 Last additions - Lake Toya (Toyako) 洞爺湖 |
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sticker on a bus window in Sapporo.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Welcome banner on a building in Sapporo.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sticker on a bus window in Sapporo.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit potato confection.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown at the former Hokkaido Government Building.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit sign inside the former Hokkaido Government Building.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown in front of Sapporo Station.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: ManjuMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit confectionMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: Confections sold at the train station kioskMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: Eco-bagMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: PinsMay 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: T-shirtsMay 20, 2008
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Environmental poster.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: Key chains for all the G8 Summit countries.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign in Sobetsu.May 20, 2008
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This box of cookies show all the G8 Summit leaders bathing in a hot spring and scrubbing each other's backs. They also say, "Ii yu!" (great hot spring) which is pronounced "EU" as a pun.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Usuzan Ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Sobetsu Town Hall with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign. Sobetsu fronts the east shore of Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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The Usuzan Ropeway terminal has gift shops selling a variety of G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise. T-shirts, bags, candy, etc.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Mt. Showa-Shinzan.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on entrance of Toya Mizunoeki, a shopping and rest house in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome banner at a gas station in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Usuzan Ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Personal computers for public use inside Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya. Notice the G8 Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on window of Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Visitors Center and Volcano Science Museum in Toyako Onsen Spa.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Culture Center with G8 Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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Official logo of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit on the Toyako Culture Center.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown at Toyako Visitors Center and Volcano Science Museum in Toyako Onsen Spa.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on the edge of Toyako Onsen hot spring.May 20, 2008
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The Windsor Hotel, G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit venue is on a hill overlooking the lake. Below is a lake cruise boat.May 20, 2008
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By early May, police already started to invade the Lake Toya area.May 20, 2008
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The lake cruise boat with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.May 20, 2008
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On the shore of Lake Toya is binoculars through which you can see the Summit venue, the Windsor Hotel.May 20, 2008
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Next to Toya Station is the Toyako Town Hall, also with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Onsen Spa tourist information office with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.May 20, 2008
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Glass door with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sticker.May 20, 2008
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Ticket office inside JR Toya Station with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Town Hall, front side, festooned with G8 Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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Welcome sign in front of JR Toya Station, the closest train station to Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Ticket office inside JR Toya Station. Notice the G8 Summit flags.May 20, 2008
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The train to Lake Toya is also decorated with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.May 20, 2008
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown.May 20, 2008
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.May 20, 2008
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.May 20, 2008
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Inside New Chitose Airport at the check-in terminal, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.May 20, 2008
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New Chitose Airport, another welcome sign as we head for the baggage claim area.May 20, 2008
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New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's main gateway, is the first place you see G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs. As we get off (or get on) the plane.May 20, 2008
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New Chitose Airport, another welcome sign as we head for the baggage claim area.May 20, 2008
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This refrigerated warehouse for vegetables uses winter snow as the coolant, reducing the electricity bill.May 20, 2008
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Inside the refrigerated warehouse. There are two large rooms, one is filled with snow (seen in the back wall) and the other has the produce.May 20, 2008
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Near the Silo Lookput Point is this large refrigerated warehouse for vegetables operated by the Toya JA agricultural cooperative. 野菜貯蔵用雪蔵（雪エネルギー利用)May 20, 2008
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Snow in the refrigerated warehouse. In winter, they use a snow plow/blower to shoot the snow into the room. The temperature is adjusted by ceiling fans and the wall shutters which can open or close.May 20, 2008
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For nitrate.May 20, 2008
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For Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).May 20, 2008
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After the water testing is done, they throw back the water into the lake.May 20, 2008
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Color charts are used to assess the water quality. This is for phosphoric acid.May 20, 2008
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The students do various tests, each one does a specific task. 洞爺高等学校May 20, 2008
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With buckets and water testing kits, they do their testing.May 20, 2008
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One girl takes notes as the others give her their test results.May 20, 2008
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Near the Toya Mizunoeki is Toya High School whose Environment Club regularly take water samples from Lake Toya to test the lake's water quality. They go behind the Toya Mozunoeki and take water samples with plastic buckets.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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View of Mt. Usu and Showa-Shinzan (left) from Sobetsu Park.May 20, 2008
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Picture-taking pointMay 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms at the top of Sobetsu Park.May 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms and plum tress. They bloom almost at the same time in Hokkaido.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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At the top of the park's hill is a lookout deck. However, you can also walk on the slope and see the plum blossoms up close.May 20, 2008
