Most viewed - Shibukawa 渋川市 |
Kanzanso, an inn fronting the bottom of the Stone Steps and where Irwin's summer estate was located. (No longer in existence.)104 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.104 views
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Upper left is a Japanese letter from Bella Irwin written in roman letters. Upper right is an obituary for Robert Irwin in a Philadelphia newspaper. On the bottom left are condolence telegrams from Ikaho to Bella. Bottom right is get-well letter to Robert.104 views
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The Hawaiian festival's opening ceremony was held on the festival's first day on Aug. 3, 2008. Among Japan's many hula festivals, this one is unique since it is organized by a city government based on sister-city ties.103 views
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Shops on the lower level.103 views
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Copy of a Japanese immigrant's labor contract dated Jan. 11, 1900. (Not for Kanyaku Imin.)103 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.102 views
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The next display case includes this panel explaining Irwin's activities as Hawaiian Minister to Japan.102 views
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Other workshops are held such as ukulele lessons and a lei-making class.101 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101 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.101 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.99 views
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More shops on the lower level.99 views
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The display case shows an old map of Ikaho Spa on the upper left.99 views
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Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場98 views
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Veranda98 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).97 views
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The display case includes photos of the Irwin family in Ikaho.97 views
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Panel showing Irwin's paternal family tree.97 views
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Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。96 views
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Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.96 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)96 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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Panel explaining the Japanese immigration to Hawai'i.94 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 198994 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.93 views
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If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.91 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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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.90 views
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Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.90 views
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87 views
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Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.87 views
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Guidance Facility85 views
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Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.85 views
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Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.85 views
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84 views
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Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.84 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.84 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.84 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.84 views
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84 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. 4.83 views
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View of garden from second floor.83 views
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Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.83 views
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Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.83 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.83 views
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82 views
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They don't allow photography inside the museum.82 views
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Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.82 views
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82 views
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Steps to the garden below.82 views
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The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.81 views
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Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.81 views
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81 views
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Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.81 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.81 views
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho.81 views
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Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.81 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.80 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.80 views
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Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.80 views
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80 views
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Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.80 views
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Map of Mt. Uenoyama.79 views
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Mt. Uenoyama also has recreational facilities.79 views
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This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.79 views
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79 views
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Second floor 79 views
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Map of the Irwin Park.79 views
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Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.79 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.79 views
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Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.79 views
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Wife Iki's winter coat.79 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 79 views
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Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.79 views
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About Irwin79 views
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After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.78 views
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Irwin's furniture.78 views
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Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.78 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.78 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).78 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.78 views
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77 views
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Irwin's decorative saber.77 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.77 views
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The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.77 views
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Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.77 views
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Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.77 views
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View of Ikaho from Machi-no-Eki, an exhibition room and ropeway station. Ikaho's first Hawaiian Festival was held here.76 views
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View of Ikaho from Mt. Uenoyama.76 views
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Ikaho Onsen is a well-known hot spring resort in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. It is on hilly terrain, near mountains, making it cooler than Tokyo in summer.76 views
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76 views
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A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.76 views
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75 views
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Wife Iki's belongings. Iki wrote a poem on the upper left fan. Lower right are a few tourist souvenirs (Postcards and hand towel) Iki bought.75 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.75 views
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Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.75 views
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Lookout deck on Mt. Uenoyama.74 views
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View of Ikaho from Mt. Uenoyama.74 views
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Inside Machi-no-Eki are displays of art work by local students.71 views
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Ropeway to Mt. Uenoyama, a mountain on whose slopes Ikaho sits.70 views
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70 views
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Ikaho was a favored summer retreat for the Imperial family and political figures in the late 19th century. Ukiyoe print of Ikaho.69 views
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The Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop is at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The Ikaho Onsen bus stop is near other inns.67 views
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Ikaho Checkpoint gate and Irwin summer home in the background.67 views
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66 views
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65 views
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Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps65 views
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65 views
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Ikaho Shrine64 views
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Ikaho Checkpoint was at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The bottom of the Stone Steps has since been extended more downward.63 views
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Gunma-chan horse mascot63 views
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View from Irwin Garden62 views
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About Toyo Matsugane.62 views
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Ikaho Checkpoint gate.62 views
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Ikaho souvenir shop62 views
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Ikaho Shrine62 views
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At the bottom of the Stone Steps is a waiting room and luggage lockers.61 views
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Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The flowing water is hot.61 views
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Looking at the bottom of the Ikaho Stone Steps.61 views
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History of the Ikaho Stone Steps. The Stone Steps were first built in 1576 by daimyo Takeda Katsuyori after he lost to Nobunaga and Ieyasu at the Battle of Nagashino.61 viewsHe ordered the Sanada Clan to build the Stone Steps and have Ikaho's hot spring water flow down to feed 12 inns where Takeda's wounded soldiers could heal their wounds.
