 Most viewed - MIYAGI 宮城県
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Held annually during Aug. 6-8, the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri is Japan's largest, grandest, and most famous Tanabata Festival. Commonly called the Star Festival, Tanabata Matsuri features large colorful, streamer decorations (called take-kazari).560 views
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Matsushima is a 30-40 min. train ride from Sendai on the JR Senseki Line.426 views
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JR Sendai Station on the west side (Nishi-guchi). This is the main side. There is a tourist information office inside the station where you can pick up maps and pamphlets, maybe in English too.328 views
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You could write a wish on the paper and hang it on the bamboo branch. I wrote "Live long and prosper."275 views
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City of trees on a main road in Sendai.256 views
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In the Shimin Hiroba was also this space.237 views
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My YouTube video of Sendai Tanabata featuring the festival eve on Aug. 5, 2009 when they had fireworks and the morning of Aug. 6 when they were setting up the Tanabata decorations. 217 views
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Street lamp215 views
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Hip hop213 views
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Even the pointer markings where the train doors will open have a photo.213 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station200 views
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Hirose River, teeming with wildlife.196 views
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Many girls (and kids) dressed in yukata (cotton kimono) came to see the Tanabata Festival. Her facial reaction was typical.185 views
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Sendai Castle's Waki-yagura turret at the site of Otemon Gate. Reconstructed in 1965. We cannot enter it. 脇櫓179 views
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My YouTube video of Sendai Tanabata featuring Tanabata decorations and seeing the evening entertainment (Awa Odori, Tanabata dancers, etc.) on Jozenji-dori during 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. 173 views
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Waki-yagura turret at Sendai Castle.169 views
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Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru. 169 views
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The take-kazari bamboo decorations were marvelous. A myriad of designs and variety. Paper was the main material used to make all these decorations, unlike the predominant plastic found at other Tamabata Festivals in Japan.166 views
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On the morning of Aug. 6, the first day of Sendai Tanabata, shop owners started to set up their tanabata bamboo decorations from around 8 am to 9 am.163 views
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View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru. Sendai has over a million people. On clear days, you can also see the Pacific Ocean.149 views
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Tiny origami paper cranes. Guess how many paper cranes there are? Over 1 million.146 views
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Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru. One of the most popular and famous samurai of all time.143 views
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If you look closely, you can that see one of his eyes is blind.143 views
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This was my second time to see Sendai Tanabata. The first time was quite some time ago. I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed.132 views
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I show you photos of the boat cruise first. There are many boats coming and going in Matsushima Bay. You have to decide which cruise to go on.128 views
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Map of Matsushima near Matsushima Kaigan Station. Places of interest include Ojima island, Matsushima boat cruise, Godaido island, Fukuura island, and Zuiganji temple.126 views
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Eye-catching trio of yukata-clad girls.125 views
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A short walk from Jozenji-dori is the Shimin Hiroba (Citizens' Square) where there was a stage for more entertaining performances by numerous groups. The program started at 6 pm and ended at 8:45 pm.124 views
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In Sendai, famous daimyo Date Masamune had the warrior and merchant classes observe the Star Festival. 117 views
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The festival is said to have originated from a Star Festival in China. According to Chinese legend, east of the Milky Way there was a Heavenly King whose daughter worked as a weaver. However, when she married a herdsman, she quit weaving. 116 views
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Inside Sendai Station's west side. A great greeting for visitors to Sendai during Tanabata Matsuri.114 views
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Lucky Alex...108 views
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This decoration had little owl-shaped paper balloons. These girls are blowing air into the balloons with a straw. Sendai Tanabata.105 views
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Many of the Tanabata streamers are quite commercial, with sponsors prominently displayed on the streamers.103 views
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Torii to a shrine on Ojima island, Matsushima103 views
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Route of the Sendai Loop bus. Get off at Sendai-joshi to see Sendai Castle. The bus will take you all the way to the top of the hill where the castle is. Much easier than walking up.103 views
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Entrance to Tsutsujigaoka Park in Sendai, Miyagi. The park is near Tsutsujigaoka Station on the JR Senseki Line, one stop from Sendai Station.103 views
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Map of Sendai Castle site. It's quite a large site, with museums and other facilities occupying the former castle site. The Honmaru (partially hidden) is on the right of the map.102 views
