 Most viewed - FUKUSHIMA 福島県 |
Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1738 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1240 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1211 views
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My YouTube video featuring Diverse dance troupes on the streets of Fukushima in the evening at the annual Fukushima Waraji Matsuri. This is the evening parade (Dancing Soda Night) on Aug. 8, 2009.590 views
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JR Miharu Station on the Ban'etsu-to Line, two stops from JR Koriyama Station on the Tohoku shinkansen line.528 views
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My YouTube video featuring hula dancers in waraji straw sandals, hip-hop, belly dancers, and more during the 1st Waraji Day Dance Contest on Ekimae-dori near Fukushima Station on Aug. 8, 2009 at 12:30 pm. Also, giant waraji races.486 views
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Main entrance to Spa Resort Hawaiians, a huge water park and onsen hot spring amusement facility built in 1966. I visited for the first time shortly after they reopened on Feb. 8, 2012.478 views
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Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. Bandai-Asahi National Park 毘沙門沼438 views
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Colorful koi carp fish in Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. 毘沙門沼395 viewsBandai-Asahi National Park
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Benten-numa Pond, maximum depth 6 meters. 弁天沼390 viewsBandai-Asahi National Park
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In 1591, Lord Gamo Ujisato (from Hino, Shiga) built a 7-story castle tower and renamed it Tsuruga-jo Castle. "Tsuru" means crane. A major earthquake in 1611 damaged the tower, so Lord Kato Akinari rebuilt the castle tower with 5 stories in 1639.386 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu (Tsuruga-jo) Castle, Fukushima Pref. The reconstructed castle tower (ferro-concrete) is based on the 5-story castle tower Kato Akinari built in 1639. "Wakamatsu" was named after a place in Hino, Shiga by Ujisato.371 views
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Monument from Rome, Italy, given in 1928 by Mussolini. The column is from the ruins of a palace in Pompeii.363 views
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348 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle, also popularly called Kasumigajo Castle, is on a low hill amid the flat plains of central Nihonmatsu, Fukushima. It is one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles as well as one of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Sites.338 views
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During April when the spring flowers are in bloom, a convenient shuttle bus runs from JR Fukushima Station to Hanamiyama Park. A short bus ride.315 views
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View from Spa Resort Hawaiians.309 views
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Wakamatsu Castle, Fukushima. Totally modern on the inside (renovated in 2004), the castle tower is a history museum. It displays swords and portraits of the Byakkotai Battalion of teenagers who valiantly butneedlessly committed suicide on Iimoriyama Hill.298 views
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Monument from a German, Hasso von Etzdorf (1900 - 1989).288 views
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Fukushima Waraji Matsuri282 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu manhole279 views
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Byakkotai souvenirs278 views
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Stone marker for Tsurugajo Castle. Although the castle's official name is Wakamatsu Castle, it is popularly called Tsuruga-jo Castle within the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Outside Fukushima though, it is popularly called Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle.274 views
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This is Maluhia Yukari, the leader of the hula girls. She was a pivotal in taking the lead following the 3/11 disasters and promoting Spa Resort Hawaiians on tour. She retired in June 2012. マルヒア由佳理272 views
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271 views
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Aonuma Pond 青沼268 views
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262 views
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Monument message in Italian. After WWII, the US Occupation authorities wanted this monument removed. But all they did was remove the engraved message (later restored).259 views
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Sannomaru keep. 三の丸跡257 views
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Entrance to Iimoriyama Hill, site of the Byakkotai "White Tiger" Battalion gravesite. In 1868, a unit of teenage warriors called Byakkotai (White Tiger Battalion) fought against the Emperor-backed Imperial forces encroaching their domain of Aizu256 views
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Fukushima Waraji Matsuri253 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.247 views
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246 views
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About the monument from Rome.243 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park 241 views
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Fukushima manhole. I think it's waraji straw sandals.240 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture.240 views
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Back on the hilltop ridge. That's the Takizakura on the lower left.239 views
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239 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.238 views
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237 views
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Nanohana rape blossoms. In the distance are gift shops.236 views
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235 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 235 views
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The whole water park is heated to tropical temperatures even when it is freezing outside.234 views
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The huge water park at Spa Resort Hawaiians. All the water is from a hot spring. The pool water is lukewarm.233 views
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The steps lead to Minowa Gate. 箕輪門232 views
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JR Fukushima Station on the west side (Nishi-guchi).231 views
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230 views
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Family crests of all the warrior clans who occupied Wakamatsu Castle.228 views
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The water slides cost extra money. 200 yen per slide.228 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. 228 views
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Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima city.226 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 225 views
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Many of the dancers wore waraji-related things.224 views
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222 views
