 Last additions - HOKKAIDO 北海道 |
Lakeside road in western Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Another nesting swan.May 20, 2008
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Kannon hut in Tsukiura. Here and there in Lake Toya are Kannon statues.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Alveolus, by Goro Kakei 掛井 五郎「胞」May 20, 2008
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Silo Lookout PointMay 20, 2008
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View from the Ukimido's tiny balcony.May 20, 2008
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Nakajima islands as seen from western Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Silo Lookout Point in western Lake Toya is not on the lakeside road. It is on a highway running almost parallel to the lakeside road. Not really accessible by bicycle.May 20, 2008
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The Ukimido houses a small statue of Prince Shotoku Taishi. Inside, it still looks quite new.May 20, 2008
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UkimidoMay 20, 2008
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Upon the wishes of the local people, they built the Ukimido pagoda in 1937 and put the Shotoku Taishi statue on the altar inside. They also started the annual Shotoku Taishi Festival every July.May 20, 2008
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Right side of Ukimido pagoda, Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Behind Ukimido pagoda, Lake ToyaMay 20, 2008
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The Ukimido is the focal point of the lakeside Ukimido Park.May 20, 2008
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View behind the Ukimido pagoda, with the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Local residents then launched a project to rebuild the Ukimido and through numerous donations, a new Ukimido and Shotoku Taishi altar statue was completed in July 2004.May 20, 2008
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Around 1912, a Buddhist priest traveling north reached Toya village and rested at the Matsuhashi home. He gave a statue of Prince Shotoku Taishi to the family and said that they and the village shall prosper by taking care of it.May 20, 2008
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Left side of Ukimido pagoda, Lake ToyaMay 20, 2008
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Ukimido pagoda, Lake Toya, Hokkaido 浮見堂May 20, 2008
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Ukimido means "floating view temple."May 20, 2008
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The Matsuhashi family later moved away from Toya village and entrusted the statue to a local temple.May 20, 2008
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Well-placed sculpture at Ukimido: Dream Toya, by Mitsuaki Sora, 空 充秋「夢洞爺」May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: I was…I will, by Masaru Bando 坂東 優「I was（過去）…I will（未来）」May 20, 2008
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However, on Oct. 15, 2003, the Ukimido was struck by lightning and both the building and Shotoku Taishi statue were lost in the fire.May 20, 2008
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A path of stones lead to the Ukimido.May 20, 2008
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Ukimido ParkMay 20, 2008
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Another major sight in Lake Toya is the Ukimido pagoda in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Ukimido pagoda juts out into the lake on a narrow islet connected by a stone bridge.May 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms and Ukimido pagoda.May 20, 2008
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Northern Lake ToyaMay 20, 2008
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Nakajima islands and swan, Lake Toya, HokkaidoMay 20, 2008
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Lake Toya and swans, HokkaidoMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome banner at a gas station in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Outside Toya Mizunoeki fronting Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya and swan, HokkaidoMay 20, 2008
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View of Lake Toya behind Toya Mizunoeki.May 20, 2008
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The lake shore behind the Toya Mizunoeki also has swans.May 20, 2008
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The sculpture on the right: Wave Play, by Kyuzaemon Orihara 折原 久左ェ門「波遊」May 20, 2008
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Inside Toya MizunoekiMay 20, 2008
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Balcony facing the lake on the upper floor of Toya Mizunoeki.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Welcome sign on window of Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Personal computers for public use inside Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya. Notice the G8 Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on entrance of Toya Mizunoeki.May 20, 2008
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Inside Toya MizunoekiMay 20, 2008
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Inside Toya Mizunoeki, fresh vegetables for sale.May 20, 2008
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Toya Mizunoeki, a local shopping place and rest house in northern Lake Toya. A good place to rest, eat, and inquire at the tourist info counter. とうや水の駅May 20, 2008
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Take home your trash!May 20, 2008
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Inside Toya Mizunoeki, they sell local produce, tourist souvenirs, etc.May 20, 2008
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya. They seem to look the same from whichever direction. Totally conical islands.May 20, 2008
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Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Dreamy Lake View, by Masafumi Maita 眞板 雅文「湖景夢想」May 20, 2008
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How the lake was formed.May 20, 2008
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PierMay 20, 2008
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Northern Lake ToyaMay 20, 2008
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Reeds barely grow here.May 20, 2008
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Northern Lake Toya includes the Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore. 財田自然観察道May 20, 2008
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Toya Shonen Shizen no Ie (Toya Nature House for Youth) is a lodging and seminar facility. 道立洞爺少年自然の家May 20, 2008
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Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore. 財田自然観察道May 20, 2008
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Vinyl houseMay 20, 2008
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Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore. 財田自然観察道May 20, 2008
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Nakajima islandsMay 20, 2008
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After bicycling through eastern Lake Toya, I continue my trip around Lake Toya as I head north, entering Toyako town.May 20, 2008
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The Espoir returns to Toyako Onsen. The cruise takes 50 min. if you don't get off to visit the Nakajima islands. Otherwise, allow at least 30 min. for any island visits.May 20, 2008
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Mt. Usu or Usuzan as seen from the lake.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Onsen SpaMay 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Mt. Showa-Shinzan as seen from Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Sea gull on the lake.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Showa-Shinzan is on the left, with Mt. Usu at center.May 20, 2008
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Leaving Oshima.May 20, 2008
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Oshima is the largest Nakajima island.May 20, 2008
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Ukimido near Benten islandMay 20, 2008
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Leaving the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Heading to Oshima island.May 20, 2008
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Oshima island, Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Boat dock at Oshima island. This island has a small nature museum.May 20, 2008
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The island on the left is Kannonjima island which is connected to Bentenjima island on the right via a sandbar. The islands are not accessible during winter.May 20, 2008
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Kannon temple on Kannon island.May 20, 2008
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Benten temple on Benten islandMay 20, 2008
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There are four Nakajima islands. Each one has a name. On the far right is the smallest island, named Manjujima island. Also nicknamed Snake Island since they say it has many vipers. 饅頭島May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Transparent waterMay 20, 2008
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Destination: Nakajima islandsMay 20, 2008
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Leaving Toyako OnsenMay 20, 2008
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Ukimido as seen from Benten islandMay 20, 2008
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Kannon island, so called because there is a Kannon temple. 観音島May 20, 2008
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Ezo deer on Benten island.May 20, 2008
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Most of the passengers were Chinese tourists. I came across Chinese tourists quite often in Hokkaido. They are certainly helping to support Japan's tourist industry.May 20, 2008
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Upper deck is also very spacious.May 20, 2008
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Front of the boat.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Inside the Espoir lake cruise boat. This is the lower deck. The boat is obviously available for hire for private parties and cruises.May 20, 2008
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Another cruise boat. The cruise boats leave every 30 min. from 8 am to 4:30 pm during April-Oct. During Nov.-April, it operates every hour from 9 am to 4 pm.May 20, 2008
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Espoir is the name of this lake cruise boat shaped like a medieval European castle. Can't get more gimmicky than that.May 20, 2008
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Leaving Toyako OnsenMay 20, 2008
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Toyako Onsen as seen from the lake.May 20, 2008
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Ekimae Sambashi Pier at Toyako Onsen Spa. The lake cruise fare is 1,320 yen for adults and 660 yen for kids. (Slightly more expensive during Nov.-April.) 駅前桟橋May 20, 2008
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Way to Ekimae Sambashi Pier at Toyako Onsen Spa. A short walk from the bus terminal.May 20, 2008
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