 Most viewed - NIIGATA 新潟県 |
Entrance to Northern Culture Museum, formerly the Japanese-style mansion of the Ito farming family who were a wealthy landowner from the 18th century.252 views
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Completed around 1654, Shibata Castle is the only castle in Niigata with Edo-Era structures still remaining. Two turrets were reconstructed in June 2004. 237 viewsThe castle grounds is also occupied by the Ground Self-Defence Forces, making the area open to the public quite small. One of the reconstructed turrets is also inaccessible due to the military base. Still, it is one of Japan's 100 Famous Castles. Entrance to Shibata Castle.
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Shibata Castle, Niigata (Sangai Yagura Turret)234 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret with three shachi sculptures on the T-shaped roof. Unique to Shibata Castle. Unfortunately, we cannot enter this turret since it is within the Ground Self-Defence Force base which occupies much of the castle grounds.234 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret, Shibata Castle 三階櫓, Niigata. The castle never had a tenshukaku castle tower (donjon), so this turret was the grandest castle structure.229 views
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Shibata Castle Park map198 views
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It's not a large or long run, but better than nothing.175 views
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Lake Hyoko (Lake Hyo), a man-made lake where thousands of swans and ducks migrate to during the winter months.175 views
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When Wright found out that Bunkichi was a fellow University of Pennsylvania graduate, he fully supported the preservation of the property. They saved the property by converting it into a museum. 174 viewsA foundation was established and the property was donated to it. Pictured is Ralph Wright and Itoh Bunkichi VIII (1927- ), the son of Bunkichi VII (1896-1958).
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Inside the Shukokan rice warehouse, now an antique exhibition room. 集古館164 views
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Museum office162 views
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From Tokyo, Gala Yuzawa is the most convenient place to ski. The Joetsu shinkansen can take you there in little over an hour and the train station has the ski gondola. An easy day trip.158 views
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Toki Messe's tower is the city's tallest building at 140 meters.158 views
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Statue of Horibe Yasubei (1670-1703). He looks toward Edo (Tokyo).155 views
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Horibe Yasubei was also a master swordsman. 堀部安兵衛154 views
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View from the top.153 views
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Monument for Itoh Bunkichi VII (1896-1958) and Lt. Ralph E. Wright (from Peoria, Illinois). Right after WWII in 1945, they saved the property from being demolished due to the Land Reform Act.149 views
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The line gets very long during the morning, so I usually go later in the day and ski until night when it is much less crowded. I catch the last shinkansen back to Tokyo.147 views
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Central Niigata146 views
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145 views
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The quality of the snow is not as good as in Hokkaido, but better than nothing.143 views
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Quack, quack. Actually the ducks were pretty quiet.140 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret, Shibata Castle. Reconstructed in June 2004 with traditional building methods taking 2 years. 三階櫓135 views
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Pedestrian overpass with swan motif.132 views
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It was Japan's first private museum to receive governmental approval. During the years following, it took several years to rebuild the garden and buildings. This is the museum office next to the entrance.129 views
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Skis left outside as their owners have lunch. It's nice that no one steals your skis.127 views
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Rear view of birth home of Yoshida Togo who was a famous geographer of Japan who compiled an encylopedia of Japanese place names. His son was Yoshida Chiaki who composed the melody of the song "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).126 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret, Shibata Castle 三階櫓125 views
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125 views
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Inside Sanraku-tei with unusually shaped tatami mats to fit the triangular floor. It has three rooms, one was a study and another was a tea ceremony room.122 views
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Shibata Castle is also called Ayame Castle 菖蒲城.121 views
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Map of lake area119 views
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Crab118 views
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Acting on reports that the Itoh property was storing hidden materials for the old Imperial Army, Lt. Ralph E. Wright from the American Occupation forces conducted a search and met Itoh Bunkichi VII, the owner. Photo: Grave of Ralph E. Wright-Peterson.117 views
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Entrance foyer (unused). I had the pleasure of meeting Itoh Bunkichi VIII who explained about how the property was saved by Lt. Wright. He was the one who built the monument for his father and Lt. Wright.116 views
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Built in 1891, Sanraku-tei, a highly unusual triangular tea house. 三楽亭116 views
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The museum is within a spacious, garden-like grounds. It includes the main house, tea houses, storehouse, and a few shops and restaurants.114 views
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The first room you see is this Cha-no-ma living room where the head of the household greeted guests. Built in 1885-1887, the house has more than 60 rooms, with a floor space of about 4,000 sq. meters. 茶の間114 views
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Room with a view: This is the centerpiece of the former home, a large drawing room (Ohiroma) used for large gatherings. It gives a marvelous view of the garden. 大広間114 views
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Banner with the five-diamond clan crest. Sangai Yagura Turret in the distance112 views
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Cha-no-ma living room112 views
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Irori hearth next to the kitchen. 囲炉裏112 views
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Former Hatano residence and birth home of Yoshida Togo 旧旗野邸 (吉田東伍生家)109 views
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Corridor facing the courtyard.108 views
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107 views
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Crab107 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret, one of the two surviving Edo-Era structures. The castle originally had 11 turrets and 5 gates (no castle tower). The Meiji government ordered its destruction in 1872. All the structures were dismantled except two.106 views
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105 views
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2nd floor exhibition room displays various artifacts of the Itoh family. The room formerly served as a storeroom and workroom for making futon and rags. 考古資料館104 views
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Statue of Lord Mizoguchi Hidekatsu (1548-1610), the first lord of Shibata Castle. 溝口秀勝101 views
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101 views
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Courtyard garden as seen from the 2nd floor.100 views
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Salmon100 views
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Display of stuffed toki or crested ibis, an endangered species. Official bird of Niigata and raised on Sado island.98 views
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98 views
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Sakana-no-Furusato Bandaijima Fish market near Toki Messe. さかなのふるさと万代島97 views
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Veranda96 views
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Garden facing the drawing rooms. 庭園96 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret, an Important Cultural Property 旧二の丸隅櫓95 views
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Due to the Meiji government's castle destruction order, most of the castle moats were filled in except for this one next to the Honmaru. After World War II, US troops occupied the castle grounds for a short time..94 views
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Omotemon Gate, another Important Cultural Property94 views
