Most viewed - Obama 小浜市 |
To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).412 views
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JR Obama Line at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, the line's terminus. From Tsuruga, it takes 60 to 70 min. to Obama.350 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. No structure remain. No moats remain either, except for the two rivers which served as a natural moat.224 views
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Saba-zushi or rice topped with mackerel, a local specialty in Obama, Fukui.218 views
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Minamigawa River189 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku as a child, in front of the public hospital. 杉田 玄白182 views
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Statue of Sugita Genpaku, a Dutch studies scholar who studied medicine. He was from Obama. 杉田 玄白181 views
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Right after their performance ended at 7:25 pm, I had to leave to catch the last train home. I missed seeing the Obama Boys who also danced. The event ended at 8 pm. Also see my video at YouTube.180 views
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The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."175 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui. Made by a local plasterer in 2008. Not a very good likeness.137 views
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Obama merchandise and souvenirs, for both Obama and Barack Obama are sold at a few stores in Obama. This store called Wakasa-ya, on Hamakaze-dori, has the largest selection of Obama goods. A short walk from Obama Station.133 views
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Some shops along the main drag (Ote-dori and Hamakaze-dori) have these notices in support of Barack Obama, world peace, and cultural exchange.131 views
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Obama Station130 views
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"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama. 125 views
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The second number was "Kaimana Hila" sung in Hawaiian. Kaimana Hila means Diamond Head (the famous mountain/crater in Honolulu). It's a standard hula number.124 views
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Obama beach, fit for swimming in summer.124 views
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"I love Obama" banner122 views
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Obama support signs on a hotel entrance in Obama, on Jan. 20, 2009, the Inauguration Day. This is probably the hotel where the Obama booster members would watch the inauguration live on TV at 1 am. 121 views
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Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.121 views
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Some shops along Hamakaze-dori shopping arcade have these congratulatory notices for President Barack Obama.120 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.120 views
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It must have been cold for these dancers dressed for a tropical setting. The temperature was slightly above freezing.120 views
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More Obama manju119 views
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Look at this, hula dancing in a Japanese Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.116 views
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Sushi restaurant in Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf. Buy sushi and eat it there with free miso soup and tea.116 views
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Obama beach115 views
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Obama Girls dance the hula. The first number was a Japanese rendition of "Sophisticated Hula" called "Tsuki no Yoru wa" (The Moon at Night).114 views
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Obama Castle remains. Only the stone foundation and a few stone walls remain. Obama Castle was built by Kyogoku Takatsugu in 1601 after he was awarded the Wakasa domain for his service during the Battle of Sekigahara.114 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り113 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop113 views
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The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.113 views
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Later, Obama's mascot Nana-chan (a cat with mackerel fish stripes) joined in and they sang the mascot's song.113 views
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Pure and clean water well113 views
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"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is 112 views
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Obama senbei crackers112 views
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JR Obama Station112 views
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Statue outside Obama City Hall.112 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).110 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.110 views
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110 views
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This event drew quite a few press people, and it was reported in most major Japanese newspapers and a few foreign media.110 views
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A copy of the letter from presidential candidate Barack Obama to the city of Obama, Fukui Prefecture. Dated Feb. 21, 2008. Click on thumbnail to see full text.109 views
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Along the Obama waterfront is this Mermaid Terrace.109 views
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Obama coast108 views
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Statue of Lord Sakai Tadakatsu outside Obama City Hall. Tadakatsu also served as Tairo, of Chief Minister in the Tokugawa government during 1638 to 1656.108 views
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Obama burgers were passed out free to the people attending the event. Free soft drinks (hot) also helped in warming my hands.107 views
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The Obama Girls (and Boys) were formed because of Barack being born and mainly raised in Hawaii. The Obama Girls will travel to Hawaii (at their own expense) to perform as well.107 views
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JR Obama Line107 views
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Inside Obama City Hall.107 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui.106 views
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"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.106 views
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Obama Station104 views
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Some presidential campaign memorabilia in a store corner.104 views
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Obama confections such as manju, this time with the face imprinted (instead of the back of the head). Passed out for free.104 views
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The event started with singing by a local group called Anyone Brother's Band. They sang a song called "Obama is Beautiful World!"104 views
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104 views
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Mermaid Terrace.104 views
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Obama waterfront104 views
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Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.103 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo. Laquerware is one of Obama's local specialties.103 views
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The event started at 6:30 pm when it was quite dark (the actual inauguration ceremonies in Washington, DC would start some hours later at around 2 am that night, Japan time).103 views
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Obama goods included sake rice wine.102 views
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Layout of the original Obama Castle sandwiched between two rivers.102 views
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Izumi-cho shopping arcade was also the starting point of the Saba Kaido road to Kyoto. During the Edo Period, this road was used by saba (mackerel fish) merchants traveling to sell their fish. The road was actually a network of roads. 102 views
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Hagaji temple's Hondo main hall where the 11-face Kannon statue is worshipped. This is the main venue for Obama's Inauguration Day event.101 views
