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Looking down the hillside of white plum trees.3 views
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Some plum trees with pruned branches. May they flower again someday.3 views
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Kogesawa Bairin3 views
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Kogesawa Bairin plum grove at Takao Baigo, Hachioji, Tokyo.3 views
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Walked further along the road for the next grove named Yunohana Bairin (湯の花梅林). 3 views
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Yunohana Bairin3 views
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Riverside path map.3 views
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Map of Takao Baigo.3 views
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Next plum grove was Tenjin Bairin. It's somewhat hidden behind trees, but there's a sign and bridge to get there.3 views
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About Takao Tenmangu Shrine. Plum blossoms are associated with Sugawara Michizane because he once wrote a poem for his beloved plum blossoms that "flew through the air" to follow him when he was exiled to Dazaifu, Fukuoka.3 views
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People in this Takao area have been worshipping Tenjin for centuries. Most all Tenmangu/Tenjin shrines (thousands of them) have plum blossoms.3 views
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Next to Tenjin Bairin is this reforestation area.3 views
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Toward the end (or beginning) of the trail are more plum blossoms called Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林).3 views
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Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)3 views
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Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)3 views
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Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)3 views
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Plum blossom bus at Takao Station (North exit). They have two buses running at the same time between Takao Station (North exit) and the plum groves. 3 views
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Lake Kussharo is another scenic lake in Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido. Japan's largest caldera lake. Unlike Lake Mashu, Kussharo is accessible to tourists like here at Sunayu.3 views
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The lake circumerence is 57 km. Deepest point is 125 meters. In the middle of the lake is Nakajima island, a volcano. Japan's largest island in a lake. The island is uninhabited by humans.3 views
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Wakoto Peninsula east side.3 views
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, we indeed saw many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground.3 views
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While walking through Horinouchi Kaizuka Shell Mound, many pieces of shell or pottery on the ground. Still here, after thousands of years!3 viewsRead more about this shell mound here: https://ichikawashi.jp/horinouchi/index_en.html
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Next was Kozuka-yama Park. There are restrooms. 小塚山公園3 views
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Small island in the middle of the pond.3 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond in late March. じゅん菜池3 views
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Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池3 views
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Plum blossom trees near Junsai-ike Pond. 3 views
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We came out of this trail which goes through into a small forest of different species of trees.3 views
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Konodai Tenmangu Shrine dedicated to Michizane, scholar deity. Stone lanterns behind the torii date from 1863. 国府台天満宮3 views
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Ceiling and bell.3 views
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Satomi Park also has the Akedo Kofun burial mound complete with two stone coffins exposed on the mound. 明戸古墳石棺3 views
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Map of Satomi Park. The burial mound is on the upper part next to the red, dotted oval on the map. The park is next to Edogawa River.3 views
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View of Edogawa River from Satomi Park. Across the river is Koiwa and Shibamata. Tokyo Skytree can also be seen. 江戸川3 views
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Satomi Park, near the burial mound.3 views
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Cherry blossoms in Satomi Park. 3 views
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Sign on a cherry tree saying that no hanami flower-viewing picnics are not allowed here due to Covid-19.3 views
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Edogawa River.3 views
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Satomi Park visit date.3 views
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Satomi Park cherry blossoms.3 views
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During World War II, Satomi Park was an Imperial Army base camp. It finally became a public park in 1959. Flower beds now cover the site of Konodai Castle.3 views
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Satomi Park is also noted for roses in early summer and fall. The rose is Ichikawa's official flower. 3 views
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Satomi Park also has Shien-soja (紫烟草舎), the former home of famous tanka poet named Kitahara Hakushū (1885–1942) (北原白秋). He lived in this house for only a year in 1916. 3 views
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Straight ahead is the bridge for the Keisei Line. 江戸川沿い3 views
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Slightly south of Keisei Line's Konodai Station next to Edogawa River is the Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint site. This is only a marker monument (no original structures). 市川関所跡3 views
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This was where people crossed the river by boat and it was a busy/important artery. The Ichikawa Sekisho Checkpoint was at the border between Shimosa (Chiba) and Musashino (Tokyo) Provinces. So the Sekisho was the border control. 市川関所跡3 views
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Ichikawa Sekisho marker near Yamazaki Baking.3 views
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From the Edogawa riverside, we turned left on Route 14 and walked to Ichikawa Station. Welcome to Chiba! Ichikawa is one of Chiba Prefecture's cities adjacent to Tokyo. 3 views
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View from I-Link Town Observatory, looking west toward Edogawa River. This deck is open 9 am to 10 pm. Closed on the first Monday of the month and during Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.3 views
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"Temple" marks the location of Guhoji Temple, famous for a 400-year-old weeping cherry blossom tree. See this album.3 views
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In front of Ichikawa Station, the building (Sun Plaza 55) on the left has a coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking.3 views
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Poem about Tekona.3 views
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After Niomon Gate, this is the first building you see, Soshido Hall dedicated to Nichiren, founder of the Nichiren Buddhist sect. Reconstructed in 2010 on the 700th anniversary of Nichiren's death. 祖師堂 3 viewsThere are other temple buildings spread out on the hill.
