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Native Americans sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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About "Gold Rush."Feb 03, 2018
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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This pit in the middle features a water-related sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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George Washington was in two sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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George Washington was in two sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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George Washington sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture. Very impressive.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Devil's Tower in sand.Feb 03, 2018
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Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.Feb 03, 2018
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Mt. Rushmore sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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About "Declaration of Independence."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Ben Franklin.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Signing the Declaration of Independence, sand sculpture in Tottori.Feb 03, 2018
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Signing the Declaration of Independence.Feb 03, 2018
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About "Civil War and Abraham Lincoln."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Civil War and Abe Lincoln sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Toward the rear of the museum was Mt. Rushmore in sand.Feb 03, 2018
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About "Uncle Tom's Cabin."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Looks like Gilligan from Gilligan's Island (Bob Denver).Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Based on the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" about slavery.Feb 03, 2018
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Rear part of the museum.Feb 03, 2018
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About American Invention and Industrialization.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Thomas Edison, American inventor.Feb 03, 2018
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Thomas Edison, American inventor sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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About "Prosperity and expansion to the world."Feb 03, 2018
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture in Tottori.Feb 03, 2018
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture. Mr. Rough Rider himself. Look at how detailed it is. Notice the veins on his hand.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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About "American Music."Feb 03, 2018
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The theme for this was "Prosperity and expansion to the world" with the Panama Canal as one example.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Ella Fitzgerald sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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American music, especially jazz. Looks like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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About "American Sports."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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It didn't depict anyone recognizable.Feb 03, 2018
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Boxer sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Football player sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Football player sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Tennis player sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Tennis player and volleyball player sand sculptures.Feb 03, 2018
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American sports sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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About "American Life."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Hamburger and ice cream float.Feb 03, 2018
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American junk food sand sculpture. Titled "American Life."Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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About New York Sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Statue of Liberty Sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Behind the Hollywood sculpture was the New York sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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It takes a few weeks to complete a large sculpture. After the exhibition ends, the sculptures are sadly destroyed and the sand is reused for the next exhibition.Feb 03, 2018
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The sand sculptures are made with tightly packed sand (minimal air between the grains). They don't use any adhesive. Just sand and water packed in a wooden mold, then carved.They don't use any reinforcing frames inside the sculptures either. So it's quite common for parts of the sculpture to fall off or break while the artist is making it.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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About "Hollywood."Feb 03, 2018
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Lucille Ball sand sculpture. Or maybe it's Judy Garland.Feb 03, 2018
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Hardy sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Centerpiece sand sculpture when you enter the Sand Museum.Feb 03, 2018
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Laurel sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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John Wayne sand sculpture.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Charlie ChaplinFeb 03, 2018
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe sand sculpure.Feb 03, 2018
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe in sand. That's her dress in "The Seven Year Itch." Tottori Sand Museum.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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This sand sculpture's theme was "Hollywood" in the 1950s-60s. John Wayne, Laurel and Hardy, Lucille Ball (I think). Tottori Sand Museum in 2017.Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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Feb 03, 2018
