 Most viewed - Chiyoda-ku 千代田区 |
The Crown Prince, the Emperor, and the Empress on the Emperor's Birthday. They were on the balcony for a whole THREE minutes. I thought they would stay there for at least 10 min. Barely had time to mount my telephoto lens.2857 views
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10:23 am: They wave to the crowd again. From left to right is the Crown Prince, the Emperor, the Empress, and Prince and Princess Akishino.2581 viewsIt was very difficult to get a good shot of them since so many flags were in the way. I had to hold the camera overhead above the flags and shoot almost blindly with my telephoto lens. Luckily, I managed to get a few decent closeup shots.
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10:22 am: The Emperor speaks. When the Emperor spoke, the crowd immediately fell silent and all the flags stopped waving. He spoke for only about a minute, thanking us for celebrating his birthday and mentioning this past year's numerous natural disas2089 viewsAfter he finished, everyone waved the flags again and cheered.
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Houkago Princess performing at Kanda Myojin Shrine for Setsubun.1777 views
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About the Sacred horse (pony).1743 views
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10:20 am: The Emperor and Empress appear right on time on his birthday. As soon as they appeared, people waved paper flags and cheered "banzai!" Also see the video at YouTube.1650 viewsIt was an amazing spectacle. I always saw it on TV, but this was the first time I saw it in person. I wish I went when Emperor Hirohito was still living.
From left to right is Princess Nori, the Crown Prince, the Emperor, the Empress, and Prince and Princess Akishino. Crown Princess Masako did not appear due to illness.
I also once used this shot for the cover photo on my home page.
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Dec. 23, 2004 at 8:30 am: Across the street from the Imperial Palace. Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 are the only two days when the general public is allowed to enter the palace to greet the Emperor and his family.1342 viewsA visit to the Imperial Palace by the general public is called "ippan sanga" in Japanese （一般参賀）.
On the Emperor's birthday, the Imperial Palace can be entered only at certain locations. You have to find out where they are and stand in line there. Just go near the Imperial Palace and ask a policeman where you can stand in line. You otherwise cannot enter the grounds. The huge, graveled plaza where you can see Nijubashi Bridge is closed off by police.
While standing in line here, we received free paper Japanese flags.
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Even Santa Claus came (from Finland??). I'm told that they might be Finns. (Santa is from Finland.)1339 views
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10:24 am: After 3 min. on the balcony, they were gone. We waited almost 2 hours for a 3-min. appearance. But I think it's something you should do at least once while in Japan.1190 views
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Entrance for state guests. This is where heads of state and other royalty enter this building.1185 views
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Train line map and fares in English at Tokyo Station as of 2007.1012 views
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Fushimi Turret. This view of the turret can only be had when you cross the bridge. I never knew what it really looked like until this day. 伏見櫓947 views
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On Nijubashi Bridge heading for the Seimon Gate. 正門941 views
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Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge. It is one of Tokyo's symbols. Behind the bridge, you can see Fushimi Turret. This picture was taken on a different day and not while we were crossing the bridge.916 views
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Japan fans. The sign says, "Downward slope ahead, walk slowly." It's only about 10:30 am, so it's a good time to walk around the Imperial Palace and the East Gardens. Although no flowers are in bloom, you might see autumn leaves.907 viewsFor more info about the Imperial Family and visiting the palace, see the Imperial Household Agency's Web site.
