Last additions - SHIZUOKA 静岡県 |
JR Shimada Station on the Tokaido Line. It's about 30 min. east of JR Shizuoka Station. On the right is the small plaza where they danced.Oct 25, 2010
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Atami has a few hot spring public baths where you can enjoy the waters without having to stay at a hotel. It costs around 500 yen to 1000 yen.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Tacky bridges leading to the sleazy side of town.Mar 16, 2010
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Plaque for Sir Rutherford Alcock, the first British ambassador to Japan and the first foreigner to climb Mt. Fuji. He stopped in Atami on the way back from Mt. Fuji.Mar 16, 2010
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Fake castle in Atami, but a landmark nevertheless.Mar 16, 2010
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Peninsula on the right side is unsightly with another mishmash of structures.Mar 16, 2010
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Yacht harborMar 16, 2010
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Ferries go to Hatsushima and Oshima islands.Mar 16, 2010
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Hatsushima islandMar 16, 2010
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Water fountain for lovers.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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FerryMar 16, 2010
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The beachfront is a mishmash of buildings.Mar 16, 2010
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Atami Moon TerraceMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Imagine hpw crowded the beach will get when they have summer fireworks in Atami.Mar 16, 2010
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Atami Sun Beach is popular in summer.Mar 16, 2010
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It takes about 20 min. to walk to the beach from Atami Station.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Some cherry trees near the beach.Mar 16, 2010
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Rainbow DeckMar 16, 2010
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Hawaiian restaurant in Atami Ginza.Mar 16, 2010
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About Atami's seven hot springsMar 16, 2010
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Atami Ginza is quite deserted during the day.Mar 16, 2010
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Atami Ginza is a street of shops.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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DirectionsMar 16, 2010
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Lots of sloping roads in hilly Atami.Mar 16, 2010
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Hot spring fountain as a hand bath.Mar 16, 2010
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Inside Heiwa-dori shopping arcade.Mar 16, 2010
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Entrance to shopping arcade.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Onsen manjuMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Onsen manju, sweet bean jam cakes steamed with hot spring water are sold everywhere in Atami.Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's hot spring.Mar 16, 2010
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In front of Atami Station.Mar 16, 2010
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Hot spring foot bath next to Atami Station.Mar 16, 2010
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Gift shops next to Atami Station. The architecture doesn't match the station at all.Mar 16, 2010
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In front of Atami Station.Mar 16, 2010
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JR Atami StationMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Parking area for people going to Nihondaira via the steps up the mountain. Near here is the bus stop for Shizuoka Station.Mar 16, 2010
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Torii with Kunozan in the background.Mar 16, 2010
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Stone torii 山下石鳥居Mar 16, 2010
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Plum garden markerMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Plum treesMar 16, 2010
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Stone steps 石段Mar 16, 2010
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Plum garden markerMar 16, 2010
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Nice view from the stone steps. Those vinyl houses are growing strawberries which are sold everywhere at the foot of Kunozan during Jan. to May.Mar 16, 2010
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It might take at least 30 min. to go up these steps, 1,159 steps spanning 760 meters with 17 switchbacks.Mar 16, 2010
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Gate keeper station 門衛所Mar 16, 2010
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Stone steps going down to the coast. It takes about 20 min. to go down these stone steps to the bottom. There are 1,159 stone steps which don't mean much unless you're climbing up.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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View from lookout deckMar 16, 2010
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Lookout deckMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Museum has about 2,000 pieces in its collection of mostly everyday things used by Ieyasu and other Tokugawa shoguns. Besides swords, there are Western articles. 博物館Mar 16, 2010
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Inside Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Museum, articles belonging to Ieyasu are displayed. If you're Spanish, you'd be interested in seeing the Spanish clock owned by Ieyasu. Admission charged.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's tomb at Kunozan ToshoguMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's tomb at Kunozan Toshogu. The tomb actually faces west, toward Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture where Ieyasu was born. 神廟Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's tomb at Kunozan ToshoguMar 16, 2010
