 Most viewed - GUNMA 群馬県 |
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Entrance to Daruma Museum (one room only)164 views
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They are professional hula dancers, some of the best in the world.164 views
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Top of the mountain162 views
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Takasaki Museum of Art 高崎市立美術館161 views
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Hula is also performed by men. These photos were taken during the 7th Ikaho Hawaiian Festival (Aug. 5-7, 2003).160 views
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This was a song about paddling a canoe, I think.160 views
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Made of concrete.159 views
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Right balcony of Daruma temple, Takasaki.159 views
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Garden (photos taken in early May)158 views
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A young Robert Walker Irwin.157 views
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Upper left is a letter from Yukiko Irwin, Bella's niece. Upper right are hymns used by Bella's Sunday School. Photo below shows Yukiko Irwin (daughter of Robert Irwin's 2nd son Richard) visiting Ikaho in 1979, meeting with a cultural property157 views
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The mountain is an easy hike. But hardly anybody climbed it.156 views
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Bus back to JR Shin-machi Station, takes about 90 min.156 views
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The nightly main event was an hour-long Merrie Monarch hula show by Hula Halau 'O Kamuela, the overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival held in Hilo, Hawaii.156 views
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In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ王国公使別邸156 views
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Colorful costumes and lots of eye candy.154 views
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Entertainment on stage152 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.152 views
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Ground connection: Cable anchor for one string of carp151 views
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The Kannon statue peers over the trees.151 views
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Mayor Kogure speaks with Aloha Dalire and Luana Kawelu after the Merrie Monarch Show.151 views
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View from halfway up.150 views
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Cable anchor150 views
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View from Kannon-yama.150 views
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Right balcony of temple.150 views
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Finally, they use feathered gourd rattles called Ulīʻulī.150 views
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In 1985, the 100th anniversary of the Japanese immigration to Hawaii, Ikaho designated this residence as one of the town's Historic Places. ハワイ公使別邸150 views
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This modest building is only part of what was a larger complex of Irwin's summer residence. This is the front entrance. Open to the public, free admission.150 views
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Ground connection149 views
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An Australian praying at the temple149 views
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To Kannon-yama148 views
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Garden148 views
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Right balcony of temple.148 views
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Festivals in Tatebayashi.148 views
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Crowd-pleasing performance.147 views
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Superb views from the mountain.146 views
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Kumu hula Kau'i Kamana'o does a solo number.146 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...146 views
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Going down145 views
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After the bamboo sticks, the girls used a gourd drum called ipu.145 views
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Letters to Bella from her Sunday School students. Lower right is a chronology of Bella's life published by her school. Her name "Irwin" is rendered in kanji characters pronounced "Ari-in." 有院144 views
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The wind died.143 views
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Hula workshops are also offered during the day at cost. A famous kumu hula teacher from Hawaii teaches the class.143 views
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Short greetings by Luana Saiki-Kawelu, Assistant Director of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii. Ikaho's Hawaiian festival is Japan's only hula event officially endorsed by the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.143 views
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Aloha Dalire taught seminars in hula history, Hawaiian expression, and lei-making (pictured here). She brought a boxful of a'ali'i flowers for lei-making. All the students had heard of the flower, but it was the first time for them to see it.143 views
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Aloha also taught two hula workshops. For the first workshop, she taught the song "Nani Lawa'i" (sung by Na Palapalai). First, she had the students close their eyes and listen to the song.142 views
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Panel explaining Bella Irwin's Christian Sunday School.141 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...140 views
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Hiking up the mountain.136 views
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First floor of Robert Walker Irwin's summer residence in Ikaho. When the house was moved, it was disassembled and repaired before reassembly.136 views
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Robert Walker Irwin in his later years. ロバート W. アルウイン. Read more about him here.135 viewsA young Robert Walker Irwin ロバート W. アルウイン
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.135 views
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Upper left is a New Year's postcard to Robert. Lower left is a funeral notice for Iki. Upper right is a family portrait.133 views
