 Most viewed - HOKKAIDO 北海道 |
Map for area in front of Hakodate Station.22 views
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22 views
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Being on the Tsugaru Strait, Matsumae was a strategic defensive position for northern Japan during the samurai era. This is the Matsumae Castle ticket gate. Small admission fee charged.21 views
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Entrance to the park has this sign indicating how many years the park has been operating since Aug. 27, 1958. Visited in 2022, so it was 63 years. It also says the park currently has 14 cranes.21 views
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Mashu Maru was a train ferry connecting Aomori Station and Hakodate Station. It linked the Japan National Railway line across the ocean strait between Honshu and Hokkaido.21 views
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Approaching Hakodate with Mt. Hakodate in view.21 views
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Inside JR Hakodate Station.21 views
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Floor map of JR Hakodate Station terminal building.21 views
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Map around Hakodate Station.21 views
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Hakodate Ekimae Station on the tram.21 views
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We did some hiking on Rishiri in early autumn, nothing strenuous.20 views
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Matsumae Castle's main tower is a pretty accurate reconstruction with 3 floors on the original location. Originally named "Fukuyama Castle" since the area was named "Fukuyama." To avoid confusion with Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima,20 views
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Front lawn with cherry blossom trees which bloom in late April to mid-May.20 views
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Cape Chikyu (also spelled Chikiu) is on the southernmost tip of Muroran on Etomo Peninsula, making it a popular spot to see the sunrise especially on New Year's Day. It overlooks the deep blue Pacific Ocean. 20 views
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Rear of Mashu Maru where the train cars were loaded/unloaded.20 views
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Bow of Mashu Maru with Mt. Hakodateyama in the background.20 views
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Monument for Commodore Perry's visit to Hakodate.20 views
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Map of southern Hokkaido with Uchiura Bay.20 views
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20 views
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20 views
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Hakodate Ekimae Station on the tram.20 views
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Approaching Rishiri's Oshidomari Port in northern Rishiri, closest to Wakkanai. 鴛泊港19 views
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Bust of Chiyonofuji.19 views
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Cleaning up a crane that fell into a slurry pool.19 views
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Mashu Maru bridge is also open to visitors on the 4th floor.19 views
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Approaching Hakodate Port with Mt. Hakodate in view.19 views
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Approaching Hakodate Port at the heart of Hakodate. The port used to bring train ferries to connect trains to Hakodate Station.19 views
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Gift shop inside JR Hakodate Station.19 views
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Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve) keeps red-crowned cranes (tancho 丹頂) for the public to see year-round. Kushiro is where the cranes can also be found in the wild. 18 views
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At Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, baby red-crowned crane. You can see baby cranes at the park from April to June.18 views
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Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, Hokkaido.18 views
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History of the Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve in Japanese.18 views
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Japanese-style Third-class cabin, the cheapest accommodations on Mashu Maru. Just lie down on the carpet. Third Class also had seats.18 views
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JR Hakodate Station is right next to Hakodate Port because train ferries used to dock and bring the trains to the station. 18 views
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Akan-Kohan Youth Hostel was once here too. Not here anymore. 阿寒湖畔ユースホステル（既に閉館）17 views
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To strengthen Japan's maritime defense against foreign ships, the Tokugawa government in 1849 ordered the Matsumae Clan to build Matsumae Castle in this coastal town. Matsumae Castle's main tower peers above the ticket office.17 views
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Inside Matsumae Castle's main tower (1st floor). The castle was rebuilt with donations and money from the town government. Ferroconcrete structure.17 views
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Map of Matsumae Park. In spring, the park is noted for cherry blossoms.17 views
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From the 1990s, further excavations were conducted and pieces of castle roof tiles and stone wall remnants were discovered.17 views
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Chiyonofuji's golf clubs.17 views
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The fence also has quiz questions like "What's the difference between the male and female crane?" The answer is behind the sign.17 views
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At Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, baby red-crowned crane in mid-June 2022. 17 views
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Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve crane feeder. They also feed the cranes in the morning. It would be neat to see if you're there.17 views
