 Most viewed |
Onari-zashiki 御成座敷19 views
|
|
These flowers were in bloom in late March.19 views
|
|
Tofukuji's bell tower is noted for wood carvings. 19 views
|
|
Kamagaya Daibutsu is Japan's smallest Great Buddha bronze statue. Height is 1.8 meter. It has amazingly survived since Nov. 1776 when it was commissioned by local merchant Okuniya Fukuda Bun'emon (大国屋福田文右衛門) to memorialize his 19 views
|
|
About Kamagaya Daibutsu. In 1972, it was designated as a Cultural Property of Kamagaya.19 views
|
|
Monuments at Kamagaya Hachiman Shrine.19 views
|
|
Kamagaya Daibutsu Station platform.19 views
|
|
JR Abiko Station south entrance. 19 views
|
|
Kashiwa Station west exit area.19 views
|
|
Exiting from Tobu Line.19 views
|
|
At Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, baby red-crowned crane. You can see baby cranes at the park from April to June.19 views
|
|
Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, Hokkaido.19 views
|
|
When I arrived, they were performing the sumo jinku folk singing. 相撲甚句19 views
|
|
This is shokkiri or comedic sumo. Two lower ranking wrestlers do things normally not allowed in sumo. Spitting at each other, kicking, fighting with the referee, etc. 初切り19 views
|
|
Juryo wrestler Kitanowaka facing frontward. 北の若19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Yokozuna Terunofuji performing the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony. He was absent in the last four tournaments. Finally back in the ring.19 views
|
|
Good to see Terunofuji after four tournament absences. He plans to compete in the May 2023 summer tournament in Tokyo.19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Aoiyama 碧山19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Hoshoryu 豊昇龍19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Approaching Hakodate Port with Mt. Hakodate in view.19 views
|
|
Approaching Hakodate Port at the heart of Hakodate. The port used to bring train ferries to connect trains to Hakodate Station.19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Gift shop inside JR Hakodate Station.19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
19 views
|
|
Heading to Hotel Laforet in Moriyama.18 views
|
|
The Biwako Ohashi Bridge is the largest bridge in Shiga, linking Moriyama and Katata at the neck of Lake Biwa's panhandle.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Passing by Ishiyama-dera temple along the Seta River. The temple has National Treasure buildings. Also famous as the place where Lady Murasaki wrote the famous novel, Tale of Genji.18 views
|
|
Welcome back!18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
JR Kurayoshi Station.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Tokyo Tower celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
The finish line was at Sakura Bridge near Asakusa. Elderly alumni spectators on Sakura Bridge sang the school song spontaneously. 18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Sendai Suzume Odori dance18 views
|
|
The runners celebrate on the podium.18 views
|
|
Aokigahara Forest is on a large lava flow of Mt. Fuji, so the ground is solid lava rock. 18 views
|
|
There are many lava tubes around Mt. Fuji. 18 viewsThis one is less touristy, and not to be confused with the more touristy ones called Fugaku Wind Cave (富岳風穴) and Narusawa Ice Cave (鳴沢氷穴) near Lake Saiko.
|
|
Inside Houtou Fudo Kitamoto Branch restaurant (ほうとう不動).18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Shukuba lodging towns in Saitama Prefecture as shown at the Nakasendo Shukuba-kan (中山道宿場館).18 views
|
|
Nakasendo Shukuba-kan has woodblock-style postcard printing in three different colors. It's free.18 views
|
|
Inari Shrine's stone lanterns were donated by safflower producers. Their names are engraved on the lanterns.18 views
|
|
About Inari Shrine's stone lanterns.18 views
|
|
About Inari Shrine's Power Stone (chikara-ishi). 力石18 views
|
|
Shimamura family earthen storehouse roof was recently renovated (島村家住宅土蔵).18 views
|
|
Stairs to the 2nd floor.18 views
|
|
Emperor Meiji also once rested here while passing through in 1878 and there's this stone marker for it at the Honjin gate.18 views
|
|
From a side street, we could see the roof of the Honjin stil remaining.18 views
|
|
A former Hatago inn for travelers now called the Kobayashi residence. It's now a coffee shop. 旧・旅籠（小林家）18 views
|
|
Oke-chan is Okegawa's official mascot. He is a Nakasendo traveler sporting a safflower on this head.18 views
|
|
Soybeans18 views
|
|
What the vats look like down below.18 views
|
|
Toyama Memorial Museum (遠山記念館) has this thatched-roof home built in 1936 by Kawajima-native Toyama Gen'ichi (遠山元一 1890–1972), the founder of Nikko Securities. It was a home for his mother. 18 views
|
|
