 Last additions - Yamagata city 山形市 |
My video of Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri in Aug. 2009.Aug 29, 2020
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Yamadera temple, YamagataMay 16, 2012
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Yamadera temple, YamagataMay 16, 2012
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May 16, 2012
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May 16, 2012
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May 16, 2012
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Yamadera is mountain temple perched on a steep cliff near JR Yamadera Station.May 16, 2012
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May 16, 2012
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Old Yamagata Station.Sep 09, 2009
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PR poster for Tenchi-nin, TV series about Naoe Kanetsugu aired on NHK in 2009.Sep 09, 2009
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Banner for Mogami Yoshiaki.Sep 09, 2009
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Yamagata Castle moat next to South Gate.Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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South Gate. Similar stone work and moats can be seen at the Nishi (West) and Kita (North) Gates.Sep 09, 2009
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Moat next to South Gate.Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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Yamagata Castle's South Gate, closest to Yamagata Station. 南門Sep 09, 2009
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Monument for Albrecht Von Roretz, an Austrian doctor who served as the director of the Saiseikan Hospital and contributed to promoting Western medicine in Japan during the early Meiji Period.Sep 09, 2009
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Medical drawing showing pregnant Japanese women.Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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Yamagata Prefectural Museum also in Kajo Park.Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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Second floor has more exhibits.Sep 09, 2009
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Sep 09, 2009
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Stairs to the second floor.Sep 09, 2009
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It also shows various surgical instruments used in the old days.Sep 09, 2009
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Spiral staircase to the tower (closed to the public).Sep 09, 2009
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Room exhibiting Albrecht Von Roretz, an Austrian doctor who served as the director of the Saiseikan Hospital. If you're a doctor or interested in medical treatment history, you will like this museum.Sep 09, 2009
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In 1971, it became the museum that it is today. Free admission. Enter the building in the back. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed in late Dec. and early Jan.Sep 09, 2009
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It is a round building, with a Japanese garden in the middle.Sep 09, 2009
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The rooms now are exhibition rooms showing mainly medical-related pictures and surgical instruments.Sep 09, 2009
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In Kajo Park is Yamagata City Kyodokan Museum that displays mainly medical-related exhibits. The building is an Important Cultural Property. 山形市郷土館Sep 09, 2009
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A scale model of Yamagata Castle as it looked in the 18th century. (Displayed in the Kyodokan Museum.)Sep 09, 2009
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Since it is a National Historic Site, the city is taking steps to revert the park into a historical site by eliminating most of the existing sports facilities (gym, baseball diamond, etc.). Should look like this.Sep 09, 2009
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Formerly called Saiseikan (済生館), it originally was a private hospital established in 1873. It used to be located near the prefectural capital. It was moved here in 1969.Sep 09, 2009
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Still renovating the stone walls.Sep 09, 2009
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This area in the Honmaru was the site of the castle palace.Sep 09, 2009
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Honmaru gate 本丸一文字門Sep 09, 2009
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They want to build an outline of the palace in the Honmaru.Sep 09, 2009
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Moat on the right side of the bridge.Sep 09, 2009
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We can walk on the bridge to the Honmaru. 大手橋Sep 09, 2009
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They want to also reconstruct buildings on the stone foundations seen here. The problem is, they don't have accurate records of what the floor plan and buildings looked like in the 18th-19th century. They are calling on the public for any old photos.Sep 09, 2009
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Artist's rendition of what the completed reconstruction will look like.Sep 09, 2009
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This Honmaru bridge was accurately reconstructed in 2006. The stonework was also reconstructed in 2004. 大手橋Sep 08, 2009
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Walk further and you will reach Honmaru central keep. This Honmaru bridge was accurately reconstructed in 2006.Sep 08, 2009
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View of Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate's bridge.Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Slit in the floor to drop stones and arrows.Sep 08, 2009
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Slits in the floor to drop stones and arrows.Sep 08, 2009
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Inside the Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate turret at Yamagata Castle. Very impressive construction. Still new-looking even after almost 20 years. Sep 08, 2009
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At the top of the steps, the castle wall.Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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They had a few exhibits and a video of the castle.Sep 08, 2009
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Steps to the entrance of the turret.Sep 08, 2009
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Statue of Mogami Yoshiaki who was the daimyo lord of Yamagata in the late 16th century and early 17th century. Statue constructed in 1977. 最上義光Sep 08, 2009
