 Most viewed - Shibukawa 渋川市 |
The first display case on the right shows a chronology of Irwin's life and portraits of him and his wife Takechi Iki.99 views
|
|
Copy of a Japanese immigrant's labor contract dated Jan. 11, 1900. (Not for Kanyaku Imin.)99 views
|
|
On the left are table cloths bearing Irwin's family crest. In the middle is Irwin's binoculars, cross, and watch. On the right are cuff links and cups with the Hawaiian flag.99 views
|
|
Hawaiian souvenirs for sale.98 views
|
|
About 600 seats at the main venue. Ikaho's connection to Hawaii lies with the summer residence of Robert Walker Irwin, the Hawaiian Minister to Japan during the late 19th century.98 views
|
|
1902 map close-up showing the location of Irwin's summer home (red circle) in Ikaho. It was right in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps.98 views
|
|
Shops around the main venue.97 views
|
|
Other workshops are held such as ukulele lessons and a lei-making class.96 views
|
|
The main venue has two large adjoining tents. The tent on the left covers the stage, and the one on the right covers the audience seats. The place is ringed by outdoor shops selling Hawaiian goods (mainly clothing).96 views
|
|
Shops on the lower level.96 views
|
|
In the evenings, Hawaii's top hula halau (winner of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hawaii) performed as the festival's main event. Photo: Flags of Hawaii and Ikaho town (merged with Shibukawa in 2006).95 views
|
|
The famous Stone Steps of Ikaho. Ikaho is on a mountain slope, and the Stone Steps goes through the center of the hot spring town. It is lined with shops and inns. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス95 views
|
|
Veranda95 views
|
|
Panel showing Irwin's paternal family tree.95 views
|
|
About the "Minister's Villa of the Former Kingdom of Hawaii" ハワイ王国公使別邸 (英語がちょっと変)95 views地元の子供達の英語教育を担当している教育委員会の英文は特にしっかりしたものにして欲しいですね。こんな英語で手本にもならないし、英語の勉強にもならない。読む外国人さんも笑わせる。
|
|
Signboard at the entrance to Ikaho Spa. ("Monach" is spelled wrong.) "Monach"はスペルミス。94 views
|
|
During Aug. 3-6, 2008, about 390 hula groups (totaling 4,700 people) performed on this stage. About 838 hula groups applied to perform, and only 390 could be selected to appear.94 views
|
|
Main venue of the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival. メイン会場93 views
|
|
More shops on the lower level.93 views
|
|
The display case includes photos of the Irwin family in Ikaho.93 views
|
|
The display case shows an old map of Ikaho Spa on the upper left.93 views
|
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.91 views
|
|
Panel explaining the Japanese immigration to Hawai'i.91 views
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.90 views
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, including a booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island. Koa calabash on the right from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 198990 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882. On the right is a souvenir from Ikaho that Iki bought.88 views
|
|
If the house is boarded up like this, it's probably closed. The Irwin house is closed on Tuesdays.86 viewsGetting here: From the Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at JR Shinjuku Station (near South Exit) in Tokyo, there are JR buses to Ikaho, taking 2.5 hours. Get off at the Ikaho Ishidangai stop (伊香保石段街) at the bottom of the Stone Steps. Day trippers can store luggage in the nearby lockers. Irwin's villa is a short distance up the Stone Steps on the right side.
|
|
Sake cups with the Hawaiian flag. Gold color substituted for blue.84 views
|
|
|
82 views
|
|
Main exhibits on the left. No English as of July 2016.82 views
|
|
Items related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.81 views
|
|
Left panel is about the Irwin family in Ikaho. Right panel is about Sophia "Bella" Arabella, Robert Irwin's eldest child.81 viewsBella Irwin established the Irwin Gakuen school and kindergarten アルウィン学園 in 1916 in Kojimachi. Today, the school is in Tokyo's Suginami Ward called Irwin Gakuen Gyokusei Hoiku Senmon Gakko.
