Last additions
013-IMG_5228.jpg
Okutama Station at nightFeb 22, 2007
012-IMG_4875.jpg
JR Okutama Station 奥多摩駅Feb 22, 2007
011-IMG_4873.jpg
JR Okutama Station 奥多摩駅Feb 22, 2007
010-IMG_4872.jpg
JR Okutama Station 奥多摩駅Feb 22, 2007
062-IMG_4921.jpg
Lake OkutamaFeb 22, 2007
063-IMG_4928.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
058-IMG_4905.jpg
Walking on the bridgeFeb 22, 2007
061-IMG_4918.jpg
Tree keeled over.Feb 22, 2007
060-IMG_4917.jpg
Railing broken by snow.Feb 22, 2007
059-IMG_4914.jpg
The other side of the bridge is a trail to a nearby village.Feb 22, 2007
055-IMG_4902.jpg
The bridge sways as you walk on it.Feb 22, 2007
056-IMG_4903.jpg
The bridge can be disconnected and removed if necessary.Feb 22, 2007
057-IMG_4904.jpg
Floating drum ドラム缶橋Feb 22, 2007
054-IMG_4900.jpg
ドラム缶橋Feb 22, 2007
052-IMG_4893.jpg
ドラム缶橋Feb 22, 2007
051-IMG_4890.jpg
This is near Ogochi Shrine.Feb 22, 2007
053-IMG_4898.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
050-IMG_4889.jpg
One of two floating bridges supported by floating barrels. ドラム缶橋Feb 22, 2007
019-IMG_4725.jpg
Sanmon Gate 山門Feb 22, 2007
na580-IMG_4722.jpg
Nakano-Sakaue Station on the Marunouchi Line subwayFeb 22, 2007
na550-IMG_5237.jpg
Nakano Sun Plaza, a distinctive landmark and a symbol of Nakano Ward.Feb 22, 2007
na551-IMG_5240.jpg
Nakano Sun Plaza, near Nakano Station.Feb 22, 2007
na521-IMG_5232.jpg
Nakano Station platformFeb 22, 2007
na522-IMG_5242.jpg
Nakano Station platformFeb 22, 2007
064-IMG_4855.jpg
Tangerines are easily squished in your hands (juice squirting out) if you catch one.Feb 22, 2007
065-IMG_4859.jpg
Also see the video at YouTube.Feb 22, 2007
060-IMG_4842.jpg
Bean throwing is called mame-maki. 豆まきFeb 22, 2007
063-IMG_4849.jpg
A tangerine hitting your head is probably painful.Feb 22, 2007
061-IMG_4851.jpg
Even this was unusual since they were also throwing mikan tangerines. 豆・みかん(?)まきFeb 22, 2007
056-IMG_4837.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
059-IMG_0533.jpg
Bean-throwing started at 4:30 pm. 豆まきFeb 22, 2007
062-IMG_4853.jpg
People at the very front are not ignored.Feb 22, 2007
057-IMG_4838.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
053-IMG_4821.jpg
Setting afireFeb 22, 2007
058-IMG_4829.jpg
Here you go.Feb 22, 2007
052-IMG_4818.jpg
柴燈大護摩供Feb 22, 2007
055-IMG_4830.jpg
People line up to receive mikanFeb 22, 2007
048-IMG_4805.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
051-IMG_4816.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
054-IMG_4826.jpg
柴燈大護摩供Feb 22, 2007
049-IMG_4800.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
050-IMG_4815.jpg
Instrument playersFeb 22, 2007
044-IMG_4787.jpg
They arrived Hosenji at around 4 pm.Feb 22, 2007
047-IMG_4802.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
045-IMG_4789.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
046-IMG_4797.jpg
Memorial service 柴燈大護摩供Feb 22, 2007
040-IMG_4775.jpg
This man must be the leader.Feb 22, 2007
043-IMG_4785.jpg
The procession started at 3:30 pm at a nearby shrine.Feb 22, 2007
041-IMG_4770.jpg
Blowing a conch shell. One of the signals of battle.Feb 22, 2007
039-IMG_4766.jpg
Warrior monks entering Hosenji temple. 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
042-IMG_4774.jpg
The warrior monk costume is interesting. The collar makes them look bigger and more fearsome. 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
037-IMG_4763.jpg
They are not real warrior monks. Monks do not go to battle as they once did centuries ago. Also see the video at YouTube. 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
036-IMG_4761.jpg