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Mashu Maru is now a museum ship at Hakodate Port's new Wakamatsu Dock. It was moved here in Feb. 2020. This dock is also used by luxury cruise ships. (Nippon Maru is on the left.)17 views
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Entrance to Mashu Maru.17 views
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Photos of all 55 Seikan ferries since 1908. Many are named after famous Hokkaido and Aomori sights like Yotei, Ishikari, Hakkoda, and Matsumae.17 views
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Reference corner to view Seikan ferry timetables, etc.17 views
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Hakodate Port's Wakamatsu Dock where cruise ships dock next to the Mashu Maru museum ship.17 views
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Inside JR Hakodate Station.17 views
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South Hokkaido Railway (Donan Isaribi Railway) going to JR Kikonai Station (end of the line) and shinkansen station.17 views
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Near Lake Akan are two other small lakes, Lake Penketo (foreground) and Lake Panketo in the rear (not really visible due to fog). From Sokodai Scenic Point. 双湖台、ペンケトー16 views
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Matsumae Castle's Honmaru Gomon Gate, the castle's only surviving, original structure.16 views
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Matsumae Town Hall is near the castle. The previous building caught fire in 1949 which spread to the castle's main tower.16 views
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The park basically is marshland with fences keeping the cranes inside. Visitors could walk along the tall fence and see the cranes, usually in pairs. 16 views
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The fence also has a covered hole for taking pictures.16 views
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"Why do they have a red crown?"16 views
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Entrance to Mashu Maru museum ship ahead. Go up the stairs.16 views
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Parts of Mashu Maru.16 views
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16 views
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Pictures of recent Seikan ferries.16 views
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Descriptions of different class of accommodations. First Class to Third Class.16 views
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First Class and Second Class cabins.16 views
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Inside JR Hakodate Station.16 views
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Fancy selfie sign says "Matsumae Castle." Since the current castle tower is aging and not earthquake-resistant, there are plans to replace it with another reconstruction with wood. Due to be completed in 2035.15 views
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After the Edo Period, much of Matsumae Castle was dismantled except for the main tower which was a National Treasure. Unfortunately, the main tower caught fire from embers from the burning Matsumae Town Hall nearby in 1949.15 views
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View from the top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower. The castle grounds have 10,000 sakura trees, making it one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. 日本さくら名所100選15 views
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Matsumae Castle's Honmaru Gomon Gate.15 views
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The museum also has a replica of Chiyonofuji's Kokonoe sumo stable ring. 15 views
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Photo of Olympic gold medalist wrestler Yoshida Saori and Chiyonofuji.15 views
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I walked all the way to the end and found this dead-end. This is also a bird sanctuary where they treat injured cranes. The park has done a lot to help preserve and multiply the cranes. 15 views
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Walked back and checked every crane on display.15 views
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Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve15 views
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The park also has a small crane museum.15 views
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Crane skeleton.15 views
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History of the Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve.15 views
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Central Muroran is on Etomo Peninsula which has numerous scenic points and places of interest. One is Etomo-Rinkai Park.15 views
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Mashu Maru floor layout on two decks.15 views
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15 views
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Top deck.15 views
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To train platforms at JR Hakodate Station.15 views
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14 views
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Matsumae Castle was the last Japanese castle to be built (1854) during the samurai's Edo Period. It was the base of the Matsumae Clan who ruled Hakodate and this Matsumae area (formerly named "Fukuyama"). The castle was an expansion of thei14 views
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For lunch in Matsumae, we had the same food that was served to the Matsumae samurai. Very good. Served at a hot spring ryokan named "Yano." (温泉旅館 矢野) https://www.matsumae-yano.com14 views
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Side view of Yokozuna Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall.14 views
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Yokozuna-no-Sato Fukushima Roadside station for local gifts and produce next to the sumo museum..14 views
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The cages also have signs indicating the names, birthdates, and birthplaces of the paired cranes.14 views
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Life cycle of Japanese red-crowned cranes. For wildlife photographers, the most popular time is Jan.-March in winter when the cranes dance in the snow for their mating ritual.14 viewsAsian mainland has about 1,600 red-crowned cranes, and Japan (eastern Hokkaido) has 1,200 cranes.