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The yukata has become quite modern. You no longer have to put your hair up when wearing one.101 views
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Shrine on Ojima100 views
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On Aug. 4, two days before the start of Tanabata Festival, the shopping arcades already had these bamboo poles with ropes set up.99 views
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I arrived in Sendai on Aug. 4, 2009, two days before the festival, and Sendai Station here was already decorated with these huge tanabata streamers. Very impressive.97 views
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This angered her father who banished the herdsman to the other side of the Milky Way. He allowed the two to meet only once a year on the evening of the seventh day of the seventh month (according to the lunar calendar). 97 views
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Sendai International Center97 views
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Kanejima95 views
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Miyagi-ken Gokoku Shrine in Sendai Castle. Emperor Hirohito as well as Crown Prince Akihito (current emperor) visited this shrine to pay their respects. 宮城縣護國神社95 views
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It's nearly impossible to define or describe an outstanding decoration, but you know it when you see it.94 views
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The pedestrian overpass connected to Sendai Station is also decorated.94 views
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People who wear yukata know how to enjoy each of Japan's seasons.92 views
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Waki-yagura turret at the site of Otemon Gate.92 views
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Korean performers.91 views
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Matsushima Pier. There are boats which go around the Matsushima islands and return to Matsushima. Others go to Shiogama (toward Sendai) or a longer route toward Oku Matsushima.91 views
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Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga, a samurai retainer of Date Masamune who sent him to the Vatican in 1613. 支倉常長91 views
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Attaching the ball to the body of the decoration.90 views
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This is the Hapina Nakakecho arcade. "Hapina" stands for "Heartful Amenity Place Interfaced Natural Arcade." It also refers to "happy." When the Japanese create a new name, they love puns.90 views
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Small museum in Honmaru showing results of excavation work and stone wall reconstruction. 90 views
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The boat passes by numerous pine-clad islands of Matsushima.89 views
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These people are spreading the wings of the origami cranes.88 views
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Sendai Castle's Honmaru.88 views
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Subway train in Sendai.87 views
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Statue of Lord Date Masamune at Sendai Castle's Honmaru. Very popular for picture-taking.86 views
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Pieces of bamboo hung from the ropes on bamboo poles.85 views
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Morning rush hour at Sendai Station. People heading for the exit inside Sendai Station.85 views
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About the Otemon Gate.85 views
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Miyagi-ken Gokoku Shrine enshrines Miyagi Prefecture's war dead since 1868. There are over 56,000 war dead.85 views
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During the Tohoku Industrial Expo in 1928, the forerunner of today's Tanabata Festival was held. Sendai merchants strived to uphold the tradition, resulting in today's elaborate and gaudy Tanabata decorations.84 views
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According to the legend, the original date of Tanabata is July 7 according to the lunar calendar which is about a month behind the calendar we use today. Some places hold the festival on July 7 to match the original, numeric date.84 views
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Sendai Tanabata Fireworks on Aug. 5, 7:30 pm to 9 pm. It was impressive. The theme was "Ring of Love."84 views
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THis is one of the more famous Matsushima islands, named Kanejima with three holes. 鐘島84 views
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Another famous and unique island in Matsushima is Niojima, shaped like a Deva King found at the gate of Buddhist temples. 仁王島84 views
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Kamikaze suicide fighter pilot memorial next to a war museum within the shrine.84 views
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Bottom of the paper cranes.83 views
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Inside Sendai Station is a large information booth where you can obtain maps and pamphlets of Sendai and Tanabata Matsuri.83 views
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The weaver is represented by the Vega star and the herdsman by the Altair star. As a prayer to produce better arts and crafts, the Imperial Court and the warrior class paid homage to these two stars from ancient times. This practice spread to the masses.82 views
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The shopping arcades on the west side of Sendai Station is where the Tanabata decorations are. The main arcades where you can see the streamers are basically on two arcade roads: Chuo-dori and Ichibancho-dori. They intersect at a T-intersection.82 views
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Nishi Park in Sendai is full of people on fireworks night.82 views
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Tanabata decorations outside S-PAL, a shopping complex next to Sendai Station.82 views
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Next to the boat pier is this building selling cruise tickets. No reservations required. You can buy a ticket even 5 min. before departure. 82 views
