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The fourth Odawara Castle lord, Hojo Ujimasa played by well-known actor Takashima Masanobu. 四代氏政 (高嶋政伸)10 views
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Hachigata Castle Matchlock Gun Battalion. 10 views
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Group for Nirayama Castle lord Hōjō Ujinori, the fourth son of Hōjō Ujiyasu. 韮山城主 北条氏規隊10 views
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The last group in the parade, ninja. 風魔忍者隊 相州乱破衆「風魔」10 views
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Okagane-mon Gate 銅門10 views
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Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club. The club is a tourism ambassador for Odawara.10 views
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Child ninja belonging to the Fūma ninja clan. 忍者風魔小太郎隊10 views
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Members of the local media, radio and TV.10 views
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Samurai entourage for the first Odawara Hojo lord, Hōjō Sōun. Played by international students studying Japanese at local Japanese language schools.10 views
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Samurai group from Kamakura for Hōjō Ujitoki, Tamanawa Castle lord. 玉縄城主 北条氏時隊 鎌倉市玉縄城址まちづくり会議10 views
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Hōjō Choko (Gen'an), second and youngest son of Hōjō Sōun. Played by people from International University of Health and Welfare. 北条長綱隊 国際医療福祉大学10 views
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Park entrance. The park is open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (until 7:30 pm on weekends and mid-summer.) Closed Mon. unless it's a national holiday. Free admission. Parking available. 15 min. by bus from JR Kitamoto Station (JR Takasaki Line10 viewsAddress: 5-200 Arai, Kitamoto, Saitama
埼玉県北本市荒井5-200
埼玉県自然学習センター
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Kitamoto Nature Observation Park is spread over 26.7 hectares and home to a variety of plants and animals, including over 1,700 species of insects and 160 species of wild birds.10 views Lots of marshland where birds can nest. Walking paths are provided for visitors. The park includes a nature study center, a library, and guided tours on weekends.
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JR Zushi Station is slightly beyond Kamakura. Takes a little over an hour from Tokyo Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. Local buses go to local attractions. The beach is near enough to walk to.10 views
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Near the torii is the Hayama Lighthouse. 葉山灯台10 views
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About Morito Daimyojin Shrine.10 views
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Kumano Shrine in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture. 熊野神社10 views
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On Cape Chikyu is the Cape Chikiu Lighthouse built in 1920. One of Japan's Top 50 Lighthouses. チキウ岬灯台10 views
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This is another lookout deck on Mt. Sokuryo, at the foot of an antenna. You can walk around it. Best views of Muroran Port and the steel plant.10 views
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Points of interest from Mt. Sokuryo.10 views
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Hakucho Bridge can be seen with Mt. Yotei in the background on the right.10 views
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Part of Etomo-Rinkai Park can be seen.10 views
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Map of Etomo-Rinkai Park which includes a waterfront, grassy park area with views of Hakucho Bridge, Roadside Station Mitara Muroran, hot spring, aquarium, miniature golf, Bell of Happiness, and boat harbor.10 views
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Miniature golf course.10 views
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Hakucho Bridge ramp.10 views
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Bought a pair of Muroran manju.10 views
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Driving on Hakucho Bridge to mainland Hokkaido.10 views
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Entrance to Harry Potter Studio in Tokyo.10 views
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Entrance hall with pictures of movie scenes.10 views
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About Gryffindor.10 views
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Library.10 views
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Voldemort, The Dark Lord, and his snake Nagini. Each time one of his Horcruxes was destroyed, his greenish robe would fade in color (Deathly Hallows).10 views
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Backlot Cafe10 views
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Butterbeer Bar for non-alcoholic butterbeer (¥1,100), coffee/tea (¥500), and salted popcorn (¥700).10 views
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Don't mess with a wizard.10 views
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Aunt Marge as a balloon.10 views
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Hogwarts Bridge10 views
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Three-decker Knight Bus.10 views
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Hogwarts Express train on Platform 9¾ modeled after King’s Cross Station in London.10 views
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In the center is the “Magic is Might” monument depicting Muggles (non-magical people) crushed under the weight of a witch and wizard atop a marble column. 10 views
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Coming out of the Floo Network fireplace next to Ministry of Magic. (Video screenshot). Another interactive activity where you walk out of the fireplace’s Floo powder flames upon arrival.10 views
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Looks different from different angles. Architecture was inspired by Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Durham Cathedral, and Alnwick Castle.10 views