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Approach to Ieyasu's tombMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Gate to Tokugawa Ieyasu's tomb is also an Important Cultural Property. 廟所Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Honden HallMar 16, 2010
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Karamon Gate door carvingMar 16, 2010
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View from Karamon GateMar 16, 2010
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Plexiglass protects the lower carvings.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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It takes about 30 processes to restore the lacquer.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Honden HallMar 16, 2010
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CarvingMar 16, 2010
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Roof cornerMar 16, 2010
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Honden Hall roofMar 16, 2010
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The shrine looks spanking new and the colors are very impressive. It cost 1,300,000,000 yen to restore the lacquer and paint.Mar 16, 2010
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Lion dog painting on the Hionden Hall.Mar 16, 2010
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They repaint and lacquer the shrine only once every 50 years. It takes several years to complete the job and they just finished it in 2006.Mar 16, 2010
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Honden Hall of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine at Nihondaira, Shizuoka. The shrine's focal point and most magnificent building. Important Cultural Property.Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa crestMar 16, 2010
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Side gate roofMar 16, 2010
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Side gateMar 16, 2010
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Side gate to HondenMar 16, 2010
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Honden roofMar 16, 2010
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Side gate to the Haiden and Honden Halls.Mar 16, 2010
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Side gate roof.Mar 16, 2010
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Tokugawa crest on this rain catcher.Mar 16, 2010
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Hieda Shrine is what you see before the Honden main hall.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Roof tiles are decorated with the Tokugawa crest.Mar 16, 2010
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Kaguraden Hall for sacred dances is also an Important Cultural Property. 神楽殿Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Karamon Gate's ornate roof.Mar 16, 2010
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Karamon Gate entrance to the Haiden Hall. The ornate Karamon Gate is an Important Cultural Property. However, we are not allowed to enter through this gate. 拝殿Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan Toshogu is designated as an Important Cultural Property, but unlike the Nikko Toshogu, there are no National Treasures (except in the museum).Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Site of a five-story pagoda which had to be torn down in 1873 when Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples had to be separated. (A pagoda is a Buddhist structure.)Mar 16, 2010
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Sacred horse stable. (Mannequin horse)Mar 16, 2010
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Purification water fountain is an Important Cultural Property.Mar 16, 2010
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ToriiMar 16, 2010
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Ieyasu plum treeMar 16, 2010
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Handprint of Tokugawa Ieyasu displayed behind Romon Gate.Mar 16, 2010
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Carving on Romon Gate. If you've been to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, many architectural and artistic elements here at Kunozan will look familiar.Mar 16, 2010
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Admission to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine is 500 yen (or 800 yen if you also want to see the museum). It's worth it. After paying admission, you see this Romon Gate which is an Important Cultural Property. 楼門Mar 16, 2010
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Map of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. It's not as big as it looks. The shrine is one of Nihondaira's main attractions. It was the original burial site of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine was built by his son Hidetada.Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan Toshogu Shrine was built 19 years before the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Tochigi Prefecture) which is where Ieyasu was reburied. According to his will, Ieyasu wanted to be buried on Kunozan. Before the shrine, there was a temple and a castle hereMar 16, 2010
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In 1582, the Takeda clan was defeated and Kunozan fell to the Tokugawa. Kunozan Toshogu Shrine was built in 1617 by Tokugawa Hidetada to bury and deify his father Tokugawa Ieyasu.Mar 16, 2010
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Mt. Kunozan probably got its name from Kunoji temple built by Kuno Tadahito in 600. The temple suffered a fire in 1225. In 1568, Takeda Shingen moved the temple to Shimizu and built a castle on Kunozan. Mar 16, 2010
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About Kunozan Toshogu Shrine in English.Mar 16, 2010
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About Kunozan Toshogu Shrine in Japanese.Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan is right next to the coast. That's the Pacific Ocean.Mar 16, 2010
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The Nihondaira Ropeway goes over Byobu-dani Valley, noted for rock formations resembling folding screens (byobu).Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira Ropeway to Kunozan. The ropeway ride is only only 5 min. It runs quite often.Mar 16, 2010