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Crane dolls.14 views
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Top deck of Mashu Maru.14 views
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Third Class cabins.14 views
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Hakodate Port's Wakamatsu Dock where cruise ships dock.14 views
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Train lines in Hakodate.14 views
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Niseko Annupuri 13 views
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On the southern shore is Akanko Onsen hot spring with hotels and inns. Boat cruises also operate. These photos were taken years ago, so a few buildings might look different today. 阿寒湖温泉13 views
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Akanko Ainu Kotan gift shop.13 views
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Ainu home (no longer here) was also in the Ainu village. 阿寒湖アイヌコタン13 views
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Akanko Ainu Kotan Ainu village. 阿寒湖アイヌコタン13 views
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Only part of Lake Penketo can be seen from the road. Part of the Akan Volcanic Complex. ペンケトー13 views
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The ocean seen from the JR Nemuro Line going to Kushiro.13 views
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Shintoku Ski Grounds as seen from the train in autumn. The building is the ski lodge where you buy lift tickets, etc.13 viewsNear JR Shintoku Station (JR Nemuro Line).
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The small island in the lake is named "Kamuishu." It's the tip of a lava dome. View of Lake Mashu from Scenic Point 1. カムイシュ島13 views
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Approaching Matsumae Castle within Matsumae Park. Hokkaido's one and only Japanese-style castle. Nearest train station is Kikonai Station from where you take the Hakodate Bus and get off at "Matsushiro."13 views
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Top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower. Windows on all four sides give good views of the park.13 views
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View from the top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower.13 views
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Matsumae Castle's Honmaru Gomon Gate.13 views
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Small statue of Chiyonofuji performing the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony.13 views
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Chiyonofuji's Kanreki (age 60) yokozuna rope belt in red.13 views
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At Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, we also saw a baby crane, about a month old. (Born in mid-May 2022.) Here he/she is with dad and mom13 views
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Red-crowned cranes, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, Hokkaido. 13 views
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What cranes eat. Small fish, insects, and more.13 views
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Cape Chikyu has a lookout deck. From JR Bokoi Station, 35-min. walk or 10-min drive. By bus, get off at the Chikyu-Misaki Danchi stop.13 views
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North Nippon Works (Muroran) steel plant as seen from Mt. Sokuryo. 北日本製鉄所 室蘭地区13 views
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Hakucho Bridge, Muroran. 白鳥大橋13 views
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Charatsunai scenic point チャラツナイ展望台13 views
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Charatsunai scenic point チャラツナイ展望台13 views
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This is the second Seikan ferry to be named "Mashu Maru." Named after the beautiful Lake Mashu in eastern Hokkaido. It opened as a museum ship in Hakodate Port in 2003.13 views
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First go up the stairs to the 3rd floor.13 views
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Third floor deck.13 views
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Mashu Maru bridge13 views
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Views from Niseko Annupuri. ニセコアンヌプリ12 views
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Niseko Moiwa ski run. We skiied here at night. ニセコモイワ12 views
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When I visited in autumn years ago, a few Ainu dressed in colorful costumes were at the Bihoro Pass scenic point posing for photos for paying tourists. アイヌ12 views
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In 1887, a railway was built from Mt. Io to Shibecha, 41 km away. It was Hokkaido's second railway to be built after the railway between Sapporo and Otaru.12 views
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Back to the visitor's center.12 views
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Lake Kussharo has two tourist areas. One is here at Sunayu. 砂湯12 views
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Wakoto Peninsula has this free outdoor hot spring bath on the lake shore. Open to both men and women, most bathers wear a swimsuit.12 views
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Nearest train station is JR Kawayu Onsen Station. Take the Akan Bus to Kawayu Onsen to reach Lake Kussharo.12 views
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Go upstairs to the upper floors.12 views
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12 views
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Chiyonofuji's topknot is also displayed. His topknot was cut off on his retirement day in Feb. 1992 by his then Kokonoe stablemaster and former Yokozuna Kitanofuji.12 viewsChiyonofuji's topknot is also displayed.
