 Most viewed - CHIBA 千葉県 |
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My Youtube video of Narita-san Setsubun bean-throwing on Feb. 3, 2013.95 views
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They then ran with the portable shrine. They will run while carrying the shrine to the beach several kilometers away.94 views
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Shrine priest arrive on horseback. He looked very weary. It was a hot day too.94 views
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Sometimes they tossed the mikoshi up.94 views
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Staff passing out free paper flags.94 views
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She spoke for only a few minutes.94 views
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The banner reads, "Welcome home, Yamazaki Naoko" 日本宇宙少年団千葉スペースボイジャー分団員94 views
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This side was more crowded because that's where the celebrities would throw beans. Press cameramen were also on this side.94 views
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Names of the celebrity bean throwers.94 views
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They also start a fire inside the temple to which they expose the bean boxes to be used by the bean throwers.94 views
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After throwing bean, they clap their hands.94 views
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You could go in front of them to shoot their faces, but the water would be deeper.93 views
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They kept waving their fans and cheering in the water.93 views
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Returning to land.93 views
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Then the mikoshi sped by one after another.93 views
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On May 22, 2010, the city of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture held a welcome home ceremony and parade for astronaut Naoko Yamazaki who came to visit during a brief visit to Japan.93 views
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Matsudo Mayor Toshihisa Kawai at Naoko Yamazaki's welcome home ceremony in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. The man on the right is the Matsudo Board of Education Superintendent. Hidden by the mayor is Speaker of the Matsudo City Assembly.93 views
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Naoko Yamazaki in a black convertible. Ever since the Challenger disaster in 1986 when Ellison Onizuka from Hawaii died (I never got over it), I always viewed the Space Shuttle as a risky vehicle. Even today, so many things can and do go wrong in space.93 views
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And so I had to see and welcome her home too. Japan-America relations at its finest, on the highest level, literally. This is near Matsudo Station. Her car was escorted by the Guardian Angels and security guards.93 views
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So I really prayed that Discovery would return safely to Earth. Because if there were another tragic accident, it would be too much of a heartbreak. Japanese-Americans lost Ellison, and if the Japanese lost Naoko, I can't even bear to think about it.93 views
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Haruka Ayase posed for us for a while.93 views
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Gauntlet of Chiba Lotte Marines cheerleaders at Chiba Marine Stadium for a baseball game.93 views
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Bus stop at Tokyo German Village. Return buses are also very few.93 views
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A procession departs Tamasaki Shrine at 1 pm, led by Sarutahiko.92 views
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They tossed the mikoshi into the air a few times.92 views
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Back on land.92 views
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Great spectacle, especially with women included. Great idea to allow women in the festival.92 views
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The sacred horse arrive in town.92 views
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We all patiently waited. But things happened so it made the time go by faster. Fortunately, the weather was good.92 views
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The crowds make their way into the main hall.92 views
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At around 3:30 pm, people started to gather for the day's third and final bean-throwing by ordinary folks.92 views
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Traditional townscape in Sawara, Katori, Chiba Prefecture.92 views
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She's a very attractive and charming-looking lady. Cream of the cream. Yes, she's the first Japanese mom to fly into space, but she's very bright. Graduate of Univ. of Tokyo in aeronautical engineering.91 views
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The marching band was followed by a group of kids belonging to the Young Astronaut Club, an educational club.91 views
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After passing through Somon Gate, a flight of steps ahead.91 views
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So much for the first bean-throwing ceremony. I was just too far away because I arrived late.91 views
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Buy this 500-yen charm and 100 yen will be donated to the city of Rikuzen-Takada in Tohoku.91 views
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People line up for lucky beans.91 views
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Walking back to the train station.91 views
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The mikoshi start to gather for a ceremony as they all run at full speed.90 views
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After the ceremony, they head for the water.90 views
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The boy looked thrilled to be riding at full speed. Very bumpy though.90 views
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Isetan Dept. Store in Matsudo had a large vertical banner welcoming Naoko's return.90 views
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First, Matsudo Mayor Toshihisa Kawai said a few words to welcome Naoko back to Earth and to her hometown of Matsudo. 伊勢丹前広場にてオープニングセレモニー90 views
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Whenever someone goes into space, there was always something that's first. She's the first Japanese mom in space. The first time more than one Japanese were in space. The first time four women were in space.90 views
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They had this altar decoration with small branches from a tree in Tohoku. The bean throwing would also be about "throwing out hardship" in Tohoku. 特別追儺豆まき式90 views
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The press cameramen who were on this platform were all gone after the 2nd bean-throwing session.90 views
