Last additions
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Seta Karahashi Bridge on Seta River. 瀬田唐橋Sep 07, 2006
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Taking out the water.Sep 07, 2006
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The boat is deluged with large swells spilling into the boat. 大波Sep 07, 2006
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Zeze Castle ruins 膳所城跡Sep 07, 2006
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Omi Ohashi BridgeSep 07, 2006
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Toward Omi Ohashi Bridge. 近江大橋Sep 07, 2006
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Rowing off central Otsu. 大津Sep 07, 2006
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Michigan paddlewheel boat. ミシガンSep 07, 2006
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Fireworks platform for the Biwako Fireworks that night.Sep 07, 2006
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MichiganSep 07, 2006
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Mixing with sailboats.Sep 07, 2006
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Sep 07, 2006
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Near miss?Sep 07, 2006
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Making repairs. The boats are decades old.Sep 07, 2006
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Cooling offSep 07, 2006
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Otsu Prince Hotel in the distance.Sep 07, 2006
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Karasaki Pine Tree (One of the Eight Views of Omi or Omi Hakkei) as seen from Lake Biwa. 唐崎の松(近江八景)Sep 07, 2006
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Torii on shore (Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine) near Sakamoto. 鳥居Sep 07, 2006
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She is the cox sitting at the rear and controlling the rudder with a pair of strings. コックスSep 07, 2006
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Omi-Fuji (Mt. Mikami) and Karasuma Peninsula. 近江富士(三上山)と烏丸半島Sep 07, 2006
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Lots of putty line the seams.Sep 07, 2006
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Mt. Hiei 比叡山Sep 07, 2006
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Rowing past the Ukimido Floating Temple in Katata. 堅田 浮御堂(近江八景)Sep 07, 2006
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South of Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Sep 07, 2006
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Ukimido Floating Temple, one of the Eight Views of Omi (Omi Hakkei). 堅田 浮御堂(近江八景)Sep 07, 2006
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Biwako Ohashi Bridge 琵琶湖大橋Sep 07, 2006
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Small motorboat which accompanies the three rowing boats. I was aboard this motorboat and took pictures.Sep 07, 2006
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Waving the signal flag at a checkpoint to staff on shore.Sep 07, 2006
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Departing Manohama at about 11:30 am. 真野浜出発Sep 07, 2006
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Ferris wheel from the Biwako Tower amusement park, now defunct. 琵琶湖タワー(廃墟)Sep 07, 2006
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Oars and boatsSep 07, 2006
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Manohama is where they change boat crews. Half of the people ride on bicycles on shore, while the other half row on 3 boats.Sep 07, 2006
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Day 3: Arrival at Manohama beach, near the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge. 真野浜上陸Sep 07, 2006
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Landed in fishing lines.Sep 07, 2006
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Great summer day for the beach at Omi-Maiko, one of the most popular and whitest beaches on Lake Biwa.Sep 07, 2006
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The orange boat decided to go ashore where it was less crowded.Sep 07, 2006
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Two boats will lie here overnight.Sep 07, 2006
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Dark Blue Blades, symbol of the Kyoto Univ. rowing club.Sep 07, 2006
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Notice the rudder. Controlled by a pair of strings held by the cox.Sep 07, 2006
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The orange boat. On the left at the ear is the cox, the middle are four rowers, and at the front of the boat is one extra person who can rest and enjoy the ride.Sep 07, 2006
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Beachgoers frolick in the lake as the rowing boats arrive.Sep 07, 2006
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Most people were oblivious to the boats.Sep 07, 2006
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They use four-man boats (called "knuckle four" in Japanese) with sliding seats. It is stable and safe, ideal for beginners.Sep 07, 2006
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The green boat. 近江舞子上陸Sep 07, 2006
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Each boat has four rowers and cox who steers the rudder.Sep 07, 2006
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The boats are wooden, and a few decades old.Sep 07, 2006
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Three-day (Aug. 9-11, 2006) rowing route around the southern half of the lake by the Kyoto Univ. rowing club.1st day: Home base in Seta River to Manohama (crew change), then to Omi-Maiko.
