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Aug 12, 2008
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In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa, the sister city of the County of Hawai'i (island of Hawai'i or the Big Island).Aug 12, 2008
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-SolemAug 12, 2008
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Hula girlAug 12, 2008
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.Aug 12, 2008
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Her lit arms pierce the dark...Aug 12, 2008
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamanao in a cheerful duet.Aug 12, 2008
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem who later became Miss Aloha Hula at the 2010 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai'i.Aug 12, 2008
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Māhealani Mika Hirao-Solem performs at Ikaho, Japan. She later became Miss Aloha Hula 2010. Shadows on her velvety gown look good.Aug 12, 2008
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A touch of elegance with this solo number.Aug 12, 2008
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Music was provided by Puka on bass, Aaron Sala on keyboard and Kunewa Mook on ukulele.Aug 12, 2008
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More eye candy with colorful, shimmering grass skirts.Aug 12, 2008
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After the backbend.Aug 12, 2008
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Backbend was a real crowd pleaser.Aug 12, 2008
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On the left side of the stage was the Hawaiian flag.Aug 12, 2008
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One of my favorite shots.Aug 12, 2008
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Two of the girls were students at the high school I graduated from in Honolulu.Aug 12, 2008
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Many of the girls were still high school students.Aug 12, 2008
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For the three shows they did perform, each show was slightly different. For people who saw all three shows, they got something different from each show.Aug 12, 2008
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They used one 'uli'uli, a feathered gourd rattle.Aug 12, 2008
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The photos on this page were taken on two different nights.Aug 12, 2008
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Hula kahiko started with a chant. ショーは夜の8:45〜9:45、フラカヒコで始まった。8月5日の第三の夜は雷雨のため中止となった。これらの写真は４日と６日に撮影。毎晩、ちょっと違うショーだったAug 12, 2008
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Their first number was hula kahiko (ancient hula). The performance was held from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm. On the third night (Aug. 5), the show was unfortunately cancelled due to heavy nighttime rains.Aug 12, 2008
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Hula Halau'O Kamuela from Oahu won the overall title at the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawai'i. The overall winner is also invited to perform at Ikaho Spa's annual Hawaiian Festival held in August.Aug 12, 2008
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For the 12th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival held during Aug. 3-6, 2008, Hula Halau'O Kamuela performed every night for an hour as the festival's main event (free admission). 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバルのメリーモナークショーAug 12, 2008
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Hawaiian celebrities Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu pose with yet another group of Japanese hula dancers in a hotel lobby in Ikaho.Aug 12, 2008
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On the last night of the festival, a farewell party was held for the Hawaii delegation. Shibukawa city council chairman Katsuaki Oshima (left) and Mayor Kogure pose with members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela.Aug 12, 2008
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Mayor Kogure speaks with Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu after the Merrie Monarch Show.Aug 12, 2008
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Group shot of the Hawaii gang and Ikaho Hawaiian Festival Committee.Aug 12, 2008
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Aloha Dalire also speaks during the closing ceremony.Aug 12, 2008
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The Honorable Jiichi Kogure, mayor of Shibukawa, lauds the festival during the closing ceremony. 渋川市長 木暮治一Aug 12, 2008
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Thomas Goya during the closing ceremony.Aug 12, 2008
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Members of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela try Japanese-style dancing during the farewell party.Aug 12, 2008
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamana'o does a solo number.Aug 12, 2008
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Crowd-pleasing performance.Aug 12, 2008
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On the last day of the festival on Aug. 6, 2008, a closing ceremony was held at 8 pm before the prize drawing and Merrie Monarch Show. Luana Saiki-Kawelu gives a few words.Aug 12, 2008
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Tommy Hirano during the closing ceremony.Aug 12, 2008
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Every year, the overall winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival is invited to perform at Ikaho's Hawaiian festival. They started with a hula kahiko (ancient hula) dance.Aug 12, 2008
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This was a song about paddling a canoe, I think.Aug 12, 2008
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Hawaiian Waiwai Party ("Waiwai" means boisterous.)Aug 12, 2008
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Colorful costumes and lots of eye candy.Aug 12, 2008
