 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594 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.559 views
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Numerous azalea bushes518 views
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463 views
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Ahhh...442 views
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425 views
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Gate to Zenkoji422 views
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386 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348 views
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Takashima Castle292 views
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Sculpture287 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.282 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.275 views
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.272 views
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271 views
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.271 views
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Wet monkey268 views
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Snow monkeys254 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252 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250 views
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JR Nagano Station festooned with Olympic logos.248 views
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Lake Suwa239 views
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Mother and child sculpture232 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains231 views
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About Taro Oguchi.230 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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Lake Suwa and mountains225 views
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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.224 views
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.224 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.220 views
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219 views
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Ducks219 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.219 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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Onbashira Festival. They included one woman.216 views
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Postcard set (400 yen)213 views
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.211 views
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Japan's goalie takes a break at Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.211 viewsHer helmet is dotted with Print Club photo stickers.
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue210 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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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像209 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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JR Kami-Suwa Station207 views
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑206 views
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.204 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Lake Suwa201 viewsYou can rent a bicycle at Kami-Suwa Station and ride along the lake shore.
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Onbashira-sai, Shimosuwa-machi, Nagano.201 views
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It's worth visiting Kamikochi, very scenic for Japan.201 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.200 views
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.199 views
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196 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink196 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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Castle tower193 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.193 views
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑193 views
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Oguchi graves.191 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.189 views
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Koka ninja greets visitors to Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano.186 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument182 views
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Kamikochi is accessible by bus from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal near JR Matsumoto Station.182 views
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Map of lake shore area178 views
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Yaesu underground mall: Speed skater outfits made by Mizuno177 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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Kappabashi Bridge and the Hotaka mountains at Kamikochi, Nagano. 河童橋と穂高連峰172 views
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Matsumoto manhole172 views
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Kamikochi, Nagano170 views
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Mall to Zenkoji169 views
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This was Log No. 1 for Shimo-sha's Harunomiya Shrine.167 views
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Then came the log, and a lotta dust which made it difficult to see what was going on.165 views
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Entrance to Snowlets House at Olympic Plaza.163 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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Lake Suwa163 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.162 views
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161 views
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Nagano Shinkansen159 viewsThe Nagano shinkansen has a duckbill snout.
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Tenryu River at sunset157 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.157 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.157 views
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Bell tower155 views
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Welcome sign at Nagano Station153 views
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Matsumoto Castle153 views
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Nagano Station, East Exit to Olympic Plaza152 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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The red bridge provides a nice accent for the Matsumoto Castle tower.151 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.150 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.146 views
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Lakeside park145 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.145 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.145 views
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My favorite shot. I'm not sure if he's exhibiting a derogatory gesture to us humans. 144 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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Aqua Wing143 views
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The crowd behind me.143 views
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Snow monkeys taking a bath and showing relaxed faces. 143 views
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Okaya map142 views
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Kami Suwa Onsen (Spa)141 views
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141 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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Kodak's Kodak-yellow pavilion140 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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My Japanese and American flags140 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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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.140 views
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Hot spring foot bath139 viewsThat's not me in the picture.
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Dept. store139 views
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Kita Nagano Station139 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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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.139 views
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Sheep sculpture138 views
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Jamaica's bobsled team in Kodak Pavilion138 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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Cheering section for Yuiko Satomi138 viewsCollege cheering section for Yuiko Satomi, a defense player for Japan.
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Statue of Oguchi Taro138 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.138 views
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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.138 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.137 views
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Olympics auction hosted by Emi Watanabe (left), a former Olympic figure skater.137 views
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Lakeside park137 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue137 views
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137 views
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The Nippon team huddles.136 viewsThe Nippon team huddle and psych themselves up before the start of the game.
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Hot spring foot bath135 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.135 views
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Start of game134 views
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Seat backs and ad stickers134 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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Carp caught from Lake Suwa134 views
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.134 views
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Now they descend.134 views
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Tokyo Station: Official posters133 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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A four-man bobsled.133 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring133 views
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Olympic Plaza132 viewsSnowlets House and Kodak's pavilion behind it.
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Snowlets House132 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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Lake Suwa and mountains131 views
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130 views
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Path to shrine130 views
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The Ax Man. He cuts the rope which sets the log loose down the slope.130 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.130 views
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Lakeside park129 views
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Total winners beat the total losers...128 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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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.128 views
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川越し128 views
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Kami-Suwa Station platform with hot spring foot bath127 views
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Onbashira rope on train platform127 views
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Banging the glass127 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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Billboard depicting Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) at Shimosuwa Station.127 views
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This river crossing, called Kawa-koshi, is another highlight of the festival. 川越し127 views
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To Olympic Plaza126 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink126 views
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Game ends with USA scoring 10 goals and Japan zero.126 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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Olympics logo on official drinks126 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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126 viewsAn elderly couple are among a crowd of people who watched the men's hockey finals on the TV set.