So from 1953, as part of the Setsubun ceremonies on Feb. 3, they started this procession of people dressed as warrior monks.Feb 22, 2007
035-IMG_4759.jpg
In 1951 when they were rebuilding the temple destroyed by the war, they found some items which were supposedly used by a warrior monk. 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
038-IMG_4765.jpg
Rear viewFeb 22, 2007
032-IMG_4730.jpg
Ceremony areaFeb 22, 2007
033-IMG_4756.jpg
Warrior monk procession 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
031-IMG_4748.jpg
Feb 22, 2007
028-IMG_4754.jpg
Temple grounds as seen from the Hondo HallFeb 22, 2007
034-IMG_4757.jpg
It is unusual or unique to see such a procession for Setsubun. 僧兵行列Feb 22, 2007
029-IMG_4731.jpg
Pagoda and pile of setsubun boxesFeb 22, 2007
030-IMG_4747.jpg
Wooden boxes containing the beans (peanuts) and mikan tangerines to be thrown to the crowd.Feb 22, 2007
025-IMG_4751.jpg
Inside Hondo hall 本堂Feb 22, 2007
024-IMG_4750.jpg
Inside Hondo hall 本堂Feb 22, 2007
027-IMG_4745.jpg
Goeido Hall housing Kobo Daishi image. 御影堂Feb 22, 2007
026-IMG_4738.jpg
Three-story pagoda 三重塔Feb 22, 2007
023-IMG_4742.jpg
Kobo Daishi statueFeb 22, 2007
021-IMG_4735.jpg
Hondo hall 本堂Feb 22, 2007
022-IMG_4739.jpg
Hondo hall 本堂Feb 22, 2007
020-IMG_4729.jpg
Hosenji temple in Nakano-ku, Tokyo. Belongs to the Shingon-shu Sect, Buzan School. 宝仙寺Feb 22, 2007
om950-IMG_5307.jpg
Manhole with plum blossoms in Ome, Tokyo.Feb 21, 2007
060-IMG_5303.jpg
Plum blossomsFeb 21, 2007
058-IMG_5299.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
059-IMG_5301.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
061-IMG_5277.jpg
Plum blossomsFeb 21, 2007
056-IMG_5289.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
054-IMG_5278.jpg
Suspension bridgeFeb 21, 2007
057-IMG_5296.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
055-IMG_5285.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
052-IMG_5260.jpg
Tama River in Mitake Gorge, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
051-IMG_5262.jpg
Tama River in Mitake Gorge, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
050-IMG_5264.jpg
Mitake Gorge (御岳渓谷) is beautiful along the Tama River almost parallel to the Ome Line. Get off at Mitake Station or Saiwai Station. View from Mitake Bridge near Mitake Station.Feb 21, 2007
053-IMG_5272.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
092-IMG_5468.jpg
StepsFeb 21, 2007
090-IMG_5465.jpg
Roots in stoneFeb 21, 2007
088-IMG_5464.jpg
Take a left here.Feb 21, 2007
093-IMG_5472.jpg
Boundary between Ome city (Mt. Mitake) and Hinode-machi town. Photos of Mt. Hinode-yama continue here.Feb 21, 2007
086-IMG_5460.jpg
ToriiFeb 21, 2007
084-IMG_5457.jpg
RootsFeb 21, 2007
082-IMG_5455.jpg
Deep forestFeb 21, 2007
091-IMG_5467.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
089-IMG_5463.jpg
Hiking guideFeb 21, 2007
080-IMG_5448.jpg
Trail to Mt. Hinode-yama. Takes about 40 min. from Mt. Mitake.Feb 21, 2007
085-IMG_5458.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
078-IMG_5441.jpg
The torii which we passed through.Feb 21, 2007
087-IMG_5462.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
076-IMG_5436.jpg
Turn left for Mt. Hinode-yamaFeb 21, 2007
081-IMG_5454.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
083-IMG_5456.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
072-IMG_5397.jpg
OmikujiFeb 21, 2007
074-IMG_5429.jpg
Musashi-Mitake Shrine, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
077-IMG_5438.jpg
Cable car station peak.Feb 21, 2007
068-IMG_5426.jpg
View from the shrine, not much.Feb 21, 2007
070-IMG_5425.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
079-IMG_5442.jpg
Wooden cart wheels are a common sight.Feb 21, 2007