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Chiyonoyama opened the Kokonoe Stable and recruited Chiyonofuji.12 views
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Photo of actor Sylvester Stallone visiting Kokonoe Stable and Chiyonofuji practicing.12 views
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Also nearby is the Seikan Tunnel Museum. Possible to buy a combo discount ticket to see both the sumo and tunnel museums.12 views
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Small fishing port in Matsumae.12 views
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Red-crowned cranes, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve).12 views
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Adult males, fully grown on the left and 6 months old on the right still with brown feathers.12 views
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Panel displays explaining about the cranes and problems.12 views
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About Cape Chikyu in Japanese.12 views
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About Cape Chikiu Lighthouse.12 views
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Mt. Sokuryo is also noted for abundant flora and fauna including birds (including migratory birds), animals, insects, and plants.12 views
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Mt. Yotei as seen from Mt. Sokuryo in Muroran. Hakucho Bridge in the foreground.12 views
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Mt. Komagatake can also be seen.12 views
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Etomo-Rinkai Park waterfront.12 views
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Daikoku Island 大黒島12 views
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The second floor is the Hakucho Bridge Memorial Museum. One large room with exhibits about the bridge. 白鳥大橋記念12 views
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Tokkarisho scenic point トッカリショ展望台12 views
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From Charatsunai scenic point12 views
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Explanatory panel.12 views
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Niseko Annupuri.11 views
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Bihoro Pass wooden marker at the scenic point. 美幌峠の標柱11 views
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Lake Akan at sunset.11 views
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Bunk beds in Akan-Kohan Youth Hostel. 阿寒湖畔ユースホステル11 views
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Akanko Ainu Kotan gifts.11 views
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Lake Mashu and Kamuishu island.11 views
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Sulphur mining ended altogether in Hokkaido in 1963.11 views
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Wakoto Peninsula's west side.11 views
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The top floor has good views of the area. This is Matsumae Castle's selfie spot. The main tower was a National Treasure until it was destroyed by fire.11 views
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View from the top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower.11 views
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Near the Gate is a Fugenzo (普賢象) cherry tree that was planted by Prince Nobuhito Takamatsu (younger brother of the late Emperor Hirohito) in 1974. It has fluffy light pink or white flowers. ('Albo-rosea' Makino)11 views
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Statue of Chiyonoyama.11 views
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About Chiyonofuji. His sister used to be the museum director.11 views
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Scissors used to cut Chiyonofuji's hair on his retirement day.11 views
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Chiyonofuji's motto: Shin-gi-tai or Mind, Technique, and Body. 心技体11 views
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After retiring, Chiyonofuji took over Kokonoe sumo stable from former Yokozuna Kitanofuji.11 views
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The video screen showed noted sumo matches such as between Chiyonofuji and Kitanoumi.11 viewsKitanoumi also has an impressive sumo museum near Lake Toya in Hokkaido: https://photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails.php?album=664
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Baby cranes grow very quickly. Left one is 39 days old, middle is 5 days old. They reach adult size in 3 months. Their brown feathers also turn black and white.11 views
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About the Kushiro Japanese Red-Crowned Crane Reserve.11 views
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Lookout deck on Cape Chikyu, one of Hokkaido's Top 100 scenic spots. "Chikiu" comes from the Ainu word "Chikepu" (チケプ) meaning cliff. The name morphed into Chikiu (チキウ), and then "Chikyu" (地球) meaning Ear11 views
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North Nippon Works (Muroran) steel plant operated by Nippon Steel. The works opened in 1909. Employs over 1,000. 北日本製鉄所 室蘭地区11 views
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Sculpture on Mt. Sokuryo.11 views
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Mt. Sokuryo also has beautiful night views.11 views
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History of Muroran Port.11 views
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Old locomotive displayed near the old JR Muroran Station.11 views
