Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Home > CHIBA 千葉県

Last additions - CHIBA 千葉県

Marker indicating that Emperor Meiji visited Narita-san.Apr 18, 2014

Prayer tablet at Narita-san. Fudo-myoo is depicted.Apr 18, 2014

Prayer tabletsApr 18, 2014

Talisman for saleApr 18, 2014

About the Bell TowerApr 18, 2014

Bell Tower first built in 1701.Apr 18, 2014

About Issaikyodo Hall (Buddhist Scriptures Hall) 一切経堂Apr 18, 2014

Issaikyodo Hall (Buddhist Scriptures Hall) 一切経堂Apr 18, 2014

About Shotoku Taishi Hall.Apr 18, 2014

Shotoku Taishi Hall built in 1992.Apr 18, 2014

Apr 18, 2014

Narita-san's Three-story Pagoda was first built in 1712.Apr 18, 2014

Apr 18, 2014

Narita-san's Three-story Pagoda, an Important Cultural PropertyApr 18, 2014

Apr 18, 2014

The East Wing sells talismans.Apr 18, 2014

East Wing Apr 18, 2014

Connected to the main worship hall is the East Wing.Apr 18, 2014

Inside Narita-san Shinshijo temple's Dai-hondo main worship hall.Apr 18, 2014

Incense burner in front of the main hall.Apr 18, 2014

Apr 18, 2014

The Dai-hondo main hall of Narita-san temple. 大本堂Apr 18, 2014

This is on Setsubun day, Feb. 3. Very crowded.Apr 18, 2014

Going through Niomon Gate which has a large paper lantern.Apr 18, 2014

Next is Niomon Gate, an Important Cultural Property built in 1830. 仁王門Apr 18, 2014

Somon Gate is what you first see, Narita-san's main gate. 総門Apr 18, 2014

Apr 18, 2014

About Narita-san temple.Apr 18, 2014

Narita-san is a large temple complex that includes a Japanese garden, including cherry blossoms.Apr 18, 2014

Narita-san Shinshoji Temple is Chiba Prefecture's most famous temple. Belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, it holds many of Narita's major festivals such as Setsubun. Four buildings are also Important Cultural Properties.A short walk from JR and Keisei Narita Stations.Apr 18, 2014

Map of Narita-san temple buildings.Apr 18, 2014

Bag of beans. I caught this from Dejima. They throw little bags of beans instead of individual beans. Bean bags are much easier to catch and to clean up afterward.Feb 06, 2013

Cleanup.Feb 06, 2013

Actress Riho Makise throwing setsubun beans at Narita-sanFeb 06, 2013

Musashimaru and DejimaFeb 06, 2013

Musashimaru throws setsubun beans at Narita-sanFeb 06, 2013

Musashimaru gets his setsubun beans at Narita-san.Feb 06, 2013

Hikaru Nishida at center in red for Naritasan Setsubun in Feb. 2001.Feb 06, 2013

Narita-san Setsubun bean throwers. Sumo wrestlers, Nishida Hikaru, Makise Riho, etc.Feb 06, 2013

Group photo of bean throwers. Sumo wrestlers at the top.Feb 06, 2013

Names of celebrity bean throwers in 2001. They include actresses Hikaru Nishida and sumo wrestlers Yokozuna Akebono, Musashimaru, Dejima, and Asashoryu.Feb 06, 2013

Platform for bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

Poster for Setsubun in Feb. 2001. The following photos are from Feb. 3, 2001.Feb 06, 2013

Narita-san temple's main hall.Feb 06, 2013

My Youtube video of Narita-san Setsubun bean-throwing on Feb. 3, 2013.Feb 06, 2013

Walking back to the train station.Feb 06, 2013

Daruma dolls on a truck.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

Bean-throwing platform.Feb 06, 2013

There is a small space between the platform and crowd.Feb 06, 2013

I was too tired to stick around for the last bean-throwing ceremony.Feb 06, 2013

Office where you can apply to be a Kaiun mamemaki bean thrower for 10,000 yen.Feb 06, 2013

The press cameramen who were on this platform were all gone after the 2nd bean-throwing session.Feb 06, 2013

People line up for lucky beans.Feb 06, 2013

At around 3:30 pm, people started to gather for the day's third and final bean-throwing by ordinary folks.Feb 06, 2013

Bean-throwing platform.Feb 06, 2013

Crowd dispersing.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

Buy this 500-yen charm and 100 yen will be donated to the city of Rikuzen-Takada in Tohoku.Feb 06, 2013

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.Feb 06, 2013

The crowds make their way into the main hall.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