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JR Obama Station entrance101 views
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Mermaid Terrace100 views
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Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.99 views
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JR Obama Station exit99 views
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Mermaid on mailbox99 views
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Main drag (Ote-dori) from Obama Station. 大手通り99 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. Lord Sakai Tadakatsu built the main castle tower in 1636. 小浜城跡99 views
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Wing Terrace99 views
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"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.98 views
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Application form to join the Obama Informal Booster Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai). オバマを勝手に応援する会98 views
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Hagaji temple is one of Obama's major temples with Important Cultural Properties including an 11-face Kannon statue.98 views
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Right near the exit of Obama Station is the tourist information office where you can obtain maps, pamphlets, and ask questions.98 views
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Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower. After the Kyogoku Clan moved to Izumo (Shimane Pref.), Sakai Tadakatsu took up residence in 1634 and his clan lived in the castle until the Meiji Restoration.98 views
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On top of Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.98 views
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98 views
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Obama coast98 views
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Inside Izumi-cho shopping arcade where they sell mostly seafood.98 views
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On Jan. 20, 2009, the US Presidential Inauguration Day for Hawaii-born Barack Obama, the city of Obama in Fukui held a special event at Hagaji temple. 羽賀寺97 views
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Obama's Inauguration Day event was called "Going Beyond the Seven Seas--Peace Bell Ringing for the World. 七つの海を超えて、世界にとどけ平和の鐘97 views
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Then a woman from the Obama Girls hula troupe read a message from Obama Mayor Koji Matsuzaki. The mayor, of course, hopes that Barack will visit Obama someday. (Toshio Murakami is no longer mayor.)97 views
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Hagaji's temple bell.96 views
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Dried bread in cans.96 views
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JR Obama Station and taxis.96 views
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Inside the Saba Kaido Museum.96 views
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They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.95 views
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Private homes are built right up to the castle wall.95 views
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Near the water is Wakasa Fisherman's Wharf, housing restaurants, souvenir shops, and a tour boat ticket office.95 views
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Boat cruise to Sotomo Rocks on the nearby coast.95 views
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Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.94 views
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Entrance to Izumi-cho shopping arcade.94 views
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Inside Wakasa-ya shop, there's an application form to join the Obama for Obama Association (Obama wo Katte ni Oen Suru Kai).93 views
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Train schedule for Obama Station. Very few train runs, about once an hour or less.93 views
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Obama sake92 views
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At 7 pm, fireworks were launched near the temple as the signal to start ringing the Hagaji temple bell. About eight temples in Obama (as well as in Nagasaki where there is Obama Onsen spa) started ringing the temple bell at 7 pm for world peace.92 views
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92 views
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View from Obama Castle stone foundation for the main castle tower.91 views
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Road leading to the hilltop Obama Park where the youth hostel used to be.91 views
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Lookout deck in Obama Park.91 views
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Main drag (Hamakaze-dori) from Obama Station90 views
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Next on the program was a letter to Barack Obama read aloud by the chairman of the Obama for Obama Association. After reading it, he put the letter in an envelope to be mailed to the US President.89 views
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Sign urging the construction of a train line to Obama via Shiga Prefecture.89 views
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Izumi-cho also has a small museum for the Saba Kaido seen on the right.89 views
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Whoever owned the castle land apparently sold off some house lots.88 views
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Obama 88 views
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JR Obama Station platform87 views
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Near the Hondo hall were tents selling Obama food and merchandise. The sign celebrates the birth of US President Obama.86 views
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Obama Castle wall86 views
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The castle grounds now has Obama Jinja Shrine, a Shinto shrine.86 views
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View from Obama Park.86 views
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Obama City Hall86 views
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Saba Kaido Museum. You can see what the mackerel merchants wore when traveling.86 views
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Other people who rang the bell included members of the Obama Girls who were to perform later.85 views
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Welcome to Obama85 views
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Starting point of the Saba Kaido road. 鯖街道85 views
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Obama soba noodles, 500 yen per bag.84 views
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Various people rang it a total of seven times to spread peace over the seven oceans of the world. The temple priest was the first to strike the bell.84 views
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The castle suffers from unsightly parking lots and private homes encroaching on its historic remains. 84 views
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84 views
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On top of castle wall.84 views
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Obama Castle's foundation for a turret.84 views
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Path to Hagaji temple's main Hondo hall.83 views
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After the choir, the Obama Girls hula dancers took over the stage and danced two songs. For someone like me from Hawaii, it was trippy to see hula dancing in a Buddhist temple.83 views
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83 views
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Saba Kaido Museum displays accounting books for selling saba mackerel fish.83 views
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The temple priest prays after ringing the bell.82 views
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JR Obama Station82 views
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Lookout deck in Obama Park. This was where the Chimuras were abducted by North Korea in 1978. Obama was one of the main places North Korean agents used to enter Japan.82 views
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After the bell ringing, a large local choir sang Beethoven, including three professional soloists who sang for free.80 views
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