 Image search results - "ride" |
Koedo Hikone NPO started operating "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats in the moats of Hikone Castle as a tourist attraction for the castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. They operate 6 rides per day around the castle, taking 50 min.Boat landing for the Hikone-jo Ohori Meguri boat ride. Near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden. They operate "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats as a tourist attraction.
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Hikone Castle Moat Boat Ride Poster
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Inside Japanese-style yakata-bune boat. Seats 11 people on tatami mats. The roof is very low. 彦根城お堀めぐり
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It certainly gives you a different perspective of the castle as you see the moat, castle tower, and bridges from the water. The ride costs 1,200 yen.
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Heading toward Otemon Gate/Bridge
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Otemon Bridge
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Going under Otemon Bridge. Wooden boards protect the bridge posts from the boat.
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The boat is powered by very silent, battery-powered outboard motors.
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Otemon Bridge
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A few of the stones in the wall are black. Some say those stones might have come from Azuchi Castle after it was burned to the ground.
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The next Otemon Bridge
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Castle tower as seen from the moat
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Castle tower
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The boat includes a narrator who explains about the castle and moat and swans.
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End of the moat. The moat once was connected to Lake Biwa, but not anymore since the lake's water level does not match the moat's water level.
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End of the moat. Lake Biwa is right beyond. This is where we make a U-turn.
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Black swan in Hikone Castle's moat, a gift from Mito in Ibraraki Prefecture.
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Ready to pass under Otemon Bridge again.
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Boat landing is near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden.
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The second yakata-bune boat. They referred to old drawings, etc., and carefully built the boat to resemble Edo-Era yakata-bune.
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End of the 50-min. ride. It was pleasant, and highly recommended. Boat landing for the Hikone-jo Ohori Meguri boat ride is near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden.
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Yoko-Jukkengawa River has a volunteer group offering rides on Japanese wasen boats once a week.
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Wasen boat dock on Yoko-Jukkengawa River. They are here on Wednesdays from March to Nov. and on Sundays from Dec. to Feb. Operates from 10 am to 2:15 pm.
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Wearing a life vest is required.
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The volunteer group operating the boats is called Wasen Tomo-no-Kai (和船友の会).
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I thought, why not? So I proceeded to wait for a boat in no time.
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Wasen Japanese-style wooden boat.
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The boat ride is about 20-min. long. They paddle down the river and back.
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Boat paddler/pilot.
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Also a woman boat pilot. Had a nice talk with her. Nearest station is Sumiyoshi Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line. For more info, see the Website.
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Six times a year in Japan, a lowrider car show is held in major cities. The Japan Tour starts and ends in Makuhari Messe in Makuhari, Chiba where these photos were taken on Nov. 23, 2008.
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This was the final show of the Japan Tour in 2008. There were over 150 cars displayed at the show. Admission was 4,000 yen at the door.
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The cars were all glossy and colorful, very nice.
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The metallic flake paint job on this car was great.
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Twin Bel Airs
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Chevy Impalas. I'd never seen so many Impalas in my life.
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The Chevrolet Impala was by far the most common or popular lowrider car at the show.
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Very nice color scheme.
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Chevy logo
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Show car with floor mirror. Note that this show does not feature female attendants, models, or "companions."
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Pretty in pink.
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An Impala even for a little one.
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Lowrider toy cars too.
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Mark of an Impala.
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Bel Air fin
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1972 Buick Riviera, one of my all-time favorites, lowrider or not.
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Such distinctive styling. It's such a huge car, with only two doors.
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1972 Buick Riviera
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"Boat tail" of a 1972 Buick Riviera. They long stopped making cars like this.
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Inside 1972 Buick Riviera
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1967 Buick Riviera looking like a manta ray.
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In the 1960s and 1970s, cars had distinguishing designs. But today, most cars look almost the same.
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Even the engine is sparkling clean. Is that a gold-plated radiator hose??
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Honda Civic
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Honda Civic, one of the few Japanese cars at the show.
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The highlight of the show was the hydraulics competition where we could see car hopping during most of the day.
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They are measuring the height of the hop.
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This is what a hopping car looks like underneath.
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This one came pretty close to the spectator seats.
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Sexy MC. It was pretty cold that Nov. day.
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A woman car hopper.
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Cadillac
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A double car hop battle.
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Ready to hop
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This guy busted a pipe while hopping.
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Busted pipe leaking.
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Double car hop battle.
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This car hopped high enough to stand on its rear end to show a holiday greeting.
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