 Most viewed - Lake Toya (Toyako) 洞爺湖 |
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit potato confection.122 views
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Transparent water121 views
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121 views
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121 views
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Swan boat and a real swan.121 views
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Nakajima islands, Lake Toya121 views
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The sumo ring is not made of real dirt.121 views
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It looks kind of strange without his two attendants, the sword bearer and dew sweeper...121 views
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Aqua-blue water was almost like a tropical ocean...121 views
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View of Showa-Shinzan and ropeway terminal.121 views
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The road is too steep to ride a bicycle, but short enough to walk it. You will be sweating though.121 views
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Well-placed sculpture at Ukimido: Dream Toya, by Mitsuaki Sora, 空 充秋「夢洞爺」120 views
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Winter: When Stars Fall, by 小野寺紀子「冬～星降る夜に」. A persistent problem is the bird droppings forming ugly white streaks on the pieces. Someone should clean it.120 views
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Alpine flowers120 views
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Ticket office inside JR Toya Station with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit flags.120 views
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Close-up of Nishiyama's first crater formed during the March 2000 eruption.119 views
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Toyako Visitor Center119 views
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Entrance to Toyako Visitor Center (free admission, but admission charged for the Volcano Science Museum).119 views
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The water is very transparent.119 views
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The Usuzan Ropeway terminal has gift shops selling a variety of G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise. T-shirts, bags, candy, etc.119 views
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Lakefront promenade118 views
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Mt. Usu Eruption Memorial Park on the west end of Toyako Onsen has more outdoor sculptures. 有珠山噴火記念公園118 views
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Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」118 views
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118 views
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Vinyl house117 views
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Sculpture: I was…I will, by Masaru Bando 坂東 優「I was（過去）…I will（未来）」117 views
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Swan boats. You can pedal pretty far out in these things, but not to the Nakajima islands.117 views
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Above is an actual tournament champion giant portrait which once hung in the Kokugikan.117 views
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Cherry blossoms and sculpture117 views
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Sculpture: 中井延也「シグナル」117 views
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Toyako Onsen Spa tourist information office with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.117 views
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This box of cookies show all the G8 Summit leaders bathing in a hot spring and scrubbing each other's backs. They also say, "Ii yu!" (great hot spring) which is pronounced "EU" as a pun.117 views
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116 views
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116 views
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116 views
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Wrecked car on display. The main attraction is the Mt. Usu Volcanic Eruption Theater which shows an engrossing film about Usuzan's eruptions. 火山科学館116 views
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Kitanoumi's kesho mawashi set (ceremonial apron) on display.116 views
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Spring Winds Blowing, by 熊谷紀子「春～風走る」116 views
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: All-Day Autumn, by 秋山知子「秋～終日」116 views
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Sobetsu Park gives great views of Lake Toya and the Nakajima islands.116 views
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The Windsor Hotel, G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit venue is on a hill overlooking the lake. Below is a lake cruise boat.116 views
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The Matsuhashi family later moved away from Toya village and entrusted the statue to a local temple.115 views
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Swan boats again.115 views
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Natural history exhibit115 views
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Local wildlife exhibit, including the Ezo deer.115 views
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Power generation machinery115 views
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Little island in the lake. Name unknown.115 views
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115 views
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115 views
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Cherry blossoms at the top of Sobetsu Park.115 views
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Sculpture: Alveolus, by Goro Kakei 掛井 五郎「胞」114 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown at Toyako Visitors Center and Volcano Science Museum in Toyako Onsen Spa.114 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on the edge of Toyako Onsen hot spring.114 views
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The Toyako Visitor Center also has the Volcano Science Museum (admission 600 yen). A room (seen on left) simulating the 1977 Mt. Usu eruption with a video and vibrating sound is a must-see.114 views
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Rocky shore114 views
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114 views
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Toya Mizunoeki, a local shopping place and rest house in northern Lake Toya. A good place to rest, eat, and inquire at the tourist info counter. とうや水の駅113 views
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Cherry blossoms and Toyako Onsen in the distance.113 views
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How Lake Toya was formed.113 views
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Tournament champion portrait. Kitanoumi retired in Jan. 1985 and started his own Kitanoumi Stable. In 2002, he became chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. We missed Kitanoumi, but another great Yokozuna from Hokkaido, Chiyonofuji, filled the void.113 views
