 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612 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.608 views
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Numerous azalea bushes531 views
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473 views
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Ahhh...467 views
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435 views
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Gate to Zenkoji429 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351 views
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Takashima Castle299 views
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Sculpture299 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.287 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.286 views
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Wet monkey285 views
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.283 views
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280 views
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Scenic view of Lake Suwa from graveyard.279 views
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275 views
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Snow monkeys264 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264 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262 views
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JR Nagano Station festooned with Olympic logos.253 views
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Lake Suwa247 views
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Mother and child sculpture246 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains242 views
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About Taro Oguchi.239 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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Smaller statue of Oguchi Taro inside Okaya City Hall, next to the entrance.235 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains234 views
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Onbashira manhole in Okaya, Nagano.233 views
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Area of the Oguchi Taro monument (seen on left), in winter.232 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.230 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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Ducks228 views
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Onbashira Festival. They included one woman.226 views
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Closeup of Taro Oguchi statue224 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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Japan's goalie takes a break at Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.222 viewsHer helmet is dotted with Print Club photo stickers.
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Nagano Winter Olympics women's ice hockey match.221 views
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220 views
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JR Kami-Suwa Station218 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro 小口太郎銅像218 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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Postcard set (400 yen)217 views
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JR Okaya Station. There is no tourist info office here.215 viewsSmall station, but close to Lake Suwa.
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Biography of Oguchi Taro. 小口太郎顕彰碑215 views
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It's worth visiting Kamikochi, very scenic for Japan.211 views
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Rear view, looking toward Lake Suwa.210 views
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Onbashira-sai, Shimosuwa-machi, Nagano.208 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.207 views
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Lake Suwa204 viewsYou can rent a bicycle at Kami-Suwa Station and ride along the lake shore.
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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in spring with azaleas.203 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink202 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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Side view of Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter. 小口太郎顕彰碑201 views
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Castle tower200 views
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Oguchi graves.200 views
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Ducks fly away on Lake Suwa.198 views
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Koka ninja greets visitors to Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano.195 views
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Kamikochi is accessible by bus from the Matsumoto Bus Terminal near JR Matsumoto Station.193 views
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Mall to Zenkoji190 views
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Oguchi Taro song monument189 views
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Matsumoto manhole188 views
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Map of lake shore area187 views
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Yaesu underground mall: Speed skater outfits made by Mizuno184 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182 views
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Kamikochi, Nagano179 views
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This was Log No. 1 for Shimo-sha's Harunomiya Shrine.173 views
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Lake Suwa171 views
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Then came the log, and a lotta dust which made it difficult to see what was going on.171 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.171 views
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168 views
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Oguchi cemetary. This neighborhood is full of Oguchi families, not necessarily related to each other.168 views
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Entrance to Snowlets House at Olympic Plaza.167 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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Tenryu River at sunset166 views
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Matsumoto Castle164 views
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Nagano Shinkansen163 viewsThe Nagano shinkansen has a duckbill snout.
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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.163 views
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The red bridge provides a nice accent for the Matsumoto Castle tower.162 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone. He is buried together with his younger brother Sadao.161 views
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Welcome sign at Nagano Station159 views
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Nagano Station, East Exit to Olympic Plaza159 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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Bell tower159 views
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Oguchi Taro's gravestone in foreground.156 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.155 views
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Lakeside park153 views
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Oguchi Taro's grave on right.153 views
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Snow monkeys taking a bath and showing relaxed faces. 152 views
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Okaya map151 views
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My favorite shot. I'm not sure if he's exhibiting a derogatory gesture to us humans. 151 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 Wing150 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.150 views
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Taro Oguchi Statue and Song Monument in winter.150 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.150 views
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The crowd behind me.149 views
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Lakeside park149 views
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Kita Nagano Station148 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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Behind this small shrine is a large graveyard full of Oguchi family gravestones.148 views
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Kami Suwa Onsen (Spa)147 views
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Statue of Oguchi Taro147 views
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Road sign pointing to the Oguchi Taro statue147 views
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Neighborhood of Minato where Oguchi Taro lived.147 views
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Hot spring foot bath146 viewsThat's not me in the picture.
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Dept. store146 views
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My Japanese and American flags146 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.146 views
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146 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 pavilion145 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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Jamaica's bobsled team in Kodak Pavilion145 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 Satomi145 viewsCollege cheering section for Yuiko Satomi, a defense player for Japan.
