Image search results - "fukui"
001-918-19.jpg
Tojinbo sign indicating the Echizen-Kaga Coastal Quasi-National Park
001-IMG_5219.jpg
Maruoka Castle is Japan's oldest surviving castle tower although it collapsed during the Fukui Earthquake in 1948. Rebuilt in 1955 with most of the original materials. Originally built in 1576 by Shibata Katsutoyo, nicknamed Kasumiga-jo (Misty CastlePhoto: Way to Maruoka Castle from the bus stop.
001-IMG_5435.jpg
Bridge to castle grounds. 5-min. walk from Fukui Station.
001-IMG_6819.jpg
JR Tsuruga Station
002-918-21.jpg
Tojinbo in Mikuni-cho is spectacular, natural rock columns and walls on the coast. Hiking trails and boat rides give you a closer look at this rare natural monument. Tojimbo is accessible by bus from JR Awara Onsen Station on the Hokuriku Line.
002-IMG_5228.jpg
Entrance to castle grounds
002-IMG_5436.jpg
Bridge to castle grounds with prefectural capital building looming ahead.
003-918-22.jpg
Huge rock columns stand about 9 stories (25 meters) high.
003-IMG_5236.jpg
The stone marker says National Treasure Kasumiga-jo Castle.The castle was a National Treasure until it collapsed in the 1948 Fukui Earthquake. Now an Important Cultural Property.
003-IMG_5439.jpg
004-918-23.jpg
004-IMG_5426.jpg
Maruoka Castle tower
004-IMG_5447.jpg
Statue of castle founder and 1st lord, Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康
005-918-20.jpg
Bungee jumping is probably not possible here.
005-IMG_5428.jpg
Maruoka Castle tower
005-IMG_5487.jpg
Valley between the prefectural capital (left) and police department (right).
006-IMG_5417.jpg
Maruoka Castle tower
006-IMG_5457.jpg
Stone foundation of the castle tower at one corner.
007-IMG_5416.jpg
007-IMG_5461.jpg
Stairs to castle tower foundation
008-IMG_5383.jpg
Path to castle tower
008-IMG_5480.jpg
Atop the castle tower foundation (lower level)
009-IMG_5245.jpg
Maruoka Castle
009-IMG_5482.jpg
Monuments
010-87AugTsuruga2.jpg
Kehi no Matsubara beach, one of Japan's three most famous pine tree beaches.The other two being Miho no Matsubara in Shizuoka and Karatsu in Saga Pref.
010-IMG_5211.jpg
JR Fukui Station
010-IMG_5251.jpg
010-IMG_5509.jpg
The castle tower suffered a major fire in 1669, and it was never rebuilt.
011-31_Tsuruga_Echizen.jpg
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kehi Pine Beach in Tsuruga from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.
011-IMG_5215.jpg
Sign encouraging the construction of the shinkansen to Fukui.
011-IMG_5253.jpg
011-IMG_5535.jpg
Steps to upper level of castle tower foundation
012-IMG_5212.jpg
Mall in front of Fukui Station
012-IMG_5254.jpg
Old shachi (killer whale) roof ornaments made of stone.The original shachi were made of wood with copper plating. But during WWII, the precious copper was taken and these two stone shachi were made to replace the original shachi. These two shachi fell off the roof during the 1948 earthquake and were replaced by a replica of the original made of wood and copper plating.
012-IMG_5517.jpg
013-IMG_5217.jpg
Road in front of Fukui Station
013-IMG_5256.jpg
Steps to castle tower entrance.
013-IMG_5528.jpg
Top of castle tower foundation. Grassy, but uneven ground.
014-IMG_5264.jpg
Side of castle
014-IMG_5533.jpg
Another stone foundation which was partially damaged during the 1948 Fukui Easrthquake.
014-IMG_5559.jpg
Streetcar station
015-IMG_5272.jpg
015-IMG_5515.jpg
015-IMG_5560.jpg
016-IMG_5362.jpg
016-IMG_5534.jpg
Steps to go down.
016-IMG_5563.jpg
Shopping road
017-IMG_5271.jpg
017-IMG_5498.jpg
View of moat from the corner of castle tower foundation.
