 Most viewed - KYOTO 京都府 |
Plum blossoms.52 views
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Pine tree52 views
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Near their tea farm, Horii Shichimeien also has a tea shop selling some of Japan's finest tea.52 views
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View from Tsutenkyo Bridge. 52 views
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Tofukuji Temple, Kyoto52 views
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Tateiwa Rock on the Tango Peninsula, northern Kyoto. The swimming beach leading to Tateiwa is named Tateiwa Nochigahama (立岩後ヶ浜海水浴場).52 views
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Shoeikan was originally the annex (別館) of the Shoeikan ryokan inn opened in 1904 (Meiji 37). The inn was built for navy VIPs like Admiral Heihachiro Togo who led the Japanese navy during the Russo-Japanese War.52 viewsHours
Lunch: 11:30–14:30 Dinner: 17:30–21:30
About 1 km from JR Higashi Maizuru Station. Parking available.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/sQd8ZdekJqA2
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The ryokan's annex building was left unused and decrepit for many years and was on the verge of being torn down until a citizens group got together to clean, renovate, and preserve the building. 52 viewsThey finally decided to make it a Western-style restaurant serving navy cuisine. It just opened on Oct. 11, 2018. Glad that they preserved the building.
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That's the dragon's head in the front and the slim tail in the back. When you see it upside down, the sandbar/dragon is in the sky right?52 views
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At JR Fukuchiyama Station, Kyoto Tango Railways operates a special tourist train named "Aomatsu" to Amanohashidate. It's just one train car.52 viewsIt's a cafe train that serves drinks and light meals.
JR Fukuchiyama Station is a major gateway to northern Kyoto Prefecture because it is a terminal station for Kyoto Tango Railway, the dominant train network in this area.
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Ukai cormorant fishing on the river at Arashiyama was quite enjoyable. It's cheaper than in Gifu, and the cormorants passed by maybe 6 times.51 views
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Roof of the Mieei-do Hall.We were not allowed to photograph inside the temple buildings.51 views
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Miei-do Hall in the distance.51 views
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Gasen-do Hall51 views
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JPN Cafe51 views
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I was a few days too late to see the peak. Will return again in autumn.51 views
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First you see a semi-indoor display of a few trains.51 views
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First-generation 0 Series shinkansen.51 views
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Empty hangar for a steam locomotive.51 views
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Inside the rear of the round house.51 views
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The SL Steam runs every 15 or 30 min. from 11 am to 3:30 pm. Fare is ¥300.51 views
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The ride is only 10 min. roundtrip and the train travels for only 1 km.51 views
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Steam locomotive repair shop.51 views
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Sleeper train dining car51 views
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Second floor of Kyoto Railway Museum51 views
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Train schedules51 views
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Old train tickets51 views
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The big Sanmon Gate in the background.51 views
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Behind the Daiohoden Hall is Hatto Hall (Important Cultural Property) where Buddhist lectures are held. 法堂（はっとう）51 views
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伽藍堂 (Important Cultural Property)51 views
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Little pine cones at Manpukuji.51 views
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"Curios" is an archaic term from the Meiji Period.51 views
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Behind Horii Shichimeien's tea shop is a small tea house for tea ceremony. Mr. Horii kindly prepares his finest marcha tea for us.51 views
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These boat houses are usually used as a second house for retired grandparents or for a young married couple who want some privacy (especially at night). Or it can be used as a workplace, a guesthouse, or paid lodging.51 views
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Tango Peninsula in northern Kyoto Prefecture is scenic along the coast with a number of natural features and formations.51 viewsMuch of the coast is part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark (山陰海岸ジオパーク) that extends from the western half (Kyotango city) of Tango Peninsula to Tottori Prefecture. San'in Kaigan Geopark is also a UNESCO Global Geopark.
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The kimono was woven with pearly shell pieces from five species of oysters. 51 viewsMight be hard to see which parts of the kimono are the shell inlay, but the shiny parts are not the shell pieces. Very glittery.
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Inside Brick Building No. 5 (赤れんが５号棟), the park's largest building. Built in 1918 to store torpedoes, depth charges, and mines. After the war, it was used by a warehouse company.51 viewsNow used as an event hall and cafe space (cafe open only on weekends). It can be rented to hold exhibitions or events (concerts, weddings, etc.). It has been reinforced with these steel girders for earthquake resistance. National Important Cultural Property.