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Cherry blossom petals fall in the wind.222 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 221 views
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220 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 220 views
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219 views
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218 views
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Panorama of Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.218 views
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Poetry monument for poet Takamura Chieko (1886-1938). 高村 智恵子217 views
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Marvelous views of cherry blossoms from Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.216 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Minowa Gate was reconstructed in Aug. 1982 at a cost of 200 million yen. 箕輪門215 views
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About the Poetry monument for Takamura Chieko. 高村 智恵子215 views
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Held on the first Fri. and Sat. of Aug., the Fukushima Waraji Matsuri is mainly an evening parade of dancers. During Aug. 7-8, 2009, the 40th Fukushima Waraji Festival was held. I saw it on the second day.214 views
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San-no-Maru entrance to Tsurugajo Castle 三の丸213 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.213 views
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Marker and side road to Lord Gamo (Gamoh) Ujisato's gravesite. Near Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall. Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) was a feudal lord from Hino, Shiga Pref. He built Tsurugajo Castle and named the town Wakamatsu, after a place in his hometown.212 views
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Statue of the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai (二本松少年隊) or the Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps at Nihonmatsu Castle, Fukushima.211 views
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Great dancers and great show!209 views
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Nihonmatsu Teenage Corps at Nihonmatsu Castle, Fukushima. They were age 12 to 17 who fought and died in the Boshin War.208 views
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Weeping cherry tree and Nihonmatsu Castle's Minowa Gate.208 views
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Graves of the 19 teenage Byakkotai warriors who killed themselves with their own swords.206 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.205 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋203 views
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203 views
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Byakkotai gravestones. Each one shows the name, age, and method of death called "jijin" (died with one's own sword 自刃).202 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.202 views
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Painting depicting Byakkotai suicide on Iimoriyama Hill201 views
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Another monument200 views
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198 views
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Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill. Their tombstones are on this hill near where they killed themselves. Their story has become legend.197 views
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Nihonmatsu manhole, Fukushima Pref.196 views
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In despair, the boys decided to kill themselves rather than die in the hands of the enemy. Photo: Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill.195 views
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Sazaedo195 views
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My video of Spa Resort Hawaiians. Visit Fukushima, visit Spa Resort Hawaiians!195 views
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The Byakkotai were outnumbered and forced to retreat. Twenty of them escaped to Iimoriyama Hill where they saw what looked liked a burning Tsurugajo Castle. Photo: Pay a small fee to take the escalator up the hill. Or climb up the steps for free.194 views
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Byakkotai Gravesite. It is on a flat area which also has several other Byakkotai monuments including those from other countries.194 views
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Byakkotai statue outside the Byakkotai Memorial Museum194 views
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192 views
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192 views
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One wing of Hotel Hawaiians was still undergoing repairs to cracks.192 views
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Yumoto Spa manhole, Iwaki, Fukushima.192 views
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Statue of the Nihonmatsu Shonentai Teenage Corps who fought and died in the Boshin War, in front of Nihonmatsu Station, Fukushima.192 views
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Nihonmatsu manhole, Fukushima Pref.192 views
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This girl's homemade happi coat says "Waraji Matsuri."191 views
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Tsuruga-jo Castle as seen from the rear.189 views
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Approach to the Byakkotai gravesite.188 views
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From JR Yumoto Station, free shuttle buses run to Spa Resort Hawaiians.188 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.186 views
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On the right side are more gravestones. These are 31 Byakkotai members who died in battle. 戦死185 views
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Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi (Sadao) (1854-1931). His grave was built here in 1957 for the 90th anniversary of the Byakkotai's demise. 飯沼貞吉185 views
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Arrow points to Tsuruga-jo Castle.184 views
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Shortly after Joban Hawaiian Center opened in 1966, famous singer Aunty Genoa Keawe from Hawaii performed here.184 views
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Castle map. I recommend entering through the Kitaguchi entrance and exiting from the San-no-maru entrance or vice versa. Both entrances has a High-color bus stop nearby. The castle is too far to walk from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, so take a bus.183 views
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Slope where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地182 views
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Byakko Kannon statue182 views
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182 views
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182 views
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On the left of the gravestones, there is a monument for a poem composed by Lord Matsudaira Katamori, the last Aizu lord and whom the Byakkotai died for. 幾人の 涙は石にそそぐとも その名は世々に 朽じとぞ思う180 views幾人の 涙は石にそそぐとも その名は世々に 朽じとぞ思う
Ikutari no namida wa ishi ni sosogu tomo sono na wa yoyo ni kuji to zo omou
"No matter how many people pour their tears on these stones, these names will never fade from the world."
