 Most viewed - GIFU 岐阜県 |
Restaurant185 views
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The finale was the throwing of mochi.185 views
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184 views
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Yoro, Gifu184 views
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Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum183 views
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Monument at West Burial Site, Nishi Kubizuka183 views
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Bridge to Sunomata Castle.181 views
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Ishida Mitsunari179 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Matsuri held on May 2 in Tarui, Gifu. Featuring three floats and kabuki plays performed by boys (kodomo kabuki).179 views
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The fishing master's handmade skirt (koshimino) is made of straw. It functions as a raincoat and provides warmth. He makes and wears out four or five skirts each year. Underneath is just shorts. 腰蓑（こしみの）178 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Festival178 views
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This room was also where Crown Prince Hiro and Crown Princess Masako rested during a visit to the castle in April 1995.178 views
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Sunomata Castle has five floors. The first floor has this room introducing the nature and history of Sunomata.178 views
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176 views
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JR Tarui Station on the JR Tokaido Line, south side 垂井駅176 views
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Hand-to-hand combat175 views
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Evidence of victory175 views
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The original Ogaki Castle was said to be built in 1535 by the Toki Clan who ruled Mino Province (now Gifu).175 views
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174 views
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River next to the inn, mainly to carry away snow.173 views
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173 views
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There is a ring around the bird's throat, preventing it from swallowing the fish. (The bird can still swallow smaller fish.) The cormorants are caught in the wild in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture and trained for ukai fishing in Gifu. 鵜173 views
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Dam reservoir172 views
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172 views
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172 views
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Entrance to Sunomata Castle.172 views
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Hida beef171 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu at Sasaoyama.171 views
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The puppets come out on a plank sticking out of the float and perform in a mini play with various stunts.170 views
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170 views
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Manhole in Hashima, Gifu170 views
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Shokawa River169 views
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169 views
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Rear view of Sunomata Castle.169 views
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Rest area.169 views
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168 views
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Deai Bridge crossing the Shokawa River.168 views
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Tofu steak168 views
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Near the castle entrance is this stone gourd pouring water.167 views
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Imasu-juku was the fifty-ninth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns of the Nakasendo Road. It follows Sekigahara-juku and comes before Kashiwabara-juku in Shiga Pref. Hiroshige woodblock print of Imasu. 167 views
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Hie Shrine hall. The shrine is on Shiroyama Hill. 日枝神社166 viewsOn Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), Takayama Matsuri Festival was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan."
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Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats.165 views
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A few matchlock gun battalions gathered on the Sasaoyama stage.165 views
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Main bridge to Sunomata Castle. Gourds are prominent here.165 views
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Matchlock guns165 views
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Print showing the construction of Sunomata Castle.164 views
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164 views
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Inside museum with a map of the battle163 views
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Memorial for the fallen warriors at the Battle of Sekigahara, built in 2000, the 400th anniversary.163 views
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He took out one of the cormorants from the basket cage. In Japanese, the bird is called umi'u. They normally fish in the ocean as opposed to the kawa'u river cormorant which are smaller and have been devastating to the fish in Lake Biwa.163 views
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The ukai fishing master's ukai cormorant fishing boat is called ubune. Accompanied by an assistant (middle) called the nakanori and the steerer (at rear) called tomonori. About 13 meters long. 鵜舟（うぶね）= 鵜匠+供乗り（とものり)163 views
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Side view of Sunomata Castle.163 views
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Inaba Shrine is near the foot of Mt. Kinkazan (Gifu Castle) and Gifu city's most popular shrine for worship during New Year's. I visited on Jan. 1, 2011.163 views
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162 views
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The old JR Takayama Station. This building has been replaced by a new one. 高山駅162 views
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The portable shrine (mikoshi) passes through Hie Shrine's torii to join the procession. 神輿162 views
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Shrine officials in the procession.162 views
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He puts in ayu sweetfish into the cormorant's mouth. Nagara River's six cormorant fishing masters are employees of the Imperial Household Agency (Ceremonies Dept.). They are national government employees. 海鵜162 views
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Gifu city manhole showing cormorants 162 views
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Cooling system161 views
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Torture room 吟味所・御白洲161 views
