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A gate being renovated.Jul 17, 2017
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The center structure of both the original and replica houses a statue of a sitting Buddha.The replica in Hawaii has a much more dramatic backdrop with the Koolau mountains. The original Byodo-in has no mountains in the background, and thankfully and miraculously, no tall, modern buildings either.Jul 17, 2017
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People from Hawaii would know Byodo-in since there's a ferro-concrete replica in a park-like cemetery called Valley of the Temples on the island of Oahu.The replica of the Phoenix Hall was built in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. I photographed the one in Hawaii last year and now I can compare the two.
As you can see, the replica is very accurate. They say that the one in Hawaii is a smaller scale, but it looks the same as the original (made of wood) in Kyoto. Perhaps only the surrounding garden is smaller. Also, the one in Hawaii seems to house offices on the upper floor. (If you look behind the building, you can see stairs and air conditioners.) The original one's upper floor is see-through with no walls.Jul 17, 2017
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Looks like intricate work and it's gonna look fabulous when it's done.Jul 17, 2017
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Although the major renovations were completed, they were still restoring the paintings on the doors, etc., of Byodo-in.Jul 17, 2017
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Entrance to the see the sitting Amida Buddha. Photography inside the central hall is not allowed.Jul 17, 2017
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Entering the Phoenix Hall.Jul 17, 2017
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The pond as seen from the Phoenix Hall.Jul 17, 2017
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Jul 17, 2017
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The Byodo-in admission ticket does not include admission to the Phoenix Hall's central hall (sitting Amida Buddha).Jul 17, 2017
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Jul 17, 2017
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Entrance to the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall where you can see the sitting Amida Buddha after paying the extra ¥300 admission. Have to buy a ticket to enter at the specified time because only a limited number can fit inside.Jul 17, 2017
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Jul 17, 2017
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The center structure of both the original and replica houses a statue of a sitting Buddha.Jul 17, 2017
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Jul 17, 2017
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Byodoin Museum Hoshokan displays many Buddhist art treasures of the temple. Opened in 2001. You can visit this museum after you see the Phoenix Hall.Jul 17, 2017
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Entrance to Byodo-in. Pay admission fee to enter.Jul 17, 2017
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Map of the Byodo-in temple complex. It's not that big. The Phoenix Hall has a central hall flanked by two L-shaped wings in front of a pond. Jul 17, 2017
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Byodo-in on the back of the ¥10 coin.Jul 17, 2017
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In Uji, Kyoto, Byodo-in is one of Japan's most famous temples and most recognizable buildings.Byodo-in is acuallly a temple complex, but this building, called the Phoenix Hall (Ho'odo 鳳凰堂), is the main attraction and a National Treasure. Jul 17, 2017
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The central hall houses a sitting Amida Buddha with celestial floating Buddhas on the surrounding walls. The Phoenix Hall was originally constructed in 1053 (Heian Period).Jul 17, 2017
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It's a beautiful design, but quite expensive. The non-profit group was unable to garner enough donations for the monument. They fell far short of the ¥10 million goal.Jul 04, 2017
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The glass bench actually consists of several glass pieces. A few are largely transparent.Jul 04, 2017
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Verse 3 Song Monument in Nagahama's Hokoen Park near Nagahama Castle is engraved with Verse 3.浪のまにまに 漂えば
赤い泊火 懐かしみ
行方定めぬ 浪枕
今日は今津か 長浜か
Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama kaJul 04, 2017
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Verse 3 Song Monument at Nagahama's Hokoen Park. It is shaped like a boat and the top has a wavy surface like the water. It is called the "nami-makura" (rolling waves) design.The glass bench is positioned for sunset views over the lake.