017-IMG_5536.jpg
Fukui Shrine
018-IMG_5278.jpg
018-IMG_5495.jpg
Stone wall submerged in moat.
018-IMG_5537.jpg
Fukui Shrine 福井神社
019-IMG_5260.jpg
019-IMG_5493.jpg
019-IMG_5538.jpg
Fukui Shrine
020-IMG_5276.jpg
Entrance to castle tower
020-IMG_5508.jpg
Castle tower foundation
021-IMG_5280.jpg
1st floor of castle towerThe steep stairs go to the 2nd floor.
021-IMG_5494.jpg
022-IMG_5286.jpg
1st floor of castle tower
022-IMG_5484.jpg
This is the castle well named Fuku-no-I (福の井). Fukui Prefecture got its name from this well. In 2017, it got a Japanese-style roof.
023-IMG_5287.jpg
1st floor of castle tower with photos of other castles.
023-IMG_5499.jpg
024-IMG_5288.jpg
Old-style "bay window?"
024-IMG_5502.jpg
025-IMG_5350.jpg
"Sama" hole to shoot weapons (arrows or guns)
025-IMG_5504.jpg
026-IMG_5291.jpg
2nd floor
026-IMG_5506.jpg
027-IMG_5343.jpg
Roof tiles made of stone (rare)
027-IMG_5503.jpg
Another bridge 廊下橋
028-IMG_5344.jpg
Roof tiles made of stone (2nd floor)
028-IMG_5463.jpg
Fukui police HQ and castle wall
029-IMG_5346.jpg
Roof tiles made of stone on Maruoka Castle
029-IMG_5479.jpg
030-IMG_5340.jpg
Stairs to top floor
030-IMG_5478.jpg
031-IMG_5315.jpg
Stairway on top floor
031-IMG_5468.jpg
Pedestrian bridge
032-IMG_5332.jpg
Top floor
032-IMG_5471.jpg
033-IMG_5299.jpg
Top floor
033-IMG_5465.jpg
034-IMG_5305.jpg
034-IMG_5476.jpg
Prefectural capital building
035-IMG_5295.jpg
Veranda (closed to visitors)
035-IMG_5542.jpg
Mismatched buildings
036-IMG_5297.jpg
View from castle tower
036-IMG_5473.jpg
037-IMG_5302.jpg
The veranda is narrow and the fence is low.
037-IMG_5546.jpg
038-IMG_5311.jpg
038-IMG_5552.jpg
039-IMG_5335.jpg
040-86augAsuwayama.jpg
Statue of Emperor Keitai in Asuwayama Park 継体天皇像The 26th Emperor of Japan is said to have hailed from Echizen Province.
040-IMG_5322.jpg
Ceiling on top floor
041-IMG_5324.jpg
Ceiling on top floor
042-IMG_5326.jpg
Ceiling on top floor
043-IMG_5329.jpg
Ceiling on top floor
044-IMG_5331.jpg
045-IMG_5325.jpg
Stairs going down
046-IMG_5354.jpg
047-IMG_5365.jpg
Well related to the castle's mist.
048-IMG_5369.jpg
Lower stone wall
049-IMG_5373.jpg
050-IMG_5377.jpg
051-IMG_5384.jpg
052-IMG_5407.jpg
Folk History Museum adjacent to the castle. 歴史民俗資料館
053-IMG_5388.jpg
Folk History Museum
054-IMG_5389.jpg
Inside Folk History Museum
055-IMG_5391.jpg
Edo Period currency
056-IMG_5395.jpg
057-IMG_5403.jpg
Kasumiga-jo Park, noted for cherry blossoms.
058-IMG_5433.jpg
Bus stop for Maruoka CastleTakes about 40-50 min. from Fukui Station.
ke250-20160101_2086.jpg
A dinosaur waiting for his train at JR Tsuruga Station. Fukui Prefecture is famous for dinosaur digs. This is just a sculpture stealing a valuable place to sit, but it looks like a kid can sit on his lap.
ke251-20160101_2119.jpg
Kehi Jingu Shrine is a 20-min. walk from JR Tsuruga Station. I visited on New Year's Day 2016 when it was a warm period with no snow.
