Most viewed - OSAKA 大阪府 |
The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Haruki Danjiri Matsuri festivals are held during the weekend before Respect for Aged Day (national holiday) which is the third Mon. in Sept. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is held near Nankai Kishiwada Station (pictured).683 views
|
|
Miss Ebisu-bashi Runner-up589 views
|
|
Shinsaibashi Top Lady573 views
|
|
544 views
|
|
Another Shinsaibashi Top Lady528 views
|
|
525 views
|
|
Geisha on a palanquin, Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka494 views
|
|
Osaka Castle tower closeup441 views
|
|
A symbol of Osaka and one of Japan's largest reconstructed castles. Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583. 387 viewsThe castle tower was reconstructed in 1931 and underwent major renovation during 1995-97 and serves as a very modern history museum. Closest station is Osaka-jo Koen Station.
|
|
Castle map356 views
|
|
Inside castle tower347 views
|
|
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, representing business prosperity. On Jan. 9-11 (centering on the 10th), the shrine holds one of Japan's largest Toka Ebisu festivals to pray for good business. 343 viewsThe festival is perhaps Japan's most commercial festival where souvenirs and trinkets for business prosperity are sold. Photo: The road from the subway station to the shrine is decorated.
|
|
Crowd at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, the organizer of the Tenjin Festival and starting point of the festival's Land Procession called "Riku-togyo." 大阪天満宮334 viewsOne of Japan's Big Three Festivals (besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri) is also Osaka's biggest summer festival held on July 24-25. These photos were taken on July 25, 2004. The festival has a procession starting from Tenmangu Shrine in the afternoon and a water procession on the river in the evening.
|
|
Hanagasa umbrella dancers, Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka 花傘330 views
|
|
The Boat Procession (Funa-togyo) is the Tenjin Matsuri festival's main event.327 views
|
|
Portable shrine 船渡御 玉御神輿奉安318 views
|
|
Inside castle tower308 views
|
|
Stone wall pattern308 views
|
|
303 views
|
|
Even gaijin shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes. Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka302 views
|
|
Who says money can't buy happiness?298 views
|
|
Miss Ebisu-bashi, Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Jinja, Osaka297 views
|
|
Expo '70 Time Capsule292 viewsThe plaque reads that the time capsule is to be opened in 5000 years or the year 6970. It can also be opened at the start of each century. I wonder if it was opened in 2001.
|
|
Gokuraku-bashi Bridge286 views
|
|
Moat285 views
|
|
Shachihoko284 views
|
|
Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka284 views
|
|
Castle tower277 viewsIt is modeled after the tower built by the Tokugawa shogunate who made it bigger than the castle Toyotomi Hideyoshi had built. One reason why it's such a big castle.
|
|
Even gaijin shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes. Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka277 views
|
|
To ride these boats, you have to be a member of a shrine parish or supporting group.276 views
|
|
Horrendous crowd gathers to watch the fireworks, the festival's climax. The festival ends at 10 pm when the procession returns to the shrine.273 views
|
|
View of castle from Nakanoshima272 views
|
|
Kishiwada Castle268 views
|
|
Stone wall pattern267 views
|
|
263 views
|
|
Chigo child261 views
|
|
Lion dance259 views
|
|
玉御神輿奉安259 views
|
|
The shrine is surrounded by Ebisu street stalls.251 views
|
|
Aoya-mon Gate249 viewsRebuilt in 1970. Although this is not the main or front gate, it is the closest castle gate to Osaka-jo Koen Station.
青屋門
|
|
Outer moat and Sengan Turret249 views
|
|
Money pit249 views
|
|
Slope to castle tower245 views
|
|
244 views
|
|
Castle tower, reconstructed in 1931, was renovated in 1995-97.242 viewsThe exterior walls are gleaming white and bright gold ornaments shine in the sun.
|
|
242 views
|
|
Castle tower balcony240 views
|
|
In 2006, a rare folding screen painting showing Osaka Castle during Hideyoshi's years in early 17th century was found at Schloss Eggenberg Castle in Austria.239 viewshttp://www.museum-joanneum.at/en/schloss_eggenberg/saka-zu-bybu-1
|
|
One of the largest stones237 views
|
|
Gokuraku-bashi Bridge235 viewsMeans Paradise Bridge. The original bridge was wooden. Rebuilt in 1965. It connects the Yamazato-maru section with the Ninomaru section.
