 Most viewed - TOCHIGI 栃木県 |
Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列503 views
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Posing with maybe with their school teacher.489 views
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The warriors are the procession's main attraction.422 viewsWaiting near Futarasan Shrine's torii.
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Also called "Sennin Gyoretsu" (1,000-person Procession 千人行列), this is Nikko's largest festival held on May 17-18. The highlight is a long procession of over 1,000 people dressed in various costumes.415 viewsThe three portable shrines are dedicated to the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo. Photos start with May 17 at Toshogu Shrine, when priests gathered for a ceremony. 発興祭
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Ashikaga Flower Park is home to one of Japan's largest wisteria trellis and numerous wisteria trees/vines. Besides purple wisteria, it also boasts white and yellow wisteria. Entrance to the park..395 views
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Chigo children wearing an elaborate crown with the signs of the eto Oriental Zodiac. Nikko392 viewsNikko Grand Spring Festival in May.
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Warriors on Omotesando347 views
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Face of a samurai.344 views
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Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, Nikko 神橋341 views
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At Ashikaga-shi Station, long line for the shuttle bus to Ashikaga Flower Park. This problem has been resolved with the new JR Ashikaga Flower Park Station.331 views
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Warriors leaving the Otabisho.324 views
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure, Nikko 陽明門322 views
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Giant Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi. The trellis is huge and the wisteria strands are long. Super awesome.321 views
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Dance maidens309 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum309 views
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Until April 2018, shuttle buses went from Ashikaga-shi Station to Ashikaga Flower Park. Bus fare was ¥300 one way, taking about 15 min. The bus leaves once an hour, but more often if there's a large crowd.0304 views
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303 views
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Warriors walk back up the slope in front of the Otabisho.300 views
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Shrine priest296 views
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Ashikaga-shi Station on the Tobu Isezaki Line. It takes about 2 hours from central Tokyo. Connected to the Hanzomon Line. From April 2018, the JR Ashikaga Flower Park Station opened in front of the park.296 views
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Tobu Line train to Nikko. It takes about 2 hours from Asakusa, Tokyo.281 views
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Map of Ashikaga Flower Park. It's large, but compact enough to walk around and see everything. They also light up the flowers at night until 9 pm.280 views
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272 views
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Coming down from Yomeimon Gate (National Treasure). 陽明門252 viewsThe gate is a National Treasure and symbol of Nikko.
陽明門
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Shrine priests standing250 views
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Tunnel of White Wisteria is one of a kind in the world at Ashikaga Flower Park.248 views
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Chigo children 稚児, Nikko244 views
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Priests on a rainy day.239 views
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Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi.235 views
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Near departure time at Otabisho234 views
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社232 views二荒山神社
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Shrine priest232 views
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219 views
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫217 views
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Yellow wisteria at Ashikagae Flower Park.216 views
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Hear, speak, and see no evil214 viewsWood carving on the horse stable
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum214 views
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Tunnel of White Wisteria goes for 76.5 meters.214 views
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Usubeni Bridge (Light Pink Bridge) with a canopy of light pink wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga, Tochigi. うす紅橋212 views
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Warriors and Five-story Pagoda211 views
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209 views
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Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival, Ashikaga, Tochigi.208 views
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Five-story pagoda 五重塔205 views
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205 views
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White Wisteria Waterfall. 白藤の滝202 views
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White Wisteria Waterfall. 白藤の滝201 views
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201 views
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Oriental zodiac (hare) carving on five-story pagoda199 views
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199 views
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Utsunomiya Castle, Tochigi Pref.199 views
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure 陽明門198 views
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Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival, Ashikaga, Tochigi.198 views
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The bean-throwing was disappointing at Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival in Ashikaga, Tochigi. Few beans and they hardly reached anybody.198 views
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198 views
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Dragon on ceiling that squeaks when you clap.195 views
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White Wisteria Waterfall. 白藤の滝195 views
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Shrine maidens 巫女194 views
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192 views
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White Wisteria Waterfall. 白藤の滝192 views
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192 views
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Horse stable191 views
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Sleeping cat189 views
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1:30 pm: The end (path to Futarasan Shrine). A similar festival is held in Oct., but on a smaller scale and with only one mikoshi.188 viewsAfter the festival ends, there's enough time to see the shrine.