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Riding the Nihondaira Ropeway to Kunozan. Built in 1957, the ropeway is 1,065 meters long.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira Ropeway operates from 9:10 am to 5:15 pm (till 4:15 pm in winter months).Mar 16, 2010
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By coincidence, a newly married couple disembarked from the ropeway after their wedding held at Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. We clapped for them.Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira Ropeway costs 550 yen one way (1000 yen round trip). If you go to Nihondaira by bus, you can take a bus back from Kunozan instead of going back to the Nihondaira bus stop.Mar 16, 2010
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Lover's Monument near the Nihondaira ropeway.Mar 16, 2010
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Lock your heart.Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan is accessible by ropeway (aerial tram) from Nihondaira or by winding steps going up on the other side from the coastal road.Mar 16, 2010
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Kunozan in the distance. You can see Kunozan's sloping peak on which Kunozan Toshogu Shrine is built. Its elevation is 270 meters.Mar 16, 2010
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View of central Shizuoka city from Nihondaira Park Center.Mar 16, 2010
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Song monumentMar 16, 2010
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There's also a lookout deck on the roof of the Nihondaira Park Center.Mar 16, 2010
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Back at the Nihondaira Park Center (next to the bus stop), there are souvenir shops and a ropeway station to go to Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.Mar 16, 2010
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I went on a Sunday and it was noisy with all these motorcycles and sports cars buzzing around. They catch their thrills on the curving roads of Nihondaira.Mar 16, 2010
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But I did find a plum tree with flowers. Smells nice.Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira ume plum grove. Flowers already withered by the time I was there in mid-March. 日本平梅園Mar 16, 2010
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Lots of antenna atop Nihondaira.Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Shizuoka cityMar 16, 2010
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View of Mt. Fuji from NihondairaMar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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View of Nihondaira's parking lot and Mt. Fuji.Mar 16, 2010
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Yet another Nihondaira stone marker.Mar 16, 2010
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Another lookout deck on top of a souvenir shop. Free admission. Go up to the 4th floor.Mar 16, 2010
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Not much inside the Tea Hall which sells some tea.Mar 16, 2010
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Tea Hall (Cha Kaikan) 茶会館Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira monument and Mt. Fuji.Mar 16, 2010
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Shimizu Port and Miho no Matsubara beyond it. Miho Peninsula is also home of one of Japan's swan maiden legends. There's even a shrine dedicated to the swan maiden.Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira monument in the parking lot.Mar 16, 2010
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Map of Nihondaira. It's not as spread out as it looks. Everything is within easy walking distance. If you visit in Feb., see the ume plum trees in bloom.Mar 16, 2010
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Mt. Fuji as seen from the Eastern Lookout Deck. This is one place where you would want to visit on a clear day. Otherwise, you won't see Mt. Fuji.Mar 16, 2010
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Another lookout deck is this Higashi Tenbodai or Eastern Lookout Deck. 東展望台Mar 16, 2010
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View from the Eastern Lookout Deck on Nihondaira. Mar 16, 2010
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Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira is a plateau 308 meters high. It affords great views almost all around. There are a few lookout points on Nihondaira and this is one of them on Nihondaira's peak. Called Ginbodai.Mar 16, 2010
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Statue of a mother and child. Based on the famous children's song called "Akai Kutsu" (Red Shoes). The song was modeled after a little girl who was from Shimizu, Shizuoka. The sculpture was made in 1986.Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira was designated as a National Scenic Site in 1963 by the Japanese government. This high and flat plateau was recognized for its grand views all around, especially of Mt. Fuji. It also includes Mt. Kunozan, home of Toshogu Shrine.Mar 16, 2010
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Nihondaira markerMar 16, 2010
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Off of Shimizu Port is Miho no Matsubara, a pine-clad, slither of land jutting into the ocean. Mar 16, 2010
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Mt. Fuji as seen from Nihondaira.Mar 16, 2010
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Mt. Fuji as seen from Nihondaira's Ginbodai. Even sunny days can be hazy, but at least Mt. Fuji was visible when I went in mid-March. It was too hazy to see the Izu Peninsula.Mar 16, 2010
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One main attraction of Nihondaira is views of Mt. Fuji and Miho no Matsubara on sunny days. If it's really sunny, you can also see the Izu Peninsula.Mar 16, 2010
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Monument on the peak of Nihondaira. It says "Ginbodai." 吟望台Mar 16, 2010
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From Shizuoka Station (bus stop 19), it takes 35 min. by bus to Nihondaira. The bus comes to this Nihondaira Park Center. From here, you can easily walk to the points of interest.Mar 16, 2010
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The annual Daidogei (street performance) World Cup in Shizuoka is held in Sumpu Park in autumn.Aug 19, 2008