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire explains that she is a 7th-generation kumu hula in her family, and produced five Miss Aloha Hulas at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, including all three of her daughters and Kuhi Suganuma, the 2008 Miss Aloha Hula.132 views
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Every year, the overall winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival is invited to perform at Ikaho's Hawaiian festival. They started with a hula kahiko (ancient hula) dance.132 views
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Thomas Goya during the closing ceremony.132 views
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Photo of of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. The building on the right is apparently the building that remains today.132 views
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Cables go all the way up the mountain.131 views
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Built in 1936.131 views
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Kumu hula Kunewa Mook also speaks at the opening ceremony. In the background is the flag of the city of Shibukawa. In Japan, all cities, towns, and villages have their own official logo and flag.131 views
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Aloha Dalire also speaks during the closing ceremony.131 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.131 views
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Map of Tsutsujigaoka, a National Scenic Site. It's a low, flat hill full of azalea bushes. There is a maze of foot paths going through the azalea. 名勝131 views
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Kupuna ４分ごとに各フラチームがステージで出演。130 views
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The Honorable Jiichi Kogure, mayor of Shibukawa, lauds the festival during the closing ceremony. 渋川市長 木暮治一130 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).130 views
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A few words by Kau'i Kamana'o, kumu hula of Hula Halau 'O Kamuela who was the festival's guest performer and overall winner of the 2008 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.129 views
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Kumu hula Aloha Dalire, instructor of the Hawaiian seminars during the festival, also greets the audience. アロハ・ダリレ129 views
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Tommy Hirano, Honorary Consul-General of Japan from Hilo, Hawaii also speaks. It was his first visit to Ikaho.129 views
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Left to right: Robert Jr., Bella, 4th daughter Agnes, Iki, 2nd son Richard, Robert, 3rd daughter Marion, and 2nd daughter Mary.129 views
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On the last day of the festival on Aug. 6, 2008, a closing ceremony was held at 8 pm before the prize drawing and Merrie Monarch Show. Luana Saiki-Kawelu gives a few words.128 views
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Left balcony of temple.127 views
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They wore a variety of colorful costumes and used various hula instruments such as these frayed bamboo sticks called Pūʻili.127 views
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Along Tsuruudagawa River were koinobori carp streamers flanked by cherry trees and azaleas.127 views
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After Irwin died, the house was sold to Kodansha, a publishing company, and used for employee training. Eventually, the house was acquired by Gunma Prefecture and later by Ikaho/Shibukawa.127 views
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Wisteria126 views
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Hula on the Stone Steps 石段街126 views
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For the second hula workshop, Aloha taught the song "Nani Manoa." The workshops were held at Ikaho Kaikan hall. 伊香保会館126 views
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Lake Jonuma126 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.126 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...126 views
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Even the edges are incredibly colorful. This edge had group photo stands.126 views
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On the left is a winter coat worn by wife Iki. A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence also displayed.125 views
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Sights in Jonuma area, dominated by Lake Jonuma.125 views
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Netfishing sculpture.125 views
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Ukishima Benzaiten Shrine in Tataranuma Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma. Part of the spirit of Benzaiten at Enoshima island in Kanagawa was transferred here. 浮島弁財天125 views
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Mind-blowing just to see so many azalea along the edges. But much, much more was waiting on this hill.125 views
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Ikaho is famous for the Stone Steps lined with shops. A section of it also served as a second hula stage during the day.124 views
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Thomas Goya, from Hilo and president of the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, speaks as a representative of the County of Hawai'i, Ikaho's sister city. ハワイ島日系人協会会長124 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.124 views
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Rest house on Tsutsujigaoka.124 views
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Tanuki sighting near Lake Jonuma124 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.123 views
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The garden's official website at sibazakura.com and treasuregarden.jp no longer work. 123 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a lakeside park featuring this low hill almost 200 meters long and 80 meters wide.123 views
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Town parking lot with a makeshift stage and main venue of the festival. The "Merrie Monarch" refers to King David Kalakaua who reigned over the Hawaiian Kingdom 1874-1891. He promoted hula in Hawaii as well as Japanese immigration to Hawaii.122 views
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Ikaho is also a sister city of Hawaii island. During Aug. 5-7, 2003, Ikaho hosted the 7th King Kalakaua Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Festival featuring hula performances by numerous Japanese hula groups.122 views
