Image search results - "ama"
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Held during late April to early May, Kanna's Koinobori festival of carp streamers is this town's claim to fame. About 800 colorful carp streamers swim in the sky above a river. Strings of carp streamers viewable from the road.
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Matsuyama Castle
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Fukuyama Castle tower
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Sign for Tomonoura. Tomonoura is a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).
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Takeshima island is connected by a bridge. The island is uninhabited, but has a Yaotomi Jinja Shinto shrine (八百富神社) dedicated to goddess Takeshima Benten. Designated as a Natural Monument for its flora which greatly differs from that on shore.
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Established in 1617, Tsukiji Hongwanji temple is the Tokyo headquarters of the Nishi Hongwanji Jodo Shinshu sect. The present temple, based on Indian architecture, was built in the 1930s.The temple is the only one in Japan which is under the direct control of the sect. Its head priest is the Monshu Abbot himself. April 8 is observed as Buddha's birthday, called Hana Matsuri ("Flower Festival) in Japan.
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Held on Dec. 2-3 by Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu Yomatsuri is one of Japan's Big Three Hikiyama Float Festivals. Ornate floats are pulled along the city's main streets until they reach a large plaza at night where they are lit with lanterns. Fireworks then serve as the climax. Photo: Seibu Chichibu Station
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Kakegawa Castle as seen from the train
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Yasukuni Shrine during the Mitama Matsuri before dark.
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Inuyama Yuen Station. Closest station to Inuyama Castle on the Meitetsu Line.
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Road to Inuyama Castle
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Kanagawa Prefecture's largest Awa Odori is held annually during the last weekend in July in this city of Yamato. Preview event near Yamato Station.
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Road marker. Established in 1642, Moriyama-juku was the sixty-seventh of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the eighth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Musa-juku in Omi-Hachiman).
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On the Sunday before the second Monday of Jan., 33 hectares of a hill called Wakakusa-yama (seen in the distance here) next to Nara Park is burned at night.The burning hill looks more spectacular from afar, but we went up close.
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Well-wishers look on as rowers embark for the race taking place at the same venue where the rowing competition was held at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
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Kanayama Jinja Shrine is a small shrine within the grounds of the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine near Kawasaki Daishi Station. On the first Sun. of April, it holds this now-famous Kanamara Festival nicknamed the Phallus or Fertility Festival. Festival starts at 11 am. But a large crowd was already there well before that time. Entrance to shrine on the day of the Kanamara Festival. (If you're below age 18, please leave now.)
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Scenery along the way by bus to Ainokura from Shirakawa-go.
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JR Kawagoe Station 川越駅
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Kawagoe Matsuri is a parade of ornate floats during the day and evening in the city's old town of traditional buildings. Around 15 floats appear during the festival. Held on the third weekend in Oct. Main road where the festival will climax in the evening.
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Toyama Castle 富山城
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Entrance to Honmaru Goten palace, Kawagoe Castle.
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Gate to Kitain, a Tendai Buddhist temple. Part of Kawagoe's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).
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JR Kofu Station
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One of two giant kitesThis festival has two giant kites and two smaller (but still large) kites. Resting on its side, the kite was scheduled to fly at 2 pm. The kanji characters read "Michi no Eki" in reference to a new train station built in the town.
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Festival's focal pointThis grass hut is at the center of the festival site which is within the Sakitama Tumuli Park. It will be burned later in the evening for the festival's climax.
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Strings of carp streamers latched to the ground from the mountaintop.
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Entrance to castle tower
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Fukuyama Castle tower
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Ferry between Tomonoura and Sensui island.
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400-meter long bridge to Takeshima island near JR Gamagori Station. The island is made of granite. Circumference is 680 meters. There's a walking path around the island.
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Tsukiji Hongwanji temple gate with wisteria crest.The emblem is a wisteria flower and symbol of the Jodo Shinshu sect.
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In front of Seibu Chichibu Station
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Yasukuni Shrine's main torii during Mitama Matsuri
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Yotsuashi-mon GateMain gate to enter the castle grounds. A reconstruction.

