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Mountain vegetables 山菜430 views
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Two Patriotic Maiko. To cheer up the soldiers on the front line, pretty and smiling maiko (apprentice geisha) often appeared on postcards for military mail. This card was postmarked Aug. 1940 from Shizuoka city. It was not addressed to a soldier though.430 viewsBoth women are maiko and not full-fledged geisha yet. The sleeves of a maiko's kimono reaches toward the ground as you can see here. (The sleeves of a geisha is shorter.) The kimono design is also more colorful and gaudy. Maiko also wear clogs called pokkuri. They are wedged at the front, so if you are not careful, you can trip forward. Geisha do not wear pokkuri.
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Photo Booth429 views証明写真 - "Shōmei shashin." This is another very common photo term in Japan. You often see it at camera shops, photofinishers, and on these photo booths.
This booth is emblazoned with "Shōmei shashin" in red characters. It means ID photos (for resumes, driver's license application/renewal forms, and passports). Of course, people often use it for fun too.
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Kawasaki Motorcycles429 viewsKawasaki had a bevy of leggy beauties promoting their cycles. They didn't dance, but served well to attract attention.
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Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, Kanagawa429 viewsAwa 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.
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Tokushima Awa Odori dancer429 views
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Shirakawa-go 白川郷429 views
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429 views
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Futami Okitama Shrine does not have a main hall (Honden) like most other shrines. It worships the Okitama Sacred Stone in the ocean beyond the Wedded Rocks. 二見興玉神社429 views
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Quite spectacular when the flowers are in full bloom.429 views
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Blow darts with poison tips maybe.429 views
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Laughing Geisha with low neck. She's almost semi-nude. It is probably her sexiest pose of all. A great summertime card and one of my favorites. Hand-colored and postmarked Feb. 25, 1908 in Yokohama. The actual card is more yellowed.429 views
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Lotus pond at Karasuma Peninsula.428 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景428 views
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Osaka Castle tower closeup428 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri428 viewsNext was exhibition sumo matches by the top-division Makunouchi wrestlers. Musashimaru never appeared again.
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Asashoryu later won428 views
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Girl in Storm. Wires were used inside the kimono to make it look wind-blown like in a rainstorm. Even her clogs are for rain. Early photographers commonly imitated the poses and scenes depicted in ukiyoe woodcut prints and Nihonga paintings.428 viewsAlthough the photographer and model were serious in making this picture, it makes you laugh.
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Sailors man the rails of The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).428 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) Sailors man the rails of The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the carrier pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick/released)
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Keiji Suzuki wins by hantei.427 views
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Exhibits inside the castle, a folk and history museum for the Chiba clan and Chiba city.427 views
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Closeup of a Neputa float.427 viewsTheories concerning the origin of the Neputa are identical to those of the Nebuta. However, in the 1880's, the Neputa gradually changed from human figures into a fan shape. The floats have come a long way since then. Candles have been replaced by generator-powered lights and the washi paper has been replaced by washi paper blended with nylon. The festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset.
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427 views
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Path to the Kaisenchi or site where the battle started, at the foot of the hill straight ahead. 開戦地427 views
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Banner with Ukita Hideie's crest.427 views
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Another sculpture in the Aviation Memorial Park.427 views
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Since Jan. 2010 is the 15th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake that struck on Jan. 17, 1995, I decided to upload these photos for the first time. I visited Kobe 10 days after the killer quake struck. Had to take a hydrofoil from Osaka to reach Kobe.427 views
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Battleship Yamato has an Imperial chrysanthemum crest on the bow. This was one of the things which helped to identify the wreck on the sea bottom.427 views
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426 views
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Kyoto University's winning rowing crew426 views
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Ainokura426 views
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Daimaru Dept. Store on the west side. Notice the entrance sign celebrating the 5th anniversary of the new train station.426 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3 (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) is perhaps Shiga's most prominent with three impressive demons (called oni) on stage acting as the evil oni to be chased away with soybeans.426 viewsFeb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune.
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Toyosato Elementary School after renovations in 2009. Nice new coat of paint makes the old school look almost brand new. MAP426 views
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View from atop Mt. Azuchi.425 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri425 views
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The 28th Asakusa Samba Carnival was held on Aug. 30, 2008. Despite the threat of heavy rains, the parade was not cancelled and many people showed up. Kaminarimon-dori is crowded with people at 1 pm.425 views
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PACIFIC OCEAN (April 20, 2008) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 perform a fly-by maneuver over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CV 73).425 viewsPACIFIC OCEAN (April 20, 2008) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 perform a fly-by maneuver over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CV 73) as crew members and distinguished visitors watch from the flight deck. George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where she will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis (Released)
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Oh yeah...425 views
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Butsuri keiko424 views
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424 views
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The right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons.424 viewsThe bronze statue is 10 meters tall.