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.Feb 06, 2013

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.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

After throwing bean, they clap their hands.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

L-R: Haruka Ayase, Kotaro Koizumi (son of former Prime Minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi), and Hidetoshi Nishijima at Naritasan Shinshoji Setsubun festival on Feb. 3, 2013.Feb 06, 2013

Haruka Ayase throwing beans. It ended in less than 90 sec. Ridiculously short.Feb 06, 2013

Actress Haruka Ayase (left) throws beans at Naritasan Shinshoji temple on Feb. 3, 2013.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

"Yae no Sakura" is about a woman warrior named Yae Niijima (1845-1932) from Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture...Aizu-Wakamatsu is famous for Tsurugajo Castle and as the site of a Boshin War battle between pro-Emperor forces and pro-shogun forces who lost. Yae was on the latter side. After the war, she fought for equality for women and mastered English well enough to help with the English typesetting of Kyoto's earliest English guidebooks (written by her brother and translated into English by a translator).
Her husband Joseph Hardy Neesima or Jo Niijima had studied in the US and founded a Christian school which became the prestigious Doshisha University in Kyoto.Feb 06, 2013

Haruka Ayase is in the title role of Yae Niijima in this year's NHK Taiga Drama.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

Haruka Ayase posed for us for a while.Feb 06, 2013

Baruto and Yokozuna Hakuho.Feb 06, 2013

The crowd try desperately to get a shot of Haruka Ayase. I was shooting blind as I raised my camera in the air to shoot. Narita-san Shinshoji temple Setsubun bean throwing.Feb 06, 2013

Baruto at Naritasan Shinshoji for Setsubun on Feb. 3, 2013.Feb 06, 2013

At left is Ayame Goriki, another actress, comes out of the temple.Feb 06, 2013

Baruto and Haruka Ayase proceed to their places.Feb 06, 2013

Actress Haruka Ayase comes out of the temple.Feb 06, 2013

After the ceremony which took about 20 min., they came out of the temple and took their places for bean throwing. This is Baruto.Feb 06, 2013

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Feb 06, 2013

They also start a fire inside the temple to which they expose the bean boxes to be used by the bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

The ceremony was broadcast outside so we could hear it. There was some chanting and announcement of the names of the bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

There she is at the center, actress Haruka Ayase who plays the title role of 2013's NHK Taiga Drama, "Yae no Sakura."Feb 06, 2013

Celebrity bean throwers wave as they enter the temple for the Setsubun ceremony.Feb 06, 2013

Actress Haruka Ayase is in the center of this shot.Feb 06, 2013

Ozeki Kisenosato and Okinoumi at Naritasan.Feb 06, 2013

Baruto and Yokozuna Hakuho at Naritasan Shinshoji for Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3, 2013.Feb 06, 2013

The sumo wrestlers always stand at the top.Feb 06, 2013

We all patiently waited. But things happened so it made the time go by faster. Fortunately, the weather was good.Feb 06, 2013

Finally, the celebrity bean throwers arrived again and first posed for a group photo before going inside the temple for the ceremony.Feb 06, 2013

The ceremony inside the temple had sutra chanting while there was a fire started by a priest and used to heat the bean boxes given to the bean throwers. They threw beans at the altar, not to any people.Feb 06, 2013

The people (no celebrities) participating in Kaiun mamemaki had a group photo taken. Anybody could join this by paying 10,000 yen.Feb 06, 2013

In-between the bean-throwing sessions, they held a different ceremony, called "Kaiun mamemaki" (開運豆まき), inside the main hall. They paraded into the temple at around 12:30 pm.Feb 06, 2013

I stood and waited for about 90 min. until 1:30 pm. Glad I brought lunch (riceballs).Feb 06, 2013

Names of the celebrity bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

This side was more crowded because that's where the celebrities would throw beans. Press cameramen were also on this side.Feb 06, 2013

Already, hordes of people stand and wait for the second bean-throwing session 2 hours later.Feb 06, 2013

This is how close you have to be to the platform to get any beans.Feb 06, 2013

Inside the main hall, people pray and throw money. It must like this during New Year's too. Setsubun is actually like New Year's Eve.Feb 06, 2013

People streaming into Narita-san Shinshoji temple's main hall.Feb 06, 2013

People streaming into the temple's main hall.Feb 06, 2013

Meanwhile, I joined many others to worship inside the temple's main hall.Feb 06, 2013

Since I came all the way out here, I decided to stay and see the second bean-throwing ceremony at 1:30 pm.Feb 06, 2013