四足門
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Kiso River with Inuyama Castle in the distance
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Inuyama Cultural History Museum犬山市文化史料館
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Road marker. Go right for the Nakasendo Road. MAP
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Wakakusa-yama hill in JanuaryWakakusa-yama hill actually has three hills. We see only the first one here.
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Finish line end of the 2000-meter Toda Boat Course.
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Shrine banners and cherries in full bloomThe red banner says "Kanayama Jinja" with an phallus (erect) logo on the top.
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JR Kawagoe Station plaza
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One of the picturesque streets of the city.
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Kitain Main hall, Kawagoe
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Park in front of Kofu Station.
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Offerings
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Eight strings of carp streamers hover over the river.
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View from castle tower
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Torii on Takeshima island
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Temple gate and flag
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Manhole with the symbol of Hino merchant, Shiga Prefecture
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Main street crowd
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Promenade to the shrine
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Steps to the castle tower
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Inuyama Castle
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Pre-festival event held in the afternoon, Yamato Awa Odori
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Karakuri Doll Museumからくり展示館
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Rear of road marker
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Dry grass ready to burn...
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End of the Toda Boat Course, near the 2000-meter finish line.
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Pumping (or humping) the...
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Looks like Suganuma, another village in Gokayama area.
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Hon-Kawagoe Station 本川越駅
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Reconstructed in 1954, modeled after Hikone and Inuyama Castles. Renovated in Nov. 2005.
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Children lead the way for a float at Kawagoe Festival.
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Garden
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Main hall
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Statue of Takeda Shingen.
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Festival siteIt is a circular site with people sitting along the perimeter.
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These pictures were taken in May 2003, when Kanna-machi town was newly formed upon the merging of Manba town and Nakazato village.
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View from top floor
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My bicycle somewhere in Gamagori.
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Play room for kids on Hanamatsuri
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Fukuyama Castle from the train
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Floats parked along the main drag.
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Castle tower
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Spotlights create a silhouette of the statue of Omura Masujiro (1824-1869) 大村益次郎, founder of Japan's modern army.
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Inuyama Castle
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Karakuri Doll MuseumThe karakuri dolls, set atop ornate floats, are controlled with strings.
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Marker for the Kabuto-ya inn
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Volunteer firemenThe hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.
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Housing for visiting rowing teams whose school flags are displayed.
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The festival is wildly popular with people from overseas.The shrine had various phallus props to pose with.
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Toki no Kane, Time Bell Tower, symbol of Kawagoe. Part of Kawagoe's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区). 時の鐘
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Pagoda at Kitain temple, Kawagoe
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Lowering the kite
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SpectatorsThese people are sitting in the best area to view the festival.
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I would say this is one of Japan's top five best places to see carp streamers at Kanna-machi, Gunma.
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View from top floor
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Bentenjima island near Tomonoura.
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JR Gamagori Station. In the foreground is my bicycle.
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Hanamatsuri altar
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Fukuyama Station (shinkansen)
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Ornate float is pulled along the streets toward Chichibu Shrine.
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A bon dance around the base of the statue.
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Stairs to Kakegawa Castle tower
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Haritsuna Shrine
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Yamato Station
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Entrance to Urakuen GardenThis garden has a few tea houses including one called Jo-an, a National Treasure. THe garden is close to Inuyama Castle and worth a visit. Admission 1,000 yen.

有楽苑
営業時間 9:00〜17:00(3/1〜7/14 ・ 9/1〜11/30)
9:00〜18:00(7/15〜8/31)
9:00〜16:00(12/1〜2/末日)
休日 無休   入場料 大人1,000円(呈茶別500円)
〒484−0081
愛知県犬山市御門先1
TEL 0568(61)4608
交通 名鉄犬山線犬山遊園下車徒歩7分
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Old Nakasendo Road and Dobashi Bridge. Supposedly, this is the bridge from where Hiroshige drew his print of Moriyama-juku.
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Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
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Boat landing near finish line.
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Dickhead hat. Actually, I don't know what they call it, but that's what I call it.
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Entry road to Ainokura village. Bus stop shelter on right.
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Toyama Castle
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There is a bell at the top which is rung 4 times a day. The bell or gong looks like a temple bell.
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EntertainmentAn outdoor stage provides a variety of entertainment during the day.
