 Most viewed - GUNMA 群馬県 |
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Right balcony of temple.98 views
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Hawaiian souvenirs for sale.98 views
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One section of the Stone Steps also served as another venue for Ikaho's Hawaiian Festival. 「街角フラ」石段にて98 views
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The first display case on the right shows a chronology of Irwin's life and portraits of him and his wife Takechi Iki.98 views
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On the left are table cloths bearing Irwin's family crest. In the middle is Irwin's binoculars, cross, and watch. On the right are cuff links and cups with the Hawaiian flag.98 views
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City mascot "Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station. "Pon" refers to the character's pot belly.98 views
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The koinobori are strung from late March to mid-May. Especially spectacular when the cherries are in bloom during late March to mid-April.98 views
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In April and May, thousands of flying carp streamers grace the Tsuruudogawa River connected to Lake Jonuma.98 views
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The hill also has a few azalea tunnels.98 views
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About 600 seats at the main venue. Ikaho's connection to Hawaii lies with the summer residence of Robert Walker Irwin, the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century.97 views
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Shops around the main venue.97 views
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1902 map close-up showing the location of Irwin's summer home (red circle) in Ikaho. It was right in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps.97 views
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Copy of a Japanese immigrant's labor contract dated Jan. 11, 1900. (Not for Kanyaku Imin.)97 views
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I visited Tatabayashi again in early May 2014 to see the azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park. 97 views
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It's a pleasant walk with azalea decorating the sidewalk.97 views
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There were these flower racks too.97 views
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Street corner with another tanuki. These tanuki are made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.97 views
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Obiki ferry takes only several minutes to reach Tsutsujigaoka Park. Fare was cheap, includes admission to the park. It's also possible to walk to the park.97 views
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The occasional white azalea give your eyes a break from all the bright colors.97 views
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Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.97 views
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Other workshops are held such as ukulele lessons and a lei-making class.96 views
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The main venue has two large adjoining tents. The tent on the left covers the stage, and the one on the right covers the audience seats. The place is ringed by outdoor shops selling Hawaiian goods (mainly clothing).96 views
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Shops on the lower level.96 views
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"Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.96 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.96 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.96 views
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Koinobori at a lakeside house.96 views
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Relaxing ride, only me and a mother and child.96 views
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Approaching Tsutsujigaoka Park96 views
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Boat dock for Tsutsujigaoka Park. Other boats offered cruises.96 views
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In the evenings, Hawaii's top hula halau (winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii) performed as the festival's main event. Photo: Flags of Hawaii and Ikaho town (merged with Shibukawa in 2006).95 views
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First you see this Somon Gate (総門), built in 1468 and normally called Kuromon Gate (黒門), to enter Morinji temple, one of Tatebayashi's main tourist sights.95 views
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The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.95 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.95 views
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View from Fureai Bridge. These carp were once registered in the Guiness Book of World Records as having the most koinobori (over 6,000).95 views
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Boat ride was pleasant enough.95 views
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Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。94 views
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During Aug. 3-6, 2008, about 390 hula groups (totaling 4,700 people) performed on this stage. About 838 hula groups applied to perform, and only 390 could be selected to appear.94 views
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The famous Stone Steps of Ikaho. Ikaho is on a mountain slope, and the Stone Steps goes through the center of the hot spring town. It is lined with shops and inns. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス94 views
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Veranda94 views
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The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.94 views
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Entrance to Tatebayashi City Hall is also decorated with azaleas.94 views
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Tourist information office94 views
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About the "Minister's Villa of the Former Kingdom of Hawaii" ハワイ王国公使別邸 (英語がちょっと変)94 views地元の子供達の英語教育を担当している教育委員会の英文は特にしっかりしたものにして欲しいですね。こんな英語で手本にもならないし、英語の勉強にもならない。読む外国人さんも笑わせる。
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Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場93 views
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More shops on the lower level.93 views
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Panel showing Irwin's paternal family tree.93 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.93 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."93 views