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Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. The names of the children playing are written on the red lanterns hanging above. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台424 views
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424 views
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Sexy MC. It was pretty cold that Nov. day.424 views
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423 views
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Japanese Garden423 views
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Not sure what this is.423 views
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Fushimi Turret as seen from Nijubashi Bridge. Edo Castle was first built by Ota Dokan (太田道灌) in 1457 when Tokyo/Edo was still a small fishing village. Ota Dokan is thus regarded as one of Tokyo's forefathers. 伏見櫓423 views
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The large slope of azalea bushes have walking paths where you can see and photograph the flowers up close.423 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.423 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kintaikyo Bridge from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.423 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.422 views
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Nu-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Property). This is the way out.422 views
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Portable shrine for Takeinadane-no-Mikoto422 views
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Leader of the 47 ronin, Oishi Kuranosuke goes in front of the Hondo hall and reported their successful capture of Kira.422 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park in spring.422 views
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Medicines made by the company which owns the house.422 views
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Break to treat Marumoto's bleeding nose.421 views
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Hamura Tulip Festival, Tokyo421 views
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Beware of Jellyfish420 viewsハブクラゲに注意しよう！ - "Habu kurage ni chūi shiyō." Beware of jellyfish. In Okinawa, "habu kurage" (Chiropsalmus quadrigatus) is a type of poisonous jellyfish whose venomous sting can cause death.
Place: Taketomi island, Okinawa.
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Oiran Dochu Procession420 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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Hakata Ningyo dolls420 views
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Gate to Zenkoji420 views
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Calling Musashimaru (with a conch shell)420 views
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Statue of Ishida Mitsunari420 views
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Old Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side. On the left end is the North Entrance under a dome roof, and on the right end is the South Entrance also under a dome roof. Both dome roofs were damaged during World War II, and were repaired with slat-style roofs.420 views
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JR Sugamo Station on the Yamanote Line. 巣鴨駅420 views
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Bin-temari in Echigawa, Shiga. Echigawa's bin-temari history goes back to around 1840 when its oldest bin-temari was made. However, this traditional art died out with the death of Aoki Hiro in 1973, Echigawa's last bin-temari maker.420 views
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Healthy "Ninja tea." Free samples in the living room.420 views
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Getting closer to the bridge419 views
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Ducks on ice419 views
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Dinner419 views
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Bin-temari monument. "Bin" means bottle, and "temari" is a threaded ball. The bin-temari is a round glass ball with a threaded ball inside.419 views
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418 views
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Fighting bull statue in front of Uwajima Station.418 views
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Priests splash cold water over themselves at the Nose Myokenzan Betsuin in Sumida-ku, Tokyo418 views
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Dancers under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo418 views
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Cherry blossoms and Chiba Castle418 views
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife418 views
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Salt sprinkler heads the procession to purify the way.418 views
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Drum418 views
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The retirement ceremony had a lot of Hawaiian touches. This was only the beginning.417 viewsHula dancers and live Hawaiian band from Hawaii.
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Yokozuna Asashoryu performs his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony417 views
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Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido417 viewsEarly Feb.
More pictures here.
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Grilled Iwana river fish417 views
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Ishida Mitsunari's banner with his family crest.417 views
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A large crowd line the narrow street.417 views
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417 views
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Keiji Suzuki vs. Hidekazu Shoda (semi-final)416 views
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About the Tokyo Motor Show...416 viewsMakuhari Messe is near Kaihin Makuhari Station on the Keiyo and Musashino Lines. The huge show occupies the entire Makuhari Messe consisting of the North, East, Center, and West Halls, and Event Hall. Admission was 1200 yen. The show sees over 1.4 million visitors.
Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show." The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year. 2005 is actually the 50th anniversary of the motor show.
In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center where it would remain until 1987 when it moved to Makuhari Messe in 1989. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.
