Last additions
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Nature trail.May 23, 2023
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May 23, 2023
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Not allowed to pick any plants.May 23, 2023
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Giant dogwood flowers. ミズキ(Mizuki)May 23, 2023
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Giant dogwood is nicknamed "Wedding Cake Tree" due to the multi-tiered trunk and branches. ミズキ(Mizuki)May 23, 2023
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Giant dogwood is a tall flowering plant. ミズキMay 23, 2023
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Marshland and reeds provide habitats for nesting birds. We saw Little Grebes nesting here.May 23, 2023
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Heron.May 23, 2023
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May 23, 2023
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Boardwalk and reeds where birds and fish can live.May 23, 2023
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May 23, 2023
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Boardwalk across the marsh.May 23, 2023
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Guided tour of the park. About an hour long.May 23, 2023
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May 23, 2023
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Chinese peacock butterfly. カラスアゲハMay 23, 2023
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Northern goshawk, juvenile.May 23, 2023
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Raccoon, fox, and weasel.May 23, 2023
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Stuffed wild animals in Saitama Nature Study Center.May 23, 2023
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Inside Saitama Nature Study Center with nature exhibits.May 23, 2023
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Saitama Nature Study Center is a visitor's center with park staff, park maps, a small library, nature exhibits, meeting rooms, and park offices. Open 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. (Till 7:30 pm on weekends and national holidays.) Guided tours start inside.May 23, 2023
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Free guided tours cover only a small part of the park. If you want to explore the entire park, go on your own. The park opened in July 1992 by Saitama Prefecture.May 23, 2023
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Events and free guided park tours on weekends at 2 pm for 1 hour. (No English.) Website: https://www.saitama-shizen.info/May 23, 2023
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Kitamoto Nature Observation Park is spread over 26.7 hectares and home to a variety of plants and animals, including over 1,700 species of insects and 160 species of wild birds. Lots of marshland where birds can nest. Walking paths are provided for visitors. The park includes a nature study center, a library, and guided tours on weekends.May 23, 2023
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Park entrance. The park is open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 7:30 pm on weekends and mid-summer.) Closed Mon. unless it's a national holiday. Free admission. Parking available. 15 min. by bus from JR Kitamoto Station (JR Takasaki LineAddress: 5-200 Arai, Kitamoto, Saitama
埼玉県北本市荒井5-200
埼玉県自然学習センター
May 23, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. Trotting past Odawara Castle. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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Tsukui Castle lord, Naito Yasuyuki. 津久井城主 内藤康行May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. Played by people from International University of Health and Welfare. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu. 小田原市職員互助会May 20, 2023
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Samurai group for Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. Played by people from International University of Health and Welfare. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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The second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. 二代北条氏綱隊 May 20, 2023
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Samurai group from Kamakura for Hōjō Ujitoki, Tamanawa Castle lord. 玉縄城主 北条氏時隊 鎌倉市玉縄城址まちづくり会議May 20, 2023
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The second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. 二代北条氏綱隊 May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Odawara city employees.May 20, 2023
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Samurai entourage for the second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. Played by people from the international medical university. 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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The first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun played by actor Goda Masashi. 初代北条早雲 (合田 雅)May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international students studying Japanese at local Japanese language schools.May 20, 2023
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Start of the samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international students at LIBERTY Odawara Japanese School. LIBERTY小田原日本語学校May 20, 2023
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Two Hakone geisha. They both sing. Odawara is the gateway to Hakone. 箱根芸者夢路May 20, 2023
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Two Hakone geisha. They both sing. In green is Kadomatsu Miyuki, an aspiring singer. 箱根芸者夢路May 20, 2023
