 Most viewed |
About the common tiger butterfly or Danaus genutia. スジグロカバマダラ Butterfly hothouse in Yubu (蝶々園).12 views
|
|
A nice cafe at Manta Beach on Yubu.12 views
|
|
Lots of water buffalo monuments and sculptures on Yubu.12 views
|
|
About the Cornerstone of Peace. http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/12 views
|
|
Japanese victims are inscribed by prefecture. Foreign nationals are inscribed by country.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Flame of Peace in the world map. 平和の火12 views
|
|
Mabuni Cliff12 views
|
|
Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.12 views
|
|
Slabs for 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.12 views
|
|
View of coral reefs from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 12 views
|
|
Stargazing at Nosokodake Lookout Point. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.12 views
|
|
Sanshin in Makishi Residence. 旧牧志邸12 views
|
|
Reconstruction of a 17th-century Amparu Lookout tower used to look out for shipwrecked ships from China, Japan, and Okinawa. They were many of these towers in Ryukyu.12 viewsThere's a spiral slope going around the tower to reach the top.
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.12 views
|
|
Fisherman's home.12 views
|
|
Fisherman's home, side view.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Found only in Yaeyama, Ryukyu serpent eagle that was found injured and being treated here. They like to eat snakes. Called "Ayapani" (あやぱに) in Yaeyama. カンムリワシ保護ケージ12 views
|
|
Squirrel Monkey Garden リスザルの森12 views
|
|
Yaima Mura Restaurant for tour groups.12 views
|
|
A few steep parts, but ropes help you up.12 views
|
|
Typical mountain trail on Ishigaki. 12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Sukuji Beach has a lot of shallow water, so it's safe to swim. But at low tide, there's lots of rocks. Be sure to swim within the designated area protected against jellyfish with underwater nets. 底地ビーチ12 views
|
|
Wish we could see the Iriomote wildcat swimming across the river, but they are nocturnal.12 views
|
|
View of the mountains north of Banna Park.12 views
|
|
Descending toward Ishigaki Airport adjacent to farmland.12 views
|
|
First floor of Ishigaki Airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shops. Second floor is the departure gates.12 views
|
|
Lookout deck, round, open-air structure.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Jet bridge12 views
|
|
View of Ishigaki Airport from the jet bridge.12 views
|
|
Jet bridge12 views
|
|
RAC commuter plane.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Pushback at Ishigaki Airport on JTA Boeing 737-800 for Naha. Didn't see any ground crew waving goodbye to us.12 views
|
|
RAC (Ryukyu Air Commuter) prop plane.12 views
|
|
Leaving Ishigaki Airport.12 views
|
|
ANA Boeing 787 landing at Ishigaki Airport, probably from Haneda, Tokyo. Thanks to the new airport's longer runway, such wide-body jets can land here.12 views
|
|
Up, up and away...12 views
|
|
Lots of farmland next to the airport.12 views
|
|
Flying over Shiraho, Ishigaki.12 views
|
|
Looking at the Nosoko area of Ishigaki. Mt. Nosokodake can be seen. Bye-bye Ishigaki...12 views
|
|
Aerial view of Nosoko, Ishigaki.12 views
|
|
Aerial view of Ibaruma Coast, Ishigaki.12 views
|
|
Ishigaki Port boat dock. Anei Kanko (安栄観光) and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry (八重山観光フェリー) are the two main boat companies operating here.12 views
|
|
Hotel pool if you want to swim. Because you cannot swim in the ocean...12 views
|
|
Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's newer Ocean Garden annex. 新館12 views
|
|
Very modern room.12 views
|
|
Room rate is about ¥15,000/person in this new annex. Pricing also depends on the season.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Roomy balcony of my hotel room.12 views
|
|
View from my room.12 views
|
|
Tropical plant.12 views
|
|
Although the hotel's name has the word "Beach," there's no beach and it's not for swimming. 12 viewsIn summer, they have marine activities, but no ocean swimming or sunbathing on a beach. There's a pool and lawn though.
