 Most viewed - Toyooka 豊岡市 |
When you arrive JR Toyooka Station, you will soon notice that the Oriental white stork ("kounotori" in Japanese) is the symbol of the city. Even the roof looks like a soaring bird. 140 views
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Oriental White Stork manhole in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.124 views
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Directional sign at JR Toyooka Station.117 views
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Oriental White Stork manhole in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.113 views
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Oriental white stork eating a fish.112 views
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Two Oriental white storks on a nesting platform. Each nesting platform has a video camera monitoring it 24/7 especially during the egg-laying and hatching season in spring.111 viewsThe park is likely crowded during this time until the babies leave the nest in June/July.
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I didn't expect to see the storks flying around, so I was thrilled when a few of them flew overhead while I was in the park. They flew in during feeding time.110 views
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White stork landing in the paddy during feeding time.110 views
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White stork mail box at Oriental White Stork Park in Toyooka, Hyogo.106 views
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The Oriental white stork is a big, beautiful bird often mistaken as the Japanese crane. Wingspan is 2 meters.105 views
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Toyooka was where the last living Oriental white stork in Japan died in 1986. Pesticides in rice paddies (where they feed) and other environmental problems caused their demise.104 views
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Kinosaki Onsen manhole in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.102 views
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Grey herons also drop by, but they are always fighting each other.102 views
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Feeding time for the storks also attracts unwanted birds like black kites. They swoop in and steal a fish, then don't come back.101 views
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Manhole with Shinkoro Clock Tower design in Izushi, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.96 views
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Manhole with Shinkoro Clock Tower design in Izushi, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.92 views
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Vending machine with Oriental white stork design motif at JR Toyooka Station.87 views
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On Caban Street, this drink vending machine designed like a bag. Toyooka, Hyogo.82 views
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Love Toyooka's bag bus.79 views
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Onsenji Temple's Tahoto pagoda.75 views
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Ichinoyu, perhaps the most famous public bath in Kinosaki Onsen. Looks like a kabuki theater. 一の湯71 viewsToyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.
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Izushi soba is famous for having cold soba served on five small plates. Dip the noodles in the broth while adding different garnishes like grated yam, onions, and raw egg. 出石そば69 views
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Lots of soba restaurants in Izushi. This lunch cost ¥870. You can also order more plates of noodles. The history of Izushi soba goes way back to the early 18th century when the local lord brought it from Nagano (Shinano soba). 出石そば69 views
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Yanagi-yu public bath in Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyogo. "Yanagi" means willow tree. The third public bath I've seen (but didn't enter). Open 3:00 pm–11:00 pm, closed. Thu. 柳湯69 views
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Onsenji Temple. Enter the temple here. Onsenji belongs to the Koyasan Shingon Buddhist sect. It worships an 11-face Kannon statue. Founded in 738 by the priest Dochi, Onsenji Temple is regarded as Kinosaki Onsen's guardian. 温泉寺69 views本坊
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Airline with a plane donning an Oriental White Stork motif.69 views
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Onsenji Temple's Hondo main hall. National Important Cultural Property. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. temple founder and priest Dochi (道智上人) is also the founder of Kinosaki Onsen hot spring. 67 views
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Gosho-no-yu public bath in Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyogo. Looks palatial. (御所の湯).65 views
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Shinkoro Clock Tower in Izushi, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest clock towers along with the Sapporo Clock Tower also built in 1881. 辰鼓楼64 views
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Bus stop shelter near Kou-no-Yu in Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyogo.64 views
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Spider web.63 views
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Eirakukan's rotating kabuki stage.62 views
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The bus going to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Park is designed like a bag to promote Toyooka as a bag-producing city.62 views
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As of Oct. 2018, Japan has over 140 Oriental white storks in the wild. They are also successfully breeding in Tokushima, Shimane, and Kyoto Prefectures. 62 viewsIt's still an endangered species, with only slightly over 2,000 of them in the Far East.
