Home > Outside Japan 海外

Last additions - Outside Japan 海外
B016.jpg
King Kalakaua in JapanFeb 05, 2008
haw1.jpg
King Kamehameha StatueDec 04, 2007
A069.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
A068.jpg
HalemaumauDec 04, 2007
A071.jpg
Kalapana Black Sand Beach (before being covered by lava)Dec 04, 2007
A072.jpg
Akaka FallsDec 04, 2007
k018-117_1765.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k014-117_1727.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k017-117_1766.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k016-117_1739.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k015-117_1721.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k012-117_1707.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k013-116_1698.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k010-117_1771.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
k011-116_1690.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
071-118_1888.jpg
Dec 04, 2007
070-118_1887.jpg
Japanese stone lantern and koi carp at Ala Moana Shopping CenterDec 04, 2007
027-A017.jpg
Waikiki Shell graduation ceremonyDec 04, 2007
026-A019.jpg
Waikiki Shell graduation ceremonyDec 04, 2007
025-A018.jpg
Waikiki Shell graduation ceremonyDec 04, 2007
022-C036.jpg
Bishop Museum, wooden bowls with human teethDec 04, 2007
024-016-118_1819.jpg
Canoes and sunsetDec 04, 2007
021-119_1906.jpg
Bishop MuseumDec 04, 2007
023-015-115_1598.jpg
Moanalua Gardens banyan treeDec 04, 2007
018-A013.jpg
Univ. of Hawaii at ManoaDec 04, 2007
019-119_1936.jpg
Sunset skyDec 04, 2007
020-C042.jpg
Hawaiian foodDec 04, 2007
017-1980JULHONO5.jpg
Father Damien at Hawaii State CapitolDec 04, 2007
014-012-115_1564_2.jpg
Iolani PalaceDec 04, 2007
015-A033.jpg
Aliiolani HaleDec 04, 2007
016-A036.jpg
Aloha TowerDec 04, 2007
013-A011.jpg
Manoa Valley RainbowDec 04, 2007
010-119_1945.jpg
Diamond Head as seen from Honolulu AirportDec 04, 2007
012-013-116_1625.jpg
Diamond Head as seen from PunchbowlDec 04, 2007
011-85TANTALUS2.jpg
Diamond Head as seen from Tantalus. Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa in foreground.Dec 04, 2007
034-117_1782A.jpg
North ShoreOct 29, 2007
033-83AUGKAILUA2.jpg
Kaneohe Beach windsurfingOct 29, 2007
031-80JULHONO12.jpg
Hanauma Bay toilet bowlOct 29, 2007
032-80JULHONO13.jpg
Hanauma Bay toilet bowlOct 29, 2007
029-80JULHONO15.jpg
Hanauma Bay toilet bowl (flushed out)Oct 29, 2007
030-80JULHONO14.jpg
Hanauma Bay toilet bowlOct 29, 2007
028-A031.jpg
Hanauma BayOct 29, 2007
027-A030.jpg
Hanauma BayOct 29, 2007
026-117_1736.jpg
SkylineOct 29, 2007
025-80JULHONO1.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
024-80JULHONO2.jpg
Rainbow over Ala Moana BeachOct 29, 2007
023-A028.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
022-A029.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
020-117_1733.jpg
Ala Moana BeachOct 29, 2007
021-117_1761.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
019-117_1743.jpg
Magic IslandOct 29, 2007
018-117_1744.jpg
Ala Moana Magic IslandOct 29, 2007
017-B021.jpg
Statue of Princess Kaiulani in WaikikiOct 29, 2007
016-A025.jpg
View of Koko Head from Diamond HeadOct 29, 2007
015-A024.jpg
Kapiolani Park in foregroundOct 29, 2007
014-HONO8.jpg
View of Waikiki from atop Diamond HeadOct 29, 2007
013-115_1567_2.jpg
Rainbow over the slope of Diamond HeadOct 29, 2007
012-A027.jpg
Waikiki BeachOct 29, 2007
011-A026.jpg
Waikiki BeachOct 29, 2007
010-117_1732.jpg
Diamond HeadOct 29, 2007
026-MAU14.jpg
Kipahulu Seven Sacred Pools, near HanaOct 29, 2007
025-MAU18.jpg
HanaOct 29, 2007
024-MAU13.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
023-A052.jpg
On the way to HanaOct 29, 2007
022-MAU12.jpg
Hookipa ParkOct 29, 2007
021-A051.jpg
Keawe Kapu beach near WaileaOct 29, 2007
020-A050.jpg
Lahaina Jodo Mission Daibutsu buddha.Oct 29, 2007
019-MAU19.jpg
KapaluaOct 29, 2007
018-MAU16.jpg
Molokini island where we went scuba diving.Oct 29, 2007
017-MAU15.jpg
LahainaOct 29, 2007
016-MAU2.jpg
Off Maui coast on the way to Molokini.Oct 29, 2007
014-MAU17.jpg
Haleakala Crater from a roadside lookout point.Oct 29, 2007
015-A004.jpg
Nene, Hawaii's official bird.Oct 29, 2007
013-MAU5.jpg
View from Haleakala summit, with Big Island peaks in view.Oct 29, 2007
012-MAU4.jpg
View from Haleakala, looking at Kihei.Oct 29, 2007
011-MAU6.jpg
View from HaleakalaOct 29, 2007
010-A048.jpg
Iao NeedleOct 29, 2007
201-CAZ2-1999-JUL9.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
200-CAZ1-1999-JUL9.jpg
Brothers Cazimero in JapanOct 29, 2007
067-A042.jpg
Sleeping quarters in USS MissouriOct 29, 2007
066-A044.jpg
Location on ship where Japan surrendered.Oct 29, 2007
065-A043.jpg
Location on ship where Japan surrendered.Oct 29, 2007
064-A045.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
062-A041.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
063-A046.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
061-A040.jpg
Battleship MissouriOct 29, 2007
060-A039.jpg
Arizona MemorialOct 29, 2007
017-116_1624.jpg
View from PunchbowlOct 29, 2007
016-HONO48.jpg
Friends Forever at PunchbowlOct 29, 2007
015-009-B045.jpg
Grave of Astronaut Ellison Onizuka at Punchbowl CemetaryOct 29, 2007
014-A037.jpg
PunchbowlOct 29, 2007
013-C040.jpg
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii exhibitOct 29, 2007
012-C039.jpg
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii exhibit (Japanese classroom)Oct 29, 2007
011-C038.jpg
Japanese Cultural Center of HawaiiOct 29, 2007
010-115_1568.jpg
Statue of King David Kalakaua at entrance to WaikikiOct 29, 2007
171-118_1810.jpg
GString Ukulele factoryOct 29, 2007
170-118_1812.jpg
Derek Shimizu at GString UkuleleOct 29, 2007
155-116_1668.jpg
Finished feather topsOct 29, 2007
154-116_1666A.jpg
Sewing feather top for uli uli at Aloha Hula SupplyOct 29, 2007
153-116_1663.jpg
Making uli uli rattlesOct 29, 2007
152-116_1661.jpg
Aloha Hula Supply factoryOct 29, 2007
151-118_1802.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
150-118_1803.jpg
Hula Supply CenterOct 29, 2007
086-118_1809.jpg
Iolani Palace special hula performanceOct 29, 2007
085-115_1586.jpg
Bishop Museum hula showOct 29, 2007
067-116_1643.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
066-119_1927.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
065-118_1876.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
064-118_1869.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
063-118_1834.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
062-117_1776.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
061-010-117_1786.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
060-117_1782.jpg
Ala Moana Shopping CenterOct 29, 2007
043-116_1672.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
042-116_1666.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
041-116_1654.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
040-116_1650.jpg
Brunch on the Beach, WaikikiOct 29, 2007
031-118_1891.jpg
Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting & Hula ShowOct 29, 2007
030-115_1536.jpg
Free hula lesson at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, WaikikiOct 29, 2007
015-85AUG8KODAKHULA4.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
014-85AUG8KODAKHULA3.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
013-85AUG8KODAKHULA1.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
012-85AUG8KODAKHULA6.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
011-85AUG8KODAKHULA5.jpg
Oct 29, 2007
010-85AUG8KODAKHULA7.jpg
Kodak Hula Show at Waikiki ShellOct 29, 2007
00-helsingin.jpg
Japan Day announcement in Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki's leading newspaper.The announcement was one-fourth page. My two photos contrasted between the traditional and pop cultures.Apr 28, 2006
00-annantalo06g.jpg
Budo boothApr 20, 2006
00-annantalo08a.jpg
Completed flower arrangements.Apr 20, 2006
00-annantalo02a.jpg
The entire building is jam-packed. This is the bazaar section.Apr 20, 2006
00-annantalo08.jpg
Flower arrangement lessonApr 18, 2006
00-annantalo07.jpg
Shodo calligraphy lessonApr 18, 2006
00-annantalo05.jpg
Kimono demonstrationApr 18, 2006
00-annantalo03.jpg
Kimono demonstration attracted the most attention. Many people could not enter the auditorium to see this.Apr 18, 2006
00-annantalo06.jpg
Kimono demonstrationApr 18, 2006
00-annantalo02.jpg
Japan Day Opening Ceremony with the Japanese ambassador to Finland and his wife sitting front and center.On Ambassador Kondo's left is Mrs. Johanna Lindstedt, the director of Annantalo, and next to her is Ronny Rönnqvist, the chairman of the Friends of Japanese Culture Society which was the co-organizer of the Japan Day event.Apr 18, 2006
00-annantalo04.jpg
A total of 10 local Finnish women modeled the kimono.Apr 18, 2006
00-exhibit1.jpg
A steady stream of people came to see the exhibition of about 30 pictures.Apr 17, 2006
00-exhibit3.jpg
One wall also showed photos of Japanese temples by Elina Moriya, a Helsinki-based Japanese-Finnish photographer.So it was actually a joint photo exhibition by Philbert and Elina. How about that... When I first met Elina, I never dreamed something like this would happen.Apr 17, 2006
00-exhibit2.jpg
My video clips of Japanese festivals were also shown by a monitor.Apr 17, 2006
00-annantalo10.jpg
Photo exhibition room with "Japanese Costume" photos by Philbert Ono.Apr 17, 2006
00-annantalo11.jpg
People crowding the photo exhibition room with "Japanese Costume" photos by Philbert Ono.Apr 17, 2006
00-annantalo01.jpg
Annantalo Arts Centre, Helsinki. Their Japan Day event was held on April 9, 2006.A former primary school built in 1886, this distinguished-looking building is now an arts center for children and young people. They held a Japan Day event on April 9, 2006 when they presented Budo demonstrations, kimono show, workshops, Japanese food, lectures, and a photo exhibition featuring my pictures of Japanese costumes. My friend Elina Moriya also showed a few of her pictures of temples.

