Menuma Shodenzan Kangiin temple's main Honden Hall is a magnificent work of art with numerous wooden sculptures. Menuma Shodenzan Kangiin temple features the colorful Gongen-style of architecture which is also found in Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, Tochigi. Saitama Prefecture's sole building designated as a National Treasure. A short bus ride from JR Kumagaya Station.

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The climax of this festival of ornate floats on the final evening on July 22, 2013. Twelve floats with noisy musicians paraded around central Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan from 5:30 pm and gathered at the main festival plaza for the climax at 8:45 pm. I followed them from Nakasendo Road near Yagihashi Dept. Store to the main festival plaza. After 30 min. of useless speeches (not recorded in the video) by local politicians, etc., the 12 floats converged at the plaza at around 8:45 pm. The floats have mannequins depicting legendary figures like as emperor, samurai, etc. The climax included a ceremony to transfer the Nenban job (festival chairman) to the next group for next year's festival. Also see my YouTube video.

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Rugby World Cup 2019 match at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. Argentina vs. USA on Oct. 9, 2019. Los Pumas vs. Eagles. Great hospitality by all in Kumagaya.

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Kumagai-shuku was the 8th station on the old Nakasendo Road. Today, it's near JR Kumagaya Station. Hardly nothing is left of the shukuba, but it is interesting to see the old Nakasendo Road going through a department store named Yagihashi.

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