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You can also go underneath the stage and see the revolving stage. It's rotated by hand. Wow neat, how often can you see something like this?61 views
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Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork has a few buildings amid large rice paddies and mountains.60 views
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The building in the middle is the University of Hyogo Graduate School of Regional Resource Management.60 views
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Around 9:30 am to 10 am, they feed the storks. This is the best time to visit the park. And the best chances of seeing storks flying around.60 views
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The Oriental white stork has black and white wings and a black bill.60 views
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The storks are carnivores, feeding on fish, frogs, snakes, rabbits, mice, etc. 60 views
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Storks swallow the fish whole.60 views
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Screening room.60 views
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Confection shaped like stork eggs.60 views
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Huge rice paddy within Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork.59 views
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Toyooka Oriental White Stork Culture Center's open cage for Oriental white storks. There are about nine storks in the open cage. Their wings have been clipped to they cannot fly. 59 views
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About the Oriental white stork open cage.59 views
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Crows also drop by.59 views
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Landing on a nesting platform.59 views
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Exhibits.59 views
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Park's website: http://www.stork.u-hyogo.ac.jp/en/59 views
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Gift shops in this building next to the parking lot.59 views
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Caban Street's most prominent bag shop is this one called Artisan Avenue. The front has a woven basket motif. Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture.58 views
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Rice paddy has a high nesting platform. The nest still intact.58 views
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Kounotori can also mean "bird bringing happiness." Sculpture related to the bird of happiness. Makes people happy especially when the stork delivers your baby.58 views
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On the left is the Toyooka Kounotori Bunkakan or Oriental White Stork Culture Center.58 views
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Toyooka Oriental White Stork Culture Center's open cage for Oriental white storks. It includes paddies used for feeding. The cage is "open" because it only hasa fence and no roof.58 views
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So if you go to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, you can see real Oriental white storks.58 views
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Once found all over Japan, the Oriental white stork ("kounotori" in Japanese) became extinct in the wild in Japan in 1971 despite preservation efforts since 1955.58 views
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The hanafuda card with the "crane" is actually an Oriental white stork. It actually looks like a cross between the two birds...58 views
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Nesting platform.58 views
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Eirakukan (永楽館), the Kansai Region's oldest kabuki theater built in 1901. Toward the left was the theater's front entrance that is not used anymore because of the road right in front. They now use a side entrance.57 views
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Eirakukan Theater in Izushi, Toyooka, Hyogo.57 views
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From JR Toyooka Station, there are buses that go to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Park. However, they run only once or twice an hour. Bus schedule under the purple column.57 views
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They are throwing small dead fish into the paddies. 57 views
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They make a loud clacking noise with their bills.57 views
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Back inside the Oriental White Stork Culture Center. On the left is the European white stork with a red bill, on the right is the Oriental white stork with a black bill. Very similar.57 views
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Part of the park is a large biotope used as a stork sanctuary and research facility. Only part of it is open to the public.57 views
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About the biotope.57 views
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Toyooka's bag bus.56 views
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Shinkoro Clock Tower was orignally used to beat taiko drums from 7 am to 9 am to notify people that the castle lord arrived at the castle. A mechanical clock from the Netherlands was later donated by a local doctor to make it a clock tower in 1881. 辰鼓56 views
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Oriental white stork decoration at JR Toyooka Station. To see real, living Oriental white storks, you have to visit the Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Park.56 views
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In 1985, six wild Oriental white stork chicks from the USSR (Khabarovsk) were acquired to be raised in Toyooka. From 1989, the birds from Russia started to breed successfully in captivity in Toyooka every year. 56 views
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Even insects.56 views
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Large biotope used as a stork sanctuary and research facility.56 views
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Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture is a major producer of bags. Thier local bus even has a bag design.55 views
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Gate to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork. Open: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, closed Mondays (open if a national holiday and closed the next day instead), December 28th–January 4th.55 views
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Basic map of Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork. Only one building on the left is open to the public.55 views
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On the right is the park's administrative building.55 views
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Inside the Oriental White Stork Culture Center. Walk through this building to the other side of the building to see the open cage.55 views
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From 2005, the park started releasing Oriental white storks into the wild in Toyooka, which was a great celebration. The birds then started to breed and reproduce in the wild.55 viewsThey've been releasing only a few birds (fewer than 5) almost every year.
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Oriental white stork nests are large, about 2 meters diameter, made of tree branches and straw.54 views
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Aquariums with fish.52 views
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Dressing room.50 views
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Entrance hall of Jizo-yu. Entrance for the men's bath on the left, and women on the right. Jizo-yu also has private baths. 地蔵湯49 viewsAll the public baths are segregated for men and women. A few of the public baths also have private baths that families or couples can rent.
