 Most viewed - Ichikawa 市川市 |
Manhole in Funabashi, Chiba124 views
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Manhole in Ichikawa, Chiba121 views
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Scale model of the Three-Story Pagoda at Saimyoji temple in Shiga Prefecture. Inside Nakayama Hokekyoji temple in Ichikawa, Chiba.84 views
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Scale model of the Three-Story Pagoda at Saimyoji temple in Shiga Prefecture. Inside Nakayama Hokekyoji temple in Ichikawa, Chiba.83 views
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Nakayama Hokekyoji temple's Five-Story Pagoda, an Important Cultural Property 五重塔61 views
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Path to Soshido Hall, the main temple. 祖師堂61 views
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The Nakayama Hina Matsuri Girl's Day Festival is held from mid-Feb. to March 3. The main venue is Nakayama Hokekyoji temple.58 views
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Sanmon Gate 三門58 views
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58 views
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Soshido Hall58 views
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58 views
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Temple gate ahead.57 views
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Incense burner57 views
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Ema tablet57 views
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In front of JR Shimousa-Nakayama Station. Walk straight on the road between the buildings.56 views
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Keep walking straight.56 views
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Portrait studio56 views
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Soshido Hall on right.56 views
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Hon'in Hall 本院56 views
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Yakudoshi ages56 views
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Corridor to the Soshido (not open to the public).56 views
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Hokekyoji Shisokumon Gate56 views
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Hokkedo Hall, Important Cultural Property 法華堂56 views
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刹堂56 views
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Heading to Nakayama Hokekyoji temple.55 views
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Sanmon Gate 三門55 views
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Short path to the main temple.55 views
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Smaller temples along the way.55 views
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Nakayama Hokekyoji temple's Five-Story Pagoda 五重塔55 views
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Soshido Hall55 views
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日常上人55 views
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Path embedded with small stones.55 views
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Hon'in Hall 本院55 views
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Hina dolls inside Hon'in Hall 本院55 views
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Seikyoden stores very important documents including those written by Nichiren. This building is to protect the documents from theft, natural disasters, etc. 聖教殿55 views
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Hokkedo Hall, Important Cultural Property 法華堂55 views
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Back of the Soshido55 views
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Statue of Nichiren54 views
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Temple event schedule54 views
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Short bridge54 views
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Left side of Soshido Hall54 views
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Soshido Hall54 views
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Sitting Daibutsu Buddha near the pagoda.54 views
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Sitting Daibutsu Buddha54 views
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Courtyard has a rock garden.54 views
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Gift shop54 views
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Back of the Soshido54 views
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刹堂54 views
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Way out54 views
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JR Shimousa-Nakayama Station53 views
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Crossing the Keisei Line.53 views
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Entering the Sanmon Gate.53 views
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Nakayama Hokekyo annual event schedule 53 views
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Map of Nakayama Hokekyoji temple53 views
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Soshido Hall53 views
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Left side of Soshido Hall53 views
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Sitting Daibutsu Buddha near the pagoda.53 views
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日常上人53 views
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Lobby of Hon'in Hall 本院53 views
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Altar room at the end of the building. 鬼子母神堂53 views
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Indian-style Seikyoden building built in 1931. 聖教殿53 views
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Temple cemetery53 views
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Hina dolls displayed inside JR Shimousa-Nakayama Station.52 views
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Hina dolls on a storefront.52 views
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Keep walking straight.52 views
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Sanmon Gate 三門52 views
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Statue of Nichiren52 views
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Soshido Hall, Important Cultural Property52 views
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Soshido Hall is open to the public.52 views
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Soshido Hall52 views
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Soshido Hall52 views
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View from Soshido Hall52 views
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JR Shimousa-Nakayama Station on the Sobu Line is close to Nakayama Hokekyoji temple.51 views
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Sitting Daibutsu Buddha near the pagoda.51 views
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Hina dolls inside Hon'in Hall 本院51 views
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聖教殿51 views
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Manhole cover in Ichikawa, Chiba. Pine trees.32 views
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Manhole cover in Ichikawa, Chiba. Pine tree and river fish.32 views
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In Ichikawa, Chiba, Guhoji's 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom tree is named "Fushihime Sakura." 伏姫桜26 views
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Water & Greenery Corridor (Mizu-to-Midori-no-Kairo) is a semi-urban, hiking trail in the northwestern part of Ichikawa fronting the border with Tokyo along Edogawa River.16 viewsThis part of Ichikawa is dotted with patches, hills, and slithers of small forests, parks, and ponds. This "Corridor" links all this greenery and bodies of water to help protect and preserve the flora and fauna in a coordinated effort by local environmental groups.
This is a map of the trail. Download the official map here: https://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/gre01/1111000022.html
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My coffee and pastries at Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa in the city where Yamazaki-pan was founded. This capped my good day and hike in Ichikawa.13 views
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Flowery site of Konodai Castle in Ichikawa, Chiba. No castle buildings. 国府台城跡12 views
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The corridor is 6 km and takes a few hours to walk it between Kita-Kokubun Station (photo) and Konodai Station both in Ichikawa.10 viewsThere are also side treks to other nearby sights. Enjoyable especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom or during the autumn foliage.