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Private dining room at Shoeikan.51 views
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About Amanohashidate Shrine.51 views
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Fuchu Station is the Cable Car and Chair Lift station to go up to Kasamatsu Park on the northern end of Amanohashidate.51 views
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Keihan Yamashina Station is right next to JR Yamashina Station on the right.50 views
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They also had a rest area where they served tea and sweets amid the foliage. Brisk business.50 views
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This must be Japan's largest collection of steam locomotives on diplay.50 views
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Cleaning a steam locomotive.50 views
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Ride on a real steam locomotive for a low fare.50 views
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Showa-no-Eki Station platform.50 views
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Kids' playroom on 2nd floor50 views
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Train simulators50 views
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Manpukuji has a lot of covered corridors linking the major buildings.50 views
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You may think these homes in Ine are sitting ducks for high waves, typhoons, high tides, etc. But they are in a sheltered bay facing south, away from the Sea of Japan. 50 viewsMountains shield the bay on three sides and a small island (Aoshima) on the bay's entrance acts like a breakwater. Ine Bay is largely untouched by the rough seas of the Sea of Japan and the water is very calm. Also, the ocean tide varies by only 50 cm at most. See Ine's location here: https://goo.gl/maps/sXVERESwvMT2
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This boat house was used in Tora-san movie No. 29 with Ishida Ayumi and Atsumi Kiyoshi. Looks the same.50 views
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Company president Tamiya Kyoji answered our many questions about this amazing kimono. 50 viewsHis father Tamiya Katsuichiro took two years to develop and invent a method to inlay shell pieces in fabrics and showed their first example on a kimono obi sash in 1977.
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These brick buildings are not open to the public.50 viewsMaizuru Brick Park, Kyoto Prefecture.
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Would you believe a cannon on Amanohashidate?50 views
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Time schedule and fares for Cable Car and Chair Lift. The chair lift runs non-stop so it's faster than waiting for the next cable car. 50 views
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Bathroom sink.50 views
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Visitors to Amanohashidate can hardly miss Chionji Temple when you see this large Sanmon gate next to the entrance of Amanohashidate at the southern end. Since you're there, might as well see the temple too. 山門50 viewsMap: https://goo.gl/maps/Anjk19rRLzT2
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On board a yakata-bune to view ukai cormorant fishing. Fits about 10 people.49 views
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JR Yamashina Station49 views
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Small grinder.49 views
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Ine in northern Kyoto Prefecture has 230 funaya boat houses on the waterfront stretching for about 5 km.49 views
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Tango Peninsula coast.49 views
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Tateiwa Rock on Tango Peninsula.49 viewsMap (Tateiwa): https://goo.gl/maps/QDHmG1qArez
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What to see from Amanohashidate Station. Best to rent a bicycle at the souvenir shop in front of the station.49 views
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Jizo statue on Amanohashidate.49 views
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The cannon was never based or used on Amanohashidate. It was originally from the Battleship Kasuga. Donated by the Imperial Navy to the village in 1923 to promote the Imperial Navy.49 views
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Near Amanohashidate Shrine is this well of pure spring water named "Iso-shimizu" (磯清水) famous since the Heian Period.49 views
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Many pine trees have names.49 views
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Path on Amanohashidate going north. Almost endless forest of pine trees. Very pleasant cycling ride or walk.49 views
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A few pine trees died or were knocked down.49 views
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Amanohashidate sardines supposed to be good.49 views
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After bicycling across Amanohashidate back to the southern end, the rotating bridge again making room for a ship.49 views
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Map of Amanohashidate Viewland amusement park.49 views
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Inside Amanohashidate Station.49 views
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On the train back.49 views
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At Fukuchyama Station, the entrance to the Kyoto Tango Railway platform.49 views
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The elegant Tahoto Pagoda, a National Important Cultural Property. 多宝塔49 views
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Chionji's main temple hall, Monjudo. 文殊堂49 views
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Arashiyama is a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. This is the Oi River.48 views
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From July 1 to Sept. 23, Arashiyama also has ukai cormorant fishing. Buy your tickets at this booth slightly upstream from Togetsukyo Bridge.48 views
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The ukai cormorant boats operate twice each evening at 7 pm and 8 pm (6:30 pm and 7:30 pm in Sept.). ¥1,800 for adults and ¥900 for kids age 4–12.48 views
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Yakata-bune boat steerer.48 views
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Getting around Arashiyama by rickshaw is popular.48 views
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Matcha tea and a confection. The tea was outstanding. It had a malty, matcha taste. Pretty thick. The aftertaste was interesting.48 views
