Image search results - "Sand" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "Sand"

Verse 2 Lyrics (Omatsu/Omi-Maiko)　二番の英訳（雄松"Pine trees are very green, on sands very white.
Omatsugasato is, a young maiden's home.
Bush of red camellia, hides her teary face.
She's weeping o'er a lost love, much too short to last.

松は緑に　砂白き
雄松が里の　乙女子は
赤い椿の　森蔭に
はかない恋に　泣くとかや
Matsu wa midori ni, suna shiroki
Omatsugasato no, otomego wa
Akai tsubaki no, morikage ni
Hakanai koi ni, naku toka ya

Omi-Maiko is still famous for white sand beaches and pine trees. In summer these beaches are cluttered with people trying to get a tan.

See more photos of Omi-Maiko here.

"Pine trees are very green, on sands very white." Omi-Maiko

White sands of Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Otsu, Shiga

Ripples lap white sands of Omi-Maiko.

Pine trees at Omi-Maiko

Kyoto University Rowing Club arrive at Omi-Maiko in Aug. 2006 during their annual Lake Biwa rowing trip.

Omatsu "Famous Place" marker

Sandwiches

Behind Hozomon Gate is a pair of giant straw sandals hanging on the wall.

Giant straw sandal.

Look at their footwear. They are wearing a pair of waraji straw sandals.

Amanohashidate is northern Kyoto's main attraction and very famous for centuries as one of Japan's Scenic Trio (Nihon Sankei 日本三景). The other two in the scenic trio are Miyajima (vermillion torii and shrine on the ocean) in Hiroshima and Matsushima (pine tree islands) near Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. It's about 3.6 km long, totally flat, and you can cross it on foot or by bicycle (rentals available) on a dirt road in the middle. The road is lined with thousands of Japanese pine trees and closed to vehicular traffic. This view is from the northern end atop Kasamatsu Park. Near Amanohashidate Station.

The thing about Amanohashidate is that it looks very different from different lookout points. The most popular spots to view Amanohashidate are on the hilltop on the southern end and northern end.If you have time, I highly recommend that you see it from both the southern end and northern ends. Which means you should rent a bicycle and ride across Amanohashidate.

This is from the hilltop on the southern end, from a small amusement park called Amanohashidate Viewland easily accessible via chair lift or cable car, and a short walk from Amanohashidate Station. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/yNhxjwK2ocz

This southern end connects to mainland Japan, so what you see in the distance is Tango Peninsula up north.

The left side is the west side with an enclosed, but connected ocean named Asoumi Sea. The right side is the east side with white-sand beaches facing the open ocean. Ships can still go through both sides of the sandbar through a narrow strait on the southern end.

The greenery area on the lower left facing the sandbar is Chionji Temple.

Windsurfing at Onjuku

The beach sand is very fine.

A few hotels overlook the beach.

Monument for "Desert of the Moon," a famous children's song created on Onjuku Beach in 1923 by Kato Masao (加藤まさを). (Tsuki no Sabaku) 月の沙漠

Looks like a sand dune, but it's solid concrete looking like sand.

A prince and princess on camels. This monument was built in 1969. 月の沙漠

Princess on camel

Onjuku Beach

Iwase took many precious photos of these young and old hardworking women. He put them in a book called Groups of Women Ama Divers. They were topless because it felt more comfortable.

The Sands of Tottori. Every prefecture has something nationally (and sometimes internationally) famous. In the case of Tottori, it's definitely the sand dunes (sakyu in Japanese).It's on the beach facing the Sea of Japan. The dunes were formed by the ocean currents that deposited the sand on the coast for 100,000 years or so. I find that amazing since most of the beaches I know have the ocean currents eat away the sand.

The Tottori Sand Dunes is in the city of Tottori, a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.

This is what I saw when I arrived at the sand dunes. Sand all over this parking lot across the road from the dunes.

This man told me that this happens only when there are strong winds. I was relieved to hear that it wasn't every day.

Although the sand dunes are shrinking, there's still lots of sand here.

The sand is quite solid, not soft like beach sand on Waikiki.

Wind-blown footprints.

Tottori Sand Dunes looked like this when I first visited years ago. The shape does not seem to change.

Camel rides even. Seem to be a good business, but they don't go very far.

The San'in coast has lots of little islands and rocks. This is Japan's No. 1 sand dunes for tourists. Quite white and convenient to get here.

This sandy hill is named "The Horse's Back" because it's similar in shape. It's the most touristy part of the sand dunes.

When you see the Tottori Sand Dunes, you'll see tiny humans way out in the distance. They look to be far, far away, but the distance is surprisingly close.Maybe only a 10- or 15-min. walk away. Depending on whether you climb the dunes or not.

Looks steep.

The sand dunes can be pretty steep, but not dangerous. They have downhill sand boarding.

Tottori Sand Dunes are very photogenic, and many photographers have used it for artistic shoots.

From the top of the dune.

The steepest part looks to be around 40˚. There are more gradual slopes that you can easily go up and reach the top.

Kids love to climb the slopes.

Over many years, strong winds blew the ocean sand onto the beach to form the Tottori Sand dunes.