Tokonoma alcove.18 views
|
|
Tea ceremony room alcove.18 views
|
|
Keisai Eisen's print shows a traveler approaching a house to ask for directions to Hikawa Tenman Shrine. A woman farmer is threshing grain, and her husband smoking a pipe in the house. 18 viewsTobacco leaves are drying from the eaves. A man sits sideways on a pack horse headed in the opposite direction. 岐阻街道 桶川宿 曠原之景
|
|
"Japan as One"18 views
|
|
Daiki Tanaka18 views
|
|
Daiki Tanaka18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Remarks by Rui Hachimura, the main reason for Japan's renewed interest in the NBA.18 views
|
|
Speech by Rui Hachimura.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Large block of empty seats. It seems the TV cameras needed a clear view and the red seats were for sponsors left unused. Hope we don't see this at the Olympics.18 views
|
|
Kadysha Juna Umezawa, from Canada.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Japan easily beat Chinese Taipei.18 views
|
|
Outside the srena.18 views
|
|
Saitama Super Arena concourse had a few souvenir stands.18 views
|
|
Saori Miyazaki18 views
|
|
Kadysha Juna Umezawa, from Canada.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
JR Ito Station18 views
|
|
Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Ito Onsen.18 views
|
|
One of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune in Ito Onsen.18 views
|
|
Ito, Shizuoka on the Izu Peninsula.18 views
|
|
Seizan Yamato, a hot spring ryokan in Ito, Shizuoka. Way to the hot spring baths.18 views
|
|
Roadside foot bath.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Shuzenji Temple's wedded trees (two tree trunks growing from the same roots). There's also a child tree. Women who want to get married or have children come to pray here.18 views子宝の杉
|
|
18 views
|
|
Ota-juku Honjin Gate front view. Too bad the Honjin is gone. Ota-juku's Honjin was rebuilt anew to lodge Princess Kazunomiya when she was to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo to marry Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi in 1861. 太田宿本陣門18 views
|
|
Kiso Riverside rest house. Great for a walk or cycling.18 views
|
|
Ota-juku Honjin layout. The original Honjin was a large Japanese-style mansion with many rooms. It was in the center of Ota-juku and operated by the Fukuda family whose head also served as the Ota-juku headman.18 viewsIn the Meiji Period, the Honjin was used as the Ota Town Hall.
|
|
Kiso River with Ota Bridge where travelers crossed the river in the old days on the Nakasendo Road. 太田の渡し場18 views太田橋
|
|
Ota-juku Nakasendo Museum and reconstruction of manga artist Okamoto Ippei's house. 太田宿中山道会館 + 糸遊庵18 views
|
|
Inside Ota-juku Nakasendo Museum. Free admission.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Ota-ya traveler's store18 views
|
|
Kimono18 views
|
|
Scale model of the Ota Magistrate's office. 尾張藩太田代官所18 views
|
|
About river rafts.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Museum gift shop.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Ota-juku lantern18 views
|
|
Former Juroku Bank, Ota Branch. 旧十六銀行 太田支店18 views
|
|
Small desk was for the merchant taking care of tobacco business at Komatsu-ya or Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅).18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Rear entrance to Komatsu-ya.18 views
|
|
Gate to Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺18 views
|
|
About Yusenji Temple founded in 1474. The temple has a poem monument for Basho.18 views
|
|
Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺18 views
|
|
Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺18 views
|
|
Old roof at Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Roof ornament.18 views
|
|
Selection and isolation of the Saio princess.18 views
|
|
In 1970 when they surveyed the land for a housing project in Meiwa, they finally discovered the remains of the Saiku Palace. In 1979, the site was designated as a National Historic Site. Reconstruction of a Saiku archaeological excavation.18 views
|
|
Pottery found at the Saiku site.18 views
|
|
Green-glazed pottery18 views
|
|
Washing fishing boat at Wajima port.18 views
|
|
Tarumi Falls flow directly into the ocean. 垂水の滝18 viewsSosogi Coast in Wajima is a scenic area of craggy and unusual rock formations. Sights include Window Rock (Mado-iwa) and Tarumi Falls.
|
|
Rokkosaki Lighthouse is on the northern tip of Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Built in July 1883 and designed by a British engineer named Richard Henry Brunton. It is also pronounced "Rokkozaki."18 viewsRichard Henry Brunton (1841–1901) came to Japan in July 1868 to design lighthouses. He designed 26 lighthouses in Japan and was dubbed "Father of Japanese lighthouses".