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188 views
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Gyoza restaurants in Utsunomiya Station. The city's gyoza connection started in 1940 when soldiers in the Imperial Japanese Army's 14th Division assigned to a garrison in Manchuria returned to Utsunomiya and brought back gyoza recipes.188 views
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫185 views
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In front of the portable shrine storehouse for the three mikoshi. A ceremony is held to transfer the spirits from the main shrine to the portable shrines. 神輿舎にて宵成渡御184 viewsThis building is right next to the famous Yomei-mon Gate at the Toshogu Shrine.
神輿舎にて宵成渡御
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Oriental zodiac (tiger) carving on five-story pagoda183 views
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Ichino-torii182 views
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Yomeimon Gate181 views
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At Ashikaga-shi Station on the Tobu Isezaki Line, there is the Ashikaga Tourist Information Office inside the train station, but it was closed. On the very day when tourists would arrive to see the warrior procession.181 views
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Flower Stage181 views
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Oriental zodiac (dragon) carving on five-story pagoda180 views
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Yoroi Toshikoshi Shuko festival, Ashikaga, Tochigi.180 views
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A semi-ring of chairs in front of the Flower Stage. The ceiling has light pink wisteria. うす紅の棚180 views
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Soldiers in the 14th Division came from Utsunomiya. Sadly in 1944, the division was assigned to Palau and Anguar in the South Pacific where most of them died in bloody battles. What would a trip to Utsunomiya be without eating gyoza?179 views
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Karamon close-up176 views
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Niomon175 views
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Karamon174 views
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Utsunomiya Castle, Tochigi. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to explore this castle more.173 views
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Horse stable172 views
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172 views
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Rear of Yomeimon Gate170 views
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Kids on school trip along Omotesando 表参道169 views
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168 views
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Wisteria noodles167 views
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Inside Tobu Line train166 views
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Group photo166 views
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Rear of Yomeimon Gate166 views
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Entrance to Ashikaga Flower Park is guarded by these yellow wisteria. Admission is a pricey ¥2,000 during the wisteria season from late April to early May. It's worth it during peak bloom.166 views
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Prayer ceremony by priests164 views
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Yomeimon Gate164 views
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163 views
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Tobu Nikko Station 東武日光駅162 views
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Portable shrine storehouse162 views
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Passing under Yomeimon Gate.161 views
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Futaraasan Shrine in Utsunomiya.161 views
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Wisteria kamaboko fish cake.161 views
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A National Treasure and World Heritage Site, Nikko's magnificent shrines and temples overshadow any other attractions Tochigi has. The Toshogu Shrine is especially famous and also serves as Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum. Omotesando 表参道160 views
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The main and spectacular attraction is this Giant Wisteria (大藤) on a expansive trellis. 159 views
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) are then carried out of the storehouse to be taken to Futarasan Shrine.158 views
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If you're visiting during the wisteria's peak bloom, I highly recommend seeing this park. Breathtaking. Flower beds near the entrance.158 views
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157 views
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This wisteria tree is about 140 years old. It was transplanted here in Feb. 1996.157 views
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The park's parking lot had many tour buses. Crowded even on weekdays during wisteria season. But fewer people in the late afternoon.157 views
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Cool heads.156 views
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156 views
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This warrior procession is said to be a reenactment of Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada's visit to Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Successive shoguns visited the shrine as well.156 views上新道
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Utsunomiya is famous for gyoza, and inside JR Utsunomiya Station are many gyoza shops and restaurants. The station's east exit even has a gyoza sculpture.153 views
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The spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo in the three portable shrines are then transferred to Futarasan Shrine. The mikoshi spend the night here.152 views
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Tunnel of Yellow Wisteria.152 views
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Gift shop at the park entrance. When you enter the park, you enter here first (and last).151 views
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Futarasan Shrine's torii146 views
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Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列146 views
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Portable shrine in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.142 views二荒山神社 拝殿
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Both men and boys wear the warrior costumes.142 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞142 views
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Second group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.140 views
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139 views
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At 11:00 am, the procession starts. They leave Futarasan Shrine through this torii. 上新道139 views上新道
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A short path leads to Futarasan Shrine.138 views
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The procession's starting point at Futarasan Shrine is a great photo op.138 views
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Over 50 different costumes are featured in the procession.138 views
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A small shrine under the Giant Wisteria.138 views
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿137 views
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Rear view137 views
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Beware of horse droppings136 views
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What happened to the white roof for the musicians? Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞136 viewsThese pictures were taken in different years and combined.
