 Most viewed - Tatebayashi 館林市 |
Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.410 views
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Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple. 317 views
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Tatebayashi The Treasures Garden (renamed "Tobu Treasure Garden" in April 2015) was a fairly large garden with various flowers, especially roses and moss pink. It was open from April to Nov. from 8 am to 6 pm (till 5 pm in autumn).295 viewsSadly, Tobu Treasure Garden permanently closed on June 14, 2021 due to the pandemic. The garden was forced to close in April 2020, reopened temporarily, but closed again from June 8, 2020. The garden never reopened after that.
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...277 views
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.260 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.252 views
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Tatebayashi Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line (connects to Hanzomon subway line in Tokyo), east side. Takes almost 90 min. from central Tokyo by regular train. Costs only about 1100 yen.217 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.215 views
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Love red and white flowers at Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.202 views
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Manhole with tanuki design in Tatebayashi, Gunma.191 views
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I was going to overdose on azalea. Had never seen so much azalea in my life. Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma.188 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.185 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.184 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.184 views
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Rose183 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Tanuki in Tatebayashi, Gunma.179 views
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.176 views
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These tall rose bushes were most outstanding.162 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru, Gunma.159 views
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Koinobori and azaleas in Tatebayashi, Gunma.159 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park, Tatebayashi157 views
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A few azalea bushes had passed their peak.157 views
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Rose155 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. The shrine has a protective housing. Hachiman was the patron god of Tatebayashi Castle, Gunma.154 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Dobashi Gate. 土橋門153 views
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View from Fureai Bridge in Tatebayashi.151 views
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Hachiman Shrine on Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru. Gunma.150 views
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Statue in front of Chiaki Mukai Children's Science Museum, Tatebayashi, Gunma. The boy holds a space shuttle.149 views
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Tanuki and azalea, a good match? I prefer women and flowers. Tsutsujigaoka148 views
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Tatebayashi Castle's Honmaru is marked by this Hachiman Shrine on a mound. Gunma.147 views
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Festivals in Tatebayashi.143 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...124 views
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Ukishima Benzaiten Shrine in Tataranuma Park, Tatebayashi, Gunma. Part of the spirit of Benzaiten at Enoshima island in Kanagawa was transferred here. 浮島弁財天123 views
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Netfishing sculpture.122 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...122 views
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The garden's official website at sibazakura.com and treasuregarden.jp no longer work. 121 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.120 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.119 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.118 views
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Wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 117 views
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Inside the wedding chapel brought here from Bristol, UK. 115 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).114 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.111 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...111 views
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Map of Tsutsujigaoka, a National Scenic Site. It's a low, flat hill full of azalea bushes. There is a maze of foot paths going through the azalea. 名勝111 views
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Sights in Jonuma area, dominated by Lake Jonuma.110 views
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Even the edges are incredibly colorful. This edge had group photo stands.109 views
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Mind-blowing just to see so many azalea along the edges. But much, much more was waiting on this hill.108 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog in front of Tatebayashi Station, east side.106 views
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Tanuki raccoon dogs in front of Tatebayashi Station.106 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.106 views
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Lake Jonuma105 views
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Along Tsuruudagawa River were koinobori carp streamers flanked by cherry trees and azaleas.105 views
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Tanuki sighting near Lake Jonuma105 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.104 views
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Tatebayashi Station platform104 views
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A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.103 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...103 views
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Rest house on Tsutsujigaoka.103 views
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Now this is an entrance to Tsutsuji-en, a long, slim azalea garden. I walked through this on the way back.103 views
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Obiki ferry dock is on the left above the bridge on this map.102 views
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Flower fountain in front of Tatebayashi Station.101 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a 15-20-min. walk from Tatebayashi Station.101 views
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Wisteria101 views
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Way to Obiki ferry boat101 views
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My friend in Tatebayashi tells me, "The legend of the azalea park is that the lord of Tatebayashi, Sakakibara Yasumasa, had a mistress named Otsuji.101 viewsThe wife was jealous of her and gave her such a hard time that Otsuji threw herself into Lake Jonuma and died. Since her name sounded like tsutsuji, the lord planted the garden to console her soul."