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After the Waiwai Party was a nightly drawing for prizes. People staying at any Ikaho inn/hotel would receive a lottery ticket which they put in this large box. The grand prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. The prize drawing was held on all four nights.Aug 12, 2008
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Dreamy stage lighting.Aug 12, 2008
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The nightly main event was an hour-long Merrie Monarch hula show by Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, the overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawaii.Aug 12, 2008
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Guests of Honor from Hawaii were introduced to the crowd.Aug 12, 2008
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It cost 30,000 yen to take all five seminars or 10,000 yen for one seminar. The hula seminars were the most popular. Free ukulele lessons were also taught at a different venue by a Japanese teacher.Aug 12, 2008
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For the second hula workshop, Aloha taught the song "Nani Manoa." The workshops were held at Ikaho Kaikan hall. 伊香保会館Aug 12, 2008
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From 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the Hawaiian Waiwai Party allowed anybody to go up front and dance the hula. Hawaiian music provided by a Japanese Hawaiian band (Dan Yamamoto & Ikaho Hawaiians).Aug 12, 2008
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Students who attended all five Hawaiian seminars were given a Certificate of Completion signed by Aloha Dalire who enjoyed teaching the seminars. She then freely signed autographs and took pictures with the students.Aug 12, 2008
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Aloha Dalire taught seminars in hula history, Hawaiian expression, and lei-making (pictured here). She brought a boxful of a'ali'i flowers for lei-making. All the students had heard of the flower, but it was the first time for them to see it.Aug 12, 2008
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire explains that she is a 7th-generation kumu hula in her family, and produced five Miss Aloha Hulas at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including all three of her daughters and Kuhi Suganuma, the 2008 Miss Aloha Hula.Aug 12, 2008
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Aloha Dalire teaching hula in Ikaho. The Hawaiian workshops were held at the Ikaho Kaikan Hall in central Ikaho. アロハ・ダリレが教えるフラセミナーAug 12, 2008
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Aloha also taught two hula workshops. For the first workshop, she taught the song "Nani Lawa'i" (sung by Na Palapalai). First, she had the students close their eyes and listen to the song.Aug 12, 2008
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The audience sit on the Stone Steps to watch the "Street corner hula." So what did they do when it rained?Aug 12, 2008
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This venue is called "Machikado Hula." (Street corner hula). It went on from 11 am to 5 pm during the four-day festival (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).Aug 12, 2008
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A total of five 90-min. Hawaiian seminars were held during Ikaho's Hawaiian festival in Aug. 2008, and they were all taught by kumu hula Aloha Dalire who was very well received by the (thrilled) students.Aug 12, 2008
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A few hula dancers take a break after performing their number on the Stone Steps.Aug 12, 2008
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Kupuna ４分ごとに各フラチームがステージで出演。Aug 12, 2008
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For many women, hula is good exercise, recreational fun, or a chance to look and feel like a different person. The colorful costumes, flowers, attractive movements, and glamorous setting are all very appealing.Aug 12, 2008
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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Aug 12, 2008
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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Aug 12, 2008
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All the seats were filled during the all-day performances. So many hula groups applied to perform during the festival that Ikaho had to draw lots to decide who could appear.Aug 12, 2008
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The first day featured Keiki Hula (hula by children).Aug 12, 2008
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Every 4 minutes, a new group of hula dancers went on and performed on stage. This went on for four days 10 am to 6 pm (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).Aug 12, 2008
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Once upon a time, hula in Japan was mainly done by elderly women. Not anymore as hula's popularity has spread to all ages in Japan.Aug 12, 2008
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More shops on the lower level.Aug 12, 2008
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Shops around the main venue.Aug 12, 2008
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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.Aug 12, 2008
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Shops on the lower level.Aug 12, 2008
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Tommy Hirano, Honorary Consul-General of Japan from Hilo, Hawaii also speaks. It was his first visit to Ikaho.Aug 12, 2008
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Thomas Goya, from Hilo and president of the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, speaks as a representative of the County of Hawai'i, Ikaho's sister city. ハワイ島日系人協会会長Aug 12, 2008
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Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場Aug 12, 2008
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Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。Aug 12, 2008
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire, instructor of the Hawaiian seminars during the festival, also greets the audience. アロハ・ダリレAug 12, 2008
