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Most viewed - FUKUSHIMA 福島県
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1695 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1198 views
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Belly dancer at Fukushima Waraji Matsuri.1168 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, 2009.556 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.488 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.452 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, 2012.443 views
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Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. Bandai-Asahi National Park 毘沙門沼408 views
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Colorful koi carp fish in Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. 毘沙門沼368 viewsBandai-Asahi National Park
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Benten-numa Pond, maximum depth 6 meters. 弁天沼361 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 1639.345 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.329 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.321 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.295 views
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View from Spa Resort Hawaiians.288 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.258 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.254 views
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Monument from a German, Hasso von Etzdorf (1900 - 1989).254 views
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Byakkotai souvenirs247 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245 views
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Aonuma Pond 青沼240 views
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Sannomaru keep. 三の丸跡238 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu manhole227 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).224 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 Aizu223 views
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Fukushima Waraji Matsuri221 views
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Back on the hilltop ridge. That's the Takizakura on the lower left.213 views
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About the monument from Rome.206 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.206 views
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Family crests of all the warrior clans who occupied Wakamatsu Castle.203 views
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The whole water park is heated to tropical temperatures even when it is freezing outside.203 views
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Cherry blossom petals fall in the wind.202 views
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The water slides cost extra money. 200 yen per slide.201 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.200 views
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Fukushima Waraji Matsuri199 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture.198 views
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Poetry monument for poet Takamura Chieko (1886-1938). 高村 智恵子196 views
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About the Poetry monument for Takamura Chieko. 高村 智恵子195 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.194 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.194 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park 193 views
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San-no-Maru entrance to Tsurugajo Castle 三の丸190 views
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JR Fukushima Station on the west side (Nishi-guchi).190 views
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The steps lead to Minowa Gate. 箕輪門189 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 189 views
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Nanohana rape blossoms. In the distance are gift shops.188 views
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Many of the dancers wore waraji-related things.187 views
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Hanamiyama Park, Fukushima city.182 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋181 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.181 views
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Great dancers and great show!180 views
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Panorama of Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.180 views
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Fukushima manhole. I think it's waraji straw sandals.179 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.178 views
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Graves of the 19 teenage Byakkotai warriors who killed themselves with their own swords.177 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 177 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. 175 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's old stone wall originally built by Gamo Ujisato.174 views
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Marvelous views of cherry blossoms from Nihonmatsu Castle's Honmaru.174 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 174 views
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Painting depicting Byakkotai suicide on Iimoriyama Hill173 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173 views
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Fukushima Hanamiyama Park spring flowers 171 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).170 views
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JR Nihonmatsu Station169 views
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Another monument168 views
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Sazaedo168 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.167 views
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Weeping cherry tree and Nihonmatsu Castle's Minowa Gate.167 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.166 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.165 views
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My video of Spa Resort Hawaiians. Visit Fukushima, visit Spa Resort Hawaiians!165 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.164 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.163 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.163 views
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Byakkotai statue outside the Byakkotai Memorial Museum163 views
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One wing of Hotel Hawaiians was still undergoing repairs to cracks.163 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.163 views
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Tsuruga-jo Castle as seen from the rear.162 views
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Yumoto Spa manhole, Iwaki, Fukushima.162 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.162 views
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Nihonmatsu manhole, Fukushima Pref.162 views
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Approach to the Byakkotai gravesite.161 views
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From JR Yumoto Station, free shuttle buses run to Spa Resort Hawaiians.161 views
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Nihonmatsu manhole, Fukushima Pref.161 views
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This girl's homemade happi coat says "Waraji Matsuri."160 views
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Nihonmatsu Castle's Sannomaru has these fantastic-looking pine trees and cherry trees.159 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.157 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old.156 views
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Shortly after Joban Hawaiian Center opened in 1966, famous singer Aunty Genoa Keawe from Hawaii performed here.155 views
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Slope where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地154 views
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On the right side are more gravestones. These are 31 Byakkotai members who died in battle. 戦死153 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153 views
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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..152 views
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Portrait of Lord Gamo Ujisato152 views
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Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture.152 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.151 views
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Byakko Kannon statue151 views
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Photo gallery151 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 40.150 views
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Most next to Otemon Gate149 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.148 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148 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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Arrow points to Tsuruga-jo Castle.148 views
