 Most viewed - NAGANO 長野県 |
Oguchi Taro Statue and Biwako Shuko no Uta Song Monument. On the shore of Lake Suwa, Okaya, Nagano. 歌碑と小口太郎銅像1177 viewsThis was where I first heard the song, "Biwako Shuko no Uta." In May 2004, I was in Suwa, Nagano Pref. to see and photograph the Onbashira Festival (held every 6 years). My hotel was in the neighboring city of Okaya on the shores of Lake Suwa.
I walked around the lake and came across this statue of Taro Oguchi and song monument. I was very surprised when I saw the word "Biwako" (Lake Biwa). This was Nagano, not Shiga, so it was most unexpected to see "Biwako" here. I read the song lyrics on the monument and was surprised and delighted to see the names of well-known places in Shiga.
The monument even had music box (seen on left) where you could hear three versions of the song. I immediately found it intriguing.
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The following photos were taken by photographers from New Brunswick, Canada during a photo trip to Japan in March 2005. Led and guided by pro photographer Mark Hemmings, they were Kevin Halcrow, Jeff and Kim Matheson, and Ashley Hicks.932 views
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Ahhh...771 views
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But my camera captured the log going down, even though I could hardly see it. Onbashira Festival, Shimosuwa, Nagano. 木落とし坂 春宮一之柱757 views
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Numerous azalea bushes733 views
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Koka ninja greets visitors to Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano.699 views
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Gate to Zenkoji672 views
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Song monument with the entire lyrics of Biwako Shuko no Uta. On the shore of Lake Suwa in Okaya, Nagano. 琵琶湖周航の歌 全歌詞碑659 views
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At the bottom of the slope is a huge crowd watching the spectacle, Ki-otoshi or Log Drop, Onbashira-sai Festival.641 views
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About Taro Oguchi.620 viewsThe song was written as a collaboration among boatmates, but Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924) is credited as being the main song writer. He was born in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Minato-mura village, now part of Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
He grew up in a loving and respected family and demonstrated an early talent for writing, music (violin and shakuhachi), and sports (judo, skiing, skating). Since he was the eldest son expected to take over the family home, there was opposition for him to go away for college. However, his father was persuaded to allow Taro to apply for college at the elite No. 3 High School (later to become Kyoto University). It was one of nine college-level schools in Japan, the No. 3 school being one of the most elite.
Contrary to family expectations, Taro passed the entrance exam, went school in Kyoto in 1914 and joined the rowing and speech clubs. In 1917, he wrote the famous song about Lake Biwa which first went public in 1918.
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue607 viewsHe graduated in 1919 and furthered his studies at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo) in the science department. In 1921, he invented the wired and wireless multiplex telegraph and telephone system which was patented in eight countries. He was an extremely bright young man with a promising future.
In 1922, he entered the university's aeronautical research institute as a researcher. However, his life soon took a downturn from 1923 when he received a military conscription notice. A love interest for marriage also did not work out as desired. His physical health deteriorated and he terminated his own life the following year in 1924 at age 26.
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.596 views
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.586 views
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581 views
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Wet monkey580 views
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.580 views
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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.580 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像576 viewsShort walk from JR Okaya Station. Walk toward the shore of Lake Suwa. The monument is near the mouth of Tenryu River.
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Takashima Castle564 views
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563 views
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558 views
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Music box. Three versions of the song can be heard through a speaker by pressing a button. Also see the video at YouTube to hear the song.557 viewsThe monument included a music box where you could listen to three versions of the song through a speaker. I was immediately fascinated by the song when I heard it (together with the wind and waves of Lake Suwa).
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Sculpture556 views
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑548 views
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Erecting Onbashira Log No. 4 for Harumiya Shrine on May 9, 2004. Shimosuwa, Nagano. 春宮四之御柱548 views
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.546 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑544 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.542 views
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541 views
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Snow monkeys532 views
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532 views
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Mother and child sculpture526 views
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It's worth visiting Kamikochi, very scenic for Japan.518 views
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516 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.516 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument503 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains498 views
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497 views
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Oguchi graves.492 views
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Onbashira Festival. They included one woman.489 views
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.488 views
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Japan's goalie takes a break at Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.485 viewsHer helmet is dotted with Print Club photo stickers.