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Sculpture: Ripple Dance, by 関 正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」113 views
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Eastern Lake Toya, with Mt. Usu in the distance.113 views
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Sculpture: Dreamy Lake View, by Masafumi Maita 眞板 雅文「湖景夢想」112 views
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112 views
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Referee costumes in the showcase.112 views
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Toyako Enchi Park, a lakeside picnic area.112 views
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New Chitose Airport, another welcome sign as we head for the baggage claim area.112 views
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.112 views
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111 views
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Toyako Visitor Center and Volcano Science Museum (smaller building on left). 洞爺湖ビジターセンター111 views
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Little Kitanoumi. He was born in May 1953 in Sobetsu-cho town which includes the eastern shore of Lake Toya (Toyako). At age 13, he moved to Tokyo and entered the Mihogaseki Stable.111 views
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Typical abode of early Hokkaido settlers who first came to this area in 1879.111 views
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When I went in early May, it was a little too soon for the plum blossoms which were just beginning to bloom.111 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Usuzan Ropeway terminal.111 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on entrance of Toya Mizunoeki.110 views
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And some of his trophies. Besides the Emperor's Cup (not displayed), the tournament champion receives numerous trophies and awards from various organizations and countries.110 views
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Photos of other tournament champions. Six official 15-day sumo tournaments are held every year in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.110 views
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It was pretty sunny, but I still used flash for this shot.110 views
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Cherry trees almost in full bloom.110 views
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Nice cycling path goes quite far.110 views
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: Spring Winds Blowing, by 熊谷紀子「春～風走る」110 views
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One girl takes notes as the others give her their test results.110 views
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Inside New Chitose Airport at the check-in terminal, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.110 views
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Inside Toya Mizunoeki, they sell local produce, tourist souvenirs, etc.109 views
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109 views
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109 views
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Carp, they must love this clean lake.109 views
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Love this transparent water. Makes you feel like canoeing or kayaking to the Nakajima islands.109 views
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Sculpture: Posing for a Photo in May, by 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」109 views
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109 views
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Toyako Visitors Center and Volcano Science Museum in Toyako Onsen Spa.109 views
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Personal computers for public use inside Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya. Notice the G8 Summit flags.109 views
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How the lake was formed.108 views
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Silo Lookout Point in western Lake Toya is not on the lakeside road. It is on a highway running almost parallel to the lakeside road. Not really accessible by bicycle.108 views
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Top row has miniature versions of the tournament champion portraits awarded to the wrestler and hung in the Ryogoku Kokugikan. Bottom row of photos show his best career moments.108 views
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This is the main room of the Kitanoumi Memorial Hall. It includes half of a sumo ring (dohyo) with a mannequin.108 views
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Artifacts of early Hokkaido settlers.108 views
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108 views
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108 views
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Sculpture: 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」108 views
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」108 views
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New Chitose Airport, another welcome sign as we head for the baggage claim area.108 views
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On the shore of Lake Toya is binoculars through which you can see the Summit venue, the Windsor Hotel.108 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown at Toyako Visitors Center and Volcano Science Museum in Toyako Onsen Spa.108 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on window of Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya.108 views
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The sculpture on the right: Wave Play, by Kyuzaemon Orihara 折原 久左ェ門「波遊」107 views
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Around 1912, a Buddhist priest traveling north reached Toya village and rested at the Matsuhashi home. He gave a statue of Prince Shotoku Taishi to the family and said that they and the village shall prosper by taking care of it.107 views
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Upon the wishes of the local people, they built the Ukimido pagoda in 1937 and put the Shotoku Taishi statue on the altar inside. They also started the annual Shotoku Taishi Festival every July.107 views
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The Ukimido houses a small statue of Prince Shotoku Taishi. Inside, it still looks quite new.107 views
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Fishes in Lake Toya107 views
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107 views
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Lakefront promenade on the west end of Toyako Onsen Spa.107 views
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Scale model of a sumo drum tower107 views
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The other half of the building is the Sobetsu History Museum. This panel shows how Lake Toya was formed.107 views
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Windsor Hotel in the distance.107 views
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Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands.107 views
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Carp fish107 views
