 Last additions - Katsushika-ku 葛飾区 |
JR Shin-Koiwa north entrance. On the left is the escalator to Skydeck Tatsumi.May 11, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station north entrance (kitaguchi).May 11, 2022
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On the south side of JR Shin-Koiwa Station, inside a shopping arcade named Lumière. 新小岩ルミエール商店街 May 11, 2022
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On the south side of JR Shin-Koiwa Station is a shopping arcade named Lumière with 140 stores. It extends across both Katsushika and Edogawa Wards. 新小岩ルミエール商店街 May 11, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station south entrance straight ahead. Koban police box on the right. A new station building will soon appear.May 11, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform.May 11, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform. This view will soon be gone when the new station building under construction is completed. The Lumière shopping arcade is visible.May 11, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station south side as seen from the platform. May 11, 2022
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Monchicchi Park is near Naka River.Apr 21, 2022
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Park rules.Apr 21, 2022
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Back entrance.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Park's Chibikko Hiroba, a small playground for infants.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi-chan rockerApr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi-chan rockerApr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi rockerApr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi playground for infants and preschoolers.Apr 21, 2022
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Another section of Monchicchi Park is Chibikko Hiroba, a small playground for infants. ちびっこ広場Apr 21, 2022
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Park restrooms decorated with Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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Playground equipment with a Monchicchi silhouette on the ground.Apr 21, 2022
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Playground equipment for older kids.Apr 21, 2022
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Sekiguchi Doll House displayed many celluloid dolls. The company got its start in 1918 making celluloid toy dolls.Apr 21, 2022
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The building was a storehouse for celluloid doll materials before it became a doll museum. Since celluloid is flammable, the storehouse was made of stone bricks.Apr 21, 2022
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Sekiguchi Doll House was located here before it was torn down to make way for this park. This monument is made of the stone bricks from the Doll House. The original Doll House sign is here.Apr 21, 2022
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Sekiguchi Doll House monument. Sekiguchi Doll House was a small museum of vintage celluloid dolls produced by Sekiguchi. Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi on the cobblestones.Apr 21, 2022
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In this corner, fitness equipment for stretching your body.Apr 21, 2022
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Main part of Monchicchi Park. Good place to run around, play with radio-controlled cars, or use playground equipment. This is also the emergency evacuation zone.Apr 21, 2022
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Opened on April 9, 2016 with a ceremony attended by many local dignitaries, Moncchichi Park is in a quiet residential neighborhood in Nishi Shin-Koiwa near Naka River.Medium-size park (4,580 sq. meters) with a graveled ground, cobblestones, and playground equipment. Apr 21, 2022
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Entrance to the main area of Monchicchi Park. As an emergency evacuation zone, this area has a storehouse storing emergency provisions, manholes for makeshift toilets, wash basins, rainwater tank, and a few benches which can be converted into wood-burning stoves.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi angel has its own corner of the park. 天使のモンチッチApr 21, 2022
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Unique Monchicchi angel made of ceramics. Plaque reads, "May your wish come true. Wishing you happiness and smiles!" Maybe this is an object for prayers.Apr 21, 2022
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Water will spew out in summer.Apr 21, 2022
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Water fountain Monchicchi. This Monchicchi tower will spew water in summer.Apr 21, 2022
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This is Gutchi from the Kuta-kuta monkey series in 1973 which evolved into Moncchichi. It was when Sekiguchi was transitioning from a plastic doll maker to stuffed animals, a totally different product requiring a different set of skills.Apr 21, 2022
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On the left is Mademoiselle Jeje from 1973. Her thumb-sucking was also incorporated in Monchicchi. In the middle are clown dolls for music boxes in 1984.Apr 21, 2022
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Poppo-chan from 1969.Apr 21, 2022
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Little Butch from 1977.Apr 21, 2022
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Bronze statues of old Sekiguchi dolls complete with background info.Apr 21, 2022
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These new Monchicchi/Sekiguchi statues were donated by Sekiguchi Co. chairman Sekiguchi Koichi.Apr 21, 2022
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The new Monchicchi Zone is adorned with Sekiguchi doll statues.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi bench.Apr 21, 2022
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A few Monchicchi above and on a bench.Apr 21, 2022
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Boy Monchicchi on the roof.Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Park layout. Upper left is the new Monchicchi Zone and lower right is the new Chibikko Hiroba for infants.Apr 21, 2022