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Kappabashi Bridge and the Hotaka mountains at Kamikochi, Nagano. 河童橋と穂高連峰483 views
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478 views
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Matsumoto Station train platform478 views
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Matsumoto manhole467 views
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465 views
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463 views
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Ducks462 views
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461 views
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JR Nagano Station festooned with Olympic logos.461 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains461 views
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The Onbashira Festival's main event takes place at four different times in early April and early May, centering on Chino city and Shimosuwa town. It is the festival of Suwa Taisha Shrine consisting of the Kami-sha Shrine and Shimo-sha Shrine.457 views
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Lake Suwa456 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro456 views
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Onbashira-sai, Shimosuwa-machi, Nagano.456 views
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Matsumoto Castle450 views
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Kamikochi is accessible by bus from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal near JR Matsumoto Station.448 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.446 views
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441 views
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439 views
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Kamikochi, Nagano439 views
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The red bridge provides a nice accent for the Matsumoto Castle tower.439 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.438 views
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Manhole in Shibu Onsen showing a snow monkey in a bath. Shibu Onsen is near the entrance to the trail to the monkey park.436 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.435 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.433 views
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.431 views
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Cabin attendant on the Nagano shinkansen.431 views
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My favorite shot. I'm not sure if he's exhibiting a derogatory gesture to us humans. 429 viewsThe calluses on the buttocks serve as a cushion for sitting. It seems that they don't have the cushy/fatty buttocks that we do, so they need to grow calluses instead.
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.428 views
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JR Kami-Suwa Station417 views
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Postcard set (400 yen)416 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.412 views
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Baby monkey. From generation to generation, these monkeys develop and pass down their habit of bathing in this hot spring.411 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.410 views
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Shimosuwa Station on May 8, 2004. Here for the final three days of the Onbashira Matsuri's climax, the Satobiki when they haul the Onbashira logs to the Shimo-sha Shrines (Akimiya and Harumiya) and erect them.410 views
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Snow monkeys taking a bath and showing relaxed faces. 410 views
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It's not unusual to see wild monkeys in Japan. So to the Japanese, these monkeys are not exotic nor unusual, even if they are bathing in an onsen.410 views
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Path to shrine408 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring407 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue405 views
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Yaesu underground mall: Speed skater outfits made by Mizuno404 viewsMizuno, an official sponsor, set up a nice Olympics exhibition in the Yaesu underground mall at Tokyo Station. There was a nice photo exhibit of past and current Winter Games and a souvenir shop as well. These three photos show part of Mizuno's exhibition.
A few speed skater outfits made by Mizuno. You may recognize the suits for China, Japan, and the USA.
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Gate to enter the main castle compound.402 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink399 viewsMost of the women's ice hockey matches were held at a stadium called Aqua Wing which is actually an indoor swimming pool with a sliding roof. It seemed like we were in a huge oil drum cut in half.
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.398 views
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The castle is surrounded by a moat in a park-like area.398 views
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398 views
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Lake Suwa396 viewsYou can rent a bicycle at Kami-Suwa Station and ride along the lake shore.
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Tenryu River at sunset394 views
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.386 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Map of lake shore area385 views
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377 views
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Mall to Zenkoji376 views
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Lakeside park376 views
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Shibu Onsen manhole in Nagano. Snow monkey design.376 views
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This was Log No. 1 for Shimo-sha's Harunomiya Shrine.373 views
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372 views
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North Turret of Ueda Castle.371 views
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Tokyo Station: Official posters369 viewsThese were painted by Koji Kinutani and plastered everywhere in Tokyo Station. These were being sold to the public for about Y5,000.
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368 viewsDuring the Olympics, the morning trains from Tokyo were always crowded. However, the last trains from Nagano to Tokyo were almost empty.
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Inside Matsumoto Castle is a Gun Museum.366 views
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Samurai armor366 views
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Nagano Station, East Exit to Olympic Plaza364 viewsAt the East Exit of Nagano Station, this bridge, lined with advertising banners, led the way to the Olympic Plaza which featured ten tent pavilions made by official sponsors.
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring364 views
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Dressed as Sanada at Ueda Castle, Nagano Prefecture.364 views
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Aqua Wing363 views
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Lake Suwa361 views
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Seat backs and ad stickers360 viewsThe train's seat backs had advertising stickers. When the Nagano Shinkansen reaches a terminal station (Tokyo and Nagano), the seats can turn around by itself? One thing less to do by the train's cleaning ladies.
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Reconstructed South Turret of Ueda Castle is open to the public.360 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅358 views
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Castle tower357 views
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Nagano Shinkansen357 viewsThe Nagano shinkansen has a duckbill snout.
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356 views
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About Matsumoto Castle town355 views
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Cheering section for Yuiko Satomi354 viewsCollege cheering section for Yuiko Satomi, a defense player for Japan.
