Image search results - "okaya" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "okaya"

JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.Small station, but close to Lake Suwa.

Numerous azalea bushes

JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅

Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.

JR Okaya Station platform

Lobby of Canora Hall

View from train station overpass

Entrance to the smaller hall

Lala store in front of Okaya Station. A small city hall office inside might be able to give tourist info.

Reception counter with programs and newsletters in different languages.

Exhibition area featuring native costumes, photos, etc.

Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) exhibition panel by Philbert Ono at Okaya, Nagano.

Lake Biwa Rowing Song Exhibition panels. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の展示コーナー

Exhibition panels 展示コーナー

New Zealand panel

Okaya map

Brazilian school

Taiko drummers from Okaya Roman Taiko

Full-house audience. Many international groups provided free entertainment.

Indonesian dance by Miyazaki Ani

Brazilian Dance by Ashinaga Gakuen Brazilian School

African drumming and dance

African dance, a real crowd pleaser.

In Okaya, Nagano, Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." This is the first time this English version was sung in public outside Shiga Prefecture.

Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." The first Japanese person to sing the song in public. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」の英語版も歌われた。

Nakamura Naoko singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" up to verse 3. 中村直子さんが三番まで歌われた。

Canora Boys and Girls Chorus

Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-uta

Willow tree-lined canal

Seto Ohashi Bridge under construction in 1986.

Lake Suwa

Doga-kan-dori street leading to Ilf Plaza.

Ilf Plaza, with shops and a culture center.　イルフプラザ

Lake Suwa

Bridge to Archeological Museum. Kurashiki is a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区). 倉敷考古館

建設中の瀬戸大橋

Lake Suwa and mountains

Ilf Doga Museum イルフ童画館

Bridge to Archeological Museum 倉敷考古館

Lake Suwa and mountains

Ilf Doga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄作品展示室

Lake Suwa and mountains

Ilf Douga Museum, works by Takei Takeo 武井武雄余技作品展示室

Looking toward Ohara Art Museum.

Ilf Doga Museum

Namako-kabe wall

Kurashiki end

Ramu-ramu Coffee Shop in Ilf Doga Museum 喫茶ラムラム

The double decker still not installed.

Seto Ohashi Bridge under construction in 1986, Kurashiki.

Lakeside park

Seto Ohashi Bridge under construction in 1986, Kurashiki. 瀬戸大橋

Lakeside park

Shimotsui Seto Bridge to Hitsuishijima island

Lake Suwa

Start of the double decker from Kurashiki.

Lake Suwa

Start of the double decker bridge.

Lake Suwa and bridge

Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate

Boat cruise for seeing the bridge.

Bridge across Kamaguchi Floodgate

Passed under the bridge.

Kamaguchi Floodgate

Carp caught from Lake Suwa

Lake Suwa during a warm winter.

Shimotsui Station

Oguchi Taro monument

Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.

Sculpture in lakeside park

Water fountain

Lakeside park

Ducks

Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.

Ducks fly to safety.

Sculpture

Mother and child sculpture

Lakeside park

Playground

Lakeside park

Water fountain and azaleas in spring

Map of lake shore area

Tenryu River at sunset

Along Tenryu River in winter.

Bridge with a mountain design, over Tenryu River.

Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.

Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所

Oguchi Taro Statue and Biwako Shuko no Uta Song Monument. On the shore of Lake Suwa, Okaya, Nagano. 歌碑と小口太郎銅像This was where I first heard the song, "Biwako Shuko no Uta." In May 2004, I was in Suwa, Nagano Pref. to see and photograph the Onbashira Festival (held every 6 years). My hotel was in the neighboring city of Okaya on the shores of Lake Suwa.

I walked around the lake and came across this statue of Taro Oguchi and song monument. I was very surprised when I saw the word "Biwako" (Lake Biwa). This was Nagano, not Shiga, so it was most unexpected to see "Biwako" here. I read the song lyrics on the monument and was surprised and delighted to see the names of well-known places in Shiga.

The monument even had music box (seen on left) where you could hear three versions of the song. I immediately found it intriguing.

Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.

About Taro Oguchi.The song was written as a collaboration among boatmates, but Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924) is credited as being the main song writer. He was born in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Minato-mura village, now part of Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.

He grew up in a loving and respected family and demonstrated an early talent for writing, music (violin and shakuhachi), and sports (judo, skiing, skating). Since he was the eldest son expected to take over the family home, there was opposition for him to go away for college. However, his father was persuaded to allow Taro to apply for college at the elite No. 3 High School (later to become Kyoto University). It was one of nine college-level schools in Japan, the No. 3 school being one of the most elite.