Update: Unfortunately, this glass bench monument cracked and was replaced with another bench monument in Sept. 2021.Jul 04, 2017
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On June 26, 2017, alumni of the Kyoto University Rowing Club rowed around Lake Biwa and took a break at Nagahama where they sang in front of the new song monument.Jul 04, 2017
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The first people to sit on the song monument. L-R: Nagahama-native Kitagawa Akihiro of the duo ~Lefa~, singer and special guest Kato Tokiko, Kada Yukiko former Shiga governor, and the mayor of Nagahama.Jul 04, 2017
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Verse 3 Song Monument, Nagahama. Built and unveiled on June 25, 2017 by a non-profit citizens group in Nagahama formed to build this new song monument for the song's 100th anniversary. 三番の歌碑。長浜城のそばThe new Verse 3 Song Monument is near Nagahama Castle near the lake shore. It was unveiled with great fanfare by singer Kato Tokiko and others.Jul 04, 2017
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The song monument is made of glass and functions as a park bench for four people. Glassware is one of Nagahama's signature products. Verse 3 is engraved in the middle. It reportedly cost several million yen.After the unveiling, local singers sang the song with Kato Tokiko before everyone released balloons.Jul 04, 2017
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Sawayama Castle site as seen from Hikone Castle.Jun 20, 2017
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View from top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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View from top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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Top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.Jun 20, 2017
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Plum blossom ume tree given by the city of Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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Hikone Castle and plum blossoms.Jun 20, 2017
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Hikone Castle and plum blossoms.Jun 20, 2017
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Hiko-nyan appears outside the Taikomon near the main Hikone Castle tower.Jun 20, 2017
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Hiko-nyan cutout in front of Hikone Castle. He appears daily.Jun 20, 2017
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Matcha tea and confection at Choshoan tea house, Hikone Castle.Jun 20, 2017
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Another room in Choshoan.Jun 20, 2017
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Choshoan tea house was originally the bell ringer’s rest house.Jun 20, 2017
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For ¥500, you can try matcha tea and a small confection. It’s operated by members of a tea school started by castle lord and tea master Ii Naosuke.Jun 20, 2017
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On the way to the main castle tower (tenshu), you can take a tea break at this small tea house called Choshoan (聴鐘庵).Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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The name Tenbin refers to its similarity to a tenbin shoulder pole for carrying a piece of luggage tied to each end. Both east (right) and west (left) ends of the building has a two-story watchtower turret. They look symmetrical, but are not identical.Jun 20, 2017
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Hikone Castle admission fees in 2017.Jun 20, 2017
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Biwa instrument displayed in Hikone Castle Museum.Jun 20, 2017
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Hikone daimyo's living quarters.Jun 20, 2017
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Otsu manhole showing Lake Biwa, Omi Ohashi Bridge, Otsu mascot Hikaru-kun, rowing, yachting, and Michigan boat.Jun 20, 2017
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Keihan Line Ishiba StationJun 20, 2017
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Keihan Line Ishiba Station near the Biwako Hall and Nagisa Terrace.Jun 20, 2017
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Nagisa TerraceJun 20, 2017
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Nagisa TerraceJun 20, 2017
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Nagisa TerraceJun 20, 2017
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Nagisa Terrace is a few cafes and shops along the lakefront in Otsu.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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We love Shiga in Otsu.Jun 20, 2017
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Bus for Seta Station.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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Bus stop for Bunka Zone in front of JR Seta Station.Jun 20, 2017
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In front of JR Seta Station.Jun 20, 2017
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JR Seta StationJun 20, 2017
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JR Seta StationJun 20, 2017
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Bunka Zone bus stop from Seta Station.Jun 20, 2017
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Museum library and reading room.Jun 20, 2017
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Illustration of the renovated museum with new buildings to open in 2020.Jun 20, 2017
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Illustration of the renovated museum with new buildings to open in 2020.Jun 20, 2017
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Illustration of the renovated museum with new buildings to open in 2020.Jun 20, 2017
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Site of a new museum building to be built.Jun 20, 2017
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Museum courtyardJun 20, 2017
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Current exhibitions.Jun 20, 2017
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Entrance lobbyJun 20, 2017
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Floor planJun 20, 2017
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The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga entrance. These photos were taken in March 2017 a few days before it was to close for a three-year renovations.Jun 20, 2017
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Plum blossomsJun 20, 2017
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Plum blossomsJun 20, 2017
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Plum blossomsJun 20, 2017