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The display case includes photos of the Irwin family in Ikaho.92 views
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The display case shows an old map of Ikaho Spa on the upper left.92 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.92 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.92 views
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Admission during peak flower season was ¥1,500. Otherwise, it was ¥500. I went in May when the roses were in bloom. The garden was operated as part of a wedding chapel/hall. Great for wedding photos. It's near Morinji Temple.92 views
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.90 views
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Panel explaining the Japanese immigration to Hawai'i.90 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.90 views
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Map of Morinji temple. Morinji was founded by the priest Dairin Shotsu (大林正通), During a pilgrimage, Shotsu met an old priest Shukaku-osho at the foot of Ikaho in Gunma. 90 views
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In 1426, Shotsu took Shukaku with him to Tatebayashi and built a tiny temple. In 1468, the local Aoyagi Castle lord Akai Masamitsu (赤井正光) indebted to Shotsu, donated some of his land for the temple.90 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...90 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.90 views
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Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.89 views
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Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, including a booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island. Koa calabash on the right from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 198989 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.89 views
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Tataranuma Park is a prefectural park with cherry blossoms, wisteria, and a marshy lake with enough reed fields to attract swans migrating from Siberia every winter. 89 views
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Near Tataranuma Park is Gunma Museum of Art, Tatebayashi. Closed Mondays.89 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.88 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.88 views
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The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882. On the right is a souvenir from Ikaho that Iki bought.87 views
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Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.87 views
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Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.87 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...86 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,86 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.86 views
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Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂86 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.86 views
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If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.86 viewsGetting here: From the Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at JR Shinjuku Station (near South Exit) in Tokyo, there are JR buses to Ikaho, taking 2.5 hours. Get off at the Ikaho Ishidangai stop (伊香保石段街) at the bottom of the Stone Steps. Day trippers can store luggage in the nearby lockers. Irwin's villa is a short distance up the Stone Steps on the right side.
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Tanuki sculptures85 views
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The garden changed its name from Yachonomori Garden (野鳥の森ガーデン) to The Treasures Garden in April 2012. The name changed again in April 2015 to "Tobu Treasure Garden" (東武トレジャーガーデン). .85 viewsThey have been expanding the garden to make it more attractive to tourists. So far, they've been doing a good job, the Tobu Group.
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Rose tunnel85 views
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.84 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.84 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂84 views
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Morinji temple's offertory box and altar inside.83 views
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Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.83 views
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If you missed the azaleas at the famous Tsutsujigaoka Park, you could visit The Treasures Garden as consolation. This is the Long Border Garden.83 views
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Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 83 views
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Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.83 views
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The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.82 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. The Sanmon Gate is usually called the Akamon Gate 山門（通称赤門). The largest and most distinguished-looking gate.82 views
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A large weeping cherry tree hides the Hondo main hall.82 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.82 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.82 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. 山門81 views
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Inside Hondo hall.81 views
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Tanuki hibachi81 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.81 views
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Daruma with a tanuki face.81 views
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Cemetery next to the Hondo Hall.81 views
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The park has a lot of greenery.81 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂80 views
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A side altar inside the Hondo hall.80 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.80 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.80 views
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View of garden from second floor.80 views
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Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.80 views
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Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.80 views
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Left panel is about the Irwin family in Ikaho. Right panel is about Sophia "Bella" Arabella, Robert Irwin's eldest child.80 viewsBella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.