Contrary to family expectations, Taro passed the entrance exam, went school in Kyoto in 1914 and joined the rowing and speech clubs. In 1917, he wrote the famous song about Lake Biwa which first went public in 1918.

Statue of Oguchi Taro

Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像Short walk from JR Okaya Station. Walk toward the shore of Lake Suwa. The monument is near the mouth of Tenryu River.

Closeup of Taro Oguchi statueHe graduated in 1919 and furthered his studies at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo) in the science department. In 1921, he invented the wired and wireless multiplex telegraph and telephone system which was patented in eight countries. He was an extremely bright young man with a promising future.

In 1922, he entered the university's aeronautical research institute as a researcher. However, his life soon took a downturn from 1923 when he received a military conscription notice. A love interest for marriage also did not work out as desired. His physical health deteriorated and he terminated his own life the following year in 1924 at age 26.

Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.

Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.

Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑

Music box. Three versions of the song can be heard through a speaker by pressing a button. Also see the video at YouTube to hear the song.The monument included a music box where you could listen to three versions of the song through a speaker. I was immediately fascinated by the song when I heard it (together with the wind and waves of Lake Suwa).

Song monument with the entire lyrics of Biwako Shuko no Uta. On the shore of Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano. 琵琶湖周航の歌　全歌詞碑

Listen to one of the song versions here

Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑

Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.

Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue

Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.

Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.

Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.

Path to shrine

Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.

Oguchi Taro's grave on right.

Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.

Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.

Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.

Oguchi graves.

Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.

Oguchi Taro song monument

Ferry at Uno Port going to Naoshima.

Back at Uno Station in Okayama.

Uno Station in Okayama.

Uno Station platform.

Adjacent to Okayama Castle, Korakuen is one of Japan's three most famous gardens along with Kairakuen in Mito, Ibaraki and Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Korakuen was completed in 1700 after 14 years of construction.

Korakuen Garden with Okayama Castle in the background.

Older photo of Okayama Castle as seen from Korakuen Garden

Older photo of Okayama Castle as seen from Korakuen Garden, Okayama

Korakuen Garden, Okayama

An older photo of Korakuen Garden

An older photo of Korakuen Garden, Okayama 後楽園

Lots of pine trees

Pine tree needles

Koi carp

Large azalea bush

Artificial hill or tsukiyama gives a good view of Korakuen Garden.

Going up the tsukiyama hill in Korakuen Garden.

Tsukiyama hill in Korakuen Garden for sweeping views of the garden.

Tea field

Rice field

Pine trees and pond

Tea house

Tall bamboo grove

Map of Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle area

Nicknamed the "Raven Castle" (Karasu-jo) due to its black exterior, it is a contrast with the "White Heron" Himeji Castle in neighboring Hyogo Prefecture. The castle is adjacent to Korakuen Garden.

Bridge to Okayama Castle from Korakuen Garden.

Okayama Castle and Asahi-gawa River serving as a natural moat. 旭川

An older photo.

Older photo of Okayama Castle

Directions

An older photo.

Map of Okayama Castle

One entrance to Okayama Castle

Part of a stone wall

Where the castle palace once stood.

The only remaining original building of Okayama Castle.

Akazu-no-mon Gate

About Akazu-no-mon Gate

Akazu-no-mon Gate

Foundation stones

Okayama Castle 岡山城

Older photo of Okayama Castle 岡山城

Inside Okayama Castle. Basically a local history museuam. 岡山城

Bridge to Korakuen Garden

Top floor of Okayama Castle 岡山城

Shachihoko roof ornament on Okayama Castle.

View of Korakuen Garden from Okayama Castle tower

Shachihoko roof ornament on Okayama Castle.

1st floor of Okayama Castle has gift shop. 岡山城

1st floor of Okayama Castle

Okayama Castle and bridge to Korakuen Garden

JR Okayama Station is adorned with Momotaro, the legendary Peach Boy associated with Okayama.

Statue of Momotaro Peach Boy in front of JR Okayama Station's east side.

Momotaro Peach Boy on a mailbox.

Momotaro Peach Boy on a manhole in Okayama.

Plaza in front of JR Okayama Station.

Fountain in front of JR Okayama Station.

Names of Okayama towns.

JR Okayama Station.

Bus stop in front of JR Okayama Station.

"Sorry, not in service." What a polite bus in Okayama! Even in Japanese, it actually apologizes for not being in service. Also notice the cat ears on the roof, the painted whiskers, and the nickname "Tama Bus."Nicknamed after a stray cat named Nitama that was found in Okayama and adopted as the stationmaster of Idakiso Station in Wakayama. The original and nationally famous cat stationmaster named Tama at Kishi Station on the same train line died earlier this year. So Nitama took over. So happens that the train line's parent co. is the same as this bus company's based in Okayama.