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Statue of Mogami Yoshiaki depicting him taking the lead to the battlefield against Naoe Kanetsugu. 最上義光Sep 08, 2009
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The park has other gates (north, south, and west) and monuments, but I didn't have time to see all of them. I exited the park through the South Gate (photos below).Sep 08, 2009
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Behind Ninomaru Higashi Otemon GateSep 08, 2009
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The stones on the wall have cutting marks.Sep 08, 2009
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Behind the Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate is a large statue of Lord Mogami Yoshiaki.Sep 08, 2009
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Ninomaru Higashi Otemon GateSep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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Another gate at the Ninomaru Higashi Otemon GateSep 08, 2009
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Northern turret.Sep 08, 2009
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Map of Kajo Koen Park. 霞城公園Sep 08, 2009
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About Yamagata Castle in English. Yamagata Castle was first built in 1356 by Shiba Kaneyori (斯波 兼頼) who moved to Yamagata. He became the first lord in the Mogami Clan. His most famous descendant, Lord Mogami Yoshiaki built up the castle in 1592-15Sep 08, 2009
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Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate leads to the Ninomaru keep which is a National Historic Site.Sep 08, 2009
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Left side of Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate. The train line passes through.Sep 08, 2009
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Yamagata Castle's Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate. This gate and turret were accurately reconstructed in 1991 based on Edo Period documents and Meiji Period photos. 二の丸東大手門Sep 08, 2009
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Moat on right side of Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate.Sep 08, 2009
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Southern turret on left side of Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate. This turret is open to the public. Sep 08, 2009
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Map of central Yamagata city. The top-most road in bold leading to the former prefectural office is where the Hanagasa Matsuri parade is held in early Aug. Yamagata Castle (Kajo Park) is on the west side of the train station.Sep 08, 2009
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Turret on right side of Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate. It took 3 years and 9 months and 1.1 billion yen to reconstruct the gate and turrets. It was in 1978 when they decided to reconstruct the gate and turrets. They moved and brought in many tons of stone.Sep 08, 2009
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A short walk from Kajo Central is Kajo Park. You can enter the park through the South Gate or the slightly further Ninomaru Higashi Otemon Gate here. This is the main entrance. Free admission.Sep 08, 2009
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Kajo Park as seen from Kajo Central. Kajo Park is the site of Yamagata Castle, also called Kajo or Kasumigajo Castle which means Misty Castle.Sep 08, 2009
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Kajo Park as seen from Kajo Central. During the Battle of Hasedo in 1600 between Mogami Yoshiaki and Naoe Kanetsugu, Yamagata Castle was hidden by mist. Hence, the nickname.Sep 08, 2009
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Sep 08, 2009
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View of Yamagata on the east side of Yamagata Station as seen from Kajo Central.Sep 08, 2009
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Yamagata StationSep 08, 2009
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West side of Yamagata Station. Look at all that land right in front of the station.Sep 08, 2009
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Kajo Central also has a lookout deck on one of the top floors. Sep 08, 2009
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Dish bench?Sep 08, 2009
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Rice plantSep 08, 2009
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A pear perhaps.Sep 08, 2009
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The lobby featured chairs and benches with novel motifs. This seemed to be the most popular, sitting in a bowl of potato soup.Sep 08, 2009
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When I was there in Aug. 2009, the lobby of Kajo Central had the interesting Art Chair Project. Elementary and intermediate school students in Yamagata Pref. competed in a design competition for art chairs, and the winners' works are displayed here.Sep 08, 2009
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Grapes to sit on. Kajo Central lobby, Yamagata.Sep 08, 2009
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On the ground floor is a nice Yamagata Prefecture tourist office. Pick up pamphlets and other info here. The building is connected to Yamagata Station by a corridor.Sep 08, 2009
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On the west side of Yamagata Station is a skyscraper called Kajo Central which has also greatly contributed to the urban development of Yamagata city. A high school is in this building as well.Sep 08, 2009
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Yamagata Castle is closest to JR Yamagata Station. This is the east side. The train station and surrounding area changed a lot since my first visit years ago.Sep 08, 2009
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In front Yamagata Station on the east side.Sep 08, 2009
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In front Yamagata Station on the west side. I wonder what that prime space will be used for. The tall buildings are hotels.Sep 08, 2009
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Bus stop in front Yamagata Station.Sep 08, 2009