In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000. The motor show for passenger cars and motorcycles would continue to be held every two years from 1999. So there would be a Tokyo Motor Show every year, but the purpose would alternate between passenger cars/motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
During the 1st motor show in 1954, when most of the vehicles displayed were for commercial use, the attendance was 547,000. In 1963, it exceed 1 million over 16 days. It hovered around 1.4 million in the years following. The record attendance was attained in 1991 with over 2 million visitors during 15 days. In 2003, the total attendance was 1.424 million.
In 2000, at the first Tokyo Motor Show dedicated to commercial vehicles, attendance was a mere 177,900 over 5 days. In 2004, attendance was 248,600 over 6 days.
The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times. Their hairstyles, wardrobe, skirt length, make-up, etc. The Tokyo Motor Show is not only a showcase for cars, it is also a fashion showcase. Therefore, in this online photo gallery, you will see not only cars, but also women. Enjoy!
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As the climax of the 37th Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival, the Kagurazaka Awa Odori Dance was held on July 25-26, 2008, from 7 pm to 9 pm. These photos were taken on July 25, 2008. Crowd at Bishamonten.416 views
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Mona Lisa Smile. She's cute, ideal for a passport photo. But her hairstyle is more striking than anything. What do you call it? A Westernized Japanese hairstyle?416 views
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416 views
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During April and early May, they hold the annual ninja festa.416 views
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Luggage storage room ヴェネツィアの駅の荷物預かり所415 viewsCoin-operated lockers were out of order in the station. In the morning at 9:30 am, the line can be long for people wanting to store their baggage.
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Center-gai arcade415 views
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Sake cart415 views
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on a sunny morning of the Tokyo Marathon, Feb. 17, 2008.415 views
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Naosuke Ii and Commodore Perry. Issued in 1909, this postcard commemorates the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. It has a commemorative postmark marking the "Jubilee of Opening of Yokohama Port."415 viewsYokohama Port was officially opened to foreign trade on July 1, 1859 in accordance with the US-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
The card honors Naosuke Ii and Commodore Matthew C. Perry. You could say that Japan-America relations started with these two men. Ii was the Tokugawa shogunate's Great Elder (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world. Foreigners were then allowed to trade with Japan and take up residence in cities like Yokohama and Hakodate. Ii was later assassinated in 1860 by people who sought to oust the foreign "barbarians."
Commodore Perry first came to Japan in July 1853 with his four warships which the Japanese called "black ships" (kurobune). No diplomatic breakthrough was made, but Perry's knocking on Japan's door was heard loud and clear. Running low on provisions, Perry departed for China and promised to return to Japan which he did in Feb. 1854. This time he got what he wanted. The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed about a month later. The treaty allowed US ships to call on two ports: Shimoda (Kanagawa) and Hakodate (Hokkaido). Permission for a US Consul (Townsend Harris) to reside in Japan was also stipulated. Official diplomatic relations between Japan and America thus began.
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A family embraces the Japanese culture and wears yukatas as they wait for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to pull into its new operating base Fleet Activities Yokosuka.415 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) A family embraces the Japanese culture and wears yukatas as they wait for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to pull into its new operating base Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington's arrival from its former homeport of Norfolk, Va., marks the beginning of its role as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Lawlor/Released)
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Iga-Ueno really plays up its ninja past. 415 views
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Kongorinji's Main temple roof drowning in fall leaves414 views
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4. Sakura Kazashite 桜かざして414 viewsDancers: 舞子、万り (Maiko and Mari)
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Profiles of neutral armies414 views
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The route is short, but it's a slow procession with many short breaks. The procession lasts 1.5 hours.414 views
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Inuyama Castle tower413 views
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413 views
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Koku-Koen Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line 航空公園駅413 views
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The "Rio Grande" cruise boat awaits at Imazu Port on a miraculously sunny day during the rainy season. 梅雨でありながら、奇跡的にこんないい天気になった。今津港413 views
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Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a favorite resting place for birds which turned the rocks white from bird droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白石413 views
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Statue of Lord Toda Ujikane who was the Ogaki Castle lord in 1635.413 views
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413 views
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Old Ryugen Gakko school. First built in 1876 as a primary school in Takashima, northern Shiga, this is the prefecture's oldest surviving school building. It was moved here for display. 旧柳原学校412 views旧柳原学校
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Kawaii!!412 views
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Sakurajima, Kagoshima. Part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park. 桜島412 views
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Seibu Ikebukuro Line train with shibazakura design.412 views
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Medicine (gunpowder?) case.412 views
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412 views
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Nagisa Park in Moriyama, Shiga has this beautiful field of nano-hana rapeseed blossoms blooming in winter from early-Jan. to mid-March at this lakeside park. なぎさ公園 MAP412 views
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The Matsuda Sakura Matsuri is held from mid-February to mid or late March. The cherry blossoms bloom in mid-March or later if it's a cold winter like in 2012. Near Odakyu Shin-Matsuda Station (80 min. from Shinjuku).412 views
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Inside the top floor of Kobuntei Villa411 views
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Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成411 views
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Scenery along the way by bus to Ainokura from Shirakawa-go.411 views
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Branches of the sacred sakaki tree.411 views
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Inside Beckoning Cat Temple. The altar's objects of worship are numerous beckoning cat dolls.411 views
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410 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)410 views
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Merging with another line up ahead410 views
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Kobuntei Villa410 views
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This must be a first, a kumu hula (hula teacher) from Hawaii performing on the sumo ring.410 viewsHe is Sonny Ching, a well-known hula teacher in Hawaii. He brought four male hula dancers who danced at the four corners of the ring.
