Most viewed - Obama for Obama オバマを勝手に応援する会 |
JR Obama Line at Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture, the line's terminus. From Tsuruga, it takes 60 to 70 min. to Obama.341 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.175 views
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The back of their T-shirt reads "I love Obama -- Obama Girls."172 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.131 views
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Obama Station127 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.127 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.127 views
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"I love Obama" banners decorate the main drags in central Obama. 122 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.120 views
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Obama rolled maki-sushi on sale.118 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts for 2500 yen.117 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. 116 views
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"I love Obama" banner116 views
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Some shops along Hamakaze-dori shopping arcade have these congratulatory notices for President Barack Obama.115 views
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More Obama manju115 views
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Look at this, hula dancing in a Japanese Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.112 views
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It must have been cold for these dancers dressed for a tropical setting. The temperature was slightly above freezing.112 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).111 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop on Hamakaze-dori. 若狭屋 はまかぜ通り110 views
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Wakasa-ya souvenir shop109 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.109 views
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The Wakasa-ya shop displays snapshots of past activities of the Obama booster association.108 views
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"I love Obama" T-shirts and banners. The banner is only 1200 yen (excluding the pole).107 views
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Obama senbei crackers107 views
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"I love Obama" sticker on store window. This logo is 105 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo.105 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.104 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.104 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.104 views
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"I love Obama" manju bean cakes, but only the back of his head is imprinted on the manju.103 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.103 views
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A bust of Barack Obama outside the Wakasa-ya souvenir shop in Obama, Fukui.102 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.101 views
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Obama Station100 views
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Some presidential campaign memorabilia in a store corner.100 views
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Laquered chopsticks with the "I love Obama" logo. Laquerware is one of Obama's local specialties.99 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!"99 views
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Obama goods included sake rice wine.98 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).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95 views
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Obama book in Japanese. His election victory speech in Japanese.95 views
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Manju at the kiosk at Obama Station.95 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.95 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94 views
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Hagaji's temple bell.93 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.)93 views
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"I love Obama" headbands for 600 yen.92 views
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Hagaji temple is one of Obama's major temples with Important Cultural Properties including an 11-face Kannon statue.92 views
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They sang "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.92 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91 views
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Dried bread in cans.91 views
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Obama chopsticks. These were the more expensive ones costing around 1900 yen.90 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).89 views
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Obama sake88 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.87 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.85 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.83 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.82 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.81 views
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Other people who rang the bell included members of the Obama Girls who were to perform later.81 views
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Obama soba noodles, 500 yen per bag.79 views
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The temple priest prays after ringing the bell.78 views
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Path to Hagaji temple's main Hondo hall.77 views
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After the bell ringing, a large local choir sang Beethoven, including three professional soloists who sang for free.77 views
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