|
|
An adjacent hotel had chairs on the waterfront for the sunset.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Ishigaki sunset.12 views
|
|
The hotel's oceanfront does have great Ishigaki sunset views.12 views
|
|
Dinner at the hotel's Nami no Shi (波の詩) restaurant. Dinner was kaiseki ryori (会席料理) including Okinawan beef. 赤瓦レストラン 波の詩12 viewsにがなの白和え、グルクン南蛮漬、小松菜の胡麻和え、お造り 2 点盛、島魚の煮つけ、県産和牛の 陶板焼き、ゆし豆腐のすまし汁
|
|
Dinner at the hotel's restaurant. 12 views
|
|
Painting of Okinawan dancers in the hotel.12 views
|
|
Painting of Okinawan yotsudake dancer in the hotel corridor.12 views
|
|
Starry night from Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof.12 views
|
|
Stargazing on the Ishigakijima Beach Hotel Sunshine's roof. This tour option is called "Shani-shani Hoshizora Tour" (しゃにしゃに星空ツアー). 12 viewsInfo in Japanese: https://www.utakuna-ishigakijima.com/hoshizoratour
|
|
We're lying flat on cots and staring at the sky as our stargazing guide used a laser pointer to point out stars and constellations.12 views
|
|
Another stargazing spot on Ishigaki, in the middle of sugar cane. We were with a large group of people also sitting on camping chairs.12 viewsThe guide standing on the left talked nonstop in Japanese with a microphone. He used a laser pointer to point out constellations and stars.
|
|
|
Moon was nice too.12 views
|
|
Having tea or ice cream on an old water buffalo cart. (Photo by tour guide motti.)12 views
|
|
Iriomote's forests are a mishmash of all kinds of flora growing wild everywhere in all directions. It's not like the neat, orderly forests of trees on mainland Japan. 大富林道大正池12 views
|
|
Guided tours are recommended. Local guides know the flora and fauna and the difficult or slightly hazardous sections of hiking trails. Local tour guide: https://www.motti-iriomotejima.com/12 views
|
|
Great views of the greenery from the Otomi Lookout Deck.12 views
|
|
Local tour guides, car rentals, etc., try to attract the attention of arriving tourists at Ohara Port.12 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. 旧石垣港。12 views
|
|
The old Ohara Port, Iriomote.12 views
|
|
After walking from Shuri Station, this is the where you start walking up the hill toward Shuri Castle. Gradual slope, no problem for most people.12 views
|
|
Ryukyu pine trees on the way to Shuri Castle.12 views
|
|
Nice long path along the castle wall leading to the entrance of Shuri Castle.12 views
|
|
Sonohyan-Utaki Ishimon, place of worship. 園比屋武御嶽石門（そのひゃんうたきいしもん）12 views
|
|
Sonohyan-Utaki Ishimon is a World Heritage Site. 園比屋武御嶽石門（そのひゃんうたきいしもん）12 views
|
|
When you walk toward Kankaimon Gate to enter Shuri Castle, you'll see Shureimon Gate right across. However, this is the back side, so go through the gate and see it from the front side.12 views
|
|
"Shurei no Kuni"12 views
|
|
Kankaimon Gate, main entrance to the castle for tourists. 歓会門12 views
|
|
Steps to Zuisenmon Gate lined with monuments on both sides. 瑞泉門12 views
|
|
Kyukeimon Gate12 views
|
|
Sappo poetry monuments along the steps. 冊封七碑（さっぽうしちひ）12 views
|
|
冊封七碑（さっぽうしちひ）12 views
|
|
After Kankaimon is Zuisenmon Gate near a spring. Restored in 1992. 瑞泉門12 views
|
|
Seesaa at Zuisenmon Gate.12 views
|
|
Roukokumon Gate follows Zuisenmon. 漏刻門（ろうこくもん）12 views
|
|
About Roukokumon Gate.12 views
|
|
Back of Roukokumon Gate. The building is not open to the public. 漏刻門（ろうこくもん）12 views
|
|
Kofukumon Gate to Shicha-nu Una courtyard. 広福門（こうふくもん）12 views
|
|
Shuri Castle ticket office at Kofukumon Gate.12 views
|
|
In the Shicha-nu Una is this small prefab workshop where the stone dragon pillars that stood in front of the Seiden main hall are being repaired.12 views
|
|
Kofukumon Gate 広福門（こうふくもん）12 views
|
|
View of the Una from the Seiden site. These photos were taken in early Nov. 2020.12 views
|
|
Pieces from the Seiden's stone railings.12 views
|
|
A lot of red roof tiles have been salvaged. They had volunteers painstakingly scrape off the white plaster adhering to the roof tiles. The old roof tiles cannot be reused as is.12 viewsBut roof tile experts are investigating ways to recycle the salvaged roof tiles. They will likely crush them into powder and mix it with new clay to make new roof tiles.