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Inside Sendai Station, heading to train platforms.82 views
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Honmaru northern stone wall.82 views
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Sendai Castle site's torii. The torii is here because there's a Shinto shrine in Honmaru.82 views
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Map of the original Sendai Castle also called Aobajo or Aoba Castle since the castle is on Aobayama or Mt. Aoba. Sumo fans might know the name Aobajo, a sumo wrestler from Sendai active in the 1980s.82 views
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Sample stone work on a castle wall.82 views
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Local cheerleaders included these kids.81 views
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THe Nio Maru boat which I rode for the cruise. For an extra 600 yen, you can go on the first-class upper deck. I waited until it got sunny later in the day, then went on the cruise. The islands look better when it's sunny.81 views
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Inside Nio Maru's lower deck. Comfortable and air-conditioned. The places of interest are explained in Japanese and English during the cruise.81 views
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These birds fly very close, within arm's reach.81 views
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Monument for the war dead.81 views
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Tanabata decorations at the entrance of Sendai Station.80 views
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Stone wall at the site of Otemon Gate.80 views
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The area has these nice multi-lingual plaques explaining the points of interest with a map included.80 views
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One bamboo pole has several decorations and each one hangs on a rope.79 views
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Most boat cruises cost 1400 yen, taking about 50 min. Boats leave almost every 30 min. The boat cruise is the main and most popular activity at Matsushima.79 views
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About the Waki-yagura turret.79 views
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79 views
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Next to the Honmaru northern stone wall is this large torii gate and steps going up to the Honmaru, the castle's central keep. This place in front of the torii was a parking lot before. Glad that parking is no longer allowed here.79 views
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These decorations cannot be massed produced, all one of a kind.78 views
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Setting up Tanabata bamboo decorations.78 views
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From Matsushima Kaigan Station, almost everything is within walking distance. If it were cherry blossom season, you could proceed first to Saigyo Modoshi-no-Matsu Park on a hilltop behind the station.78 views
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Nio Maru at Matsushima Port.78 views
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The sea gulls follow where there's food, and the tourists are happy to toss junk food at them.78 views
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Sankeiden hall at Entsuin temple is an Important Cultural Property. This is a mausoleum for Date Mitsumine. 三慧殿78 views
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Trains in Tohoku have a door open/close button to save on air-conditioning or heating.78 views
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Sendai City Loop bus goes to the major tourist spots in Sendai. Most convenient to get to Sendai Castle. 250 yen per ride or 600 yen for a day pass.78 views
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Statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga acros the road from the Waki-yagura.78 views
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From the city, this is what the castle site looks like on Aobayama. You can see the lookout deck.78 views
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It's also possible to walk to the park from Sendai Station, about 20 min.78 views
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They even sell bird food on the boat.77 views
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Site of Nenomon Gate. This leads to Sendai City Museum in the castle area called Sannomaru. 子門77 views
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View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru.77 views
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Monument for Doi (Tsuchii) Bansui who created the song, "Kōjō no tsuki" (荒城の月 lit. "Moonlit castle ruins") which is about Sendai Castle. 土井 晩翠77 views
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The decorations can cost thousands of dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars (US$). (Hundreds of thousands of yen or a few million yen.) 76 views
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Origami paper cranes is actually one type of Tanabata decorations. Many decorations had paper cranes as you can see here.76 views
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You can see Tanabata in various locations (smaller scale) in Japan such as Hiratsuka in Kanagawa held around July 7 and Asagaya and Fussa in Tokyo around Aug. 7.76 views
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It rained sometimes during the Tanabata Festival since the Tohoku region was still in the rainy season.76 views
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Kids loved to jump and try to touch the streamers.76 views
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During the morning of Aug. 6 the first day, a team of judges wearing a white cap and yellow shirt proceed through the decorations for judging. Dressed in pink is the back is one of the three Sendai Goodwill Ambassadors (not Miss Tanabata).76 views
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Tanabata Matsuri is held in many parts of Japan, usually in shopping arcades to draw customers. The more famous ones are in Hiratsuka in Kanagawa and Asagaya in Tokyo.76 views
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This is Sun Mall Ichibancho. This Ichibancho-dori road is also straight, but consists of three seamless shopping arcades: Sun Mall Ichibancho, Brand Dome Ichibancho, and Ichibancho Yon-chome.76 views
