Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Last additions

Sep 03, 2006

Uniao dos AmadoresSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Asakusa Samba CarnivalSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.Sep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.Sep 03, 2006

Asakusa Samba CarnivalSep 03, 2006

Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.Sep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2006.Sep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Asakusa Samba CarnivalSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Kaminarimon-dori streetSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Fuji TV with professional cheerleadersSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Asakusa Samba CarnivalSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Tuba playerSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Asakusa Samba CarnivalSep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

The 26th Asakusa Samba Carnival was held on Aug. 26, 2006. Some 4,500 members from 33 troupes paraded from 1:30 pm to 6 pm. About 500,000 people were on hand to watch.Sep 03, 2006

Sep 03, 2006

Statue of Emperor Keitai in Asuwayama Park 継体天皇像The 26th Emperor of Japan is said to have hailed from Echizen Province.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Tojinbo sign indicating the Echizen-Kaga Coastal Quasi-National ParkSep 02, 2006

Tojinbo in Mikuni-cho is spectacular, natural rock columns and walls on the coast. Hiking trails and boat rides give you a closer look at this rare natural monument. Tojimbo is accessible by bus from JR Awara Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Line.Sep 02, 2006

Bungee jumping is probably not possible here.Sep 02, 2006

Huge rock columns stand about 9 stories (25 meters) high.Sep 02, 2006

JR Tsuruga StationSep 02, 2006

Kehi no Matsubara beach, one of Japan's three most famous pine tree beaches.The other two being Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka and Karatsu in Saga Pref.Sep 02, 2006

Line to board the free shuttle bus from Tsuruga Station to Kehi no Matsubara Beach.The waiting time was minimal since buses kept coming often. They chartered buses from numerous bus companies.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

15-min. walk from the bus stop to the beach. People everywhere.Sep 02, 2006

Crowd on Kehi no Matsubara BeachSep 02, 2006

Line for the free shuttle bus back to Tsuruga Station. They had many shuttle buses so we didn't have to wait long.It was a very efficient and quick operation. Although I did leave early.Sep 02, 2006

The fireworks were brilliant and world-class, included a few waterborne "half-dome" fireworks.Sep 02, 2006

Bright fireworks light up the audience on the beach.Sep 02, 2006

Whoever thought of combining toro nagashi with fireworks was a genius.Sep 02, 2006

Toro nagashi and fireworks at Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.Sep 02, 2006

Great match with the lit lanterns and fireworks.Sep 02, 2006

Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 02, 2006

By 7:30 pm, it was completely dark.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Fireworks started at 7:30 pm.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Lanterns along the jetty.Sep 02, 2006

As it got darker, the scene got prettier.Sep 02, 2006

The lanterns say "For the Spirits of Past Generations."Sep 02, 2006

I was sitting on a jetty where many lanterns got stuck. We could feel the hot air from the candles.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Also see the video at YouTube.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

You could buy a lantern for 500 yen. Choice of three colors: Red, blue, and yellow.Sep 02, 2006

At 6:30 pm, people started releasing their candlelit lanterns into the ocean. Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.Sep 02, 2006

Toro nagashi at Kehi no Matsubara Beach in Tsuruga, Fukui Pref.Sep 02, 2006

The crowd stretched to the very far side of the bay.Sep 02, 2006

Fukui ShrineSep 02, 2006

Fukui Shrine 福井神社Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Shopping roadSep 02, 2006

Fukui ShrineSep 02, 2006

Streetcar stationSep 02, 2006

Sign encouraging the construction of the shinkansen to Fukui.Sep 02, 2006

Road in front of Fukui StationSep 02, 2006

JR Fukui StationSep 02, 2006

Mall in front of Fukui StationSep 02, 2006

Mismatched buildingsSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Pedestrian bridgeSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Prefectural capital buildingSep 02, 2006

Another bridge 廊下橋Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Fukui police HQ and castle wallSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

This is the castle well named Fuku-no-I (福の井). Fukui Prefecture got its name from this well. In 2017, it got a Japanese-style roof.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

View of moat from the corner of castle tower foundation.Sep 02, 2006

Castle tower foundationSep 02, 2006

Stone wall submerged in moat.Sep 02, 2006

Steps to go down.Sep 02, 2006

Another stone foundation which was partially damaged during the 1948 Fukui Easrthquake.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Top of castle tower foundation. Grassy, but uneven ground.Sep 02, 2006

The castle tower suffered a major fire in 1669, and it was never rebuilt.Sep 02, 2006

MonumentsSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Steps to upper level of castle tower foundationSep 02, 2006

Valley between the prefectural capital (left) and police department (right).Sep 02, 2006

Stone foundation of the castle tower at one corner.Sep 02, 2006

Atop the castle tower foundation (lower level)Sep 02, 2006

Stairs to castle tower foundationSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Bridge to castle grounds. 5-min. walk from Fukui Station.Sep 02, 2006

Bridge to castle grounds with prefectural capital building looming ahead.Sep 02, 2006

Statue of castle founder and 1st lord, Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康Sep 02, 2006

Bus stop for Maruoka CastleTakes about 40-50 min. from Fukui Station.Sep 02, 2006

Kasumiga-jo Park, noted for cherry blossoms.Sep 02, 2006

Inside Folk History MuseumSep 02, 2006

Edo Period currencySep 02, 2006

Folk History MuseumSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Stairs going downSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Folk History Museum adjacent to the castle. 歴史民俗資料館Sep 02, 2006

Lower stone wallSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Well related to the castle's mist.Sep 02, 2006

Ceiling on top floorSep 02, 2006

The veranda is narrow and the fence is low.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Ceiling on top floorSep 02, 2006

Top floorSep 02, 2006

Ceiling on top floorSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

View from castle towerSep 02, 2006

Roof tiles made of stone on Maruoka CastleSep 02, 2006

Veranda (closed to visitors)Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Top floorSep 02, 2006

Stairs to top floorSep 02, 2006

"Sama" hole to shoot weapons (arrows or guns)Sep 02, 2006

Roof tiles made of stone (2nd floor)Sep 02, 2006

Stairway on top floorSep 02, 2006

2nd floorSep 02, 2006

1st floor of castle towerThe steep stairs go to the 2nd floor.Sep 02, 2006

Roof tiles made of stone (rare)Sep 02, 2006

Old-style "bay window?"Sep 02, 2006

1st floor of castle towerSep 02, 2006

1st floor of castle tower with photos of other castles.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Entrance to castle towerSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Steps to castle tower entrance.Sep 02, 2006

Side of castleSep 02, 2006

Old shachi (killer whale) roof ornaments made of stone.The original shachi were made of wood with copper plating. But during WWII, the precious copper was taken and these two stone shachi were made to replace the original shachi. These two shachi fell off the roof during the 1948 earthquake and were replaced by a replica of the original made of wood and copper plating.Sep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Maruoka CastleSep 02, 2006

Path to castle towerSep 02, 2006

Maruoka Castle towerSep 02, 2006

Sep 02, 2006

Maruoka Castle towerSep 02, 2006

Entrance to castle groundsSep 02, 2006

Maruoka Castle is Japan's oldest surviving castle tower although it collapsed during the Fukui Earthquake in 1948. Rebuilt in 1955 with most of the original materials. Originally built in 1576 by Shibata Katsutoyo, nicknamed Kasumiga-jo (Misty CastlePhoto: Way to Maruoka Castle from the bus stop.Sep 02, 2006

The stone marker says National Treasure Kasumiga-jo Castle.The castle was a National Treasure until it collapsed in the 1948 Fukui Earthquake. Now an Important Cultural Property.Sep 02, 2006