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Ogaki Castle tower. In 1600 for the Battle of Sekigahara, Ogaki Castle was the base for Lord Ishida Mitsunari who led the Western Forces.161 views
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Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in front of Sunomata Castle.161 views
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Sunomata Ichiya Castle is open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if a national holiday and closed on Tue. instead). Admission 200 yen for adult, free for children below age 18.161 views
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Heads of the enemy160 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり160 views
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159 views
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Small sculptures on the castle foundation.159 views
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Tarui Hikiyama Matsuri158 views
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Shrine maidens157 views
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157 views
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Portable shrine 神輿156 views
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155 views
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Main house on left and latrine on right with large vats to gather fertilizer.155 views
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Path to Wada House entrance155 views
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First he explains about the fishing master's costume, starting with his cap (kazaori-eboshi) made of hemp cloth. It's actually a flat piece of black or navy blue cloth wrapped around his head to protect his hair from the fire. 風折烏帽子155 views
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Entrance to the Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum.154 views
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The karakuri puppets first appeared on the Takayama Matsuri floats in the 18th century. They were handcrafted by artisans in Kyoto.154 views
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154 views
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Load, get ready, and...154 views
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Ogaki Matsuri poster154 views
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Gate to Sunomatawhich was also a post town along the Mino Road. Sunomata is accessible by Gifu Bus (W65 on Obusa Sunomata Route) from JR Gifu Station and Ogaki Station. Get off at Sunomata bus stop. 154 views
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Gifu City Tower 43 is connected to JR Gifu Station with an upper level walkway.154 views
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Tourist Information Office153 views
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Shirakawa Village Office153 views
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Large crowd gather to watch the karakuri puppets perform on the ornate floats. Sign says "Watch out for pickpockets."153 views
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Held on April 14, the night procession is the festival's major highlight. 夜まつり曳行153 views
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Pine wood stored at one cormorant fishing master's home.153 views
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Video screening area.153 views
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Gassho-zukuri minka houses slated for destruction were moved to this outdoor museum and saved.152 views
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Battle Museum 合戦資料館152 views
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Sanno-machi Suji is in Takayama's National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).152 views
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Gate to Takayama Jinya152 views
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Ogaki manhole, Gifu Pref.152 views
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The castle is small, but nice. The stairway here.152 views
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Where silkworms were raised to make silk cocoons.151 views
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A middle-aged woman uses her camera phone to photograph herself. "I was here!"151 views
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They also showed us a sample of the ayu sweetfish that were caught. These are larger than normal ayu. Those caught by the cormorants are expensive. The fish die quickly in the bird's beak, preserving freshness. You can see the beak marks on the fish.151 views
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Homes of the cormorant fishing masters. It may be possible to see their birds if you ask politely and if they are not busy.151 views
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Tourist Info Office near the bus stop.150 views
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150 views
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Shakkyoutai Karakuri which transforms into a lion dance. 石橋台からくり150 views
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The cap protrudes upward to make room for the topknot which the men used to have in the old days. His shirt (ryofuku) is made of cotton. He also has a fire-protection vest (muneate) that has a pocket. 漁服（りょうふく）胸あて（むあて）150 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing boats docked near the cormorant fishing masters' homes. At the right time, you can watch them carry the birds to the boats as they prepare for the ukai fishing.150 views
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149 views
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Gassho-zukuri Minka-en outdoor museum149 views
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Memorial for the fallen warriors at the Battle of Sekigahara149 views
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Shrine maidens149 views
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Persimmon drink.149 views
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Golden pair of shachi atop Sunomata Castle.149 views
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Underside of roof made of an A-frame truss structure148 views
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Another rope made of a crushed tree branch to tie smaller beams. It tightens as it dries.148 views
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Ishida Mitsunari on Mt. Sasaoyama148 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring147 views
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Japan has three basic types of karakuri puppets based on the region: Kyoto, Nagoya, and Kanto (Tokyo area). The Takayama karakuri are the Nagoya-type.147 views
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Storehouse for a float. 屋台蔵147 views
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Ticket office for ukai cormorant fishing viewing boats. Behind it is Nagara River and boat dock. You can buy tickets on the day you want to view the cormorant fishing. Pamphlets in English are available. 鵜飼観覧船事務所147 views