The first time I visited Tottori was in summer so the sand and sun were too hot to walk across to the ocean. No problem in winter so I finally got to see the ocean beyond the dunes.

Very dramatic ocean at Tottori Sand Dunes.

Bus stop to go back to Tottori Station.

Entrance to Tottori Sand Dunes

Across the road from the Tottori sand dunes is The Sand Museum exhibiting incredible giant sand sculptures. The Sand Museum opened in 2012 and it's the world's first and only museum dedicated to sand sculptures.The Sand Museum holds a sand sculpture exhibition from April to early January every year featuring a different country or region outside Japan. In 2017, the theme was the U.S.A.

The Sand Museum is a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.

Sculpture outside the museum entrance.

Sand Museum entrance.

Sand Museum entrance had a sculpture of a dog since 2018 was the Year of the Dog.

Entrance to exhibition area.

Inside the Sand Museum in Tottori. Giant sand sculptures all representing the USA.

The exhibition had 19 large and medium-size sculptures showcasing a major aspect of Americana, centering mostly on people.

The sculptures were created by professional sand sculptors (didn't know there was such an occupation) mostly from overseas.

Centerpiece sand sculpture when you enter the Sand Museum.

This sand sculpture's theme was "Hollywood" in the 1950s-60s. John Wayne, Laurel and Hardy, Lucille Ball (I think). Tottori Sand Museum in 2017.

Closeup of Marilyn Monroe in sand. That's her dress in "The Seven Year Itch." Tottori Sand Museum.

Closeup of Marilyn Monroe sand sculpure.

Charlie Chaplin

John Wayne sand sculpture.

Laurel sand sculpture.

Hardy sand sculpture.

Lucille Ball sand sculpture. Or maybe it's Judy Garland.

About "Hollywood."

The sand sculptures are made with tightly packed sand (minimal air between the grains). They don't use any adhesive. Just sand and water packed in a wooden mold, then carved.They don't use any reinforcing frames inside the sculptures either. So it's quite common for parts of the sculpture to fall off or break while the artist is making it.

It takes a few weeks to complete a large sculpture. After the exhibition ends, the sculptures are sadly destroyed and the sand is reused for the next exhibition.

Behind the Hollywood sculpture was the New York sculpture.

Statue of Liberty Sand sculpture.

About New York Sand sculpture.

American junk food sand sculpture. Titled "American Life."

Hamburger and ice cream float.

About "American Life."

American sports sand sculpture.

Tennis player and volleyball player sand sculptures.

Tennis player sand sculpture.

Football player sand sculpture.

It didn't depict anyone recognizable.

Boxer sand sculpture.

About "American Sports."

American music, especially jazz. Looks like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.

Ella Fitzgerald sand sculpture.

About "American Music."

The theme for this was "Prosperity and expansion to the world" with the Panama Canal as one example.

President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture. Mr. Rough Rider himself. Look at how detailed it is. Notice the veins on his hand.

President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture in Tottori.

About "Prosperity and expansion to the world."

Thomas Edison, American inventor sand sculpture.

Thomas Edison, American inventor.

About American Invention and Industrialization.

Rear part of the museum.

Based on the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" about slavery.

Looks like Gilligan from Gilligan's Island (Bob Denver).

About "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

Toward the rear of the museum was Mt. Rushmore in sand.

Civil War and Abe Lincoln sand sculpture.

Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.

About "Civil War and Abraham Lincoln."

Signing the Declaration of Independence.

Signing the Declaration of Independence, sand sculpture in Tottori.

Ben Franklin.

About "Declaration of Independence."

Mt. Rushmore sand sculpture.

Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.

Devil's Tower in sand.

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture. Very impressive.

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.

George Washington sand sculpture.

George Washington was in two sculptures.

This pit in the middle features a water-related sculpture.

Gold Rush sand sculptures.

About "Gold Rush."

Native Americans sand sculpture.

Native American sand sculpture. Very realistic.

About "Native Americans."

Wildlife

Bison

Bear

Ram

"The Wild West" sand sculpture.

"The Wild West"

About the "The Wild West."

American space exploration with the old Space Shuttle.

American astronaut.

About America's Space Program.

American Art

Andy Warhol sand sculpture complete with cans of Campbell soup.

About "American Art"

Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures.

Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. This was the Hawaiian one protected by a tarp.

Hawaiian sand sculpture with a surfer on a wave joined by...

Hula dancers. Nice that Hawaii was the only US state that got its own sculpture. Very appropriate since it's the closest one to Japan.

Complete with tikis.

Hawaiian hula sand sculpture in Tottori.

However, the Hawaiian sculpture's explanation was disappointing. As you can see, it doesn't mention Hawaii's special relationship with Japan and the fact that hula is very popular in Japan. Not to mention that Tottori Prefecture also has a hot spring resort named "Hawai Onsen" (羽合温泉) where they hold a hula festival every summer.

Nearby was another hula sculpture still in progress. I didn't understand why he was still working on this when this USA sand sculpture exhibition would end a few days after my visit. This USA sand sculpture exhibition ended on Jan. 3, 2018.