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Gift shop and plaza next to the Kinosaki Onsen's hot spring source. 温泉たまご場49 views
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Advertising posters on the walls.48 views
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Izushi's symbol is the Shinkoro Clock Tower. This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区). 辰鼓楼48 views
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Free foot bath at Sato-no-Yu Onsen さとの湯. Great to relax your feet before getting on the train.48 views
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Also a good snack is the Tajima beef bun.48 views
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Kou-no-Yu is open 7:00 am–11:00 pm, closed on Tue. Oriental white stork statues next to Kou-no-Yu.48 views
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Warning sign for drivers for small children. (It means to go slow.)48 views
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Shinkoro Clock Tower in Izushi, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest clock towers along with the Sapporo Clock Tower also built in 1881. 辰鼓楼47 views
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Views of Izushi.47 views
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At the bottom station of the ropeway is a small museum dedicated to Otagaki Shiro (1894–1964) who proposed the Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway that opened in May 1963. He was a native of Kinosaki and the first president of Kansai Electric Power Company.47 views太田垣士郎翁資料館
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Japanese pine tree.46 views
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Samurai residence.46 views
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Next to the station is this collection of donated geta wooden clogs from local inns.46 views
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Dressing and locker room for men at Jizo-yu.46 views
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Main drag outside Ichinoyu.46 views
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Hiking path to Onsenji Temple, but taking the ropeway is easier and faster.46 views
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After 11 min., the eggs were perfectly soft boiled. A niftly tool cut away the top portion of the egg shell. Sprinkle some salt and yummy!46 views
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Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway station.46 views
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Locker and dressing room for men. 鴻の湯46 views
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Tojobashi Bridge to Izushi Castle's Tojomon Gate. 出石城 登城門・登城橋45 views
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Next to JR Kinosaki Onsen Station is one of the seven celebrated public baths. This one is named Sato-no-Yu Onsen. Chinese-style building that includes a cold bath. Open 1:00 pm–9:00 pm, closed Mon. さとの湯45 views
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Guests who stay at a ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen can visit all seven public baths for free. But daytrippers like me have to pay admission for each one, costing ¥600 or ¥700. 45 viewsHowever, they have a public bath day pass for only ¥1,200 (外湯めぐり券). Use it to enter all seven. Great deal! Definitely one of the best bargains in Japan!
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Willow trees along the river at Kinosaki Onsen hot spring. 45 views
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Otani River has four stone bridges and each one has a name.45 views
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Foot bath next to Ichinoyu public bath. 海内第一泉45 views
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View of Kinosaki Onsen from the lookout deck.45 views
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Onsenji Temple's Hondo main hall.45 views
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Onsenji Temple's bell dates back to the early Edo Period.45 views
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About Kou-no-Yu. 鴻の湯45 views
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Walk until you reach Caban Street. "Caban" or "kaban" means "bag." Not shopping bag, but ladies' bags, briefcases, etc.カバンストリート44 views
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Rotating kabuki stage.44 views
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Stage curtains.44 views
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Backstage has the dressing rooms for actors. Normally hidden by a curtain.44 views
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Dressing room.44 views
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About the Shinkoro Clock Tower. 辰鼓楼44 views
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There are over 30 torii gates to the shrine.44 views
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Ariko-yama Inari Jinja Shrine atop Izushi Castle's main foundation. 有子山稲荷神社 44 views
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Views of Izushi from Izushi Castle.44 views
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Going back down through the torii gates.44 views
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On Nov. 3, Izushi holds the Oshiro Matsuri to reenact the daimyo procession.44 views
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Izushi Town Hall44 views
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About the Samurai residence.44 views
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These five plates are not much for the average stomach. It was a good snack. 出石そば44 views
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In front of JR Kinosaki Onsen Station.44 views
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Drinkabke hot spring water in front of JR Kinosaki Onsen Station.44 views
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Willow trees along the river at Kinosaki Onsen spa.44 views
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People are encouraged to stroll around Kinosaki Onsen while wearing yukata. You can see more of them in the evening.44 views
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Kinosaki Onsen's roadside shrines for Kishimojin goddess and Life-prolonging Jizo for the protection of children. 鬼子母善神44 views
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Foot bath next to Ichinoyu public bath. 海内第一泉44 views
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Rest area inside Gosho-no-yu (御所の湯).44 views
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About the Benzaiten shrine.44 views
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Near Mandarayu is Gokurakuji Temple, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple. It worships Amida Nyorai. 本堂44 views
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Way to Onsenji Temple.44 views
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The small shack on the right is a foot bath. In the background is the ropeway station to Onsenji Temple. 44 views
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Aboit Tajima beef and Kobe beef.44 views
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Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway goes up to Mt. Daishi.44 views
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Golden Jibodai Kannon built in Oct. 2007. 慈母観音像44 views
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You have to take off your shoes.43 views
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Side seats.43 views
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Booth for instrument players.43 views
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Inside a booth for instrument players.43 views
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Other stairway.43 views
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Way to Izushi Castle and Shinkoro Clock Tower.43 views
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Izushi Castle in Toyooka was built in the early 17th century. No original structures remain except for the stone walls and foundations. Reconstructed turrets and a small shrine are on the castle grounds. 出石城43 views