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Shizuoka manholeAug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Grassy LawnAug 19, 2008
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Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka at Sumpu ParkAug 19, 2008
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Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka at Sumpu ParkAug 19, 2008
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Park areaAug 19, 2008
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Tatsumi Yagura as seen from behind.Aug 19, 2008
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Ruins of the Inner MoatAug 19, 2008
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Map of Sumpu ParkAug 19, 2008
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Ruins of the Inner Moat 内堀Aug 19, 2008
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Stone wall of Higashi Gomon GateAug 19, 2008
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About Higashi Gomon GateAug 19, 2008
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About Tatsumi YaguraAug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon GateAug 19, 2008
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Inside Tatsumi Yagura TurretAug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate BridgeAug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate 東御門Aug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate 東御門Aug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate and bridgeAug 19, 2008
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Gate doorAug 19, 2008
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About Sumpu CastleAug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate 東御門Aug 19, 2008
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Sumpu Castle's Higashi Gomon Gate and bridge 東御門Aug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate and bridge 東御門Aug 19, 2008
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Higashi Gomon Gate and bridgeAug 19, 2008
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Sunpu Castle has only two castle buildings, both reconstructed. This is one of them, the Tatsumi Yagura Turret. 巽櫓Aug 19, 2008
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Tatsumi Yagura Turret at the southeast corner of Sumpu Park. 巽櫓Aug 19, 2008
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Sunpu Castle's Tatsumi Yagura Turret and Higashi Gomon Gate.Aug 19, 2008
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Statue of Yajirobe'e ("Yaji") on the left and Kitahachi ("Kita") from the story "Tokaido-chu Hizakurige" by Juppensha Ikku (1765-1839) a comic playwright who was born in Shizuoka city. In front of Sumpu Castle.Aug 19, 2008
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Yaji in front of Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka city. 「東海道中膝栗毛」十返捨一九Aug 19, 2008
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Statue of Yajirobe'e ("Yaji") on the left and Kitahachi ("Kita") from the story "Tokaido-chu Hizakurige" by Juppensha Ikku (1765-1839) a comic playwright who was born in Shizuoka city.Aug 19, 2008
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Kita in front of Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka city. 「東海道中膝栗毛」十返捨一九Aug 19, 2008
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Aug 19, 2008
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When Tokugawa Ieyasu retired as shogun, he lived here at Sumpu Castle. He also died here at age 72 in 1616. On the day of his death, his body was taken to Mt. Kunozan at Nihondaira for burial.Aug 19, 2008
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Aug 19, 2008
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Tatsumi Yagura Turret (Reconstructed in 1992)Aug 19, 2008
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Aug 19, 2008
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Sumpu Castle moat. The buildings are the Shizuoka Prefectural capital.Aug 19, 2008
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Bridge over the first moat.Aug 19, 2008
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Sumpu Castle is a short walk from JR Shizuoka Station. You'll find mainly moats, a large park, and some government buildings.Aug 19, 2008
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Jan 21, 2006
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Public phoneJan 21, 2006
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Shopping streetJan 21, 2006
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Shimizu BankJan 21, 2006
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Shopping streetJan 21, 2006
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Shimizu Bank's relief of Kazutoyo and ChiyoJan 21, 2006
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Shimizu BankJan 21, 2006
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Kakegawa Station, south entranceJan 21, 2006
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Kakegawa Station, north entranceJan 21, 2006
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Main street in front of stationJan 21, 2006
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Kakegawa, ShizuokaJan 21, 2006
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Guard house next to Otemon Gate大手門番所Jan 21, 2006
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Otemon GateJan 21, 2006
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Otemon GateJan 21, 2006
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Otemon Gate rearJan 21, 2006
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Otemon GateJan 21, 2006
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Castle towerJan 21, 2006
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Otemon Gate大手門Jan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Otemon Gate大手門Jan 21, 2006
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Castle towerJan 21, 2006
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Jan 21, 2006
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Castle tower as seen from neighboring high schoolJan 21, 2006
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Castle tower and Taiko Turret太鼓櫓Jan 21, 2006
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Pine tree and castle towerJan 21, 2006
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Kakegawa Castle markerJan 21, 2006
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