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Kamaguchi Floodgate125 views
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Japan team mates try to comfort the goal keeper right after the US scores.124 views
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IBM billboard buses124 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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The road from Nagano Station to Zenkoji Temple.124 viewsLots of Olympics advertising.
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Water fountain124 views
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Both the Kami-sha Shrine (in Chino and Suwa cities) and Shimo-sha Shrine (in Shimosuwa town) consist of a pair of shrines. So there are actually a total of four shrines involved in the festival.124 views
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Snowlets House, ticket availability123 views
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Ducks fly to safety.123 views
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Pavilion by Kirin Brewery.122 viewsNotice the "wrap" bus passing in front.
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More billboard buses122 viewsCoca-cola adorned some of the local city buses in Nagano.
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Amway at Tokyo Station122 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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Hot spring foot bath (free)121 views
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Lake Suwa and bridge121 views
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Birch tree plaque120 views
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Key chain (1,000 yen)120 views
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Pin seller119 viewsThis American woman was selling pins in Nagano at her seventh Olympics. Olympic pins proved to be very popular among the Japanese.
Apparently there are pin sellers who travel to all the Olympics and major sports events making a living as a pin vendor.
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Ad sticker on tray table119 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.119 views
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Log in Harumiya Shrine.119 views
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118 viewsFace to face. Japan's goal keeper was busy, busy, busy.
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Tokyo Station Olympics souvenir shop118 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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Palm-size stuffed Snowlet (official mascot)118 views
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Tokyo Station118 views
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Onbashira rope on train platform117 views
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Kids gathered at Nagano Station.117 views
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IBM pins (my collection)117 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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Lake Suwa117 views
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The log pullers split into two.117 views
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Erecting Onbashira Log No. 4 for Harumiya Shrine on May 9, 2004. 春宮四之御柱117 views
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Shibu Onsen manhole in Nagano. Snow monkey design.117 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.116 views
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Policeman116 viewsPoliceman in special uniform designed just for the Nagano Games. The uniform supposed to make them look more friendly.
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English programme (1,800 yen)116 views
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Hot spring foot bath115 viewsThe place was covered due to rain.
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.115 views
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Lake Suwa115 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring115 views
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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所115 views
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Held every 6 years (1998, 2004, 2010, etc.), this festival brings new logs from the mountain forest to all four shrines where they are erected. Each shrine receives four logs, so a total of 16 logs are cut and hauled to the shrines.115 viewsOnly a rope keeps the log from going down.
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"Yoisa! Yoisa!"115 views
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Local bus114 viewsThis was not a "wrap" bus, but it still had a Kirin ad (made of cloth) on the front.
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Recycle bins by Coca-cola114 views
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Lakeside park114 views
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Frenzy in front of Japan's goal.113 views
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Souvenir shop113 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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Fruit gelato stand113 viewsFruit gelato storefront with national flags and "Welcome to Nagano" signs.
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.113 views
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Shimenawa sacred rope on Kaguraden113 views
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112 views
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The Yamadashi log hauling for the Kami-sha Shrine was held during April 2-4, 2004. Along the hauling route is a slope where the log is slid down while men ride on it.112 views
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Net fishing111 views
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Boat cruises111 views
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Even official Olympics miso paste111 viewsWould you believe the official miso? Hanamaruki Foods of Nagano was an official supplier for the Nagano Winter Games. Miso soup must have been a staple item for breakfast (and dinner) at the Olympic Village. I found this at my local supermarket.
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.111 views
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JR Okaya Station platform111 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅111 views
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I was forced to join this crowd.111 views
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Now we walked back together with hundreds of thousands of people...111 views
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Onbashira Log No. 1 already erected for Harumiya Shrine on May 8, 2004.111 views
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Hot spring foot bath110 views
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Resurfacing the ice during intermission110 views
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110 views
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Thank goodness for telephoto lenses.110 views
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Taiko performance at Shimo-sha Akimiya Shrine's Kaguraden110 views
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Banners unfurled.110 views
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"Official No. 1 Pin Club" Shop109 viewsShop selling Olympic pins. Prices ranged from 500 yen to 4,000 yen.
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