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For many years, even before Niseko became popular among overseas skiers, Niseko was long known in Japan as offering the best powder snow. There are multiple ski resorts in Niseko and I skiied on three of them. This is Niseko Hirafu. ニセコ ヒラフ10 views
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Niseko Hirafu ski lift. ニセコ ヒラフ10 views
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Views while skiing on Niseko Annupuri. ニセコアンヌプリ10 views
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Lake Akan's average air temperature is a low 3.7˚C. Winter temps can go as low as -17˚C. In summer, it can be as warm as 16˚C or 17˚C.10 views
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Shintoku Ski Grounds as seen from the train in autumn. The lawn is decorated with しんとく (Shintoku).10 views
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View from Scenic Lookout 3.10 views
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The mining operations here and in other nearby mountain quickly developed local industry in eastern Hokkaido which had been largely undeveloped.10 views
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Approaching Yokozuna Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall.10 viewsFrom JR Kikkonai Station, take a bus to Matsumae and get off at Fukushima bus stop. Takes alomst an hour. Open 9 am–5 pm. Admission ¥500. Cloeed Dec. 1 to March 15. https://be-happy-fukushima.com/attractions/yokozuna-kinenkan/
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Chiyonofuji was one of the greatest grand champion (yokozuna) sumo wrestlers of all time. And one of the most popular of all time. 10 viewsFor a sumo wrestler, his physique was relatively small and lightweight, but he compensated for it with his muscular strength, agility, and expert technique.
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Biography of the two yokozuna.10 views
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Chiyonofuji's topknot was cut off on his retirement day in Feb. 1992 by his then Kokonoe stablemaster and former Yokozuna Kitanofuji.10 views
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About Chiyonoyama.10 views
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Chiyonoyama's trophy room.10 views
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Chiyonofuji's motto: Shin-gi-tai or Mind, Technique, and Body. 心技体10 views
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View from Cape Chikyu.10 views
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On Cape Chikyu is the Cape Chikiu Lighthouse built in 1920. One of Japan's Top 50 Lighthouses. チキウ岬灯台10 views
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Across the bay is Hakodate.10 views
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This is another lookout deck on Mt. Sokuryo, at the foot of an antenna. You can walk around it. Best views of Muroran Port and the steel plant.10 views
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View of Muroran Port with the steel works on the left and Muroran Ferry Terminal on the right.10 views
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Points of interest from Mt. Sokuryo.10 views
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Hakucho Bridge can be seen with Mt. Yotei in the background on the right.10 views
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Looking northward toward Uchiura Bay from Mt. Sokuryo. The small island is Daikokujima.10 views
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Map of Etomo-Rinkai Park which includes a waterfront, grassy park area with views of Hakucho Bridge, Roadside Station Mitara Muroran, hot spring, aquarium, miniature golf, Bell of Happiness, and boat harbor.10 views
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Bought a pair of Muroran manju.10 views
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Boat ticket office.10 views
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Charatsunai scenic point チャラツナイ展望台10 views
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Niseko Hirafu. ニセコ ヒラフ9 views
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Niseko Hirafu ski lift. ニセコ ヒラフ9 views
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Lake Kussharo as seen from Bihoro Pass.9 views
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Beautiful shades of blue.9 views
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Lake Kussharo was also known for the "Kusshi" legend similar to the Loch Ness Monster, "Nessie." Credible sightings of Kussi were widely reported from 1973-1974, but stopped after the 2000s.9 viewsThis is an old statue displayed at JR Bihoro Station. Newer statue is at Sunayu near the lake shore.
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In front of the museum is a statue of Chiyonofuji (left) and his stablemaster/recruiter Chiyonoyama.9 views
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In front of Yokozuna Chiyonoyama and Chiyonofuji Memorial Hall, statues of Chiyonofuji and Chiyonoyama.9 views
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Chiyonofuji's yokozuna rope belt.9 views
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Outstanding Father Award for Chiyonofuji.9 views
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Chiyonoyama's trophy room.9 views
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Photo portrait of Chiyonofuji for his tournament victory. Sadly, Chiyonofuji died of cancer in 2016 at age 61. Major loss of a beloved, sumo legend.9 views
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If you're lucky, you might see whales and dolphins.9 views
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