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Female lover in heaven76 views
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As each boat leaves, sea gulls follow.76 views
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Godaido 五大堂76 views
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Way to Godaido.76 views
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Goshikunuma Swamp is a moat of Sannomaru.76 views
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Origami paper cranes.75 views
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THe name "Matsushima" of course means "Pine Islands," so you may hear "Matsushima" in other places in Japan wherever there are pine-clad islands. 75 views
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Nearby is Godaido temple on a small island close to shore. 75 views
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Godaido is another famous and storied icon of Matsushima. In any painting or depiction of Matsushima, Godaido is always there.75 views
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Godaido is also noted for wooden carvings of Eto zodiac animals. Cock.75 views
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Outside Sendai Station, they are constructing the Tozai subway line due to open in 2015.75 views
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Sculpture in Sannomaru.75 views
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As you climb up the Aobayama, you pass through the sites of former gates. This one was Nakanomon Gate. 中門75 views
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View from Sendai Castle's Honmaru.75 views
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These photos were taken in early May 2012.75 views
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This road was filled with people as well for the fireworks.74 views
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By 10 am on the first day of Aug. 6, most all of the Tanabata decorations were set up. Large crowds soon followed.74 views
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After the festival ends, many of these decorations are discarded. But some are donated to a shopping arcade in Fukuoka (Kyushu). 74 views
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The streamers can also be quite hypnotizing if not captivating.74 views
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Gold Award + Outstanding Award.74 views
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Organizations who made the 1 million+ paper cranes. About 25,000 people from all over Japan from age 5 to 103 made over 1 million paper cranes. That's an average of 40 cranes per person.74 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station74 views
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Climb further and you'll reach large stone walls, called the Honmaru northern stone wall. 74 views
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About the Honmaru northern stone wall.74 views
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First time I saw a train station sign on the platform with a photo on it.73 views
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Tourist info next to Matsushima Kaigan Station.73 views
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Matsushima would also be interesting to geologists.73 views
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Inside Sankeiden hall which also has a painting of a rose.73 views
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Altar inside Sankeiden with a statue of Mitsumune.73 views
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Also in the Honmaru area is Gokoku Shrine decorated here during the Tanabata Star Festival in early Aug. 宮城縣護國神社73 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Matsushima from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.73 views
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Interview by local TV.72 views
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Peace message.72 views
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The decorations are given awards such as the Gold and Silver Awards. The winners are announced later in the day, and the winning decorations are tagged with the awards. This is the Gold Award.72 views
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Welcome to Matsushima. Getting out of Matsushima Kaigan Station.72 views
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Famous for centuries, Matsushima has inspired many haiku poets like Matsuo Basho and painters.72 views
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This was my favorite island in Matsushima.72 views
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The first bridge to Godaidojima island.72 views
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Godaido temple in Matsushima. This building was built in 1604 by Lord Date Masamune.72 views
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Boar72 views
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Original letter written by Lord Date Masamune from a battlefield.72 views
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Map of Fukuura island. Points 3 and 5 are worth seeing. You have to leave the island by 5 pm or (4:30 pm during winter months).72 views
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About Zuiganji temple caves.72 views
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Inside Sendai subway train.72 views
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People were amazed at these cranes. This is one type of streamer you won't see at other Tanabata Festivals in Japan.71 views
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The crowd take pictures in front of this Outstanding Award decoration.71 views
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Write your wish on a paper tag and affix it to the bamboo branch.71 views
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It says "No More Hiroshima."71 views
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Godaido 五大堂71 views
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This odd-loking building calls itself Matsushima Castle. I saw nobody there so decided not to enter.71 views
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About Enmei Jizo, the Guardian Deity of Lnogevity.71 views
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Ojima island is accessible by a red bridge.71 views
