Most viewed - GIFU 岐阜県 |
Yoro, Gifu193 views
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Graves of those who died building Sunomata Castle.193 views
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Monument at West Burial Site, Nishi Kubizuka192 views
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Restaurant191 views
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Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum190 views
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189 views
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The finale was the throwing of mochi.188 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Matsuri held on May 2 in Tarui, Gifu. Featuring three floats and kabuki plays performed by boys (kodomo kabuki).187 views
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The original Ogaki Castle was said to be built in 1535 by the Toki Clan who ruled Mino Province (now Gifu).186 views
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The puppets come out on a plank sticking out of the float and perform in a mini play with various stunts.185 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Festival185 views
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Sunomata Castle has five floors. The first floor has this room introducing the nature and history of Sunomata.185 views
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There is a ring around the bird's throat, preventing it from swallowing the fish. (The bird can still swallow smaller fish.) The cormorants are caught in the wild in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture and trained for ukai fishing in Gifu. 鵜184 views
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Ishida Mitsunari184 views
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Dam reservoir183 views
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This room was also where Crown Prince Hiro and Crown Princess Masako rested during a visit to the castle in April 1995.183 views
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Bridge to Sunomata Castle.183 views
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Hand-to-hand combat182 views
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Hie Shrine hall. The shrine is on Shiroyama Hill. 日枝神社182 viewsOn Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), Takayama Matsuri Festival was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan."
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180 views
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180 views
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Shrine officials in the procession.180 views
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Gifu city manhole showing cormorants 180 views
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Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats.179 views
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JR Tarui Station on the JR Tokaido Line, south side 垂井駅179 views
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178 views
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Evidence of victory178 views
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River next to the inn, mainly to carry away snow.177 views
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The portable shrine (mikoshi) passes through Hie Shrine's torii to join the procession. 神輿177 views
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177 views
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177 views
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Hida beef176 views
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Tofu steak176 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり176 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu at Sasaoyama.176 views
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176 views
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Rear view of Sunomata Castle.176 views
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175 views
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Main bridge to Sunomata Castle. Gourds are prominent here.175 views
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Entrance to Sunomata Castle.175 views
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Manhole in Hashima, Gifu175 views
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Shokawa River173 views
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He took out one of the cormorants from the basket cage. In Japanese, the bird is called umi'u. They normally fish in the ocean as opposed to the kawa'u river cormorant which are smaller and have been devastating to the fish in Lake Biwa.173 views
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173 views
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Inaba Shrine is near the foot of Mt. Kinkazan (Gifu Castle) and Gifu city's most popular shrine for worship during New Year's. I visited on Jan. 1, 2011.173 views
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Shrine maidens172 views
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He puts in ayu sweetfish into the cormorant's mouth. Nagara River's six cormorant fishing masters are employees of the Imperial Household Agency (Ceremonies Dept.). They are national government employees. 海鵜172 views
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The ukai fishing master's ukai cormorant fishing boat is called ubune. Accompanied by an assistant (middle) called the nakanori and the steerer (at rear) called tomonori. About 13 meters long. 鵜舟(うぶね)= 鵜匠+供乗り(とものり)172 views
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A few matchlock gun battalions gathered on the Sasaoyama stage.172 views
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Near the castle entrance is this stone gourd pouring water.172 views
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Rest area.172 views
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Deai Bridge crossing the Shokawa River.171 views
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The old JR Takayama Station. This building has been replaced by a new one. 高山駅171 views
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171 views
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Torture room 吟味所・御白洲170 views
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Imasu-juku was the fifty-ninth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns of the Nakasendo Road. It follows Sekigahara-juku and comes before Kashiwabara-juku in Shiga Pref. Hiroshige woodblock print of Imasu. 170 views
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Ogaki Castle tower. In 1600 for the Battle of Sekigahara, Ogaki Castle was the base for Lord Ishida Mitsunari who led the Western Forces.169 views
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Sunomata Ichiya Castle is open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if a national holiday and closed on Tue. instead). Admission 200 yen for adult, free for children below age 18.169 views
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Matchlock guns169 views
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169 views
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Cooling system168 views
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Portable shrine 神輿168 views
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Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats. Sign says "Watch out for pickpockets."168 views
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Print showing the construction of Sunomata Castle.168 views
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167 views
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Inside museum with a map of the battle167 views
