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

Image search results - "lakes"

From neighboring Akita Prefecture, entering the town of Fukaura-cho, home of the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fukaura is in southwestern Aomori Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan. Nice coastal scenery on Route 101.

On Route 101 to see the Juniko Lakes (Twelve Lakes) amid the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains (白神山地).

Turn right here for the Juniko Lakes.

Although "Juniko" means "Twelve Lakes," there are actually over 30 lakes/ponds in the area. They were created when Mt. Kuzureyama collapsed in 1704 due to an earthquake and dammed nearby rivers which formed the ponds/lakes.

About the Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Site. Famous for primeval beech forests left untouched by man.

Walking trails along the Juniko Lakes. They are actually ponds (ike). Twelve of the ponds can be seen from the summit of Mt. Okuzure. Perhaps that's why it was named so.

Ou-Ike Pond sign.

Ou-Ike Pond as seen from our tour bus. 王池

Passed by the Juniko Visitor Center (十二湖ビジターセンター) which has exhibits of the area's flora and fauna. We didn't stop here though.

Mori-no-Bussan Kyororo (森の物産館キョロロ) is where we got off the tour bus. This is a local gift shop selling local produce and snacks. Restrooms and rest house too. We walked to the ponds from here.

From Kyororo, a 500-meter walk to Ao-Ike Blue Pond.

Along the way, we passed by the large Ketoba-no-Ike Pond (鶏頭場の池), one of the Twelve Juniko Lakes.

Ketoba-no-Ike Pond (鶏頭場の池) was green. It's one of the largest Juniko Lakes with a surface area of 41,150 sq. meters.

Birds in the forest.

Way to Aoike Blue Pond.

There's a narrow lookout deck along the Ao-Ike pond.

Sign says "Ao Ike" (青池) or Blue Pond, one of the 12 Juniko Lakes.

Ao Ike (青池) Blue Pond is perhaps the most famous of the twelve Juniko Lakes. Easily accessible.

Ao Ike (青池) Blue Pond, one of the 12 Juniko Lakes

Ao Ike is certainly a beautiful blue.

After seeing Ao-Ike blue pond, you can either backtrack and go back to Kyororo Gift Shop or go further and walk through the Japanese beech forest (highly recommended).

Experience forest bathing in this lush beech forest. Lots of ferns too.

How Juniko Lakes were formed and named.

Forest rules: Do not stray away from the trail. Take your trash home, etc.

Walking trails and roads around Juniko Lakes.

The flora around Juniko Lakes.

Flowers at Juniko Lakes.

Way to Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池), another blue pond.

Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池）is another blue pond along the beech forest trail.

The Music of Water...

Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond 沸壺の池（沸壷の池).

The beech forest trail eventually goes to the main road.

Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond's Kiyomizu (pure water). 沸壺池の清水

Kannon statue at Wakitsubo-no-Ike Pond's Kiyomizu (pure water). 沸壺池の清水

Turn right here to follow the road back to Kyororo. It's an uphill road.

A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.

Basketball fans entering Kyoto City Gymnasium. The Hannaryz is the thirteenth and newest franchise in the bj-league pro basketball league in Japan.

Inside the lobby of the gym are cutouts of the Hannaryz players.

The name "Hannaryz" refers to the well-known word "hannari" (はんなり or 花なり) which in the Kyoto dialect means classy or distinguished-looking as well as cheery, bright, and colorful.

Soon after we entered the gym, they started introducing the players.

Hannaryz mascot named "Chin-tiger" (baby tiger).

Chin-tiger shoots but misses.

For their debut game, the Hannaryz played against the Shiga Lakestars. Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.

The Hannaryz booster club is called Fannaryz, promoted here by TV idol Yasuda Misako who is from Kyoto.

Kyoto Hannaryz

bj-league commissioner Kawachi Toshimitsu gives a few words to open the game.

Wearing an autographed Hannaryz T-shirt, the mayor of Kyoto city also speaks.

Pregame entertainment by the Hannaryz cheerleaders.

Introduction of Lakestars players. Joho Masashi.

Luke Zellar.

Introduction of Hannaryz players.

Introduction of Hannaryz head coach David Benoit (pronounced ""Benwa").

Both teams start practicing on court.

Hannaryz practicing.

Lakestars practicing.

First the cheerleaders wore these black T-shirts and red, harem-style pants. At first, I thought they were hula dancers.

Upon the introduction of Lakestars players, each one greeted opposing head coach David Benoit. This is Luke Zellar.

Introduction of starting five for Hannaryz.