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Plum blossomsJun 20, 2017
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Plum blossomsJun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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ReedsJun 20, 2017
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ReedsJun 20, 2017
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ReedsJun 20, 2017
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KoiJun 20, 2017
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Tea houseJun 20, 2017
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Japanese garden and Museum of Modern Art, Shiga.Jun 20, 2017
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Biwako Bunka Park or Bunka Zone, featuring a Japanese garden, the Museum of Modern Art, and Shiga Prefectural Library.Jun 20, 2017
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Japanese garden pond with koi.Jun 20, 2017
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JR Otsukyo Station (formerly Nishi Otsu Station).Jun 20, 2017
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Taiko drummer sculpture at Ogoto Onsen Station.Jun 20, 2017
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Outside Ogoto Onsen Station.Jun 20, 2017
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Sit on the bench and soak your feet in the Ogoto Onsen Station hot spring foot bath for free.Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen Station hot spring foot bath.Jun 20, 2017
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Right outside Ogoto Onsen Station is this foot bath hut. Dip your feet into hot spring water for free.Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen Station turnstile.Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen tourist info booth (closed).Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen Station platform has a nice view of the lake.Jun 20, 2017
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Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen Station on the JR Kosei Line.Jun 20, 2017
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Ogoto Onsen Station platform.Jun 20, 2017
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Akasaka Tokyu Hotel in neighboring Chiyoda-ku is on the upper right.Jun 20, 2017
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Views of Akasaka from near TBS. The Akasaka Prince Hotel is no longer there.Jun 20, 2017
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Akasaka Palace, home of the Crown Prince.Jun 20, 2017
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Views of Akasaka from near TBS.Jun 20, 2017
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JR Highway Bus dropoff at Nihonbashi Entrance.Jun 20, 2017
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Entrance to the old Daimaru Dept. Store in 2007.Jun 20, 2017
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Entrance to the old Daimaru Dept. Store in 2007.Jun 20, 2017
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Yaesu side roof under construction in 2012.Jun 20, 2017
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Yaesu side taking shape.Jun 20, 2017
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The new Daimaru Dept. Store already constructed before the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station is constructed.Jun 20, 2017
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Yaesu side of Tokyo Station under construction in 2012.Jun 20, 2017
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After the old Daimaru was demolished, construction starts on the Yaesu side.Jun 20, 2017
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Night view from Daimaru Department Store restaurant.Jun 20, 2017
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Night view from Daimaru Department Store restaurant.Jun 20, 2017
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Night view from Daimaru Department Store restaurant.Jun 20, 2017
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Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017
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Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017
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Gingko trees along the fringe of the park near Yoyogi Koen Station in autumn.Jun 20, 2017
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After you exit, there's some bonsai plum trees for sale.Jun 20, 2017
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Potted ume bonsai trees.Jun 20, 2017
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清幽（せいゆう）Jun 20, 2017
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清音（せいいん）Jun 20, 2017
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不老（ふろう） 八重紅色Jun 20, 2017
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Wisteria and Tokyo Skytree at night.Jun 20, 2017
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Raining wisteria at Kameido Tenjin Shrine.Jun 20, 2017
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Bottom view of Kameido Tenjin Shrine wisteria at night.Jun 20, 2017
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Kameido Tenjin Shrine wisteria at night.Jun 20, 2017
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Lots of people came to see the Kameido Tenjin Shrine wisteria at night in early May.Jun 20, 2017
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Kameido Tenjin Shrine wisteria at night.Jun 20, 2017
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Kameido Tenjin Shrine wisteria at night.Jun 20, 2017
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Robot RestaurantJun 19, 2017
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Robot RestaurantJun 19, 2017
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Site of the old Koma Theater.Jun 19, 2017
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Godzilla reliefJun 19, 2017
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Godzilla relief at the base, destroying the National Diet Building.Jun 19, 2017
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Street below as seen by Godzilla.Jun 19, 2017
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Godzilla's claw on the roof edge.Jun 19, 2017
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Godzilla roaring and spewing smoke and fire from the mouth.Jun 19, 2017
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Godzilla's roaring time. On a rooftop in Kabukicho, Shinjuku.Jun 19, 2017
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When it's showtime, the lights turn red.Jun 19, 2017
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Smoke emitters inside the mouth.Jun 19, 2017
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Jun 19, 2017
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