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Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge near the steps going up to Guhoji Temple. The bridge is mentioned in some poems in the Man'yoshu. 真間の継橋3 views
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About Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge. 真間の継橋3 views
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Escalator handrail decorated with Monchicchi. 3 views
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Chiyonoyama's trophy room.3 views
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Northern coast of Amami Oshima as seen from Cape Ayamaru.3 views
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Straw bands are wrapped on the tree trunks to catch harmful insects.3 views
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White and pink plum blossoms on the same plum tree.3 views
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Omurai Katori Shrine's second torii and main worship hall.3 views
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Entrance to the plum garden on the right side of the shrine. 3 views
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This garden is cramped, but stuffed with plum blossoms.3 views
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"America" cherry trees in Adachi, Tokyo.3 views
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"America" Somei-Yoshino cherry trees from America at the park when in bloom. They are planted for a few hundred meters along Shin-Shibakawa River behind the Visitors Center. This was in late March.3 views
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JR Musashi-Masuko Station platform. From central Tokyo, the train ride took about 1 hr. 20 min. JR武蔵増戸駅3 views
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JR Musashi-Masuko Station3 views
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Yasube'e Sakura cherry blossom tree in front of JR Musashi-Masuko Station. The station building was rebuilt in March 2011.3 views
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Yasube'e cherry blossoms have been welcoming local residents returning home by train for almost 100 years at JR Musashi-Masuko Station.3 views
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Sorry to see you go...3 views
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In front of Musashi-Masuko Station are these two Yasube'e cherry blossom trees. The third one is further toward the right.3 views
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Leftmost Yasube'e cherry blossom tree is the smallest.3 views
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The shed also has pigs. These are mini pigs, not baby piglets. You can touch them. The fur is stiff like a hard brush. After touching, wash your hands.3 views
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The milking machine uses red light beams and sensors to detect the nipples and attach the milking tubes. 3 views
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Pedal boats are very popular. This is the boat dock.3 views
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After entering the park through the Nishi-Tachikawa Entrance, you see this scene of the Waterfowl Pond and pedal boats. 水鳥の池3 views
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Another long line to get on the boat.3 views
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Waterfowl Pond.3 views
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Types of bicycles available for rent. But all gone. Long wait.3 views
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Center of the park is this large lawn where people can play. Called "Minna no Harappa" or Field for All. みんなの原っぱ3 views
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Directional signs in English.3 views
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Showa Kinen Park's Japanese garden.3 views
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Showa Kinen Park's Japanese garden.3 views
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The field of red poppies has a walking path in the middle. Poppy field is much bigger than it looks.3 views
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Red poppy field on the western fringe of the large field. Called the Bouquet Garden. ブーケガーデン3 views
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Moss pink3 views
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Cornflowers3 views
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Nemophila (baby blue eyes) 3 views
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Other flowers in the mix include dianthus and delphinium.3 views
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Path through the Bouquet Garden's poppies and other flowers.3 views
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Morito Coast beach.3 views
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Coastal road along Shin-nase beach. 真名瀬海岸3 views
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Kumano Shrine in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture. 熊野神社3 views
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Lookout deck on Cape Chikyu, one of Hokkaido's Top 100 scenic spots. "Chikiu" comes from the Ainu word "Chikepu" (チケプ) meaning cliff. The name morphed into Chikiu (チキウ), and then "Chikyu" (地球) meaning Ear3 views
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Mt. Usu in the Lake Toya area can be seen.3 views
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About Cape Chikyu in Japanese.3 views
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Points of interest from Mt. Sokuryo.3 views
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Hakucho Bridge, Muroran. 白鳥大橋3 views