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Entrance to the path of torii gates to Ariko-yama Inari Jinja Shrine atop Izushi Castle's main foundation. 有子山稲荷神社43 views
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Inside JR Kinosaki Onsen Station.43 views
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Ichinoyu public bath. Went in this one. 一の湯43 views
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View from the cavern bath.43 views
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Jizo and Kannon statues along a rock wall.43 views
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Hot spring foot bath in Kinosaki Onsen.43 views
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Sights near Onsenji Temple.43 views
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Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway takes only 7 min. to the mountain summit. The ropeway runs three times an hour most of the day from 9:10 am to 5:10 pm.43 views
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Lookout deck on the roof of the ropeway station.43 views
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Ring of wisdom. Throw clay dishes to the target. かわらけ投げ43 views
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Onsenji Temple's Oku-no-In temple reconstructed in 2010. 奥の院43 views
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Not much to see on the summit except for the lookout deck. So we go back down to Onsenji midway. 山頂駅 (大師山山頂駅)43 views
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They charge a small admission for a guided tour to see the Kannon statue in the Hondo main hall's altar.43 views
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Onsenji Temple's prayer tablet with Kannon on it.43 views
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Onsenji Temple's Tahoto pagoda. 多宝塔43 views
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Onsenji Temple's Tahoto pagoda.43 views
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Onsenji Temple and the ropeway station.43 views
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The seventh public bath I saw. I entered this one called Kou-no-Yu named after the Oriental white stork. Kinosaki Onsen's oldest hot spring where an Oriental white stork was bathing in the hot spring to heal wounds. That's how the onsen started.43 views
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Otani River and willow trees.43 views
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There are many bag companies here, most are high-end bags costing tens of thousands of yen. Some of them supply materials to world-famous bag makers.42 views
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Inside Eirakukan. You can freely tour inside the theater. Very impressive and rare glimpse of a Meiji Period theater. 42 viewsThat's the hanamichi on the left. You can walk on it too.
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Very retro.42 views
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Go downstairs to the basement too.42 views
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Shinkoro Clock Tower was first built in 1871 without any clock. 辰鼓楼42 views
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Reconstructed West Corner Turret is not open to the public. 西隅櫓42 views
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Izushi Castle's Honmaru has a large stone foundation for the main tower,42 views
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Ferns and trees make the place solemn.42 views
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Ariko-yama Inari Jinja Shrine atop Izushi Castle's main foundation. 有子山稲荷神社 42 views
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Ariko-yama Inari Jinja Shrine atop Izushi Castle's main foundation. 有子山稲荷神社 42 views
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Gift shop in Izushi.42 views
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JR Kinosaki Onsen Station on the JR San'in Line.42 views
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Sato-no-Yu Onsen さとの湯42 views
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Walking further along the main drag, some pictureque buildings. Kinosaki Onsen is a compact hot spring town, most things are within walking distance.42 views
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The main drag of Kinosaki Onsen goes along the Otani River (Otanigawa) lined with pretty willow trees. 大谿川42 views
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Jizo statue at Jizo-yu public bath.42 views
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About Jizo-yu. 地蔵湯42 views
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Willow trees along the river at Kinosaki Onsen hot spring. 柳の木42 views
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The hot spring water came from the bottom of a willow tree for this public bath. Wooden interior.42 views
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About Yanagi-yu public bath. 柳湯42 views
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Walking further along the mian drag.42 views
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On a side street, the Mandala-yu (Mandara-yu) public bath. Open 3:00 pm–11:00 pm, closed Wed. Has close connection with the priest Dochi (道智上人) considered to be the founder of Kinosaki Onsen in the 8th century.42 views
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Gokurakuji Temple's Sanmon Gate. 山門42 views
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Kinosaki Onsen's hot spring source. 源泉42 views
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Welcome to Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway.42 views
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Midway is the Onsenji Station.42 views
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Crab monument. For all the crabs that are caught and eaten every year in northern Hyogo. かに塚42 views
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Small Jizo statues.42 views
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Onsenji Temple's Tahoto pagoda dates back to 1768. It houses a Buddha statue. 金剛界大日如来42 views
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Kou-no-Yu's outdoor bath in a garden-like setting. 鴻の湯42 views
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Toyooka City Hall41 views
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Toyobra bag shop on Caban Street.41 views
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Izushi also has Eirakukan (永楽館), the Kansai Region's oldest kabuki theater built in 1901. It closed in 1964 due to the spread of television and other diversions.41 viewsYears later, the theater was renovated and reopened in 2008. The theater puts on performances occasionally.
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Theater entrance on the side. The theater is a short walk from the Izushi bus stop and Izushi Castle.41 views
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Theater lobby.41 views
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View from the stage.41 views
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Bathtub for actors.41 views
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They turn the rotating stage by hand.41 views
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Basement passage to the other end of the theater.41 views
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East Corner Turret.41 views
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Even the convenience stores were designed to blend in with the local townscape. 41 views
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The traditional building is Yanagi-yu. 柳湯41 views
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It says "Kinosaki Onsen well matches people in yukata."41 views
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Inside Ichinoyu public bath. Men's bath entrance on the left. 一の湯41 views
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