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A middle-aged woman uses her camera phone to photograph herself. "I was here!"167 views
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Held on April 14, the night procession is the festival's major highlight. 夜まつり曳行167 views
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Homes of the cormorant fishing masters. It may be possible to see their birds if you ask politely and if they are not busy.167 views
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166 views
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The karakuri puppets first appeared on the Takayama Matsuri floats in the 18th century. They were handcrafted by artisans in Kyoto.166 views
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First he explains about the fishing master's costume, starting with his cap (kazaori-eboshi) made of hemp cloth. It's actually a flat piece of black or navy blue cloth wrapped around his head to protect his hair from the fire. 風折烏帽子166 views
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166 views
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Side view of Sunomata Castle.166 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Matsuri165 views
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Gifu City Tower 43 is connected to JR Gifu Station with an upper level walkway.165 views
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Heads of the enemy164 views
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Memorial for the fallen warriors at the Battle of Sekigahara, built in 2000, the 400th anniversary.164 views
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Pine wood stored at one cormorant fishing master's home.164 views
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Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in front of Sunomata Castle.164 views
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Path to Wada House entrance163 views
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Shakkyoutai Karakuri which transforms into a lion dance. 石橋台からくり163 views
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They also showed us a sample of the ayu sweetfish that were caught. These are larger than normal ayu. Those caught by the cormorants are expensive. The fish die quickly in the bird's beak, preserving freshness. You can see the beak marks on the fish.163 views
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Ogaki Matsuri poster163 views
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Small sculptures on the castle foundation.163 views
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Gate to Takayama Jinya162 views
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Shrine maidens162 views
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162 views
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161 views
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Main house on left and latrine on right with large vats to gather fertilizer.161 views
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Underside of roof made of an A-frame truss structure161 views
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Japan has three basic types of karakuri puppets based on the region: Kyoto, Nagoya, and Kanto (Tokyo area). The Takayama karakuri are the Nagoya-type.161 views
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The cap protrudes upward to make room for the topknot which the men used to have in the old days. His shirt (ryofuku) is made of cotton. He also has a fire-protection vest (muneate) that has a pocket. 漁服(りょうふく)胸あて(むあて)161 views
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Ogaki manhole, Gifu Pref.161 views
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160 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing boats docked near the cormorant fishing masters' homes. At the right time, you can watch them carry the birds to the boats as they prepare for the ukai fishing.160 views
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Tourist Information Office159 views
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Entrance to the Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum.159 views
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Gassho-zukuri minka houses slated for destruction were moved to this outdoor museum and saved.159 views
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Shrine maidens159 views
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Ticket office for ukai cormorant fishing viewing boats. Behind it is Nagara River and boat dock. You can buy tickets on the day you want to view the cormorant fishing. Pamphlets in English are available. 鵜飼観覧船事務所159 views
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Load, get ready, and...159 views
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Video screening area.159 views
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Where silkworms were raised to make silk cocoons.158 views
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Battle Museum 合戦資料館158 views
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Sanno-machi Suji is in Takayama's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).158 views
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Shrine priest158 views
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The floats are lit and paraded on the streets.158 views
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So we finished eating dinner, and at around 7:45 pm, the first ukai cormorant fishing boat passed by. The order in which the fishing masters pass by and fish is decided by drawing lots. The fish catch varies depending on what order you fish.158 views
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157 views
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Shirakawa Village Office157 views
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Storehouse for a float. 屋台蔵157 views
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Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum156 views
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Memorial for the fallen warriors at the Battle of Sekigahara156 views
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Persimmon drink.156 views
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Gate to Sunomatawhich was also a post town along the Mino Road. Sunomata is accessible by Gifu Bus (W65 on Obusa Sunomata Route) from JR Gifu Station and Ogaki Station. Get off at Sunomata bus stop. 156 views
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The castle is small, but nice. The stairway here.156 views
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Tourist Info Office near the bus stop.155 views
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155 views
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Ishida Mitsunari on Mt. Sasaoyama155 views
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Superb embroidery155 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing master Sugiyama Ichisaburo comes to give the ukai talk. The basket has two cormorant birds. Nagara River in Gifu has six ukai cormorant fishing masters. All of them appear nightly. 杉山市三郎155 views
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Site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate. It's within walking distance from the castle tower, but you'll need a map to find it.155 views
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Another rope made of a crushed tree branch to tie smaller beams. It tightens as it dries.154 views
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We had ordered bento box lunches from the hotel. This kind of cruise probably cost 5,000 yen per person. Smoking is not allowed on the boat.154 views