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There is a small space between the platform and crowd.90 views
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Ino Tadataka's former residence90 views
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Very jovial and noisy.89 views
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From 6 pm, they paraded the mikoshi on the main road near Tamasaki Shrine.89 views
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Like on the beach, they wave fans and cheer.89 views
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About the Kangun-zuka.89 views
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The same banner found in Matsudo Station also hung above the stage.89 views
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Inside the main hall. The altar area is behind a glass wall. Photography was not allowed inside. Impressive altar where they have a Goma prayer fire ritual every day.89 views
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Traditional townscape in Sawara, Katori, Chiba Prefecture.89 views
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The parade route started on this narrow road near Matsudo Station, coming from Isetan Dept. Store.88 views
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The ceremony was over by 2:30 pm, and she then hopped in a convertible for the parade. After the ceremony was over, I rushed out and ran to the parade route in front of Matsudo Station.88 views
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Behind the kids was Naoko Yamazaki's convertible from which she tirelessly waved and smiled. 88 views
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The police and security people were most fearful of people falling like dominos. They kept shouting to not push forward. And to not pick up beans on the ground. I agree that it's dangerous to pick up beans on the ground.88 views
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Bean-throwing platform.88 views
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Round window at Tojotei88 views
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Sawara, Katori, Chiba88 views
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Ino Tadataka's former residence in Sawara, Chiba is open to the public.88 views
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The next spectacle was them running through the torii on the beach.87 views
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All the mikoshi headed for the torii.87 views
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Making way for the horses.87 views
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The parade route was fenced off.87 views
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It's mind-boggling to see how much training she went through during 11 years or so before she actually went into space. It must've been hard on her husband and daughter, but they stuck it out and must be very proud.87 views
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Office where you can apply to be a Kaiun mamemaki bean thrower for 10,000 yen.87 views
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Transom with a butterfly designin Tojotei.87 views
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It would take them about an hour to get back to town.86 views
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Shrine priest arrives.86 views
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The paper flag had Naoko Yamazaki's official logo for the STS-131 mission. (See high-quality image below.)86 views
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I was too tired to stick around for the last bean-throwing ceremony.86 views
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Daruma dolls on a truck.86 views
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Built in 1884, Tojotei was the residence of Tokugawa Akitake (1853-1910), brother of the last Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu. 86 viewsMatsudo, Chiba, Prefecture
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When Naoko Yamazaki arrived by car, people started to wave the paper flags as she made her way to the stage. People behind the people in front couldn't see much because of the flags.85 views
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The plaza in front of Isetan was quite full. We were warned that we wouldn't be able to see the welcome parade afterward because they would block off the street from us. However, it was still possible for us to see the parade.85 views
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Naoko's car was followed by the mayor's car.85 views
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Along the final stretch of the too-short parade route, the huge crowd followed her. The parade ended at about 3 pm.85 views
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More horses arrive.84 views
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People line the parade route. The parade started at about 2:35 pm.84 views
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They had men from a security company to control the crowds. Except for one or two people who felt ill, there was no major incident.84 views
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Bathroom in Tojotei84 views
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Scale model of the Three-Story Pagoda at Saimyoji temple in Shiga Prefecture. Inside Nakayama Hokekyoji temple in Ichikawa, Chiba.84 views
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Scale model of the Three-Story Pagoda at Saimyoji temple in Shiga Prefecture. Inside Nakayama Hokekyoji temple in Ichikawa, Chiba.84 views
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Everyone is yelling and cheering.83 views
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The flag dancers were followed by a marching band from the fire dept. 消防音楽隊83 views
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People wave flags again as Naoko Yamazaki is introduced to speak during her homecoming ceremony in Matsudo, Chiba.82 views
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The parade started with this group of flag twirlers. 82 views
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German-style buildings are also covered with LED lights. Go inside and find only gift shops.81 views
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They provided free paper flags for spectators.80 views
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First were the horses galloping through. Each horse was guided by two men running alongside.79 views
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Statue of Oman-no-kata, daughter of Katsuura Castle lord Masaki Yoritada. She became Tokugawa Ieyasu's concubine at age 17 and gave birth to Tokugawa Yorinobu (clan in Kishu) and Yorifusa (clan in Mito).79 views
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No brotchen or German bread.79 views
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I was curious to see how an amusement park in Chiba would dare to compete with Tokyo Disneyland, also in Chiba. 79 viewsBut they seem to be doing quite well with low admission fees, huge open spaces, and different attractions in each season. Saw lots of people, family-oriented too.
