 Most viewed - GUNMA 群馬県 |
Poplar tree and azalea117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
117 views
|
|
The first day featured Keiki Hula (hula by children).116 views
|
|
Upper left is a Japanese letter from Bella Irwin written in roman letters. Upper right is an obituary for Robert Irwin in a Philadelphia newspaper. On the bottom left are condolence telegrams from Ikaho to Bella. Bottom right is get-well letter to Robert.116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
Obiki ferry takes only several minutes to reach Tsutsujigaoka Park. Fare was cheap, includes admission to the park. It's also possible to walk to the park.116 views
|
|
Boat ride was pleasant enough.116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
116 views
|
|
Main stage where many Japanese hula troupes performed during the day for three days. Free admission.115 views
|
|
1902 map close-up showing the location of Irwin's summer home (red circle) in Ikaho. It was right in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps.115 views
|
|
Veranda with a life-size Irwin cut-out.115 views
|
|
|
|
"Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.115 views
|
|
Azaleas continue to lead the way to the park.115 views
|
|
In April and May, thousands of flying carp streamers grace the Tsuruudogawa River connected to Lake Jonuma.115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
115 views
|
|
The occasional white azalea give your eyes a break from all the bright colors.115 views
|
|
Hawaiian souvenirs for sale.114 views
|
|
Guests of Honor from Hawaii were introduced to the crowd.114 views
|
|
Kanzanso, an inn fronting the bottom of the Stone Steps and where Irwin's summer estate was located. (No longer in existence.)114 views
|
|
Copy of a Japanese immigrant's labor contract dated Jan. 11, 1900. (Not for Kanyaku Imin.)114 views
|
|
About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
Wisteria114 views
|
|
View from Fureai Bridge. These carp were once registered in the Guiness Book of World Records as having the most koinobori (over 6,000).114 views
|
|
Relaxing ride, only me and a mother and child.114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.114 views
|
|
114 views
|
|
Canopy for the spectators fronting the main outdoor stage.113 views
|
|
Once upon a time, hula in Japan was mainly done by elderly women. Not anymore as hula's popularity has spread to all ages in Japan.113 views
|
|
All the seats were filled during the all-day performances. So many hula groups applied to perform during the festival that Ikaho had to draw lots to decide who could appear.113 views
|
|
The next display case includes this panel explaining Irwin's activities as Hawaiian Minister to Japan.113 views
|
|
On the left are table cloths bearing Irwin's family crest. In the middle is Irwin's binoculars, cross, and watch. On the right are cuff links and cups with the Hawaiian flag.113 views
|
|
The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.113 views
|
|
113 views
|
|
The hill also has a few azalea tunnels.113 views
|
|
A total of five 90-min. Hawaiian seminars were held during Ikaho's Hawaiian festival in Aug. 2008, and they were all taught by kumu hula Aloha Dalire who was very well received by the (thrilled) students.112 views
|
|
The first display case on the right shows a chronology of Irwin's life and portraits of him and his wife Takechi Iki.112 views
|
|
Painting of a tanuki chagama.112 views
|
|
Boat dock for Tsutsujigaoka Park. Other boats offered cruises.112 views
|
|
Tourist information office112 views
|
|
112 views
|
|
Other workshops are held such as ukulele lessons and a lei-making class.111 views
|
|
The main venue has two large adjoining tents. The tent on the left covers the stage, and the one on the right covers the audience seats. The place is ringed by outdoor shops selling Hawaiian goods (mainly clothing).111 views
|
|
A few hula dancers take a break after performing their number on the Stone Steps.111 views
|
|
Veranda111 views
|
|
Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.111 views
|
|
8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.111 views
|
|
A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.111 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.111 views
|
|
Right balcony of temple.110 views
|
|
About 600 seats at the main venue. Ikaho's connection to Hawaii lies with the summer residence of Robert Walker Irwin, the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century.110 views
|
|
The Hawaiian festival's opening ceremony was held on the festival's first day on Aug. 3, 2008. Among Japan's many hula festivals, this one is unique since it is organized by a city government based on sister-city ties.110 views
|
|
After the Waiwai Party was a nightly drawing for prizes. People staying at any Ikaho inn/hotel would receive a lottery ticket which they put in this large box. The grand prize was a trip for two to Hawaii. The prize drawing was held on all four nights.110 views
|
|
The display case shows an old map of Ikaho Spa on the upper left.110 views
|
|
Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.110 views
|
|
Map of Morinji temple. Morinji was founded by the priest Dairin Shotsu (大林正通), During a pilgrimage, Shotsu met an old priest Shukaku-osho at the foot of Ikaho in Gunma. 110 views
|
|
Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.110 views
|
|
110 views
|
|
110 views
|
|
Shops around the main venue.109 views
|
|
From 7 pm to 8:30 pm, the Hawaiian Waiwai Party allowed anybody to go up front and dance the hula. Hawaiian music provided by a Japanese Hawaiian band (Dan Yamamoto & Ikaho Hawaiians).109 views
|
|
In 1426, Shotsu took Shukaku with him to Tatebayashi and built a tiny temple. In 1468, the local Aoyagi Castle lord Akai Masamitsu (赤井正光) indebted to Shotsu, donated some of his land for the temple.109 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
|
|
Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...109 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
|
|
Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.109 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."109 views
|
|