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Studio Shop rooms guarded by Fawkes the phoenix.10 views
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Tokyo hoodie.10 views
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Wands and more wands. Buy the wand of your favorite wizard or witch for ¥4,600.10 views
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It was built in 1964 and sailed from 1965 to March 1988 when the Seikan railway tunnel opened. 10 views
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Finally reached the bottom of the castle grounds. Fall leaves already pretty in mid-November.9 views
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Nice red momiji maple leaf gradation from light to dark.9 views
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Major spot to view and photograph the castle. The stone monument is connected with Nichiren.9 views
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View of Gujo-Hachiman Castle and fall leaves.9 views
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle and red maple leaves.9 views
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn foliage.9 views
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Steps to the castle's main keep.9 views
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Main tower and red maples.9 views
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Another gate.9 views
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Main gate to the castle's main tower.9 views
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Scroll painting of Chiyo, famous wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo in the 16th century. Chiyo was supposedly the daughter of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle's first lord, Endo Morikazu.9 views
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Main gate to the castle tower.9 views
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View from the lower floor.9 views
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First floor.9 views
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Corner turret.9 views
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Lots and lots of autumn colors at Gujo-Hachiman Castle.9 views
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It says the ventilation system in the bus completely changes the interior air every 5 min.9 views
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The bus ride to Gujo-Hachman is scenic through the mountains. 9 views
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In autumn, Jion-zenji Temple is a major attraction for autumn leaves in Tessoen Garden.9 views
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Suikin-kutsu water basin that makes a leasant sound with water droplets. 水琴窟9 views
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Temple bell and ginkgo tree at a neighborhood temple.9 views
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Water looks clean enough for washing potatoes.9 views
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Gujo Odori has ten dance songs. During Gujo Odori, the dances and music go on continuously with live music and singers. So when do the musicians take a break?9 views
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About Iwasaki Takizo (1895–1965), inventor of the ubiquitous food replicas we see in restaurants in Japan. He was from Gujo-Hachiman where today over 50% of Japan's food replicas are made. He made his first food replica, an omelette, in 1932. 9 views
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About Gujo-Hachiman's northern part of town (Kitamachi).9 views
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Kodara River looking downstream.9 views
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Traditional townscape along a neighborhood called Kajiya-machi where the town's craftsmen lived and worked. 鍛冶屋町9 views
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Red water bucket to put out fires.9 views
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Daijoji Temple in autumn. 大乗寺9 views
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Yoshida River as seen from Shinbashi Bridge.9 views
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Enakyo is a scenic, gorge-like area along the Kiso River. Noted for cherry blossoms in spring, autumn colors in November, and unusual rock formations.9 views
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JR Ena Station platform and JR Chuo Line.9 views
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Manhole in Ena, Gifu.9 views
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Entering Sazanami Park lined with red maple leaves in mid-November.9 views
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Tanka poetry monument on the tip of Sazanami Park. Lower monument commemorates the development of Enakyo.9 views
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Upper level of Sazanami Park.9 views
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This path to the temple is the main highlight lined with lots of maple trees and souvenir shops. When I visited, many of the leaves were still in transition, changing from green to yellow to red. So the gradation or triple colors were really beautifu9 views
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Tanigumi-san is also one of the 33 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage temples in western Japan (西国三十三所). It's the last temple (No. 33) on the Saigoku pilgrimage as this stone marker indicates. It's the only one not in western Japan.9 views
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Tanigumi-san (Kegonji) Hondo main worship hall.9 views
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Prayer beads inside the dark, basement passage.9 views
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Mangan stone lantern and Kannon statue9 views
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The third building pilgrims must visit here is the Mangando (満願堂) after going up 33 stone steps right behind the main hall. It houses an 11-faced Kannon statue. 9 viewsI saw a few pilgrims chant a sutra here. The interesting feature here is the tanuki stone statues flanking the Mangando on the left and right.
