 Most viewed - Katsushika-ku 葛飾区 |
"Watakushi, umare mo sodachi mo Katsushika, Shibamata desu..." (I was born and raised in Shibamata, Katsushika Ward) If this opening line sounds familiar, you must be one of the many ardent fans of Tora-san movies.358 views
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Horikiri Iris Garden, Katsushika, Tokyo346 views
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Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple. Shibamata is in Tokyo's Katsushika Ward bordered by the Arakawa River in the west and by the Edogawa River in the east.301 views
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Katsushika Iris Festival at Mizumoto Park in full bloom.289 views
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Poster for the Katsushika Shobu (Iris) Matsuri Festival held at Mizumoto Park and Horikiri Iris Garden. 葛飾菖蒲まつり285 views
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This is a pose when Tora-san goes to the Shibamata Station and he looks back to his sister Sakura who calls him.246 views
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Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.232 views
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Sculpture of Tora-san's famous hat and bag213 views
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Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign. What a great gag. Get you laughing even before you enter.204 views
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The path is lined with shops.193 views
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Map of temple grounds193 views
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There are ten large carvings (each 2.27 meters by 1.27 meters) depicting scenes from the Lotus Sutra (Hokekyo).187 views
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Horikiri Shobuen Station on the Keisei Line from Ueno Station. The Horikiri Iris Garden is a short walk from here.186 views
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Sando worship path to Taishakuten temple178 views
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This is the shopping arcade which serves as the setting for the famous Tora-san movie series starring Atsumi Kiyoshi.173 views
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Yagiri no Watashi boat crossing. After the two-minute river crossing, you will be in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. You can then tour various temples and parks in Matsudo and neighboring Ichikawa on foot. There are signs along the way to guide you.173 views
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Toward the end of the shop-lined mall, you will see this Nitenmon Gate of the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, formally known as Daikyoji. 二天門172 views
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Tora-ya169 views
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The woodcarvings were requested by the temple's 16th priest, Nissai. Through a generous donation from devoted follower Suzuki Genjiro, the project was begun.167 views
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The side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo are blanketed with panels of detailed woodcarvings. They are the most outstanding feature of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple.. 彫刻ギャラリー165 views
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When you get to Shibamata, don't expect the quiet shitamachi charm depicted in the Tora-san movies. Expect a lot of tourists instead, especially on weekends and holidays.163 views
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Wood carvings on Nitenmon Gate159 views
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Fame has brought prosperity to the shops which line the mall leading to the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. This shop, called Kameya Honpo, apparently served as the model for the Tora-ya dumpling shop.155 views
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This temple serves as a recurrent backdrop in the Tora-san series. The temple's priest is played by the humorous Ryu Chishu who actually came from a family of Buddhist priests. Photo: Bell tower155 views
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Since such large pieces of keyaki wood are very difficult to find and the carvings are so fine, the carvings are regarded as highly valuable cultural assets.154 views
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Hondo main hall 本堂154 views
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The shop sells kusa dango (mugwort dumplings with real grass inside), the local specialty. Photo: Nitenmon Gate in view153 views
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The present Naiden (Inner Sanctuary) was completed in 1915. Keyaki (zelkova) was used for all the wood in the building. The present Haiden (Worship Hall) was completed in 1929. Photo: Taishaku-do Hall 帝釈堂152 views
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The first panel was completed in 1922. The carver, Kato^ Toranosuke, proposed that the remaining 9 panels be carved by renown woodcarvers living in Tokyo. A large keyaki panel was delivered to each of the nine carvers.151 views
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Hondo Hall and Shaka-do Hall151 views
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It was believed that Indra would step in and chase away the demons causing calamities to the followers of Buddhism. Photo: Wood Carving Gallery (admission charged)150 views
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However, in 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck and these panels did not survive. A subsequent search for replacement panels was conducted nationwide.148 views
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The Nitenmon Gate was completed in 1896 and features wooden statues of Zocho and Komoku, two of the four Devas which guard the four cardinal directions from demons.143 views
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Taishakuten is the god Indra from Brahmanism, a Hindu religion. Being the god of rain and thunder, Indra was a powerful warrior god that was adopted by Buddhism as a protector. Photo: Glass wall protecting the exterior of Taishaku-do Hall.142 views
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Suikeien Garden 庭園142 views
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To protect the exterior woodcarvings from the elements and to allow visitors to view them up close, the temple built a transparent, permanent scaffolding on the side and rear exterior walls of the Taishakudo.140 views
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Founded in 1629 by a priest named Nitchu and his disciple Nichiei, the temple belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.139 views
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If you want a detailed explanation (in Japanese) of the Lotus Sutra scenes depicted by the woodcarvings, buy the pamphlet that is sold at the temple's souvenir stand near the Nitenmon Gate.139 views
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Hinamatsuri dolls 大客殿133 views
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This form of public transportation dates back to the Edo Period when there were 14 locations in Tokyo where such boats operated. Only this one now remains. Boarding the Yagiri Watashi boat. 矢切の渡し131 views
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Sacred water 御神水130 views
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Garden hallway 庭園129 views
