 Last additions - Bunkyo-ku 文京区 |
View from Furomon GateDec 11, 2007
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Furomon Gate (Ageless Gate) 不老門Dec 11, 2007
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Steps going up to an inner gate called Furomon 不老門Dec 11, 2007
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Map of temple grounds. Belonging to the Buzan School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, Gokokuji temple was built by the mother of Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in 1682.Dec 11, 2007
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WellDec 11, 2007
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After you pass through the Niomon Gate, this is what you see.Dec 11, 2007
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WellDec 11, 2007
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Belonging to the Buzan School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, Gokokuji Temple was built by the mother of Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in 1682. The Gekkoden Hall was moved here from Miidera temple in Otsu, Shiga Pref. The Tahoto Pagoda was modeled after the Tahoto at Ishiyamadera in Otsu, Shiga. Okuma Shigenobu, founder of Waseda Univ., is also buried here. This is the entrance to Gokokuji Temple, Niomon Gate. It's right next to Gokokuji Station on the Yurakucho subway line. 仁王門Dec 11, 2007
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Rikugien Garden, TokyoDec 11, 2007
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Bridge at Rikugien Garden, TokyoDec 11, 2007
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Looks like the trees are on fire. Rikugien Garden, TokyoDec 11, 2007
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MomijiDec 11, 2007
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MaplesDec 11, 2007
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Leaves straight upDec 11, 2007
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The garden is also colorful in autumn.Dec 11, 2007
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Torii gatesApr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine Karamon Gate, Important Cultural Property 唐門Apr 30, 2007
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Ema votive tabletsApr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine gate, Important Cultural Property 楼門（国指定重文）Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine KaguradenApr 30, 2007
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Torii gates (all donated by people)Apr 30, 2007
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Torii gates and azaleasApr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine Haiden Hall, Important Cultural Property 拝殿Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine Karamon Gate, Important Cultural Property. Nezu Shrine is dedicated to Susano-o-no-Mikoto, younger brother of Sun Goddess Amaterasu. 唐門Apr 30, 2007
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Apr 30, 2007
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Wish they also wrote the name in English... ハナグルマApr 30, 2007
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Nezu ShrineApr 30, 2007
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Torii gates and azaleasApr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine bridge (built in 2006 神橋) and gate, Important Cultural Property 楼門（国指定重文）Apr 30, 2007
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Can you believe yellow azaleas??Apr 30, 2007
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Splotch of pink on whiteApr 30, 2007
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How do they mix these flower colors?Apr 30, 2007
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Great relief for the eyes after seeing so much red and pink. Yellow azaleas.Apr 30, 2007
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Azalea BallApr 30, 2007
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Azaleas and torii gatesApr 30, 2007
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More flower blobs...Apr 30, 2007
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This was a weekday so it is less crowded than the weekend.Apr 30, 2007
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Azaleas and torii gatesApr 30, 2007
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The White OneApr 30, 2007
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All these reds and pinks drove my eyes crazy.Apr 30, 2007
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They cannot bloom any better than this.Apr 30, 2007
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This little hill was spectacular.Apr 30, 2007
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Azaleas and torii gates, Nezu ShrineApr 30, 2007
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White and pink mixed together.Apr 30, 2007
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Buds to bloomApr 30, 2007
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Top of the slope.Apr 30, 2007
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Quite spectacular from the top. Nezu Shrine.Apr 30, 2007
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Guess who was there too? Nobuyoshi Araki, Japan's most famous photographer shooting the azaleas at Nezu Shrine, Tokyo. That's a Canon EOS 7 film camera.Apr 30, 2007
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Great view for lunch.Apr 30, 2007
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Many exotic varieties of azaleas.Apr 30, 2007
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Mixed colorsApr 30, 2007
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Dainty onesApr 30, 2007
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Flower crushApr 30, 2007