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Sendai's shopping arcades were obviously designed for tanabata decorations. There are eyelets or hooks for ropes on the ceiling.70 views
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70 views
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This large tanabata bamboo was being set up on Aug. 4.70 views
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Hoisting up the bamboo support pole.70 views
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Second bridge to Godaido.70 views
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Nice walking path on Ojima70 views
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The original Otemon Gate was here, between the Waki-yagura on the right and stone wall on the left.70 views
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Waki-yagura as seen from afar.70 views
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Votive tablets for sale at Gokoku Shrine. Special tanabata ones during early Aug.70 views
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The Chuo-dori arcade is about 750 meters long. Although this arcade is a straight and continuous road, it is actually consists of three seamless arcades named Hapina Nakakecho (ハピナ名掛丁), Clis Road, and Marble Road Omachi.69 views
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Another crowd favorite was these streamers made of tiny origami paper cranes. 69 views
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Hapina arcade69 views
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Attaching ropes. The decorations will later be attached to these ropes.69 views
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On the evening of Aug. 5, the Tanabata Festival Eve, a fireworks display is held at Nishi Koen Park. Here are many girls in yukata waiting for friends at Sendai Station to see the fireworks.69 views
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Matsushima Kaigan Station on the JR Senseki Line. This is the closest to Matsushima's main attractions. Note that there is also a Matsushima Station. Don't get off there.69 views
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Face to face with a bird. "Hey, any food for me??"69 views
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69 views
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Matsushima Rest House is next to the pier, where you can buy cruise tickets or just rest on chairs. Tourist info counter also provided.69 views
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Godaido enshrines five statues representing the Mikkyo teachings of Shingon Buddhism.69 views
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Godaido was first erected in 807 called Bishamondo. We cannot go inside. Important Cultural Property.69 views
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Monkey69 views
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Lookout point on Sendai Castle's Honmaru.69 views
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A nice long row of weeping cherry trees at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Sendai.69 views
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Kids writing their wishes.68 views
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No smoking in the shopping arcades.68 views
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This was the 34th Tanabata Decoration of Peace. Aug. 6, the first day of the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri, also happens to be the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.68 views
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Fujisaki's decoration is at the T-intersection between Chuo-dori and Ichibancho-dori.68 views
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Silver Award. Besides awards for individual decorations, awards are given to the shopping arcade as a whole for the bext decorations.68 views
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Closeups of one of the best take-kazari of 2009.68 views
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Perhaps she wished for a rich husband.68 views
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Another noted building in Matsushima is Kanrantei, perched on a low hill. Now it is a rest place where they serve tea.68 views
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On the right side toward Zuiganji are these huge caves.68 views
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Sanseido hall for three saints. 三聖堂68 views
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Corner of Honmaru northern stone wall.68 views
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Honmaru is a large flat area overlooking central Sendai. This was where the castle palace was, the castle lord's actual residence.68 views
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The walls also have eyelets/hooks for ropes to support the bamboo poles.67 views
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67 views
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The decorations usually arrive in huge plastic bags, especially the outdoor ones. This is the Fujisaki decoration.67 views
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Many decorations are really advertisements. But others have no ads and they are splendid. Keep in mind that the Tanabata Festival was started by local merchants, so it has commercial roots. It's not a religious event.67 views
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Route 45 running parallel to the shore. Busy road with shops and restaurants.67 views
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Fukuura island is larger than the other islands, and can take a good 30 min. to walk around it. If you don't feel like walking anymore, you may want to skip Fukuura. Most tourists don't go there, but I thought it was worth a visit.67 views
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Zuiganji temple's Hondo main hall. This building is a National Treasure. No photography allowed inside. Zuiganji is a Zen temple built in 828. This building was rebuilt in 1609 by Date Masamune.67 views
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These are original Edo Period stones removed when the stone wall was renovated. These stones could not be reused.67 views
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Sample stone work on a castle wall.67 views
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About the sample stone walls.67 views
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Date Masamune66 views
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