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Kurotani village was blessed with this clean Kurotani River, essential for papermaking. Kurotani washi is quite famous now, even overseas.48 views
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Yuzu sherbet. Yummy!48 views
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Amanohashidate Station (Kyoto Tango Railway, nicknamed "Tantetsu" or "Willer Trains") is close to Amanohashidate sandbar. Trains from JR Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuchiyama Stations stop here.48 views
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My rental bicycle. Rental bicycles also available at the entrance to the Amanohashidate sandbar.48 views
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About the rotating bridge (Shotenkyo).48 views
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Amanohashidate's finger of sand that keeps growing. Every few years, they have to remove the excess sand, otherwise it will become another sandbar impeding shipping.48 views
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Swordsman Jutaro Iwami's testing stone.48 views
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About swordsman Jutaro Iwami's testing stone.48 views
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Wind-blown pine trees.48 views
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Don't ever get tired of the scenery.48 views
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Arriving Kasamatsu Park on the chairlift.48 views
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Aomatsu is special because the interior is wooden and it has a variety of seating (train fare is the same for all seats).48 viewsIt's a cafe train and you can order drinks (including alcohol) and light meals. No reservations required, and it's all non-reserved. Train fare is the same as regular trains.
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Counter seat with a knob to hold on to.48 views
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There's a staffed bar where you can order drinks and food.48 views
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Wooden showcase.48 views
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Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 47 views
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Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 47 views
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Yakata-bune boat ride at Arashiyama, Kyoto.47 views
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Boats for seeing cormorant fishing.47 views
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Deluxe boat for seeing cormorant fishing.47 views
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Deluxe boat for seeing cormorant fishing.47 views
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The boats are hitched together.47 views
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Mrs. Horii prepares a different kind of tea.47 views
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Inside Horii Shichimeien's tea factory.47 views
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Sample grinder. The dried tea leaves are fed through a funnel to the grinding stones.47 views
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Tango Matsushima (pine islands).47 views
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Entrance to Amanohashidate's path to the other end. Japanese pine trees all over on both sides of the road.47 views
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Amanohashidate marker.47 views
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Monument for Emperor Showa's Amanohashidate poem he wrote when he visited this area in 1951.47 views
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The bridge to Amanohashidate.47 views
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The Twin Dragon Pine Trees were broken. 双龍の松47 views
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Fork in the road. Go left.47 views
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Cable Car and Chair Lift station to go up to Kasamatsu Park.47 views
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Look at Amanohashidate upside down.47 views
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Amanohashidate as seen from the southern end atop Amanohashidate Viewland.47 views
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This small ferris wheel at Amanohashidate Viewland is visible to the naked eye from across the sandbar.47 views
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Another Circle of Wisdom at Amanohashidate Viewland.47 views
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About the Circle of Wisdom.47 views
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Chiarlift down from Amanohashidate Viewland.47 views
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Cafe-type seats (wooden) with a table.47 views
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Cafe-type seats (wooden) with a table.47 views
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Front of the Aomatsu train.47 viewsThe Aomatsu train runs only twice a day from Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate taking about an hour. Love this train.
https://trains.willer.co.jp/matsu/aomatsu.html
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Amanohashidate Station47 views
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Amanohashidate Station plaform.47 views
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Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 46 views
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Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋 46 views
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Gifu is not the only place where you can see ukai cormorant fishing.46 views
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Some of the finest Uji matcha powder at Horii Shichimeien.46 views
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It was a room full of stone grinders grinding matcha tea leaves into fine matcha power.46 views
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Stone grinders grinding matcha (tencha) tea leaves into fine matcha power at Horii Shichimeien's tea factory.46 views
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This is the boathouse of Mr. and Mrs. Toshikazu Yamada (山田 敏和), a very friendly fishermen couple who runs Ine boat cruises and work as fishermen.46 viewsThis is what a funaya boat house looks like from the road. First there is a normal car garage. The boat house is not that big.