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Shrine gate and azaleas.Apr 30, 2007
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This variety of azaleas are the most common in Japan.Apr 30, 2007
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Entry to the azalea garden. 200 yen admission (actually a donation). Open 9am to 5 pm.Apr 30, 2007
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Walking path among the azaleas.Apr 30, 2007
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Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine, TokyoApr 30, 2007
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The large slope of azalea bushes have walking paths where you can see and photograph the flowers up close.Apr 30, 2007
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This bridge was recently rebuilt.Apr 30, 2007
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Some bushes are in full bloom, while others are still too early.Apr 30, 2007
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The azaleas usually reach full bloom in late April, but there are flowers which bloom later or earlier so there's always something in bloom during the festival period.Apr 30, 2007
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Azalea Garden and Nezu Shrine gate 楼門（国指定重文）Apr 30, 2007
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The Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri or Azalea Festival is held from April to early May at Nezu Shrine which has a slope filled with 50 varieties of azaleas.Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine torii gate 根津神社Apr 30, 2007
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On the street, just follow the signs to Nezu Shrine. Only a few minutes walk.Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line) platform. Just follow the sign to get out the correct exit. 根津駅Apr 30, 2007
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Nezu Shrine torii gate 根津神社Apr 30, 2007
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The Osensui Pond was modeled after Lake Biwa in Shiga Pref.Mar 30, 2007
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The outside wall also uses stones from the Sotobori Moat of Edo Castle.Mar 30, 2007
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Naitei Inner Garden, formerly a private garden for a guesthouse built by the Mito Clan. The garden just does not match the huge Tokyo Dome in the background... 内庭Mar 30, 2007
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Kuhachi-ya 九八屋Mar 30, 2007
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Outside wall of garden.Mar 30, 2007
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PicnickersMar 30, 2007
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Engetsukyo Bridge (Full Moon Bridge) so named because it creates full moon with its reflection in the water. 円月橋Mar 30, 2007
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Engetsukyo Bridge (Full Moon Bridge) 円月橋Mar 30, 2007
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Eight-plank Bridge 八つ橋Mar 30, 2007
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Stone bridge steps 円月橋Mar 30, 2007
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White ornamental peaches (Hanamomo in Japanese) look like cotton on branches. ハナモモMar 30, 2007
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Ornamental peaches (Hanamomo in Japanese) ハナモモMar 30, 2007
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Colorful flowers break the monotony of greenery. ハナモモMar 30, 2007
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White ornamental peaches ハナモモMar 30, 2007
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In the background is Horaijima island (not accessible). 蓬莱島Mar 30, 2007
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Shiraito Waterfall. Nothing spectacular. 白糸の滝Mar 30, 2007
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Iris bed. Should come back in June.Mar 30, 2007
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Cherry trees line the Osensui pond. 大泉水Mar 30, 2007
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Mar 30, 2007
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Tokujindo Hall which stores wooden statues from old Chinese stories. 得仁堂Mar 30, 2007
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Koishikawa Korakuen Garden has a circular design around a pond and low hill. 回遊式庭園Mar 30, 2007
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Picnic areaMar 30, 2007
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Tsutenkyo Bridge 通天橋Mar 30, 2007
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Folding screen (byobu) rock 屏風岩Mar 30, 2007
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View from Tsutenkyo Bridge 通天橋Mar 30, 2007
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Tsutenkyo Bridge 通天橋Mar 30, 2007
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Large weeping cherry tree しだれ桜Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry tree and Tsutenkyo Bridge 通天橋Mar 30, 2007
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Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry tree, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tokyo.Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherriesMar 30, 2007
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Larger weeping cherry tree.Mar 30, 2007
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Tokyo Dome in the background. The garden is right next to Tokyo Dome.Mar 30, 2007
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Shorozan hill 小廬山Mar 30, 2007