極楽橋
|
|
Castle tower235 viewsThis picture was taken before the 1995-97 renovation.
|
|
Stone wall pattern235 views
|
|
Castle tower balcony234 views
|
|
The original Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi was actually buried (smothered) by the Tokugawa and a new castle was built on it. Aoya-mon Gate 青屋門. Rebuilt in 1970.233 views
|
|
Castle tower232 views
|
|
|
Castle tower balcony230 views
|
|
Path near the shrine is filled with street stalls selling Ebisu decorations and charms.230 views
|
|
Gokuraku-bashi Bridge228 views
|
|
228 views
|
|
The Land Procession is one of the festival's two main events. It starts with a group of taiko drummers.226 views
|
|
About the castle225 views
|
|
About 3,000 people are in the procession which follows a 4 km route from the shrine to a boat landing near Tenjin-bashi Bridge on the Okawa River. 陸渡御225 views
|
|
At Hirakata Koen Station (Keihan Line), I was surprised to see this Malasada shop on the train platform.224 views
|
|
Kadomatsu at castle tower entrance223 viewsNew Year's decoration
|
|
Sakura-mon Gate with kadomatsu New Year's decoration223 views
|
|
Ebisu decorations223 views
|
|
221 views
|
|
Inner moat221 views
|
|
|
Otemon Gate219 views大手門
|
|
The castle's fourth and fifth largest stones.218 viewsBrought by the Tokugawa during construction. Next to Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate.
|
|
215 views
|
|
View from castle tower215 views
|
|
Otemon Gate in the distance215 views
|
|
215 views
|
|
Spectators wait near Tenmangu Shrine's torii for the Land Procession (Riku-togyo) to start at 4 pm on July 25, the festival's 2nd day. The shrine is near Minami-morimachi Station on the Tanimachi subway line. 陸渡御215 views
|
|
View of Nishinomaru Garden from castle tower214 views
|
|
Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate214 viewsJapan's largest turret of this type where the turret above is integrated with the gate below. First built in 1628, reconstructed in 1848 and renovated in 1969.
多聞櫓と大門
|
|
They run while pulling the danjiri floats while a man on the float's roof dances and prances with two fans. They pass by very quickly, unlike other float festivals. This is in front of Kishiwada Station.214 views
|
|
Kadomatsu New Year's decoration211 viewsRight side of Sakura-mon Gate.
|
|
210 views
|
|
Mother and twins in yukata209 views
|
|
Most pf the danjiri festival girls had braided scalps, sometimes in a flowery pattern.. 208 views
|
|
Castle tower206 views
|
|
Castle tower205 views
|
|
Kadomatsu New Year's decoration205 viewsLeft side of Sakura-mon Gate.
|
|
Osaka Castle was built on the foundations of Ishiyama Honganji, a fortress-like temple.204 views
|
|
Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate203 views
|
|
Sculpture in Wanpaku Okoku, Hannan, Osaka.202 views
|
|
Never-ending sales pitch on Toka Ebisu Day. All these good-looking girls make you wanna buy something.201 views
|
|
By 6 pm, shrine parishioners started boarding boats near Tenjin-bashi Bridge, the starting point of the Boat Procession. These are supporter's boats.201 views
|
|
Kishiwada manhole with castle motif, Osaka.201 views
|
|
Castle tower entrance200 views
|
|
Taiko drummers at the shrine's Otorii gate. 催太鼓200 views
|
|
This is the most important boat in the procession. It holds a ceremony called the Senjo-sai (船上祭) in the middle of the river to celebrate Sugawara Michizane's birthday. 御鳳輦奉安船200 views
|
|
199 views
|
|
Hannan manhole, Osaka.198 views
|
|
Hawaii spent only one night in Japan. They didn't see much here. Hope they spend more time in Japan next time.198 views
|
|
Ningyo-bune 人形船197 views
|
|
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri197 views
|
|
Kimono-clad beauties, winners of some Miss contest.195 views
|
|
Castle tower193 views
|
|
The boat carrying the portable shrine housing the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. 御鳳輦奉安船190 views
|
|
Path to castle tower189 views
|
|
Sengan Turret near Otemon Gate188 viewsOne of the castle's oldest remaining buildings built in 1620. Underwent major restoration in 1961. Overlooking the outer moat.