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Portrait of Robert Walker Irwin and with his Japanese wife Takechi Iki who was from a samurai family.122 views
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Tanuki raccoon dogs in front of Tatebayashi Station.122 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...122 views
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Dreamy stage lighting.121 views
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At center top and bottom are copies of Irwin's marriage applications. Bottom left is a news clipping announcing Irwin's marriage to Iki. Top right is a photo of the Irwins in Ikaho.121 views
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Upper left is a photo of the Hawaiian Minister's residence in Tokyo. Lower left is a pamphlet of the Mitsui Club at the minister's residence. Upper right is a portrait of Irwin and Bella in the US.121 views
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A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.121 views
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Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 121 views
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Inside the wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 121 views
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Tatebayashi Station platform121 views
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Robert Walker Irwin's summer villa was moved to its present and original location in fall 2013. Map here.121 views
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Students who attended all five Hawaiian seminars were given a Certificate of Completion signed by Aloha Dalire who enjoyed teaching the seminars. She then freely signed autographs and took pictures with the students.120 views
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It cost 30,000 yen to take all five seminars or 10,000 yen for one seminar. The hula seminars were the most popular. Free ukulele lessons were also taught at a different venue by a Japanese teacher.120 views
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Rear view of Irwin's summer residence. This building has moved to a new location up the Stone Steps and these photos show it at the previous location at the foot of the Stone Steps.120 views
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On the top right is a letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi (next image). The lower right are rocks from Kilauea volcano, and the left are souvenir ribbons marking the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigration in 1868.120 views
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Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.120 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.120 views
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First you see this Somon Gate (総門), built in 1468 and normally called Kuromon Gate (黒門), to enter Morinji temple, one of Tatebayashi's main tourist sights.120 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.120 views
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Street corner with another tanuki. These tanuki are made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.120 views
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Obiki ferry dock is on the left above the bridge on this map.120 views
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Now this is an entrance to Tsutsuji-en, a long, slim azalea garden. I walked through this on the way back.120 views
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The opening ceremony included a few speeches and a ukulele performance by Mr. San'uemon Chigira, the chairman of the festival committee.119 views
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Hawaiian Waiwai Party ("Waiwai" means boisterous.)119 views
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Tommy Hirano during the closing ceremony.119 views
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Ink stone and brushes used by wife Iki.119 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.119 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a 15-20-min. walk from Tatebayashi Station.119 views
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It's a pleasant walk with azalea decorating the sidewalk.119 views
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There were these flower racks too.119 views
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The koinobori are strung from late March to mid-May. Especially spectacular when the cherries are in bloom during late March to mid-April.119 views
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Way to Obiki ferry boat119 views
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Shopping street for tourists next to Tsutsujigaoka.119 views
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Foyer of the Irwin summer house. A US flag, but no Hawaiian flag...118 views
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Top left is a photo of four of Irwin's children in Ikaho. Top right is a photo of Irwin and his children in Ikaho. Bottom left is a postcard addressed to Irwin in Ikaho. Bottom right are Ikaho postcards bought by Irwin.118 views
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Tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.118 views
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I visited Tatabayashi again in early May 2014 to see the azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park. 118 views
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Koinobori at a lakeside house.118 views
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Approaching Tsutsujigaoka Park118 views
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Every 4 minutes, a new group of hula dancers went on and performed on stage. This went on for four days 10 am to 6 pm (except on the first day when it started from 1 pm).117 views
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This inn called Kanzanso has been torn down to make way for the relocated Irwin house.117 views
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City mascot "Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station. "Pon" refers to the character's pot belly.117 views
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Entrance to Tatebayashi City Hall is also decorated with azaleas.117 views
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My friend in Tatebayashi tells me, "The legend of the azalea park is that the lord of Tatebayashi, Sakakibara Yasumasa, had a mistress named Otsuji.117 viewsThe wife was jealous of her and gave her such a hard time that Otsuji threw herself into Lake Jonuma and died. Since her name sounded like tsutsuji, the lord planted the garden to console her soul."
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