ke252-20160101_2133.jpg
Kehi Shrine's torii gate is one of Japan's three most famous wooden toriis. The other two being Miyajima's Itsukishima Shrine in Hiroshima Pref. and Kasuga Shrine in Nara.
ke253-20160101_2138.jpg
Established in 702 and nicknamed "Kei-san," Kehi Jingu is a major shrine in the Hokuriku Region.
ke254-20160101_2139.jpg
Built in 1645, the wooden torii is an Important Cultural Property and World War II survivor.
ke255-20160101_2142.jpg
Kehi Shrine's torii is 11 m high. One of Japan's three most famous wooden toriis. The other two being Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Pref. and Kasuga Shrine in Nara.
ke256-20160101_2149.jpg
Long line from the torii to the shrine on Jan. 1, 2016.
ke257-20160101_2153.jpg
ke258-20160101_2276.jpg
ke259-20160101_2162.jpg
Purify your hands and mouth.
ke260-20160101_2163.jpg
ke261-20160101_2168.jpg
Getting closer to the main shrine.
ke262-20160101_2274.jpg
ke263-20160101_2275.jpg
ke264-20160101_2277.jpg
Long line.
ke265-20160101_2279.jpg
ke266-20160101_2178.jpg
Second torii before the main shrine.
ke267-20160101_2199.jpg
Kehi Shrine
ke268-20160101_2201.jpg
Kehi Jingu's main shrine. Kehi Jingu is dedicated to a number of gods including Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu. So the Imperial Crest is all over the place.
ke269-20160101_2230.jpg
ke270-20160101_2211.jpg
It took about 35 min. to get here for what would normally be a one-min. walk. Five bell ringers for worshippers.
ke271-20160101_2216.jpg
Inside the main shrine.
ke272-20160101_2215.jpg
ke273-20160101_2218.jpg
ke274-20160101_2219.jpg
ke276-20160101_2227.jpg
ke277-20160101_2197.jpg
The place to buy lucky charms.
ke278-20160101_2235.jpg
Brisk business for amulets and omamori.
ke279-20160101_2232.jpg
Otorii ema from Kehi Jingu.
ke280-20160101_2249.jpg
Another ema tablet for 2016, the Year of the Monkey
ke281-20160101_2250.jpg
Year of the Monkey ema from Kehi Jingu.
ke282-20160101_2200.jpg
ke283-20160101_2247.jpg
Omikuji fortunes
ke284-20160101_2243.jpg
Omikuji fortunes
ke285-20160101_2251.jpg
ke286-20160101_2258.jpg
ke287-20160101_2253.jpg
ke288-20160101_2261.jpg
ke289-20160101_2260.jpg
ke290-20160101_2266.jpg
Statue of Basho, haiku poet
ke291-20160101_2267.jpg
ke292-20160101_2263.jpg
No snow, but a few puddles.
ob020-20090120_1607.jpg
JR Obama Line at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, the line's terminus. From Tsuruga, it takes 60 to 70 min. to Obama.
ob021-20090120_1609.jpg
Obama Station
ob022-20090120_1613.jpg
Obama Station
ob023-20090120_1862.jpg
"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama.
ob024-20090120_1797.jpg
"I love Obama" banner
ob025-20090120_1874.jpg
Some shops along the main drag (Ote-dori and Hamakaze-dori) have these notices in support of Barack Obama, world peace, and cultural exchange.
ob026-20090120_1876.jpg
Some shops along Hamakaze-dori shopping arcade have these congratulatory notices for President Barack Obama.
ob027-20090120_1798.jpg
Obama support signs on a hotel entrance in Obama, on Jan. 20, 2009, the Inauguration Day. This is probably the hotel where the Obama booster members would watch the inauguration live on TV at 1 am.
ob028-20090120_1800.jpg
Obama merchandise and souvenirs, for both Obama and Barack Obama are sold at a few stores in Obama. This store called Wakasa-ya, on Hamakaze-dori, has the largest selection of Obama goods. A short walk from Obama Station.
ob029-20090120_1829.jpg
Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り
ob030-20090120_1832.jpg
Wakasa-ya souvenir shop
ob031-20090120_1831.jpg
"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is
ob032-20090120_1837.jpg
A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui. Made by a local plasterer in 2008. Not a very good likeness.
ob033-20090120_1839.jpg
A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui.