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Yae-fuji wisteria features more flower petals, making the flower look more like little balls. 八重藤136 views
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Entering Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. All three portable shrines are taken to this hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿135 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance musicians135 views
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.134 views
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Warriors make their way through.134 views
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12 noon: Otabisho resting place. They arrive and have lunch. The three mikoshi are stored in the building on the upper left. 御旅所134 views御旅所
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.133 views
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Grounds of Futarasan Shrine, the starting point of the "1,000-Person Procession." 千人行列133 views
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Start of the Omotesando with Ichino-torii in the background. 一ノ鳥居133 views
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Warriors with shiny gold helmets.131 views
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May 18: At 10:35 am, the spirits are transferred from Futarasan Shrine back to the portable shrines.130 viewsFutarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.
二荒山神社 拝殿
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The Boy Scouts collect offerings (excluding horse droppings) thrown on the ground by spectators.130 views
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Another mikoshi going up to Omote-mon Gate130 views
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People get ready to leave and go back to Toshogu Shrine.129 views
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129 views
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About the Tunnel of White Wisteria. 129 views
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First group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.128 views
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Omotesando main promenade 表参道128 views
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This short path goes to the Omotesando main promenade.128 views上新道
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞128 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞128 views
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128 views
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Shrine priests sitting127 views
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These two performed the Yaotome-no-Mai. They are leaving the building.127 views
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Sacred music musicians126 views
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126 views
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社125 views二荒山神社
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.125 views
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Mikoshi passing through Ichino-torii125 views
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This is near the end of the Omortesando and they turn left to go to the Otabisho resting place.125 views
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Dancers leaving the building125 views
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Those crowns are heavy.125 views
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125 views
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Omotesando is the main part of the route to watch the procession. It is the shrine's largest avenue.124 views
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Warriors going through the Omote-mon Gate.124 views
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Wooden birds123 views
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122 views
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Carrying out the mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.122 views
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The procession includes about 18 horses.122 views
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Mikoshi122 views
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Otabisho 御旅所122 views
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Another lion (shi-shi)122 views
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121 views
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121 views
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Chigo children, notice the Oriental zodiac animals on their crowns.121 views
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The wisteria strands can be as long as 1.8 meters.121 views
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.120 views
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.120 views
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120 views
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120 views
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Tunnel of White Wisteria. 120 views
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Yae-fuji wisteria trellis. Yae-fuji features more flower petals, making the flower look more like little balls. 八重藤120 views
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120 views
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120 views
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Mikoshi coming through.119 views
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳119 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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Chigo children and assistants make sure the crown doesn't fall off.119 views
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Mikoshi coming through Ichino-torii119 views
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Yae-fuji wisteria trellis. Yae-fuji features more flower petals, making the flower look more like little balls. 八重藤119 views
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119 views
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118 views
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The Giant Wisteria extends over 36 meters by 33 meters. About the same as a large hotel ballroom or a whopping 600 tatami mats. The trellis was only 50 tatami mats when it was transplanted here.118 views
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳117 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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Offerings of sea bream (tai)117 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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117 views
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Another large wisteria trellis. 117 views
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Another large wisteria trellis. 大長藤116 views
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Purple Wisteria Trellis. むらさき藤棚116 views
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Yellow wisteria selling for 4,000 yen.116 views
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Banners leading the procession.115 views
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Tunnel of White Wisteria. 115 views
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Yae-fuji wisteria features more flower petals, making the flower look more like little balls. 八重藤115 views
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Yellow wisteria115 views
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Mikoshi stored in the Otabisho's Shinden Hall, a resting place for spirits in transit. 御旅所 御神殿114 views
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Ceremony at the Otabisho. 御旅所祭113 views
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Yae-fuji wisteria trellis.113 views
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Wisteria and azalea113 views
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113 views
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Offering of ducks (dead)112 views
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Lion112 views
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Usubeni Bridge (Light Pink Bridge) with a canopy of light pink wisteria. うす紅橋112 views
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I like to shoot red and white flowers in Japan.112 views
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