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5. Otsu-e 大津絵410 views眞由美
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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.410 views
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410 views
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Breakfast at Isaburo minshuku410 views
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Bikini idols Yoshii Rei, Mitsuya Yoko, and Fukushita Megumi throwing beans on Setsubun410 views
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Entrance to Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street 巣鴨地蔵通り商店街410 views
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Narita-san during Narita Gion Festival409 views
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409 views
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409 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2008.409 views
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Narita-san temple's main hall.409 views
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The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.408 views
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Zojoji Temple is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Buddhist sect and best known as the temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. 大門408 viewsAfter Tokugawa Ieyasu started to rule the Kanto region, he designated Zojoji as the family temple of the Tokugawa clan. The temple was expanded during the same time Edo Castle was being built.
Zojoji then came to be known as one of Japan's principal Buddhist temples. The temple grounds have many buildings, monuments, and the tombs of six Tokugawa Shoguns, Imperial Princess Kazunomiya (wife of Shogun Iemochi), and wives and children of shoguns.
Zojoji Temple is a short walk from Onarimon Station on the Mita subway line, Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo and Asakusa subway lines, and JR Hamamatsu-cho Station. This photo shows Daimon Gate on the road to the temple.
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Natto fermented beans408 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)408 views
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Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. Bandai-Asahi National Park 毘沙門沼408 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo408 views
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Monuments marking Tokugawa Ieyasu's first base camp during the Battle of Sekigahara. The banners have the Tokugawa family crest.408 views
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Smiling for the camera. It's always nice to see a smiling woman on a vintage postard. This is not an ideal smile though. Kind of sheepish and unnatural. Sort of half-hearted and "halfway" like her fan which is only half open.408 views
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Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.408 views
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Muramoto wins407 views
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Do not Enter407 views立入禁止 - Another "entry prohibited" sign or "tachi-iri kinshi" in red kanji characters. On the right, the characters read, "kankei-sha igai" meaning "unauthorized persons."
Place: Lake Biwa at Otsu, Shiga Pref.
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The left leg is poised for action to assist humanity.407 views
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407 views
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Yoshino Baigo plum trees407 views
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Laughing Geisha with Basket. It looks like she's dressed for picking tea leaves. This card, which has an undivided back, dates before 1907. The actual card is more yellowed.407 views
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The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.407 views
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406 views
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Statue of Lord Takatora Todo, who became the 11th lord of the castle in 1608. He is revered for revamping the castle and developing the castle town of Tsu. He was originally from Inugami, Shiga Pref. This statue was built in 1998.406 views
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Kawasaki Motorcycles406 viewsOne of the best-looking motorcycle models.
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This page is a complete English guide to all the groups that appear in the parade. The parade assembles behind Sensoji Temple and starts at 1:30 pm from Nitenmon gate. The procession then goes down Umamichi-dori street, passes by Matsuya Department Store.406 views先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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Kobuntei Villa406 views
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The warriors are the procession's main attraction.406 viewsWaiting near Futarasan Shrine's torii.