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Ujisato was married to Oda Nobunaga's second daughter Fuyuhime. He died at age 40. One theory says that he was poisoned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Entrance to Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima..179 views
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Lord Gamo Ujisato's grave. This is a secondary grave, where his hair is buried. His main grave is at a temple in Kyoto where he died at age 40.179 views
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Statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.178 views
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JR Nihonmatsu Station178 views
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Opened in 1956, the Byakkotai Memorial Museum has numerous artifacts related to the Byakkotai as well as the Shinsengumi. Photography inside is not allowed. Admission 400 yen.177 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture.176 views
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Otemon Gate to Kitade-maru 大手門. The castle was first built by Ashina Naomori in 1384 when he built a structure called Higashi Kurokawa Yakata.175 views
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Site where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地175 views
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Most next to Otemon Gate174 views
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174 views
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Byakkotai Graves174 views
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Names of Byakkotai members, all 14 to 17 years old.174 views
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174 views
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Photo gallery174 views
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173 views
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Sazaedo, a unique wooden, hexagonal structure which you will see when coming down from Iimoriyama.173 views
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Wakamatsu Castle as seen from the rear.172 views
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172 views
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Entrance doors to Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple which is a Zen temple of the Rinzai Sect.171 views
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A short walk away is the grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai survivor who had slit himself, but was rescued by a villager passing by when everyone else had killed themselves.171 views
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Otemon Gate stonework. The castle was occupied by a number of clans. But it was Gamo Ujisato, originally from Hino, Shiga Prefecture, who made the castle great and established the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu.170 views
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Byakkotai Graves170 views
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This has become a national shrine, almost as important as Sengakuji where the 47 masterless samurai are buried.170 views
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Monument for teenage samurai who died in battle.169 views
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Sazaedo169 views
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Taikomon Gate where there was a multi-story turret which had a taiko drum used to signal the coming of a lord or for emergencies. 太鼓門168 views
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Grounds of Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple. Since Ujisato was a Christian lord, it is ironic that he be buried in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and Aizu-Wakamatsu.168 views
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Sazaedo168 views
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Layout of Spa Resort Hawaiians.167 views
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Otemon Gate stonework with stairs, one unique feature of the castle. The castle was attacked by Imperial forces during the Boshin War in 1868. The castle was dismantled in 1874.166 views
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Portrait of Lord Gamo Ujisato166 views
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Inside Hawaiian gift shop.165 views
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Honmaru Uzumimon Gate and tenshukaku castle tower.164 views
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About Iinuma Sadakichi (later changed his first name to Sadao)164 views
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The new Monolith Hotel opened on Feb. 8, 2012.163 views
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162 views
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Castle tower as seen from Honmaru Uzumimon Gate. In the lower right is the ticket office to enter the castle tower. Castle tower admission is 400 yen for adults. Or pay 500 yen to include the ticket to see the Rinkaku Tea House. Open 8:30 am to 5 pm.161 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.161 views
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161 views
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Clear view of Mt. Shinobuyama 信夫山161 views
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160 views
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Foilage on the slopes of Honmaru159 views
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Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai warrior who survived and told the story of this valiant teenage group.159 views
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Statue faces Tsuruga-jo Castle which can be seen in the distance.159 views
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Uga Shrine 宇賀神社159 views
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Awards ceremony. The festival ended at about 9:30 pm.159 views
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159 views
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158 views
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Byakkotai enshrined in Uga Shrine158 views
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Kotokuji temple157 views
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157 views
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Gift shop157 views
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Inside Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House156 views
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Spa Garden Pareo has outdoor pools and a sauna. In winter, the air is freezing cold.156 views
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Hawaiian gift shops.156 views
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About Hanamiyama Park.156 views
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155 views
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Their names, age, and "senshi" 戦死 (died in battle) are engraved on the stones.155 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.155 views
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155 views
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155 views
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155 views
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Eateries. This one is named Lau Lau, but no lau lau is served.154 views
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A trio of belly dancers.153 views
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai153 views
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152 views
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152 views
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These stairs on the castle's stone walls are called Musha-bashiri. They enabled the warriors to run up to the turrets quickly during attacks. It is one distinguishing feature of the castle. 武者走り151 views
