 Most viewed - FUKUI 福井県 |
Statue of castle founder and 1st lord, Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康490 views
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To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).404 views
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Maruoka Castle tower379 views
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Line to board the free shuttle bus from Tsuruga Station to Kehi no Matsubara Beach.365 viewsThe waiting time was minimal since buses kept coming often. They chartered buses from numerous bus companies.
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Tojinbo in Mikuni-cho is spectacular, natural rock columns and walls on the coast. Hiking trails and boat rides give you a closer look at this rare natural monument. 344 viewsTojimbo is accessible by bus from JR Awara Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Line.
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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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At 6:30 pm, people started releasing their candlelit lanterns into the ocean. Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.325 views
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Huge rock columns stand about 9 stories (25 meters) high.321 views
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Maruoka Castle316 views
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Roof tiles made of stone on Maruoka Castle315 views
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Toro nagashi at Kehi no Matsubara Beach in Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.311 views
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Statue of Emperor Keitai in Asuwayama Park 継体天皇像300 viewsThe 26th Emperor of Japan is said to have hailed from Echizen Province.
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As it got darker, the scene got prettier.295 views
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Toro nagashi and fireworks at Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.288 views
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271 views
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Bungee jumping is probably not possible here.251 views
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Tojinbo sign indicating the Echizen-Kaga Coastal Quasi-National Park246 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. No structure remain. No moats remain either, except for the two rivers which served as a natural moat.218 views
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Bright fireworks light up the audience on the beach.214 views
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Kehi no Matsubara beach, one of Japan's three most famous pine tree beaches.211 viewsThe other two being Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka and Karatsu in Saga Pref.
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Saba-zushi or rice topped with mackerel, a local specialty in Obama, Fukui.211 views
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Line for the free shuttle bus back to Tsuruga Station. They had many shuttle buses so we didn't have to wait long.205 viewsIt was a very efficient and quick operation. Although I did leave early.
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JR Tsuruga Station197 views
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190 views
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Minamigawa River182 views
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The fireworks were brilliant and world-class, included a few waterborne "half-dome" fireworks.179 views
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JR Fukui Station176 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku as a child, in front of the public hospital. 杉田 玄白175 views
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By 7:30 pm, it was completely dark.173 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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172 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku, a Dutch studies scholar who studied medicine. He was from Obama. 杉田 玄白172 views
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171 views
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170 views
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Streetcar station168 views
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The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."168 views
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The lanterns say "For the Spirits of Past Generations."166 views
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A dinosaur waiting for his train at JR Tsuruga Station. Fukui Prefecture is famous for dinosaur digs. This is just a sculpture stealing a valuable place to sit, but it looks like a kid can sit on his lap.163 views
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162 views
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Great match with the lit lanterns and fireworks.161 views
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Crowd on Kehi no Matsubara Beach160 views
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Whoever thought of combining toro nagashi with fireworks was a genius.158 views
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157 views
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157 views
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Road in front of Fukui Station154 views
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Shopping road154 views
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You could buy a lantern for 500 yen. Choice of three colors: Red, blue, and yellow.154 views
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Lanterns along the jetty.154 views
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The crowd stretched to the very far side of the bay.153 views
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Mall in front of Fukui Station152 views
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Fireworks started at 7:30 pm.148 views
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147 views
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Maruoka Castle is Japan's oldest surviving castle tower although it collapsed during the Fukui Earthquake in 1948. Rebuilt in 1955 with most of the original materials. Originally built in 1576 by Shibata Katsutoyo, nicknamed Kasumiga-jo (Misty Castle146 viewsPhoto: Way to Maruoka Castle from the bus stop.
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146 views
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Bus stop for Maruoka Castle144 viewsTakes about 40-50 min. from Fukui Station.
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143 views
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Sign encouraging the construction of the shinkansen to Fukui.141 views
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140 views
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I was sitting on a jetty where many lanterns got stuck. We could feel the hot air from the candles.137 views
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136 views
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Fukui Shrine135 views
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15-min. walk from the bus stop to the beach. People everywhere.134 views
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132 views
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Bridge to castle grounds. 5-min. walk from Fukui Station.132 views
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Fukui Shrine 福井神社132 views
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Kehi Jingu's main shrine. Kehi Jingu is dedicated to a number of gods including Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu. So the Imperial Crest is all over the place.132 views
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129 views
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Fukui Shrine129 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.129 views
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Kasumiga-jo Park, noted for cherry blossoms.128 views
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Old shachi (killer whale) roof ornaments made of stone.126 viewsThe original shachi were made of wood with copper plating. But during WWII, the precious copper was taken and these two stone shachi were made to replace the original shachi. These two shachi fell off the roof during the 1948 earthquake and were replaced by a replica of the original made of wood and copper plating.
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Obama Station123 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.123 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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"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama. 120 views
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Maruoka Castle tower119 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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116 views
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Obama beach, fit for swimming in summer.116 views
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Edo Period currency115 views
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Bridge to castle grounds with prefectural capital building looming ahead.115 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kehi Pine Beach in Tsuruga from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.115 views
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Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.114 views
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113 views
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Steps to castle tower entrance.113 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.113 views
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Entrance to castle grounds112 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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1st floor of castle tower with photos of other castles.111 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. 111 views
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Path to castle tower110 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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The stone marker says National Treasure Kasumiga-jo Castle.109 viewsThe castle was a National Treasure until it collapsed in the 1948 Fukui Earthquake. Now an Important Cultural Property.