In the evenings, Hawaii's top hula halau (winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii) performed as the festival's main event. Photo: Flags of Hawaii and Ikaho town (merged with Shibukawa in 2006).108 views
|
|
The display case includes photos of the Irwin family in Ikaho.108 views
|
|
Panel showing Irwin's paternal family tree.108 views
|
|
The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.108 views
|
|
One section of the Stone Steps also served as another venue for Ikaho's Hawaiian Festival. 「街角フラ」石段にて107 views
|
|
The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.107 views
|
|
Shops on the lower level.106 views
|
|
More shops on the lower level.106 views
|
|
Tanuki hibachi106 views
|
|
Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.106 views
|
|
Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂106 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.106 views
|
|
The famous Stone Steps of Ikaho. Ikaho is on a mountain slope, and the Stone Steps goes through the center of the hot spring town. It is lined with shops and inns. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス105 views
|
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.105 views
|
|
Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.105 views
|
|
Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂105 views
|
|
About the "Minister's Villa of the Former Kingdom of Hawaii" ハワイ王国公使別邸 (英語がちょっと変)105 views地元の子供達の英語教育を担当している教育委員会の英文は特にしっかりしたものにして欲しいですね。こんな英語で手本にもならないし、英語の勉強にもならない。読む外国人さんも笑わせる。
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, including a booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island. Koa calabash on the right from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989104 views
|
|
Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.104 views
|
|
The Hondo Hall has a thatched-roof.104 views
|
|
104 views
|
|
During Aug. 3-6, 2008, about 390 hula groups (totaling 4,700 people) performed on this stage. About 838 hula groups applied to perform, and only 390 could be selected to appear.103 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.103 views
|
|
Panel explaining the Japanese immigration to Hawai'i.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.103 views
|
|
The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
103 views
|
|
Tanuki sculptures103 views
|
|
Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,103 views
|
|
Cemetery next to the Hondo Hall.103 views
|
|
Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場102 views
|
|
Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.102 views
|
|
2. The smiling face is for affability...101 views
|
|
Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. 山門101 views
|
|
A large weeping cherry tree hides the Hondo main hall.101 views
|
|
A side altar inside the Hondo hall.101 views
|
|
Walk along the veranda to another room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot.101 views
|
|
Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.101 views
|
|
Inside Shukaku-do Hall.101 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.101 views
|
|
War memorial for the Imperial Japanese Army's 2nd Tank Division which was annihilated at the Battle of the Philippines during World War II. 戦車第2師団工兵隊の碑101 views
|
|
If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.101 viewsGetting here: From the Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at JR Shinjuku Station (near South Exit) in Tokyo, there are JR buses to Ikaho, taking 2.5 hours. Get off at the Ikaho Ishidangai stop (伊香保石段街) at the bottom of the Stone Steps. Day trippers can store luggage in the nearby lockers. Irwin's villa is a short distance up the Stone Steps on the right side.
|
|
Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
100 views
|
|
Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.100 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882. On the right is a souvenir from Ikaho that Iki bought.99 views
|
|
99 views
|
|
Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. The Sanmon Gate is usually called the Akamon Gate 山門（通称赤門). The largest and most distinguished-looking gate.99 views
|
|
Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂99 views
|
|
Daruma with a tanuki face.99 views
|
|
Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.99 views
|
|
Inside Hondo hall.98 views
|
|
A palanquin exhibited near the ceiling.98 views
|
|
The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.98 views
|
|
Yew plum pine98 views
|
|
98 views
|
|
Pay a small admission fee to enter the Hondo from the right side. You can walk around inside the Hondo hall and see the altars.97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.97 views
|
|
Large weeping cherry tree in front of the Hondo.97 views
|
|
About the Yew plum pine.97 views
|
|
97 views
|
|
|
The Irwin house and museum are open 9 am to 4:30 pm (enter by 4:15 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 28–Jan. 4.97 views
|
|
Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.97 views
|
|
Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.97 views
|
|
Morinji temple's offertory box and altar inside.96 views
|
|
Morinji temple's Buddhist altar inside the Hondo Hall. The Shakanyorai (釈迦如来) or Gautama Buddha is worshipped. 本堂96 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.96 views
|
|
Wisteria tree96 views
|
|
Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.96 views
|
|
Irwin family portrait and a travel permit that was required for foreigners to travel within Japan.96 views
|
|
Morinji temple's Hondo main hall can be entered through the reception window on the right. 300 yen admission charged (150 yen for kids). Open 9 am-4 pm. Closed Thu.95 views
|
|
The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.95 views
|
|
Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.95 views
|
|
95 views
|
|
Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.95 views
|
|
Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.95 views
|
|
Left panel is about the Irwin family in Ikaho. Right panel is about Sophia "Bella" Arabella, Robert Irwin's eldest child.95 viewsBella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.