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The sculptures were created by professional sand sculptors (didn't know there was such an occupation) mostly from overseas.Feb 03, 2018
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The exhibition had 19 large and medium-size sculptures showcasing a major aspect of Americana, centering mostly on people. Feb 03, 2018
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Inside the Sand Museum in Tottori. Giant sand sculptures all representing the USA.Feb 03, 2018
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Entrance to exhibition area.Feb 03, 2018
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Sand Museum entrance had a sculpture of a dog since 2018 was the Year of the Dog.Feb 03, 2018
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Sand Museum entrance.Feb 03, 2018
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Sand Museum entrance.Feb 03, 2018
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Sculpture outside the museum entrance.Feb 03, 2018
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Across the road from the Tottori sand dunes is The Sand Museum exhibiting incredible giant sand sculptures. The Sand Museum opened in 2012 and it's the world's first and only museum dedicated to sand sculptures.The Sand Museum holds a sand sculpture exhibition from April to early January every year featuring a different country or region outside Japan. In 2017, the theme was the U.S.A.Feb 03, 2018
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The Sand Museum is a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.Feb 03, 2018
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Bus stop to go back to Tottori Station.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Very dramatic ocean at Tottori Sand Dunes.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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The first time I visited Tottori was in summer so the sand and sun were too hot to walk across to the ocean. No problem in winter so I finally got to see the ocean beyond the dunes.Feb 02, 2018
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Over many years, strong winds blew the ocean sand onto the beach to form the Tottori Sand dunes.Feb 02, 2018
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Kids love to climb the slopes.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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The steepest part looks to be around 40˚. There are more gradual slopes that you can easily go up and reach the top.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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From the top of the dune.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Tottori Sand Dunes are very photogenic, and many photographers have used it for artistic shoots.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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The sand dunes can be pretty steep, but not dangerous. They have downhill sand boarding.Feb 02, 2018
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Looks steep.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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When you see the Tottori Sand Dunes, you'll see tiny humans way out in the distance. They look to be far, far away, but the distance is surprisingly close.Maybe only a 10- or 15-min. walk away. Depending on whether you climb the dunes or not.Feb 02, 2018
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This sandy hill is named "The Horse's Back" because it's similar in shape. It's the most touristy part of the sand dunes.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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The San'in coast has lots of little islands and rocks. This is Japan's No. 1 sand dunes for tourists. Quite white and convenient to get here.Feb 02, 2018
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Camel rides even. Seem to be a good business, but they don't go very far.Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Feb 02, 2018
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Wind-blown footprints.Feb 02, 2018
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The sand is quite solid, not soft like beach sand on Waikiki.Feb 02, 2018
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Although the sand dunes are shrinking, there's still lots of sand here.Feb 02, 2018
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This man told me that this happens only when there are strong winds. I was relieved to hear that it wasn't every day.Feb 02, 2018
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This is what I saw when I arrived at the sand dunes. Sand all over this parking lot across the road from the dunes.Feb 02, 2018
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The Tottori Sand Dunes is in the city of Tottori, a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.Feb 02, 2018
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The Sands of Tottori. Every prefecture has something nationally (and sometimes internationally) famous. In the case of Tottori, it's definitely the sand dunes (sakyu in Japanese).It's on the beach facing the Sea of Japan. The dunes were formed by the ocean currents that deposited the sand on the coast for 100,000 years or so. I find that amazing since most of the beaches I know have the ocean currents eat away the sand.Feb 02, 2018
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Chunichi Shimbun article (Nov. 26, 2017) about Kyoto University's celebration of the 100th anniversary of Biwako Shuko no Uta including the unveiling of the new song monument on campus.Jan 09, 2018
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Monument's English side has a bilingual Lake Biwa map and Lake Biwa Rowing Song English lyrics.Directions: From JR Kyoto Station's Karasuma side (north side with Kyoto Tower), go to bus stop D2 and catch the No. 206 bus bound for "Gion Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple/Kitaoji Station" (三十三間堂・清水寺・祇園・百万遍). The bus leaves every 15 min. or so (bus schedule here), but it can be very crowded. The ride takes abut 30 min. Get off at "Kyodai Seimon-mae" (京大正門前). Cross the big road (Higashi-Oji-dori) and walk along Higashi-Ichijo street. The main Yoshida Campus will be on the left while the Yoshida-Minami Campus will be on the right. Enter the Yoshida-Minami Campus and walk to the central courtyard area.