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Hakucho Bridge ramp.3 views
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The museum also has a balcony with views of Hakucho Bridge.3 views
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Roadside Station Mitara Muroran gift shop sells mainly edibles.3 views
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Steel factory in Muroran as seen from Hakucho Bridge.3 views
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JR Muroran Station3 views
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Old locomotive displayed near the old JR Muroran Station.3 views
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Former JR Muroran Station.3 views
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Harry Potter’s stag Patronus and doe near Toshimaen Station.3 views
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Entrance to Harry Potter Studio in Tokyo.3 views
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Lobby and tour entrance straight ahead.3 views
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Entrance hall with pictures of movie scenes.3 views
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The tour starts in a room of animated movie posters where they explain a few rules. They also tell you how to register your QR code on your smartphone with your email address.3 views
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The Great Hall of Hogwarts (大広間)3 views
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Great Hall’s head table.3 views
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Hagrid3 views
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Severus Snape, potions professor and later Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House.3 views
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Other professors.3 views
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Great Hall roof model.3 views
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Hogwarts Marble Staircase which actually moves (swivels).3 views
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Gryffindor Common Room3 views
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On left is the costume worn by Ron and a chest of Quidditch balls.3 views
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In Dumbledore’s Office, on the left on the cabinet is Gryffindor’s Sword in a glass case.3 views
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Dumbledore’s Office. The portraits are of the 48 former Hogwarts headmasters/mistresses. 3 views
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Dumbledore’s beard and hair.3 views
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Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom.3 views
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Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom. There was a wand-waving lesson to defeat a Death Eater (right) on the balcony.3 views
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Hagrid’s Hut3 views
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From the Backlot, the studio tour continues this way as we go back inside.3 views
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Inside Hogwarts Express train carriage.3 views
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London Ministry of Magic, Atrium (ロンドン魔法省)3 views
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Fawkes the phoenix3 views
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Food Hall (with floating candles) for British food near the studio entrance.3 views
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Rock garden in the inner courtyard.2 views
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Water shed is called "mizuya." 水屋2 views
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Gujo Odori dance festival schedule.2 views
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Food replicas used to be made with agar and wax. Now they are made with silicone and resin. Food replica companies founded by Iwasaki still make the most food replicas in Japan.2 views
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Inside Machinami Koryukan museum.2 views
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Sogisui natural spring, one of Japan's 100 Famous Natural Springs. 宗祇水2 views
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Traditional townscape along a neighborhood called Shokunin-machi where the town's craftsmen lived and worked. 職人町2 views
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Daijoji Temple gate and bell tower in autumn.2 views
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About Daijoji Temple, built in 1603.2 views
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Yoshida River in Gujo-Hachiman looking upstream as seen from Miyagase Bridge. In summer, people fish for ayu sweetfish or swim in the river.2 views
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Roadside monument for a poem by Orikuchi Shinobu in 1919. It was a memorial for the victims of a major fire in the northern part of town.2 views
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About Noguchi Ujo and his poem about the beautiful local scenery. 野口雨情歌碑2 views
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About the former Hayashi Clinic that was donated to the city.2 views
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In the post office, stamps showing Gujo-Hachiman's picture manholes.2 views
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Sample Kobo factory for food replicas which were invented in Gujo-Hachiman. Looks delicious. サンプル工房2 views
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They also offer short lessons to make your own food replicas like spilled coffee. 2 views
