Last additions - GUNMA 群馬県 |
Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.Jul 17, 2016
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Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.Jul 17, 2016
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Steps to the garden below.Jul 17, 2016
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About IrwinJul 17, 2016
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Near the Irwin villa is a replica of a stone monument at Irwin's gravesite at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Inscribed with a short biography of Robert Walker Irwin.Jul 17, 2016
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Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.Jul 17, 2016
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Behind the museum, this tree is dedicated to Dottie Thompson, founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii (Ikaho's sister city).Jul 17, 2016
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Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.Jul 17, 2016
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Floor plan shows the original summer villa in Ikaho. The red portion is the part that remains today. The rest of the building was torn down due to age.Jul 17, 2016
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Top panel shows the floor layout of Irwin's original Ikaho summer home. Bottom panel shows pictures of the present house being disassembled Jul 17, 2016
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Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.Jul 17, 2016
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Wife Iki's winter coat.Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin's furniture.Jul 17, 2016
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Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.Jul 17, 2016
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A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.Jul 17, 2016
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Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.Jul 17, 2016
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Letter of condolence from Bella Irwin to the Chigira family written in romanized Japanese. The Chigira family operated an inn near the Irwin summer villa.Jul 17, 2016
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Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.Jul 17, 2016
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Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.Jul 17, 2016
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Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.Jul 17, 2016
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The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.Jul 17, 2016
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.Jul 17, 2016
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Old 1902 map of Ikaho.Jul 17, 2016
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Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin family portrait and a travel permit that was required for foreigners to travel within Japan.Jul 17, 2016
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Left panel is about the Irwin family in Ikaho. Right panel is about Sophia "Bella" Arabella, Robert Irwin's eldest child.Bella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.Jul 17, 2016
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Wife Iki's belongings. Iki wrote a poem on the upper left fan. Lower right are a few tourist souvenirs (Postcards and hand towel) Iki bought.Jul 17, 2016
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Wife Iki's belongings. Lower left is Iki's small dagger in a red case. Iki was from a samurai family.Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin's decorative saber.Jul 17, 2016
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Certificate for the 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (勲二等旭日重光章) Irwin received on Oct. 4, 1886. But the museum does not have the medal.Jul 17, 2016
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Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.Jul 17, 2016
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Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.Jul 17, 2016
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Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.Jul 17, 2016
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Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.Jul 17, 2016
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Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.Jul 17, 2016
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Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.Jul 17, 2016
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Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.Jul 17, 2016
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Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.Jul 17, 2016
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They don't allow photography inside the museum.Jul 17, 2016
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Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.Jul 17, 2016
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The Irwin Guidance Facility has exhibits about Robert Walker Irwin, his Hawaii connection, and his life in Ikaho. A short video introduces him here.Jul 17, 2016
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Guidance FacilityJul 17, 2016
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Jul 17, 2016
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Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.Jul 17, 2016
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Map of the Irwin Park.Jul 17, 2016
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The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.Jul 17, 2016
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Jul 17, 2016
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View of garden from second floor.Jul 17, 2016
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Second floor Jul 17, 2016
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After Irwin died, the house was sold to Kodansha, a publishing company, and used for employee training. Eventually, the house was acquired by Gunma Prefecture and later by Ikaho/Shibukawa.Jul 17, 2016
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After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.Jul 17, 2016
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Second floor has tatami mats. The second floor is open to the public only on weekends and during the hula festival in summer.Jul 17, 2016
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Robert Irwin spent his summers in Ikaho from when he bought the villa in 1891 until 1925 when he died. It was an inn when he bought it.Jul 17, 2016
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This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.Jul 17, 2016
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First floor of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho. When the house was moved, it was disassembled and repaired before reassembly.Jul 17, 2016
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The Irwin house and museum are open 9 am to 4:30 pm (enter by 4:15 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 28–Jan. 4.Jul 17, 2016
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About the "Minister's Villa of the Former Kingdom of Hawaii" ハワイ王国公使別邸 (英語がちょっと変)地元の子供達の英語教育を担当している教育委員会の英文は特にしっかりしたものにして欲しいですね。こんな英語で手本にもならないし、英語の勉強にもならない。読む外国人さんも笑わせる。Jul 17, 2016
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If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.Getting here: From the Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at JR Shinjuku Station (near South Exit) in Tokyo, there are JR buses to Ikaho, taking 2.5 hours. Get off at the Ikaho Ishidangai stop (伊香保石段街) at the bottom of the Stone Steps. Day trippers can store luggage in the nearby lockers. Irwin's villa is a short distance up the Stone Steps on the right side.Jul 17, 2016
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho, next to the Stone Steps. He was the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century. He coordinated the immigration of Japanese to Hawaii. ロバート W. アルウイン別邸Jul 17, 2016
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer villa was moved to its present and original location in fall 2013. Map here.Jul 17, 2016
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This modest building is only part of what was a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Open to the public, free admission.Jul 17, 2016
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In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ王国公使別邸Jul 17, 2016
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Ikaho mascotJul 16, 2016
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Inside waiting roomJul 16, 2016
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Waiting room near the bus stop.Jul 16, 2016
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Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps to go back to Shinjuku, Tokyo.Jul 16, 2016
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Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Behind Ikaho Shrine, you can walk further to an outdoor bath near the spring water's origin.Jul 16, 2016
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About Ikaho ShrineJul 16, 2016
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Secondary shrinesJul 16, 2016