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Kanna-machi is quite out of the way, but worth the time it takes to get there (from Takasaki).
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View from top floor
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Pouring sweet tea over the BuddhaWhen the Buddha was born in Lumbini Garden in Nepal, sweet rain is said to have fallen. Thus, sweet tea is poured over the baby Buddha statue in the Hanamatsuri altar.
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Fukuyama Station (shinkansen)
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Chichibu Yomatsuri. Also see the video at YouTube.
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Sanko Inari ShrineThe shrine provides a short cut to the castle.
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Balloons, souvenirs and trinkets sold near the train station.
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Urakuen Garden水琴窟
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Dobashi Bridge
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Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
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Hosei Univ. cheering section on the first day (Aug. 24, 2006) of the 33rd All-Japan Intercollegiate Rowing Championships.
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Carving daikon. Anybody can join in and carve. 大根削りLater to be auctioned off.
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Way to Ainokura.
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The bell is rung at 6 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, and 6 pm.
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Tekomai geisha lead the way for a float at Kawagoe Festival.
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Festival participantsThey are dressed in the costume of the ancient Kofun (Tumuli) Period of Japan. They will be carrying torches from the nearby tumuli.
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Parking lot downstream. Most people arrive by car or bus. (No nearby train station.)
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Carving daikon (old photo). These men were really good at carving the daikon.
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Hanamatsuri celebrates the Buddha's birthday on April 8. This is Tsukiji Honganji in Tokyo.The flowers symbolize Lumbini Garden where the Buddha was born in present-day Nepal.
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Fukuyama Station (shinkansen)
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Final gate to Castle tower
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Steps to castle gate
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Urakuen Garden tea ceremony house
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Tomon-in temple built by Buddhist Priest Saicho (Dengyo Daishi) to protect his Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei from demons from the east. 東門院
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Bamboo torchesThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire.
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第33回全日本大学選手権大会・第46回オックスフォード盾レガッタ
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What you see first is a big parking lot for tour buses. Then you see the hordes of tourists.
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Kura-zukuri style architecture. Local merchants built these earthen buildings after the Great Fire of Kawagoe in 1893. 蔵造りの町並み
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Tekomai
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Veranda facing a garden.
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Over 500 stone statues of Rakan Buddhist disciples
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Patch up
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TumulusCherry trees are at the top.
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Bridge with a view
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Carving daikon. Since some activities are conducted on the ground, the festival is also called Jibeta (Ground) Matsuri.Once upon a time, the festival was still mostly a local event with much fewer people.
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Baby Buddha statueLadles are provided for pouring the sweet tea over the Buddha. Sweet tea is also provided to worshippers. It symbolizes the sweet rain that fell when the Buddha was born.
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Fukuyama Station (shinkansen)
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Stage at Chichibu Shrine
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View of castle palace
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Spotlights hit the torii.
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Steps to castle gate
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Main drag and shopping arcade called Yamato Chuo-dori大和中央通り
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Inside Jo-an tea ceremony house, a National Treasure
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Kaeru frog to wish you a safe return. 東門院
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The deer have no idea what danger they are in...
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Numerous college and corporate rowing clubs have dormitories along the boat course.
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Ainokura monument
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Kurazukuri earthen buildings were fire-resistant, so they built these fire-resistant shops after the Great Fire. "Kura" means warehouse.
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Also see the video at YouTube.
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Carved during the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Shinto ceremonyAt around 6:30 pm, the festival climax starts.
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In Japan, the koi carp is regarded as a symbol of valiant manhood because it swims up the river against the rapids.
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Forging a steel phallus (old photo)The demon living in the vagina of the women bit the man's phallus each time. So one guy made a steel phallus and the demom broke his teeth.
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Children dressed for the chigo parade, Tsukiji Hongwanji, TokyoIt took a long time before they could get all the kids to settle down for the picture and to get all the mothers out of the picture.
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Chichibu Shrine
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At night, 30,000 lanterns light up. A real summer spectacle.
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View of Honmaru
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Reconstructed Honmaru Gate
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Spectators wait for the parade to begin.
