Most viewed - Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 スポレク滋賀 |
Entrance to Kibogaoka Park during the Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 festival during Oct. 18-21, 2008. It's an annual event held in a different prefecture. People from all 47 prefectures and South Korea participate in tournaments for 18 sports.391 views
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Caffy, the official mascot of Sports Recreation Shiga 2008, is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.144 views
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Caffy doll82 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean bun.81 views
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MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here. 司会者 小野千穂78 views
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They had a whole bunch of Caffy mascots walking around. Caffy is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.78 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.73 views
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Hand sculpture.71 views
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Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 opening ceremony at Kibogaoka Park, Yasu on Oct. 18, 2008. It was a sunny, cloudless day, and quite hot in sun. スポレク滋賀 開会式68 views
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Then representatives from all 47 prefectures marched through the crowd.64 views
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Caffy cap64 views
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On the right was a large stage for the band.63 views
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The contingent from South Korea also marched to their seats from the center stage.63 views
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Nagano61 views
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Free shuttle buses took us from Kibogaoka Park and Yasu Station (or nearby parking lots).61 views
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Sake from Shiga60 views
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Free acupuncture.59 views
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Giant balls were tossed to the audience. They slapped the balls toward the front, but many of them popped like a balloon.58 views
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The ground transformed into a lake.58 views
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Wish they actually flew the kite, but I guess there wasn't enough room.58 views
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Shiga athletes applaud as the different athletes marched past.57 views
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The opening ceremony stage was at the front and center, looking very tiny to most of us. Shiga Governor Yukiko Kada is in a yellow pants suit.57 views
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A taiko troupe performs.56 views
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Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 aerobics tournament in Maibara.56 views
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Paint it yourself.56 views
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Miyazaki's booth.55 views
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Over 20,000 people competed in the sports tournaments held all over Shiga. They included soccer, softball, badminton, bowling, track, gate ball, folk dancing, aerobics, and trampoline.54 views
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Sculpture for the Sky.54 views
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Yasu's booth had a replica of an ancient bronze bell, Japan's largest discovered in Yasu.54 views
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Ryukoku University band entertains.54 views
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Exit. The booths and other festivities were held at Kibogaoka Park only during Oct. 18-19, 2008. While the sports tournaments were held at various venues until Oct. 21st. Official site here.54 views
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The opening ceremony started at 12:30 pm with a line of Caffy flags each representing a different sport.53 views
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There were various health-related booths. Free shoulder/head massages here.53 views
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Miyazaki Governor Higashikokubaru is a celebrity and Miyazaki's top salesman. Unfortunately, this is only a cardboard cutout of him.53 views
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Mt. Mikami (Shiga's Mt. Fuji) overlooks the park.52 views
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Tokyo52 views
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Another activity for the sky...52 views
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Ibuki goodies (Maibara)52 views
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Ayu sweetfish52 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean buns were popular.52 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.51 views
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Athletes from Miyazaki Prefecture hold a sign saying "See you next year in Miyazaki!"51 views
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Shiga51 views
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Jumping rope en masse.51 views
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Booth for the city of Yasu.51 views
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There were these large tents for resting and eating.51 views
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The west side of the park had food and souvenir booths.51 views
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Kibogaoka Park51 views
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A duo called Mellow Pair also performed. The keyboard player is from Shiga, while the singer on the right is from Miyazaki Prefecture which is the host of next year's Sports Recreation event in 2009.50 views
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Gunma50 views
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Large monitor shows Governor Kada declaring the opening of the Spo-rec event.50 views
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Sculpture for Water.50 views
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Most people tried to stay out of the hot sun.50 views
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Joint session.50 views
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Abbreviated "Spo-rec," this event was a very big deal for Shiga with over 20,000 visiting Shiga. Kibogaoka Park is a huge grassy park. There was an entertainment stage called Kenmin Yume Stage which can be seen at the center of this photo.49 views
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What are these large balls for? We'll find out soon.49 views
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Site of the opening ceremony held on Oct. 18, 2008 at the center part of Kibogaoka Park.49 views
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Then they tossed these small balls onto the sheet where they bounced all over.49 views
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Earthquake simulator49 views
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The city of Maibara hosted the Sports Recreation aerobics tournament on Oct. 19-20, 2008. These are women in their 80s and 90s dancing. They were one of the winners.49 views
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On the first day Oct. 18, 2008, this stage featured an entertainment program from 9:30 am to 11:15 am. It included this balloon session for kids.48 views
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Each flag had the name of the prefecture. This is Miyazaki.48 views
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This sports meet is designed for adults of all ages. You can be 95 years old and still participate. They call it a "life-long sports meet."48 views
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Throwing Bingo48 views
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This giant kite is actually an old one, from several years ago. They took it down after the opening ceremony was over.47 views
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A tall crane hoists up the Yokaichi giant kite.47 views
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Spo-rec flags47 views
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Toward the east side of the park was an area where you could try various new sports.47 views
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Food booths47 views
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Then at 10:20 am, Jamie and Megan Thompson from Illinois, USA appeared and sang "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta in English). スポレク滋賀、県民「夢」ステージ46 views
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Athletes from Shiga at the opening ceremony.46 views
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For the finale, they released these little balloons shaped like doves. This was to represent the sky.46 views
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Flags46 views
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Caffy mascot dolls46 views
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Sculpture for Humans.45 views
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Blow darts45 views
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Flags for all the prefectures.44 views
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Dove balloons in the sky.43 views
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The next activity, representing water, was having a huge blue sheet covering the spectators. The opening ceremony had a theme based on water, humans, and the sky.41 views
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