Annantalo Web site: [url=http://www.kulttuuri.hel.fi/annantalo/index_en.html[/url]
Apr 17, 2006
21-9732-11.jpg
Hikiyama Festival, Nagahama, Shiga PrefectureHeld in mid-April, the Hikiyama Festival features authentic kabuki plays performed by young boys. Several ornate floats on wheels move around the city to serve as portable stages for these well-trained actors. The boys play both the male and female roles and wear gorgeous kimono. They undergo rigorous practice sessions during the months before the festival.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
24-9946-36.jpg
Costume PlayerPurin from Pokemon.
See more photos of cosplayers here.
Mar 17, 2006
22-9817MAR22-5.jpg
Costume PlayerIn Tokyo, large anime and manga fairs are held at convention halls such as Tokyo Big Sight and Makuhari Messe. Many cosplayers also attend these events and pose for photographers. You can see many anime, manga, and video game characters come to life in an incredible array of costumes.
See more photos of cosplayers here.
Mar 17, 2006
25-9818MAR22-5.jpg
Costume PlayerCosplay costumes are sometimes based on Japanese kimono and Japanese elements such as the cherry blossom. She's Sakura Shinguuji from a video game called Sakura Wars (Sakura Taisen).
See more photos of cosplayers here.
Mar 17, 2006
23-9817MAR22-2.jpg
Costume PlayerA vampiress.
See more photos of cosplayers here.
Mar 17, 2006
20-IMG_3487.jpg
Shinto Shrine Maidens, Taga Taisha Shrine, Shiga PrefectureMany Shinto shrines in Japan employ female attendants called "miko." They perform ceremonial dances, clean the shrine grounds, and sell charms at the shrine's gift shop. The shrine maiden's standard costume consists of a short, white kimono worn over a scarlet-red hakama (skirt-trousers). They usually wear their hair long, bundled on the back.

This picture was taken on New Year's Day when many people in Japan visit shrines to pray for a happy and safe new year. They perform a dance on the shrine's outdoor stage.
See more photos of this shrine here.
Mar 17, 2006
18-IMG_3767.jpg
Tekomai Children, Hie Shrine, TokyoHie Shrine in Tokyo holds the annual Sanno Festival in June. It consists of a parade and ceremony at the shrine. These children are dressed as tekomai geisha who originally provided side entertainment at festivals.Mar 17, 2006
19-HA5.jpg
Tekomai Geisha, Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, TokyoTomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Fukagawa, Tokyo holds the full-scale Fukagawa Hachiman Festival every three years in August. It is a parade of over 50 portable shrines preceded by a troupe of tekomai geisha.