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Two panels show the wide variety of Monchicchi costumes. Like Barbie dolls, Moncchichi come in an incredible variety of versions and costumes.Apr 21, 2022
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How Monchicchi was born.Apr 21, 2022
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History of Sekiguchi Corporation, inventor of Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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There's also baby Monchicchi named Bebichhichi-kun (boy on the left) and Bebichhichi-chan (girl).Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Mini Museum exhibit panel explaining about Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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The exterior of the panels has stained glass-like artwork.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Mini Museum is a small open-air pavilion with a video monitor and display panels.Apr 21, 2022
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In the rear is the new Monchicchi Mini Museum.Apr 21, 2022
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Back of the Monchicchi welcome monument is another selfie spot.Apr 21, 2022
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Moncchichi-chan now a mom.Apr 21, 2022
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Moncchichi-kun now a dad.Apr 21, 2022
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The original Moncchichi pair were fraternal twins, but were magically reinvented into a married couple. On October 30, 2004, they had fraternal twin babies (boy and girl) named “Bebichhichi” (ベビチッチ).Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Zone's centerpiece monument great for selfies. Meet the Monchicchi family. On January 26, 2004, the boy and girl Moncchichi got married on Moncchichi’s 30th anniversary. Apr 21, 2022
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Girl Monchicchi-chan greets you.Apr 21, 2022
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Boy Monchicchi-kun greets you.Apr 21, 2022
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This new Monchicchi Zone has 27 Monchicchi/Sekiguchi statues all donated by the Sekiguchi Koichi, company chairman.Apr 21, 2022
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Entrance to the new Monchicchi Zone at Monchicchi Park.Apr 21, 2022
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Bulletin board notice about Monchicchi Park unveiling its new expanded areas (Monchicchi Zone and Chibikko Hiroba) on April 2, 2022.Apr 21, 2022
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The park's main area (evacuation zone) is open 24/7, but Monchicchi Zone is gated and open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during April to September and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during Oct. to March. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Park is a local public park which also serves as an emergency evacuation zone where nearby residents can seek refuge if homes are damaged in a large earthquake, etc. The new Monchicchi Zone is on the left. モンチッチ公園Apr 21, 2022
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From the bus stop, follow the signs to the park entrance.Apr 21, 2022
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Get off here at Kami-Hiraicho stop (上平井町). Even the bus stop signs have Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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Shin-Koiwa Station's northeast Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops. Go to bus stop 12 to board the bus for Monchicchi Park. Every October, the Shin-Koiwa Station Tohoku Hiroba Festival is held here and Monchicchi also appears.Apr 21, 2022
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Shin-Koiwa Station's Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stop map near Shin-Koiwa Station. Go to bus stop 12 to take the bus to Monchicchi Park. This is on the north side of the station. Other bus stops are elsewhere.Apr 21, 2022
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Floral decoration at Shin-Koiwa Station and bus stops.Apr 21, 2022
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Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway floor tiles decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
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Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway floor tiles decorated with Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to the bus stops is decorated with Monchicchi. スカイデッキたつみ Apr 21, 2022
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About Monchicchi and Katsushika Ward/City.Apr 21, 2022
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Apr 21, 2022
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Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to the Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops is decorated with Monchicchi. スカイデッキたつみApr 21, 2022
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Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
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Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Apr 21, 2022
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Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. Way to the Skydeck Tatsumi walkway to the Tohoku Open Space Area (Tohoku Hiroba) bus stops near the train station.Apr 21, 2022
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JR Shin-Koiwa Station's North Entrance (JR Sobu Line). The stairs/escalator going up to the Skydeck Tatsumi pedestrian walkway to bus stops can be seen on the left.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi manhole cover near JR Shin-Koiwa Station. Moncchichi manhole covers were installed on both sides of the station in June 2017. Apr 21, 2022
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There's a boy and girl Monchicchi usually depicted as infants sucking their thumbs.Apr 21, 2022
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Back of the Moncchichi monuments in front of Shin-Koiwa Station, not to be confused with Koiwa Station. Shin-Koiwa Station is in Katsushika Ward while adjacent Koiwa Station is in Edogawa Ward. They are two different stations easy to mix up.Apr 21, 2022