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On the left is the small bag of beans tossed by the Atago-yama float.154 views
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Site of Takehana Castle in Hashima, Gifu, now occupied by the Hashima Folk History Museum.154 views
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153 views
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Portable shrine 神輿153 views
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Sanbasou Karakuri 三番叟からくり153 views
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The torch fire is called kagaribi 篝火, the pine wood used for the fire is called matsuwariki 松割木, and the metal basket holding the burning wood is called kagari 篝. The pole holding the torch is called kagaribo 篝棒.153 views
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Next to the castle is also this rack of gourds.153 views
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Golden pair of shachi atop Sunomata Castle.153 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり152 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり152 views
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East Gate, now the main gate to Ogaki Castle. 東門152 views
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The first floor has exhibits related to Ogaki Castle and the Battle of Sekigahara. Samurai armor152 views
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Yoro's sparling waters are used to make mineral water and a variety of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.152 views
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Ogaki Castle tower (donjon) is four stories high. Now a museum.152 views
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Stone foundatio.152 views
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Thatch repair work.151 views
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Deai Bridge151 views
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Straw rope tie the large beams to form a truss for the roof.151 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり151 views
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Way to Sunomata Castle. This path goes along the Nagara River.151 views
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Swords151 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring150 views
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149 views
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149 views
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Main house with a recently rethatched roof, making it look very smooth.149 views
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Tokugawa allies at his base camp149 views
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Mikoshi149 views
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Bento box lunch. It was pretty good. We also had a variety of soft drinks. Before the ukai fishing began, we had time to eat dinner.149 views
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside). This is not the Omotemon front gate which was a distance away from here (photos at bottom).149 views
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Touch-and-feel samurai weapons. Matchlock gun, bow, and spear (behind).149 views
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi149 views
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Sanbasou Karakuri 三番叟からくり148 views
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The karakuri perfom one float at a time.148 views
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You have several options: Course/Cruise A is slightly more expensive (3300 yen) than Course B (3000 yen) since it allows you to be on the boat for a longer time. The 6:15 pm departure time is earlier, so it gives you time to eat dinner on the boat.148 viewsOn weekends and holidays, the 3300 yen price is the same for both Course A and B.
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Our boat was semi-human powered. I think this guy should be wearing a happi coat and a Chinaman's hat for better atmosphere and aesthetics.148 views
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The cormorant fishing boats then parked near the viewing boats and showed us how they feed/reward the starving birds with fish and then put back the birds in the basket cages.148 views
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Ieyasu retainer148 views
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside).148 views
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148 views
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Another bridge to Sunomata Castle. More picturesque, but almost useless as it goes to a road with heavy traffic.148 views
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Roof148 views
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147 views
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147 views
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147 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring was where Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto got cured by drinking the water after encountering poison mist on Mt. Ibuki.147 views
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147 views
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A sword demonstration. He's cutting up a straw pole. That's one sharp knife. These people have licenses to carry these guns and swords.147 views
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This man wore authentic samurai armor, over a century old, made of metal. A family heirloom.147 views
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Turn here to visit Ogaki Castle.147 views
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Another gate along the path to Sunomata Castle.147 views
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The 3rd floor shows how Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose to power and prominence.147 views
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146 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring 日本武尊ゆかりの泉「玉倉部の清水」146 views
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Sign at one home of a cormorant fishing master. The fishing masters also perform cormorant fishing for the Imperial family 8 times a year at designated areas on Nagara River. The fish is offered to the Imperial family, Ise Shrine, and Meiji Shrine. 御料146 views
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Shrine at the site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.146 views
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145 views
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Sekigahara Stalactite Cavern parking lot. The blue-roof building is a souvenir shop and restaurant.145 views
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Sogarami, all six ukai cormorant fishing boats line up and chase the fish downriver together while the fishing masters shout "Hou-Hou." I. Photographing this is difficult since your flash cannot reach the boats. 総がらみ145 views
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The cormorants go out on these fishing trips on an empty stomach. They are starving, and therefore motivated to hunt for fish. The six ukai fishing boats pass by, so you get ample chance to take pictures and videos.145 views
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site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.145 views
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Gifu Castle atop Kinkazan as seen from Sunomata Castle. Then called Inabayama Castle, Gifu Castle was one objective for Sunomata Castle and Hideyoshi.145 views
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A small stream beside the house helps to melt the snow falling off the roof.144 views
