Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Last additions

Kintai-kyo Bridge, YamaguchiMay 12, 2005

May 12, 2005

Panoramic shot of the Kintaikyo Bridge area.May 12, 2005

May 12, 2005

May 10, 2005

Shin-Yamaguchi Station.May 10, 2005

Yamaguchi StationMay 10, 2005

May 10, 2005

Mt. Fuji and Lake YamanakaMay 09, 2005

Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanaka on a hazy day.May 09, 2005

Mt. Fuji and Lake YamanakaMay 09, 2005

Statue of Takeda Shingen.May 09, 2005

Park in front of Kofu Station.May 09, 2005

JR Kofu StationMay 09, 2005

May 07, 2005

EntertaimentMay 07, 2005

Children's sumo. Zama had a variety of side events.May 07, 2005

DisassemblyMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

The kite pullers can only run so far (about 50 meters or so). After that, if the wind doesn't kick in, the kite falls back down.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Rope anchorMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Zama's kite apparently was lighter than Sagamihara's kite because it went up much higher under the same wind conditions.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Lift off despite weak windsMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Do not enter sign. In 2004, on a very windy day (almost typhoon strength), Zama's giant kite broke in the air and crashed to the ground onto spectators (who got hurt) on the side, right beyond the carp streamers in this picture. So from 2005, they have become very strict and cordoned off the area where the kite crashed.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Ready and all clearMay 07, 2005

Corner rope workMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

The following photos were taken on May 5, 2005. The site is on a baseball field, very dusty. The site is directly south and downstream from the Sagamihara kite festival site.It was a great idea to hold both kite festivals on the same days. We could see both in one day.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

The kite went back down almost immediately after hovering a few feet above ground.May 07, 2005

Inadequate winds. The kite struggles to lift off.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

The site is cleared of people before the launch.May 07, 2005

Sagamihara city is adjacent to Zama city which also held their own giant kite festival on the same day adjacent to Sagamihara's site. This is a launch of Zama's giant kite which soon went back to the ground due to inadequate winds.May 07, 2005

Spectators watch along the side and rear.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Moving the giant kite to launch siteMay 07, 2005

Bamboo poles used to prop up the giant kite.May 07, 2005

AnchorMay 07, 2005

Preparing the big one.May 07, 2005

Successful flightMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Take off of another smaller kiteMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Also see the video at YouTube.May 07, 2005

Take off of a smaller kiteMay 07, 2005

Entertainment during Sagami Giant Kite FestivalMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Sagami Giant Kite festival is held annually on May 4 and 5 along the Sagami River bank. The site is near JR Sobudaishita (相武台下) on the JR Sagami Line.May 07, 2005

Rear viewMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Lean-to shade.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

DisassemblyThe paper is actually large strips that can be removed and rolled up.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Rope anchorMay 07, 2005

Beautiful lavendarMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Another launchThey fly the kite a few times during the festival days.May 07, 2005

Yokaichi's anchor truckMay 07, 2005

TakoKites in the shape of an octopus is common because the Japanese word for kite is "tako" which is the same pronunciation for the word octopus in Japanese.May 07, 2005

Guest kite from Yokaichi, Shiga PrefectureThis is a smaller version of their giant kite. Yokaichi (Higashi Omi) also holds a giant kite festival in May.May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Kite pullersMay 07, 2005

And we have lift off!May 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Moving the kite to launch pointMay 07, 2005

May 07, 2005

Panorama of festival site.May 07, 2005

Preparing the giant kiteMay 07, 2005

StatisticsMay 06, 2005

Cable anchorMay 06, 2005

Along the river were food stalls.May 06, 2005

Festival siteMay 06, 2005

The longest carp is 10 meters.May 06, 2005

Koi-nobori carp streamers over Sagami River. Also see the video at YouTube.May 06, 2005

May 06, 2005

Sagami River Koi-noboriMay 06, 2005

May 06, 2005

The cable length is 250 meters and 13mmm thick. There are about 1,200 carp streamers. They are reused every year and donated by local families. (I also noticed a few advertising carps.)May 06, 2005