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The boat was also hoisted to dry in the garage. Since seawater tended to rot wood, drying the boat when not in use would make the boat last longer.46 views
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These photos were taken while cycling along the Tango Peninsula.46 views
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The completed design on washi paper is then sliced into "threads" that will be woven into the fabric.46 views
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Near the entrance to Amanohashidate, this welcome sign with "One of the three famous beauty spots of Japan" has been here for decades.46 viewsAccording to Japanese Wikipedia, the "Nihon Sankei" (Japan's Scenic Trio) label originated in 1643 by Hayashi Gaho (aka Hayashi Shunsai), a Japanese Neo-Confucian scholar who wrote a book mentioning these three sights. The expression "Nihon Sankei" was later coined in 1689 by another Japanese Neo-Confucianist scholar, Kaibara Ekken in his travel diary. So "Nihon Sankei" goes way back to the 17th century.
It's really amazing that it has stuck throughout these centuries even with Mt. Fuji not included. With Japan having so many places of beauty, it would be nearly impossible today for anyone to unilaterally declare any three sights as the "Best Three."
To the question of why it's always the best "three," the answer seems to be more complicated. It seems the Japanese have had numerical favorites for many centuries. Many odd numbers are favorites including one, three, five, and seven. This might sound familiar when you think about haiku and tanka poetry syllables, and the 7-5-3 coming of age celebration for kids. But the number "three" for "Best Three" has also stuck for centuries and still today.
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On the southern end, this bridge to Amanohashidate rotates quite often to allow boats to pass. 46 views
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Most of the boats carry freight.46 views
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Sightseeing map of Amanohashidate.46 views
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Emperor Showa's Amanohashidate poem.46 views
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The sand spit gets shorter each hour.46 views
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Wild birds found at Amanohashidate. They only wrote the scientific names of the birds. Looks like they include the seagull, egret, heron, sparrow, and cormorant.46 views
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About "Iso-shimizu" (磯清水).46 views
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About "Iso-shimizu" (磯清水) well.46 views
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Poetry monument for Buson, a famous poet.46 views
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About Buson, a famous poet.46 views
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West side of Amanohashidate.46 views
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Marker for Emperor Taisho's visit. Anybody who is a somebody has visited Amanohashidate.46 views
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The ocean and beach.46 views
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Wedded pine trees on Amanohashidate. (夫婦松) 46 views
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Cable car to Kasamatsu Park.46 views
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Upside down, it supposed to look like a bridge to heaven.46 views
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Closeup of Amanohashidate.46 views
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And so Amanohashidate symbolizes a link between Heaven and Earth and between two lovers. That's why you may also see heart or love symbols at Amanohashidate.46 views
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Old postbox and a message.46 views
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Puffer fish.46 views
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Lucky to see a shrine priest bless a vehicle for traffic safety.46 views
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Chair lift and cable car station for Amanohashidate Viewland. Short walk from Amanohashidate Station.46 views
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Chair lift and monorail car for Amanohashidate Viewland. Taking the chair lift is faster than the monorail car.46 views
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On the lower right of the sandbar, notice the finger of sand extending into the ocean. 46 viewsThis finger keeps growing as the northern sand erodes and drifts over to it. So every few years, they have to remove the excess sand. (Notice the power shovel and dump truck working on it.) Otherwise, this little sand spit will become another sandbar across the ocean, impeding local shipping.
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Amanohashidate Viewland has this elevated walkway to view Amanohashidate. Not good if you're afraid of heights.46 views
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Amanohashidate Viewland's amusement park for kids.46 views
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Amanohashidate Station as seen from Amanohashidate Viewland.46 views
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Kyoto Tango Railway (abbreviated as "Tantetsu") is the dominant train network in this area.46 views
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Enter the Aomatsu train and see this rack of tourist pamphlets.46 views
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Toward the front of the train are regular seats.46 views
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