Most viewed - Ryuo 竜王町 |

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.429 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.352 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 MAP292 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.223 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.153 views
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Kawamori Castle, Ryuo-cho, Shiga 川守城跡 MAP151 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.144 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.140 views
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Tenjin Shrine, reconstructing the shrine. Ryuo-cho, Shiga. 天神社131 views
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My video of Namura Shrine's Sekku Matsuri festival127 views
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Lots of parking space.101 views
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Namura Shrine's Romon Gate, Ryuo, Shiga. Important Cultural Property.98 views
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Torii of Kobiyoshi Shrine and giant torches in the distance, Ryuo, Shiga Prefecture.96 views
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The shops open from 10 am to 8 pm. Buses run from Omi-Hachiman and Yasu Stations.95 views
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My YouTube video of the Yuge Fire Festival in 2010.80 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. MAP77 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.72 views
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There are two levels running in a slim rectangle.70 views
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Naginata Odori in Ryuo. 長刀仕舞振り(長刀芸)68 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.67 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.61 views
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Nice name for a store.61 views
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View of Ryuo-cho town from Mt. Yukinoyama.56 views
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Kenketo Matsuri poster55 views
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A small park outside the mall next to the pond.53 views
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View of central Ryuo-cho town from Mt. Yukinoyama.52 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.52 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.51 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.50 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.49 views
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Outside is a small area for animals.48 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).47 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.47 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47 views
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Very fluffy wool.46 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46 views
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Another path to the shrine decorated with paper lanterns.46 views
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The boys had these small bells on their back.46 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.46 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.45 views
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Inside a replica of a thatched-roof farmhouse.45 views
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Popular restaurants attract large crowds.44 views
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Kua Aina, a hamburger joint from Hawaii, also had a long line.44 views
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Entering Ryuo-cho town by bus, heading for Oguchi 小口43 views
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Old farming tools43 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 MAP43 views
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Back at Suginoki Shrine.43 views
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Naginata dance 長刀仕舞振り(長刀芸)43 views
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Azaleas in spring.43 views
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This trail was much more scenic.42 views
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Inside the museum is a replica of a thatched-roof farmhouse.42 views
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Agri-Park Ryuo's farm house museum. Small admission of 200 yen charged. 田園資料館42 views
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Two of the mikoshi are put back into the storehouse.42 views
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To Mt. Yukinoyama41 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 MAP41 views
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Goats too. Putting golf range even. For more info call 0748-57-1311 (in Japanese).41 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Hino River 雪野山と日野川40 views
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Ryuo-cho town as seen from Yukinoyama40 views
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To central Ryuo-cho.40 views
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Food Court.40 views
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Tenjin Shrine 天神社39 views
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Oguchi intersection. Turn left for Namura Shrine and Kawamori.39 views
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Red kon-yaku or devil's tongue.39 views
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Kawamori bus stop, nearest to Mt. Yukinoyama.38 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Ryuoji Temple. MAP38 views
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Mountain God Memorial 山の神38 views
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Trail flanked by ferns38 views
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The procession arrived Higashi Hiyoshi Shrine at about 2:15 pm.38 views
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A touch of modernity and anime at Yuge Fire Festival in Ryuo. Can you tell what this is?38 views
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Kobiyoshi Shrine's Honden main hall.38 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.38 views
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People pray at Namura Shrine for business prosperity, fertility, safe childbirth, and to ward off bad luck years.38 views
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Mt. Yukinoyama and Hino River 雪野山と日野川37 views
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Ryuoji Temple belongs to the Tendai Sect. 龍王寺37 views
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Hiking trail on Mt. Yukinoyama.37 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama37 views
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Top of Yukinoyama. 雪野山 頂上37 views
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Looking toward Higashi-Omi.37 views
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Ryuo-cho Public Library37 views
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Pray here in front of the Honden Hall. Normally, you cannot enter beyond this point.37 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.37 views
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This mikoshi went to Higashi Honden.37 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺36 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺36 views
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View from Yukinoyama36 views
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Ferns36 views
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Sky over Ryuo-cho town36 views
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Ryuo Town Hall, Shiga 竜王町役場 MAP36 views
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Kawamori Castle36 views
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Fire department at Kawamori36 views
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Entertainment stage36 views
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Honden Hall offerings.36 views
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Hino River 日野川35 views
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Ryuoji Temple 龍王寺35 views
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Top of Yukinoyama at 308 meters elevation. The views are obstructed by many trees. 雪野山 頂上35 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama35 views
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Entrance to an ancient tumulus (No entry)35 views
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Get off at Oguchi which is near central Ryuo and Namura Shrine. 小口35 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35 views
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Top of a giant torch.35 views
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Approaching Kawamori. 川守34 views
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1st lookout point, too many trees in the way.34 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama34 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.34 views
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Also this string hung up here?34 views
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My favorite shop is this one selling products (mainly edible) from Shiga.34 views
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Ferns33 views
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View from top of Yukinoyama33 views
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Lookout point33 views
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Vote for Shiga's first woman governor (in July 2006).33 views
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Suginoki Shrine Honden Hall33 views
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Suginoki Shrine 33 views
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Entertainment stage33 views
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Namura Shrine Torii33 views
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Suginoki Shrine Honden Hall32 views
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Two giant torches made of straw were on display in front of the shrine.32 views
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They were doused with kerosene so they burned up quickly.32 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.32 views
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She shoots the arrow...32 views
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Hino River 日野川31 views
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Grounds of Suginoki Shrine and main venue for the Kenketo Festival in Ryuo.31 views
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Path to Kobiyoshi Shrine.31 views
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Small torches in front of the Haiden.31 views
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Thatched-roof gate 茅葺きの楼門31 views
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Namura Shrine's Romon Gate, Important Cultural Property 楼門31 views
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About Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. 31 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.31 views
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Haiden hall, reconstructed anew.31 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31 views
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Trail going down the middle of the mountain.30 views
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2nd lookout point 第二展望台30 views
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There is definitely something religious about these torches.30 views
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In front of the Haiden Hall were small torches.30 views
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Farm land next to the shrine. Notice the giant torches on the right.30 views
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Portable shrine storehouse dating from the Muromachi Period, also an Important Cultural Property.30 views
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About the Portable shrine storehouse.30 views
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Affiliate shrine next to the Nishi Honden.30 views
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Short, wooded path to the Higashi Honden shrine.30 views
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Water barrels in case of fire.29 views
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Getting darker.29 views
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Behind Kobiyoshi Shrine is the Hino River. Nice place to sit and have a bento dinner.29 views
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Torii of Kobiyoshi Shrine and giant torches in the distance for Yuge Fire Festival.29 views
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The exact year when the shrine was established is unknown, but records go back as far as the year 969.29 views
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Romon Gate and wash basin.29 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.29 views
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Higashi Honden 苗村神社東本殿29 views
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Children bearing mikoshi in front of Romon Gate.29 views
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Meanwhile, a bunch of horses standby in the trees.29 views
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Bull's eye. Compared to other yabusame that I've seen, she rode the horse pretty slow.29 views
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At least two riders took a spill and fell from the horse. No injuries though, and I filmed one of the riders who fell. See my video below.29 views
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They had seven horses.29 views
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One mikoshi was taken to the Higashi Honden across the street.29 views
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Ferns all over28 views
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Glad to see them return because the fun wouldn't begin until they got back at around 8:50 pm. It was pretty cold that night.28 views
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Little shrine and little garden near the Romon Gate.28 views
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Babysitter sculpture 子守りの像28 views
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