Their colorful costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" to show a peony flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag along a metal wand. As they walk, they only sing traditional chant-like songs. They do not dance.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
17-HANAGASA.jpg
Hanagasa Festival, YamagataDuring early August, northern Japan holds several large-scale summer festivals. One of them is the Hanagasa (Flower Hat) Festival in Yamagata city. Held in the evening, it is a long parade of women dancing while wearing a flowered hat.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
13-IMG_4734.jpg
Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, KanagawaThe city of Yamato in Kanagawa Prefecture holds its annual Awa Odori dance during the last weekend in July. Numerous Awa Odori dance troupes (including those from Tokushima) participate in the evening dance parade in the city's main streets.Mar 17, 2006
15-IMG_7845.jpg
Awa Odori Dance, Koenji, TokyoIn late August, Koenji in Tokyo holds one of the largest Awa Odori dances outside Tokushima Prefecture. This woman is a different type of Awa dancer. She wears a head band, a happi coat imprinted with the name of her dance troupe, a pair of white shorts, and a pair of white sock-like shoes called tabi.Mar 17, 2006
16-IMG_4931.jpg
Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, KanagawaThe dance is accompanied by taiko drums and other traditional music. This woman was strong enough to be "one of the drum boys." She wears a head band and a full-length yukata.Mar 17, 2006
14-IMG_4993.jpg
Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, KanagawaAwa Odori dancers are characterized by their straw hats, a thin kimono called the yukata, and geta clogs. Their heels don't touch the ground, so they dance on their toes. They hop along while shaking their hands above their heads. Since the dance is performed in the summer, often the yukata gets soaked with perspiration.Mar 17, 2006
10-IMG_2305.jpg
Kamogawa Odori Geisha Dance, KyotoA scene from the annual Kamogawa Odori dance held in May in Kyoto. She wears a multi-layer kimono whose colors contrast well with each other. This type of kimono was worn by the nobility.
See more photos of this dance here.
Mar 17, 2006
11-IMG_0801.jpg
Aoi Festival, KyotoHeld in May, the Aoi (Hollyhock) Festival is one of Kyoto's Big Three festivals. It is a long parade of people dressed in historical costumes from the Heian Period (794-1185) when Kyoto was Japan's capital. Each participant also wears a small branch of hollyhock.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
09-IMG_2184.jpg
Back of a Maiko, KyotoThe maiko is an apprentice geisha (or geiko). She can be easily identified by the long length of her kimono sleeves and the long length of her obi sash on her back.
See more photos of Kyoto geisha here.
Mar 17, 2006
12-IMG_1073.jpg
Aoi Festival, KyotoThe parade proceeds through a long route in Kyoto, taking a few hours.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
08-IMG_2161.jpg
Geisha and Maiko in KyotoThis is in Pontocho, one of Kyoto's geisha districts. The woman on the left is a geisha (called "geiko" in Kyoto), the woman in the middle is a helper, and the woman on the right is a maiko or apprentice geisha. They are on their way to see the Kamogawa Odori dance performed by the Pontocho geisha in May.Mar 17, 2006
07-A3-COSPLAYER.jpg
Costume PlayersJapan has long been home to anime cartoons, manga comics, and video games. But it was only from the mid-1990s when it became very popular for teenagers and young women to dress up as characters from their favorite anime, manga, or video game. They congregate at manga, video game, and anime fairs where they pose for hordes of photographers.

They either buy or make their costumes. They depict so many characters that it's impossible to recognize all of them unless you ask them who they are costumed as. The girl on the left is dressed as Felicia from Vampire Savior.
See more photos of cosplayers here.
Mar 17, 2006
05-A3-OKINAWA.jpg
Okinawan KimonoOkinawa is a chain of subtropical islands in southern Japan between Kyushu and Taiwan. It developed its own language and culture while it was an independent kingdom centuries ago. Okinawan kimono, hairstyles, and dances therefore look quite different from the rest of Japan.

On the left is an Okinawan dancer wearing a kimono with her right arm exposed outside the sleeve. The dance is called "Nuchibana" (flower lei) featuring a string of red and white flowers. The dance expresses the feelings of a young woman in love.

The dancer on the right is wearing an Okinawan kimono called the bingata, perhaps Okinawa's most famous kimono. The design is made by applying dyes through a stencil. It was originally worn by Okinawa's royal family members. It is now the costume of a slow-moving Okinawan dance called "Yotsudake."
Mar 17, 2006
03-A3-AWA.jpg
Awa Odori Dance, Koenji, TokyoThe Awa Odori is a summer dance festival originally from Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku. It has spread to other cities such as Koenji, Tokyo and Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a simple dance accompanied by an infectious drum beat. The hands are raised above the head and shaken. It is the same gesture as saying, "I'm a fool." Hence, it is nicknamed the "Fool's Dance." It is originally a Buddhist bon dance held in August to welcome back the souls of the deceased returning to visit Earth. The crescent moon-shaped straw hat is one symbol of the dance.Mar 17, 2006
04-A3-OIRAN.jpg
Oiran Courtesan Procession, TokyoOn Nov. 3, Japan's Culture Day holiday, the Tokyo Festival of the Ages (Jidai Matsuri) is held in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is a long parade of people dressed in historical costumes tracing the history of Tokyo. One highlight is the Oiran Dochu, a procession for a high-ranking courtesan called "oiran." One of the trademarks of the oiran was her very high and heavy platform clogs. She walks in a very stylized figure 8 pattern. Her hair also has many ornaments.
See more photos of this festival here.
Mar 17, 2006
02-A3-KAGURAZAKA.jpg
Kagurazaka Geisha Dance, TokyoMost people associate the geisha with Kyoto. However, Tokyo also has authentic geisha. Kagurazaka is one of the few remaining geisha districts in Tokyo. The Kagurazaka geisha give public dance performances in spring called "Hana no Kai" (Glamorous Gathering). They have proven to be very popular with sold-out performances every year. The geisha change into different kimono as they perform graceful dances and musical plays.
See more photos of this dance here.
Mar 17, 2006
01-A3-LION.jpg
In case you missed the exhibition, you can see most of the pictures on this page. Lion Dance above.From a kabuki dance called Renjishi, this is one of Japan's most famous and dramatic costumes. The dance is usually performed by a father and son both appearing first as ordinary dancers holding a lion mask. Later, they transform into fierce-looking lions, the father with long white hair and the son with long red hair. The dance climaxes with both father and son spinning their hair furiously in the air accompanied by quick drum beating and music. A similar kabuki dance called Kagamijishi features only the white lion.Mar 17, 2006
006-116_1678.jpg
Inscription in EnglishJan 30, 2006
005-116_1679.jpg
Names of the nine Japanese who diedJan 30, 2006
008-116_1681.jpg
I hope the former submarine commander Scott Waddle comes here on each anniversary of the accident and pray for their souls.Jan 30, 2006
007-116_1680.jpg
Inscription in JapaneseJan 30, 2006
003-116_1682.jpg
Jan 30, 2006
002-116_1683.jpg
The memorial was unveiled on Feb. 9, 2002, a year after the accident.Jan 30, 2006
001-116_1687.jpg
Ehime Maru Memorial in Kakaako Waterfront Park, Honolulu えひめ丸慰霊之碑The memorial is on a slope with a good view of the ocean. It was indeed a suitable place for such a memorial. Jan 30, 2006
004-116_1677.jpg
On Feb. 9, 2001, a small Japanese fisheries training boat from Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture was struck by the USS Greeneville submarine as it bolted to the surface off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Nine Japanese high school students, teachers, and crewmen died aboard the Ehime Maru. A year later, a waterfront memorial was built in Honolulu.Jan 30, 2006
07a-Wolverine2Web.wmv
Wolverine movie clip (High-speed) クズリのムービーI used my digital video camera to film this wolverine grabbing a huge piece of pig carcass and carrying it for some distance until he dumped it out of fear. But it shows how strong these animals are. They can carry a carcass three times their own weight. Wolverines belong to the same family as weasels. They have sharp teeth and claws. The picture is not very sharp, maybe because of the rain. The sound has been erased. The movie clip is 1 min. 36 sec.