2nd day: Omi-Maiko to Manohama, then to Chomeiji.
3rd day: Chomeiji to Manohama where crew changes. Then to home base in Seta River.
Sep 07, 2006
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Three boats are used for the trip, sighted here off shore near JR Hira Station on the Kosei Line. 湖西線比良駅の沖Sep 07, 2006
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Arriving Omi-Maiko on Day 1. Rowing around the lake has been an annual tradition.Sep 07, 2006
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The white boat. A song was even composed for this trip, called Biwako Shuko no Uta.Sep 07, 2006
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Koenji Awa Odori, Daisan Kikaku-ren 第三企画連Sep 04, 2006
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Nice to see a non-Japanese drummer.Sep 04, 2006
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Little duckies trail the drummers.Sep 04, 2006
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Hiyoko-renSep 04, 2006
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Nice to see a non-Japanese dancer.Sep 04, 2006
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Hanamichi-ren 花道蓮Sep 04, 2006
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Koenji Awa OdoriSep 04, 2006
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Edokko-ren 江戸っ子連Sep 04, 2006
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Asuka-ren 飛鳥連Sep 04, 2006
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Koenji Awa Odori dance, TokyoSep 04, 2006
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Koenji Awa OdoriSep 04, 2006
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Goraku-ren 伍楽連Sep 04, 2006
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Women sometimes perform men's dances. Goraku-ren 伍楽連Sep 04, 2006
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Aoi-renSep 04, 2006
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Women dance with their hips high and knees bent.Sep 04, 2006
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Men dance with their hips down low. 伍楽連Sep 04, 2006
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Taiko drummersSep 04, 2006
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Child dancerSep 04, 2006
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Fool's disguiseSep 04, 2006
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「ヤットサー ヤットヤット ヨイサー ヤットサー!」掛け声Sep 04, 2006
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They shout, "Yattosa Yatto Yatto Yoisa Yattosa"Sep 04, 2006
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Koenji Awa OdoriSep 04, 2006
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The 50th Koenji Awa Odori Dance during Aug. 26-27, 2006.Sep 04, 2006
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Sep 04, 2006
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もっと奇麗に歩けSep 04, 2006
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Nobunaga speaks.Sep 04, 2006
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Ladies in waiting (hey there, look up!)下を向いたらあかん。Sep 04, 2006
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Ii Naomasa 井伊 直政Sep 04, 2006
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Street performer in front of the steps to Azuchi Castle ruins.Sep 04, 2006
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Hello horse! He was just starting at me. Tokugawa IeyasuSep 04, 2006
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣秀吉Sep 04, 2006
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Oda Nobunaga at Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri. 織田信長Sep 04, 2006
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Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川家康Sep 04, 2006
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wifeSep 04, 2006
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Nohime, wife of Oda Nobunaga. 農姫Sep 04, 2006
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wifeSep 04, 2006
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Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成Sep 04, 2006
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Oda Nobunaga 織田信長Sep 04, 2006
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Niwa Nagahide 丹羽長秀Sep 04, 2006
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Nohime, wife of Oda Nobunaga. 農姫Sep 04, 2006
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Kami shibai storyteller telling a story about Nobunaga. 紙芝居Sep 04, 2006
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Takigawa Kazumasu 滝川一益Sep 04, 2006
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Shibata KatsuieSep 04, 2006
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Akechi Mitsuhide (assassinated Nobunaga)Sep 04, 2006
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Shrine buildingSep 04, 2006
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The most important historical persons in Azuchi's feudal history were represented.Sep 04, 2006
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Kami shibai storyteller 紙芝居Sep 04, 2006
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Chin-don-ya street entertainersSep 04, 2006
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Musha Gyoretsu warrior procession 武者行列The procession started with Ashigaru foot soldiers. 足軽Sep 04, 2006
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At the foot of Azuchi, the boat ride was very popular and cheap.Sep 04, 2006
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Shingu Shrine where they had more festival entertainment. 新宮神社Sep 04, 2006
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Chin-don-ya street entertainersSep 04, 2006
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End of the ride.Sep 04, 2006
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"This place changed a lot since my childhood..."Sep 04, 2006
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Boat rideSep 04, 2006
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Ahoy there!Sep 04, 2006
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Welcome aboard!Sep 04, 2006
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Boat ride along the moat of Azuchi Castle.Sep 04, 2006