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10:25 am: Clearing out the crowd. We were promptly herded to the exit to make room for the next horde of people waiting to see the Emperor who appeared two more times that day.889 views
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Kyuden Totei plaza826 views
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Filled on our right823 views
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In Japanese, the Imperial Palace is called "Kokyo" (皇居）. This term begun to be used from 1948. Until then, it was called "Kyujo" (meaning palace castle 宮城）from the time Emperor Meiji took up residence.811 views
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Good location769 views
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9:40 am: Inside the Imperial Palace. This is called the Kyudentotei. It is a large plaza in front of the palace.742 views
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9:43 am: Almost front and center741 views
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Line behind738 views
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9:31 am: Crossing the famous Nijubashi Bridge. It turned out to be a completely modern bridge, no sqeaking or anything. 二重橋700 views
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The center is filled up first. The center is in front of the balcony where the Imperial family will appear. Thus, the earlier you go, the better chance of you standing in front of the balcony.697 views
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Main gate686 views
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Fushimi Turret. This view of the turret can only be had when you cross the bridge. I never knew what it really looked like until this day. 伏見櫓681 views
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Body inspection up ahead. They frisked the body and also used a metal detector as well. I had to explain that the hump in my pants pocket was a wallet and cell phone. He believed me since I have an honest-looking face.661 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Entrance in 2007. 東京駅八重洲中央口611 views
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Maids to greet you609 views
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Bag checkpoint ahead. They inspected all our bags. Note that they do not allow any drinks (not even water) to be taken into the palace. You will have to dump it in the trash can they provide.601 views
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Out of the main gate. Everything was very orderly, no pushing nor shoving.598 views
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Nakamon Gate to Imperial Palace 中門584 views
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Welcome to Akihabara! (Or Akiba for short.) Japan and Tokyo's largest cluster of electronics shops.581 views
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9:38 am: Crossing the second bridge. The first Nijubashi Bridge, which we crossed first, is in the distance. Nijubashi means double bridge. 二重橋579 views
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Tokyo Anime Center, Akihabara579 views
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9:33 am: Behind us on Nijubashi Bridge. 二重橋578 views
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576 views
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Behind us. At the very rear below the trees, there is a slightly elevated platform where the news media can take photos. You can see many tripods set up. That's how they are able to photograph the Emperor with the flags waving well below the balcony.576 views
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Left view from Nijubashi Bridge. Everyone knows what the Nijubashi Bridge looks like from outside. Finally, we see what it looks like from the bridge. 二重橋568 views
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9:57 am: Filled on our left. The entire place was full by 10 am. Quite a few foreigners were present as well. Rightists with large flags were also there.566 views
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8:37 am: We crossed the street to enter Imperial Palace grounds564 views
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8:40 am: Bag check564 views
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9:20 am: Long line behind. If it's a sunny day, it's sunburn time. We waited here for over 30 min.529 views
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Big expressive eyes.526 views
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Cosplayer teenager posing on the road.524 views
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Filling up the plaza523 views
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Nijubashi Bridge, the symbol of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. One of Japan's most famous bridges. There is another bridge behind this one. 二重橋523 views
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Right view from Nijubashi Bridge. In the distance, you can see another parallel bridge which leads directly into the inner grounds of the palace. We will cross that bridge too. There is also the castle-like structure called the Fushimi Turret.521 views
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Yasukuni Shrine's main torii during Mitama Matsuri519 views
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9:35 am: Walking toward the second bridge. We walked up a slight slope to reach the second, parallel bridge. The Fushimi Turret is in the background.514 views
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Entrance to Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace and Ginze. One of Tokyo's most centrally-located parks. Free admission.511 views
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People behind fill up the rest of the plaza509 views
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8:43 am: Passed body check and walking to waiting line. After seeing these coned lanes, I was glad that I went early. I don't know if all these lanes were later filled with people, but probably yes.497 views
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Nijubashi Bridge straight ahead!493 views
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Old Tokyo Station sign on the Yaesu side (old Daimaru Dept. Store).486 views
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9:28 am: Finally walking toward Nijubashi Bridge. There were a lot of men in trench coats gazing at the crowd.475 views
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This crow was unafraid of humans. It was right in front of me and seemed to wait for food.464 views
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Entrance. The entrance gate is 22 meters tall and 19 meters wide.461 views
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Walking toward the second bridge458 views
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Both the Marunouchi and Yaesu sides have three main entrances/exits at the north (Kita-guchi), center (Chuo-guchi), and south (Minami-guchi) ends. Tokyo Station platform sign457 views
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Approaching the entrance near Nijubashi Bridge434 views
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Lining up in line 1431 views
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Fushimi Turret as seen from Nijubashi Bridge. Edo Castle was first built by Ota Dokan (太田道灌) in 1457 when Tokyo/Edo was still a small fishing village. Ota Dokan is thus regarded as one of Tokyo's forefathers. 伏見櫓423 views
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Old Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side. On the left end is the North Entrance under a dome roof, and on the right end is the South Entrance also under a dome roof. Both dome roofs were damaged during World War II, and were repaired with slat-style roofs.420 views
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Getting closer to the bridge416 views
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Merging with another line up ahead407 views
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Fujimi Turret, Edo Castle 富士見櫓398 views
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Chidorigafuchi lit up at night.392 views
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Nebuta float and haneto dancers. Also see the video at YouTube.391 viewsMitama Mtasuri at Yasukuni Shrine.