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.354 views
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354 views
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Dept. store353 views
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Olympic Plaza353 viewsSnowlets House and Kodak's pavilion behind it.
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The crowd behind me.353 views
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Samurai greets visitors to Matsumoto Castle.353 views
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353 views
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Hot spring foot bath352 viewsThat's not me in the picture.
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Onbashira rope on train platform351 views
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Kami-Suwa Station platform with hot spring foot bath349 views
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Snowlets House349 viewsIt was packed. This is part of the checkout line. There were four checkout lines and each one was about 30 meters long. The line went pretty fast though. They had all kinds of souvenirs: T-shirts, sweatshirts, flags, postcards, pins, key chains, necklaces, stuffed Snowlets, mugs, and even jewelry. I went on the 6th day of the Games and it still had everything well in stock. But I later heard that the shelves were laid bare well before the Games ended.
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Kita Nagano Station349 viewsTo get to Aqua Wing, the ice hockey rink, we had to take a local train from Nagano Station for a short ride to the next stop at Kita Nagano Station. This Kita Nagano Station was a tiny little train station certainly not meant for large crowds. It was unbelievably small. It took some minutes before we could get out of the station which was not much larger than a normal living room. The door was also small, enough for only two people to get out at one time.
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Entrance to Snowlets House at Olympic Plaza.348 viewsThe official store for Olympic souvenirs. There were a lot of ticket scalpers (all foreigners) hanging around the entrance. Inside, there was a ticket counter for events which still had seats.
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348 views
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West Turret, Ueda Castle's only original structure.348 views
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The only woman on the log. After this log-raising, I had seen enough. This No. 1 log offered the best view of all the four Akimiya logs.347 views
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346 views
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Now they descend.345 views
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Matsumoto Station at night.345 views
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Total winners beat the total losers...343 viewsThe U.S. team went on undefeated to win the first Olympic gold medal in women's ice hockey. Japan lost all five of its matches (they scored a total of 2 goals) putting them in last place among the six women's hockey teams.
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Start of game342 views
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Banging the glass342 viewsI liked it when the puck slammed into the glass (BOOM!) in front of me. The protective glass, by the way, must have been at least an inch thick.
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Policeman342 viewsPoliceman in special uniform designed just for the Nagano Games. The uniform supposed to make them look more friendly.
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Jamaica's bobsled team in Kodak Pavilion341 viewsThey introduced Jamaica's bobsled team. They are very popular in Japan, largely due to the comedy movie "Cool Running" which was aired in Japan before the Nagano Games started.
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Tokyo Station Olympics souvenir shop341 viewsThis little space (operated by official sponsor Mizuno) in the Yaesu underground mall at Tokyo Station used to have shelves full of Olympic souvenirs. On the day before the Olympics, I saw that they were selling towels, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, mugs, postcards, Snowlets, key chains, and other things. I visited this place again on the last day of the Olympics (when I took this photo) and found a sign saying that they had sold out of Olympics souvenirs. According to the clerk, most were sold out about a week before.They only had a single rack selling expensive framed Olympic prints. The story was the same for the Snowlets House in Nagano and the Tokyo Branch at Mitsukoshi Dept. Store in Nihonbashi. I'm glad I bought my souvenirs early on.
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Then came the log, and a lotta dust which made it difficult to see what was going on.341 views
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Billboard depicting Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) at Shimosuwa Station.339 views
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The log heading to the Shimekake resting place. If you don't like crowds, don't see this festival. Also see photos of Shimo-sha Satobiki.339 views
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Mastumoto Castle tower visible from our hotel.339 views
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Welcome sign at Nagano Station338 views
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Ad sticker on tray table338 views
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338 views
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IBM billboard buses337 viewsThe decals covering the window portion of the decals have little holes in them and from the inside of the bus, the decals are transparent. IBM's Olympic pins and jacket were also based on these bus decal designs.
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One Onbashira log at a rest stop.337 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.336 views
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The Ax Man. He cuts the rope which sets the log loose down the slope.336 views
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335 viewsAn elderly couple are among a crowd of people who watched the men's hockey finals on the TV set.
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Ax man335 views
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Lakeside park333 views
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Kami Suwa Onsen (Spa)332 views
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Souvenir shop332 views"Japanese dress Kimono and so on." Awkward or mistaken English is nothing new in Japan. They should've used a Japanese-flag motif instead.