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After the small green belt, walk on the street to the Shell Mound. 8 views
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Niomon Gate at the top of the steps, Guhoji's front gate. The two columns house a pair of Nio kings considered to be the protectors of the temple. 仁王門8 views
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You will pass by the Ichikawa Municipal Museum of History. Free admission, but it was closed when we were there. Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound Park has two museums. 市川歴史博物館7 views
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Next is Satomi Park, another large park with different areas. This part is undeveloped and quiet. 里見公園7 views
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From Kita-Kokubun Station, we walked about 600 meters along this highway until we reached the first green belt.6 viewsLocal environmental groups have been active in trying to preserve and protect the city's nature, but it's an uphill struggle with the encroaching urban development, especially when the Hokuso train line was built through Ichikawa in 1979.
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi green belt park. じゅん菜池緑地6 views
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Mama River cherry blossoms in Ichikawa, Chiba.6 views
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Going down the steps from Guhoji Temple. In the distance, The Towers West skyscraper is visible. The road ahead goes all the way to JR Ichikawa Station.6 views
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Horinouchi Kaizuka Park is a flat hill where shells, animal bones, and other food waste were discarded by Jomon people 4,000 years ago. "Kaizuka" means "shell mound." 堀之内貝塚公園5 viewsThis hill was also the site of a Jomon Period human settlement 2,500 to 4,000 years ago. A number of excavations were made since 1904 and ancient human remains, pottery, etc., have been found. National Historic Site.
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Hardened shell rocks from the ocean 150,000 years ago displayed in Horinouchi Kaizuka Park. These are not shells discarded by humans. 堀之内貝塚公園5 views
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi green belt park じゅん菜池緑地5 views
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JR Ichikawa Station is the first station in Chiba on the JR Sobu Line.5 views
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Good number of seats inside Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, the coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking.5 views
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The mound has these alphabetized markers to indicate where the shells are. They form a horseshoe shape (or U shape) on the mound.5 views
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For the most part, the trail has signage in both Japanese and English. We soon got to some greenery called Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. There's this fork in the trail. Go left to see the shell mound in Horinouchi Kaizuka Park.4 views
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Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. 堀之内緑地4 views
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Horinouchi Ryokuchi green belt. 堀之内緑地4 views
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The other museum in the park is the Ichikawa Archaeology Museum displaying shell mound remains as old as 3,000 years (Jomon Period). Pottery & human remains found here are also exhibited. Good to have this museum next to the shell mound. 市川考古4 views
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Walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, larger than what meets the eye. The shell mound's immediate area was the ocean shallows where it was easy to harvest shellfish.4 views
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Kozuka-yama Park was still under construction. 小塚山公園4 views
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Follow the sign to Konodai Ryokuchi green belt.4 views
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Sawara Park, we walked through here.4 views
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Follow the sign.4 views
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Rules for using Junsai-ike Ryokuchi Park. No bicycle riding, dogs must be leashed, etc.4 views
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Junsai-ike Pond じゅん菜池4 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond.4 views
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Edogawa River and Tokyo Skytree as seen from Satomi Park.4 views
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江戸川沿い4 views
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Bicycle art on Edogawa River.4 views
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Near the Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint is a Yamazaki Baking (山崎製パン) research and training facility ("Creation Center"). Yamazaki is the world's second largest bread-baking company. Founded in Ichikawa, Chiba in 1948.4 views
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JR Ichikawa Station on the JR Sobu Line. The skyscraper is The Towers East.4 views
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Map in front of JR Ichikawa Station showing another hiking route.4 views
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The 45th floor of The Towers West building is named "I-Link Town Observatory." It's a panoramic lookout deck on all four sides of the building. Free admission. This is open-air. If it's raining, there's also an indoor lookout deck4 views
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Looking east toward Chiba. The JR Sobu Line tracks can be seen on the left going to Moto-Yawata Station.4 views
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In spring, Guhoji's 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom tree is famous. 伏姫桜4 views
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4 views
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It's hard to discern, but Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound is as long as 225 meters and 100 meters wide. 3 viewsPink portion in the diagram on the upper left shows where the shells, animal bones (mostly boar and deer) and other food waste were tossed on the hillsides during 4,000 to 2,500 years ago (Jomon Period). They form a horseshoe shape on the hill.
The mound was a central feature of the Jomon Period cluster of homes in this area. Since the late 19th century (Meiji Period), many digs and research on this shell mound have been conducted by archaeologists. However, there are still unknown things about mound.