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A few words by Kau'i Kamana'o, kumu hula of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela who was the festival's guest performer and overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.Aug 12, 2008
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Kumu hula Kunewa Mook also speaks at the opening ceremony. In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa. In Japan, all cities, towns, and villages have their own official logo and flag.Aug 12, 2008
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Short greetings by Luana Saiki-Kawelu, Assistant Director of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Ikaho's Hawaiian festival is Japan's only hula event officially endorsed by the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.Aug 12, 2008
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The opening ceremony included a few speeches and a ukulele performance by Mr. San'uemon Chigira, the chairman of the festival committee.Aug 12, 2008
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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.Aug 12, 2008
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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.Aug 12, 2008
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Main venue of the Ikaho Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival held every summer in Ikaho Spa, Gunma Prefecture since 1997. It is on a city-operated parking lot. 伊香保ハワイアンフェスティバル会場Aug 12, 2008
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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).Aug 12, 2008
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Rice paddies next to Okaido.Jul 07, 2008
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Amenomori Hoshu monument (not grave). Hoshu is buried in Tsushima, Nagasaki.Jul 07, 2008
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To mark the site, Okaido has a small park where two sample Yayoi-Period structures stand. This adobe is pretty much a hole in the ground with a thatched roof over it.Jul 07, 2008
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Slightly north of Amenomori is Okaido, a site where the ruins of numerous Yayoi-Period homes and canals and artifacts were found. 15-min. by taxi from Takatsuki Station. 大海道遺跡 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Tea ceremony room.Jul 07, 2008
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Faces of Hoshu on the wall.Jul 07, 2008
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Japanese garden at Amenomori Hoshu-an museum.Jul 07, 2008
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Hoshu rightly believed that language represented the culture, and learning the language was thus essential to understand the country.In 2017, Amenomori Hoshu's documents related to Japan-Korea relations during the Edo Period will be inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World.Jul 07, 2008
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Statue of Hoshu. At age 25, Hoshu learned Chinese. At age 36, he lived and studied Korean in Pusan for 3 years during 1702-1705.Jul 07, 2008
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Statue of Amenomori Hoshu. He is regarded as a pioneer in Korean-Japanese relations and an internationally-minded person ahead of his time.Jul 07, 2008
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Assembly hall. The museum sometimes holds events. Once a year, they conduct a homestay program for students from South Korea.Jul 07, 2008
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Route of the Korea's royal embassy procession to Edo. The Korean kingdom sent an official mission to Edo when there was a significant occasion, such as the installation of a new shogun. They traveled along this route which also passed through Shiga.Jul 07, 2008
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At age 18, Hoshu went to Edo and studied Confucianism under Confucian scholar Kinoshita Jun'an. He was later employed by the Tsushima clan and was put in charge of Korean relations at age 22.Jul 07, 2008
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Entry to the Amenomori Hoshu-an. It exhibits things, books, documents, etc., related to Amenomori Hoshu. Admission 250 yen. Hours: 9 am - 4 pm, closed Mon. Phone: 0749-85-5095Jul 07, 2008
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This is the museum room with various exhibits related to Amenomori Hoshu and Japan-Korean relations during the Edo Period. Hoshu was based in Tsushima in Nagasaki, an island close to Korea.Jul 07, 2008
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Large zelkova (keyaki) tree at the museum. Takatsuki has numerous old and distinguished trees.Jul 07, 2008
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Amenomori Hoshu-an museum. Built on the land where Amenomori Hoshu's house once stood. Born in Amenomori, Amenomori Hoshu (1668-1755) was a Confucian scholar and leading diplomat to Korea during the Edo Period.Jul 07, 2008
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Road in front of Amenomori Hoshu-an museum dedicated to Amenomori Hoshu (1668-1755), a Confucian scholar and leading diplomat to Korea during the Edo Period.Jul 07, 2008
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Front gate to Amenomori Hoshu-an museum built in 1984. Known as the East Asia Exchange House Amenomori Hoshu-an Museum. 東アジア交流ハウス雨森芳洲庵 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Amenomori is Takatsuki's showcase and flagship area. It's a quiet, rural part of town with waterwheels, roadside streams and flowers. Charming and picturesque.Jul 07, 2008
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This waterwheel has become one of the symbols of this area. It's in front of the Amenomori Hoshu-an museum.Jul 07, 2008
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One of Takatsuki's eye-catching buildings is this Yanmar Kaikan Public Hall in Higashi Atsuji. It is the birthplace of Yamaoka Magokichi, founder of Yanmar Co. ヤンマー会館 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Monument marking the birthplace of Yamaoka Magokichi (1888-1962) 山岡孫吉, founder of Yanmar Diesel, Co. In 1933, he developed the world's first compact diesel engine.Jul 07, 2008