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Tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.100 views
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Azaleas continue to lead the way to the park.100 views
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The koinobori are strung from late March to mid-May. Especially spectacular when the cherries are in bloom during late March to mid-April.100 views
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Boat ride was pleasant enough.100 views
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Tsutsujigaoka Park is a lakeside park featuring this low hill almost 200 meters long and 80 meters wide.100 views
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Shopping street for tourists next to Tsutsujigaoka.100 views
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Poplar tree and azalea100 views
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City mascot "Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station. "Pon" refers to the character's pot belly.99 views
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First you see this Somon Gate (総門), built in 1468 and normally called Kuromon Gate (黒門), to enter Morinji temple, one of Tatebayashi's main tourist sights.99 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.99 views
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I visited Tatabayashi again in early May 2014 to see the azaleas at Tsutsujigaoka Park. 99 views
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Obiki ferry takes only several minutes to reach Tsutsujigaoka Park. Fare was cheap, includes admission to the park. It's also possible to walk to the park.99 views
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"Pon-chan" goods sold at tourist information office in front of Tatebayashi Station.98 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.98 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.98 views
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Street corner with another tanuki. These tanuki are made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.98 views
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In April and May, thousands of flying carp streamers grace the Tsuruudogawa River connected to Lake Jonuma.98 views
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Approaching Tsutsujigaoka Park98 views
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The hill also has a few azalea tunnels.98 views
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It's a pleasant walk with azalea decorating the sidewalk.97 views
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There were these flower racks too.97 views
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View from Fureai Bridge. These carp were once registered in the Guiness Book of World Records as having the most koinobori (over 6,000).97 views
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Koinobori at a lakeside house.97 views
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Relaxing ride, only me and a mother and child.97 views
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The occasional white azalea give your eyes a break from all the bright colors.97 views
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Edge of Tsutsuji-en Garden.97 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.96 views
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Entrance to Tatebayashi City Hall is also decorated with azaleas.96 views
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Boat dock for Tsutsujigaoka Park. Other boats offered cruises.96 views
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The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.95 views
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The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.95 views
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Tourist information office95 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.94 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."94 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.93 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.92 views
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.92 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.92 views
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Admission during peak flower season was ¥1,500. Otherwise, it was ¥500. I went in May when the roses were in bloom. The garden was operated as part of a wedding chapel/hall. Great for wedding photos. It's near Morinji Temple.92 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.91 views
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Map of Morinji temple. Morinji was founded by the priest Dairin Shotsu (大林正通), During a pilgrimage, Shotsu met an old priest Shukaku-osho at the foot of Ikaho in Gunma. 91 views
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...91 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.91 views
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In 1426, Shotsu took Shukaku with him to Tatebayashi and built a tiny temple. In 1468, the local Aoyagi Castle lord Akai Masamitsu (赤井正光) indebted to Shotsu, donated some of his land for the temple.90 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.90 views
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Near Tataranuma Park is Gunma Museum of Art, Tatebayashi. Closed Mondays.90 views
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Tataranuma Park is a prefectural park with cherry blossoms, wisteria, and a marshy lake with enough reed fields to attract swans migrating from Siberia every winter. 89 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.88 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...88 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,87 views
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Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.87 views
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Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.87 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.87 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.87 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂86 views
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Tanuki sculptures86 views
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Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂86 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.86 views
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The garden changed its name from Yachonomori Garden (野鳥の森ガーデン) to The Treasures Garden in April 2012. The name changed again in April 2015 to "Tobu Treasure Garden" (東武トレジャーガーデン). .86 viewsThey have been expanding the garden to make it more attractive to tourists. So far, they've been doing a good job, the Tobu Group.
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