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, we indeed saw many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground.3 views
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Next was Kozuka-yama Park. There are restrooms. 小塚山公園3 views
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If you started the hike at Kita-Kokubun Station, Junsai-ike Pond Ryokuchi green belt park is the first substantial park where you can rest or have lunch. Large pond and cherry blossoms. じゅん菜池緑地3 views
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Junsai-ike Pond じゅん菜池3 views
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じゅん菜池3 views
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Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池3 views
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Small bridge in the middle of Junsai-ike Pond.3 views
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Map and where we are now.3 views
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Lush trees and shrubs in Konodai Ryokuchi Park. 国府台緑地3 views
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Konodai Tenmangu Shrine dedicated to Michizane, scholar deity. Stone lanterns behind the torii date from 1863. 国府台天満宮3 views
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Ceiling and bell.3 views
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Satomi Park is the site of Konodai Castle occupied by the Satomi Clan who ruled the Boso domain in present-day Chiba during the 16th century. Almost nothing remains though. 国府台城3 views
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Places to sit in the park.3 views
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The Akedo Kofun burial mound stone coffins date from the 6th century. They were discovered in 1479. The dirt mound over the coffins fell away to expose the coffins which contained samurai armor, swords, etc. 明戸古墳石棺3 views
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About the Akedo Kofun burial mound. The diagram shows a keyhole-shaped burial mound. The stone coffins are on the top of the round hill. This burial mound has been a noted site since the Edo Period. 明戸古墳石棺3 views
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View of Edogawa River from Satomi Park. Across the river is Koiwa and Shibamata. Tokyo Skytree can also be seen. 江戸川3 views
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At the top of this small hill is Ichikawa city's highest point (elevation).3 views
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Satomi Park playground.3 views
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Nice cherry blossoms at Satomi Park, Ichikawa.3 views
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Shien-soja (紫烟草舎).3 views
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Edogawa River3 views
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Edogawa River3 views
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Edogawa River3 views
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Old drawing of Ichikawa Sekisho. It was operated in together with staff on the opposite side (Koiwa) of the river until it was abolished in 1869. The opposite side of the river (Koiwa) also has a signboard marking the sekisho location. 市川関所跡3 views
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View from I-Link Town Observatory, looking west toward Edogawa River. This deck is open 9 am to 10 pm. Closed on the first Monday of the month and during Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.3 views
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Looking west toward Edogawa River. On clear days, Mt. Fuji can also be seen.3 views
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Looking west toward Edogawa River. The JR Sobu Line can be seen.3 views
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In front of Ichikawa Station, the building (Sun Plaza 55) on the left has a coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking.3 views
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Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, a bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking in front of Ichikawa Station. Freshly baked in their own hometown, looks yummy.3 views
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"Mamasan" is the temple's mountain name. Not the same as a mama-san operating a Japanese bar. Photo shows Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge leading to the steps going up to Guhoji Temple on a wooded hill. 真間の継橋3 views
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After Niomon Gate, this is the first building you see, Soshido Hall dedicated to Nichiren, founder of the Nichiren Buddhist sect. Reconstructed in 2010 on the 700th anniversary of Nichiren's death. 祖師堂 3 viewsThere are other temple buildings spread out on the hill.
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Guhoji is a Nichiren Buddhist temple founded by Priest Gyoki in 737. It's on a small hill noted for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.3 viewsPriest Kobo Daishi (Kukai) later reconstructed and expanded the temple in 822. Tokugawa Ieyasu, before he became shogun, granted the temple ownership of its temple grounds in 1591. In 1695, Mito Komon named the temple's tea ceremony room "Henrantei" (遍覧亭). In 1888, the entire temple was destroyed by fire. The present structures were reconstructed in 1890.
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Guhoji's 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom tree is named "Fushihime Sakura." 伏姫桜3 views
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Western-style buildings along Mama River. The Christian church on the right is the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ichikawa and a National Tangible Cultural Property. 日本福音ルーテル市川教会【国登録有形文化財】3 views
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Small athletics field.3 views
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground. Still here, after thousands of years!2 viewsRead more about this shell mound here: https://ichikawashi.jp/horinouchi/index_en.html
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Junsai-ike Ryokuchi Park is a nature area where the flora and fauna are not to be disturbed. じゅん菜池緑地2 views
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Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池2 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond in late March. じゅん菜池2 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池2 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池2 views
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Photos of the park's flora and fauna by a local environmental group.2 views
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Plum blossom trees near Junsai-ike Pond. 2 views
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The trail passes by a few temples like Ekoin Betsuin Temple. This is the temple gate. 回向別院2 views
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Ekoin Betsuin Temple's main hall rebuilt in 2009. There's actually a cafe (Cafe Terrace Ekoin) on the 2nd floor. It belongs to the Jodo-shu Buddhist sect and is a branch of Ekoin Temple in Ryogoku, Tokyo. 回向院市川別院源光寺2 views
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Follow the trail to Satomi Park next.2 views
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Inside Konodai Tenmangu Shrine. 国府台天満宮2 views
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Satomi Park also has the Akedo Kofun burial mound complete with two stone coffins exposed on the mound. 明戸古墳石棺2 views
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Map of Satomi Park. The burial mound is on the upper part next to the red, dotted oval on the map. The park is next to Edogawa River.2 views
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Satomi Park, near the burial mound.2 views
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Satomi Park2 views
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Marker indicating Ichikawa city's highest point (elevation). A whopping 30.1 meters above sea level.2 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 2 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 2 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 2 views
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Sign on a cherry tree saying that no hanami flower-viewing picnics are not allowed here due to Covid-19.2 views
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