ob034-20090120_1830.jpg
ob035-20090120_1841.jpg
The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.
ob036-20090120_1842.jpg
Some presidential campaign memorabilia in a store corner.
ob037-20090120_1840.jpg
"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.
ob038-20090120_1849.jpg
"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).
ob039-20090120_1847.jpg
"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.
ob040-20090120_1843.jpg
A copy of the letter from presidential candidate Barack Obama to the city of Obama, Fukui Prefecture. Dated Feb. 21, 2008. Click on thumbnail to see full text.
ob041-20090120_1854.jpg
"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.
ob042-20090120_1856.jpg
More Obama manju
ob043-20090120_1855.jpg
ob044-20090120_1857.jpg
Obama senbei crackers
ob045-20090120_1858.jpg
ob046-20090120_1859.jpg
Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.
ob047-20090120_1880.jpg
Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.
ob048-20090120_1851.jpg
Inside Wakasa-ya shop, there's an application form to join the Obama for Obama Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai).
ob049-20090120_1850.jpg
Application form to join the Obama Informal Booster Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai). オバマを勝手に応援する会
ob050-20090120_1852.jpg
Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.
ob051-20090120_1853.jpg
Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo. Laquerware is one of Obama's local specialties.
ob052-20090120_1884.jpg
On Jan. 20, 2009, the US Presidential Inauguration Day for Hawaii-born Barack Obama, the city of Obama in Fukui held a special event at Hagaji temple. 羽賀寺
ob053-20090120_1888.jpg
Hagaji temple is one of Obama's major temples with Important Cultural Properties including an 11-face Kannon statue.
ob054-20090120_1889.jpg
Path to Hagaji temple's main Hondo hall.
ob055-20090120_1890.jpg
Hagaji's temple bell.
ob056-20090120_1905.jpg
Hagaji temple's Hondo main hall where the 11-face Kannon statue is worshipped. This is the main venue for Obama's Inauguration Day event.
ob057-20090120_1894.jpg
Near the Hondo hall were tents selling Obama food and merchandise. The sign celebrates the birth of US President Obama.
ob058-20090120_1897.jpg
Obama goods included sake rice wine.
ob059-20090120_1915.jpg
Obama sake
ob060-20090120_1911.jpg
Obama confections such as manju, this time with the face imprinted (instead of the back of the head). Passed out for free.
ob061-20090120_1910.jpg
Obama burgers were passed out free to the people attending the event. Free soft drinks (hot) also helped in warming my hands.
ob062-20090120_1912.jpg
Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.
ob063-20090120_1914.jpg
Obama soba noodles, 500 yen per bag.
ob064-20090120_1913.jpg
Dried bread in cans.
ob065-20090120_1900.jpg
Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.
ob066-20090120_1927.jpg
Obama's Inauguration Day event was called "Going Beyond the Seven Seas--Peace Bell Ringing for the World. 七つの海を超えて、世界にとどけ平和の鐘
ob067-20090120_1931.jpg
The event started at 6:30 pm when it was quite dark (the actual inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC would start some hours later at around 2 am that night, Japan time).
ob068-20090120_1934.jpg
The event started with singing by a local group called Anyone Brother's Band. They sang a song called "Obama is Beautiful World!"
ob069-20090120_1941.jpg
Later, Obama's mascot Nana-chan (a cat with mackerel fish stripes) joined in and they sang the mascot's song.
ob070-20090120_1946.jpg
Next on the program was a letter to Barack Obama read aloud by the chairman of the Obama for Obama Association. After reading it, he put the letter in an envelope to be mailed to the US President.
ob071-20090120_1947.jpg
Then a woman from the Obama Girls hula troupe read a message from Obama Mayor Koji Matsuzaki. The mayor, of course, hopes that Barack will visit Obama someday. (Toshio Murakami is no longer mayor.)
ob072-20090120_1950.jpg
At 7 pm, fireworks were launched near the temple as the signal to start ringing the Hagaji temple bell. About eight temples in Obama (as well as in Nagasaki where there is Obama Onsen spa) started ringing the temple bell at 7 pm for world peace.
ob073-20090120_1951.jpg
Various people rang it a total of seven times to spread peace over the seven oceans of the world. The temple priest was the first to strike the bell.