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Minami Daimon Gate 南大門129 views
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From the train station, just follow the paper lanterns.127 views
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Goshinsui (purification water fountain).126 views
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Goshinsui (purification water fountain).125 views
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Red orgre (oni) at Taishakuten temple in Shibamata for setsubun on Feb. 3.125 views
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Dragon124 views
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Shibamata Station is on Keisei Kanamachi Line which runs between Kanamachi Station on the Japan Railways Joban Line (originating at Ueno Station) and Keisei Takasago Station on the Keisei Main Line coming from Keisei Ueno Station.124 views
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You can walk down a corridor to the Daikyakuden (Reception Hall) made entirely of hinoki (Japanese cypress). This hall faces the lovely Suikeien Garden.123 views
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Corridor to Guest House (Dai-kyakuden)122 views
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Tea ceremony house 茶室122 views
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The Tora-san "Otoko wa Tsurai Yo" (It's Tough Being a Man) movie series was played by the late Atsumi Kiyoshi. Tora-san is Japan's most lovable drifter and lovelorn on the silver screen. 122 viewsForty-eight movies in this series were produced from 1969 to 1995. Katsushika-ku is where the Tora-san Museum is.
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In 1926, large keyaki replacement panels were finally procured and the project was back on track. The carvings were completed in 1934.120 views
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It makes you feel like you are in an art gallery. From the front of the Taishakudo, the scaffolding is neatly concealed from view.119 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Taishakuten temple on Feb. 3.119 views
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Bagged this bag of beans at Taishakuten.119 views
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Since the carved walls are two stories high, the scaffolding has upper and lower levels which allows you to view the woodcarvings on the upper and lower halves of the walls. This is the lower floor118 views
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There are little signs indicating the iris species. The non-scientific names are quite pretty. The irises are grown in numerous separate patches which are all number. The garden area is about 7,700 sq. meters.118 views
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Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿117 views
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波116 views
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Leading ladies or the "madonna." It's quite an honor for an actress to be chosen as a madonna in a Tora-san movie115 views
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Main road to the iris garden.112 views
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Even the corridor has wood carvings.110 views
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Corridor of guest house 大客殿110 views
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Folding screens110 views
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Daishoro (bell tower)110 views
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Hina dolls in guest house room 大客殿109 views
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Quite a crowd.109 views
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Nitenmon Gate carvings108 views
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Nitenmon Gate carvings107 views
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Entrance to Horikiri Iris Garden. Free admission. Next to the entrance is a table with free maps of the garden and local area. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm. Closed during the year end and New Year's period.107 views
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Horikiri Iris Garden has about 200 varieties of irises and 6,000 iris plants. The garden is most famous for irises in June. However, the garden also has flowering plants throughout most of the year.106 views
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Nitenmon Gate as seen from Taishaku-do Hall105 views
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Tora-san souvenir shop103 views
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Rear of Nitenmon Gate102 views
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JR Shin-Koiwa north entrance. On the left is the escalator to Skydeck Tatsumi.102 views
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Shiga's Bay Waves, Horikiri Iris Garden 滋賀浦波101 views
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Yagiri no Watashi boat dock97 views
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Horikiri has been famous for irises for centuries. Some hydrangea also in bloom.97 views
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Panoramic shot96 views
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Movie posters92 views
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Statue of Tora-san in front of Shibamata Station. Posed like he's going to the station for another faraway trip...91 views
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To Yagiri no Watashi89 views
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Policeman character from the famous manga series, KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops.89 views
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Another poem on a rock.89 views
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Many movie scenes were filmed along this riverbank.86 views
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Notice the figure on the upper right...85 views
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Contents of his famous travel bag84 views
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The hilarious humor of the characters, the heartwarming scenes, the shitamachi charm of Shibamata, the beautiful scenery and quaintness of the places Tora-san visits, the guest stars. Map of Japan marking all the prefectures where Tora-san was filmed.83 views
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Edogawa River. Visiting Shibamata will enable you to appreciate and understand the local settings used to film the Tora-san series.83 views
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This shop was used in the early Tora-san films.83 views
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Daruma dolls83 views
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The first Tora-san movie came out in 1969 and over 40 more installments have been produced since then. It is entered in the Guiness Book of World Records as being the movie series with the most sequels.82 views
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The plot is basically the same for each installment: middle-aged Kuruma Torajiro^ (Tora-san) meets pretty woman (the movie's leading lady whom the Japanese call the "madonna"), has a good time with her and falls in love. Photo: Tora-san Mus82 views
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Horikiri Iris Garden paper lantern82 views
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Shop called Toraya.82 views