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Irwin family portrait and a travel permit that was required for foreigners to travel within Japan.80 views
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Pay a small admission fee to enter the Hondo from the right side. You can walk around inside the Hondo hall and see the altars.79 views
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Morinji's Hondo hall also has statues of the temple founder Chief Priest Dairin Shotsu-Osho (大林正通大和尚) and longtime assistant Priest Shukaku-Osho (守鶴和尚).79 views
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Walk along the veranda to another room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot.79 views
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War memorial for the Imperial Japanese Army's 2nd Tank Division which was annihilated at the Battle of the Philippines during World War II. 戦車第2師団工兵隊の碑79 views
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About the Yew plum pine.79 views
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Wisteria tree79 views
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Moss pink (shibazakura) hills.79 views
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The Irwin house and museum are open 9 am to 4:30 pm (enter by 4:15 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 28–Jan. 4.79 views
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Map of the Irwin Park.79 views
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Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.79 views
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Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.79 views
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Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.79 views
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Letter of condolence from Bella Irwin to the Chigira family written in romanized Japanese. The Chigira family operated an inn near the Irwin summer villa.79 views
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Inside Former Akimoto Villa. 旧秋元別邸78 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂78 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall can be entered through the reception window on the right. 300 yen admission charged (150 yen for kids). Open 9 am-4 pm. Closed Thu.78 views
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Morinji temple's Buddhist altar inside the Hondo Hall. The Shakanyorai (釈迦如来) or Gautama Buddha is worshipped. 本堂78 views
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Yew plum pine78 views
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Wisteria tree78 views
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Second floor has tatami mats. The second floor is open to the public only on weekends and during the hula festival in summer.78 views
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The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.78 views
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They don't allow photography inside the museum.78 views
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Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.78 views
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Boyhood home of novelist Tayama Katai, former samurai house.77 views
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The Hondo Hall has a thatched-roof.77 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.77 views
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Large weeping cherry tree in front of the Hondo.77 views
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After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.77 views
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The Irwin Guidance Facility has exhibits about Robert Walker Irwin, his Hawaii connection, and his life in Ikaho. A short video introduces him here.77 views
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Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.77 views
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Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.77 views
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Certificate for the 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (勲二等旭日重光章) Irwin received on Oct. 4, 1886. But the museum does not have the medal.77 views
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Former Akimoto Villa built for the Akimoto clan who ruled Tatebayashi. 旧秋元別邸76 views
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A palanquin exhibited near the ceiling.76 views
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Inside Shukaku-do Hall.76 views
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Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.76 views
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Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.76 views
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Wife Iki's winter coat.76 views
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Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.76 views
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Yew plum pine75 views
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This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.75 views
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Robert Irwin spent his summers in Ikaho from when he bought the villa in 1891 until 1925 when he died. It was an inn when he bought it.75 views
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Guidance Facility75 views
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Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.75 views
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Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.75 views
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho.75 views
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Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.75 views
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Near the Irwin villa is a replica of a stone monument at Irwin's gravesite at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Inscribed with a short biography of Robert Walker Irwin.75 views
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About Irwin75 views
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Steps to the garden below.75 views
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Second floor 74 views
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Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.74 views
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Top panel shows the floor layout of Irwin's original Ikaho summer home. Bottom panel shows pictures of the present house being disassembled 74 views
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Iris garden.73 views
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Rose at The Treasures Garden, Tatebayashi, Gunma.73 views
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Wife Iki's belongings. Lower left is Iki's small dagger in a red case. Iki was from a samurai family.73 views
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A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.73 views
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Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.73 views
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Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.73 views
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Floor plan shows the original summer villa in Ikaho. The red portion is the part that remains today. The rest of the building was torn down due to age.73 views
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Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.73 views
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Bust of novelist Tayama Katai.72 views
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.72 views
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Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.72 views
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Irwin's furniture.72 views
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Behind the museum, this tree is dedicated to Dottie Thompson, founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii (Ikaho's sister city).72 views
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Cherry trees along Lake Jonuma shore.71 views
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About the old castle site.71 views
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Map of Mt. Uenoyama.70 views
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Old road marker.70 views
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Spring with rock wall.70 views
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Irwin's decorative saber.70 views
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The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.70 views
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Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.70 views
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Tataranuma is the only place in Gunma where migrating swans come to winter. An abundance of reeds makes it ideal for wildlife.69 views
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