 Last additions - SAITAMA 埼玉県 |
Aug 25, 2009
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The problem with this place were all these poles on the sides. Bad for picture-taking unless you are sitting on the front row. The lights also turned out very yellow, and my camera could not color balance it well.Aug 25, 2009
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This venue was very loose, no press photographers, and the kids wander about as they pleased.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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Foinally, I moved to another venue across the road called Higashiguchi Minami-dori road.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori, Saitama Prefecture.Aug 25, 2009
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I liked this road because we could take front and center photos of the dancers.Aug 25, 2009
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Nishiguchi Minami-dori Aug 25, 2009
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I was curious to see all the dance venues. A short walk away was this Nishiguchi Minami-dori road. It was smaller and less crowded.Aug 25, 2009
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Grou[ photo of Aoishin-ren, one of the best Awa Odori troupes in the world. More photos of them later. 葵新連Aug 25, 2009
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Less crowded than the other side.Aug 25, 2009
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Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori on Nishiguchi Ekimae-dori. This road was also quite short, only a few hundred meters.Aug 25, 2009
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Nishiguchi Ekimae-dori, starting point for the dancers.Aug 25, 2009
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Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road's starting point.Aug 25, 2009
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On the opposite side of the train station on the west side (nishi-guchi) is the other main venue called the Nishiguchi Ekimae-dori. This was less crowded, and fewer photographers.Aug 25, 2009
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Donations for the festival.Aug 25, 2009
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The scene in front of the train station. The outdoor stage in the forefront, and the Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road on the upper right.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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It was just a small stage with seats for the audience.Aug 25, 2009
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Next to Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road and in front of the train station was this outdoor stage called ekimae Kumi-odori Kaijo. 駅前組踊り会場Aug 25, 2009
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The press photographers were such a problem at Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road that I left after 10 min.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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A major problem with the Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road was that they had 5 or 6 press photographers who kept getting in the way. 報道陣がとても邪魔、迷惑。５〜６人の報道人は多すぎるぞ。Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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At 5:10 pm, the Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori started at all the main venues outdoors. Aug 25, 2009
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This is the Minami-Koshigaya Chuo-dori road venue. This is the main and most crowded venue. It's not that long though.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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Next to the community center was this small outdoor stage.Aug 25, 2009
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Niji (Rainbow) was the name of the troupe.Aug 25, 2009
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The hall is emptied as people waiting to see Part 2 were waiting outside.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 25, 2009
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The final performance was by a troupe from Tokushima.Aug 25, 2009
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This joint session of Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori dance troupes was the best performance of all, I thought.Aug 25, 2009
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Toward the end, they had a special joint group of dancers from all the Koshigaya Awa Odori troupes performing together on stage. Aug 25, 2009
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So you can see that they are wearing different costumes.Aug 25, 2009
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Shadow dancingAug 25, 2009
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Anybody could take pictures, but flash was not allowed.Aug 25, 2009
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MInami-Koshigaya Awa Odori Dance, indoor performance. 南越谷阿波踊りAug 25, 2009
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During the 2.5-hour performance, numerous Awa Odori dance troupes performed colorfully to live music.Aug 25, 2009
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But it was nice to watch it on stage in a large hall as well. Although I still prefer seeing Awa Odori outdoors where you can see it in a continuous procession.Aug 25, 2009
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At first I thought that Awa Odori was meant to be performed outdoors, and it wouldn't be the same watching it in a large hall. Aug 25, 2009
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On both the 22nd and 23rd, they held Awa Odori performances inside the Koshigaya Community Center. Part 1 was held during 2 pm to 4:30 pm, and Part 2 during 5:30 pm to 8:45 pm.Aug 25, 2009
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I watched the indoor performance inside the Koshigaya Community Center on Aug. 22, 2009 from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.Aug 25, 2009
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Koshigaya Community Center.Aug 25, 2009
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Map of the festival venues. There are no less than seven venues where you can watch Awa Odori dances by 66 dance troupes. One venue is indoors at the Koshigaya Community Center.Aug 25, 2009
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The Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori is held annually near Shin-Koshigaya Station (Tobu ISezaki, Hanzomon, and Hibiya Lines) and JR Minami-Koshigaya Station (Musashino Line). These two train stations almost intersect.Aug 25, 2009
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The 25th Minami-Koshigaya Awa Odori was held during Aug. 21-23, 2009. I saw it on the 22nd. The 21st was the festival eve when they had dance performances in the community center. The festival's main days were the 22nd and 23rd.Aug 25, 2009
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Aug 26, 2008
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Aug 26, 2008
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Giant trees in Hikawa ShrineAug 26, 2008
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Aug 26, 2008
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Aug 26, 2008
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Inside Haiden HallAug 26, 2008
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Ema votive tabletsAug 26, 2008
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Aug 26, 2008
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Hikawa Shrine in Omiya is the headquarters of all Hikawa shrines in Tokyo and Saitama.Aug 26, 2008
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The Haiden Hall is on the right. It was undergoing renovations. 氷川神社Aug 26, 2008
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Hikawa Shrine gate, Omiya, Saitama 楼門Aug 26, 2008
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Aug 26, 2008
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Hikawa Shrine gate 楼門Aug 26, 2008
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Hikawa Shrine torii. 20-min. walk from Omiya Station.Aug 26, 2008
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Hikawa Shrine torii points the way to the shrine. Omiya, SaitamaAug 26, 2008
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Path to Hikawa ShrineAug 26, 2008
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Sando path to Hikawa Shrine. Being 2 km long, it's one of Japan's longest shrine sando paths. 参道Aug 26, 2008
