 Most viewed - Ryuo 竜王町
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At the same time as Niagara Falls, they lit the two giant torches. It was hard to watch both the Niagara Falls and giant torches at the same time. But Niagara soon petered out.414 views
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Yes, it's Doraemon as fireworks. This lasted briefly before it snuffed out. I heard that they have this every year for this Yuge Fire Festival.336 views
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Kobiyoshi Shrine in rural Ryuo holds the Yuge no Hi Matsuri fire festival on the evening of May 1. See small torches, tossing flares, lots of firecrackers, fireworks, two giant straw torches. 弓削の火祭り MAP283 viewsFrom Omi-Hachiman Station No. 4 bus stop, board the bus for Okaya Minami and get off at Nishikawa Higashi-guchi bus stop. The ride is about 13 min. From the bus stop, the shrine is a 10-min. walk. You can also take a taxi from Omi-Hachiman Station. Taxi would be required on the way back to Omi-Hachiman since the buses will not be running after the festival is over.
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Ryuo manhole, Shiga Pref.207 views
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Ryuo is accessble by bus from JR Omi-Hachiman Station, North exit bus stop. 近江八幡駅 北口バスターミナル. Catch a bus at stop 4 going to Okaya Minami 岡屋南. Or catch the Ryuo Daihatsu-mae bus.147 views
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Kawamori Castle, Ryuo-cho, Shiga 川守城跡 MAP139 views
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Most are clothing shops and some are first-time outlet shops. There are many big names including Burberry, Gap Outlet, Barney’s New York Outlet, Armani, Paul Smith, Coach, Beams, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Bebe, Edwin, Vans, Levi’s, Puma, and Adidas.139 views
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In the center is Namura Shrine's Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. On the left is Hachiman Shrine, an Important Cultural Property. I could finally see this building directly. Ryuo, Shiga.127 views
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My video of Namura Shrine's Sekku Matsuri festival123 views
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Tenjin Shrine, reconstructing the shrine. Ryuo-cho, Shiga. 天神社122 views
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Lots of parking space.95 views
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The shops open from 10 am to 8 pm. Buses run from Omi-Hachiman and Yasu Stations.89 views
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Namura Shrine's Romon Gate, Ryuo, Shiga. Important Cultural Property.89 views
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Torii of Kobiyoshi Shrine and giant torches in the distance, Ryuo, Shiga Prefecture.86 views
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My YouTube video of the Yuge Fire Festival in 2010.75 views
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Opened on July 8, 2010, the Mitsui Outlet Park is near the Ryuo Interchange on the Meishin Expressway, making it readily accessible by car for shoppers coming from Kyoto, Nara, Mie, and Gifu. MAP69 views
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Marker showing the former location of Namura Shrine's torii gate. This is near the Ayato Kita (綾戸北) bus stop, the nearest to Namura Shrine from Omi-Hachiman Station. Take the bus going Mitsui Outlet Mall.68 views
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There are two levels running in a slim rectangle.64 views
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Naginata Odori in Ryuo. 長刀仕舞振り(長刀芸)61 views
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It is the first outlet mall in the Kyoto-Shiga area. The two-level mall has 165 stores, 145 of which are outlet shops.61 views
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Nice name for a store.55 views
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On the day of the festival on May 3, the Kenketo and naginata dance are held at multiple shrines in the area including neighboring Higashi-Omi. This is Higashi Hiyoshi Shrine (short walk from Suginoki) where a kenketo procession was to arrive and dance.54 views
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View of Ryuo-cho town from Mt. Yukinoyama.52 views
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Kenketo Matsuri poster51 views
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View of central Ryuo-cho town from Mt. Yukinoyama.47 views
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A small park outside the mall next to the pond.47 views
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Road to Mt. Yukinoyama, an ancient mountain and home to over 200 tumuli built during the 5th to 7th centuries. In 2013, it was designated as a National Historic Site.46 views
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The main path to Suginoki Shrine in Ryuo where the Kenketo and naginata procession will come through. The Kenketo Matsuri festival is held annually on May 3. It features the naginata dance and more.45 views
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At the entrance of Agri-Park Ryuo is a dragon statue. The dragon is a symbol of Ryuo which means Dragon King.43 views
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Namura Jinja Shrine is noted for its Nishi Honden hall which is a National Treasure. The shrine's architecture is from the Kamakura Period. 楼門43 views
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Namura Shrine's Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. It is dedicated to a god named Kuni-no-sazuchi-no-Mikoto (国狭槌命), the protector of grassy hills.43 views
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Outside is a small area for animals.42 views
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Another path to the shrine decorated with paper lanterns.42 views
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The boys had these small bells on their back.42 views
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It was great though. Highly recommend seeing this. Had to catch a taxi back to Omi-Hachiman which cost around 1600 yen.42 views
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Map of hiking trails on Yukinoyama. It takes about 90-120 min. to go up and down the mountain. There are some fine views from the trails.41 views
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Agri-Park Ryuo is open 10 am - 5 pm, closed Mondays (open if a national holiday and closed Tue. instead).41 views