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Obama beach109 views
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Maruoka Castle tower108 views
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Side of castle108 views
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Folk History Museum108 views
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Pure and clean water well108 views
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107 views
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1st floor of castle tower107 viewsThe steep stairs go to the 2nd floor.
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り107 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop107 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).107 views
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Obama Castle remains. Only the stone foundation and a few stone walls remain. Obama Castle was built by Kyogoku Takatsugu in 1601 after he was awarded the Wakasa domain for his service during the Battle of Sekigahara.107 views
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Ceiling on top floor106 views
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106 views
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Mismatched buildings106 views
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The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.106 views
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JR Obama Station106 views
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Sushi restaurant in Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf. Buy sushi and eat it there with free miso soup and tea.106 views
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Statue outside Obama City Hall.106 views
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Top floor105 views
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105 views
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Stone foundation of the castle tower at one corner.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.105 views
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The veranda is narrow and the fence is low.104 views
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Folk History Museum adjacent to the castle. 歴史民俗資料館104 views
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Inside Folk History Museum104 views
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104 views
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103 views
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Entrance to castle tower103 views
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Stairway on top floor103 views
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Well related to the castle's mist.103 views
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102 views
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2nd floor102 views
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Roof tiles made of stone (2nd floor)102 views
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View from castle tower102 views
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"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is 102 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).102 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.102 views
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Obama coast102 views
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"Sama" hole to shoot weapons (arrows or guns)101 views
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Top floor101 views
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Veranda (closed to visitors)101 views
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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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Statue of Lord Sakai Tadakatsu outside Obama City Hall. Tadakatsu also served as Tairo, of Chief Minister in the Tokugawa government during 1638 to 1656.101 views
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1st floor of castle tower100 views
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100 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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"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.100 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.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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Along the Obama waterfront is this Mermaid Terrace.100 views
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Long line from the torii to the shrine on Jan. 1, 2016.100 views
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Old-style "bay window?"99 views
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Stairs to top floor99 views
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99 views
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Prefectural capital building99 views
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JR Obama Line99 views
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98 views
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Lower stone wall98 views
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Monuments98 views
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Steps to go down.98 views
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98 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.98 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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Inside Obama City Hall.98 views
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97 views
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Ceiling on top floor97 views
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Stairs going down97 views
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97 views
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Valley between the prefectural capital (left) and police department (right).97 views
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Obama Station97 views
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97 views
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Roof tiles made of stone (rare)96 views
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Stairs to castle tower foundation96 views
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The castle tower suffered a major fire in 1669, and it was never rebuilt.96 views
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Pedestrian bridge96 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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Mermaid Terrace.96 views
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Obama waterfront96 views
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Kehi Shrine's torii gate is one of Japan's three most famous wooden toriis. The other two being Miyajima's Itsukishima Shrine in Hiroshima Pref. and Kasuga Shrine in Nara.96 views
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Another ema tablet for 2016, the Year of the Monkey96 views
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Year of the Monkey ema from Kehi Jingu.96 views
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95 views
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95 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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JR Obama Station entrance95 views
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Izumi-cho shopping arcade was also the starting point of the Saba Kaido road to Kyoto. During the Edo Period, this road was used by saba (mackerel fish) merchants traveling to sell their fish. The road was actually a network of roads. 95 views
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Ceiling on top floor94 views
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Atop the castle tower foundation (lower level)94 views
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Another stone foundation which was partially damaged during the 1948 Fukui Easrthquake.94 views
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94 views
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94 views
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94 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 Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. Lord Sakai Tadakatsu built the main castle tower in 1636. 小浜城跡94 views
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Layout of the original Obama Castle sandwiched between two rivers.94 views
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Mermaid Terrace94 views
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93 views
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93 views
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Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.93 views
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Mermaid on mailbox93 views
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Wing Terrace93 views
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93 views
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Inside Izumi-cho shopping arcade where they sell mostly seafood.93 views
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92 views
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Top of castle tower foundation. Grassy, but uneven ground.92 views
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This is the castle well named Fuku-no-I (福の井). Fukui Prefecture got its name from this well. In 2017, it got a Japanese-style roof.92 views
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92 views
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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92 views
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Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.92 views
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Right near the exit of Obama Station is the tourist information office where you can obtain maps, pamphlets, and ask questions.92 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. After the Kyogoku Clan moved to Izumo (Shimane Pref.), Sakai Tadakatsu took up residence in 1634 and his clan lived in the castle until the Meiji Restoration.92 views
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Steps to upper level of castle tower foundation91 views
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Fukui police HQ and castle wall91 views
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Another bridge 廊下橋91 views
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On top of Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.91 views
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Ceiling on top floor90 views
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View of moat from the corner of castle tower foundation.90 views
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90 views
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"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.90 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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JR Obama Station exit90 views
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Main drag (Ote-dori) from Obama Station. 大手通り90 views
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Obama coast90 views
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Stone wall submerged in moat.89 views
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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.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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JR Obama Station and taxis.89 views
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Near the water is Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, housing restaurants, souvenir shops, and a tour boat ticket office.89 views
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Inside the Saba Kaido Museum.89 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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88 views
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Private homes are built right up to the castle wall.88 views
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88 views
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Boat cruise to Sotomo Rocks on the nearby coast.88 views
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87 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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Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.87 views
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They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.87 views
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