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

Image search results - "car"

Held during late April to early May, Kanna's Koinobori festival of carp streamers is this town's claim to fame. About 800 colorful carp streamers swim in the sky above a river. Strings of carp streamers viewable from the road.

From late April to early May, five long strings of giant carp streamers swim in the air high above the Sagami River in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. This event was started in 1988.

Strings of carp streamers latched to the ground from the mountaintop.

There are five rows of streamers. In Japan, the koi carp is regarded as a symbol of valiant manhood because it swims up the river against the rapids.

Eight strings of carp streamers hover over the river.

The cable length is 250 meters and 13mmm thick. There are about 1,200 carp streamers. They are reused every year and donated by local families. (I also noticed a few advertising carps.)

These pictures were taken in May 2003, when Kanna-machi town was newly formed upon the merging of Manba town and Nakazato village.

I would say this is one of Japan's top five best places to see carp streamers at Kanna-machi, Gunma.

Kanna-machi is quite out of the way, but worth the time it takes to get there (from Takasaki).

Sagami River Koi-nobori

Parking lot downstream. Most people arrive by car or bus. (No nearby train station.)

Bridge with a view

In Japan, the koi carp is regarded as a symbol of valiant manhood because it swims up the river against the rapids.

About the Tokyo Motor Show...Makuhari Messe is near Kaihin Makuhari Station on the Keiyo and Musashino Lines. The huge show occupies the entire Makuhari Messe consisting of the North, East, Center, and West Halls, and Event Hall. Admission was 1200 yen. The show sees over 1.4 million visitors.

Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show." The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year. 2005 is actually the 50th anniversary of the motor show.

In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center where it would remain until 1987 when it moved to Makuhari Messe in 1989. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.

In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000. The motor show for passenger cars and motorcycles would continue to be held every two years from 1999. So there would be a Tokyo Motor Show every year, but the purpose would alternate between passenger cars/motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

During the 1st motor show in 1954, when most of the vehicles displayed were for commercial use, the attendance was 547,000. In 1963, it exceed 1 million over 16 days. It hovered around 1.4 million in the years following. The record attendance was attained in 1991 with over 2 million visitors during 15 days. In 2003, the total attendance was 1.424 million.

In 2000, at the first Tokyo Motor Show dedicated to commercial vehicles, attendance was a mere 177,900 over 5 days. In 2004, attendance was 248,600 over 6 days.

The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times. Their hairstyles, wardrobe, skirt length, make-up, etc. The Tokyo Motor Show is not only a showcase for cars, it is also a fashion showcase. Therefore, in this online photo gallery, you will see not only cars, but also women. Enjoy!

The longest carp is 10 meters.

Riverside

Koi-nobori carp streamers over Sagami River. Also see the video at YouTube.

Swimming in the air

Along the river were food stalls.

Festival site

Cable anchor

Statistics

Minowa-bashi Station platform for departing trains

Route map with numerous stations

Trains come quite often and passenger traffic is good.

Many flowers adorn the route, especially roses. This one is called Princess Aiko.

The best-looking lady at the show...A Lambo of course. Lamborghini, everyone's all-time, ultimate dream car. (Besides Speed Racer's Mach 5.) This is the Murcielago.

A streetcar arrives Minowa-bashi Station

A streetcar leaves Minowa-bashi Station

Eight strings x 100 carp streamers = 800 carp

Destination: Waseda

Inside the streetcar at the front. Pay when you board. 160 yen per ride for any distance.

Carp streamer caught at Kanna-machi, Gunma

It was believed that Indra would step in and chase away the demons causing calamities to the followers of Buddhism. Photo: Wood Carving Gallery (admission charged)

All-day pass available for 400 yen.

Lying low

The side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo are blanketed with panels of detailed woodcarvings. They are the most outstanding feature of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple.. 彫刻ギャラリー

Raft rides

There are ten large carvings (each 2.27 meters by 1.27 meters) depicting scenes from the Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo).

The woodcarvings were requested by the temple's 16th priest, Nissai. Through a generous donation from devoted follower Suzuki Genjiro, the project was begun.