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Lighting a tobacco pipe. (Real smoke)406 views
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The Wedded Rocks are part of Futami Okitama Shrine known for frog sculptures. 二見興玉神社406 views
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In the entrance hall, hula and Hawaiian music direct from Hawaii405 views
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Raising a pole in front of Inazawa Station405 views
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Quite overwhelming with about 360,000 tulip bulbs.405 views
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Wartime Mitsui Life Insurance ad card. Dated Feb. 1942, this advertising postcard shows a Japanese torpedo bomber dropping a torpedo aimed at a US battleship under heavy attack. An American flag (faint) can be seen on the ship's mast.405 viewsDated Feb. 1942, this advertising postcard shows a Japanese torpedo bomber dropping a torpedo aimed at a US battleship under heavy attack. An American flag (faint) can be seen on the ship's mast. The advertising copy reads, "This one shot is a phenomenal force." On the left, the text reads, "A new weapon for national savings." "Very low insurance premiums." "Mitsui's provision for old age" "It has no enemies!" For some reason, the left corners of the card were cut with scissors, perhaps to remove it from an album.
Needless to say, the lowest point in US-Japan relations was World War II. The Pearl Harbor attack, the internment of Japanese-Americans, battles at Midway and other Pacific islands, Tokyo fire bombing raids, land battle on Okinawa, and the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still reverberate among the generations today. Every year in August in Japan, ceremonies are held to mark and memorialize the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and the war's end. All the while, Dec. 8 (7 in Hawaii) is just another day in Japan with no particular significance.
Of course in Hawaii, Dec. 7 is a day of national mourning as much as Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day in Japan. Each country mourns its own and neither seems to care about the other's war dead. I await the day when both countries mourn for each other as well as for themselves. After all, we all belong to the same family, the Family of Man.
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Yoshida Castle turret404 views
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The chair404 views
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Turning the hoko float at the Kyoto Gion Matsuri.404 views
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri, Nov. 3404 viewsMore pictures here
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Center-gai arcade404 views
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To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).404 views
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The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) was the emperor's residence from the 14th century to 19th century. This is the main path to the palace where major festivals such as the Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri are held.404 views
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Budokan403 views
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Okiku's Well. Subject of a famous ghost story called "Banshu Sara Yashiki," about a castle servant named Okiku.403 views
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Here he comes...403 views
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403 views
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The clothing shops are geared for elderly women. Sugamo is the fashion capital for elderly women. 「おばあちゃんの原宿」403 views
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14 Sept. 2009 --- Naoko Yamazaki, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session...403 views14 Sept. 2009 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session near one of the full-scale trainers in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
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Narita Gion Matsuri402 views
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Also called "Sennin Gyoretsu" (1,000-person Procession 千人行列), this is Nikko's largest festival held on May 17-18. The highlight is a long procession of over 1,000 people dressed in various costumes.402 viewsThe three portable shrines are dedicated to the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo. Photos start with May 17 at Toshogu Shrine, when priests gathered for a ceremony. 発興祭
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Upper level and VIP booth.402 views
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The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.402 viewsAt 7:00 p.m., the taiko drum-beating started and the floats left the starting point one by one. The beat of the taiko drums was the same as that in the Nebuta Matsuri. A few men stood on the top of the large Neputa and collapsed the hinged, top portion to clear overhead power lines. The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.
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Map and about the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.402 views
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Awards ceremony401 views
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Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure401 views
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Foot of Mt. Sasaoyama, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp. 笹尾山 石田三成陣跡401 views
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The first half of the route is quite narrow.401 views
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First bridge and azaleas400 views
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400 views
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400 views
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Chiba Castle as seen from Kencho-mae monorail station.400 views
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Akebono400 viewsThese are B/W photographs painted over with oil.
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Temple office sells maneki neko beckoning cat in various sizes (and prices).400 views
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Narita-san Park's Ukimido Floating Hall399 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康 江戸入府399 views
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Kobuntei Villa, fusuma sliding door with painting of fall leaves399 views
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Closeup of "sakura-bai." Very beautiful. 桜梅399 views
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Upper level and giant sumo portraits of 32 past tournament winners. As of Jan. 2012, there are no portraits of Japanese sumo wrestlers. Only foreigners.399 views
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Fujimi Turret, Edo Castle 富士見櫓399 views
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Outside the ninja house. This ninja house is very impressive. It does have an air of authenticity, although there are, unavoidably, a few touristy elements. This house should be designated as a Important Cultural Property or an National Historic Site.399 views
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Baby Baby Sitter. Such scenes were common in those days. Mom and dad were both busy farming, leaving the baby in the hands of older children. Hand-colored.399 views
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Yamagata maiko399 views
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Near Kora Town Hall is this statue of Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro (1574-1646). Born here, he started a famous lineage of shrine/temple carpenters. 甲良豊後守宗廣 MAP399 viewsHe supervised the construction of many famous buildings.