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QR code for the Monchicchi web page.Apr 21, 2022
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Map to Monchicchi Park, about a 15-min. walk or short bus ride.Apr 21, 2022
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Also at JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance, a large signboard and map including directions to Monchicchi Park.Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Clock Tower in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance. Lights up in the evenings. Good place to meetup in Shin-Koiwa. モンチッチ時計塔Apr 21, 2022
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Monchicchi Clock Tower was installed in Oct. 2020 in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north entrance. Tower has stained glass Monchicchi artwork. モンチッチ時計塔Apr 21, 2022
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These Monchicchi monuments were donated by Sekiguchi Koichi, chairman of Sekiguchi Co., Ltd. which created Monchicchi.Apr 21, 2022
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Katsushika Ward/City appointed Moncchichi as Katsushika's "PR Manager" on Dec. 2, 2012. A de facto official mascot.Apr 21, 2022
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Another Monchicchi monument with seven smaller Monchicchi. These Monchicchi monuments are a good spot to meetup with friends at Shin-Koiwa Station. モンチッチ この指とまれ像Apr 21, 2022
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Back of the Monchicchi statue. Shin-Koiwa is where Sekiguchi Corporation, the toy company which invented Moncchichi, is based. モンチッチ像Apr 21, 2022
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Shin-Koiwa has been transformed into a Moncchichi town. Go to JR Shin-Koiwa Station (JR Sobu Line) and see Moncchichi most everywhere. Outdoor sculptures, manholes, clock tower, escalator handrails, and bus station signs.モンチッチモニュメントApr 21, 2022
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Bronze Monchicchi statue in front of JR Shin-Koiwa Station's north side (kitaguchi). Plaque reads "To all Monchicchi fans: With love and appreciation, Sekiguchi Koichi" These Moncchichi monuments were unveiled here on January 26, 2022. Apr 21, 2022
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Daruma dollsSep 18, 2016
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This shop was used in the early Tora-san films.Sep 18, 2016
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Shop called Toraya.Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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He will soon be accompanied by a statue of his sister Sakura.Sep 18, 2016
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Shibamata Station platformSep 18, 2016
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While carrying home my lucky beans, I was convinced that 2015 would be a great year.Sep 18, 2016
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They threw the beans and I put down my camera to catch another bag of beans.Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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The ogre, representing disease and misfortune, are about to be chased out. Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Monkeys are Taishakuten's messengers. They chased out the ogre before they start throwing the beans.Sep 18, 2016
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No celebrities except for a few sumo wrestlers.Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Oni ogres like to pose for photos.Sep 18, 2016
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After the first bean throwing session, people wait for the second one to start at 3 pm.Sep 18, 2016
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Bagged this bag of beans at Taishakuten.Sep 18, 2016
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Setsubun bean throwing at Taishakuten temple on Feb. 3.Sep 18, 2016
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Very civil, no pushing/shoving.Sep 18, 2016
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For the bean throwing, they did not allow anything other than your hands to catch the beans. No bags, boxes, umbrellas, etc.Sep 18, 2016
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At 2 pm, the bean throwers started throwing the beans.Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Ogre hanging out at the worship hall. This building has exquisite wood carvings on the exterior walls.Sep 18, 2016
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A wooden platform was constructed for the bean throwers. Great weather in 2015.Sep 18, 2016
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Setsubun bean throwing at 2 pm and 3 pm within the temple grounds.Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 18, 2016
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Red orgre (oni) at Taishakuten temple in Shibamata for setsubun on Feb. 3.Sep 18, 2016
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Another oni (ogre).Sep 18, 2016
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Taishakuten temple holds its annual setsubun bean throwing event on Feb. 3 in the afternoon. In 2015, they threw beans at 2 pm and 3 pm. About 10 min. each time.Sep 18, 2016
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Greeting us is a green ogre.Sep 18, 2016
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Gate to Taishakuten temple.Sep 18, 2016
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The Keisei Line train also had stickers advertising the iris festival.Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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BridgeAug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Tried to get irises and hydrangea in the same shot. Both flowers are associated with the month of June in most of Japan.Aug 21, 2008
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And hydrangeas.Aug 21, 2008
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Mizumoto Park also has a lotus pond.Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Paper lantern written with "Katsushika Iris Festival."Aug 21, 2008