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Ohiroma drawing room was used only a few times a year for wedding and funeral receptions, etc.94 views
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Inside upper floor of Omotemon Gate 表門93 views
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Hearth in the kitchen. A bale of rice (60 kg) was cooked every day. Over 50 maids, cooks, and other servants worked in the house.93 views
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The rear drawing room was where guests would wait until they were welcomed into the Ohiroma main drawing room.93 views
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Corner of rear drawing room (urazashiki)93 views
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Shibata Castle is the only castle in Niigata with Edo-era structures still standing.92 views
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Moat leading to Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret92 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret. Toward the base above the stone wall, notice the "namako-kabe" pattern wall 海鼠壁. It resists snow. 旧二の丸隅櫓92 views
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Statue of Lord Mizoguchi Hidekatsu (1548-1610), the first lord of Shibata Castle. 溝口秀勝92 views
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The observation deck is about 125 meters above the ground. The tallest building along the Sea of Japan coast. Fine view of Shinano River.92 views
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Ohiroma drawing room92 views
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Veranda along the courtyard garden92 views
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With 100 tatami mats, the Ohiroma drawing room is the most impressive room in the house.92 views
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Garden of the birth home of Yoshida Togo92 views
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Courtyard garden91 views
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Tourist info booth sells duck feed91 views
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Omotemon Gate 表門90 views
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Inside Tatsumi Yagura Turret 辰巳櫓90 views
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90 views
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Courtyard garden 中庭90 views
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Impressive garden views from the rear drawing room (urazashiki)90 views
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JR Niigata Station 新潟駅90 views
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Tatsumi Yagura Turret, reconstructed in June 2004. 辰巳櫓89 views
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Ground Self-Defence Force base occupies half the castle site (since 1953). The reason why we cannot enter the Sangai Yagura Turret seen here within the base.89 views
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Corridor89 views
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Niigata Station89 views
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Duck feeding89 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret, Shibata Castle 三階櫓88 views
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Plate88 views
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Lacquerware on display88 views
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Rear drawing room (Urazashiki) adjacent to the Ohiroma main drawing room.88 views
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Entrance to the Yoshida Togo Memorial Museum which exhibits various documents and personal effects of Yoshida Togo. Museum admission 300 yen. Closed Mon.88 views
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Inside upper floor of Omotemon Gate 表門87 views
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Across from the Omotemon Gate is a small park with a statue of Hirobe Yasubei who was from Shibata and one of the 47 ronin (masterless samurai) who avenged his master Lord Asano of Ako, dramatized in Chushingura.87 views
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Veranda of Ohiroma drawing room87 views
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Stone wall with perfectly-fitting stones. No gaps between the stones.86 views
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Inside Tatsumi Yagura Turret 辰巳櫓86 views
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Omotemon Gate, one of two Edo-Era structures in Shibata Castle and an Important Cultural Property. 表門86 views
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Steps to Tatsumi Yagura Turret, reconstructed in June 2004. 辰巳櫓86 views
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85 views
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View from upper floor of Omotemon Gate 表門85 views
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Ceiling of Tatsumi Yagura Turret84 views
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Ohiroma drawing room and adjacent garden in autumn.84 views
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Road in front of Niigata Station83 views
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A room in the birth home of Yoshida Togo83 views
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Tatsumi Yagura Turret 辰巳櫓82 views
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Second floor of Tatsumi Yagura Turret82 views
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82 views
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Inside Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret82 views
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Inside Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret82 views
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Ferry to Sado island.82 views
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On Bandai-bashi Bridge82 views
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Bandai-bashi Bridge. The tall building is Toki Messe.82 views
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In Oct. 2008, Lake Hyoko was added to the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.82 views
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Fishing boats81 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret, one of two Edo-Era castle structures. 旧二の丸隅櫓80 views
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In the foreground is Bandaibashi Bridge, spanning Shinano River.80 views
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Inside Yoshida Togo Memorial Museum. The 2nd floor also has a display panel about his son Yoshida Chiaki who composed the song "Hitsuji-gusa" whose melody was used in the song "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).80 views
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Second floor of Tatsumi Yagura Turret79 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret 旧二の丸隅櫓79 views
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Tatsumi Yagura Turret. Traditional building methods were used to reconstruct the turret.78 views
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Sangai Yagura Turret78 views
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Stone dropping slot78 views
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78 views
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Toki Messe is a multipurpose complex which includes a convention center, exhibition hall, hotel and office tower (the city's tallest building), art museum, and an observation deck on the 31st floor.78 views
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78 views
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78 views
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76 views
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76 views
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75 views
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Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret 旧二の丸隅櫓75 views
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Inside Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret75 views
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Second floor of Kyu-Ninomaru Sumi-yagura Turret75 views
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Thousands of ducks75 views
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Entrance to upper floor of Omotemon Gate74 views
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73 views
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Toward the mouth of Shinano River.71 views
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Duck species in the lake and the number of birds so far.71 views
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Whooping swans mix with the ducks.70 views
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Too hazy to see Sado island.69 views
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69 views
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69 views
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68 views
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67 views
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67 views
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They all face the same direction. Group oriented.66 views
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Swan63 views
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63 views
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62 views
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