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107 views
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The train to Lake Toya is also decorated with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.107 views
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Welcome sign in front of JR Toya Station, the closest train station to Lake Toya.107 views
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By early May, police already started to invade the Lake Toya area.107 views
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Toya Shonen Shizen no Ie (Toya Nature House for Youth) is a lodging and seminar facility. 道立洞爺少年自然の家106 views
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A path of stones lead to the Ukimido.106 views
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Behind Ukimido pagoda, Lake Toya106 views
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Birds around Toyako106 views
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」106 views
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Finally, cherry blossoms near the lake water...106 views
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Beef106 views
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Flowers on the ground.106 views
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Official logo of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit on the Toyako Culture Center.106 views
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya.105 views
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Left side of Ukimido pagoda, Lake Toya105 views
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105 views
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Award from Czechoslovakia in 1978.105 views
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Kitanoumi-beya stable sign at top, and various award certificates.105 views
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105 views
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After pushing my bicycle up the long slope from central Sobetsu, I went back on the lakeside road and again went uphill to Sobetsu Park, famous for ume plum trees.105 views
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Kimundo-no-Ie Hot Spring and campsite.105 views
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Sculpture at Kimundo-no-Ie: To the Shore in Summer, by 神田比呂子「夏～渚へ」105 views
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Picture-taking point105 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Mt. Showa-Shinzan.105 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.105 views
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Personal computers for public use inside Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya. Notice the G8 Summit flags.104 views
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Ukimido Park104 views
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Cherry blossoms and Lake Toya with the Nakajima islands.104 views
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Eastern Lake Toya, with pretty lake colors.104 views
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More arrows point downward to show where the road edge is, when there is deep snow.104 views
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Plum trees closer to the sun were blooming earlier.104 views
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View of Mt. Usu and Showa-Shinzan (left) from Sobetsu Park.104 views
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, more G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome signs.104 views
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Inside New Chitose Airport's Central Plaza, G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit countdown.104 views
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Next to Toya Station is the Toyako Town Hall, also with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.104 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on the edge of Toyako Onsen hot spring.104 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign on entrance of Toya Mizunoeki, a shopping and rest house in northern Lake Toya.104 views
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Sobetsu Town Hall with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign. Sobetsu fronts the east shore of Lake Toya.104 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: T-shirts104 views
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Ukimido103 views
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Silo Lookout Point103 views
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Some photos are captioned with memorable quotes by Kitanoumi.103 views
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Sacred offerings buried in the dohyo before each tournament.103 views
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Artifacts from the defunct local Iburi rail line discontinued in 1986. There was a Sobetsu Station.103 views
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Close-up of cherry blossoms. Doesn't look like the Somei-Yoshino type.103 views
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103 views
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One thing I like about photographing human-figure sculptures is that they are very good at keeping still for my camera.103 views
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103 views
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Road to Mt. Showa-Shinzan.103 views
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103 views
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I left the lakeside road and took a side trip to the center of Sobetsu town.103 views
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103 views
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Passed by two small Shinto shrines...103 views
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At the top of the park's hill is a lookout deck. However, you can also walk on the slope and see the plum blossoms up close.103 views
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Color charts are used to assess the water quality. This is for phosphoric acid.103 views
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For nitrate.103 views
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Snow in the refrigerated warehouse. In winter, they use a snow plow/blower to shoot the snow into the room. The temperature is adjusted by ceiling fans and the wall shutters which can open or close.103 views
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Toyako Culture Center with G8 Summit flags.103 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome banner at a gas station in northern Lake Toya.103 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.103 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: Manju103 views
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Nakajima islands102 views
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102 views
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The main reason for the side trip was this museum, the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall, dedicated to one of sumo's greatest grand champions. He was from Sobetsu.102 views
