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Most viewed - Tatebayashi 館林市
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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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Also see my photos of Shigaraki tanuki in Shiga Prefecture here.374 views
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Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple. 317 views
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Tatebayashi The Treasures Garden (renamed "Tobu Treasure Garden" in April 2015) was a fairly large garden with various flowers, especially roses and moss pink. It was open from April to Nov. from 8 am to 6 pm (till 5 pm in autumn).295 viewsSadly, Tobu Treasure Garden permanently closed on June 14, 2021 due to the pandemic. The garden was forced to close in April 2020, reopened temporarily, but closed again from June 8, 2020. The garden never reopened after that.
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...275 views
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.259 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.249 views
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Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line (connects to Hanzomon subway line in Tokyo), east side. Takes almost 90 min. from central Tokyo by regular train. Costs only about 1100 yen.216 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.213 views
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Love red and white flowers at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.199 views
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Manhole with tanuki design in Tatebayashi, Gunma.190 views
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I was going to overdose on azalea. Had never seen so much azalea in my life. Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.186 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.183 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Rose180 views
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Tanuki in Tatebayashi, Gunma.178 views
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.174 views
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Morinji's tourist souvenir shops sell mainly tanuki statues made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.166 views
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These tall rose bushes were most outstanding.161 views
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Koinobori and azaleas in Tatebayashi, Gunma.159 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru, Gunma.158 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi157 views
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A few azalea bushes had passed their peak.156 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. The shrine has a protective housing. Hachiman was the patron god of Tatebayashi Castle, Gunma.152 views
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Rose151 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Dobashi Gate. 土橋門150 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. Gunma.150 views
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Statue in front of Chiaki Mukai Children's Science Museum, Tatebayashi, Gunma. The boy holds a space shuttle.148 views
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View from Fureai Bridge in Tatebayashi.148 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru is marked by this Hachiman Shrine on a mound. Gunma.147 views
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Tanuki and azalea, a good match? I prefer women and flowers. Tsutsujigaoka146 views
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Festivals in Tatebayashi.141 views
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It felt like I was in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.129 views
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Ukishima Benzaiten Shrine in Tataranuma Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma. Part of the spirit of Benzaiten at Enoshima island in Kanagawa was transferred here. 浮島弁財天123 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...122 views
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Netfishing sculpture.121 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...121 views
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The garden's official website at sibazakura.com and treasuregarden.jp no longer work. 120 views
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Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 117 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.117 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.116 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.116 views
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Inside the wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 115 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).111 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.111 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...111 views
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Map of Tsutsujigaoka, a National Scenic Site. It's a low, flat hill full of azalea bushes. There is a maze of foot paths going through the azalea. 名勝109 views
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Even the edges are incredibly colorful. This edge had group photo stands.108 views
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Sights in Jonuma area, dominated by Lake Jonuma.107 views
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Mind-blowing just to see so many azalea along the edges. But much, much more was waiting on this hill.107 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.106 views
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Tanuki raccoon dogs in front of Tatebayashi Station.106 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.105 views
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Tanuki sighting near Lake Jonuma105 views
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Along Tsuruudagawa River were koinobori carp streamers flanked by cherry trees and azaleas.104 views
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A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.103 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.103 views
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The length of most of the koinobori is shorter than usual. Unlike the giant ones at Kannamachi also in Gunma.103 views
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Lake Jonuma102 views
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Obiki ferry dock is on the left above the bridge on this map.102 views
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About Bunbuku Chagma folktale, explaining why all the tanuki in Tatebayashi. Click here for the story.101 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a 15-20-min. walk from Tatebayashi Station.101 views
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Now this is an entrance to Tsutsuji-en, a long, slim azalea garden. I walked through this on the way back.101 views
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Tatebayashi Station platform101 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.100 views
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Wisteria100 views
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Tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.99 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...99 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.99 views
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Azaleas continue to lead the way to the park.99 views
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Way to Obiki ferry boat99 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a lakeside park featuring this low hill almost 200 meters long and 80 meters wide.99 views
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Shopping street for tourists next to Tsutsujigaoka.99 views
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Rest house on Tsutsujigaoka.99 views
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My friend in Tatebayashi tells me, "The legend of the azalea park is that the lord of Tatebayashi, Sakakibara Yasumasa, had a mistress named Otsuji.99 viewsThe wife was jealous of her and gave her such a hard time that Otsuji threw herself into Lake Jonuma and died. Since her name sounded like tsutsuji, the lord planted the garden to console her soul."
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Poplar tree and azalea99 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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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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"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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Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.96 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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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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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.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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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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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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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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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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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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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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