|
|
Marker for "Center of the Japanese Archipelago" near Rokkosaki Lighthouse.18 views
|
|
The old Wakura Onsen Center was a large public hot spring bath which charged ¥1,300. It had three hot spring baths. 和倉温泉18 views
|
|
Takojima Kiriko Festival held in autumn in Suzu. Floats have lots of lacquered parts. 蛸島キリコ祭り18 viewshttps://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kiriko/en/kiriko/takojima.php
写真提供：©石川県観光連盟
|
|
18 views
|
|
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort as seen from Manzamo. 18 views
|
|
Japanese victims are inscribed by prefecture. Foreign nationals are inscribed by country.18 views
|
|
Mabuni Cliff18 views
|
|
Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.18 views
|
|
Names of 14,000+ Americans who died in Okinawa.18 views
|
|
Stargazing near Nosokodake. Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.18 views
|
|
Ryukyu matsu pine trees 琉球松18 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼18 views
|
|
Cape Ogansaki 御神埼18 views
|
|
Our Anei Kanko high-speed boat to Iriomote. 第12あんえい号18 views総トン数19t 旅客定員89名 航海速力38.0ノット 2003年12月進水・2004年1月就航
|
|
View of coral reef from Nosokodake Lookout Point in northern Ishigaki. 18 views
|
|
Old Ishigaki Port for tourist boats. It didn't have a passenger terminal building like today, only tour agent offices.18 views
|
|
Entrance to Ishigaki Yaeyama Museum that opened in 1972 to mark the reversion of Okinawa to Japan. It's right near Ishigaki Port. 石垣市立八重山博物館18 views
|
|
Floating dock at the old Ishigaki Port. 離島桟橋18 views
|
|
Ryukyu pine trees on the way to Shuri Castle.18 views
|
|
At the castle wall, go right and walk along the stone wall.18 views
|
|
Nice long path along the castle wall leading to the entrance of Shuri Castle.18 views
|
|
Shureimon Gate (守礼門), one of the castle's main gates. This gate was reconstructed in 1958 since most castle structures got destroyed during World War II. 18 views
|
|
During World War II, the Japanese Army's HQ was in underground bunkers under Shuri Castle. One entrance was right near Shureimon Gate.18 views
|
|
Seesaa at Kankaimon Gate.18 views
|
|
Sappo poetry monuments along the steps. 冊封七碑（さっぽうしちひ）18 views
|
|
About the Ryuhi dragon spring.18 views
|
|
Going through Zuisenmon Gate. 瑞泉門18 views
|
|
Roukokumon Gate follows Zuisenmon. 漏刻門（ろうこくもん）18 views
|
|
Back of Roukokumon Gate. The building is not open to the public. 漏刻門（ろうこくもん）18 views
|
|
Shuri Castle ticket office at Kofukumon Gate.18 views
|
|
Shuri Suimui Utaki sacred site. 首里森御嶽（すいむいうたき）18 views
|
|
Schedule of events for the Shuri Castle Matsuri Festival in early Nov. 2020.18 views
|
|
The building was only 27 years old. If you've never saw it, you missed out. The black bags contain red roof tiles salvaged from the fire.18 views
|
|
Pillar foundations. Lumber researchers are conducting strength tests on various wood samples.18 viewsAlthough the Japanese government has stated that hinoki cypress (considered to be top-quality wood) would be used, Okinawan researchers have found that local oak wood is stronger than hinoki.