ob074-20090120_1955.jpg
The temple priest prays after ringing the bell.
ob075-20090120_1960.jpg
Other people who rang the bell included members of the Obama Girls who were to perform later.
ob076-20090120_1963.jpg
After the bell ringing, a large local choir sang Beethoven, including three professional soloists who sang for free.
ob077-20090120_1964.jpg
They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
ob078-20090120_1971.jpg
After the choir, the Obama Girls hula dancers took over the stage and danced two songs. For someone like me from Hawaii, it was trippy to see hula dancing in a Buddhist temple.
ob079-20090120_1974.jpg
Obama Girls dance the hula. The first number was a Japanese rendition of "Sophisticated Hula" called "Tsuki no Yoru wa" (The Moon at Night).
ob080-20090120_1978.jpg
Also see my video at YouTube. おばま ガールズ
ob081-20090120_1985.jpg
The Obama Girls (and Boys) were formed because of Barack being born and mainly raised in Hawaii. The Obama Girls will travel to Hawaii (at their own expense) to perform as well.
ob082-20090120_1987.jpg
This event drew quite a few press people, and it was reported in most major Japanese newspapers and a few foreign media.
ob083-20090120_1989.jpg
ob084-20090120_1991.jpg
ob085-20090120_1992.jpg
Look at this, hula dancing in a Japanese Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.
ob086-20090120_1995.jpg
The second number was "Kaimana Hila" sung in Hawaiian. Kaimana Hila means Diamond Head (the famous mountain/crater in Honolulu). It's a standard hula number.
ob087-20090120_1998.jpg
It must have been cold for these dancers dressed for a tropical setting. The temperature was slightly above freezing.
ob088-20090120_2001.jpg
ob089-20090120_2005.jpg
The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."
ob090-20090120_2006.jpg
Right after their performance ended at 7:25 pm, I had to leave to catch the last train home. I missed seeing the Obama Boys who also danced. The event ended at 8 pm. Also see my video at YouTube.
oc020-20090120_1605.jpg
To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).
oc021-20090120_1606.jpg
JR Obama Line
oc022-20090120_1610.jpg
JR Obama Station
oc023-20090120_1611.jpg
JR Obama Station platform
oc024-20090120_1616.jpg
oc025-20090120_1620.jpg
Welcome to Obama
oc026-20090120_1623.jpg
JR Obama Station exit
oc027-20090120_1626.jpg
JR Obama Station
oc028-20090120_1618.jpg
Sign urging the construction of a train line to Obama via Shiga Prefecture.
oc029-20090120_1630.jpg
JR Obama Station entrance
oc030-20090120_1629.jpg
Train schedule for Obama Station. Very few train runs, about once an hour or less.
oc031-20090120_1632.jpg
JR Obama Station and taxis.
oc032-20090120_1638.jpg
Right near the exit of Obama Station is the tourist information office where you can obtain maps, pamphlets, and ask questions.
oc033-20090120_1635.jpg
Main drag (Hamakaze-dori) from Obama Station
oc034-20090120_1634.jpg
Main drag (Ote-dori) from Obama Station. 大手通り
oc035-20090120_1637.jpg
Mermaid on mailbox
oc060-20090120_1685.jpg
Obama Castle remains. Only the stone foundation and a few stone walls remain. Obama Castle was built by Kyogoku Takatsugu in 1601 after he was awarded the Wakasa domain for his service during the Battle of Sekigahara.
oc061-20090120_1679.jpg
Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. No structure remain. No moats remain either, except for the two rivers which served as a natural moat.
oc062-20090120_1686.jpg
Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. After the Kyogoku Clan moved to Izumo (Shimane Pref.), Sakai Tadakatsu took up residence in 1634 and his clan lived in the castle until the Meiji Restoration.
oc063-20090120_1687.jpg
Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. Lord Sakai Tadakatsu built the main castle tower in 1636. 小浜城跡
oc064-20090120_1689.jpg
On top of Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.
oc065-20090120_1692.jpg
View from Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.
oc066-20090120_1693.jpg
Whoever owned the castle land apparently sold off some house lots.
oc067-20090120_1690.jpg
Obama Castle wall
374 files on 2 page(s) 1