千貴櫓
|
|
188 views
|
|
187 views
|
|
Castle tower187 views
|
|
Sarutahiko on horseback 猿田彦187 views
|
|
Hanagasa umbrella dancers 花傘187 views
|
|
Near Otemon Gate186 views
|
|
National Bunraku Puppet Theater Museum186 views
|
|
Torii and entrance to Imamiya Ebisu Shrine186 views
|
|
Near Otemon Gate183 views
|
|
181 views
|
|
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Kishiwada Castle181 views
|
|
Danjiri float 地車179 views
|
|
The boats are numerous. About 100 of them go up and down the river.178 views
|
|
Most of the boats carry parishioners who eat bento on the boats while sometimes looking at photographers shooting them from a bridge overhead.178 views
|
|
178 views
|
|
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka175 views
|
|
Kishiwada Castle moat175 views
|
|
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine174 views
|
|
Shrine maidens happily sell and attach lucky decorations on the branches.174 views
|
|
174 views
|
|
Shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.172 views
|
|
The Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens are all nice-looking.172 views
|
|
花傘172 views
|
|
The Boat Procession started at 7 pm on Okawa River. These boats are called Dondoko. どんどこ船 大川 船渡御171 views
|
|
170 views
|
|
Danjiri float 地車170 views
|
|
169 views
|
|
The shrine rakes in the money on its most important day of the year, Jan. 10.169 views
|
|
Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens169 views
|
|
Fuku-musume or Lucky Maiden169 views
|
|
Portable shrine housing the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. This is the most important thing in the procession. 御鳳輦168 views
|
|
|
Hanagasa dancers 花傘166 views
|
|
Here you go...165 views
|
|
164 views
|
|
A giant umbrella serves as the roof.163 views
|
|
163 views
|
|
|
船渡御162 views
|
|
|
People patting a lucky mirror?161 views
|
|
These boats will carry portable shrines.161 views
|
|
The fire, fueled by LP gas, is on a corporate-sponsored boat, used for illumination. 大篝161 views
|
|
160 views
|
|
New Year's decorations trashed at the shrine to be burned.160 views
|
|
160 views
|
|
Crowded walking path along Okawa River. Most people view the festival from the riverside.160 views
|
|
Miss Ebisu-bashi Runner-up158 views
|
|
158 views
|
|
156 views
|
|
Good-looking shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.155 views
|
|
Okawa River 大川155 views
|
|
Boat corner155 views
|
|
154 views
|
|
牛曳童児154 views
|
|
154 views
|
|
Yamanaka-dani Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in spring. It is also the least busy station on the Hanwa Line.154 views
|
|
153 views
|
|
Shishimai lion dance153 views
|
|
153 views
|
|
153 views
|
|
153 views
|
|
Giving out free bamboo branches under the giant umbrella.152 views
|
|
船渡御152 views
|
|
Shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.151 views
|
|
Sacred dance performed at cost.151 views
|
|
Geisha on palanquin.151 views
|
|
151 views
|
|
151 views
|
|
151 views
|
|
151 views
|
|
Tugboats pull these huge barges.151 views
|
|
The small bamboo branches festoon the huge crowd on Jan. 10.150 views
|
|
Replenishing the supply of bamboo branches.150 views
|
|
150 views
|
|
150 views
|
|
150 views
|
|
150 views
|
|
Inside National Bunraku Puppet Theater. Photography is not allowed during the plays. Bunraku puppets can perform feats which human actors cannot. This can make it interesting. Bring binoculars though.149 views
|
|
149 views
|
|
2007 is the Year of the Boar, decoration created by over 500 students at a local elementary and junior high school.149 views
|
|
149 views
|
|
Shrine priest149 views