There are five rows of streamers. In Japan, the koi carp is regarded as a symbol of valiant manhood because it swims up the river against the rapids. May 06, 2005

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.May 06, 2005

Futagoyama TumulusMay 06, 2005

Maruhaka-yama TumulusCherry trees are at the top.May 06, 2005

Maruhaka-yama Tumulus signMay 06, 2005

Kawarazuka TumulusMay 06, 2005

Shogun-yama TumulusMay 06, 2005

Maruhaka-yama TumulusThis is Japan's largest round tumulus (also used during the Fire Festival).May 06, 2005

Inariyama TumulusMay 06, 2005

Park mapThe park has numerous tumuli as well as an archeological museum.May 06, 2005

Inariyama TumulusPeople are allowed to climb up the tumulus.May 06, 2005

Stage ceremonyThe torch bearers gathered in front of the stage where there were speeches and cheers.May 06, 2005

Torch bearers from the tumulusMay 06, 2005

FireworksThe festival ended at 7:30 pm.May 06, 2005

May 06, 2005

Torch lightingThe prince and princess light the torch that will ignite the hut.May 06, 2005

ClimaxMay 06, 2005

May 06, 2005

Male princeMay 06, 2005

Female princess reigning over the Sakitama Fire Festival in Gyoda, SaitamaShe's 15 years old.May 06, 2005

Parade aroundThe torch bearers parade around the entire perimeter before they gather around the hut.May 06, 2005

Marvelous spectacleMay 06, 2005

Torch bearers enterMay 06, 2005

Also see the video at YouTube.May 06, 2005

TumulusCherry trees are at the top.May 06, 2005

Festival participantsThey are dressed in the costume of the ancient Kofun (Tumuli) Period of Japan. They will be carrying torches from the nearby tumuli.May 06, 2005

EntertainmentAn outdoor stage provides a variety of entertainment during the day.May 06, 2005

Shinto ceremonyAt around 6:30 pm, the festival climax starts.May 06, 2005

Festival siteIt is a circular site with people sitting along the perimeter.May 06, 2005

OfferingsMay 06, 2005

Festival's focal pointThis grass hut is at the center of the festival site which is within the Sakitama Tumuli Park. It will be burned later in the evening for the festival's climax.May 06, 2005

SpectatorsThese people are sitting in the best area to view the festival.May 06, 2005

May 04, 2005

Smaller kitesThe museum displays many different kites from all over Japan and other countries.May 04, 2005

Museum floorThis is where they make the giant kites during Feb. to April.May 04, 2005

Older giant kite "Odako"The museum displays giant kites from previous years. Usually the giant kites are destroyed after the festival. But a few of them have been preserved here. The kanji means "Giant Kite."May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Giant Kite MuseumLocated a short walk from the kite festival site. This is also where you can catch the bus back to Kasukabe Station.May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

PosterMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Another beautiful take offMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Another launchMay 04, 2005

Amateur areaFurther downwind was the amateur area for flying normal kites.May 04, 2005

Anchor truckMay 04, 2005

"Nakama"This is another smaller kite. It means "Circle of Friends."May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

She fellMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Patch upMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

"Yujo"This is a smaller kite. It means "Friendship."May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Smaller kite "Yujo"May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Michi no EkiThe kite design is the same every year, but the kanji characters change. They make a new giant kite every year.May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Also see the video at YouTube.May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Ride'em cowboyAs the kite quickly flew up, the forward kite pullers had to release the rope.May 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Launch point on a low hillMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

No people on the sides eitherMay 04, 2005

Festival siteThey did not allow people go enter the launch area at all times. Spectators were kept far away.May 04, 2005

Moving the kite to launch pointMay 04, 2005

Patch upMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

Lowering the kiteMay 04, 2005

May 04, 2005

One of two giant kitesThis festival has two giant kites and two smaller (but still large) kites. Resting on its side, the kite was scheduled to fly at 2 pm. The kanji characters read "Michi no Eki" in reference to a new train station built in the town.May 04, 2005