|
|
Irwin family portrait and a travel permit that was required for foreigners to travel within Japan.81 views
|
|
View of garden from second floor.80 views
|
|
80 views
|
|
Irwin house Guidance Facility, a small museum showing Irwin artifacts.80 views
|
|
Panel explaining Japan-Hawaii relations.80 views
|
|
Booklet from Lorraine Inouye, then mayor of the Big Island.80 views
|
|
Letter of condolence from Bella Irwin to the Chigira family written in romanized Japanese. The Chigira family operated an inn near the Irwin summer villa.80 views
|
|
Tree dedicated to Dottie Thompson.80 views
|
|
The Irwin house and museum are open 9 am to 4:30 pm (enter by 4:15 pm). Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 28–Jan. 4.79 views
|
|
Map of the Irwin Park.79 views
|
|
They don't allow photography inside the museum.79 views
|
|
79 views
|
|
Second floor has tatami mats. The second floor is open to the public only on weekends and during the hula festival in summer.78 views
|
|
The Irwin house is on the left, and a small museum called the Guidance Facility is on the right.78 views
|
|
The Irwin Guidance Facility has exhibits about Robert Walker Irwin, his Hawaii connection, and his life in Ikaho. A short video introduces him here.78 views
|
|
Various printed matter related to the Japanese immigration and Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.78 views
|
|
Newspaper article about King Kalakaua's visit to Japan.78 views
|
|
Panel about Robert and wife Takechi Iki.78 views
|
|
Certificate for the 2nd Class, Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (勲二等旭日重光章) Irwin received on Oct. 4, 1886. But the museum does not have the medal.78 views
|
|
Wife Iki's winter coat.78 views
|
|
After Irwin bought the house, he fixed it up by reinforcing the walls against earthquakes with diagonal beams.77 views
|
|
Guidance Facility77 views
|
|
Irwin carried these binoculars on walks and also always carried this cross and watch.77 views
|
|
Behind the museum is a little plaza and the Stone Steps. The plaza has trees.77 views
|
|
Near the Irwin villa is a replica of a stone monument at Irwin's gravesite at Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. Inscribed with a short biography of Robert Walker Irwin.77 views
|
|
77 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
76 views
|
|
Koa calabash bowl from Hilo, Hawaii to mark Ikaho's 100th anniversary in 1989.76 views
|
|
Top panel about Robert Walker Irwin. Bottom panel about Irwin and wife Iki.76 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho.76 views
|
|
Dishes and cutlery used in Irwin's Ikaho residence. Most were imported from Europe and the US. Some are also from Japan.76 views
|
|
About Irwin76 views
|
|
Steps to the garden below.76 views
|
|
This first floor originally had tatami mats. You still need to take off your shoes to enter.75 views
|
|
Robert Irwin spent his summers in Ikaho from when he bought the villa in 1891 until 1925 when he died. It was an inn when he bought it.75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
75 views
|
|
Obituary for Robert Walker Irwin in a Philadelphia Monday Morning newspaper in 1925.75 views
|
|
Top panel shows the floor layout of Irwin's original Ikaho summer home. Bottom panel shows pictures of the present house being disassembled 75 views
|
|
Floor plan shows the original summer villa in Ikaho. The red portion is the part that remains today. The rest of the building was torn down due to age.75 views
|
|
Second floor 74 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Lower left is Iki's small dagger in a red case. Iki was from a samurai family.74 views
|
|
A few lamps, hibachi heater, and furniture used in the Irwin summer residence.74 views
|
|
Cupboard was a gift from the Chigira family to the Irwins.74 views
|
|
Chronology of Robert Walker Irwin's life See it in English here.74 views
|
|
Letter from Hawai'i's Governor George Ariyoshi thanking Ikaho for preserving Irwin's summer home.74 views
|
|
Old 1902 map of Ikaho with Irwin's summer home marked by the red circle. It was in front of the bottom of the Stone Steps which cuts through the center of the town.73 views
|
|
73 views
|
|
Letter from mother Iki to daughter Bella in 1909 about the Sunday School.73 views
|
|
Irwin's furniture.73 views
|
|
Behind the museum, this tree is dedicated to Dottie Thompson, founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii (Ikaho's sister city).73 views
|
|
The upper left is a woodblock print showing foreigners vacationing in Ikaho in 1882.72 views
|
|
Irwin's decorative saber.71 views
|
|
Irwin's summer villa apparently included a garden like this.71 views
|
|
Map of Mt. Uenoyama.70 views
|
|
Wife Iki's belongings. Iki wrote a poem on the upper left fan. Lower right are a few tourist souvenirs (Postcards and hand towel) Iki bought.70 views
|
|
View of Ikaho from Mt. Uenoyama.69 views
|
|
69 views
|
|
Mt. Uenoyama also has recreational facilities.68 views
|
|
Lookout deck on Mt. Uenoyama.68 views
|
|
View of Ikaho from Mt. Uenoyama.68 views
|
|
Ikaho Onsen is a well-known hot spring resort in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. It is on hilly terrain, near mountains, making it cooler than Tokyo in summer.67 views
|
|
Ropeway to Mt. Uenoyama, a mountain on whose slopes Ikaho sits.66 views
|
|
66 views
|
|
View of Ikaho from Machi-no-Eki, an exhibition room and ropeway station. Ikaho's first Hawaiian Festival was held here.65 views
|
|
Ikaho was a favored summer retreat for the Imperial family and political figures in the late 19th century. Ukiyoe print of Ikaho.65 views
|
|
63 views
|
|
Inside Machi-no-Eki are displays of art work by local students.63 views
|
|
61 views
|
|
The Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop is at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The Ikaho Onsen bus stop is near other inns.60 views
|
|
Ikaho Checkpoint gate and Irwin summer home in the background.58 views
|
|
57 views
|
|
|
Ikaho Checkpoint gate.57 views
|
|
Ikaho souvenir shop57 views
|
|
Ikaho Checkpoint was at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The bottom of the Stone Steps has since been extended more downward.56 views
|
|
Ikaho Checkpoint. In the old days, travelers could not travel around freely, they had to show travel permits at these checkpoints along the road.56 views
|
|
Rubber duckies won at the shooting arcade game.56 views
|
|
Engraved on the steps here is a poem titled “Ikaho no Machi” (Town of Ikaho) by Akiko Yosano (1878-1942).56 views
|
|
Gunma-chan horse mascot56 views
|
|
56 views
|
|
Ikaho is famous for these Stone Steps (Ishidan) which is the town's main drag. This is at the foot of the steps.55 views
|
|
About Toyo Matsugane.55 views
|
|
You can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps. Not really a shrine.55 views
|
|
From Tokyo's Buster Shinjuku bus terminal at Shinjuku Station, it takes about 2 hr. 40 min. to Ikaho, costing about ¥2400.54 views
|
|
Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps54 views
|
|
Monument for Toyo Matsugane (1878–1964), a poet. 松根 東洋城54 views
|
|
Along the way is this hot spring public bath called Ishidan-no-Yu. For people who are not staying in any of the inns, they can still dip into Ikaho's hot spring waters for cheap.54 views
|
|
View from the Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.54 views
|
|
Ishidan-no-Yu public bath sign. Open 9:00-21:00 (April to October), 9:00-20:30 (November to March), Closed on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.54 views
|
|
54 views
|
|
54 views
|
|
54 views
|
|
Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps.54 views
|
|
Ikaho's Stone Steps (Ishidan) go through the middle of the main part of Ikaho. Go up 365 steps to the top with a few breaks along the way. About 300 meters lined with shops and inns.53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
History of the Ikaho Stone Steps. The Stone Steps were first built in 1576 by daimyo Takeda Katsuyori after he lost to Nobunaga and Ieyasu at the Battle of Nagashino.53 viewsHe ordered the Sanada Clan to build the Stone Steps and have Ikaho's hot spring water flow down to feed 12 inns where Takeda's wounded soldiers could heal their wounds.
|
|
53 views
|
|
Irwin Garden53 views
|
|
Lookout point at the garden.53 views
|
|
Ikaho Checkpoint (Ikaho Onsekisho) is right above the Irwin summer home.53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
Ikaho foot bath courtesy of a local inn.53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
Ikaho Jinja Shrine's main building53 views
|
|
Ikaho Shrine53 views
|
|
Poetry monuments53 views
|
|
53 views
|
|
From Tokyo, going by bus is more convenient than by train. By train from Tokyo, you need to take the shinkansen to Takasaki, transfer trains to Shibukawa, then take a bus to Ikaho.52 viewsThis is the Ikaho Stone Steps bus stop.
|
|
Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps. The flowing water is hot.52 views
|
|
Looking at the bottom of the Ikaho Stone Steps.52 views
|
|
View from Irwin Garden52 views
|
|
94th step of 300+ steps.52 views
|
|
52 views
|
|
On the right is where you can see the hot spring water gushing down under the Stone Steps.52 views
|
|
Lounge inside Ishidan-no-Yu public bath.52 views
|
|
Free foot bath courtesy of a local inn.52 views
|
|
In Aug. 2004, along with other major onsen hot springs, Ikaho got caught in a major onsen scandal which started in Shirahone Onsen in Nagano. Onsen managers mixed in tap water and/or bath salts into the water and billed it as natural hot spring waters.52 viewsSome of Ikaho's major hot spring inns were also found to be adding bath salts or tap water to the hot spring water. Today, all onsen inns must display a certificate indicating the content of their water.
|
|
Approaching Ikaho Shrine at the top of the Stone Steps.52 views
|
|
52 views
|
|
Ikaho Shrine52 views
|
|
Ikaho Shrine52 views
|
|
Lots of stone lanterns at Ikaho Shrine.52 views
|
|
About Ikaho Shrine52 views
|
|
Behind Ikaho Shrine, you can walk further to an outdoor bath near the spring water's origin.52 views
|
|
Waiting room near the bus stop.52 views
|
|
Hot spring cascade at the bottom of the Stone Steps.51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Tanabata wishes around July 7 along the Stone Steps.51 views
|
|
Hot spring bath in a large hotel in Ikaho.51 views
|
|
Kirie cut-out picture of Ikaho Stone Steps.51 views
|
|
Seems to contain a mikoshi portable shrine.51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Secondary shrines51 views
|
|
51 views
|
|
Bus stop at Ikaho Stone Steps to go back to Shinjuku, Tokyo.51 views
|
|
Inside waiting room51 views
|
|
At the bottom of the Stone Steps is a waiting room and luggage lockers.50 views
|
|
Ikaho's spring water runs right below these Stone Steps and you can see it at a few places such as this cascade.50 views
|
|
Slightly up the Stone Steps is this outdoor stage where they hold hula performances in summer.50 views
|
|
Tanabata50 views
|
|
Oriental zodiac creatures along the steps. Each of the 12 zodiac creatures indicate the location of the original 12 inns built in the 16th century to heal Takeda Katsuyori's soldiers.50 views
|
|
Map of Ikaho in the old days.50 views
|
|
Ikaho Shrine is dedicated to the god of the hot spring and medical treatment.50 views
|
|
Ikaho mascot50 views
|
|
Ikaho Shrine's ema tablets to write your wishes.49 views
|
|
|
|
|
|