|
|
Left end of the Seiden site.12 views
|
|
On the left side of the Seiden site, remains of rooftop dragon head sculptures are displayed.12 views
|
|
On the left side of the Seiden site, remains of the rooftop dragon head sculptures.12 views
|
|
The dragon whiskers, teeth, etc., on display in broken pieces. 12 views
|
|
Explanation of the rooftop dragonhead ornaments. 火災前の龍頭棟飾12 views
|
|
The Japanese government has declared that the castle is to be rebuilt by 2026. The reconstruction committee is now working on the building's design and blueprints. 12 viewsConstruction will start within two years. We can be sure that they will also install a sprinkler system this time.
|
|
This is directly behind the Seiden, an area called the Ouchibara (御内原) which was the living quarters of the royal family and female attendants. 12 viewsSleeping quarters, dining room, bath house for female attendants were here. Men, except for the royal family, were forbidden from this guarded area.
|
|
12 views
|
|
Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout.12 views
|
|
Hakuginmon Gate (restored) to the sacred Shinbyoden. 白銀門（はくぎんもん）12 views
|
|
Agari-no Azana lookout point on the eastern end of Shurijo. "Agari" means "east" in Okinawan. 東のアザナ12 views
|
|
What to see from Agari-no Azana lookout point.12 views
|
|
View from Agari-no Azana lookout point.12 views
|
|
View of castle buildings from Agari-no Azana lookout point.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site in the Ouchibara.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
About Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site.12 views
|
|
Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout. On the left is the back of the Yohokoriden.12 views
|
|
Back to the Shicha-nu Una plaza, I noticed people resting inside the Keizuza and Yomotsuza. 系図座・用物座12 views
|
|
Back of Keizuza and Yomotsuza. 系図座・用物座12 views
|
|
After exiting Shicha-nu Una courtyard.12 views
|
|
In Okinawa, tree roots are always exposed because of frequent typhoons eroding the soil with winds and rains.12 views
|
|
From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ（いりのあざな）12 views
|
|
From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ（いりのあざな）12 views
|
|
From Shuri Castle's Iri-no Azana western lookout deck, view of central Naha looking toward the ocean. 西のアザナ（いりのあざな）12 views
|
|
Gift shops near Suimuikan.12 views
|
|
Suimuikan is another rest house for visitors. Basement has underground parking lots. 首里杜館12 views
|
|
Seesaa at Suimuikan entrance.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Next to Shuri Castle is Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts.12 views
|
|
Kouri Ocean Tower has three lookout decks and the top deck on the 4th floor is outdoors.12 views
|
|
Kouri Ocean Tower's admission fee includes a cart ride up the hill to the tower.12 views
|
|
The cart drives by itself along this path up the hill.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Arrival cart station at Kouri Ocean Tower.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Kouri Ohashi Bridge as seen from Kouri Ocean Tower's top deck.12 views
|
|
View of Yagaji Island.12 views
|
|
Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.12 views
|
|
Lower floors have exhibition panels explaining about Kouri Island.12 views
|
|
About the Kouri Bridge.12 views
|
|
A few historical spots on the island.12 views
|
|
Main side of the island near the bridge.12 views
|
|
Had lunch here at Airando FIJI Restaurant & Cafe. It had a view of the bridge and ocean on the roof too.12 views
|
|
In central Naha, Kokusai-dori is the city's main drag of shops and restaurants. Mostly for tourists. The nearest rail stations are Kencho-mae and Makishi Stations on the Yui Rail. Large building on the right is the Okinawa Prefectural capitol.12 views
|
|
Okinawan dolls for sale on Kokusai-dori.12 views
|
|
The show is from 7 pm to 10 pm when they play three sets (two intermissions) for a cover charge of only ¥2,300 (as of Nov. 2020). Food and drink are extra.12 viewshttp://livehousesimauta.com/
|
|
They've lasted this long thanks to occasional personnel changes. The current members are the sixth incarnation of the group.12 views
|
|
In recent years, they've been spelling their name in English as "Nenez." However, the original spelling is "Nenes" which is how I still spell their name. 12 viewsNot to be confused with the Hawaiian goose. "Nene" means "sister" in Okinawan, equivalent to "ne-chan" in Japanese.