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Members of the local media, radio and TV.May 20, 2023
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Child ninja belonging to the Fūma ninja clan. 忍者風魔小太郎隊May 20, 2023
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Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club. The club is a tourism ambassador for Odawara.May 20, 2023
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Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club. The club is a tourism ambassador for Odawara.May 20, 2023
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Boy Scouts carrying the Japanese flag.May 20, 2023
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Girls Scouts carrying the Odawara flag.May 20, 2023
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Parade's starting point was here at Sumiyoshi Bridge at a corner of Odawara Castle. Crowded with people. They first had a short ceremony with the "Ei-ei-oohh" cheer. The parade also returned here at the end.May 20, 2023
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Leading the parade was a brass band by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Music Corps.May 20, 2023
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JR Odawara Station crowded with people going home.May 20, 2023
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Tourist shopping complex near the station, crowded.May 20, 2023
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Odawara manhole with Odawara Castle.May 20, 2023
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Way to Odawara Castle's main tower. Official website: https://odawaracastle.com/May 20, 2023
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Okagane-mon Gate 銅門May 20, 2023
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Dressing rooms for the celeb parade guests were here and people were waiting to get a glimpse. The celebs were friendly enough to wave to the crowd.May 20, 2023
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Horses used in the samurai parade. Good job!May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Horses used in the samurai parade. Good job!May 20, 2023
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The festival also had food booths.May 20, 2023
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Gaku Bridge across the castle moat goes to Odawara Castle grounds where they had food stalls. 学橋May 20, 2023
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End of the samurai parade. May 20, 2023
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Odawara Castle's Ninomaru Corner Turret.May 20, 2023
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The last group in the parade, ninja. 風魔忍者隊 相州乱破衆「風魔」May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Nirayama Castle lord Hōjō Ujinori, the fourth son of Hōjō Ujiyasu. 韮山城主 北条氏規隊May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Group for Nirayama Castle lord Hōjō Ujinori, the fourth son of Hōjō Ujiyasu. 韮山城主 北条氏規隊May 20, 2023
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Group for Nirayama Castle lord Hōjō Ujinori, the fourth son of Hōjō Ujiyasu. 韮山城主 北条氏規隊May 20, 2023
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The fifth Odawara Castle Hojo lord, Hojo Ujinao played by Yanagisawa Shingo. 五代氏直 (柳沢慎吾)May 20, 2023
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The fifth Odawara Castle Hojo lord, Hojo Ujinao played by Yanagisawa Shingo. 五代氏直 (柳沢慎吾)May 20, 2023
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The fifth Odawara Castle Hojo lord, Hojo Ujinao played by Yanagisawa Shingo who is another Odawara Hometown Ambassador. 五代氏直 (柳沢慎吾)May 20, 2023
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Battalion for the fifth Odawara Castle Hojo lord, Hojo Ujinao. 五代氏直May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Entourage for Hojo Ujikuni.May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Ujikuni, Hachigata Castle lord in present-day Yorii, Saitama. 鉢形城主 北条氏邦May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Ujikuni, Hachigata Castle lord in present-day Yorii, Saitama. 鉢形城主 北条氏邦May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the Hachioji Castle lord.May 20, 2023
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Hachioji Castle lord, Hojo Ujiteru played by a woman. 八王子城主 北条氏照隊May 20, 2023
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Hachioji Castle lord, Hojo Ujiteru. 八王子城主 北条氏照隊May 20, 2023
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Hachioji Castle lord, Hojo Ujiteru. 八王子城主 北条氏照隊May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu waving to the crowd. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa. 北条氏政隊 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa. 北条氏政隊 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa. 北条氏政隊 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. May 20, 2023
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Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. Second daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu.北条氏直正室 督姫(徳川家康の娘) 小田原短期大学May 20, 2023
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Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. Second daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu.北条氏直正室 督姫(徳川家康の娘) 小田原短期大学May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Tokuhime, wife of Hojo Ujinao. May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Obaiin, Hojo Ujimasa's wife. 北条氏政正室 黄梅院(武田信玄娘) 西湘高校May 20, 2023
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Obaiin, Hojo Ujimasa's wife. 北条氏政正室 黄梅院(武田信玄娘) 西湘高校May 20, 2023
