Most viewed - Obama for Obama オバマを勝手に応援する会 |
JR Obama Line at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, the line's terminus. From Tsuruga, it takes 60 to 70 min. to Obama.337 views
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Right after their performance ended at 7:25 pm, I had to leave to catch the last train home. I missed seeing the Obama Boys who also danced. The event ended at 8 pm. Also see my video at YouTube.173 views
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The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."168 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui. Made by a local plasterer in 2008. Not a very good likeness.128 views
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Obama Station123 views
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Some shops along the main drag (Ote-dori and Hamakaze-dori) have these notices in support of Barack Obama, world peace, and cultural exchange.122 views
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Obama merchandise and souvenirs, for both Obama and Barack Obama are sold at a few stores in Obama. This store called Wakasa-ya, on Hamakaze-dori, has the largest selection of Obama goods. A short walk from Obama Station.122 views
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"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama. 120 views
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The second number was "Kaimana Hila" sung in Hawaiian. Kaimana Hila means Diamond Head (the famous mountain/crater in Honolulu). It's a standard hula number.117 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.113 views
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Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.113 views
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"I love Obama" banner112 views
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Some shops along Hamakaze-dori shopping arcade have these congratulatory notices for President Barack Obama.112 views
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More Obama manju112 views
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Obama support signs on a hotel entrance in Obama, on Jan. 20, 2009, the Inauguration Day. This is probably the hotel where the Obama booster members would watch the inauguration live on TV at 1 am. 110 views
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Look at this, hula dancing in a Japanese Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.110 views
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It must have been cold for these dancers dressed for a tropical setting. The temperature was slightly above freezing.110 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop107 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り106 views
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Obama Girls dance the hula. The first number was a Japanese rendition of "Sophisticated Hula" called "Tsuki no Yoru wa" (The Moon at Night).106 views
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The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.105 views
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Obama senbei crackers105 views
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Later, Obama's mascot Nana-chan (a cat with mackerel fish stripes) joined in and they sang the mascot's song.104 views
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"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is 101 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).101 views
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This event drew quite a few press people, and it was reported in most major Japanese newspapers and a few foreign media.101 views
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The Obama Girls (and Boys) were formed because of Barack being born and mainly raised in Hawaii. The Obama Girls will travel to Hawaii (at their own expense) to perform as well.101 views
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A copy of the letter from presidential candidate Barack Obama to the city of Obama, Fukui Prefecture. Dated Feb. 21, 2008. Click on thumbnail to see full text.101 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui.100 views
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Obama burgers were passed out free to the people attending the event. Free soft drinks (hot) also helped in warming my hands.100 views
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"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.99 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.99 views
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The event started with singing by a local group called Anyone Brother's Band. They sang a song called "Obama is Beautiful World!"98 views
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Obama Station97 views
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Obama confections such as manju, this time with the face imprinted (instead of the back of the head). Passed out for free.97 views
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The event started at 6:30 pm when it was quite dark (the actual inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC would start some hours later at around 2 am that night, Japan time).96 views
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Some presidential campaign memorabilia in a store corner.95 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo. Laquerware is one of Obama's local specialties.95 views
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Obama goods included sake rice wine.95 views
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Hagaji temple's Hondo main hall where the 11-face Kannon statue is worshipped. This is the main venue for Obama's Inauguration Day event.94 views
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Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.92 views
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Application form to join the Obama Informal Booster Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai). オバマを勝手に応援する会91 views
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Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.91 views
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On Jan. 20, 2009, the US Presidential Inauguration Day for Hawaii-born Barack Obama, the city of Obama in Fukui held a special event at Hagaji temple. 羽賀寺90 views
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"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.89 views
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Hagaji's temple bell.89 views
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Then a woman from the Obama Girls hula troupe read a message from Obama Mayor Koji Matsuzaki. The mayor, of course, hopes that Barack will visit Obama someday. (Toshio Murakami is no longer mayor.)89 views
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Hagaji temple is one of Obama's major temples with Important Cultural Properties including an 11-face Kannon statue.88 views
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Obama's Inauguration Day event was called "Going Beyond the Seven Seas--Peace Bell Ringing for the World. 七つの海を超えて、世界にとどけ平和の鐘88 views
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Dried bread in cans.88 views
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Inside Wakasa-ya shop, there's an application form to join the Obama for Obama Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai).87 views
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They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.87 views
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Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.86 views
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At 7 pm, fireworks were launched near the temple as the signal to start ringing the Hagaji temple bell. About eight temples in Obama (as well as in Nagasaki where there is Obama Onsen spa) started ringing the temple bell at 7 pm for world peace.86 views
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Obama sake84 views
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Next on the program was a letter to Barack Obama read aloud by the chairman of the Obama for Obama Association. After reading it, he put the letter in an envelope to be mailed to the US President.81 views
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Near the Hondo hall were tents selling Obama food and merchandise. The sign celebrates the birth of US President Obama.79 views
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Various people rang it a total of seven times to spread peace over the seven oceans of the world. The temple priest was the first to strike the bell.79 views
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Obama soba noodles, 500 yen per bag.78 views
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Other people who rang the bell included members of the Obama Girls who were to perform later.77 views
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Path to Hagaji temple's main Hondo hall.76 views
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After the choir, the Obama Girls hula dancers took over the stage and danced two songs. For someone like me from Hawaii, it was trippy to see hula dancing in a Buddhist temple.76 views
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The temple priest prays after ringing the bell.74 views
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After the bell ringing, a large local choir sang Beethoven, including three professional soloists who sang for free.74 views
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