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Jo-an tea ceremony house, a National Treasure. Built in 1618 by Oda Uraku, one of the greatest tea ceremony masters and younger brother of warlord Oda Nobunaga.Jo-an is one of Japan's three most famous tea ceremony houses. 如庵
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樹下神社
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Water bagsThe third item the volunteer firemen carry are water bags. The water bag is filled with water weighing 20 kg or so. A nozzle is also attached. It is used to extinguish the fire.
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Notice board for the race schedule and results.
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View of Ainokura which is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).
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Hill where the Fujimi Turret once stood.
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五百羅漢
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Moving the kite to launch point
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Torch bearers enter
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One of Japan's three Big Buddhas (after Nara and Kamakura). The statue was built by local coppersmiths in 1932, taking 30 years to complete.
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅
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Kawagoe Festival
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Marker and side road to Lord Gamo (Gamoh) Ujisato's gravesite. Near Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall. Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) was a feudal lord from Hino, Shiga Pref. He built Tsurugajo Castle and named the town Wakamatsu, after a place in his hometown.
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Children dressed for the chigo parade (photo session), Tsukiji Hongwanji, Tokyo
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Entrance to Iimoriyama Hill, site of the Byakkotai "White Tiger" Battalion gravesite. In 1868, a unit of teenage warriors called Byakkotai (White Tiger Battalion) fought against the Emperor-backed Imperial forces encroaching their domain of Aizu
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Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine torii on New Year's Day. Nagahama's most popular shrine for New Year's worship (hatsumode). MAP
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Lord Ishida Mitsunari was born in 1560 in Ishida village in Nagahama, Shiga Pref. You can see the site of his birthplace by bus from Nagahama Station. Get off at the Ishida bus stop. MAPHis birthplace and former residence have monuments dedicated to this fallen but revered leader of the Western Forces which lost to Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was a protégé and main samurai retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Seibu Ikebukuro Line train station entrance at Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It takes about 90 min. from Ikebukuro to Yokoze Station via Tokkyu express train. Cheaper trains take 2 hours.
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Sumiyoshi Shrine is on the west side of JR Moriyama Station. This side has an area called "Fuke" written with the same kanji for "uwaki" (cheating on your partner).I wonder what married couples think of living in this area...
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Road to Mt. Yukinoyama, an ancient mountain and home to over 200 tumuli built during the 5th to 7th centuries. In 2013, it was designated as a National Historic Site.
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Chichibu Shrine offertory bin
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The lanterns are lit by lightbulbs, not candles.
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Inside Castle tower
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June 9, 2007. Hula dancers rush to Pukari Sanbashi Pier where the Hokule'a canoe is to dock. ぷかりさん橋
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Saitama Stadium is a large soccer stadium built for the Soccer World Cup in 2002 and now home of the Urawa Reds. Way to Saitama Stadium 2002 from the train station.
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Inuyama Castle tower
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The festival/parade starts before dark.
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JR Okutama Station 奥多摩駅
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Omatsuri is actually a place name. The small settlement has a lodge and restaurant.
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Bus to Taba. The bus runs from Okutama Station in Tokyo. It is the only public transportation link with the village.
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Bon fire site
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Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple. Shibamata is in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward bordered by the Arakawa River in the west and by the Edogawa River in the east.
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"Watakushi, umare mo sodachi mo Katsushika, Shibamata desu..." (I was born and raised in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward) If this opening line sounds familiar, you must be one of the many ardent fans of Tora-san movies.
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View from the spectator stand, near the finish line.
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Anegawa River was the site of a major battle with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeating Azai Nagamasa and the Asakura clan on Aug. 9 1570. The area was left with so many dead that the river ran red.Local place names such as Chibara (Blood Field) stuck. Looking toward Nomura-bashi Bridge where the Anegawa battle monument stands.
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JR Takaoka Station (north side) 高岡駅
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Standing room only at Wakamiya Shrine
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The old JR Takayama Station. This building has been replaced by a new one. 高山駅
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Gate to Takayama Jinya
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View of Ainokura from a hill
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Kawagoe Festival Museum (Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan) 川越まつり会館
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Former castle moat.
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Festival siteThey did not allow people go enter the launch area at all times. Spectators were kept far away.
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Marvelous spectacle
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Riverside
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