073-IMG_5394.jpg
Treasure House 宝物殿Feb 21, 2007
069-IMG_5417.jpg
But there was one clear pocket of scenery.Feb 21, 2007
066-IMG_5408.jpg
Musashi-Mitake Jinja 武蔵御嶽神社Feb 21, 2007
064-IMG_5392.jpg
Musashi-Mitake ShrineFeb 21, 2007
075-IMG_5435.jpg
Going downFeb 21, 2007
062-IMG_5386.jpg
More steps...Feb 21, 2007
061-IMG_5385.jpg
More steps (rest time)Feb 21, 2007
071-IMG_5399.jpg
OmikujiFeb 21, 2007
065-IMG_5422.jpg
Musashi-Mitake Shrine, Tokyo 武蔵御嶽神社Feb 21, 2007
060-IMG_5383.jpg
More monumentsFeb 21, 2007
067-IMG_5403.jpg
The shrine buildings at rear.Feb 21, 2007
057-IMG_5378.jpg
Steps toward Musashi-Mitake ShrineFeb 21, 2007
059-IMG_5382.jpg
Lots of stone monuments (not gravestones)Feb 21, 2007
063-IMG_5390.jpg
Oh my God, more steps...Feb 21, 2007
056-IMG_5376.jpg
Souvenir shops and restaurantsFeb 21, 2007
053-IMG_5371.jpg
Mt. Mitake, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
055-IMG_5373.jpg
Tree designated as a Natural Monument. Almost dead in Feb. though.Feb 21, 2007
058-IMG_5381.jpg
More stepsFeb 21, 2007
052-IMG_5368.jpg
Thatched roofFeb 21, 2007
049-IMG_5358.jpg
Old minka house on Mt. Mitake, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
051-IMG_5365.jpg
Slope upFeb 21, 2007
054-IMG_5372.jpg
VerandaFeb 21, 2007
048-IMG_5356.jpg
Inside Visitors CenterFeb 21, 2007
050-IMG_5362.jpg
Mitake-san Youth Hostel. The mountain has many lodges and inns.Feb 21, 2007
045-IMG_5352.jpg
Bird houseFeb 21, 2007
047-IMG_5355.jpg
Mt. Mitake Visitors Center where you can get maps and hiking advice.Feb 21, 2007
044-IMG_5332.jpg
Hinode-yama, my target after Mt. Mitake.Feb 21, 2007
046-IMG_5354.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
041-IMG_5329.jpg
Back of toriiFeb 21, 2007
043-IMG_5334.jpg
Hailstones in Feb.Feb 21, 2007
040-IMG_5327.jpg
ToriiFeb 21, 2007
042-IMG_5328.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
036-IMG_5349.jpg
Lift station in middle (very short distance) which no one rides.Feb 21, 2007
039-IMG_5326.jpg
Torii ahead. Mt. Mitake is topped with a Shinto shrine.Feb 21, 2007
037-IMG_5322.jpg
Welcome Gate. Everyone goes through here instead and walk toward the top.Feb 21, 2007
038-IMG_5335.jpg
Back of welcome gate.Feb 21, 2007
032-IMG_5341.jpg
Lookout deck near cable car stationFeb 21, 2007
035-IMG_5343.jpg
Mt. Hinode-yama which is next to Mt. Mitake.Feb 21, 2007
033-IMG_5347.jpg
View from lookout deck on Mt. Mitake, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
034-IMG_5345.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
031-IMG_5338.jpg
Mitake-san Station for cable carFeb 21, 2007
029-IMG_5315.jpg
570 yen one way. There's also a lift for an extra 100 yen. No one rides the lift.Feb 21, 2007
028-IMG_5313.jpg
Cable car for Mt. Mitake.Feb 21, 2007
030-IMG_5319.jpg
Cable car to Mt. MitakeFeb 21, 2007
027-IMG_5314.jpg
Welcome to Mt. MitakeFeb 21, 2007
025-IMG_5309.jpg
Bus for cable car station.Feb 21, 2007
026-IMG_5312.jpg
Cable car station.Feb 21, 2007
024-IMG_5308.jpg
Bus stop for cable car station.Feb 21, 2007
022-IMG_5255.jpg
Mitake Station (side view) on the JR Ome Line. 御岳駅Feb 21, 2007
021-IMG_5256.jpg
Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. 御岳駅Feb 21, 2007
023-IMG_5274.jpg
Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. 御岳駅Feb 21, 2007
020-IMG_5251.jpg
Mt. Mitake is one of Tokyo's easily accessible peaks via cable car. But it still requires a good deal of climbing up slopes and steps. You can also hike to adjacent Mt. Hinode-yama. Great daytrip getaway from Tokyo's concrete jungle.Getting off the train at Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. I wasn't the only one who decided it was a good day to hike up Mitake. 御岳駅Feb 21, 2007