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The maid costume is all the rage in Japan, for several years now.383 views
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382 views
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School uniform368 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Entrance 東京駅八重洲中央口改札363 views
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Here's one reason for the crowd...349 views
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Chidorigafuchi Moat is one of Tokyo's most scenic spots for cherry blossoms. As soon as you exit Kudanshita Station (Tozai and Hanzomon Line), the cherries unfold right before your eyes.348 views
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Otemon Gate, Edo Castle's main gate. 大手門348 views
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Chidorigafuchi with the roof of Budokan visible.348 views
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Many life-size costumed characters on display.342 views
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Tokyo Station, red brick building. The large center entrance also has a dome, but it is not used. The center entrance for the public is off to the left side (very small). 赤レンガビル341 views
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They are happy to pose...341 views
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Yodobashi-Akiba, the largest store in Akihabara. Major camera, computer, and electronics store.335 views
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Yodobashi-Akiba at night334 views
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Foundation of castle tower or donjon. In 1657, there was a great fire in Edo and a stray ember set the castle tower on fire and destroyed it only 19 years after it was built. It was never rebuilt. 天守台333 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side. This side faces the Imperial Palace and the Otemachi business district.330 views
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Map of the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace327 views
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Tokyo Anime Center323 views
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Passage to Yaesu side from Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance322 views
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Yasukuni Shrine, Haiden hall. After the Class-A war criminals (such as Hideki Tojo) were enshrined here, the late Emperor Hirohito (Showa) never worshipped here again. 拝殿317 views
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My video of Hie Shrine setsubun on Feb. 3, 2011.316 views
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Yasukuni Shrine is Japan's most prominent shrine for the war dead. Near Kudanshita Station on the Tozai Subway Line. This is the first giant torii315 views
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314 views
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A miniskirted pair309 views
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Heavyweight judo Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii (石井 慧) was also at Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15, 2009. He was very kind and signed autographs, shook hands, and took photos with a lot of people.308 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi North Entrance dome in 2007.307 views
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Roses in Hibiya Park, Tokyo.306 views
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I slipped in and joined the crowd.305 views
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Neputa closeup305 views
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Entrance to Tohoku and Joetsu shinkansen tracks.304 views
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303 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Entrance 東京駅丸の内南口301 views
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Inside Don Quixote, Akihabara store299 views
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Train ticket machines297 views
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Flower float, Sanno Matsuri297 views
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And another one. Young pretty/cute girls in costume pass out flyers, but end up being street models for amateur photographers who have no girlfriends to shoot.297 views
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296 views
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Coming out of Akihabara Station296 views
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Sanno torii gate and the West entrance. Escalator on the right. This torii style is unique to Hie Shrines. The shrine is nearest to Tameike-Sanno Station on the Ginza and Nanboku subway lines. 山王鳥居294 views
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Santa suit appears in Dec.290 views
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Inside Radio Center, where many teens (and future electronics engineers) bought their parts to build their first radio or motor or whatever.289 views
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Tokyo Station Tokaido Shinkansen Yaesu Central Entrance 東京駅新幹線八重洲中央口286 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu North Entrance is where long-distance buses drop you off. （Not a boarding bus stop.) The Yaesu South Entrance is where you board long-distance buses.284 views
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Inside Tokyo Station's Nihonbashi Entrance, completely different from before. Starbucks on the right.283 views
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Stairs to exit the platform.283 views
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Opened in 1914, Tokyo Station is Japan's main train station and has been undergoing major renovations. The red brick station building on the Marunouchi side has been restored with the original roof domes.282 views
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Crown Prince Hiro, Emperor Akihito, and Empress Michiko behind bulletproof glass on the veranda of the Chowaden Hall on the Emperor's Birthday. See more [url=http://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=158]photos of the Emperor's birthday[/url281 views
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Display case of dolls and cells279 views
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Tokyo Station Shinkansen Yaesu South Entrance273 views
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Maids, the costume rage in Japan for several years already.273 views
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Pikachu, Astro Boy, Doraemon273 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu South Entrance 東京駅八重洲南口272 views
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One stall in Radio Center.271 views
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National Diet of Japan 国会議事堂270 views
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Title of work: "Corolle Liberty" by Valerio Festi268 viewsThe artist is Italian.