クズリが現れて豚の死がいの大きい部分を持って行こうとしたが、間もなく放置して逃げた。自分より重いものを運べる強い動物である。96秒のムービー。
Oct 17, 2005
45a-IMG_7811.jpg
Kuusamo Library クーサモ図書館This is the public library in Kuusamo to which I donated a bunch of Japanese nature photo books, magazines, and a DVD (see the previous images).

Before leaving for Finland, I requested and received a photo book from the three Japanese photographers I featured in my third slide show. I also went to a large bookstore in Tokyo and scoured all the Japanese nature photo books. I bought some books I thought would be of interest in Finland. I packed all the books in my suitcase, and when I checked in at Finnair at Narita Airport (Tokyo), they told me that my suitcase was overweight by 6 kg or so and I would have to pay extra. I asked how much, and she said 40,000 yen (about $300).

I couldn't believe it. I almost went ballistic. First I made sure that I heard correctly: "You mean 4,000 yen ($30) right?" No, it was 40,000 yen. I panicked inside, but tried to remain calm. Then I dropped down and opened my suitcase on the spot and took out 6 kg worth of books and stuffed them in a large plastic bag which they kindly provided.

Now I had two pieces of carry-on luggage and one lighter suitcase weighing right below the 25kg limit. "Fine" she said, and I was happy even though I was slightly weighed down.

It was worth the trouble because I later found out that the Kuusamo library had no photo books from Japan. But now they do.
Library Web site: http://www.kuusamo.fi/Resource.phx/sivut/sivut-kuusamo/kirjasto/index.htx

フィンランドへ行く前に都内の大手本屋さんへ行って日本の面白そうなネイチャー写真集を何冊も買って持って行きました。今森光彦、中村郁夫、栗林慧先生から頂いた写真集と合わせてスーツケースに入れた。そして成田でFinnairでチェックインすると重さ制限(25kg)がオーバーで追加料金がなんと4万円!!とんでもない話で、その場でスーツケースを開けて6kg分の重い本を手持ちにした。それでOKだった。

これらの寄贈写真集は、スライドショー中にも紹介して「図書館で借りられる」と皆さんに知らせました。来場者からも写真集やDVDの注文も何件か受付ました。
Oct 12, 2005
31j-IMG_7825.jpg
Pipe made of mammoth bone ネネッツ族の展示This exhibit was presented by Markku and Johannes Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui who studied and filmed the Nenets and other tribes.Oct 12, 2005
31i-IMG_7259.jpg
Instruments and implements of the Nenets tribe ネネッツ族の展示Drum and other implements.

This exhibit was presented by Markku and Johannes Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui who studied and filmed the Nenets and other tribes.
Oct 12, 2005
31h-IMG_7258.jpg
Native clothing of Nenets tribe ネネッツ族の衣類The Nenets tribe live in the polar region of northwestern Siberia in Russia. They are Arctic reindeer pastoralists with huge herds of reindeer. Their faces look Asian or Mongoloid.

This exhibit of Nenets clothing (made of reindeer skin/fur) was presented by Markku and Johannes Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui who studied and filmed the Nenets and other tribes.

They brought a whole load of other exhibits (see next image) to Kuusamo Hall.

ホールのロビーに写真以外にもいろいろの展示物があった。これは、シベリアにいるネネッツ族の衣類。ほとんどトナカイの毛皮で作られている。
Oct 12, 2005
31f-lassi.jpg
My Bears, by Lassi Rautiainen フィンランドのヒグマの写真集Lassi is the main man behind the Kuusamo Nature Photo festival. He is also a well-known nature photographer in Europe and his special passion is bears ("karhu" in Finnish).

This is his photo book of "his" bears in the Finnish (and maybe Russian) wilderness photographed from his bear hides (wildlife observation huts). The text is in four languages including English. One of the first things he says in the book is that bears are not dangerous. They do not attack people. Well, that's not true in Japan. Bears do attack and kill people in Japan. People picking mushrooms in the mountains or even in their backyard near a mountain can be vulnerable.

Bear attacks are often widely reported in Japan's news media. So I was surprised to hear that bears in Finland are afraid of people and run away when they see humans. Finland has about 1,000 brown bears. Happily, I saw two of them during a bear-watching trip conducted by Lassi.

The book is quite interesting. Lassi gives colorful names to all the bears he has seen. There's Flathead, Ruffled-head, Little Boy, Beefcake, and Split-ear, Finland's most photographed bear. Split-ear's right ear has a little V-notch on the tip. He got it by tearing off the tag that a bear researcher had tacked on.

Lassi also tells interesting stories about the mating practices of the bears (occurring in May-June), and about his own encounters with the bears. The book also shows pictures of wolverines which look like badgers. I was lucky to observe and film a wolverine at a bear hide. There are only a few hundred of them in the Nordic region.

Lassi is a great nature storyteller and often humorous. And I read this book from cover to cover with great interest. Published by his company, Articmedia. ISBN: 951-95376-6-X

「僕のヒグマ」という写真集で、フィンランドで撮ったヒグマの写真。写真家のラッシー・ラウティアイネン氏(Lassi Rautiainen)は長年のヒグマのオタク。クーサモのネィチャーフォト祭りの実行委員長でもある。面白い方です。
Oct 12, 2005
31g-IMG_7293.jpg
Kuusamo Hall lobby ホールのロビーHanging on the 2nd floor balconey on the right is a teepee made of reindeer skin. Reindeer skin is very strong and can last many years. It also keeps the teepee warm.

This teepee exhibit was presented by Markku and Johannes Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui. They brought a whole load of other things (see following images) and photos to display at Kuusamo Hall.

ホールのロビーに写真以外にもいろいろの展示物があった。
Oct 12, 2005
31c-IMG_7847.jpg
Photo books for sale フィンランドの写真集の即売Nature photo books published in Finland and by some of the photographers featured at the festival were also displayed for sale. The next few images show a few of the books that were available (and which I bought).

フィンランドの写真集も即売されていた。何冊も買って次に紹介する。
Oct 12, 2005
00-kiitos.png
Letter of Thanks from PhilI really enjoyed my first trip to Finland during September 4-18, 2005 (Sept. 8-17 in Kuusamo) and savored every hour. The people in Kuusamo were all so nice and it was a great pleasure to meet and see the work of many talented and dedicated photographers from Europe.