|
|
She plays the sanshin (三線), another icon of Okinawa. The three-stringed sanshin came to Okinawa (Ryukyu Kingdom) from China in the 16th century. It later evolved into the shamisen on mainland Japan.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
The sanshin is a modest instrument, used to complement the singing. Okinawan folk songs focus on the singing, not the instruments. 12 viewsThis is opposite from the Tsugaru-jamisen (shamisen) in Aomori Prefecture which uses the showy jamisen as the main focus with long jamisen instrumentals.
|
|
Uehara Nagisa (上原渚) plays another common Okinawan musical instrument: the finger whistle (yubi-bue 指笛).12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Rubber slippers12 views
|
|
Rubber slippers12 views
|
|
Don Quijote on Kokusai-dori in Naha, Okinawa.12 views
|
|
Raunchy artwork and graffitti on Kokusai-dori.12 views
|
|
Intersection in front of Kokusai-dori, looking toward Pallet Kumoji mall.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Cherry tree at Edogawa Heisei Garden pond, Tokyo.12 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms at Edogawa Heisei Garden pond, Tokyo.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Adjacent to Gyosen Park is Ukita Park.12 views
|
|
Way to Ukita Park.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms at Ukita Park, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo. 宇喜田公園12 views
|
|
I started walking along the river from Shin-Wataribashi Bridge near the middle of the 3km river.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Shinkawa River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Shinkawa River Senbonzakura Cherry Blossoms, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Ukita Daiichi Park. Riverside pocket park. 宇喜田第一公園12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
So many great sakura shots here.12 views
|
|
Traditional-looking restrooms.12 views
|
|
Top of the Hinomi Yagura Fire Watchtower. It's wooden and 15 meters high. 火の見やぐら12 views
|
|
Fire Watchtower and cherry blossoms.12 views
|
|
Fire Watchtower and cherry blossoms.12 views
|
|
View of Shinkawa River from the Hinomi Yagura Fire Watchtower. 火の見やぐら12 views
|
|
Floodgate pool.12 views
|
|
The area around the Fire Watchtower is like a park named Nishi-Suimon Hiroba (西水門広場).12 views
|
|
A short walk to Ukita Bridge where I turned left to walk to Funabori Station (Toei Shinjuku Line).12 views
|
|
Pine tree amid cherry blossoms.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Looking toward Tokyo Skytree.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
In front of Funabori Station. 船堀駅12 views
|
|
Gujo-Hachiman Castle's tenshu main tower. Reconstruction built in 1933. The original castle was dismantled in 1870 when the samurai system was abolished. Only the stone walls and foundations remained. 12 viewsThis reconstruction is unusual because it was built using wood instead of concrete. This is in fact Japan's oldest reconstructed main castle tower made of wood.