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These boat rides are offered only during this annual festival.Sep 04, 2006
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和船Sep 04, 2006
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Very loud boom. Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 04, 2006
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Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.Sep 04, 2006
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Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival.Even these people had to obtain police permission to bear and fire these feudal-era guns.Sep 04, 2006
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They came from Hikone. 鉄砲隊演武(彦根鉄砲隊)Sep 04, 2006
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Lots of great local food and products were sold. Official website here.Sep 04, 2006
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Stage entertainment (Azuchi Castle ruins in background).Sep 04, 2006
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Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri used to be held on the first Sunday in June, but it's now held in Nov. (since 2020). The festival is dedicated to Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Parking available at nearby Bungei no Sato.Sep 04, 2006
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The Azuchi Nobunaga Festival's main venue was here, next to Azuchi Castle (hill on right). MAPSep 04, 2006
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Closeup of road marker indicating the Tokaido Road to the right and Nakasendo to the left.Sep 04, 2006
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Temple with road markerSep 04, 2006
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Practicing for the local sanyare festival. The Kusatsu Sanyare dance has been inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022 as one of Japan's furyu-odori (風流踊) ritual dances.Sep 04, 2006
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River and cycling pathSep 04, 2006
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River mouthSep 04, 2006
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Yabase lakeshore park 矢橋帰帆島Sep 04, 2006
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Otsu Prince Hotel right across the lake.Sep 04, 2006
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Bridge to YabaseSep 04, 2006
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Bridge to YabaseSep 04, 2006
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Lake Biwa shore. Lots of picnicking space.Sep 04, 2006
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Fishing tooSep 04, 2006
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Bicycling road on the "Sazanami Kaido" lakeshore road going south.Sep 04, 2006
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View of Lake Biwa from the lakeshore road.Sep 04, 2006
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Serving free sake.Sep 04, 2006
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The women only leave the shrine for their own procession.Sep 04, 2006
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Lord's crestSep 04, 2006
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Shopping mallSep 04, 2006
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1:00 pm: Rest stop at Oshioi Shrine. 小汐井神社Sep 04, 2006
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The procession in front of the Honjin. Also see the video at YouTube. 本陣前Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.Sep 04, 2006
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Palanquin かごSep 04, 2006
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Professional actor from the Toei Eiga-mura movie village.東映太秦映画村の役者Sep 04, 2006
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Children's procession 子供奴道中Sep 04, 2006
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Daimyo Gyoretsu (Feudal Lord) procession 大名行列Sep 04, 2006
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Edo Period Buddhist nunSep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.Sep 04, 2006
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Probably the highest ranking lady.Sep 04, 2006
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Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 04, 2006
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Official Web site here.Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref. 大奥夢道中Sep 04, 2006
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Start of Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu Procession 草津時代行列Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. The main highlight is this Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession from 11:45 am to 2 pm. This is the Tokaido Road.Sep 04, 2006
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.Sep 04, 2006
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Hula dancing at Kusatsu Station plaza. Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 04, 2006
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The Kusatsu-juku Honjin is decorated with curtains. MAPSep 04, 2006
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The Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri Festival is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a post town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. Numerous events and activities are held such as flea markets, street & stage performances, and Japanese danThis was the first time I saw hula dancing in Shiga. Surprised to see hula dancing (Kusatsu Station plaza).Sep 04, 2006
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Shukuba Odori dance in the shopping arcade.Held 11:00 - 12:00Sep 04, 2006
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OthelloSep 03, 2006
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Barbaros is the most famous troupe, sponsored by Nakamise shopping mall.They had 300 members parading.Sep 03, 2006
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Their theme was "games" like roulette.Sep 03, 2006
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