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Sometimes we see floats.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Photogenic Yamagata hanagasa dancer.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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By 5:30 pm, a good crowd of people lined the parade street stretching for 1.2 km. The parade route is a 10-15-min. walk from Yamagata Station. It was lot more crowded than the first time I saw this festival years ago.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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This is one of the main and best dance groups. They all dance to a song called "Hanagasa Ondo." A recording of the song is repeated continuously through the loudpseakers. 花笠音頭Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Actress Eri Watanabe in Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri on Aug. 7, 2009.Aug 12, 2009
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Military-style male dancers.Aug 12, 2009
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The parade starts at 6 pm, and it took about 10 min. to reach where I was.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata maikoAug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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It's possible to stopover in Sendai and take a day trip to Yamagata to see this festival. However, if you want to stopover in Yamagata during the Hanagasa Festival, make reservations early especially for budget hotels. Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata Hanagasa MatsuriAug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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It was a good size crowd despite the drizzling rain, but it wasn't not horrendously crowded. It was pretty easy to get around and find a new spot to watch the parade.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Amateur hanagasa dancers.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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When I arrived during lunch time on Aug. 7, 2009, a group of hanagasa dancers held a PR demonstration right inside Yamagata Station as you see here.Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata Hanagasa MatsuriAug 12, 2009
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Female taiko drummers on trucks.Aug 12, 2009
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Cop cars block the parade road.Aug 12, 2009
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Miss Hanagasa 2009.Aug 12, 2009
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I don't mind advertising, but I was upset to see a 100-meter long dance group advertising a phone company. They thus took a long time to pass by. (No photos of them here.)Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Lovely Yamagata hanagasa dancer.Aug 12, 2009
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An average of 300,000 tourists watch the parade per evening. Aug 12, 2009
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Paper lanterns written with "Yama-gata-hana-gasa-ma-tsu-ri."Aug 12, 2009
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School kids were also in the parade.Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata maikoAug 12, 2009
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This is actress Eri Watanabe (b. 1955) who is from Yamagata. She gave a memorable performance in the 1996 movie, "Shall We Dance?"Aug 12, 2009
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"See you next year." The parade ends at around 9:30 pm at the end of the parade route. But it ends earlier if you are at the midway point instead. There was enough time for me to catch the last train back to Sendai at 9:46 pm.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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A total of about 120 groups (10,000 people) dance over the three evenings. If you want to see a certain group, you'll have to check the parade schedule. Also, a different celebrity guest also dances each evening.Aug 12, 2009
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Then there was this group of sexy Yamagata hanagasa dancers. Holy smoke, look at that cleavage, something you never see with a yukata.Aug 12, 2009
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Miss HanagasaAug 12, 2009
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The final group was led by the four Miss Hanagasa. Anybody could dance in this final group.Aug 12, 2009
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The first few groups of dancers were the best.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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It was drizzling off and on, so the road was wet. The shiny road made the shot look more dramatic together with the backlight.Aug 12, 2009
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Miss Hanagasa 2009. There are four of them. Aug 12, 2009
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Cheerleaders tooAug 12, 2009
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Many dance groups were sponsored by large companies, and the company name or logo was prominently displayed on the clothing. It really is a long advertising parade.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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Miniskirted yukataAug 12, 2009
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It is a folk dance characterized by the hanagasa, or flower hat, which is held with both hands and swung left and right, above the head, etc. The festival originated as a rice-planting prayer for a good harvest.Aug 12, 2009
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This is at the end of the parade route which had a nice illuminated gate overhead.Aug 12, 2009
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Aug 12, 2009
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The artificial red flowers on the hats symbolize the safflower, the city flower.Aug 12, 2009
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They dance to the beat of taiko drums and the prerecorded folk tune of Hanagasa Ondo singing, "Yassho, makasho!" Aug 12, 2009
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Miss Hanagasa 2009.Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata Station's exit has hanagasa (flower hat) decorations.Aug 12, 2009
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Held since 1963, the Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri festival is held annually during Aug. 5-7. It is an evening parade of dancers using a hanagasa (flower hat) held during the three evenings from 6 pm to 9:30 pm.Aug 12, 2009
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You can buy your own hanagasa and join in the festival.Aug 12, 2009
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Yamagata Station also has a Hanagasa info counter set up during the festival. You can pick up a map of the parade route.Aug 12, 2009
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During early Aug., JR Yamagata Station has a Hanagasa Matsuri billboard above the turnstile as you get out.Aug 12, 2009
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