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Tunnel to the rolling, illuminated hills.79 views
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The small plaza in front of Isetan served as the venue for Naoko Yamazaki's welcome home ceremony. They had a small, elevated stage. The place was divided into squares for people to stand in.78 views
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Dragon water fountain78 views
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Tokyo German Village is a large agricultural park in the boondocks of Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture. It puts on a grand display of Christmas lights from Nov. 1 to March 31.78 views
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There's wide open lawn to walk across to get to the center of the park.78 views
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This is the center of the park, with German-style buildings. Perhaps modeled after Rothenburg.78 views
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This facade is covered with musician LED designs.78 views
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Picture-taking service78 views
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Matsudo Shrine's bulletin board in 2010.77 views
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Matsudo Shrine is popular for New Year's prayers.77 views
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Narita-san is a large temple complex that includes a Japanese garden, including cherry blossoms.77 views
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LEDS lights on the facade.77 views
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The lights did not disappoint. Very impressive. 77 views
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Very impressive, it was worth the trouble to get here by bus.77 views
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One claim to fame in Matsudo is the number of sumo stables in this city. Six of them, all listed on this panel in Matsudo Station.76 views
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Edogawa River bank.76 views
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Map of Narita-san temple buildings.76 views
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About Narita-san temple.76 views
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They have "Tokyo" in their name, but it's quite far from Tokyo. 76 views
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Inside the German-style building is only a gift shop.76 views
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Sausage with mochi twist.76 views
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Every 30 min., a song by the boy band SMAP blared through the speakers and the lights blinked along with the song. No German music.76 views
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Matsudo Shrine is near Matsudo Station.75 views
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If you don't have a car, you can go there by bus from Sodegaura Bus Terminal or JR Sodegaura Station. Only three buses a day.75 views
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Restaurant hardly served German food.75 views
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They also had a hilltop lookout point (seen here in the distance) to get a bird's eye view, but I didn't go up there.75 views
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Magic mushrooms.75 views
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Hachiman Misaki Park was the former site of Katsuura Castle. Masaki Yoritada was the castle lord until 1590.74 views
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Katsuura Lighthouse74 views
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German beer74 views
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Restaurant74 views
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The lights turn on right after sunset which is 5 pm or later. People waited to see it turn on.74 views
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Besides the Village, they light up a large swath of the surrounding rolling hills. They have a few footpaths to walk through the lights on the ground.74 views
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Rocket near the ferris wheel.74 views
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Katsuura port with fishing boats.73 views
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Matsudo Shrine73 views
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Entrance to Tokyo German Village where you pay admission. Very cheap compared to Tokyo Disneyland, also in Chiba Prefecture.73 views
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Wide open lawn also has LED lights embedded in some areas.73 views
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Small ferris wheel73 views
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Ducks73 views
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When Oman-no-kata was 14, Katsuura Castle was beseiged by Hideyoshi's forces and she, her mother and little brother escaped near here by using a white sheet to go down the cliff to a small boat which took them to Tateyama.72 views
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Katsuura Lighthouse and cherry blossoms72 views
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JR Matsudo Station72 views
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Matsudo Shrine omikuji paper fortunes.72 views
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Narita-san's Three-story Pagoda was first built in 1712.72 views
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JR Sodegaura Station. By bus it takes 45 min. or longer to get to the German Village.72 views
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I'm inclined to believe their claim to have the biggest Christmas light decorations in the Tokyo area.72 views
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Torii island71 views
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Kangun-zuka Memorial. During the Boshin War between the forces of the shogun and Emperor Meiji, a ship carrying the Kumamoto clan to Hakodate's Goryokaku fortress sank off this shore. This memorial is for the 135 people who died on the ship. 官軍塚71 views
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Sodegaura Bus Terminal, bus stop 5.71 views
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Katsuura has a scenic coastline. This is the Pacific Ocean.70 views
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That white tower is the Katsuura Underwater Marine Tower for observing fish.70 views
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Map of Hachiman Misaki Park, an easy walk from central Katsuura.70 views
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Going through Niomon Gate which has a large paper lantern.70 views
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Incense burner in front of the main hall.70 views
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Talisman for sale70 views
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Prayer tablets70 views
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Aji69 views
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Lookout point69 views
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About Matsudo Shrine in Japanese. Worships Yamato Takeru.69 views
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Next is Niomon Gate, an Important Cultural Property built in 1830. 仁王門69 views
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Going through Niomon Gate which has a large paper lantern.69 views
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The East Wing sells talismans.69 views
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The lookout point on Hachiman Misaki Park can be seen.68 views
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Katsuura Lighthouse and cherry blossoms68 views
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About Issaikyodo Hall (Buddhist Scriptures Hall) 一切経堂68 views
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Main temple office68 views
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Squid67 views
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Inside Narita-san Shinshijo temple's Dai-hondo main worship hall.67 views
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About Shotoku Taishi Hall.67 views
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Nice costal views as you walk from Hachiman Misaki to Katsuura Lighthouse.66 views
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