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This tanuki near Mangando looks pregnant. But it cannot be pregnant because it's male. Not sure why it has an extra large stomach. No explanation.9 views
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Naminoue Beach in central Okinawa. A local favorite and convenient for Naha locals in summer.9 views
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Although this big bridge is right in front, most people don't seem to mind it.9 views
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Tomari Ohashi Bridge also has a pedestrian sidewalk. 泊大橋9 views
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Wash basin at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
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Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
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Seesaa at Naminoue Shrine.9 views
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Naminoue Shrine office where you can buy charms or request prayer ceremonies.9 views
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About a month later, he and his Black Ships shocked mainland Japan off Uraga in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the following year, after the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in Yokohama, 9 viewsPerry visited Naha again and signed the Ryukyu-U.S. Treaty of Amity on July 11, 1854. ペリー提督上陸記念碑
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Tomarin Park next to Tomari Port. 泊緑地 9 views
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About Captain Basil Hall.9 views
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Tomari Port or Tomarin Port terminal building, Naha, Okinawa.9 views
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At Tomari Port, ticket office for Tokashiki island.9 views
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Jetways at Naha Airport are decorated with orchids. A very nice touch.9 views
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Main concourse also has orchids. Orchids in Naha Airport. They are real, not fake. They also last many years with minimal water and soil requirements. 胡蝶蘭9 views
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Outside the arrivals lobby are buses taking you to nearby rental car agencies.9 views
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If you won't rent a car, take the Yui Rail to central Naha.9 views
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Yui Rail train at Naha Airport Station.9 views
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Yui Rail train 9 views
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Naha Airport terminal map.9 views
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On a later trip to Okinawa, I noticed that the window is now frosted and no longer transparent...9 views
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Departure info on screen.9 views
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Gate 23 at Naha Airport.9 views
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Jet way with flowers at Naha.9 views
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Back at Naha Airport for another flight. Leaving for Haneda.9 views
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Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 taking off from Naha Airport.9 views
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Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 taking off from Naha Airport.9 views
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Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 at Naha Airport. Our plane to Haneda.9 views
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The following photos were taken over 10 years ago. This is Naha Airport's old International Terminal that was a separate building from the Domestic Terminal. It closed in 2014 upon the opening of the new International Terminal. This old terminal is g9 views
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Approaching Naha Airport.9 views
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Entrance to Gyokusendo Cavern or Cave. 玉泉洞9 views
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The Habu Museum has live habu on display. Nocturnal, so they were sleeping. Habu are venomous vipers in Okinawa.9 views
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Exhibits of different species of habu. This one is from Kumejima island.9 views
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Great show! Saw it twice.9 views
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Okinawa World also has an architectural park called "Kingdom Village" with a few traditional Okinawan homes which were moved here. This is the grandest home, called the Uezu Residence 上州家9 views
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Shisa on the roof.9 views
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Leather crafts.9 views
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Okinawan bingata kimono9 views
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Shisa (シーサー) guardian lion dog statue on the roof to ward off evil spirits. 9 views
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Indigo fabric goods.9 views
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Okinawa Culture Center is a small history museum in Okinawa World. 王国歴史博物館9 views
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Tin can sanshin.9 views
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Bingata Okinawan kimono.9 views
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Red hibiscus9 views
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Ryukyu Glass Kingdom Studio9 views
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How to make glassware at Ryukyu Glass Kingdom Studio.9 views
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Tropical Orchard has pineapple. 熱帯フルーツ園9 views
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Stone wall9 views
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Okinawan red roof tiles9 views
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In the gift shop, bought this kariyushi shirt. Kariyushi is an Okinawan-style Aloha shirt. Most designs are muted in color, similar to showing the reverse side of the material. 9 viewsThis design shows the deigo, Okinawa's official flower or tiger's claw (デイゴ). I made sure that it was made in Okinawa. Cheaper shirts are made elsewhere. かりゆしウェア
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About the cobblestone or stone-paved path. Built by King Sho-nei in 1597 as an improved path from Urasoe Castle to Shuri Castle9 views
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Below the ocean, the slither of green is a low hill called Kakazu Ridge (嘉数高地). After landing on Chatan and Yomitan unopposed on April 1, 1945, US forces had a relatively easy time advancing south toward Shuri Castle until they got to Kakazu Ridge9 viewsabout a week later. And then here at Hacksaw Ridge which was also fortified. Bloody fighting ensued for about 3 weeks. Both ridges are now peaceful parks.