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Obaiin, Hojo Ujimasa's wife. 北条氏政正室 黄梅院(武田信玄娘) 西湘高校May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Obaiin, Hojo Ujimasa's wifeMay 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Lord Hojo Ujiyasu's wife Zuikei-in. (Imagawa Ujichika's daughter). 北条氏康正室 瑞渓院(今川氏親娘) 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Lord Hojo Ujiyasu's wife Zuikei-in. (Imagawa Ujichika's daughter). 北条氏康正室 瑞渓院(今川氏親娘) 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Lord Hojo Ujiyasu's wife Zuikei-in. 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Lord Hojo Ujiyasu's wife Zuikei-in (Imagawa Ujichika's daughter). 北条氏康正室 瑞渓院(今川氏親娘) 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Ladies in waiting for Lord Hojo Ujiyasu's wife Zuikei-in. 旭丘高校May 20, 2023
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Wives of Odawara Castle Hojo lords. 北条五代姫隊May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Tsukui Castle is in Sagamihara, Kanagawa.May 20, 2023
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Tsukui Castle lord, Naito Yasuyuki. 津久井城主 内藤康行May 20, 2023
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Entourage for Tsukui Castle lord, Naito Yasuyuki.May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Group from Kawagoe, Saitama.May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu.May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu.May 20, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. Trotting past Odawara Castle. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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The third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu played by a woman. 三代北条氏康隊May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu. 小田原市職員互助会May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Entourage for the third Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujiyasu.May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. Played by people from International University of Health and Welfare. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. Played by people from International University of Health and Welfare. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Group for Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学May 20, 2023
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Samurai group from Kamakura for Hōjō Ujitoki, Tamanawa Castle lord. 玉縄城主 北条氏時隊 鎌倉市玉縄城址まちづくり会議May 20, 2023
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Tamanawa Castle lord from Kamakura, Hōjō Ujitoki, Tamanawa Castle lord. 玉縄城主 北条氏時隊 鎌倉市玉縄城址まちづくり会議May 20, 2023
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Samurai group from Kamakura for Hōjō Ujitoki, Tamanawa Castle lord. 玉縄城主 北条氏時隊 鎌倉市玉縄城址まちづくり会議May 20, 2023
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The second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. Too bad he didn't look my way. 二代北条氏綱隊 May 20, 2023
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The second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. 二代北条氏綱隊 May 20, 2023
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The second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. 二代北条氏綱隊 May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Start of the samurai entourage for the second Odawara Hojo lord, Hojo Ujitsuna. Played by Odawara government officials.May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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The first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun played by actor Goda Masashi. 初代北条早雲 (合田 雅)May 20, 2023
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The first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun played by actor Goda Masashi who an Odawara Hometown Ambassador. 初代北条早雲 (合田 雅)May 20, 2023
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The first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun played by actor Goda Masashi. 初代北条早雲 (合田 雅)May 20, 2023
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Samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international graduates from Tokimeki Kokusai Gakko school. ときめき国際学校OBMay 20, 2023
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Samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international graduates from Tokimeki Kokusai Gakko school. ときめき国際学校OBMay 20, 2023
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Start of the samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international students at LIBERTY Odawara Japanese School. LIBERTY小田原日本語学校May 20, 2023
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Start of the samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international students at LIBERTY Odawara Japanese School. LIBERTY小田原日本語学校May 20, 2023
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Members of the local media.May 20, 2023
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Two Hakone geisha. They both sing. 箱根芸者夢路May 20, 2023
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Two Hakone geisha. 箱根芸者夢路May 20, 2023
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Group petitioning NHK TV to produce a year-long Taiga period drama about the five Hojo daimyo. Members of the local media, radio and TV.May 20, 2023
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Group petitioning NHK TV to produce a year-long Taiga period drama about the five Hojo daimyo.May 20, 2023
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Group petitioning NHK TV to produce a year-long Taiga period drama about the five Hojo daimyo. NHK's Taiga Drama series always bring much PR to the filming locations.May 20, 2023