Lamborghini MurcielagoNo price was listed. But if you have to ask, then it's too expensive.

The first panel was completed in 1922. The carver, Kato^ Toranosuke, proposed that the remaining 9 panels be carved by renown woodcarvers living in Tokyo. A large keyaki panel was delivered to each of the nine carvers.

However, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck and these panels did not survive. A subsequent search for replacement panels was conducted nationwide.

Ground connection

In 1926, large keyaki replacement panels were finally procured and the project was back on track. The carvings were completed in 1934.

Ground connection: Cable anchor for one string of carp

Huge and hungry carp

Since such large pieces of keyaki wood are very difficult to find and the carvings are so fine, the carvings are regarded as highly valuable cultural assets.

Cables go all the way up the mountain.

If you want a detailed explanation (in Japanese) of the Lotus Sutra scenes depicted by the woodcarvings, buy the pamphlet that is sold at the temple's souvenir stand near the Nitenmon Gate.

There's a secret technique to fasten the carp to the cable so they don't slide around.

Entertainment on stage

Hiking up the mountain.

Lamborghini MurcielagoOnly with a Lamborghini would I tell any pretty woman standing in front of it to move away so I can see and photograph the car better. Actually, I'm not that rude, so I just waited until she went away.

View from halfway up.

To protect the exterior woodcarvings from the elements and to allow visitors to view them up close, the temple built a transparent, permanent scaffolding on the side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo.

It makes you feel like you are in an art gallery. From the front of the Taishakudo, the scaffolding is neatly concealed from view.

The wind died.

The mountain is an easy hike. But hardly anybody climbed it.

Superb views from the mountain.

The mountain top has a small rest house.

Koi

Lamborghini Murcielago. Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show.&quoThe best-looking rear at the show...

Top of the mountain

Cable anchor

View from mountain top, Kanna-machi town seen below.

Koi in Ochiai River

Since the carved walls are two stories high, the scaffolding has upper and lower levels which allows you to view the woodcarvings on the upper and lower halves of the walls. This is the lower floor

Dragon

Going down

Colorful koi fish see me, and they come...

Corridor to Guest House (Dai-kyakuden)

Bus back to JR Shin-machi Station, takes about 90 min.

Koi carp fish Frenzy for food.

Even the corridor has wood carvings.

Kanna-machi banners celebrating the formation of the new town.

Koi carp fish

JR Shin-machi Station to go back to Takasaki.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year.The Murcielago attracted more attention.

Bus we rode to and from Kanna-machi.

Toyota stage. In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center.Toyota had a large spread in the Center Hall.

Toyota Fine-X. In 1989, the show moved to Makuhari Messe. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.All the major car makers showed concept cars or prototypes. This one is by Toyota. All four wheels can turn. Makes it easy to parallel park in tight spaces, but how do you steer it?

Toyota Fine-XThe driver's seat swivels outward.

Toyota i-swingA single-seater, reminds me of a Segway with a seat. Controlled with a joystick and shifting your body weight. It has 3 wheels. If they don't allow Segways in Japan, I wonder if they would allow this on Japanese streets. Would it need a license plate? And would we need a license to operate it?

Tokyo Toden streetcar tracks near Arakawa 2-chome Station.

Tokyo Toden streetcar pass by cherry trees near Arakawa 2-chome Station.

Tokyo Toden streetcar at Arakawa 2-chome Station.

Inside Tokyo Toden streetcar.

Toyota i-swingI waved to her, and she waved back...

Nissan Pivo with swivel topElectric car with a top that swivels 360˚ so you can drive forward or back without turning the car around. Seats three people. The driver sits in the middle.

I waved to her, and she waved back...

Nissan Pivo

Nissan booth

Nissan GT-R Proto

Honda Sports 4 ConceptI like this picture.

Honda Sports 4 Concept

HondaThis is what she looks like up close.

Honda Sports 4 ConceptI smiled at her, and she smiled back...