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Top of Hacksaw Ridge. Hard to imagine this was once a bloody battle site.9 viewsThis is the top of the castle site. Only a few stone walls remain, no buildings.
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Sign indicating the probable location of the Urasoe Clan's castle residence.9 views
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Modern-looking castle walls.9 views
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Rear of P-2J.9 views
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Museum's big, blue, two-story building is like an airplane hangar. The first floor has over 30 retired airplanes and replicas. The second floor has space-related exhibits. Expect to spend at least a few hours.9 views
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Salmson 2A2 was built in Gifu under a license from France. Production started in 1922 by Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd., starting Japan's aviation industry. 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）9 views
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Kawasaki KAL-1 9 views
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F-104J Starfighter cockpit.9 views
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Fuji FA-200 Aero Subaru monoplane from the 1960s.9 views
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Fuji T-3 trainer plane. There was steps to see the cockpit. T-3コックピット搭乗体験9 views
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Research jet. T-2CCV研究機9 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft 低騒音STOL実験機「飛鳥」9 views
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Rear of NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft.9 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft9 views
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Japan's rockets, all unmanned. Cutout of Itokawa Hideo, aeronautical engineer.9 views
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H3 rocket (1/20 scale model). H3ロケット（1/20模型）9 views
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NASA astronaut spacesuit and propulsion unit (actual size). 宇宙服と宇宙遊泳噴射装置（1/1模型）9 views
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US astronaut spacesuit helmet.9 views
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On the International Space Station (ISS), Japan's Kibo module is attached on the right and the Kounotori cargo vehicle is attached on the bottom.9 viewsKounotori was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA or Japan’s NASA) and used from Sept. 2009 to Aug. 2020 as expendable cargo spacecraft for delivering supplies and experiments to the International Space Station.
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On the first floor, a small exhibition about commercial aviation.9 views
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Small exhibition about commercial aviation.9 views
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Passenger planes of the future. JAXA is developing a hybrid plane using electricity.9 views
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Sister aviation museums overseas.9 views
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Fureai Bus Schedule from Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station. Only once an hour. The museum has the latest bus schedule in Japanese: http://www.sorahaku.net/access/ ふれあいバス9 views
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Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station platform.9 views
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Mieji Station platform on the Tarumi Line.9 views
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Sign indicating the heart of Mieji-juku.9 views
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Site of a local school. There's also the site of Mieji Castle nearby, but it is inaccessible (private property it seems).9 views
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On Mukaishima island, the ferry to Onomichi. Onomichi Castle can be seen across the water.9 views
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On Mukaishima island, the ferry to Onomichi. 9 views
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These photos were taken in January, so it's not so colorful.9 views
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Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge.9 views
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After crossing the bridge, go left and you will soon see Furukama Falls. 古釜の滝9 views
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From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa (downstream). 楯岩展望台9 views
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My nice room at Kinugawa Park Hotels (Kirakukan 9th floor). Ten tatami mats plus twin beds. This room can normally sleep six people or so. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ9 views
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Window-side of the room had twin beds.9 views
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Twin beds in my room. Unless it's a double bed, a futon is always more comfortable.9 views
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Hotel gift shop.9 views
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Fruits for dessert.9 views
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While we were meditating for 15 min. or so with eyes open in a yoga sitting position, this priest walked around with a long stick and whacked us on the shoulder. 9 viewsIt was pretty hard and it stung too. Fun to hear the girls' reactions... (Ouch!!) I successfully suppressed my burst of laughter during the meditation.
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View from Koyama Castle.9 views
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Old map of Manazuru Peninsula.9 views
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Yotei-zan as seen from Niseko Hirafu. ニセコ ヒラフ・羊蹄山9 views
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Niseko Hirafu. ニセコ ヒラフ9 views
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Niseko Hirafu ski lift. ニセコ ヒラフ9 views
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