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A recent addition is this statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.151 views
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Map of the area around the Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. 151 views
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Inside the Hashiri Nagaya corridor is a gift shop. This is connected directly to the castle tower and also connects to the reconstructed Hoshii Turret.. 走長屋150 views
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150 views
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After completing earthquake repairs, the water park re-opened on Feb. 8, 2012. Admission was half price.150 views
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The water slides cost extra money. 200 yen per slide or a day pass for 2,200 yen.150 views
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Byakkotai statue at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station149 views
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149 views
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149 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is a bridge to the castle tower. 椿坂148 views
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Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House. Shoan, the son of tea master Sen Rikyu (who was ordered to committ seppuku by Hideyoshi), came here to practice tea in the late 16th century under the auspices of Lord Gamo Ujisato who himself was a tea expert. 茶室麟閣148 views
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148 views
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Wading pool.148 views
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Map of Hanamiyama Park. It's kind of hard to figure out.148 views
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Kitade-maru 北出丸147 views
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Notice anything unusual about these hula dancers?147 views
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147 views
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147 views
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Hula lesson for kids at the Beach Theater in the Water Park.147 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋146 views
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Inside the train going from JR Iwaki Station to Yumoto Station. Very nice and clean.146 views
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Sample rock foundation unearthed from the Niwa clan's residence.146 views
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Look at their footwear. They are wearing a pair of waraji straw sandals.145 views
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Wading pool.145 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is lined with cherry trees. 椿坂144 views
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144 views
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On Aug. 8, 2009 at 12:30 pm, they held the 1st Waraji Day Dance Contest on Ekimae-dori. (わらじDayダンス選手権)144 views
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Besides the pools, there are real hot spring baths where you have to go in naked. Cameras not allowed though.144 views
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Spring Park, a lukewarm hot spring pool.144 views
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143 views
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Before you go to Hanamiyama Park, you can leave your luggage here right next to the bus stop.143 views
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Hanamiyama Park is literally a Flower-Viewing Mountain Park famous for spring flowers especially cherry blossoms sprinkled on the mountainsides. 143 views
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143 views
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Statue of King Kamehameha even!142 views
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142 views
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The 5th and top floor of castle tower has a nice lookout deck all.141 views
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141 views
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141 views
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141 views
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Fire knife dancers are the highlight and crowd pleasers. They are Japanese, but well-trained and highly skilled with the fire.141 views
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Hokusai-style cherry blossom waves.141 views
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141 views
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View of Fukushima Station's east side.140 views
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JR Miharu Station greets you with numerous cherry blossoms right along the tracks.140 views
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Monument on Kitade-maru 北出丸139 views
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Right beyond the Taikomon Gate is a tourist info office, cafe, restrooms, and benches.139 views
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Castle tower as seen from Honmaru Uzumimon Gate139 views
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139 views
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139 views
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Foilage on Kitade-maru 北出丸138 views
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Inside castle tower. This scene depicts a storage room for salt. Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside the castle tower's museum area.138 views
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Inside the reconstructed Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse. It is a long corridor with a few small storage rooms. 南走長屋138 views
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Tourist map of Yumoto Spa.138 views
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138 views
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Many cherry trees in front of the Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai.138 views
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Stone-dropping hole.137 views
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137 views
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Goshikinuma is a chain of five colorful volcanic ponds. Pleasant hiking trails lead to the ponds. Part of the Bandai-Asahi National Park. Bishamon-numa Pond is the largest of the five and it has rental rowboats. 毘沙門沼136 views
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The color of the water is stunningly beautiful.136 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋136 views
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Hand-painted candles136 views
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For a few hours, numerous dance groups performed in a contest. They even had a hula troupe dance, to my delight as I'm from Hawaii.136 views
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Inside Miharu Station is this sign indicating the status of the Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree. It points to "Full bloom."136 views
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136 views
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The gift shop also has a gallery of local crafts such as lacquerware.135 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅135 views
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Monument on the west side of Fukushima Station. The shinkansen train can be seen.135 views
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135 views
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