|
|
The boats are large barges.149 views
|
|
Group photo. Too bad they didn't face the crowd.149 views
|
|
People line up to decorate their free bamboo branches with various lucky decorations.148 views
|
|
148 views
|
|
御羽車148 views
|
|
A large crane is used to carry the portable shrines onto the boats.148 views
|
|
船渡御148 views
|
|
Yamanaka-dani Station is lined with 1,000 cherry trees on both sides of the track. They bloom in early April.148 views
|
|
Hauling away the old New Year's decorations.147 views
|
|
Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens147 views
|
|
147 views
|
|
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Kishiwada Castle147 views
|
|
147 views
|
|
Empty branches waiting for all the trimmings (at a price).146 views
|
|
Fully-loaded "lucky rake."146 views
|
|
The procession includes geisha and other celebrities.146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
Miss Ebisu-bashi145 views
|
|
Portable shrine 御羽車145 views
|
|
Crowd near Tenjin-bashi Bridge.145 views
|
|
Start of the procession's return trip from the shrine.144 viewsとんぼりリバーウォーク→大和屋→道頓堀東映→B1角座(10:00)→松竹座→戎橋橋詰→千日前国際劇場→吉本会館→今宮戎神社(12:10頃)→なんばCITY→高島屋→大丸→大和屋
|
|
Omikuji fortune paper strips for sale at 200 yen.143 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
I wish they at least said "Aloha" to the crowd. After all, they came all the way from Hawaii for the first time.143 views
|
|
Geisha on a palanquin142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
Higashi-mon east gate141 views
|
|
Higashi-mon east gate141 views
|
|
Geisha141 views
|
|
JR Osaka Station's new terminal building opened on May 4, 2011. Great improvement. It has a simple lean-to roof that creates some space to build bridges and plazas above the train tracks.140 viewsVery easy to get your bearings and remember which way to go wherever you wanna go.
|
|
JR Osaka Station139 views
|
|
Shinsaibashi Top Lady138 views
|
|
Omikuji fortune paper strips136 views
|
|
136 views
|
|
Fuku-musume Lucky Maiden136 views
|
|
National Bunraku Puppet Theater at night.135 views
|
|
Ebisu on a palanquin.135 views
|
|
Even a bunraku puppet walks in the parade.134 views
|
|
Haruki Station134 views
|
|
More stalls behind the shrine.133 views
|
|
Good Luck Palanquin procession on Jan. 10. They are entering the shrine's East Gate. 宝恵駕籠133 views
|
|
133 views
|
|
133 views
|
|
Geisha131 views
|
|
Miss Ebisu-bashi131 views
|
|
130 views
|
|
129 views
|
|
129 views
|
|
Slim-looking Ebisu128 views
|
|
Cart for Miss Ebisu-bashi128 views
|
|
The parade ended at 5 pm. They then mounted paper lanterns on the floats for the night parade. Same as the night before. But I left Kishiwada before 7 pm when the night parade started.128 views
|
|
127 views
|
|
Haruki Danjiri Matsuri poster127 views
|
|
Shinsaibashi Top Lady cart126 views
|
|
123 views
|
|
123 views
|
|
National Bunraku Puppet Theater. Bunraku is over 370 years old, even older than kabuki. 122 views
|
|
Cart for the Lucky Maiden120 views
|
|
Yamanaka-dani Station 山中渓駅 on the Hanwa Line between Osaka and Wakayama.117 views
|
|
On Sat., the first day of the festival, they pulled the danjiri floats from 6:00 am to 7:30 am in their respective neighborhoods. Then from 9:30 am to 11 am, they pull the floats along the central streets, including Kishiwada Ekimae-dori shopping arcade.109 views
|
|
Each float has two long white ropes pulled by many people, both men and women, dressed in happi coats, headband, and usually white pants.105 views
|
|
Sand bags protect the street corners from any collisions by the floats.102 views
|
|
794 files on 4 page(s) |
1 |
|
|