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They also had big sky fireworks. I couldn't believe how a little rural shrine could afford to display so much fireworks. And there weren't that many people watching either.41 views
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Very fluffy wool.40 views
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You can buy a bunch of carrots to feed the sheep. You have to go through the museum to get here. 動物ふれあい広場40 views
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Inside a replica of a thatched-roof farmhouse.39 views
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Suginoki Jinja Shrine. A short walk from Yamanoue 山之上 bus stop from JR Omi-Hachiman Station. 杉之木神社 MAP39 views
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Back at Suginoki Shrine.39 views
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Naginata dance 長刀仕舞振り(長刀芸)39 views
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This trail was much more scenic.38 views
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Popular restaurants attract large crowds.38 views
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Kua Aina, a hamburger joint from Hawaii, also had a long line.38 views
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Two of the mikoshi are put back into the storehouse.38 views
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Entering Ryuo-cho town by bus, heading for Oguchi 小口37 views
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Old farming tools37 views
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Azaleas in spring.37 views
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To Mt. Yukinoyama36 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Hino River 雪野山と日野川36 views
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Inside the museum is a replica of a thatched-roof farmhouse.36 views
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Agri-Park Ryuo's farm house museum. Small admission of 200 yen charged. 田園資料館36 views
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Tenjin Shrine 天神社35 views
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Ryuo-cho town as seen from Yukinoyama35 views
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Agri-Park Ryuo is a local farmer's market with a few shops and restaurants, a pond with swan boats, farm house museum, and petting zoo. アグリパーク竜王 MAP35 views
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Goats too. Putting golf range even. For more info call 0748-57-1311 (in Japanese).35 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Ryuoji Temple. MAP34 views
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Mountain God Memorial 山の神34 views
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Trail flanked by ferns34 views
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To central Ryuo-cho.34 views
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The procession arrived Higashi Hiyoshi Shrine at about 2:15 pm.34 views
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Food Court.34 views
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Namura Shrine is divided into the west and east areas. This is the west area which is larger and the main section. Haiden Hall on the left and Nishi Honden on the right behind a wall.34 views
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People pray at Namura Shrine for business prosperity, fertility, safe childbirth, and to ward off bad luck years.34 views
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Kawamori bus stop, nearest to Mt. Yukinoyama.33 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Hino River 雪野山と日野川33 views
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Ryuoji Temple belongs to the Tendai Sect. 龍王寺33 views
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Hiking trail on Mt. Yukinoyama.33 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama33 views
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Top of Yukinoyama. 雪野山 頂上33 views
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Oguchi intersection. Turn left for Namura Shrine and Kawamori.33 views
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A touch of modernity and anime at Yuge Fire Festival in Ryuo. Can you tell what this is?33 views
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Kobiyoshi Shrine's Honden main hall.33 views
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Red kon-yaku or devil's tongue.33 views
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Pray here in front of the Honden Hall. Normally, you cannot enter beyond this point.33 views
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On May 5, on the Sekku Matsuri, they opened the inner part of the shrine and so I went and got a closeup look at the Honden Hall.33 views
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This mikoshi went to Higashi Honden.33 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺32 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺32 views
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View from Yukinoyama32 views
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Looking toward Higashi-Omi.32 views
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Sky over Ryuo-cho town32 views
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Honden Hall offerings.32 views
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Hino River 日野川31 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺31 views
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Top of Yukinoyama at 308 meters elevation. The views are obstructed by many trees. 雪野山 頂上31 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama31 views
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Entrance to an ancient tumulus (No entry)31 views
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Ryuo-cho Public Library31 views
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Stone monument commemorating Suginoki Shrine as the birthplace as the Naginata Matsuri festival. 薙刀踊り発祥の宮(石碑) 杉之木神社31 views
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Approaching Kawamori. 川守30 views
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1st lookout point, too many trees in the way.30 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama30 views
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Ryuo Town Hall, Shiga 竜王町役場 MAP30 views
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Kawamori Castle30 views
