Image search results - "nakano-ku" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "nakano-ku"

Sanmon Gate 山門

Hosenji temple in Nakano-ku, Tokyo. Belongs to the Shingon-shu Sect, Buzan School. 宝仙寺

Hondo hall 本堂

Kobo Daishi statue

Inside Hondo hall 本堂

Three-story pagoda 三重塔

Goeido Hall housing Kobo Daishi image. 御影堂

Temple grounds as seen from the Hondo Hall

Pagoda and pile of setsubun boxes

Wooden boxes containing the beans (peanuts) and mikan tangerines to be thrown to the crowd.

Ceremony area

Warrior monk procession 僧兵行列

It is unusual or unique to see such a procession for Setsubun. 僧兵行列

In 1951 when they were rebuilding the temple destroyed by the war, they found some items which were supposedly used by a warrior monk. 僧兵行列

So from 1953, as part of the Setsubun ceremonies on Feb. 3, they started this procession of people dressed as warrior monks.

They are not real warrior monks. Monks do not go to battle as they once did centuries ago. Also see the video at YouTube. 僧兵行列

Rear view

Warrior monks entering Hosenji temple. 僧兵行列

This man must be the leader.

Blowing a conch shell. One of the signals of battle.

The warrior monk costume is interesting. The collar makes them look bigger and more fearsome. 僧兵行列

The procession started at 3:30 pm at a nearby shrine.

They arrived Hosenji at around 4 pm.

Memorial service 柴燈大護摩供

Instrument players

柴燈大護摩供

Setting afire

柴燈大護摩供

People line up to receive mikan

Here you go.

Bean-throwing started at 4:30 pm. 豆まき

Bean throwing is called mame-maki. 豆まき

Even this was unusual since they were also throwing mikan tangerines. 豆・みかん（？）まき

People at the very front are not ignored.

A tangerine hitting your head is probably painful.

Tangerines are easily squished in your hands (juice squirting out) if you catch one.

Also see the video at YouTube.

Nakano Broadway is a shopping complex with a lotta otaku (pop and underground culture) shops. Anime, manga, figurines, etc.Short walk from JR Nakano Station.

Go through the Nakano Sunmall shopping arcade first to reach Nakano Broadway.

Expo '70 Tower of the Sun

It had this cafe decorated by the famous Takashi Murakami. That's what I love about Japan, always something unexpected.

Nakano Broadway Cafe decorated by Takashi Murakami.

Cafe decorated by Takashi Murakami.

JR Nakano Station North side

JR Nakano Station North exit with PR banner for its cherry blossoms in early April.

Cherry blossoms along Nakano-dori road near Nakano Sun Plaza.

In front of Nakano Station.

Sun Road shopping arcade in Nakano.

Sakura confection

Late June 2016 was the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' historic concerts at the Budokan in Tokyo. They arrived Haneda Airport on June 29, 1966 and played five 30-min. concerts at the Budokan from June 30 to July 2, 1966.A total of 50,000 out of 200,000 applicants got tickets. The Beatles were the first rock band to play at the Budokan, normally reserved for martial arts like judo. There was a big debate over allowing the Beatles to play at such a "sacred venue."

To commemorate the anniversary, a photo exhibition of The Beatles in Japan taken by their official tour photographer Robert Whitaker (1939–2011) was held here in Nakano, Tokyo.