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Flowers on the ground.May 20, 2008
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Plum trees closer to the sun were blooming earlier.May 20, 2008
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Sobetsu Park and plum blossoms overlooking Lake Toya, Hokkaido.May 20, 2008
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During early to mid-May, the plum blossoms bloom.May 20, 2008
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Sobetsu Park gives great views of Lake Toya and the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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When I went in early May, it was a little too soon for the plum blossoms which were just beginning to bloom.May 20, 2008
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On the eastern shore of Lake Toya in Sobetsu town, there's an uphill road off the lakeside road. It goes up to Sobetsu Park, a hillside park full of plum trees.May 20, 2008
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The road is too steep to ride a bicycle, but short enough to walk it. You will be sweating though.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: T-shirtsMay 20, 2008
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This box of cookies show all the G8 Summit leaders bathing in a hot spring and scrubbing each other's backs. They also say, "Ii yu!" (great hot spring) which is pronounced "EU" as a pun.May 20, 2008
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The Usuzan Ropeway terminal has gift shops selling a variety of G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise. T-shirts, bags, candy, etc.May 20, 2008
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Ropeway terminalMay 20, 2008
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Heading back to the ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: PinsMay 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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View of Date city and the ocean.May 20, 2008
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Another hiking trail goes closer to Ginnuma Crater for a better view.May 20, 2008
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The hiking trail goes along the rim of Ginnuma Crater. Most people don't go that far. 銀沼大火口May 20, 2008
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Ropeway terminalMay 20, 2008
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Going back down on the Usuzan Ropeway.May 20, 2008
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View of Showa-Shinzan and ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Mt. Usu Crater lookout deck on the top of the hill. 有珠山火口原展望台May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Lava dome on Mt. Usu. This volcano has erupted four times in the 20th century: 1910, 1943-45, 1977-78, and 2000 (on the west side called Nishiyama).May 20, 2008
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Mt. Usu's Ginnuma Crater, one of the largest. It was created during the 1977 eruption. 銀沼大火口May 20, 2008
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During the last eruption in 2000, Toyako Onsen was damaged by the debris. But no one died because everyone had been evacuated. A series of tell-tale earthquakes prompted the evacuation.May 20, 2008
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Path to Ginnuma CraterMay 20, 2008
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Alpine flowersMay 20, 2008
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You can see the road (and youth hostel) where you turn right to reach Showa-Shinzan.May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya as seen from Mt. Usu.May 20, 2008
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This lookout point is for viewing the Ginnuma Crater.May 20, 2008
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Mt. Usu Crater lookout deck on the top of the hill. 有珠山火口原展望台May 20, 2008
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From the ropeway terminal is a path to another hill which has another lookout point.May 20, 2008
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Lava dome on Mt. UsuzanMay 20, 2008
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Mt. Showa-Shinzan as seen from Mt. Usu.May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya's bald spot.May 20, 2008
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Showa-Shinzan closeup. Still steaming.May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya as seen from Mt. Usu.May 20, 2008
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View of Lake Toya from the ropeway car.May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya lookout deck on Mt. Usu, near the ropeway terminal. Showa-Shinzan clearly in sight. 洞爺湖展望台May 20, 2008
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Lookout deck on Mt. Usu, near the ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Toyako lookout deck on Mt. Usu, near the ropeway terminal. 洞爺湖展望台May 20, 2008
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View of Lake Toya from the ropeway car.May 20, 2008
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Showa-Shinzan gets smaller.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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The ropeway distance is 1370 meters. It takes only 6 min. to reach Mt. Usu. The roundtrip ropeway fare is 1,450 yen for adults, 730 yen for kids.May 20, 2008
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Usuzan Ropeway, Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Leaving the ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Usuzan Ropeway car holds over 100 people.May 20, 2008
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Usuzan Ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Usuzan Ropeway terminal on the left.May 20, 2008
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Mt. Usu is on the left, Showa-Shinzan on the right. In the background is the conical Mt. Yotei. Between Usu and Showa-Shinzan is the tourist village and the Usuzan Ropeway terminal.May 20, 2008
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Park at the foot of Showa-Shinzan which means "New Mountain of the Showa Period." Showa-Shinzan is adjacent to Mt. Usu.May 20, 2008
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A tourist village called Kazan-mura (Volcano Village) has developed at the foot of Showa-Shinzan. 火山村May 20, 2008
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Statue of Masao Mimatsu.May 20, 2008
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Statue of Masao Mimatsu, a post office worker who observed and documented the development of Showa-Shinzan. His records are valuable.May 20, 2008
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We cannot climb Showa-Shinzan.May 20, 2008
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The closest we can go is this park at the foot.May 20, 2008
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Mt. Showa-Shinzan is a lava dome which arose in the middle of farm land in 1943-45. Lake Toya, Hokkaido.May 20, 2008
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There's a large parking lot full of tourists.May 20, 2008
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Road to Showa-Shinzan. That's the Showa-Shinzan Youth Hostel on the right. Best way to get to Showa-Shinzan is by bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal.May 20, 2008
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Distance-wise, Showa-Shinzan is not very far. But the killer slope will get you... At least the return bike ride was a thrill and very quick.May 20, 2008
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After a long walk uphill with a bicycle, Showa-Shinzan is in sight. Showa-Shinzan is in the town of Sobetsu.May 20, 2008
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Buses from Toyako Onsen don't run very often, so check the bus timetable beforehand. I opted to rent a bicycle and rode to Showa-Shinzan. Unless you like to push a bicycle up a very long slope for about 30 min., take a bus.May 20, 2008
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View of the Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: To the Shore in Summer, by 神田比呂子「夏～渚へ」May 20, 2008
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Swans along Lake Toya, Sobetsu, HokkaidoMay 20, 2008