Entrance to the castle tower can be seen on the right. Small admission charged.
|
|
CD listening station for many cover versions by famous Japanese singers and groups. There are many, and you can listen to each of them.12 viewsThe song was included in a record for the first time in 1958 when Kyoto University made an album of its university songs on the 90th anniversary of the school's founding. In 1961, a chorus group named Boney Jacks recorded the song in an album of Japanese songs. And so did singer Peggy Hayama in 1962.
|
|
Rear of Verse 4 Song Monument, Chikubushima.12 viewsIt explains about the origin of the song. The monument was donated by the Biwako Kisen tour boat company which operates the boats going to the island as well as other tour boats in Lake Biwa, including the Michigan paddlewheel boat based in Otsu.
|
|
Short walk from the station, but you need to know where to turn right and go up this slope. It's not clearly marked from the road.12 views
|
|
Ohmi Railways Hino Station building was completey renovated in 2017. Very impressive job. Other structures were also renovated including a small railway museum. Renovations were completed by May 2020. 近江鉄道 日野駅12 views
|
|
|
|
The ticket window used to be on the left corner. Now it's in the right corner. The exit goes to the train platform. The latticed ceiling came from the station's VIP room which was on the right side of the building.12 views
|
|
Ticket window on the right (closed).12 views
|
|
Old Hino Station sign has been in use since the Showa Period (ended in 1989). Displayed on train platform No. 1.12 views
|
|
On Hino Station's train platform No. 1. Original wooden columns still usable are retained.12 views
|
|
Hino Station has three sets of railway tracks, very rare. The unused middle track is vintage, made by Barrow Steel from the UK. Train platform No. 2 (for Yokaichi/Maibara) across the tracks has a roofed benches also renovated.12 views
|
|
Nanairo cafe menu.12 views
|
|
Hino Station now has a nice community space named "Nanairo" that serves as a cafe, tourist information space, and waiting room for passengers. Tourist pamphlets are on the left.12 views
|
|
|
|
Nanairo cafe has a Western-style truss ceiling from the Taisho Period.12 views
|
|
Cafe menu. Low prices. Udon, soba, and teishoku complete meals.12 views
|
|
My teishoku lunch.12 views
|
|
Hino Station Railway Museum. 日野駅鉄道資料展示室12 views
|
|
Upper left is a photo of Hino Station's opening day. The back of the station building can be seen. The building was rebuilt in 1916.12 views
|
|
During the renovation, the entire train station building was jacked up to reinforce the foundation against earthquakes.12 views
|
|
Magneto telephone with a crank (磁石式電話機), signal light, and red signal flag to signal the train.12 views
|
|
On the left are old flyers advertising local businesses in Hino while mentioning Hino Station. Lower right is a roof ornament that has the old crest of Ohmi Railways.12 views
|
|
Ad for a shipping company in front of Hino Station.12 views
|
|
Hino Station in 1974.12 views
|
|
Flowery site of Konodai Castle in Ichikawa, Chiba. No castle buildings. 国府台城跡12 views
|
|
Yumi Katsura Lover's Sanctuary Monument built in 2006. Yumi Katsura is a wedding dress designer.12 views
|
|
|
For a small admission fee, you can board and tour inside Kaiwo Maru. Well worth it.12 views
|
|
12 views
|
|
Magnetic compass on the bridge.12 views
|
|
Narrow bridge to the bow.12 views
|
|
Forecastle deck near the bow.12 views
|
|
On the right is a speaking tube.12 views
|
|
Bridge12 views
|
|
Cadet's cabin with 8 bunk beds. They spent 6 months at sea as trainees.12 views
|
|
Cadet's cabin with bunk beds 185 cm long and 65 cm wide. This is smaller than the standard futon (90 cm x 200 cm) we sleep on today.12 views
|
|
Hallway on upper deck.12 views
|
|
Hallway on upper deck.12 views
|
|
Love Sanctuary. Perhaps many visiting couples kissed or hugged each other here.12 views
|
|
Galley12 views
|
|
Dining/lecture room on upper deck.12 views
|
|
Skylight in above the dining/lecture room.12 views
|
|
Captain's Day Room has a oiran Japanese doll.12 views
|
|
Captain's bedroom.12 views
|
|
Captain's bedroom and desk.12 views
|
|
Senior Navigation Professor's cabin.12 views
|
|
Steering wheel selfie spot.12 views
|
|
Life boats and funnel.12 views
|
|
Kaiwo Maru's spare propeller and capstan.12 views
|
|
| 71052 files on 282 page(s) |
 |
|
264 | |
|
|
