 Most viewed - Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 スポレク滋賀 |
Entrance to Kibogaoka Park during the Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 festival during Oct. 18-21, 2008. It's an annual event held in a different prefecture. People from all 47 prefectures and South Korea participate in tournaments for 18 sports.414 views
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Caffy, the official mascot of Sports Recreation Shiga 2008, is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.161 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean bun.103 views
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Caffy doll102 views
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They had a whole bunch of Caffy mascots walking around. Caffy is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.100 views
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MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here. 司会者 小野千穂93 views
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Hand sculpture.88 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.87 views
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Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 opening ceremony at Kibogaoka Park, Yasu on Oct. 18, 2008. It was a sunny, cloudless day, and quite hot in sun. スポレク滋賀 開会式82 views
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On the right was a large stage for the band.79 views
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The contingent from South Korea also marched to their seats from the center stage.79 views
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Then representatives from all 47 prefectures marched through the crowd.78 views
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Caffy cap78 views
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Nagano74 views
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Free acupuncture.74 views
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Sake from Shiga74 views
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Giant balls were tossed to the audience. They slapped the balls toward the front, but many of them popped like a balloon.73 views
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Free shuttle buses took us from Kibogaoka Park and Yasu Station (or nearby parking lots).73 views
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The ground transformed into a lake.72 views
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Wish they actually flew the kite, but I guess there wasn't enough room.71 views
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Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 aerobics tournament in Maibara.71 views
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Miyazaki's booth.71 views
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The opening ceremony stage was at the front and center, looking very tiny to most of us. Shiga Governor Yukiko Kada is in a yellow pants suit.70 views
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A taiko troupe performs.70 views
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Miyazaki Governor Higashikokubaru is a celebrity and Miyazaki's top salesman. Unfortunately, this is only a cardboard cutout of him.70 views
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Shiga athletes applaud as the different athletes marched past.69 views
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Ryukoku University band entertains.69 views
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Kibogaoka Park69 views
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Paint it yourself.69 views
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The opening ceremony started at 12:30 pm with a line of Caffy flags each representing a different sport.68 views
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Yasu's booth had a replica of an ancient bronze bell, Japan's largest discovered in Yasu.68 views
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Over 20,000 people competed in the sports tournaments held all over Shiga. They included soccer, softball, badminton, bowling, track, gate ball, folk dancing, aerobics, and trampoline.67 views
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Sculpture for the Sky.67 views
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67 views
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There were various health-related booths. Free shoulder/head massages here.67 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean buns were popular.67 views
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Ibuki goodies (Maibara)66 views
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Exit. The booths and other festivities were held at Kibogaoka Park only during Oct. 18-19, 2008. While the sports tournaments were held at various venues until Oct. 21st. Official site here.66 views
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Joint session.66 views
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Mt. Mikami (Shiga's Mt. Fuji) overlooks the park.65 views
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Gunma65 views
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Tokyo65 views
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Large monitor shows Governor Kada declaring the opening of the Spo-rec event.65 views
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Another activity for the sky...65 views
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Jumping rope en masse.65 views
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The west side of the park had food and souvenir booths.65 views
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65 views
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The city of Maibara hosted the Sports Recreation aerobics tournament on Oct. 19-20, 2008. These are women in their 80s and 90s dancing. They were one of the winners.65 views
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A duo called Mellow Pair also performed. The keyboard player is from Shiga, while the singer on the right is from Miyazaki Prefecture which is the host of next year's Sports Recreation event in 2009.64 views
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Shiga64 views
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Earthquake simulator64 views
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Most people tried to stay out of the hot sun.64 views
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There were these large tents for resting and eating.64 views
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Each flag had the name of the prefecture. This is Miyazaki.63 views
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Athletes from Miyazaki Prefecture hold a sign saying "See you next year in Miyazaki!"63 views
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Sculpture for Water.63 views
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Abbreviated "Spo-rec," this event was a very big deal for Shiga with over 20,000 visiting Shiga. Kibogaoka Park is a huge grassy park. There was an entertainment stage called Kenmin Yume Stage which can be seen at the center of this photo.62 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.62 views
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What are these large balls for? We'll find out soon.62 views
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This sports meet is designed for adults of all ages. You can be 95 years old and still participate. They call it a "life-long sports meet."62 views
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Then they tossed these small balls onto the sheet where they bounced all over.62 views
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Food booths62 views
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Booth for the city of Yasu.62 views
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Ayu sweetfish62 views
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On the first day Oct. 18, 2008, this stage featured an entertainment program from 9:30 am to 11:15 am. It included this balloon session for kids.61 views
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Site of the opening ceremony held on Oct. 18, 2008 at the center part of Kibogaoka Park.61 views
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A tall crane hoists up the Yokaichi giant kite.61 views
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Spo-rec flags61 views
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For the finale, they released these little balloons shaped like doves. This was to represent the sky.60 views
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This giant kite is actually an old one, from several years ago. They took it down after the opening ceremony was over.60 views
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Flags60 views
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Toward the east side of the park was an area where you could try various new sports.60 views
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Sculpture for Humans.60 views
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Throwing Bingo60 views
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Then at 10:20 am, Jamie and Megan Thompson from Illinois, USA appeared and sang "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta in English). スポレク滋賀、県民「夢」ステージ59 views
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Blow darts59 views
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Caffy mascot dolls59 views
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Athletes from Shiga at the opening ceremony.58 views
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The next activity, representing water, was having a huge blue sheet covering the spectators. The opening ceremony had a theme based on water, humans, and the sky.58 views
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Flags for all the prefectures.57 views
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Dove balloons in the sky.57 views
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