed on June 14, 2021 due to the pandemic. The garden was forced to close in April 2020, reopened temporarily, but closed again from June 8, 2020. The garden never reopened after that.
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...281 views
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.265 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.255 views
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Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line (connects to Hanzomon subway line in Tokyo), east side. Takes almost 90 min. from central Tokyo by regular train. Costs only about 1100 yen.221 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.220 views
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Love red and white flowers at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.207 views
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Manhole with tanuki design in Tatebayashi, Gunma.197 views
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I was going to overdose on azalea. Had never seen so much azalea in my life. Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.193 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.190 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.189 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.186 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.185 views
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Rose183 views
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Tanuki in Tatebayashi, Gunma.182 views
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.180 views
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These tall rose bushes were most outstanding.165 views
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Koinobori and azaleas in Tatebayashi, Gunma.161 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi161 views
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A few azalea bushes had passed their peak.161 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru, Gunma.159 views
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Rose155 views
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View from Fureai Bridge in Tatebayashi.155 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Dobashi Gate. 土橋門154 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. The shrine has a protective housing. Hachiman was the patron god of Tatebayashi Castle, Gunma.154 views
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Tanuki and azalea, a good match? I prefer women and flowers. Tsutsujigaoka152 views
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Statue in front of Chiaki Mukai Children's Science Museum, Tatebayashi, Gunma. The boy holds a space shuttle.151 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. Gunma.150 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru is marked by this Hachiman Shrine on a mound. Gunma.147 views
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Festivals in Tatebayashi.143 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.138 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...129 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...127 views
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Ukishima Benzaiten Shrine in Tataranuma Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma. Part of the spirit of Benzaiten at Enoshima island in Kanagawa was transferred here. 浮島弁財天123 views
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Netfishing sculpture.122 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.122 views
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The garden's official website at sibazakura.com and treasuregarden.jp no longer work. 122 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.121 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).117 views
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Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 117 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...116 views
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Map of Tsutsujigaoka, a National Scenic Site. It's a low, flat hill full of azalea bushes. There is a maze of foot paths going through the azalea. 名勝116 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.115 views
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Inside the wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 115 views
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Sights in Jonuma area, dominated by Lake Jonuma.113 views
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Even the edges are incredibly colorful. This edge had group photo stands.112 views
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Mind-blowing just to see so many azalea along the edges. But much, much more was waiting on this hill.111 views
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Tanuki raccoon dogs in front of Tatebayashi Station.109 views
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Tanuki sighting near Lake Jonuma109 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.108 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.108 views
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Lake Jonuma108 views
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A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.108 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...108 views
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Along Tsuruudagawa River were koinobori carp streamers flanked by cherry trees and azaleas.108 views
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Rest house on Tsutsujigaoka.108 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.107 views
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Wisteria107 views
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Tatebayashi Station platform107 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.106 views
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Now this is an entrance to Tsutsuji-en, a long, slim azalea garden. I walked through this on the way back.106 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a 15-20-min. walk from Tatebayashi Station.104 views
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Azaleas continue to lead the way to the park.104 views
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Way to Obiki ferry boat104 views
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Obiki ferry dock is on the left above the bridge on this map.104 views
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Boat ride was pleasant enough.104 views
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My friend in Tatebayashi tells me, "The legend of the azalea park is that the lord of Tatebayashi, Sakakibara Yasumasa, had a mistress named Otsuji.104 viewsThe wife was jealous of her and gave her such a hard time that Otsuji threw herself into Lake Jonuma and died. Since her name sounded like tsutsuji, the lord planted the garden to console her soul."
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Tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.103 views
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City mascot "Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station. "Pon" refers to the character's pot belly.103 views
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The koinobori are strung from late March to mid-May. Especially spectacular when the cherries are in bloom during late March to mid-April.103 views
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In April and May, thousands of flying carp streamers grace the Tsuruudogawa River connected to Lake Jonuma.103 views
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Obiki ferry takes only several minutes to reach Tsutsujigaoka Park. Fare was cheap, includes admission to the park. It's also possible to walk to the park.103 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a lakeside park featuring this low hill almost 200 meters long and 80 meters wide.103 views
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Poplar tree and azalea103 views
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First you see this Somon Gate (総門), built in 1468 and normally called Kuromon Gate (黒門), to enter Morinji temple, one of Tatebayashi's main tourist sights.102 views
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I visited Tatabayashi again in early May 2014 to see the azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park. 102 views
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There were these flower racks too.102 views
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Approaching Tsutsujigaoka Park102 views
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Shopping street for tourists next to Tsutsujigaoka.102 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.101 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.101 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.101 views
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Street corner with another tanuki. These tanuki are made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.101 views
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The hill also has a few azalea tunnels.101 views
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"Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.100 views
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The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.100 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.100 views
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It's a pleasant walk with azalea decorating the sidewalk.100 views
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View from Fureai Bridge. These carp were once registered in the Guiness Book of World Records as having the most koinobori (over 6,000).100 views
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Relaxing ride, only me and a mother and child.100 views
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Boat dock for Tsutsujigaoka Park. Other boats offered cruises.100 views
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Entrance to Tatebayashi City Hall is also decorated with azaleas.99 views
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Koinobori at a lakeside house.99 views
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Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.99 views
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The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.98 views
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.98 views
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The occasional white azalea give your eyes a break from all the bright colors.98 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.97 views
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Tourist information office97 views
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Map of Morinji temple. Morinji was founded by the priest Dairin Shotsu (大林正通), During a pilgrimage, Shotsu met an old priest Shukaku-osho at the foot of Ikaho in Gunma. 96 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.96 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.96 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.96 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.96 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."96 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.95 views
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...94 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.93 views
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In 1426, Shotsu took Shukaku with him to Tatebayashi and built a tiny temple. In 1468, the local Aoyagi Castle lord Akai Masamitsu (赤井正光) indebted to Shotsu, donated some of his land for the temple.92 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.92 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,92 views
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Admission during peak flower season was ¥1,500. Otherwise, it was ¥500. I went in May when the roses were in bloom. The garden was operated as part of a wedding chapel/hall. Great for wedding photos. It's near Morinji Temple.92 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...91 views
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Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂91 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.91 views
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.90 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂90 views
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Tanuki sculptures90 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.90 views
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Near Tataranuma Park is Gunma Museum of Art, Tatebayashi. Closed Mondays.90 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.89 views
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Tanuki hibachi89 views
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