They have definitely piqued my interest and opened my eyes to the nature and wildlife in northern Europe and the Arctic region. I've also become much more keenly aware of the seriousness of global warming. People in Finland have told me how the climate has become noticeably warmer over the decades. Such countries near the polar regions are the first to feel and see the detrimental effects of global warming. I really hope we can someday reverse the trend.

I want to thank the people who made my sponsored trip and participation in Kuusamo Nature Photo 2005 possible and very enjoyable. After months of email correspondence with the festival staff, it was great to finally meet all of them face to face. It makes a big difference when you know the face and person behind the name.

I know they worked very hard to pull off a very successful nature photo festival. For all the email correspondence, coordination, and making all the arrangements, I especially want to thank the following:

Lassi Rautiainen, Kuusamo Nature Photo Director
Pekka Pirhonen, Kuusamo Culture Department Manager
Seija Väisänen
Hannele Pappila
Town of Kuusamo
Corporate sponsors

I also want to personally thank the following people:

Pirkko Väätäinen, my interpreter who interpreted my three slide shows into Finnish.
Hannu Hautala and wife Irma, for having us over at his home/office. Despite his fame, Hannu is a very down-to-earth and warm-hearted man. It was a great pleasure to meet him, to see his collection of Japanese photo books, and hearing about his two trips to Japan.
Barbara, for videotaping my slide shows with my video camera and taking some great snapshots of me enjoying myself in Kuusamo. And also for providing transportation to/from the airport.
Tõnu Ling, for taking snapshots of me in Kuusamo and being my first friend in Kuusamo (we met on the plane to Kuusamo).
Koillis sanomat newspaper and reporter Tuomo Pirttimaa for interviewing me in an article they published.

Again, I have to thank Lassi for everything. He was the one who took care of all the details even during our nature trips. Lending sleeping bags, carrying hot drinks in heavy thermos bottles, driving us all over the place, answering all our questions, taking pictures of us, and making sure everyone had an enjoyable time. He turned out to be quite humorous. I can highly recommend him to anyone who needs a very knowledgeable local guide to watch or photograph wildlife in Finland.
See his Web site: Articmedia

Finally, I want to thank all the people and photographers I met at Kuusamo for their pleasant company and friendship. Remember that you have a friend in Japan. If you ever come and visit, let me know.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this permanent online gallery of Finland photos explained in both English and Japanese.

Philbert Ono
Tokyo, Japan

P.S. In case you don't know, "kiitos" means thank you in Finnish.
Oct 12, 2005
31e-hannubook.jpg
To Everything a Season, by Hannu Hautala and Markku Lappalainen 写真家ハンヌ・ハウタラHannu Hautala is Finland's most well-known nature photographer. Even in Helsinki's biggest bookstore, you can find a "Hannu Hautala" postcard rack.

I also had the pleasure of meeting him and visiting his home/office. He has been to Japan twice where he photographed Japanese cranes in Hokkaido and snow monkeys in Nagano. He also has a substantial collection of Japanese nature photo books. He is very warm-hearted and well-liked by everyone.

This book is in English (that's why I bought it), and it shows pictures of Finland's nature, wildlife, and landscapes for each month of the year from January to December. The text is also interesting as it explains the daily and seasonal lives of the wildlife. Published by Otava in Finland. ISBN: 951-1-14888-5

フィンランドの一番有名なネイチャー写真家であるハンヌ・ハウタラ氏(Hannu Hautala)の写真集。英語版で1月から12月のフィンランドの自然を紹介している。野鳥や風景が多い。クーサモ在住のハウタラ氏は、とても優しい人。
Oct 12, 2005
31b-IMG_7291.jpg
Canon booth スポンサーのブースCanon was one of the festival sponsors and had a booth in Kuusamo Hall where they proudly displayed the new EOS 5D full-frame digital SLR camera. It was here where I held this new camera for the first time and salivated. First thing you notice is the huge viewfinder picture. And it's only slightly larger than the EOS 20D.

キヤノンが一つのスポンサーであった。出たばかりのEOS 5Dも展示された。
Oct 12, 2005
31d-kuusamobook.jpg
Kuusamo Luontokaupunki, by Paavo Hamunen, Hannu Hautala, and Lassi Rautiainen クーサモの写真集I first saw this book at the Finnish Tourist Board's office in Tokyo (Imperial Hotel) which I visited before going to Finland. I think it is the only nature photo book about Kuusamo with Japanese text. It also has text in Finnish, Russian, and Italian (but no English!).

It shows pictures of the best nature spots in and around Kuusamo such as Julma Ölkky, Kitkajoki River, and Näränkä, the three places I visited (or experienced) while in Kuusamo (click on links to see my pictures). Published by Articmedia in 2000.
ISBN: 951-98612-0-3

唯一の日本語も含むクーサモの自然を紹介するの写真集。東京にあるフィンランドの観光局(帝国ホテル内)にもこの本が置いてあった。
Oct 12, 2005
22-IMG_9104.jpg
Finnair: Helsinki to TokyoMeatballs and mashed potato.Oct 12, 2005
21-IMG_6841.jpg
Finnair: Tokyo to HelsinkiThe food wasn't so bad.Oct 12, 2005
17-IMG_7598.jpg
Fried rice or pilafIn Kuhmo.

My question is, is there a Finnish restaurant in Tokyo?
Oct 12, 2005
18-IMG_7599.jpg
DessertOct 12, 2005
19-IMG_7635.jpg
Pudding dessertOct 12, 2005
20-IMG_7636.jpg
Pudding dessertOct 12, 2005
13-IMG_7219.jpg
Main dishAt Kuusamo Sokos Hotel restaurant.Oct 12, 2005
14-IMG_7220.jpg
Dessert: Cloudberry puddingCloudberry is a delicacy from Lapland. I bought some cloudberry jam at Helsinki Airport. Someone should import it to Japan.Oct 12, 2005
15-IMG_7255.jpg
TartAt Kuusamo Hall.Oct 12, 2005
16-IMG_7310.jpg
Reindeer meat + potatoesThe delicious dinner we had when we went to the Finnish sauna and saw the aurora.Oct 12, 2005
12-IMG_7217.jpg
SaladAt Kuusamo Sokos Hotel restaurant.Oct 12, 2005
10-IMG_7108.jpg
Picnic food (at Suomenlinna)Oct 12, 2005
09-IMG_7046.jpg
TomatoesIn supermarket. The leaves at the top of the tomato are removed. They look bald. Something we don't see in Japan.Oct 12, 2005
11-IMG_7203.jpg
Reindeer toppingMy first dish at Kuusamo. Delicious.Oct 12, 2005
05-IMG_7052.jpg
BerriesAt Market Square.Oct 12, 2005
08-IMG_7044.jpg
ShrimpIn supermarket.Oct 12, 2005
06-IMG_7055.jpg
Dried mushroomsAt Market Square.Oct 12, 2005
07-IMG_7051.jpg
BerriesAt Market Square.Oct 12, 2005
03-IMG_7041.jpg
Piirakka tartsOct 12, 2005
02-IMG_6878.jpg
Home-cooked mealI forgot the name of this pea soup, but it was good.Oct 12, 2005
01-IMG_7169.jpg
Geisha chocolate ゲイシャ チョコSome years ago, when a Finnish friend visited Japan and gave me this Geisha chocolate from Finland, I was very amused. Why in the world did they name it "geisha??" It's milk chocolate with a soft hazelnut filling.