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144 views
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Higashiyama Teramachi144 views
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The Sekigahara samurai warriors arrived Sasaoyama at noon.144 views
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Tourist Information Office in the center of town.143 views
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143 views
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Nakahashi Bridge over Miyagawa River 宮川に掛かる中橋143 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing viewing boat. You don't need to go as a group. You can go by yourself and just ride with other passengers. There are also boats for women only, families only, and couples only.143 views
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After the ukai talk, passengers start to board the ukai viewing boats at 6:15 pm. Course B passengers will board at 6:45 pm or 7:15 pm. Course B is for people who just want to see the cormorant fishing, and don't care to spend much time on the boat.143 views
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The 122 tools (including the cormorant fishing boat) used by the fishing master are Important Tangible Properties. If you want to take pictures, flash and a high ISO speed are essential. Video is great too.143 views
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Amazing how the strings don't get tangled. The fishing master can quickly cut the rope in case it gets caught on rock underwater so the bird does not drown. Also see my YouTube video here.143 views
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The usho (cormorant fishing master) and nakanori (assistant). The fishing master has about 20 cormorants at his home. Since they live together, he and the birds are able to work well together. 鵜匠、なか乗り143 views
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For the climax, called sogarami (joint-formation fishing), all six ukai cormorant fishing boats line up and proceed downriver together while they chase the fish to the shallows. 総がらみ143 views
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The 5th floor is the lookout deck. No veranda, but the windows are open for easy viewing and picture-taking.143 views
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Serving hot ama-zake here.143 views
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JR Sekigahara Station on the Tokaido Line 東海道線 関ヶ原駅142 views
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This is our ukai viewing boat called Dosan Maru, named after the famous lord of Gifu. All the ukai viewing boats have a name related to the Gifu area, Nagara River or ukai fishing. Notice the bento boxes. 道三丸142 views
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142 views
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Gable openings let light and air come through the attic to foster silkworms.141 views
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This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).141 views
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Street lined with floats.141 views
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Ukai-related poems. There's even one composed by Basho: おもしろうて やがて悲しき 鵜飼かな。 Gifu's Nagara River ukai cormorant fishing has a 1300-year history. It is recorded in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicle of Japan) and Kojiki141 views
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Boat harbor for ukai viewing boats. The two boats in the foreground are restroom boats. Ukai cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique all but replaced by more advanced fishing methods. So it is now mainly for tourists.141 views
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Mock combat with a spectator.141 views
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141 views
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View from Shiroyama Park140 views
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This man wore newer samurai armor made of plastic.140 views
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And Tokugawa Ieyasu.140 views
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Ishida Mitsunari loses the battle, and is executed.140 views
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Entrance to Rice Storehouse. 御蔵139 views
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At 11 am, the gun battalions arrived.139 views
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There are a number of matchlock gun battalions in Japan, and they often demonstrate the guns at festivals like this.139 views
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139 views
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138 views
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138 views
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138 views
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Dancing boat where dancers entertain people before the ukai fishing. 踊り舟138 views
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Map of the original Ogaki Castle.138 views
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Marker pointing the way to Ogaki Castle, the symbol and main attraction of the city.138 views
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Held on May 2-4, three ornate hikiyama floats are displayed and paraded around town. Young boys also perform in kabuki plays on the floats. May 3 is the main festival day, but May 2 is also a good day to see the matsuri. These photos were taken on May 2.138 views
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Restroom behind the Tourist Information Office137 views
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Fire hydrant137 views
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Ishida Mitsunari on Mt. Sasaoyama137 views
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Tourist info office137 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri throwing confetti. 龍神台からくり137 views
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137 views
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137 views
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Youth hostel137 views
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Restroom boat. During the cormorant fishing, this toilet boat is parked near the viewing boats for your convenience.137 views
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Near Nagara River is the homes of the cormorant fishing masters.137 views
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Site of a castle gate.137 views
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The fourth floor is a gallery. Pictures by local kids.137 views
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Slats on the attic floor to enable smoke and soot from the hearth to reach the attic.136 views
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Myozenji Temple Museum136 views
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Waiting room at JR Takayama Station136 views
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Turnstile at JR Takayama Station136 views
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JR Takayama Station, tourist info office on left.136 views
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Shopping street136 views
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136 views
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136 views
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The larger yakata-bune has a silent, battery-powered outboard motor. Notice the solar panels on the roof. 屋形船136 views
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Deadly spears136 views
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