|
|
Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂94 views
|
|
Morinji's Hondo hall also has statues of the temple founder Chief Priest Dairin Shotsu-Osho (大林正通大和尚) and longtime assistant Priest Shukaku-Osho (守鶴和尚).94 views
|
|
Yew plum pine94 views
|
|
Admission during peak flower season was ¥1,500. Otherwise, it was ¥500. I went in May when the roses were in bloom. The garden was operated as part of a wedding chapel/hall. Great for wedding photos. It's near Morinji Temple.94 views
|
|
Guidance Facility94 views
|
|
The Irwin Guidance Facility has exhibits about Robert Walker Irwin, his Hawaii connection, and his life in Ikaho. A short video introduces him here.94 views
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.94 views
|
|
Letter of condolence from Bella Irwin to the Chigira family written in romanized Japanese. The Chigira family operated an inn near the Irwin summer villa.94 views
|
|
94 views
|
|
Wisteria tree93 views
|
|
Near Tataranuma Park is Gunma Museum of Art, Tatebayashi. Closed Mondays.93 views
|
|
93 views
|
|
View of garden from second floor.93 views
|
|
Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.93 views
|
|
Certificate for the 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (勲二等旭日重光章) Irwin received on Oct. 4, 1886. But the museum does not have the medal.93 views
|
|
93 views
|
|
Second floor has tatami mats. The second floor is open to the public only on weekends and during the hula festival in summer.92 views
|
|
The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.92 views
|
|
They don't allow photography inside the museum.92 views
|
|
Steps to the garden below.92 views
|
|
The garden changed its name from Yachonomori Garden (野鳥の森ガーデン) to The Treasures Garden in April 2012. The name changed again in April 2015 to "Tobu Treasure Garden" (東武トレジャーガーデン). .91 viewsThey have been expanding the garden to make it more attractive to tourists. So far, they've been doing a good job, the Tobu Group.
|
|
Robert Irwin spent his summers in Ikaho from when he bought the villa in 1891 until 1925 when he died. It was an inn when he bought it.91 views
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.91 views
|
|
Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.91 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho.91 views
|
|
91 views
|
|
Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.91 views
|
|
Tataranuma Park is a prefectural park with cherry blossoms, wisteria, and a marshy lake with enough reed fields to attract swans migrating from Siberia every winter. 90 views
|
|
Rose tunnel90 views
|
|
90 views
|
|
Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.90 views
|
|
Top panel shows the floor layout of Irwin's original Ikaho summer home. Bottom panel shows pictures of the present house being disassembled 90 views
|
|
About Irwin90 views
|
|
Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.90 views
|
|
This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.89 views
|
|
After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.89 views
|
|
Second floor 89 views
|
|
Map of the Irwin Park.89 views
|
|
Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.89 views
|
|
Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.89 views
|
|
Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.89 views
|
|
Floor plan shows the original summer villa in Ikaho. The red portion is the part that remains today. The rest of the building was torn down due to age.89 views
|
|
88 views
|
|
Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.88 views
|
|
Irwin's decorative saber.88 views
|
|
Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.88 views
|
|
Wife Iki's winter coat.88 views
|
|
Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.88 views
|
|
Behind the museum, this tree is dedicated to Dottie Thompson, founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii (Ikaho's sister city).88 views
|
|
If you missed the azaleas at the famous Tsutsujigaoka Park, you could visit The Treasures Garden as consolation. This is the Long Border Garden.87 views
|
|
Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 87 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Lower left is Iki's small dagger in a red case. Iki was from a samurai family.87 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Iki wrote a poem on the upper left fan. Lower right are a few tourist souvenirs (Postcards and hand towel) Iki bought.87 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.87 views
|
|
A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.87 views
|
|
Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.87 views
|
|
Irwin's furniture.87 views
|
|
Near the Irwin villa is a replica of a stone monument at Irwin's gravesite at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Inscribed with a short biography of Robert Walker Irwin.86 views
|
|
85 views
|
|
85 views
|
|
Former Akimoto Villa built for the Akimoto clan who ruled Tatebayashi. 旧秋元別邸84 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.84 views
|
|
Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.84 views
|
|
View of Ikaho from Machi-no-Eki, an exhibition room and ropeway station. Ikaho's first Hawaiian Festival was held here.83 views
|
|
Mt. Uenoyama also has recreational facilities.83 views
|
|
The park has a lot of greenery.83 views
|
|
Moss pink (shibazakura) hills.83 views
|
|
Map of Mt. Uenoyama.82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
82 views
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Takasaki-juku (14th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series. Mt. Haruna is in the background.81 views
|
|
Boyhood home of novelist Tayama Katai, former samurai house.81 views
|
|
Inside Former Akimoto Villa. 旧秋元別邸80 views
|
|
Lookout deck on Mt. Uenoyama.79 views
|
|
78 views
|
|
Iris garden.78 views
|
|
Ikaho Onsen is a well-known hot spring resort in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. It is on hilly terrain, near mountains, making it cooler than Tokyo in summer.78 views
|
|
View of Ikaho from Mt. Uenoyama.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
Rose at The Treasures Garden, Tatebayashi, Gunma.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
| 942 files on 4 page(s) |
 |
3 |
|