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Inside Omiya StationAug 26, 2008
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JR Omiya Station 大宮駅Aug 26, 2008
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Map of Koku Ki'nen Koen Park or Aviation Memorial Park. Besides the museum, the large park has a baseball field, ponds, playground, and memorials.Apr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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Bust of General J.P. FaureApr 28, 2007
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Pilots who flew at Tokorozawa.Apr 28, 2007
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Pilot's goggles and cap.Apr 28, 2007
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Statue of Japanese aircraft mechanics who worked at Tokorozawa. This is where the aircraft maintenance hangar was.Apr 28, 2007
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Bust of General J.P. Faure, a Frenchman who trained Japanese pilots in 1919.Apr 28, 2007
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Exhibits on Tokorozawa's aviation history.Apr 28, 2007
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Control tower equipment.Apr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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Boeing 747 flight simulator (Not as good as Microsoft Flight Simulator.)Apr 28, 2007
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Flight simulator (Not as good as Microsoft Flight Simulator.)Apr 28, 2007
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Very impressive and educational aviation museum. Great for kids too.Apr 28, 2007
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Turbine enginesApr 28, 2007
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Replica of Nieuport 81E2. This was first imported to Japan in 1918 and used to train Japanese pilots by a French mission.Apr 28, 2007
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Remains of a Nieuport 81E2.Apr 28, 2007
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Model of Japan's first motorized flight.Apr 28, 2007
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Above is a Piper L-21, below is Fuji T-1B.Apr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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Sikorsky H-19Apr 28, 2007
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Japan Air Self-Defense Force helicopter.Apr 28, 2007
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Inside helicopterApr 28, 2007
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Helicopter cockpit with glass bottom.Apr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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Inside the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum. You are greeted by a replica of Kai-1, Japan's first military plane developed, produced, and flown at Tokorozawa on April 5, 1911. It flew 10 meters high and 800 meters long for 80 sec. 会式一号機Apr 28, 2007
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Back of Monument for Japan's Birth of Aviation日本の航空発祥の地・所沢Apr 28, 2007
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Other more modern planes and helicopters are on display in the main exhibition hall. This is a North American T6G.Apr 28, 2007
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Monument for Japan's Birth of Aviation 日本の航空発祥の地・所沢Apr 28, 2007
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The C-46 was used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces for cargo transport from the 1950s.Apr 28, 2007
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Monument for Japan's Birth of Aviation 日本の航空発祥の地・所沢Apr 28, 2007
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In front of Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is a Curtiss-Wright C-46 transport plane.Apr 28, 2007
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Part of the original runway at the Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park. 所沢航空記念公園Apr 28, 2007
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Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park. 所沢航空記念公園Apr 28, 2007
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Tokorozawa Aviation Museum. The building on the left is an IMAX theater, and the larger structure on the right is modeled after a blimp on the inside to show retired planes and helicopters. Looks like jet turbine too. 所沢航空発祥記念館Apr 28, 2007
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PropellerApr 28, 2007
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Air Nippon YS-11 propeller plane. Donated by All Nippon Airways in 1997.Apr 28, 2007
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YS-11 propeller plane. Open to the public on certain days of the year.Apr 28, 2007
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Front of YS-11 propeller plane.Apr 28, 2007
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Another sculpture in the Aviation Memorial Park.Apr 28, 2007
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Koku-Koen Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line 航空公園駅Apr 28, 2007
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Paper plane sculptureApr 28, 2007
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In front of Koku-Koen Station. Notice the paper plane sculpture and YS-11 prop plane.Apr 28, 2007
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Uphill climb for Shibazakura.Apr 28, 2007
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Bokusui Falls (I think...) 牧水の滝Apr 28, 2007
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Hitsujiyama Park and Mt. Bukosan.Apr 28, 2007
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Hitsujiyama Park and Mt. Bukosan.Apr 28, 2007
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ToriiApr 28, 2007
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Hitsujiyama Park with weeping cherry blossomsApr 28, 2007
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Chichibu StationApr 28, 2007
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A symbol of Chichibu, Mt. Bukosan is being slowly eaten away by cement companies. 武甲山Apr 28, 2007
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Hitsujiyama Park with weeping cherry blossoms and Mt. Bukosan. 羊山公園Apr 28, 2007
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Nakamise shopping arcade at Chichibu Station 仲見世Apr 28, 2007
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Chichibu Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line 西武池袋線 秩父駅Apr 28, 2007
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Chichibu Station platform on the Seibu Ikebukuro LineApr 28, 2007
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Seibu Ikebukuro Line train at Chichibu StationApr 28, 2007
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Outside the main entrance is this area full of food and souvenir stalls.Apr 28, 2007
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PosterApr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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Yae-zakura cherry blossoms and moss pink.Apr 28, 2007
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Yae-zakura cherry blossoms combine well with moss pink.Apr 28, 2007
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The shadowy areas bloom much later.Apr 28, 2007
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Scarlet Flame before full bloom.Apr 28, 2007
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Circular rainbowApr 28, 2007
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The park allows dogs, but they bark and ruin the peace. They should ban dogs from the park.Apr 28, 2007
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Corner workApr 28, 2007
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The flower patterns don't look like anything.Apr 28, 2007
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YApr 28, 2007
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Are your eyes getting tired of seeing this mountain and flowers?Apr 28, 2007
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Tulip and moss pinkApr 28, 2007
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YApr 28, 2007
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TricotApr 28, 2007
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I found an almost infinite number of image combinations of the flowers and mountain.Apr 28, 2007
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The combination of Mt. Bukosan and the flowers are almost unlimited. Chichibu, Saitama. 武甲山Apr 28, 2007
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Apr 28, 2007
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