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With Tokyo Dome looming above, Koishikawa Korakuen is another famous Edo-Period Japanese garden originally built by Lord Yorifusa of the Mito Tokugawa Clan in 1629 as part of his Edo estate.The garden was completed under Lord Mitsukuni, the second lord of the Mito clan.Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry tree, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tokyo.Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry tree, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tokyo. Called "Shidare-sakura" in Japanese meaning cherry tree with drooping branches.Mar 30, 2007
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This weeping cherry tree is about 60 years old.Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry tree, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Tokyo. 枝垂桜Mar 30, 2007
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Map of garden. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is designated as one of Japan's Special Historic Place and Special Scenic Spot. Only select places in Japan (like Kyoto's Kinkakuji) have both designations. 国の特別史跡・特別名勝Mar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry treeMar 30, 2007
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Ticket office at Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. Admission ¥300. Free English pamphlet/map available.Mar 30, 2007
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Entrance to Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. It opened as a public garden in 1938. The garden is modeled after Chinese concepts and features.Near Iiidabashi Station and Korakuen Station.Mar 30, 2007
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During the Meiji Period, Rikugien became a villa owned by the Iwasaki family who founded the Mitsubishi corporate empire and was donated to Tokyo and opened to the public in 1938.Mar 30, 2007
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This is a big pond with small islands and surrounded by trees. There are replicas of famous Japanese scenery such as Wakanoura in Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture).Mar 30, 2007
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The name, Rikugi-en, came from "six elements of Waka poems" that had been derived from "six styles of poems" written in the old Chinese poetry book "Mao-shi".Mar 30, 2007
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The many low-hanging branches are supported by wooden posts.Mar 30, 2007
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How the tree looks after it finishes blooming.Mar 30, 2007
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Tree trunkMar 30, 2007
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Under the shower of weeping flowers.Mar 30, 2007
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Side viewMar 30, 2007
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Weeping cherry flowers.Mar 30, 2007
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Closeup of flowers.Mar 30, 2007
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Rikugien is one of the nicest Japanese gardens in central Tokyo, and one of two of Edo's famous gardens (other is Koishikawa Korakuen). The garden was built in 1702 by Lord Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu from Kawagoe, who was a favorite ally of Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th Tokugawa Shogun. It is a Kaiyu-type (stroll around a central pond) Daimyo garden with hills and ponds. Near Komagome Station on the Yamanote Line.Mar 30, 2007
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Very difficult to take a picture of the tree without any people in it.Mar 30, 2007
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Rikugien Garden's famous weeping cherry tree. In Japanese, it is called "shidare-sakura" meaning drooping cherry.Mar 30, 2007
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When this weeping cherry tree is in bloom, the garden is open at night and this tree is lit up.Mar 30, 2007
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A large crowd admire the beautiful weeping cherry tree.Mar 30, 2007
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A long line forms at Rikugien's Someimon Gate entrance. When the weeping cherry tree is in bloom in late March, many people come. 染井門Mar 30, 2007
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Seimon Gate entrance to Rikugien Garden.Mar 30, 2007
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Even the main Seimon entrance is crowded with people. This is a weekday. Admission 300 yen. 正門Mar 30, 2007
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Sign says the weeping cherry tree is in full bloom (mankai). 「しだれ桜 満開」Mar 30, 2007
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Feb 20, 2007
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Azaleas in bloomFeb 20, 2007
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Azaleas in bloomFeb 20, 2007
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MatsuFeb 20, 2007
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Pine treeFeb 20, 2007
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PondFeb 20, 2007
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All kinds of matsu pine treesFeb 20, 2007
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Somei Yoshino cherry blossom treeFeb 20, 2007
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Drooping pine tree, Rikugien Garden, TokyoFeb 20, 2007
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Feb 20, 2007
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Cherry blossoms and pine treeFeb 20, 2007
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Rikugien was desinated as one of Japan's Special Scenic Spots in 1953. 国の特別名称Feb 20, 2007
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Azalea bushes and pondFeb 20, 2007
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PinesFeb 20, 2007
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