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Former Edogawa RiverAug 21, 2008
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Panoramic shotAug 21, 2008
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About Japanese irisesAug 21, 2008
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Katsushika Iris Festival at Mizumoto Park in full bloom.Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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A wooden boardwalk is provided to view the irises.Aug 21, 2008
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Small signs next to the flowers indicated the flower's name.Aug 21, 2008
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Entertainment stage (I was too late to see any entertainment.)Aug 21, 2008
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Central plaza with food stalls.Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Aug 21, 2008
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Mizumoto Park is a huge park and the iris garden is also one of the largest.Aug 21, 2008
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Central entrance to Mizumoto ParkAug 21, 2008
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Poster for the Katsushika Shobu (Iris) Matsuri Festival held at Mizumoto Park and Horikiri Iris Garden. 葛飾菖蒲まつりAug 21, 2008
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I visited Horikiri Garden first, then dashed off to visit Mizumoto Park, a short bus ride from Kanamachi Station. From the bus stop, this little gate points the way to the park.Aug 21, 2008
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Another poem on a rock.Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Nagaragawa (Nagara River) irisJun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波Jun 27, 2008
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Hydrangea and irisesJun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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View from the top of the hill.Jun 27, 2008
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HydrangeaJun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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The garden's highest point has a small hut as seen on the left.Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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DuckyJun 27, 2008
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All the irises have interesting names like "Crane's Feathers."Jun 27, 2008
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The garden also has a restaurant and tea rooms.Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Poem on a rockJun 27, 2008
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All the iris patches are numbered.Jun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Horikiri Iris Garden, Katsushika, TokyoJun 27, 2008
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Jun 27, 2008
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Quite a crowd.Jun 27, 2008
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Horikiri has been famous for irises for centuries. Some hydrangea also in bloom.Jun 27, 2008
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There are little signs indicating the iris species. The non-scientific names are quite pretty. The irises are grown in numerous separate patches which are all number. The garden area is about 7,700 sq. meters.Jun 27, 2008
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Entrance to Horikiri Iris Garden. Free admission. Next to the entrance is a table with free maps of the garden and local area. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed during the year end and New Year's period.Jun 27, 2008
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Horikiri Iris Garden has about 200 varieties of irises and 6,000 iris plants. The garden is most famous for irises in June. However, the garden also has flowering plants throughout most of the year.Jun 27, 2008
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Horikiri Iris Garden paper lanternJun 27, 2008
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From the train station, just follow the paper lanterns.Jun 27, 2008
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Horikiri Shobuen Station on the Keisei Line from Ueno Station. The Horikiri Iris Garden is a short walk from here.Jun 27, 2008
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Main road to the iris garden.Jun 27, 2008
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JR Kameari Station platformFeb 21, 2007
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JR Kameari Station police boxFeb 21, 2007
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JR Kameari Station, north exitFeb 21, 2007
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JR Kameari Station, south exitFeb 21, 2007
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Policeman character from the famous manga series, KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops.Feb 21, 2007
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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
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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
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The boats operate on weekends. Fare is 100 yen one way.Feb 21, 2007
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Feb 21, 2007
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Yagiri no Watashi boat dockFeb 21, 2007
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To Yagiri no WatashiFeb 21, 2007
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Edogawa River. Visiting Shibamata will enable you to appreciate and understand the local settings used to film the Tora-san series.Feb 21, 2007
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Many movie scenes were filmed along this riverbank.Feb 21, 2007
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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
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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
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Tora-san souvenir shopFeb 21, 2007
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