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Gujo-Hachiman has a few traditional townscape streets. This is Yanaka Mizu no Komichi (やなか水のこみち). Narrow alley with embedded stones.2 views
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Yanaka Mizu no Komichi (やなか水のこみち). Narrow alley with embedded stones.2 views
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Yanaka Mizu no Komichi2 views
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Ganrenji Temple, belonging to the Jodo Shinshu Otani Sect. 願蓮寺2 views
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About Ganrenji in Japanese. 2 views
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Kimono makeover shop to dress in kimono (or hakama for men) and stroll around to take pictures amid the traditional townscapes.2 views
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Enakyo or Ena Gorge is in the city of Ena (pop. 47,000 as of Nov. 2021) next to Nakatsugawa in eastern Gifu Prefecture.2 views
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Nearest train station is JR Ena Station on the JR Chuo Line. It's about 70 min. from Nagoya Station in Aichi Prefecture.2 views
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On the right is Sazanami Park lined with autumn maple leaves in November and cherry blossoms in spring. Everything is within a short walk. These photos were taken in November.2 views
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Sights in Enakyo Gorge.2 views
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Gift shops at Enakyo.2 views
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Sazanami Park has a small peninsula with a walking path lined with maple trees (and cherry trees).2 views
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View of Kiso River from the tip of Sazanami Park. Right below Shinonome Ohashi Bridge (東雲大橋) in the distance is Oi Dam built in 1924 as Japan's first hydroelectric dam. The dam created this reservoir in Ena Gorge.2 views
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About the tanka poem by poet Kitahara Hakushu.2 views
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Red maple leaves on the right side of Sazanami Park.2 views
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Definitely the right place for red maple leaves. Most were already very red.2 views
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Flowers grown and groomed by Ena Agricultural High School students studying landscape design.2 views
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Big maple tree.2 views
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Statue of the goddess Benzaiten, protector against floods and water accidents. Goddess of anything that flows, including music.2 views
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Momosuke Square at the top of Sazanami Park. Statue of Fukuzawa Momosuke, son-in-law of Fukuzawa Yukichi. Momosuke built the Oi Dam that created this Enakyo reservoir and hydroelectric power.2 views
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Relief of Kawakami Sadayakko (or Sada Yacco 1871–1946) who was Momosuke's mistress and former geisha who was also previously mistress to Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi. She helped Momosuke build and design seven dams along Kiso River. 川上 貞奴2 views
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Going back down from Sazanami Park.2 views
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Gift shops on the way back to the bus stop.2 views
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Statue of Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi near the bus stop. Built around 1932 in memory of those who died while building Oi Dam. It was also built to attract tourists. Kobo Daishi founded Shingon Buddhism.2 views
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Tanigumi-san (Kegonji) Hondo main worship hall.2 views
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There are some nice views along the train line.2 views
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Tanigumiguchi Station, small little train station with no staff.2 views
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Souvenir shop.2 views
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Niomon Gate.2 views
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Stone marker for the 33rd and last temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage temple in western Japan (西国三十三所).2 views
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Some greenery too.2 views
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Approaching the Hondo main hall.2 views
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Steps to the Hondo main hall.2 views
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At the end of the maple-lined path is Tanigumi-san Kegonji Temple's Hondo main worship hall rebuilt in 1879. (谷汲山 華厳寺)2 views
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Inside Tanigumi-san Hondo main hall. It worships a hidden 11-faced Kannon statue. The last time the statue was displayed to the public was on March 1–14, 2009. 2 views
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Prayer beads inside the dark, basement passage.2 views
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Inside Tanigumi-san Hondo main hall. People pray here for family safety, pregnancy, safe childbirth, business prosperity, transportation safety, passing an exam, recovery from illness, good relationships, and just about everything else.2 views
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This lady probably wants to cure her impaired hearing. Koke-no-mizu Jizo statue (苔の水地蔵尊)2 views
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