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This public hall was built and donated to the town by Magokichi. It has a Gothic architecture. In 1912, at age 24, he established Yamaoka Hatsudoki Seisakusho 山岡発動機工作所, the forerunner of Yanmar Diesel Co.Jul 07, 2008
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Great view of Lake Biwa after passing through Katayama Tunnel.Jul 07, 2008
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Katayama Tunnel, leading to Lake Biwa. 片山トンネルJul 07, 2008
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Map of TakatsukiJul 07, 2008
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View after passing through Katayama Tunnel.Jul 07, 2008
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Nishino Yakushido Kannon-do Hall, also called Jumanji temple. Inside this hall is one 11-face and fleshy Kannon statue and one Yakushi Nyorai statue. Photography not allowed. 充満寺Jul 07, 2008
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Welcome to Yakushodo. This is one of the most noted Kannon temples in Takatsuki. The temple's 11th priest, Esho 恵荘, was the one who engineered the Nishino Water Tunnel in 1845.Jul 07, 2008
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Nishino Yakushido Kannon-do Hall is in western Takatsuki. Noted for two Kannon statues which are Important Cultural Properties. 西野薬師観音堂 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Strongman's Stone. If you want to see the Kannon statues at Nishino Yakushido, call 090-8938-6369 in Japanese before you go.Jul 07, 2008
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This is the third water tunnel and currently in use. The Yogo River flows out of it to Lake Biwa. Built in 1980. Also a local fishing spot.Jul 07, 2008
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Rice paddies near Nishino Water Tunnel.Jul 07, 2008
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Original Nishino Water Tunnel facing Lake Biwa.Jul 07, 2008
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Yogo River mouth outside the Nishino water tunnel. Lake Biwa ahead.Jul 07, 2008
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This is the second water tunnel, next to the original tunnel and running parallel.Jul 07, 2008
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Other end of the second tunnel. This tunnel is no longer used for Yogo River. It is now mainly used by people wanting to go fishing.Jul 07, 2008
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Floor of second water tunnel. Some water still flows through. Boots recommended.Jul 07, 2008
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Entrance to the second water tunnel. This is much larger, large enough for a car to pass through. No longer used as a water drainage tunnel. We could easily walk through this tunnel.Jul 07, 2008
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This is the other end of the original tunnel. The air was cold on this end.Jul 07, 2008
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This is the original Nishino Water Tunnel built in 1845. Engineered by a Buddhist priest named Esho and with the help of fellow villagers, it took 6 years to dig through the mountain for about 220 meters. The tunnel drained excess water to Lake Biwa.Jul 07, 2008
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The problem is, it's pitch black on the inside, and the tunnel size is quite small and craggy. Hard hats required. Not recommended, especially if you are taller than a 10-year-old.Jul 07, 2008
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You can enter and go through the Nishino Water Tunnel. Water does not flow through anymore, but it's still quite muddy and wet.Jul 07, 2008
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Lyrics to the song, "Nishino Suido Uta." 西野水道歌Jul 07, 2008
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Monument for a song about the tunnel digging, titled "Nishino Suido Uta."Jul 07, 2008
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Tunnel monument and song monument.Jul 07, 2008
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The monument shows tunnel laborers.Jul 07, 2008
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Statue and monument at Nishino Water Tunnel entrance.Jul 07, 2008
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Near the tunnel entrance is the Nishino Horinuki Park with various monuments. 西野ほりぬき公園Jul 07, 2008
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Nishino Water Tunnel is near Lake Biwa at the foot of the Yamamoto-yama mountains. There are three tunnels. The original one was built in 1845 by a local priest to alleviate frequent flooding. 西野水道 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Near the tunnel entrance is a rest house where you can borrow rubber boots and flash lights for free.Jul 07, 2008
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Biwako Shokudo restaurant serves its specialty: Tall pile of vegetables in a boiling pot. びわこ食堂Jul 07, 2008
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After you eat the main dish, mixing udon noodles in the miso broth is also good (if you still have room in your stomach).Jul 07, 2008
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After cooking, the tall pile of vegetables (mainly Chinese cabbage) shrinks. This is for two people. Chicken and miso broth.Jul 07, 2008
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One of Takatsuki's famous trees.Jul 07, 2008
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Tourist map signboard in English too.Jul 07, 2008
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Train tracks to Takatsuki StationJul 07, 2008
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Kannon bus tour. People who visit the Kannon temples are elderly. No young people (except me) tour the Kannon temples. Tours are held during the Furusato Matsuri in early Aug. Usually sells out.Jul 07, 2008
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Banner for the Furusato Matsuri held in early Aug.Jul 07, 2008