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Tokyo Station332 views
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Carp caught from Lake Suwa332 views
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The logs will rest here for about a month until early May when they will be hauled to the shrines for the Satobiki erection.332 views
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Ropes to pull the Onbashira log from Harumiya Shrine.332 views
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The men now descend from the log.332 views
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The world-famous, hot spring-loving snow monkeys in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture must be Japan's most photographed wild animals. "The only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs."332 viewsThey live in the mountains in a valley named Jigokudani (Hell Valley). A snow monkey park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) was established for them in 1964 where the park operator feeds the monkeys and maintains a hot spring (onsen) bath for them. Although winter (with snow) is the most popular time to see the monkeys, the park is open year round (9 am–4 pm).
This is the entrance to the trail to the snow monkey park in Yamanouchi town, Nagano Prefecture. It's about 1.6 km or a 30-min. walk (longer if you stop and take pictures).
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A four-man bobsled.331 views
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Onbashira monument in front of Shimosuwa Station. This Onbashira log was used in the opening ceremony of the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998.331 views
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Parade of Nagamochi which are long chests. 長持331 views
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Music Box Museum331 views
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330 views
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To Olympic Plaza330 views
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Kodak's Kodak-yellow pavilion330 viewsOn the day I went in, they introduced Jamaica's bobsled team. They are very popular in Japan, largely due to the comedy movie "Cool Running" which was aired in Japan before the Nagano Games started.
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The Nippon team huddles.330 viewsThe Nippon team huddle and psych themselves up before the start of the game.
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Olympics logo on official drinks330 viewsBesides Coke, Coca-Cola also makes Aquarius (sports drink) and Georgia canned coffee. The Olympics logo and "Nagano 1998" figure prominently on the limited-edition cans. On the Aquarius can, notice the image of a speed skater. On the back of the Georgia coffee can, see the image of the torch relay runner. Georgia coffee was prominently advertised during the nationwide Olympic torch relay to Nagano.
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.330 views
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Polka dot bus advertising Kusama Yayoi's exhibition in a local museum. Matsumoto is her hometown.330 views
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Japan team mates try to comfort the goal keeper right after the US scores.329 views
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It was over after a few seconds. We walked for an hour from the train station and waited hours for just a few seconds of mostly dust.329 views
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329 views
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Moon-viewing room being renovated.329 views
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Matsumoto Station329 views
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Pavilion by Kirin Brewery.328 viewsNotice the "wrap" bus passing in front.
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IBM pins (my collection)328 viewsThe IBM pins were being sold for 1,000 yen each. Some people were selling them for up to 2,000 yen.
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Amway at Tokyo Station328 viewsAmway shows the way to the Nagano Shinkansen platform for people getting off the Narita Express train which comes from Narita Airport.
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Here is where anybody can get on the logs and play.328 views
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Taiko performance at Shimo-sha Akimiya Shrine's Kaguraden328 views
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Dinner at a restaurant near Yudanaka Station. Yasai teishoku or fried vegetables.328 views
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Sheep sculpture327 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink327 views
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My Japanese and American flags327 viewsI tacked the flags onto the glass and proudly displayed them in front of my seat behind the goal. That's what you do when you love both countries. Since I was sitting at rinkside behind the goal, the flags (and my face and camera) could be seen on the TV broadcast.
On the left of the photo, you can see the goal referee who was sitting in a glass box. She wrapped herself in a blanket. As you can expect, the place was not warm like a coffee shop.
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Olympics auction hosted by Emi Watanabe (left), a former Olympic figure skater.327 views
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Now we walked back together with hundreds of thousands of people...327 views
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Hole for the No. 2 Akimiya Onbashira log327 views
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326 views
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Everything is done with great fanfare, with these men riding on the log as it slowly rises by a system of cables and pulleys.326 views
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Bullets326 views
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Game ends with USA scoring 10 goals and Japan zero.325 viewsThe final score was 10-0. Japan went on to lose all five of their matches and the US team went undefeated for the gold medal. The US and Canadian men's hockey teams were not the only ones who were put to shame at Nagano.
Japan's women's ice hockey team must feel pretty rotten about their pitiful playing on their home turf.
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325 views
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Bell tower324 views
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Ducks fly to safety.324 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.323 views
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Local bus323 viewsThis was not a "wrap" bus, but it still had a Kirin ad (made of cloth) on the front.
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Shimo-sha Akimiya Shrine 秋宮 幣拝殿323 views
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Banners unfurled.322 views
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Palm-size stuffed Snowlet (official mascot)321 views
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Grand finale dance called Itomachi Ko-uta321 views
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Umbrella dance320 views
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Onbashira rope on train platform319 views
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Lake Suwa319 views
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Entertainment stage in front of Shimosuwa Station.319 views
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Top floor of Matsumoto Castle.319 views
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