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Very elaborate handmade samurai armor and costume. Odawara, Kanagawa.May 20, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes. Amazing how authentic they look.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes. Also worn by women.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes.May 20, 2023
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Handmade samurai armor and costumes (made of paper). The Hojo clan's family crest has three triangles representing the three snake scales received from the goddess Benzaiten. 手づくり甲冑隊 May 20, 2023
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People wearing handmade samurai armor and costumes (made of paper). 手づくり甲冑隊May 20, 2023
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Child warriors from local youth groups. 少年少女武者隊 小田原市子ども会連絡協議会May 20, 2023
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People wearing handmade samurai armor and costumes (made of paper). 手づくり甲冑隊May 20, 2023
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Child warriors from local youth groups. 少年少女武者隊 小田原市子ども会連絡協議会May 20, 2023
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少年少女武者隊May 20, 2023
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Child samurai with bayonets. 少年少女武者隊 小田原市子ども会連絡協議会May 20, 2023
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Female warriors. 少年少女武者隊 小田原市子ども会連絡協議会May 20, 2023
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Child samurai. 少年少女武者隊May 20, 2023
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Child samurai. 少年少女武者隊May 20, 2023
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2023 was also the 500th anniversary of the Hojo Clan being renamed as "Hojo" from "Ise" (伊勢).May 20, 2023
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Child ninja were giving out small souvenirs to the kids.May 20, 2023
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Child ninjaMay 20, 2023
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These ninja kids are local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. 忍者風魔小太郎隊May 20, 2023
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This is Kokusai-dori in Odawara, the southern part of the parade route. Already crowded. The parade came by at around 2 pm.May 20, 2023
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On May 3, 2023, 260,000 turned out to see 59th Odawara Hojo Godai Matsuri samurai parade highlighted by five Hojo Odawara Castle lords and their ladies in colorful costumes. Held for the first time in four years due to the pandemic.May 20, 2023
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Folk dance along the parade route before the start of the parade.May 20, 2023
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Before and during the parade, some street performances such as taiko drummers and folk dances were also held.May 20, 2023
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Odawara Hojo Godai Matsuri is Odawara's biggest festival held annually on May 3. Main highlight is the samurai parade featuring the five Odawara Hojo lords on a 2.1 km route. Lots of people lined the route well before the parade's start.May 20, 2023
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Odawara Castle is the city symbol and former residence of the Hojo Clan. Short walk from Odawara Station (JR and Odakyu Lines).May 20, 2023
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Path through the Bouquet Garden's poppies and other flowers.May 20, 2023
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Other flowers in the mix include dianthus and delphinium.May 20, 2023
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Since it was a sunny day, many people brought their own tents and stayed under the tree shade.May 20, 2023
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Long lines at most refreshment stands. This one was for snow cones.May 20, 2023
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Nishi Tachikawa entrance to Showa Kinen Park. Use your Suica card or buy tickets from the vending machine. The signboard promotes the flowers currently in bloom: red poppies.May 20, 2023
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In early May 2023, at Nishi Tachikawa Station (JR Chuo Line), lots of people got off the train to go to Showa Kinen Park. They all had the same bright idea for the holidays: Go somewhere close, but nice. Only 30 min. from Shinjuku.May 20, 2023
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes) at Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa, Tokyo.May 19, 2023
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes) May 19, 2023
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Showa Kinen Park also has a large slope with nemophila (baby blue eyes). Crowd favorite.May 19, 2023
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Across this pond was a crowd ogling baby blue eyes.May 19, 2023
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May 19, 2023
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Patches of tulips already finished blooming. Must've been colorful from late March to mid-April.May 19, 2023
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Reminds me of artist Murakami Takashi.May 19, 2023
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CornflowersMay 19, 2023
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Moss pinkMay 19, 2023
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Closeup of nemophila (baby blue eyes) May 19, 2023
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