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Statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.147 views
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Sazaedo, a unique wooden, hexagonal structure which you will see when coming down from Iimoriyama.147 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 1874.146 views
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Wakamatsu Castle as seen from the rear.144 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.144 views
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Byakkotai Graves144 views
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This has become a national shrine, almost as important as Sengakuji where the 47 masterless samurai are buried.144 views
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Names of Byakkotai members, all 14 to 17 years old.144 views
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Site where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地144 views
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Byakkotai Graves143 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.142 views
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Sazaedo142 views
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Kotokuji temple141 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140 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.140 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.140 views
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Sample rock foundation unearthed from the Niwa clan's residence.140 views
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Foilage on the slopes of Honmaru139 views
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Layout of Spa Resort Hawaiians.139 views
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Honmaru Uzumimon Gate and tenshukaku castle tower.138 views
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Monument for teenage samurai who died in battle.138 views
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Inside Hawaiian gift shop.138 views
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Inside the train going from JR Iwaki Station to Yumoto Station. Very nice and clean.138 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.137 views
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The new Monolith Hotel opened on Feb. 8, 2012.137 views
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About Iinuma Sadakichi (later changed his first name to Sadao)136 views
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Sazaedo136 views
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Inside Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House135 views
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Byakkotai statue at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station135 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.135 views
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Gift shop135 views
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai134 views
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Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai warrior who survived and told the story of this valiant teenage group.132 views
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Also see my YouTube video here.132 views
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Hawaiian gift shops.132 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131 views
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Uga Shrine 宇賀神社131 views
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About Hanamiyama Park.131 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130 views
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Byakkotai enshrined in Uga Shrine130 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129 views
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Their names, age, and "senshi" 戦死 (died in battle) are engraved on the stones.129 views
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Statue faces Tsuruga-jo Castle which can be seen in the distance.129 views
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Free shuttle bus to Spa Resort Hawaiians departs in front of JR Yumoto Station.129 views
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The color of the water is stunningly beautiful.128 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128 views
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Eateries. This one is named Lau Lau, but no lau lau is served.128 views
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Ganbappe Fukushima! 128 views
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Tourist map of Yumoto Spa.127 views
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Awards ceremony. The festival ended at about 9:30 pm.126 views
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Spa Garden Pareo has outdoor pools and a sauna. In winter, the air is freezing cold.126 views
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Kitade-maru 北出丸125 views
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Nature trail to other Goshikinuma ponds.124 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅124 views
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A recent addition is this statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.124 views
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Clear view of Mt. Shinobuyama 信夫山124 views
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After completing earthquake repairs, the water park re-opened on Feb. 8, 2012. Admission was half price.124 views
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Map of the area around the Miharu Takizakura weeping cherry tree in Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture. 124 views
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Inawashiro Station 猪苗代駅123 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.123 views
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Before you go to Hanamiyama Park, you can leave your luggage here right next to the bus stop.123 views
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Map of Hanamiyama Park. It's kind of hard to figure out.122 views
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Monument on Kitade-maru 北出丸121 views
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The 5th and top floor of castle tower has a nice lookout deck all.121 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋121 views
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Spring Park, a lukewarm hot spring pool.121 views
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Many cherry trees in front of the Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai.121 views
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Hand-painted candles120 views
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Wading pool.120 views
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Wading pool.120 views
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The water slides cost extra money. 200 yen per slide or a day pass for 2,200 yen.119 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.119 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is a bridge to the castle tower. 椿坂118 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. 118 views
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Foilage on Kitade-maru 北出丸117 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is lined with cherry trees. 椿坂117 views
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Hokusai-style cherry blossom waves.117 views
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On the west side is this Kurogane-mon Gate with steel doors. This is another way into the the main Honmaru grounds. During the Boshin War, the castle lord directed his troops from here. 鉄門116 views
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A warrior dummy shows how stones can be dropped through the stone hole on the floor.116 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋116 views
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A trio of belly dancers.116 views
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Also see my YouTube video here.116 views
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Hula lesson for kids at the Beach Theater in the Water Park.116 views
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Benten-numa Pond. 弁天沼115 views
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Foilage and stone gate115 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.115 views
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JR Miharu Station greets you with numerous cherry blossoms right along the tracks.115 views
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Right beyond the Taikomon Gate is a tourist info office, cafe, restrooms, and benches.114 views
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Castle tower as seen from Honmaru Uzumimon Gate114 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.114 views
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Monument for the Nihonmatsu Shōnentai114 views
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Notice anything unusual about these hula dancers?113 views
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Taikomon Gate stonework112 views
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