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So we finished eating dinner, and at around 7:45 pm, the first ukai cormorant fishing boat passed by. The order in which the fishing masters pass by and fish is decided by drawing lots. The fish catch varies depending on what order you fish.147 views
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Way to Sunomata Castle. This path goes along the Nagara River.147 views
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi147 views
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Swords147 views
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Site of Takehana Castle in Hashima, Gifu, now occupied by the Hashima Folk History Museum.147 views
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146 views
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Deai Bridge146 views
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146 views
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146 views
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Tokugawa allies at his base camp146 views
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Next to the castle is also this rack of gourds.146 views
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Thatch repair work.145 views
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145 views
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This man wore authentic samurai armor, over a century old, made of metal. A family heirloom.145 views
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Site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate. It's within walking distance from the castle tower, but you'll need a map to find it.145 views
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Another bridge to Sunomata Castle. More picturesque, but almost useless as it goes to a road with heavy traffic.145 views
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Roof145 views
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Stone foundatio.145 views
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144 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing master Sugiyama Ichisaburo comes to give the ukai talk. The basket has two cormorant birds. Nagara River in Gifu has six ukai cormorant fishing masters. All of them appear nightly. 杉山市三郎144 views
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The first floor has exhibits related to Ogaki Castle and the Battle of Sekigahara. Samurai armor144 views
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Yoro's sparling waters are used to make mineral water and a variety of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.144 views
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143 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり143 views
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Superb embroidery143 views
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We had ordered bento box lunches from the hotel. This kind of cruise probably cost 5,000 yen per person. Smoking is not allowed on the boat.143 views
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Ieyasu retainer143 views
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East Gate, now the main gate to Ogaki Castle. 東門143 views
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Ogaki Castle tower (donjon) is four stories high. Now a museum.143 views
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Gifu Castle atop Kinkazan as seen from Sunomata Castle. Then called Inabayama Castle, Gifu Castle was one objective for Sunomata Castle and Hideyoshi.143 views
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142 views
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Straw rope tie the large beams to form a truss for the roof.142 views
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142 views
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Shrine maidens142 views
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Shrine priest142 views
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The torch fire is called kagaribi 篝火, the pine wood used for the fire is called matsuwariki 松割木, and the metal basket holding the burning wood is called kagari 篝. The pole holding the torch is called kagaribo 篝棒.142 views
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On the left is the small bag of beans tossed by the Atago-yama float.142 views
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Tourist Information Office in the center of town.141 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring 日本武尊ゆかりの泉「玉倉部の清水」141 views
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The floats are lit and paraded on the streets.141 views
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A sword demonstration. He's cutting up a straw pole. That's one sharp knife. These people have licenses to carry these guns and swords.141 views
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Another gate along the path to Sunomata Castle.141 views
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140 views
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140 views
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140 views
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Sekigahara Stalactite Cavern parking lot. The blue-roof building is a souvenir shop and restaurant.140 views
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Tamakurabe Clear Spring was where Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto got cured by drinking the water after encountering poison mist on Mt. Ibuki.140 views
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Sanbasou Karakuri 三番叟からくり140 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり140 views
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The Sekigahara samurai warriors arrived Sasaoyama at noon.140 views
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside).140 views
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Ogaki Castle's East Gate (looking from the inside). This is not the Omotemon front gate which was a distance away from here (photos at bottom).140 views
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Touch-and-feel samurai weapons. Matchlock gun, bow, and spear (behind).140 views
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The 3rd floor shows how Toyotomi Hideyoshi rose to power and prominence.140 views
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The 5th floor is the lookout deck. No veranda, but the windows are open for easy viewing and picture-taking.140 views
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JR Sekigahara Station on the Tokaido Line 東海道線 関ヶ原駅139 views
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138 views
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Mikoshi138 views
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Portable shrine 神輿138 views
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Higashiyama Teramachi138 views
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You have several options: Course/Cruise A is slightly more expensive (3300 yen) than Course B (3000 yen) since it allows you to be on the boat for a longer time. The 6:15 pm departure time is earlier, so it gives you time to eat dinner on the boat.138 viewsOn weekends and holidays, the 3300 yen price is the same for both Course A and B.