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Fire department at Kawamori30 views
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Top of a giant torch.30 views
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Entertainment stage30 views
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Ferns29 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama29 views
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Ferns29 views
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Lookout point29 views
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Get off at Oguchi which is near central Ryuo and Namura Shrine. 小口29 views
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Suginoki Shrine Honden Hall29 views
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Suginoki Shrine 29 views
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I took the bus from Omi-Hachiman Station and walked to the shrine. It's hard to find the shrine if you don't know where it is. I went before dark to make it easier to find. Yuge Fire Festival in Ryuo.29 views
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Also this string hung up here?29 views
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Namura Shrine Torii29 views
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Suginoki Shrine Honden Hall28 views
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My favorite shop is this one selling products (mainly edible) from Shiga.28 views
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The yabusame (horseback archery) part of the festival finally started at around 4 pm. There were several horseback riders, but only this woman was going to shoot arrows.28 views
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She shoots the arrow...28 views
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Hino River 日野川27 views
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Vote for Shiga's first woman governor (in July 2006).27 views
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Grounds of Suginoki Shrine and main venue for the Kenketo Festival in Ryuo.27 views
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Two giant torches made of straw were on display in front of the shrine.27 views
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They were doused with kerosene so they burned up quickly.27 views
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Entertainment stage27 views
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Thatched-roof gate 茅葺きの楼門27 views
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Namura Shrine's Romon Gate, Important Cultural Property 楼門27 views
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About Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. 27 views
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On the left is Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. On the right is Juzenji Shisha Honden shrine (十禅師神社本殿), an Important Cultural Property.27 views
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Haiden hall, reconstructed anew.27 views
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Namura Shrine's Higashi Honden, an Important Cultural Property in Ryuo, Shiga. Dedicated to a major god called Ōkuninushi (大国主) and Susano-o (素盞嗚尊). 苗村神社東本殿27 views
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Trail going down the middle of the mountain.26 views
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2nd lookout point 第二展望台26 views
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Path to Kobiyoshi Shrine.26 views
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Small torches in front of the Haiden.26 views
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Portable shrine storehouse dating from the Muromachi Period, also an Important Cultural Property.26 views
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About the Portable shrine storehouse.26 views
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Affiliate shrine next to the Nishi Honden.26 views
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Short, wooded path to the Higashi Honden shrine.26 views
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Water barrels in case of fire.25 views
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There is definitely something religious about these torches.25 views
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In front of the Haiden Hall were small torches.25 views
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Farm land next to the shrine. Notice the giant torches on the right.25 views
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The exact year when the shrine was established is unknown, but records go back as far as the year 969.25 views
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Romon Gate and wash basin.25 views
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Path back to the torii. Across the street beyond the torii is Namura Shrine's east section where the Higashi Honden Hall is located.25 views
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Higashi Honden 苗村神社東本殿25 views
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Children bearing mikoshi in front of Romon Gate.25 views
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Meanwhile, a bunch of horses standby in the trees.25 views
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Bull's eye. Compared to other yabusame that I've seen, she rode the horse pretty slow.25 views
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They had seven horses.25 views
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One mikoshi was taken to the Higashi Honden across the street.25 views
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Ferns all over24 views
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Getting darker.24 views
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Behind Kobiyoshi Shrine is the Hino River. Nice place to sit and have a bento dinner.24 views
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Torii of Kobiyoshi Shrine and giant torches in the distance for Yuge Fire Festival.24 views
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Little shrine and little garden near the Romon Gate.24 views
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Babysitter sculpture 子守りの像24 views
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Sacred horse statue24 views
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Fudo-myoo Shrine, an affiliate shrine.24 views
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