|
|
Explanation of the rooftop dragonhead ornaments. 火災前の龍頭棟飾18 views
|
|
This prefab building on the Seiden site shows the Seiden's stone foundation from the 15th century. 正殿遺構を保護する覆屋18 views
|
|
Rear part of the Seiden Hall.18 views
|
|
Rear pillar stones of the Seiden, looking toward the Ouchibara. The Yohokoriden is seen directly ahead.18 views
|
|
One thing that they're all saying is, "We shall rebuild it and make it EVEN BETTER than ever before."18 views
|
|
They were also last year's king and queen. They are reprising their roles this year because this year's contest in September 2020 to select a king and queen was canceled.18 viewsAbout the king and queen: http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2020/11/06/32933/
|
|
Walking back down from Agari-no Azana lookout.18 views
|
|
Well connected to an underground water reservoir.18 views
|
|
Well connected to an underground water reservoir. Not in use.18 views
|
|
Hakuginmon Gate (restored) to the sacred Shinbyoden. 白銀門（はくぎんもん）18 views
|
|
Way to Agari-no Azana lookout point.18 views
|
|
View from Agari-no Azana lookout point.18 views
|
|
View of castle buildings from Agari-no Azana lookout point.18 views
|
|
Mamo-no-uchi Utaki sacred site in the Ouchibara.18 views
|
|
Way to Kyo-no-uchi.18 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）18 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）18 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）18 views
|
|
Stone marker for Shurijo Castle. Near Kobikimon.18 views
|
|
Gift shops near Suimuikan.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Costume worn by actress Nakama Yukie.18 views
|
|
Benzaiten-do Hall at Shuri Castle. 弁財天堂18 views
|
|
Benzaiten-do Hall wall.18 views
|
|
On the 1st anniversary of the Shurijo Castle fire in late Oct. 2020, Okinawa held a few events to give hope. We attended an evening reception at Shuri Castle for tourism professionals.18 viewsThis was outdoors in front of the reconstructed Keizuza/Yomotsuza. It had a makeshift stage for Okinawan entertainment.
|
|
We didn't see any signs to turn into side roads to see local sights like the heart-shaped rocks on the beach. We missed it.18 views
|
|
Map of Kouri Ocean Tower.18 views
|
|
View from cart path to Kouri Ocean Tower.18 views
|
|
Approaching Kouri Ocean Tower.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Pink coral.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Beautiful ocean views from Kouri Ocean Tower's top lookout deck.18 views
|
|
Some natural formations on Kouri Island.18 views
|
|
Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.18 views
|
|
Shisa guardian lion-dog at the entrance of Kokusai-dori.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Lots of T-shirt shops on Kokusai-dori, but most are not made in Okinawa.18 views
|
|
Kariyushi shirts, Okinawan-style Aloha shirts.18 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori. ハイサイおきなわビル18 views
|
|
Haisai Okinawa Building on Kokusai-dori is where the Nenes/Nenez perform at Live House Shima-uta on the 3rd floor.18 views
|
|
The sanshin is a modest instrument, used to complement the singing. Okinawan folk songs focus on the singing, not the instruments. 18 viewsThis is opposite from the Tsugaru-jamisen (shamisen) in Aomori Prefecture which uses the showy jamisen as the main focus with long jamisen instrumentals.
|
|
Heiwa-dori shopping arcade18 views
|
|
Surprised to see Don Quijote on Kokusai-dori. One of the few shops that's not Okinawan, but I was glad to see Kokusai-dori not overrun by non-Okinawan businesses. Hopefully we'll never see Gucci, etc., here either.18 views
|
|
Naha Bus stop on Kokusai-dori.18 views
|
|
Tenbusu Naha てんぶす那覇 18 views
|
|
Lots of Okinawan restaurants on Kokusai-dori.18 views
|
|
A&W restaurant's Kokusai-dori branch is at the entrance to Kokusai-dori on the 2nd floor.18 views
|
|
Beni-imo soft service ice cream cone from Blue Seal.18 views
|
|
In front of Satte Station, the bus stop for Gogendo Park.18 views
|
|
I couldn't wait for the next bus.18 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms on the top of the embankment.18 views
|
|
Cherry blossom tunnel on the riverbank. 18 views
|
|
Walking around the rapeseed blossoms is the main highlight since you also see the cherry blossoms.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms at Gogendo Park in Satte, Saitama Prefecture. 18 views
|
|
Many of the trees were cut down during WWII for firewood. The ones we see today were planted in 1949. 18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Every spring, they show this on the TV news in Tokyo, but it's way more beautiful to see it in person. The place is also a lot bigger than what you see on TV. 18 views
|
|
Great place to take pictures of your family or love one(s).18 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms and rapeseed blossoms at Gogendo Park in Satte, Saitama Prefecture. 18 views
|
|
In late March or early April, the park has some cherry blossoms.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Still the same weeping cherry tree.18 views
|
|
A few cherry blossoms near the pond.18 views
|
|
Cherry tree at Edogawa Heisei Garden pond, Tokyo.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms at Ukita Park, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo. 宇喜田公園18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
Lots of people flower viewing in early April 2019.18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
A short walk to Ukita Bridge where I turned left to walk to Funabori Station (Toei Shinjuku Line).18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
18 views
|
|
| 71464 files on 284 page(s) |
 |
|
265 | |
|
|