Honda W.O.W. ConceptHonda had nice women posing, but I was hoping they would bring out the Asimo robots to introduce the cars.

I smiled at her, but she never noticed me...

Also Available in GreenOur main means of transportation for our nature trips out of Kuusamo. Rented of course. In rural areas of Finland, many of the roads are unpaved. And when it rains, your car can easily get dirty.

Suzuki LC. LC stands for Life Creator. These girls were dancing and hopping around the car before they settled down and posed.

A photographer's carObviously.

Suzuki LCI looked at her, and she looked at me. I didn't wave, so she didn't wave...

Suzuki IonisA real ballerina-type model danced in front of the car. I like this picture.

Subaru 360 (from 1958). Nicknamed "Ladybug."

Subaru R1 and Subaru 360The new ladybug meets the old.

Subaru Impreza WRC 2006 PrototypeIn 2004, Subaru won the Rally Japan 2004 (the first FIA WRC hosted in Japan). The car was driven by Petter Solberg. It is a race on public roads.

Subaru

Daihatsu HVS

Daihatsu

Daihatsu SK-Tourer

Daihatsu. I smiled at her, and she smiled back...

Daihatsu

DaihatsuDaihatsu had the best show performance. The models and performers wore a variety of costumes.

DaihatsuA show worth seeing twice.

Daihatsu

Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi MotorsShe attracted a big crowd of snapshooters and oglers.

Kia Sports ConceptFirst-rate model who knows how to smile.

Kia MotorsA crowd favorite. Kia (not her name) is from South Korea.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari F430 SpiderLamborghini set out to build a better car than Ferrari, and he attained his goal. I like Ferrari (especially the Testarossa), but I like Lambo better.

Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleCorvette, but why no Camaro at the show too?

Chevorlet Corvette Z06

HummerShe was charming...

General Motors Cadillac STS-VI yearn for the days when Cadillac had more elegant car names like Fleetwood, Eldorado, and Seville. Now it's all three-letter names. I can hardly remember them. And the cars look so ugly (in my opinion).

Rolls Royce Phantom

Porsche 911 CarreraRed was definitely the most popular car color at the show.

Porsche

SLR McLarenBest-looking car with gills.

BMW Z4 Coupe ConceptMatte paint finish, no gloss.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen

OpelYes, some girls don't need to smile to look good.

Clarion. The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times.I approached her and she struck this pose instinctively.

ClarionDefinitely Miss Photogenic.

PanasonicAnother nice one.

PanasonicAwful costume I thought.

Fujitsu

Alpine + iPod

AlpineShe had horde of photographers crowded in front of her. But she managed to find me and smiled.

Honda S600 (1964)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s. This Honda was from 1964.

Toyota Corolla (1967)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Daihatsu BEE (1951)The Event Hall had displays of nostalgic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s. Three wheels.

Harley-Davidson VRSCD Night RodNice curves...

Harley-Davidson FLST Heritage SoftailWorld premiere of this bike.

Harley-Davidson. In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000.

Harley-Davidson FXDI 35th Anniversary Super GlideWorld premiere of this bike.

Kawasaki MotorcyclesKawasaki had a bevy of leggy beauties promoting their cycles. They didn't dance, but served well to attract attention.

Kawasaki ZZR 1400 ABS motorcycleI looked at her and she smiled.

Kawasaki MotorcyclesOne of the best-looking motorcycle models.

Kawasaki MotorcyclesI wasn't one of them.

Honda Motorcycles

Honda E4-01 motorcycle

Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle

Yamaha MotorcyclesYamaha's booth was the most elegant in the motorcycle section.

Suzuki Stratosphere motorcycleSuzuki put on a great show with a bunch of girls doing hip-hop dancing.

Suzuki MotorcyclesSuzuki put on a great show with a bunch of girls doing hip-hop dancing.

Suzuki Motorcycles

Yamaha MotorcyclesAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.

Honda MotorcyclesAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.

The tower is 333 meters high, with two observatories. The lower one, called the Main Deck, is 150 meters high. The higher one, the Top Deck, is 250 meters up.