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View of Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.102 views
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Lakeside road on eastern Lake Toya.102 views
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102 views
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This refrigerated warehouse for vegetables uses winter snow as the coolant, reducing the electricity bill.102 views
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Ticket office inside JR Toya Station. Notice the G8 Summit flags.102 views
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The lake cruise boat with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.102 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign at Usuzan Ropeway terminal.102 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit confection102 views
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Northern Lake Toya includes the Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore. 財田自然観察道101 views
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View from the Ukimido's tiny balcony.101 views
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Volcanic rock which you can touch. Toyako Visitor Center101 views
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This is what you first see. Photos of Kitanoumi growing up in Sobetsu town. Looks like any ordinary kid. Admission is 250 yen for adults, 100 yen for kids. Open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Jan. 1.101 views
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This river leads to Sobetsu Falls.101 views
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The students do various tests, each one does a specific task. 洞爺高等学校101 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign in Sobetsu.101 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome poster.101 views
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Environmental poster.101 views
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit merchandise: Confections sold at the train station kiosk101 views
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Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore. 財田自然観察道100 views
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Inside Toya Mizunoeki100 views
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View of Lake Toya behind Toya Mizunoeki.100 views
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Cherry blossoms and Ukimido pagoda.100 views
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Ukimido pagoda juts out into the lake on a narrow islet connected by a stone bridge.100 views
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Local residents then launched a project to rebuild the Ukimido and through numerous donations, a new Ukimido and Shotoku Taishi altar statue was completed in July 2004.100 views
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Silo Lookout Point100 views
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100 views
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Front of the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall, dedicated to Sobetsu's most famous son. Yokozuna Kitanoumi was one of sumo's greatest grand champions in modern times. "Kitanoumi" means "Lake of the North," and this refers to Lak100 views
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100 views
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Swan boat too.100 views
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100 views
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100 views
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100 views
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Arrows point downward to show where the road edge is, when there is deep snow.100 views
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Kimundo-no-Ie Hot Spring and campsite office. You can bath in a hot spring for 390 yen here. Open 10 am - 9 pm. Closed Thu. Phone: 0142-66-7022 来夢人の家、仲洞爺湖温泉100 views
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100 views
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Glass door with G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sticker.100 views
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Northern Lake Toya99 views
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Take home your trash!99 views
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Northern Lake Toya99 views
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Another major sight in Lake Toya is the Ukimido pagoda in northern Lake Toya.99 views
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However, on Oct. 15, 2003, the Ukimido was struck by lightning and both the building and Shotoku Taishi statue were lost in the fire.99 views
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Ukimido means "floating view temple."99 views
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The Ukimido is the focal point of the lakeside Ukimido Park.99 views
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Today, Kitanoumi is a stablemaster and the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. The front entrance of the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall which opened in May 1991..99 views
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99 views
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99 views
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99 views
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Sobetsu Town Hall with a G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit welcome sign.99 views
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99 views
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99 views
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For Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).99 views
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Pier98 views
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Takarada Nature Footpath along the lake shore.98 views
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya. They seem to look the same from whichever direction. Totally conical islands.98 views
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Inside Toya Mizunoeki98 views
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Another nesting swan.98 views
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98 views
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Right outside the Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall are sumo banners. From left to right, they read, "Kitanoumi Stable," "Yokozuna Kitanoumi Memorial Hall," and "Sobetsu History Museum."98 views
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98 views
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More cherry blossoms...98 views
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98 views
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98 views
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After the water testing is done, they throw back the water into the lake.98 views
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Near the Silo Lookput Point is this large refrigerated warehouse for vegetables operated by the Toya JA agricultural cooperative. 野菜貯蔵用雪蔵（雪エネルギー利用)98 views
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