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Tokyo Station Yaesu North Entrance passage to Marunouchi side266 views
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Near JR Akihabara Station is a new building called Akihabara UDX (Crossfield). On the 4th floor is this Tokyo Anime Center which has anime displays, a theater, and voice acting recording studio. Free admission.266 views
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Twin towers on Yaesu side overlook the red brick building.265 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Central Exit263 views
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Hie Shrine's Sanno Matsuri Jinko-sai Procession in front of Imperial Palace.262 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Central Entrance261 views
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Straight black hair is pretty too.261 views
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260 views
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Entrance to Tokaido shinkansen tracks. 新幹線258 views
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Sign says "No street performances allowed."256 views
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About the former park manager's office.255 views
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The Marunouchi side has the classic red brick building, and the Yaesu side has a modern building housing Daimaru Dept. Store. Tokyo Station sign at Marunouchi entrance254 views
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254 views
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Center of red brick building, what should be the central entrance.253 views
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Shinkansen ticket office253 views
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Tokyo Station Tokaido shinkansen platform253 views
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Maids attract much attention so they are used as living billboards for stores and whatever needs to be advertised in Akihabara.253 views
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Yasukuni Shrine, Torii and Haiden hall252 views
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Tokyo Station Underground Marunouchi Central Entrance252 views
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In front of Tokyo Station Yaesu Entrance251 views
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The Imperial Palace's Chowaden Hall where formal banquets and meetings are held. This modern complex was built in 1968. In front is the Kyuden Totei plaza 長和殿、宮殿 東庭250 views
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Going to Tokaido shinkansen tracks.248 views
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Tokyo Station Tokaido shinkansen platform with signs in English for departing trains.248 views
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248 views
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Crowd from Kudanshita Station245 views
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Shinkansen trains245 views
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JR Akihabara Station245 views
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244 views
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Here's a cutie trying to gather attention.244 views
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Tokyo Station's old Yaesu Entrance (Daimaru Dept. Store) and new North Tower.241 views
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Tokyo Station Nihonbashi Entrance 東京駅 日本橋口241 views
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Parish members wait for the portable shrines to arrive. The paper lanterns are written with the names of the parish.241 views
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Chidorigafuchi 千鳥ヶ淵240 views
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Area in front of Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side240 views
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Hie Shrine Sanno Matsuri240 views
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Street singer in front of JR Akihabara Station's new Central entrance. A cute face and miniskirt really help to gather a crowd.239 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance in 2007. 東京駅丸の内北口238 views
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Chidorigafuchi cherry blossoms are also lit up at night.237 views
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Welcome!237 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi South Entrance236 views
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Shinkansen ticket machines for today's trains.236 views
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Train bridge to Akihabara Station234 views
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A mikoshi passes by Tatsumi Turret of the Imperial Palace durng the Sanno Matsuri Jinko-sai.233 views
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Shinkansen Yaesu North Entrance 東京駅新幹線八重洲北口232 views
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232 views
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Main drag of Akihabara231 views
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Going down the main drag (Chuo-dori) of Akihabara.231 views
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Always a crowd in front of JR Akihabara Station230 views
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Children dressed as tekomai, Sanno Festival.227 views
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Straw ring and Hie Jinja Shrine's Shaden Worship Hall. 社殿227 views
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Space teen?227 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit226 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Entrance in 2007. 東京駅八重洲中央口225 views
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The procession passes by Tatsumi Turret as it leaves the Imperial Palace.225 views
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Under the train bridge is "Radio Center," a cluster of many little stalls selling electronic parts.224 views
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Sakura224 views
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223 views
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The ever-popular maid outfit.223 views
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223 views
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Tokyo Station Gallery entrance on left, and the Chuo-guchi central entrance's small canopy at the center.222 views
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Fushimi Turret. This is what you see when you see Nijubashi Bridge. No one lives in this building. The Emperor's actual residence is not visible from the outside. 伏見櫓221 views
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At one end of the Chowaden is Kitakuruma-yose entrance for Japanese dignitaries. 北車寄220 views