Then when I went to Finland, I was surprised to see this chocolate brand almost everywhere. It's made by a company called Fazer, and when you look at their Web site, they explain in Finnish why they named it "geisha." (Wish I could read it.) The logo on the packaging uses a nice drawing of a geisha. But at the company's Web site, they have a wallpaper gallery showing a real human modeling as an obviously fake geisha.

No offense to the company, the model, makeup artist, and chocolate, but she is one of the worse-looking geisha models I've ever seen. Egad!! She might even be a man.

Take a look: http://www.fazermakeiset.fi/ Click on the Geisha button, then click on the fourth candy from the top to see the wallpaper.

After careful analysis, I know why Fazer's geisha looks so awful: Her fake wig is way too high above her ears. It's too small or too short for her (or his) head. The wig was probably for a young girl. See this photo and compare. They should stick to the cartoon logo instead.

この「Geisha」チョコはフィンランドに大人気。何故そう名付けたか分かりませんが(フィンランド語の説明がある)、数年前に初めてフィンランドの友人からもらったとき爆笑だった。そしてフィンランドへ初めて行ってこのGeishaチョコがどこでもあって驚きました。

Fazerという会社が作っていてHPを見るとなんと人間の「ゲイシャ」のモデルさんも登場している。このゲイシャのモデルもとても見苦しい。よく見ると、その桂が小さ過ぎて(または高すぎる)耳が丸見えてとても変な感じ。
HP: http://www.fazermakeiset.fi/
Geishaのボタンをクリックして、上から4番目のキャンデイをクリックするとそのモデルの壁紙がでる。いかがでしょうか。
Oct 12, 2005
04-IMG_7053.jpg
BeansSomething like beans in a pod. Sweet. At Market Square.Oct 12, 2005
31-IMG_6940.jpg
Baltic herring バルト海のニシンA specialty of Helsinki. This was served at Sea Horse, a well-known restaurant. This one serving must have had about 20 of these herrings stacked up. I ate maybe 10 of these fish. They were excellent, but I could eat no more. Took the rest home in a doggy bag. It took another 3 days to eat the rest.

一人分になんと20匹も積み重なっていた。多すぎて残った分を持ち帰った。
Oct 12, 2005
33-IMG_7368.jpg
Lunch (reindeer meat) 肉はトナカイKuusamo Hall also has a restaurant serving good food.

ホール内はレストランもある。
Oct 12, 2005
31a-program.jpg
Kuusamo Nature Photo 2005 Program プログラムCover of the program distributed free. It has the schedule of all the slide shows and introduces the photographers. Cover photo (bird with firey eyes) by Rob Jordan from the UK.

Below is the complete program schedule taken from this program (in Finnish only):

Friday, September 9
KUUSAMOTALO
Musiikkiesitys klo 18 8 €
Muu ohjelma 19.15 alkaen 6 €
Alle 12 v. vapaa pääsy
Viikonloppukortti 9.-11.9. 35 €
Viikkokortti 9.-18.9. 70 €
Juontaja: Markku Heikkilä

17.00 Näyttelyjen avaus (vapaa pääsy)
Kuusamon kaupunginvaltuuston pj Matti Heikkilä
18.00 Ankaruusindeksi
musaa ja luontokuvia, DVD + live
Työryhmä: Käsmä-Harju-Salmirinne
Luontokuvat: Lassi Rautiainen
18.30 TAUKO (Intermission)
19.10 Nature Photo valokuvakisan tulokset 30’
Metsähallituksen puheenvuoro
Japanin luonnon esittelyä
Introduction to Nature in Japan Philbert "Phil" Ono, Japan 45’,
20.30 Tauko
21.00 Terra Borealis 50’, slides
Andy Horner, Ahvenanmaa
Yellowstone 20’ slides 6x4,5
Mara Fuhrmann, Saksa
22.15 Tauko
22.30 Päin seiniä
Jorma Luhta (ulkona, sateella sisällä)

Sat., September 10
Juontaja: Hannele Pappila
10.00 Avaus Hannele Pappila
10.15 Maisemakuvan traditioita
Ismo Luukkonen
11.00 Myyttinen maisema - kuvia saamelaisten
pyhistä paikoista
Arvid Sveen, Norja
11.45 Tunturi ja Meri – maisemakuvia Finnmarkista
Sonja Siltala, Norja
12.30 TAUKO
13.30 Luontomuseo
Ilkka Halso
14.15 Lost in between - pakolaisena pohjoisessa
Minna Kurjenluoma
15.30 Fields Studies
Martina Motzbächel
16.15 TAUKO
16.45 Maan ja taivaan välillä
Tauno Kohonen
17.30 Maisemakuvaajan ylä- ja alamäkiä
Kalervo Ojutkangas
18.00 TAUKO
18.15 - Japanilaisen luontokuvan traditioita
19.15 Nature Photography in Japan Philbert "Phil" Ono, Japan

Sun., September 11
Juontaja: Markku Heikkilä
10.00 Japanilaisten luontokuvaajien esittelyä 50’
Three Japanese Nature Photographers Philbert "Phil" Ono, Japan
Luontokuvii Turust - ei virallissi mut torellissi 20’
Markku Heikkilä
11.15 Tauko
11.30 Pohjoisen luontokuvaajat ry 50’
Luontoa läheltä - Erkki Toppinen
Mullan tuoksua ja purojen solinaa -
Markku Välitalo
Evoluutiota vai sattumaa? - Jari Wilenius
Digiuutisia, Canon 10’
12.30 Tauko
13.30 Saamenmaa, DVD-esitys Lapista 28’
Pekka Antikainen
Iceland, slides 6x4,5 35’
Mara Fuhrmann, Saksa
14.40 Tauko
15.00 Den extrema naturbilden 20’
Andy Horner, Ahvenanmaa, slides
Siipiveikot - tilannekuvia linnuista 30’, flap top
Tomi Muukkonen, Jari Peltomäki,
Markus Varesvuo
16.00 Päätös