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Oguchi Taro's house (red roof). He lived on the 2nd floor. On the left is a storehouse.145 views
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Carp caught from Lake Suwa144 views
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Sheep sculpture142 views
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The Nippon team huddles.142 viewsThe Nippon team huddle and psych themselves up before the start of the game.
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Hot spring foot bath141 views
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Lake Suwa and mountains141 views
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Lakeside park141 views
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Now they descend.141 views
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Olympic Plaza140 viewsSnowlets House and Kodak's pavilion behind it.
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Start of game140 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring140 views
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Path to shrine140 views
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Snowlets House139 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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Tokyo Station: Official posters139 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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Seat backs and ad stickers139 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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A four-man bobsled.138 views
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138 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.138 views
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川越し138 views
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Kami-Suwa Station platform with hot spring foot bath137 views
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This river crossing, called Kawa-koshi, is another highlight of the festival. 川越し137 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.137 views
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To Olympic Plaza136 views
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Total winners beat the total losers...135 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 Ax Man. He cuts the rope which sets the log loose down the slope.135 views
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Aqua Wing ice hockey rink134 views
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134 views
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Kamaguchi Floodgate134 views
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Billboard depicting Ki-otoshi (Log Drop) at Shimosuwa Station.134 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.134 views
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Onbashira rope on train platform133 views
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Water fountain133 views
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IBM billboard buses132 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.132 viewsLots of Olympics advertising.
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Olympics logo on official drinks132 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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132 viewsAn elderly couple are among a crowd of people who watched the men's hockey finals on the TV set.
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Banging the glass131 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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Game ends with USA scoring 10 goals and Japan zero.131 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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Amway at Tokyo Station131 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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Ducks fly to safety.130 views
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Onbashira rope on train platform129 views
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Japan team mates try to comfort the goal keeper right after the US scores.129 views
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More billboard buses129 viewsCoca-cola adorned some of the local city buses in Nagano.
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Lake Suwa and bridge129 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.129 views
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Erecting Onbashira Log No. 4 for Harumiya Shrine on May 9, 2004. 春宮四之御柱129 views
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Canora Hall, venue for the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.128 views
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Birch tree plaque127 views
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Hot spring foot bath (free)127 views
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Pavilion by Kirin Brewery.127 viewsNotice the "wrap" bus passing in front.
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Snowlets House, ticket availability127 views
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Key chain (1,000 yen)127 views
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Pin seller126 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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Shibu Onsen manhole in Nagano. Snow monkey design.126 views
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Lake Suwa125 views
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Log in Harumiya Shrine.125 views
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Tokyo Station Olympics souvenir shop124 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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Tokyo Station124 views
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Ad sticker on tray table124 views
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Lake Suwa124 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.123 views
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123 viewsFace to face. Japan's goal keeper was busy, busy, busy.
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Kids gathered at Nagano Station.123 views
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Palm-size stuffed Snowlet (official mascot)123 views
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Water fountain and azaleas in spring123 views
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JR Okaya Station platform123 views
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A US player scores and celebrates to the dismay of Japan.122 views
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Fruit gelato stand122 viewsFruit gelato storefront with national flags and "Welcome to Nagano" signs.
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IBM pins (my collection)122 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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Okaya City Hall 岡谷市役所122 views
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Onbashira Log No. 1 already erected for Harumiya Shrine on May 8, 2004.122 views
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"Yoisa! Yoisa!"122 views
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Frenzy in front of Japan's goal.121 views
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English programme (1,800 yen)121 views
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Lake Suwa during a warm winter.121 views
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Locomotive from Ohio, USA used in the 1930s.121 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.121 viewsOnly a rope keeps the log from going down.
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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.121 views
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Shimenawa sacred rope on Kaguraden121 views
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120 views
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Policeman120 viewsPoliceman in special uniform designed just for the Nagano Games. The uniform supposed to make them look more friendly.
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Recycle bins by Coca-cola120 views
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Lakeside park120 views
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JR Okaya Station platform. JR岡谷駅120 views
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The log pullers split into two.120 views
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Banners unfurled.120 views
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Hot spring foot bath119 viewsThe place was covered due to rain.
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Local bus119 viewsThis was not a "wrap" bus, but it still had a Kirin ad (made of cloth) on the front.
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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 1998.119 views
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Taiko performance at Shimo-sha Akimiya Shrine's Kaguraden119 views
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Net fishing118 views
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Boat cruises118 views
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Even official Olympics miso paste118 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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Lakeside park118 views
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Matsumoto Station train platform118 views
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5-0 on scoreboard during 1st period.117 viewsIn the 1st period, the scoreboard shows 5-0 in favor of the US.
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Souvenir shop117 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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