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61 views
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Irwin Garden61 views
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Monument for Toyo Matsugane (1878–1964), a poet. 松根 東洋城61 views
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94th step of 300+ steps.61 views
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You can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps. Not really a shrine.61 views
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Engraved on the steps here is a poem titled “Ikaho no Machi” (Town of Ikaho) by Akiko Yosano (1878-1942).61 views
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Ikaho foot bath courtesy of a local inn.61 views
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Oriental zodiac creatures along the steps. Each of the 12 zodiac creatures indicate the location of the original 12 inns built in the 16th century to heal Takeda Katsuyori's soldiers.61 views
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Ikaho Jinja Shrine's main building61 views
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61 views
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Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps.61 views
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From Tokyo, going by bus is more convenient than by train. By train from Tokyo, you need to take the shinkansen to Takasaki, transfer trains to Shibukawa, then take a bus to Ikaho.60 viewsThis is the Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop.
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Ikaho's Stone Steps (Ishidan) go through the middle of the main part of Ikaho. Go up 365 steps to the top with a few breaks along the way. About 300 meters lined with shops and inns.60 views
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Ikaho Checkpoint. In the old days, travelers could not travel around freely, they had to show travel permits at these checkpoints along the road.60 views
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Rubber duckies won at the shooting arcade game.60 views
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On the right is where you can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps.60 views
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Along the way is this hot spring public bath called Ishidan-no-Yu. For people who are not staying in any of the inns, they can still dip into Ikaho's hot spring waters for cheap.60 views
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Lounge inside Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.60 views
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Hot spring bath in a large hotel in Ikaho.60 views
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60 views
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Lots of stone lanterns at Ikaho Shrine.60 views
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Poetry monuments60 views
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Secondary shrines60 views
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60 views
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Ikaho is famous for these Stone Steps (Ishidan) which is the town's main drag. This is at the foot of the steps.59 views
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Slightly up the Stone Steps is this outdoor stage where they hold hula performances in summer.59 views
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Lookout point at the garden.59 views
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59 views
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View from the Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.59 views
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Kirie cut-out picture of Ikaho Stone Steps.59 views
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59 views
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59 views
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About Ikaho Shrine59 views
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Behind Ikaho Shrine, you can walk further to an outdoor bath near the spring water's origin.59 views
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Ikaho mascot59 views
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From Tokyo's Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at Shinjuku Station, it takes about 2 hr. 40 min. to Ikaho, costing about ¥2400.58 views
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58 views
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58 views
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Ikaho Checkpoint (Ikaho Onsekisho) is right above the Irwin summer home.58 views
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Ishidan-no-Yu public bath sign. Open 9:00-21:00 (April to October), 9:00-20:30 (November to March), Closed on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.58 views
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Tanabata wishes around July 7 along the Stone Steps.58 views
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58 views
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In Aug. 2004, along with other major onsen hot springs, Ikaho got caught in a major onsen scandal which started in Shirahone Onsen in Nagano. Onsen managers mixed in tap water and/or bath salts into the water and billed it as natural hot spring waters.58 viewsSome of Ikaho's major hot spring inns were also found to be adding bath salts or tap water to the hot spring water. Today, all onsen inns must display a certificate indicating the content of their water.
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Map of Ikaho in the old days.58 views
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58 views
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Ikaho Shrine is dedicated to the god of the hot spring and medical treatment.58 views
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Seems to contain a mikoshi portable shrine.58 views
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58 views
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58 views
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Inside waiting room58 views
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Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps.57 views
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Ikaho's spring water runs right below these Stone Steps and you can see it at a few places such as this cascade.57 views
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57 views
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Ikaho Shrine57 views
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Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps to go back to Shinjuku, Tokyo.57 views
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Tanabata56 views
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Approaching Ikaho Shrine at the top of the Stone Steps.56 views
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Ikaho Shrine's ema tablets to write your wishes.56 views
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Waiting room near the bus stop.56 views
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Free foot bath courtesy of a local inn.54 views
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