Mon., September 12
Juontaja ja tulkki: Kaari Saarma
18.00-21.30 VIRON LUONTOA
Viron vuoden luontokuvat 10’
Eestimaa energiad: retk läbi aasta / Viron
energiat: retki läpi vuoden, 30’ Arne Ader
Precious moments with Estonian birds and
landscapes / Lintuja ja maisemia, 30’
Mati Kose
Tauko 15’
Mielikuvia ja mielitekoja – abstrakteja kuvia
luonnosta, 20’ Kaari Saarma
Luonto kaupunkilaisen silmissä, 20’
Heiko Kruusi
Tauko 15’
Tiny diversity / Hyönteisten maailmasta, 30’
Urmas Tartes
Maalaispojan maisemat 15’, Tõnu Ling

(September 13-14, optional photo safari trips)

Thu., September 15
Juontaja: Jaakko Heikkinen
18.00-21.30 SAKSAN KUVAAJIEN ILTA
Lepakot, Dietmar Nill 60’
Tauko 15’
Revontulet 30’ ja Kaakkuri 30’,
Hinrich Basemann
Tauko 15’
Paradise in Packice / Huippuvuorilla 50’
Karl-Heinz Georgi

Fri., September 16
Juontaja: Jaakko Heikkinen
18.00 Sävystä sävyyn - erämaan hengessä
Kuvanauhalle leikattu valokuvaesitys luonnon
väreistä livenä soitetun pianon säestyksellä
Kuvat: Hannu Hautala
Piano: Heikki Sarmanto
Kuvanauhan leikkaus: Lauri Kettunen
18.45 Tauko
19.00 Onnen Maa 40’
Hannu Hautala
Kaksi taivasta 20’
Fabrizio Carbone, Italia
20.00 Tauko
20.30 Safareilla
Annelie Utter, Ruotsi
21.30 Tauko
21.45 Kotkia ja muita lintuja
Der wilde Osten – von Schreiadler, Seeadler und
vielen andere fliegende Vögel
Dietmar Nill, Saksa

Sat., September 17
Juontaja: Juha Säkkinen
10.00 Digimaailma
Sakari Nenye
11.15 Tauko
11.30 Digimaailma jatkuu
12.45 Safareilla 20’
Annelie Utter
13.10 Tauko
14.00 Namibian Farytale / Namibiassa 35’
Karl-Heinz Georgi, Saksa
Arktis 30’
Hinrich Basemann, Saksa
15.10 Tauko
15.20 The secret lake of the firey eyes / Palavien
silmien salaperäinen järvi
Rob Jordan, Englanti
16.30 Tauko
17.00 Luontolyriikkaa
Heikki Sarmannon sävellyksiä suomalaiseen
lyriikkaan (mm. Leino ja Hellaakoski)
Piano: Heikki Sarmanto
Solisti: Maija Hapuoja
Kuvitus: Kaamoskamera:
Paavo Hamunen, Mika Jaakkola, Matti Jääskö, Heikki Ketola, Ritva Larikka, Janne Moilanen, Verner Nivala, Marketta Tornberg ja Petteri Törmänen

Sun., September 18
Juontaja: Juha Säkkinen
Teema: luontofilmit
10.00 Paimen ja kitara, musavideo 4’
Johannes Lehmuskallio
Paimen-filmi 60’
Markku ja Johannes Lehmuskallio
11.15 Tauko
11.30 Digivideo, Lauri Kettunen
12.30 Tauko
13.00 Nenetsien kulttuuria 10’
Seitsemän laulun matkassa, filmi 25’
(Pekka Martevo)
Uhri, filmi 52’
Anastasia Lapsui, Johannes ja Markku Lehmuskallio
14.40 Tauko
15.00 Korpi – legenda Ludvig Löppösestä
video 30’
Pekka Koskinen ja työryhmä
15.40 Päätös
Oct 12, 2005
10-IMG_7578.jpg
Reindeer crossingOct 10, 2005
12-IMG_7570.jpg
Outdoor toilet 野外のトイレOct 10, 2005
09-IMG_7577.jpg
Reindeer またトナカイA few of the reindeer are looking at us because our guide Lassi gave out his reindeer love call. They look up to see what's there, we take their picture, then they run.

Most reindeer have a collar around the neck which has the owner's contact information in case it ends up as roadkill.

Reindeer often cross the road, so they can cause traffic accidents.
Oct 10, 2005
11-IMG_7628.jpg
Reindeer food トナカイの大好物LichenOct 10, 2005
08-IMG_7604.jpg
Log loader 道路の障害In Finland, sometimes you will come across a log loader like this one blocking the road. We waited for about 20 min. until he finished his job and left the scene.

車の中に20分ほど待ってやっと用を済ましてどけてくれた。
Oct 10, 2005
06-IMG_7618.jpg
Inside bear hide ヒグマ観察小屋の中Below the slit window are holes for camera lenses. Tripod heads are also provided. There is enough sitting room for four to six people. The bench on the right can also be folded up to make enough floor room for four people to sleep in sleeping bags. The floor was made of cushion material.

Compared to the outside temperature, it was quite warm inside. I thought this hide was very well-designed. The best hours for watching wildlife was a few hours before dark and after daybreak. During midday, we drove back to our real lodge for hot meals and a shower. Then we returned to the hide a few hours before dark.

At night, it is too dark to photograph anything. During my one night and two days in the hide, I was lucky enough to see a wolverine (see movie clip) and two bears.

Our guide, Lassi Rautiainen, offers wildlife photo safaris in Finland at hides like this one.
Web site: Articmedia

この観察小屋は、4〜6人が入られる。中にのぞき窓があって、その直ぐ下にカメラレンス用の穴がある。三脚の雲台も用意されている。そして座れるベンチが折りたたみ式で上に固定するとクッションが敷いている床に寝袋で4人が寝られる。ここで一晩を過ごした。(いびきがひどい人がいると辛い。あまり寝られなかった。)

外の気温と比べると中はずっと暖かい。4人もいると自然に暖かくなる。暖房は特になかった。ここで日暮れ前と夜明け後の数時間にじっとして野生動物の出現を待つ。

トイレは外。外に誰もいないので女性でも大丈夫。ただし、野生動物が人間の匂いとか音に非常に敏感で動物がいないことを確認してから外へ。シャワーと水道もないのでウェットティシュが便利。カメラ機材、食べ物も飲み物も持って行く。

日中は、動物の活躍があまりないので、車へ戻ってちゃんとした宿泊先で食事やシャワーを。運良くヒグマとクズリを見た。
Oct 10, 2005
05-IMG_7611.jpg
Bear hide window のぞき窓Inside the hide, the narrow window provided a good panoramic view of the area. We were required to whisper and not make any loud noises which would scare the animals away.

There's no guarantee of seeing anything, so it's a waiting game. You might see a bear or you might not. But the more days/nights you spend in the hide, the greater the chances of seeing something.

On the day before, our guide had placed a pig carcass near the hide as bait to attract bears and wolverines. This was standard practice and obviously increases the chances to see wildlife.