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Bento box lunch. It was pretty good. We also had a variety of soft drinks. Before the ukai fishing began, we had time to eat dinner.138 views
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The cormorants go out on these fishing trips on an empty stomach. They are starving, and therefore motivated to hunt for fish. The six ukai fishing boats pass by, so you get ample chance to take pictures and videos.138 views
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And Tokugawa Ieyasu.138 views
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Ishida Mitsunari loses the battle, and is executed.138 views
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site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.138 views
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Shrine at the site of Ogaki Castle's Omotemon Gate.138 views
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Main house with a recently rethatched roof, making it look very smooth.137 views
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View from Shiroyama Park137 views
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Our boat was semi-human powered. I think this guy should be wearing a happi coat and a Chinaman's hat for better atmosphere and aesthetics.137 views
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Sign at one home of a cormorant fishing master. The fishing masters also perform cormorant fishing for the Imperial family 8 times a year at designated areas on Nagara River. The fish is offered to the Imperial family, Ise Shrine, and Meiji Shrine. 御料137 views
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Turn here to visit Ogaki Castle.137 views
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A small stream beside the house helps to melt the snow falling off the roof.136 views
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The cormorant fishing boats then parked near the viewing boats and showed us how they feed/reward the starving birds with fish and then put back the birds in the basket cages.136 views
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Mock combat with a spectator.136 views
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Ishida Mitsunari on Mt. Sasaoyama135 views
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This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).135 views
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Ukai cormorant fishing viewing boat. You don't need to go as a group. You can go by yourself and just ride with other passengers. There are also boats for women only, families only, and couples only.135 views
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At 11 am, the gun battalions arrived.135 views
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Held on May 2-4, three ornate hikiyama floats are displayed and paraded around town. Young boys also perform in kabuki plays on the floats. May 3 is the main festival day, but May 2 is also a good day to see the matsuri. These photos were taken on May 2.135 views
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135 views
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Fire hydrant134 views
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Myozenji Temple Museum134 views
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Nakahashi Bridge over Miyagawa River 宮川に掛かる中橋134 views
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Sanbasou Karakuri 三番叟からくり134 views
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The karakuri perfom one float at a time.134 views
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Ryuujintai Karakuri 龍神台からくり134 views
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For the climax, called sogarami (joint-formation fishing), all six ukai cormorant fishing boats line up and proceed downriver together while they chase the fish to the shallows. 総がらみ134 views
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There are a number of matchlock gun battalions in Japan, and they often demonstrate the guns at festivals like this.134 views
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This man wore newer samurai armor made of plastic.134 views
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134 views
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Restroom behind the Tourist Information Office133 views
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Gable openings let light and air come through the attic to foster silkworms.133 views
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133 views
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Amazing how the strings don't get tangled. The fishing master can quickly cut the rope in case it gets caught on rock underwater so the bird does not drown. Also see my YouTube video here.133 views
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133 views
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Serving hot ama-zake here.133 views
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132 views
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Waiting room at JR Takayama Station132 views
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Entrance to Rice Storehouse. 御蔵132 views
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After the ukai talk, passengers start to board the ukai viewing boats at 6:15 pm. Course B passengers will board at 6:45 pm or 7:15 pm. Course B is for people who just want to see the cormorant fishing, and don't care to spend much time on the boat.132 views
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The 122 tools (including the cormorant fishing boat) used by the fishing master are Important Tangible Properties. If you want to take pictures, flash and a high ISO speed are essential. Video is great too.132 views
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They are all dressed in colorful samurai armor.132 views
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On the left is the Jodan-no-Ma where the daimyo lord stayed.132 views
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View of Sunomata and the main bridge to the castle.132 views
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Tourist info office131 views
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Sogarami, all six ukai cormorant fishing boats line up and chase the fish downriver together while the fishing masters shout "Hou-Hou." I. Photographing this is difficult since your flash cannot reach the boats. 総がらみ131 views
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Ishida Mitsunari131 views
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Map of the original Ogaki Castle.131 views
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Marker pointing the way to Ogaki Castle, the symbol and main attraction of the city.131 views
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131 views
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131 views
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130 views
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Turnstile at JR Takayama Station130 views
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Youth hostel130 views
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This is our ukai viewing boat called Dosan Maru, named after the famous lord of Gifu. All the ukai viewing boats have a name related to the Gifu area, Nagara River or ukai fishing. Notice the bento boxes. 道三丸130 views
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The usho (cormorant fishing master) and nakanori (assistant). The fishing master has about 20 cormorants at his home. Since they live together, he and the birds are able to work well together. 鵜匠、なか乗り130 views
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Near Nagara River is the homes of the cormorant fishing masters.130 views
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The fourth floor is a gallery. Pictures by local kids.130 views
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JR Takayama Station129 views
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JR Takayama Station, tourist info office on left.129 views
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129 views
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Boat harbor for ukai viewing boats. The two boats in the foreground are restroom boats. Ukai cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique all but replaced by more advanced fishing methods. So it is now mainly for tourists.129 views
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Ishida Mitsu-nyan, another cat, was the most popular.129 views
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129 views
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Slats on the attic floor to enable smoke and soot from the hearth to reach the attic.128 views
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Street lined with floats.128 views
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Shimasako-nyan, a cat based on one of Ishida Mitsunari's retainers. しまさこにゃん128 views
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Deadly spears128 views
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Toda Ujitaka (1854-1936), last lord of Ogaki Castle. (Toda family)128 views
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Parking lot along the main road through the village.127 views
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1000-meter elevation mark and Mt. Ibuki haiku poem by Basho, on Ibukiyama Driveway.127 views
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