064-IMG_5592.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
060-IMG_5580.jpg
This is the famous Shiraiwa Waterfall. 白岩の滝Feb 21, 2007
066-IMG_5596.jpg
Trail to Shiraiwa WaterfallsFeb 21, 2007
067-IMG_5599.jpg
Entrance to trail to Shiraiwa Waterfalls and Mt. Hinode-yamaFeb 21, 2007
065-IMG_5595.jpg
Trail to Shiraiwa WaterfallsFeb 21, 2007
056-IMG_5562.jpg
Finally a waterfallFeb 21, 2007
062-IMG_5589.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
061-IMG_5587.jpg
Shiraiwa Waterfall. 白岩の滝Feb 21, 2007
063-IMG_5591.jpg
It's actually a series of small waterfalls. Mt. Hinodeyama, Tokyo.Feb 21, 2007
052-IMG_5551.jpg
Okuno village was here.Feb 21, 2007
058-IMG_5573.jpg
And more...Feb 21, 2007
057-IMG_5572.jpg
More waterfalls...Feb 21, 2007
059-IMG_5577.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
048-IMG_5538.jpg
Fork in the road. Turned left for the waterfall trail.Feb 21, 2007
055-IMG_5561.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
054-IMG_5559.jpg
Looking up a slope...Feb 21, 2007
053-IMG_5552.jpg
Beware of bears...Feb 21, 2007
049-IMG_5542.jpg
Log bridgeFeb 21, 2007
050-IMG_5546.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
044-IMG_5527.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
051-IMG_5549.jpg
Pine coneFeb 21, 2007
046-IMG_5534.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
045-IMG_5528.jpg
Lots of steps, glad I was going down instead of up.Feb 21, 2007
043-IMG_5526.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
041-IMG_5522.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
047-IMG_5535.jpg
Lots of trees.Feb 21, 2007
037-IMG_5490.jpg
Also see the video at YouTube.Feb 21, 2007
040-IMG_5520.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
039-IMG_5516.jpg
Going downFeb 21, 2007
042-IMG_5525.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
036-IMG_5494.jpg
Surrounding mountains in pastel colorsFeb 21, 2007
035-IMG_5505.jpg
Views from the top of Mt. Hinode-yama. The large white building is the Seibu baseball dome in Tokorozawa.Feb 21, 2007
038-IMG_5514.jpg
Trail to go downFeb 21, 2007
033-IMG_5487.jpg
Views from the top of Mt. Hinode-yama, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
032-IMG_5486.jpg
Spectacular views from the top of Mt. Hinode-yama, Tokyo. But I couldn't recognize any landmarks.Feb 21, 2007
034-IMG_5488.jpg
Views from the top of Mt. Hinode-yama, TokyoFeb 21, 2007
031-IMG_5496.jpg
Benches for hikers who had lunch.Feb 21, 2007
030-IMG_5504.jpg
Mt. Hinode-yama summit has a little picnic pavilionFeb 21, 2007
029-IMG_5510.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
028-IMG_5513.jpg
Alpine map pointing the way to various areasFeb 21, 2007
027-IMG_5499.jpg
Benches all over for us to gaze at the panorama.Feb 21, 2007
026-IMG_5509.jpg
Top of Mt. Hinode-yamaFeb 21, 2007
025-IMG_5502.jpg
Top of Mt. Hinode-yamaFeb 21, 2007
024-IMG_5501.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
023-IMG_5479.jpg
Last flight of steps to the summit.Feb 21, 2007
022-IMG_5476.jpg
Very close to the summit of Hinode-yama. Only one lodge is here.Feb 21, 2007
020-IMG_5473.jpg
Boundary between Ome city and Hinode-machi town. I was hiking from Mt. Mitake in neighboring Ome.Feb 21, 2007
021-IMG_5475.jpg
This is the trail from Mt. Mitake to Mt. Hinode.Feb 21, 2007
160-IMG_2207.jpg
Shibuya Station, South Exit, as seen from Tokyu Plaza 渋谷駅南口Feb 21, 2007
161-IMG_2209.jpg
Shibuya Station, South Exit, as seen from Tokyu Plaza 渋谷駅南口Feb 21, 2007
105-IMG_0558.jpg
Shibuya StationFeb 21, 2007
106-IMG_0579.jpg
Shibuya crossingFeb 21, 2007
150-IMG_0540.jpg
Shibuya Station, South Exit, Tokyu Plaza 渋谷駅南口Feb 21, 2007