野生動物(特にヒグマ)が出没するかどうか全く保証できないため、2〜3晩に泊まった方が当然出没する確率が高くなる。観察の前日には、ガイドさんが豚の死がいを近くに置いてくれる。
Oct 10, 2005
02-IMG_7627.jpg
Inside bear caveOct 10, 2005
03-IMG_7606.jpg
Bear-watching hut ヒグマ観察小屋This is one of the bear-watching huts (called hides) in the Kuhmo wilderness operated by our guide Lassi Rautiainen (see Articmedia). It was close to a pond in the wetlands.

Kuhmo is near the Russian border near the town of Kajaani. It took about 4 hours to drive from Kuusamo.

湿地の荒野のところで、板の上に歩く。
Oct 10, 2005
01-IMG_7626.jpg
Bear cave クマのほら穴Small bear cave for hibernation. This was a short walk from the road.Oct 10, 2005
04-IMG_7616.jpg
Bear hide ヒグマ観察小屋It's a cross between a tent and mountain hut, but perfect for watching and photographing bears and wolverines. The exhaust pipe on the right is made tall so that the wildlife don't smell the humans inside and get frightened away.

野生動物にとってかなり不自然な不気味な建物だけど、ネィチャーの観察のためでは効果的だそうです。右側に排気管を高くしている。人間の匂いが動物に届かないために。
Oct 10, 2005
44d-IMG_7028.jpg
Outdoor photo exhibition at Glass Palace 野外の大型写真展In September 2005, there happened to be an outdoor photo exhibition at the Glass Palace inner yard. They were poster-size photos of the "Earth from Above" by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.Oct 10, 2005
44c-IMG_6975.jpg
Lanterna Magica bookshop and exhibition spaceThe bookshop also has small exhibition rooms.

この古本屋は、ギャラリーもあった。
Oct 10, 2005
44b-IMG_6974.jpg
Lanterna Magica antiquarian bookshopOct 10, 2005
44a-IMG_6980.jpg
Lanterna Magica bookshop 古本屋Somewhat out of the way (difficult to find parking), but a nice shop to find some old books, including photography.

ヘルシンキの有数な古本屋さん。
Oct 10, 2005
00-IMG_6849.jpg
Finland: Land of Lakes 湖だらけの国When you look at a map of Finland or see it from the air, the first thing you notice is that it has a lot of lakes. Ten percent of the country is covered by lakes, but from the air over the southern half, it looks like least 30%-40% of the land is water.

It looked like a field of giant puddles or one giant marshland. It was like the country was sinking into ocean. I had never seen so many lakes in my life. Incredible. And if it's not water, it's forests. Some 70% of Finland is covered by forests.

I think Finland will someday become a popular tourist destination, especially for people who need to escape the urban hustle-bustle and stressful lifestyle. There are nothing like trees and lakes which can pacify humans.

Basic intro to Finland: http://virtual.finland.fi/
Finland map: Virtual Finland map

上空からも直ぐ分かるけど、フィンランドは湖がとっても多い国。20万弱の湖。面積の一割が湖。なんと国の7割は森林。湖と森林は、人を癒すものである。
HP: フィンランド政府観光局(日本語)
Oct 06, 2005
45-IMG_7894.jpg
Stuffed reindeer トナカイAt Helsinki Airport, a gift shop was selling reindeer furs for about 60 eur. I was tempted to buy one. The gift shop also sold canned reindeer meat (as well as bear and elk meat) and reindeer salami. In Finnish, reindeer is called "poro," and in Japanese, "tonakai."

Until I visited Finland, I thought reindeer were fictional animals since I knew that there couldn't be any animals which could pull a sled and fly in the air. I was delighted to find that reindeer were real animals and they looked just like the ones that pull Santa Claus. They just cannot fly. And none have a red nose. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Here's a picture of a real reindeer I took in Finland.

ヘルシンキ空港でトナカイの毛皮を売っていた。着る用ではなく、布団でも使えるもの。約60 eur。フィンランドではトナカイがよく見かけた。
Oct 06, 2005
22-IMG_7767.jpg
A photographer's carObviously.Oct 05, 2005
17-IMG_7800.jpg
Wiping off the hailMy feet was near freezing even though we were wearing boots. The hail made it even colder. Our guides made us run up and down a hill before we went back to the hail-covered raft. My feet were still cold.Oct 05, 2005
19-IMG_7803.jpg
Lake JuumaThere's a law in Finland where lakeside summer cottages must be at least 200 meters apart.

We also passed by the Finnish Prime Minister's (or maybe president) summer cottage. I was surprised that there was no security in that area.
Oct 05, 2005
21-IMG_7768.jpg
Also Available in GreenOur main means of transportation for our nature trips out of Kuusamo. Rented of course. In rural areas of Finland, many of the roads are unpaved. And when it rains, your car can easily get dirty.Oct 05, 2005
18-IMG_7801.jpg
Our guidesI asked them what they do during the winter: They offer reindeer sled rides.Oct 05, 2005
15-IMG_7794.jpg
Sudden hailSuddenly, it hailed. Our helmets came in handy for the onslaught of little ice pellets.Oct 05, 2005
16-IMG_7799.jpg
HailOct 05, 2005
14-IMG_7791.jpg
Finnish horse and ownerOct 05, 2005
13-IMG_7788.jpg
Delicious Finnish sausagesOne of our friendly guides smiles for camera.Oct 05, 2005
11-IMG_7787.jpg
Lunch breakOct 05, 2005
12-HPIM2312.jpg
Picnic placeOct 05, 2005
10-HPIM2309.jpg
Almost autumn colorsOct 05, 2005
09-HPIM2305.jpg
A piece of cakeOur guide instructed us as to when to start paddling forward or backward.Oct 05, 2005
07-HPIM2303.jpg
Easy rapidsOur guide instructed us as to when to start paddling forward or backward.Oct 05, 2005
08-HPIM2304.jpg
Shooting the rapidsOct 05, 2005
05-IMG_7780.jpg
Cruising with outboard motorWe had oars, but an outboard motor also propelled us on the water.Oct 05, 2005
06-HPIM2301.jpg
One paddle, two paddleThat's me wearing the red helmet.Oct 05, 2005
03-IMG_7774.jpg
Great day for raftingBut later we had hail.Oct 05, 2005
02-IMG_7770.jpg
Life jackets, helmets, waterproof jacket/pants, boots, and glovesFirst we had to suit up. It was like we were ready for combat. But it wasn't that dangerous.Oct 05, 2005
04-IMG_7775.jpg
"If you fall out, just float and do nothing. We'll grab you back in."Before we started off from Käylä, our guides gave us basic instructions such as what to do if we fell out of the raft. (Don't do anything and just float until someone grabs you and pull you back into the raft.)Oct 05, 2005
01-IMG_7769.jpg
Rafts ready to roll from KäyläOct 05, 2005
IMG_7754.jpg
Frontier Zone forest borderThe border is marked by sticks in the ground having yellow rings.

森林の中にも国境をちゃんと表示している。
Oct 05, 2005
IMG_7747.jpg
Border caution signOct 05, 2005
IMG_7750.jpg
Frontier Zone noticeOct 05, 2005
540 files on 3 page(s) 1