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Kimundo-no-Ie Hot Spring and campsite.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Winter: When Stars Fall, by 小野寺紀子「冬～星降る夜に」. A persistent problem is the bird droppings forming ugly white streaks on the pieces. Someone should clean it.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: All-Day Autumn, by 秋山知子「秋～終日」May 20, 2008
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Lakeside road on eastern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Spring Winds Blowing, by 熊谷紀子「春～風走る」May 20, 2008
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Sobetsu Town Hall with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.May 20, 2008
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Kimundo-no-Ie Hot Spring and campsite office. You can bath in a hot spring for 390 yen here. Open 10 am - 9 pm. Closed Thu. Phone: 0142-66-7022 来夢人の家、仲洞爺湖温泉May 20, 2008
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Another red torii.May 20, 2008
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View of Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.May 20, 2008
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Passed by two small Shinto shrines...May 20, 2008
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The main reason for the side trip was this museum, the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall, dedicated to one of sumo's greatest grand champions. He was from Sobetsu.May 20, 2008
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More arrows point downward to show where the road edge is, when there is deep snow.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Spring Winds Blowing, by 熊谷紀子「春～風走る」May 20, 2008
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BeefMay 20, 2008
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This river leads to Sobetsu Falls.May 20, 2008
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Arrows point downward to show where the road edge is, when there is deep snow.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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After pushing my bicycle up the long slope from central Sobetsu, I went back on the lakeside road and again went uphill to Sobetsu Park, famous for ume plum trees.May 20, 2008
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I left the lakeside road and took a side trip to the center of Sobetsu town.May 20, 2008
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Eastern Lake Toya, with Mt. Usu in the distance.May 20, 2008
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Eastern Lake Toya, with Mt. Usu in the distance.May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Sobetsu Falls, Lake Toya, Hokkaido.May 20, 2008
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Eastern Lake Toya, with pretty lake colors.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」May 20, 2008
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Lake Toya and cherry blossoms. Shikotsu-Toya National ParkMay 20, 2008
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Little island in the lake. Name unknown.May 20, 2008
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Toyako Enchi Park, a lakeside picnic area.May 20, 2008
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Finally, cherry blossoms near the lake water...May 20, 2008
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Aqua-blue water was almost like a tropical ocean...May 20, 2008
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Road to Mt. Showa-Shinzan.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」May 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms and Lake Toya with the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture in Toyako Enchi Park: Ripple Dance, by 関 正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」May 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Ripple Dance, by 関 正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」May 20, 2008
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Nice cycling path goes quite far.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」May 20, 2008
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One thing I like about photographing human-figure sculptures is that they are very good at keeping still for my camera.May 20, 2008
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Carp fishMay 20, 2008
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Sculpture: Posing for a Photo in May, by 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」May 20, 2008
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More cherry blossoms...May 20, 2008
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Love this transparent water. Makes you feel like canoeing or kayaking to the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Carp, they must love this clean lake.May 20, 2008
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Close-up of cherry blossoms. Doesn't look like the Somei-Yoshino type.May 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands.May 20, 2008
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Windsor Hotel in the distance.May 20, 2008
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The water is very transparent.May 20, 2008
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Swan boat too.May 20, 2008
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Cherry trees almost in full bloom.May 20, 2008
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It was pretty sunny, but I still used flash for this shot.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」May 20, 2008
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Rocky shoreMay 20, 2008
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Sculpture: 中井延也「シグナル」 May 20, 2008
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Cherry blossoms and sculptureMay 20, 2008
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Cherry blossomsMay 20, 2008
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If you want to bicycle around Lake Toya, do it in the counterclockwise direction from Toyako Onsen where you can rent a bicycle. It's easier slope-wise and you can see the lake better on the left side of the road.May 20, 2008
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Sculpture: 奥山喜生「回峰」 May 20, 2008
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These pictures show what you will see when you cycle east from Toyako Onsen. I did it during cherry blossom time in early May. You can cycle around in 3 hours, but it took me all day due to sightseeing and shooting photos.May 20, 2008
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Miniature golf courseMay 20, 2008
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Power generation machineryMay 20, 2008
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Kitanoumi souvenirs for sale.May 20, 2008
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Typical abode of early Hokkaido settlers who first came to this area in 1879.May 20, 2008
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Local wildlife exhibit, including the Ezo deer.May 20, 2008
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When I got to the museum, the parking lot was quite full. It seemed that the museum was really popular. But most of them were there to play at the miniature golf course next to the museum.May 20, 2008
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Natural history exhibitMay 20, 2008
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May 20, 2008
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Artifacts from the defunct local Iburi rail line discontinued in 1986. There was a Sobetsu Station.May 20, 2008
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Photos of other tournament champions. Six official 15-day sumo tournaments are held every year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.May 20, 2008
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Sacred offerings buried in the dohyo before each tournament.May 20, 2008
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Artifacts of early Hokkaido settlers.May 20, 2008
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Referee costumes in the showcase.May 20, 2008
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The other half of the building is the Sobetsu History Museum. This panel shows how Lake Toya was formed.May 20, 2008
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Kitanoumi-beya stable sign at top, and various award certificates.May 20, 2008
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