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220 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance220 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu South Entrance 東京駅八重洲南口219 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Entrance underground passage to Otemachi Station and locomotive wheels. Behind it is a room for smokers.218 views
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Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Central Entrance. What should be the station's largest entrance is like a mouse hole and easily missed.217 views
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The problem is that the police patrol the main drag to expel these street performers. It is not allowed. It would be the Japanese police to try and kill Japan's street culture.217 views
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Blue ponytails217 views
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Adding to the dignity of the shrine is a monkey show.216 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Entrance (Daimaru Dept. Store) and North Tower 東京駅八重洲216 views
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Coin-operated lockers コインロッカー216 views
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Anime film216 views
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Silver hair216 views
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Inside Yushukan war museum: Photos of the war deceased. Look carefully and you may find photos of Hideki Tojo and co.215 views
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Tokyo Station Central corridor215 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu North Entrance215 views
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Inside a Yamanote Line train.215 views
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Train bridge215 views
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Large and small electronics shops line the main drag on both sides.215 views
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Crossing Nijubashi Bridge to enter the Seimon Gate. 正門214 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu South Entrance 東京駅八重洲南口214 views
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The Emperor and Empress appear on the veranda of this building on his birthday (Dec. 23) and Jan. 2. Well-wishers wave flags in the Kyuden Totei plaza. Also see the video at YouTube.213 views
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Japanese flag and Fujimi Turret213 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Entrance213 views
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Train bridge212 views
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Former park manager's office.211 views
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Tokyo Station Nihonbashi Entrance 東京駅 日本橋口210 views
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Keihin-Tohoku Line210 views
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Inside Tokyo Station Yaesu North Entrance209 views
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Tokyo Station Tokaido shinkansen tracks208 views
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They sing on the street to advertise something, usually a night club where they appear.208 views
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208 views
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Yamanote Line platform207 views
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Goldilocks?207 views
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Cherry blossoms and moat206 views
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Inside Yushukan war museum. Impressive, but its version of Japanese war history is skewed. No exhibit on the Pearl Harbor attack either. 遊就館206 views
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View from Nijubashi Bridge. The public can cross the bridge on the Emperor's Birthday (Dec. 23) and Jan. 2 for New Year's.206 views
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Signs point you to the shinkansen tracks.206 views
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遊助206 views
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Fujimi Turret. Since Edo Castle had lost its castle tower which was never rebuilt, this turret served the functions of a castle tower. 富士見櫓205 views
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Her setup is simple. A portable and battery-powered amplifier connected to a microphone. The amp is on a luggage cart. When the police comes, she can pack up and leave within 5 sec.205 views
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Street performer near Yodobashi-Akiba, the largest store in Akihabara.205 views
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Redhead in school uniform205 views
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205 views
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205 views
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203 views
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202 views
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慰霊の泉202 views
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Floating lanterns in Chidorigafuchi moat.202 views
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In autumn, we see fall leaves, a most appropriate sight in Akihabara because "Akihabara" means "Autumn leaves field."201 views
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Entrance in 2007. 東京駅丸の内南口200 views
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200 views
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Shinkansen ticket office. Faster to buy tickets at the ticket machine.199 views
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Other side of Akihabara Station199 views
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199 views
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Pretty at night with all the lanterns in the Chidorigafuchi moat.199 views
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198 views
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She says that it was her first "Street live performance" (rojo raibu).197 views
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Horrendous line of people from Kudanshita Station inching their way to the cherry blossoms.196 viewsTip: You don't need to stand in this line. Just walk on the right toward the blossoms and keep walking on the side street parallel to the blossoms. You will soon find a way to enter the park.
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Many more women work on trains.196 views
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Don Quixote in the huge building which used to be Minami Denki.196 views
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Tokyo Station Hotel and Marunouchi South Entrance in 2007 before renovations.195 views
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These girls usually have a lookout man who watches out for the cops. As soon as he sees one coming, he runs up to her and gives the "Outta here" signal. They're gone before the police can even see them. It's a constant cat and mouse game195 views
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