101-IMG_0553.jpg
Center-gai arcadeFeb 21, 2007
102-IMG_0556.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
104-IMG_0566.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
103-IMG_0577.jpg
Center-gai arcadeFeb 21, 2007
100-IMG_0551.jpg
To Dogenzaka and Center-gai arcadeFeb 21, 2007
092-IMG_0546.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit smoking area cigarette buttsFeb 21, 2007
091-IMG_0545.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit smoking areaFeb 21, 2007
090-IMG_0544.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit smoking areaFeb 21, 2007
061-IMG_8146.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko statueFeb 21, 2007
060-IMG_8147.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko statueFeb 21, 2007
031-IMG_0543.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko SquareFeb 21, 2007
030-IMG_0550.jpg
Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit 渋谷駅 ハチ公口Feb 21, 2007
yo154-0312-5.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
yo156-0312-8.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
yo157-0312-14.jpg
Cherry blossom pinickers from Hawaii at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. They are playing the ukulele and dancing hula.Feb 21, 2007
yo155-0312-17.jpg
My gang enjoying the blossoms.Feb 21, 2007
yo151-0312-2.jpg
Yoyogi Park, Tokyo in springFeb 21, 2007
yo153-0312-4.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
yo152-0312-3.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
yo150-0312-1.jpg
Yoyogi Park with huge crowds of flower viewersFeb 21, 2007
054-IMG_6380.jpg
JR Kameari Station platformFeb 21, 2007
052-IMG_6360.jpg
JR Kameari Station police boxFeb 21, 2007
051-IMG_6341.jpg
JR Kameari Station, north exitFeb 21, 2007
050-IMG_6349.jpg
JR Kameari Station, south exitFeb 21, 2007
053-IMG_6379.jpg
Policeman character from the famous manga series, KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops.Feb 21, 2007
064-914MAR24-12.jpg
This form of public transportation dates back to the Edo Period when there were 14 locations in Tokyo where such boats operated. Only this one now remains. Boarding the Yagiri Watashi boat. 矢切の渡しFeb 21, 2007
065-914MAR24-9.jpg
Yagiri no Watashi boat crossing. After the two-minute river crossing, you will be in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. You can then tour various temples and parks in Matsudo and neighboring Ichikawa on foot. There are signs along the way to guide you.Feb 21, 2007
062-IMG_6239.jpg
The boats operate on weekends. Fare is 100 yen one way.Feb 21, 2007
061-IMG_6238.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
063-IMG_6240.jpg
Yagiri no Watashi boat dockFeb 21, 2007
060-IMG_6235.jpg
To Yagiri no WatashiFeb 21, 2007
058-IMG_6233.jpg
Edogawa River. Visiting Shibamata will enable you to appreciate and understand the local settings used to film the Tora-san series.Feb 21, 2007
059-IMG_6234.jpg
Many movie scenes were filmed along this riverbank.Feb 21, 2007
055-IMG_6320.jpg
Leading ladies or the "madonna." It's quite an honor for an actress to be chosen as a madonna in a Tora-san movieFeb 21, 2007
057-IMG_6232.jpg
After visiting the temple, most of the tourists walk to the nearby Edogawa riverbank which you often see in the Tora-san series. Road to Yagiri no Watashi (boat crossing)Feb 21, 2007
056-IMG_6258.jpg
Tora-san souvenir shopFeb 21, 2007
054-IMG_6318.jpg
Movie postersFeb 21, 2007
051-IMG_6307.jpg
More exhibitsFeb 21, 2007
052-IMG_6317.jpg
Feb 21, 2007
053-IMG_6314.jpg
Movie postersFeb 21, 2007
050-IMG_6312.jpg
Tora-san haniwaFeb 21, 2007
047-IMG_6308.jpg
Tora-san's passportFeb 21, 2007
71466 files on 284 page(s) 244