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Poetry monumentsJul 16, 2016
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Lots of stone lanterns at Ikaho Shrine.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho ShrineJul 16, 2016
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Ikaho ShrineJul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Shrine's ema tablets to write your wishes.Jul 16, 2016
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Seems to contain a mikoshi portable shrine.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Shrine is dedicated to the god of the hot spring and medical treatment.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Jinja Shrine's main buildingJul 16, 2016
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Ikaho ShrineJul 16, 2016
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Approaching Ikaho Shrine at the top of the Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Map of Ikaho in the old days.Jul 16, 2016
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Oriental zodiac creatures along the steps. Each of the 12 zodiac creatures indicate the location of the original 12 inns built in the 16th century to heal Takeda Katsuyori's soldiers.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho souvenir shopJul 16, 2016
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Kirie cut-out picture of Ikaho Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Gunma-chan horse mascotJul 16, 2016
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In Aug. 2004, along with other major onsen hot springs, Ikaho got caught in a major onsen scandal which started in Shirahone Onsen in Nagano. Onsen managers mixed in tap water and/or bath salts into the water and billed it as natural hot spring waters.Some of Ikaho's major hot spring inns were also found to be adding bath salts or tap water to the hot spring water. Today, all onsen inns must display a certificate indicating the content of their water.Jul 16, 2016
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Hot spring bath in a large hotel in Ikaho.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho foot bath courtesy of a local inn.Jul 16, 2016
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Free foot bath courtesy of a local inn.Jul 16, 2016
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Engraved on the steps here is a poem titled “Ikaho no Machi” (Town of Ikaho) by Akiko Yosano (1878-1942).Jul 16, 2016
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Jul 16, 2016
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Tanabata wishes around July 7 along the Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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TanabataJul 16, 2016
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Ishidan-no-Yu public bath sign. Open 9:00-21:00 (April to October), 9:00-20:30 (November to March), Closed on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.Jul 16, 2016
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Lounge inside Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.Jul 16, 2016
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View from the Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.Jul 16, 2016
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Along the way is this hot spring public bath called Ishidan-no-Yu. For people who are not staying in any of the inns, they can still dip into Ikaho's hot spring waters for cheap.Jul 16, 2016
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On the right is where you can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Rubber duckies won at the shooting arcade game.Jul 16, 2016
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You can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps. Not really a shrine.Jul 16, 2016
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Jul 16, 2016
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94th step of 300+ steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Checkpoint. In the old days, travelers could not travel around freely, they had to show travel permits at these checkpoints along the road.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Checkpoint was at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The bottom of the Stone Steps has since been extended more downward.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Checkpoint gate.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Checkpoint gate and Irwin summer home in the background.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Checkpoint (Ikaho Onsekisho) is right above the Irwin summer home.Jul 16, 2016
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About Toyo Matsugane.Jul 16, 2016
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Monument for Toyo Matsugane (1878–1964), a poet. 松根 東洋城Jul 16, 2016
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View from Irwin GardenJul 16, 2016
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Lookout point at the garden.Jul 16, 2016
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Irwin GardenJul 16, 2016
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Slightly up the Stone Steps is this outdoor stage where they hold hula performances in summer.Jul 16, 2016
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History of the Ikaho Stone Steps. The Stone Steps were first built in 1576 by daimyo Takeda Katsuyori after he lost to Nobunaga and Ieyasu at the Battle of Nagashino.He ordered the Sanada Clan to build the Stone Steps and have Ikaho's hot spring water flow down to feed 12 inns where Takeda's wounded soldiers could heal their wounds.Jul 16, 2016
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Looking at the bottom of the Ikaho Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Onsen Stone StepsJul 16, 2016
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Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The flowing water is hot.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho's spring water runs right below these Stone Steps and you can see it at a few places such as this cascade.Jul 16, 2016
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Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho's Stone Steps (Ishidan) go through the middle of the main part of Ikaho. Go up 365 steps to the top with a few breaks along the way. About 300 meters lined with shops and inns.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho is famous for these Stone Steps (Ishidan) which is the town's main drag. This is at the foot of the steps.Jul 16, 2016
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At the bottom of the Stone Steps is a waiting room and luggage lockers.Jul 16, 2016
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The Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop is at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The Ikaho Onsen bus stop is near other inns.Jul 16, 2016
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From Tokyo's Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at Shinjuku Station, it takes about 2 hr. 40 min. to Ikaho, costing about ¥2400.Jul 16, 2016
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From Tokyo, going by bus is more convenient than by train. By train from Tokyo, you need to take the shinkansen to Takasaki, transfer trains to Shibukawa, then take a bus to Ikaho.This is the Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho Onsen is a well-known hot spring resort in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. It is on hilly terrain, near mountains, making it cooler than Tokyo in summer.Jul 16, 2016
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Ikaho was a favored summer retreat for the Imperial family and political figures in the late 19th century. Ukiyoe print of Ikaho.Jul 16, 2016
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Tatebayashi Station platformMay 23, 2014
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Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.May 23, 2014
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Love red and white flowers at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.May 23, 2014
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I was going to overdose on azalea. Had never seen so much azalea in my life. Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.May 23, 2014
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Now this is an entrance to Tsutsuji-en, a long, slim azalea garden. I walked through this on the way back.May 23, 2014
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The occasional white azalea give your eyes a break from all the bright colors.May 23, 2014
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Poplar tree and azaleaMay 23, 2014
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My friend in Tatebayashi tells me, "The legend of the azalea park is that the lord of Tatebayashi, Sakakibara Yasumasa, had a mistress named Otsuji.The wife was jealous of her and gave her such a hard time that Otsuji threw herself into Lake Jonuma and died. Since her name sounded like tsutsuji, the lord planted the garden to console her soul."May 23, 2014
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The hill also has a few azalea tunnels.May 23, 2014
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A few azalea bushes had passed their peak.May 23, 2014
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Tanuki sighting near Lake JonumaMay 23, 2014
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Rest house on Tsutsujigaoka.May 23, 2014
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Tsutsujigaoka Park, TatebayashiMay 23, 2014
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