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399 views
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Hanakawa do Sukeroku & Ikyu (kabuki characters). Sukeroku and Ikyu vie for the love of a courtesan named Agemaki. 花川戸助六 意休398 views
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Katsube Fire Festival: Men dance in rings in front of the fire. Also see the video at YouTube.398 views
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Takamisakari wins398 views
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Air Nippon YS-11 propeller plane. Donated by All Nippon Airways in 1997.398 views
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Muscular maid at Tokyo Marathon 2008398 views
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Toyosato manhole, Shiga Pref.398 views
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Toyama Castle 富山城397 views
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Yodobashi, Hokkaido's largest camera and electronics store.397 views
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397 views
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Group photo of bean throwers. Sumo wrestlers at the top.397 views
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Year 1603: Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun. He designates Asakusa Temple as a place of worship, and he worships there himself in 1616. Behind him is his son Tokugawa Hidetada who became the second Tokugawa shogun. 徳川家康 江戸入府396 views
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Inuyama Castle roof396 views
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396 views
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396 views
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Keikyu Yokosuka-Chuo Station. This is Yokosuka's main train station. The major shopping areas as well as the US Navy Base are nearest to this train station.396 views
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Local protestors put up signs opposing the deployment of the USS George Washington.396 views
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Yamato Museum's main attraction is this large scale model of Battleship Yamato. You can walk around it. This area of the museum is called Yamato Hiroba.396 views
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Keihan Maru boat during the early 1900s. This is a vintage postcard showing a steamer called Keihan Maru moored at Chikubushima. This boat landing is still being used.395 views
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He goes back to the dressing room395 views
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Bin-temari come in different sizes and an infinite number of threaded-ball designs. It also makes a great wedding gift since the round shape symbolizes harmony of the heart and family. You can also clearly see inside. 中がよく（仲良く）見える395 views
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The golden sculpture is atop the Asahi Beer building in Asakusa. It's supposed to be beer froth, but most people think it looks like doo-doo.395 views
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I gladly gave them a coin, even though they deserve a lot more. Hopefully there were people who gave bills.395 views
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Statue of Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station394 views
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One of Kyoto's Big Three Festivals held on May 15. The Aoi Matsuri's colorful procession of over 500 people in Heian-Period costumes start off at the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and head for the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. 394 viewsKyoto Gosho Imperial Palace 京都御所: The first ox carriage waits for the procession to start. The ox carriage is called a gissha. 牛車
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Nebuta float and haneto dancers. Also see the video at YouTube.394 viewsMitama Mtasuri at Yasukuni Shrine.
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394 views
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Plum blossom-viewing picnickers393 views
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Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe393 views
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Chidorigafuchi lit up at night.393 views
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The festival is held along a straight, 800-meter section of San'o Odori Road, a 20-min. walk from Akita Station.393 viewsIn the evening, the main event starts at 6:38 p.m. with a taiko drum-beating performance or minyo dancers on San'o Odori Road. At 7:17 p.m., some 200 kanto are carried into the street to the sound of flutes and taiko drums. At 7:40 p.m. following a brief address by the city's mayor, the performance begins as the kanto are raised all at once.
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Tokushima Awa Odori dancer393 views
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Monument marking the site where the Sekigahara battle started. 開戦地393 views
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Tokyo and the Kanto region's largest tulip field attains full bloom every mid-April. The Tulip Matsuri Festival is held for about 10 days, covering two weekends. 393 viewsIt comes on the heels of Hamura's Sakura Matsuri held in early April along the Tamagawa River. On the weekend, free shuttle buses from Hamura Station take you to the tulip field. Closest station is Hamura Station (East Entrance) on the JR Ome Line. 羽村駅
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The ball is actually hollow like a balloon. It is inserted into the bottle in a deflated state, then expanded into a ball. The museum also has a fascinating video showing how temari is made.393 views
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Lovely393 views
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Zoo train to Tama Zoo along the Keio Tama Dobutsu Koen Line.393 views
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Hakodate's main attraction and landmark is Mt. Hakodate-yama, accessible by ropeway.393 views
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Autumn flowers at Lake Yogo, a small scenic lake next to northern Lake Biwa.393 views
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Saga Castle palace, rebuilt in 2004 after 3 years of construction. 佐賀城本丸歴史館392 viewsThis is a magnificent and accurate reconstruction of the palace built by the 11th Saga lord, Nabeshima Naomasa, in 1838 after a fire razed the castle.
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代 大名行列392 views
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