2009-2010 season opening game and Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off at 2 pm on Oct. 3, 2009 at Kyoto City Gymnasium in front of 1,888 spectators.

Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off.

Super tall Reda Rhalimi #55 with the ball as the Lakestars put up a great defense.

Bobby Nash passing in front of 40-year-old Mahmould Abdul-Rauf.

Josh Bostic going up against many men in white.

No stepping back for Gary Hamilton #2.

Hannaryz takes an early lead within the first five minutes of the game.

Joho Masashi runs down the court.

See all players on both teams.

Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.

Shiga Lakestars Gary Hamilton #2

Shiga Lakestars boosters booing a Hannaryz free throw.

Good number of Shiga Lakestars boosters. It's easy for them see away games in Kyoto. It's easy for Kyoto fans to see away games in Shiga too.

Lakestars captain Fujiwara Takamichi #11.

Iwasa Jun #5 is covered.

Chris Schlatter #4

Gary Hamilton

Hannaryz scores.

An almost-full Kyoto City Gymnasium in Nishi-Kyogoku Sports Park near Nishi-Kyogoku Station on the Hankyu Line.

During a break, the cheerleaders got out a giant slingshot to shoot a prize into the crowd.

Hannaryz mascot and cheerleaders. Dig those zori slippers they are wearing. No cartwheels in those things.

Man-to-man defense.

Ogawa Shinya #5 and Takushi Naoto #1, Hannaryz captain.

Joho Masashi #31 and Iwasa Jun #5 were former teammates with Tokyo Apache.

Shinya takes the ball.

Hannaryz head coach David Benoit calmly looks on as his team trails the Lakestars.

Kawabe Taizo #11

Reda Rhalimi really stands out.

Mike Hall #23

Lakestars wear a white uniform for away games. I still disagree with having a sponsor's name printed on the uniform more prominently than the Shiga Lakestars name which appears as a small logo.

Luke Zellar #40 passing to Ogawa.

Again, Gary's back is covered.

Ogawa goes for a jump shot.

Bobby Nash passes the ball.

Kojima Yuta #3 passes to Ogawa.

Josh Bostic

Setoyama Kyosuke #34 on the run.

Team huddle

Hannaryz huddle

Luke Zellar #40

Joho looking for an opportunity.

Lakestars lead 37-28 at halftime.

Halftime entertainment by Hannaryz cheerleaders.

Wara

Wara going it for it, but is fouled instead.

Fujiwara Takamichi for a free throw.

The first of many shots of Chris Schlatter sinking in a ball.

Free throw by Bostic.

Reda

All eyes on the ball.

Going for it.

An easy one by Mike Hall #23

Happy high fives with the Lakestars as they start to smell victory.

Lakestars boosters were a loud bunch.

Lakes still leading in the 3rd period.

Looks like the cheerleader uniforms can be called "hannari." Although I prefer shorts or skirts on cheerleaders.

Josh and Chris

Abdul-Rauf don't look 40.

Mike Hall and Lakestars head coach Robert Pierce.

Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.

Iwasa Jun is easy to spot with his skin head.

Hannaryz cheerleaders occupy timeouts.

Lakestars boosters.

Tip-off

Iwasa Jun wants the ball from Fujiwara.

Bob Pierce

Chris sinks in another one.

It went in.

Lakestars still lead at the end the 3rd period.

Another slingshot.

Chris taking the ball.

Chris scoring another 2 points.

Luke trying to block.

Jun and Wara again.

Joho trying to get away.

Another successful layup by Chris.

Joho makes many dramatic moves. I’ve seen him play a few times with the Tokyo Apache and he was a valuable and popular player there too. He was traded to Shiga at the last minute.

Josh

Two team captains at each other.

Mike Hall

Reda scores

Mike Hall gets a Halloween face from John Clifford #44.

Reda

Joho scores. This photo appeared in an online article about him in the Japan Times on March 21, 2010 by Ed Odeven.

Joho was the Lakestars' crowd favorite. They were shouting his name (JOHO! JOHO!) a few times, even after the game ended.

Final score: Hannaryz 73, Lakestars 82. I can sympathize with Kyoto losing its debut game in the bj-league. The Lakestars also lost its debut game a year ago.

Victory huddle

Lakestars bowing to the crowd.

Hannaryz

David Benoit congratulates the Lakestars for their win. However, he got his revenge the next day when the Hannaryz beat the Lakestars 85-81.

The Lakestars shake hands with fans as they leave the court.

Also see my other Lakestars photos and player info here.

On the evening of March 6, 2009, the Tokyo Apache basketball team played an exciting game against the Shiga LakeStars at Komazawa Gymnasium in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.