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Local community bus/van at Takatsuki Station.Jul 07, 2008
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The old and small Takatsuki Station in 2004. Actually, I like this station better. It makes it more rural.Jul 07, 2008
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Inside tourist info office which is also a souvenir shop.Jul 07, 2008
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Have a Nice Day wooden bench at the train station.Jul 07, 2008
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JR Takatsuki Station corridor. Impressive new train station.Jul 07, 2008
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JR Takatsuki Station on the east side.Jul 07, 2008
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Tourist info and resthouse at JR Takatsuki Station on the east side. You can also rent bicycles here.Jul 07, 2008
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Chrysanthymum displayJul 07, 2008
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Inoue Yasushi Memorial Room recreates his room where he wrote novels. He also wrote Furinkazan, which was made into an NHK Taiga period drama in 2007. 井上靖記念室Jul 07, 2008
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JR Takatsuki Station on the Hokuriku Line. West side. This new station building was built in Oct. 2005. 高月駅Jul 07, 2008
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JR Takatsuki Station on the West side. 高月駅Jul 07, 2008
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JR Takatsuki Station stairway on the east side.Jul 07, 2008
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The public library's 2nd floor has this Inoue Yasushi Memorial Room. Inoue (1907-1991) was a famous novelist who visited Takatsuki a lot and wrote novels featuring Takatsuki's Kannon statues. 井上靖記念室Jul 07, 2008
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The novel "Hoshi to Matsuri" 星と祭 mentions Kannon statues in Takatsuki and northern Shiga. In 1950, he won the Akutagawa Prize, one of Japan's most prestigious literary prizes.Jul 07, 2008
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Built in 1992, Deai-no-Mori Public Library is part of a lush, green park. 10-min. walk from Takatsuki Station. Hours: 10 am - 6 pm, closed Mon., Tue., national holidays, and year end/New Year's. 出会いの森図書館 [url=http://goo.gl/maps/DW6c3]Jul 07, 2008
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Inside Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple).Jul 07, 2008
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Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple), main hall. 大円寺Jul 07, 2008
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Autumn at Takatsuki Kannon TempleJul 07, 2008
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Entrance to Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple).Jul 07, 2008
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Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple) is also near Takatsuki Station, in the south. Temple noted for a 1000-arm Kannon statue. 大円寺 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Guide to Kannon statues in Takatsuki. On the left is the National Treasure Kannon statue at Doganji temple. One of seven 11-face Kannon statues in Japan which is a National Treasure. This one is said to be the most beautiful. 十一面観音立像Jul 07, 2008
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Inside Kannon Folk History Museum, which is near Doganji and 10-min. walk from Takatsuki Station. The museum opened in 1984. Admission 250 yen. Museum hours 9 am - 4:30 pm. Closed Mon., the day after national holidays, and year end/New Year's.Jul 07, 2008
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Tourist map of Takatsuki which has quite a few temples with a Kannon statue.Jul 07, 2008
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Kannon Folk History Museum (Kannon no Sato Rekishi Minzoku Shiryokan) has various exhibits about Kannon and the town's historical persons. 観音の里歴史民俗資料館 MAPJul 07, 2008
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Kogenji Temple in Takatsuki, Nagahama belongs to the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect (Otani school). On the left of this main hall is the Doganji Kannon Hall where the 11-face Kannon statue (National Treasure) can be viewed. 渡岸寺観音堂（向源寺）Jul 07, 2008
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Inside Kogenji Temple main hall. Admission to see the Kannon statue is 300 yen. Open 9 am - 4 pm. Parking available. Appointment not necessary to see the Kannon statue.Jul 07, 2008
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Picture taking of the Kannon statue is not allowed. The statue was carved by Taicho 泰澄 in the 8th century for Emperor Shomu. During the war between the Azai and Oda Nobunaga, the temple was burned. But the statue had been buried and was saved.Jul 07, 2008
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Approach to Doganji (also called Kogenji) Temple. 10-min. walk from JR Takatsuki Station. 渡岸寺観音堂（向源寺）MAPJul 07, 2008
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Another poem on a rock.Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Nagaragawa (Nagara River) irisJun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波Jun 27, 2008
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Hydrangea and irisesJun 27, 2008
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View from the top of the hill.Jun 27, 2008
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HydrangeaJun 27, 2008
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The garden's highest point has a small hut as seen on the left.Jun 27, 2008
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DuckyJun 27, 2008
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All the irises have interesting names like "Crane's Feathers."Jun 27, 2008
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The garden also has a restaurant and tea rooms.Jun 27, 2008
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Poem on a rockJun 27, 2008
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