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Inside the studio set of Tora-san. Reconstructed with the original studio set materials used at the Ofuna movie studio.81 views
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After visiting the temple, most of the tourists walk to the nearby Edogawa riverbank which you often see in the Tora-san series. Road to Yagiri no Watashi (boat crossing)80 views
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Actual film studio mockup of Kuruma-ya dumpling shop79 views
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The boats operate on weekends. Fare is 100 yen one way.79 views
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It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why the series is so popular and enduring. It's probably a combination of several elements. Photo: Summary of all movie installments78 views
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View from the top of the hill.78 views
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Movie posters77 views
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All the iris patches are numbered.77 views
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Nagaragawa (Nagara River) iris77 views
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There are plans to build a statue of Sakura, Tora-san's sister, near this statue at Shibamata Station74 views
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He somehow always loses her much to the dismay of his married sister Sakura (played by Baisho Chieko) and adoptive uncle and aunt who run a small kusa dango (mugwort dumpling) shop in Shibamata.Photo: Tora-san Museum 寅さん記念館72 views
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Family living room72 views
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The Keisei Line train also had stickers advertising the iris festival.72 views
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Entrance to Tora-san Museum where Tora-san is helping to install the museum sign.70 views
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Kuruma-ya dumpling shop69 views
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Tora-san's personal effects69 views
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The garden also has a restaurant and tea rooms.69 views
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Shibamata Station platform68 views
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Atsumi Kiyoshi who seems to have been born to play Tora-san. (Atsumi never seemed to age even after over 20 years in the role. Tora-san's carefree, happy-go-lucky lifestyle also appeals to many. Photo: Sculpture of Tora-san's famous hat and bag.68 views
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Miniature shop arcade68 views
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Tora-san's passport68 views
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JR Kameari Station platform68 views
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Family living room66 views
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More exhibits66 views
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JR Kameari Station police box66 views
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Shibamata Station65 views
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JR Kameari Station, north exit65 views
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Central plaza with food stalls.64 views
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Kitchen where they made the dumplings.63 views
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Inside the shop62 views
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Tora-san's documents62 views
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JR Kameari Station, south exit62 views
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Central entrance to Mizumoto Park62 views
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Mizumoto Park is a huge park and the iris garden is also one of the largest.62 views
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A wooden boardwalk is provided to view the irises.61 views
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The garden's highest point has a small hut as seen on the left.60 views
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Entertainment stage (I was too late to see any entertainment.)60 views
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葛飾 柴又 くるまや59 views
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Hydrangea59 views
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Bridge58 views
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He is a drifter who travels extensively all over Japan and works as street vendor/hawker selling little trinkets and what not. Photo: The stripe pattern of the walls is the same as Tora-san's coat.57 views
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Tora-san haniwa57 views
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He returns home to Shibamata every once in a while, usually at a most inopportune time for the family, and eventually leaves in disgrace after a family argument or lost love. Photo: Map of Japan marking all the prefectures where Tora-san was filmed.56 views
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Ducky56 views
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Small signs next to the flowers indicated the flower's name.56 views
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Poem on a rock55 views
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All the irises have interesting names like "Crane's Feathers."55 views
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Hydrangea and irises55 views
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And hydrangeas.55 views
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I visited Horikiri Garden first, then dashed off to visit Mizumoto Park, a short bus ride from Kanamachi Station. From the bus stop, this little gate points the way to the park.53 views
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Former Edogawa River53 views
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Tried to get irises and hydrangea in the same shot. Both flowers are associated with the month of June in most of Japan.53 views
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Mizumoto Park also has a lotus pond.46 views
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About Japanese irises44 views
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Paper lantern written with "Katsushika Iris Festival."43 views
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For the bean throwing, they did not allow anything other than your hands to catch the beans. No bags, boxes, umbrellas, etc.41 views
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Gate to Taishakuten temple.40 views
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Another oni (ogre).40 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at 2 pm and 3 pm within the temple grounds.40 views
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At 2 pm, the bean throwers started throwing the beans.40 views
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Oni ogres like to pose for photos.40 views
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While carrying home my lucky beans, I was convinced that 2015 would be a great year.40 views
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A wooden platform was constructed for the bean throwers. Great weather in 2015.39 views
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