(From Kyoto Station, there is also an express bus (京大快速) to Kyoto University Hospital from bus stop D3, but it runs only at certain times on weekdays, mainly in the morning and mid-afternoon (bus schedule here).Jan 09, 2018
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To mark the song's 100th anniversary, a new song monument was unveiled at Kyoto University (Yoshida-South Campus) on Nov. 25, 2017.Jan 09, 2018
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Front side of the monument has the Japanese lyrics and explanation of the song. Monument is made of stainless steel with a brushed-metal finish.Jan 09, 2018
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Fog thereby forms over the tea plants to shade them from the strong sunlight. Tea plants also grow best in well-drained soil, hence the tea plants on sloping land.Jul 20, 2017
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This is the Ishitera area of Wazuka (pop. 4,226 as of Feb. 2016), a small town in southern Kyoto with about 301 Uji tea farmers.Jul 20, 2017
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Blessed with rolling hills and clear streams, Wazuka produces about 40 percent of Kyoto's Uji tea production. Wazuka is most suited for tea cultivation because there is a large temperature difference between night and day.Jul 20, 2017
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Hoiro, a hot drying plate for kneading tea buds to make sencha. It produced excellent color, aroma, and taste of sencha tea. He taught his technique to anybody who flocked to his home. It spread nationwide and his basic technique is still in wide use today. Jul 20, 2017
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Grid underneath the hoiro.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Inside Nagatani Soen's birthplace home (replica). There's a video explaining the process.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Nagatani Soen's birthplace home (replica).Jul 20, 2017
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His birthplace house is a replica in Yuyadani, Ujitawara. Open only on Sat. and Sun. Jul 20, 2017
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Nagatani Soen's birthplace is not easily accessible unless you have a car.Jul 20, 2017
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In 1738, Nagatani Soen basically invented sencha green tea by using a kneading process for young tea leaves. He used a hot drying plate called hoiro to knead the steamed tea buds by hand to dry them. The process is called aosei sencha seiho. Jul 20, 2017
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In the end, we could even eat the used tea leaves which tasted like spinach maybe.Jul 20, 2017
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Another cup.Jul 20, 2017
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First cup of tea.Jul 20, 2017
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Our tea-making kit. Jul 20, 2017
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Our instructor (on the left).Jul 20, 2017
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Hot water thermos.Jul 20, 2017
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Our tea-making kit. Everything is provided.Jul 20, 2017
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Inside Takumi no Yakata. Like a workshop or classroom for making tea.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Takumi no Yakata was where we could make our own tea (with careful instructions).Jul 20, 2017
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Entrance to Takumi no Yakata (匠の館).Jul 20, 2017
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Tourists visiting Byodo-in temple can also experience and taste Uji tea at nearby Takumi no Yakata (匠の館).Jul 20, 2017
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Small grinder.Jul 20, 2017
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Grinder faceJul 20, 2017
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Sample grinder. The dried tea leaves are fed through a funnel to the grinding stones.Jul 20, 2017
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Matcha tea leaves to be ground.Jul 20, 2017
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Stone grinders grinding matcha tea leaves into fine matcha power at Horii Shichimeien's tea factory. Watching these grinders was mesmerizing..Jul 20, 2017
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Stone grinders grinding matcha (tencha) tea leaves into fine matcha power at Horii Shichimeien's tea factory.Jul 20, 2017
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It was a room full of stone grinders grinding matcha tea leaves into fine matcha power.Jul 20, 2017
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Inside Horii Shichimeien's tea factory.Jul 20, 2017
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We then got to see Horii Shichimeien's matcha tea factory. (Note that this is not open to normal tourists.)Jul 20, 2017
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Mrs. Horii prepares a different kind of tea.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Matcha tea and a confection. The tea was outstanding. It had a malty, matcha taste. Pretty thick. The aftertaste was interesting.Jul 20, 2017
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Behind Horii Shichimeien's tea shop is a small tea house for tea ceremony. Mr. Horii kindly prepares his finest marcha tea for us.Jul 20, 2017
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Some of the finest Uji matcha powder at Horii Shichimeien.Jul 20, 2017
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Some of the finest Uji matcha powder at Horii Shichimeien.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Near their tea farm, Horii Shichimeien also has a tea shop selling some of Japan's finest tea.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Only part of the original Okunoyama Chaen remains as a tea field. The original Okunoyama tea field was larger. Notice the shade.Jul 20, 2017
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In 15th century, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Yoshinaga loved Uji tea so much that they designated seven tea fields as the Seven Reknown Tea Fields. Today only Okunoyama Chaen remains.Jul 20, 2017
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Chotaro Horii is the 6th-generation owner/operator of Horii Shichimeien which was originally Okunoyama Chaen (奥ノ山茶園), one of Uji's Seven Reknown Tea Fields (七名園).Jul 20, 2017
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We were served tea.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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We could go inside this building.Jul 20, 2017
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Kamikoma is a neighborhood of about 40 Japanese tea wholesalers. There is some traditional buildings, and only one or two buildings where the public can enter.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Slow Life CafeJul 20, 2017
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Might be the priest's residence.Jul 20, 2017
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Jul 20, 2017
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Lesser shrines.Jul 20, 2017
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