Shinshoji's main hall is decorated with Buddhist colors and red and white.Feb 06, 2013

So much for the first bean-throwing ceremony. I was just too far away because I arrived late.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

After throwing beans the first session, the bean throwers started leaving. First the sumo wrrstlers, then the actresses/actors. Haruka Ayase is behind the wrestlers here.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

After throwing the beans, they clapped their hands.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

Most of use didn't get any beans. It was the first time I didn't get any beans from a Setsubun festival.Feb 06, 2013

These are non-celebrities. They threw the beans for about a minute. Very short.Feb 06, 2013

After the ceremony, the bean throwers came outside.Feb 06, 2013

There's a ceremony first inside the temple.Feb 06, 2013

I arrived just before 11 am which was too late to get close to the bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

The mamemaki bean-throwing ceremony was held three times. The first time was at 11 am. I was way too far away from the bean throwers.Feb 06, 2013

Finally in the central grounds of the temple. It was packed like a rush-hour Tokyo train.Feb 06, 2013

Feb 06, 2013

Jam-packed since Feb. 3 fell on a Sunday this year in 2013.Feb 06, 2013

Normally, you can enter the temple up the steps straight from Niomon Gate, but it was blocked off and we had to use the steps on the right.Feb 06, 2013

Passing through Niomon Gate.Feb 06, 2013

Niomon Gate.Feb 06, 2013

The steps lead to Niomon Gate.Feb 06, 2013

After passing through Somon Gate, a flight of steps ahead.Feb 06, 2013

Shinshoji's Somon Gate. Naritasan Shinshoji temple belongs to the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. 総門Feb 06, 2013

Gate to Shinshoji ahead.Feb 06, 2013

From the train station, the main path to Narita-san is lined with shops and restaurants. The buildings look more traditional as you get closer to the temple.Feb 06, 2013

People streaming to Shinshoji for the Setsubun bean throwing festival.Feb 06, 2013

Narita-san Shinshoji temple holds its Setsubun Bean-throwing Festival on Feb. 3. It was jam-packed on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. Feb 06, 2013

Most people came to see the celebrities throwing the beans for mamemaki. They included sumo wrestlers Yokozuna Hakuho, Ozeki Kisenosato, Baruto, and Okinoumi. Also Haruka Ayase, Ayame Goriki, Kotaro Koizumi and other stars of the current NHK Taiga Drama.Feb 06, 2013

The path to Shinshoji has sculptures of the oriental zodiac. 2013 is the year of the snake.Feb 06, 2013

Jul 02, 2011

My YouTube video of the Kazusa Junisha Matsuri in 2009. Watch them in the water and the girls waving fans.Jun 06, 2010

My embedded YouTube video of Naoko Yamazaki's homecoming parade in Matsudo.Jun 05, 2010

2009 Sept. 18 -- Naoko Yamazaki undergoes water survival training at Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Johnson Space Center. (JAXA/NASA photo)May 25, 2010

STS-131 Mission patch and logo.May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

Edogawa River bank.May 25, 2010

About Matsudo Shrine in Japanese. Worships Yamato Takeru.May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

Dragon water fountainMay 25, 2010

Matsudo ShrineMay 25, 2010

Matsudo Shrine omikuji paper fortunes.May 25, 2010

Matsudo Shrine is popular for New Year's prayers.May 25, 2010

Matsudo Shrine's bulletin board in 2010.May 25, 2010

Matsudo Shrine is near Matsudo Station.May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

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.May 25, 2010

JR Matsudo StationMay 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field...21 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

21 April 2010 --- Dr. Kuniaki Shiraki, executive director, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.21 April 2010 --- Dr. Kuniaki Shiraki, executive director, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured (seated from the left) are JSC director Michael L. Coats (mostly obscured), NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (center background) and the STS-131 crew members are pictured at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near JSC.21 April 2010 --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (center background) and the STS-131 crew members are pictured at the STS-131 crew return ceremony on April 21, 2010 at Ellington Field near JSC. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

20 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki, holds a Japanese flag near the space shuttle Discovery shortly after Discovery and the STS-131 crew landed at the Kennedy Space Center...20 April 2010 --- Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, holds a Japanese flag near the space shuttle Discovery shortly after Discovery and the STS-131 crew landed at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on April 20, 2010. NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson, Clayton Anderson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists, returned from their 15-day journey of more than 6.2 million miles. The STS-131 mission to the International Space Station delivered science racks, new crew sleeping quarters, equipment and supplies. Photo credit: NASA/Bill IngallsMay 25, 2010

20 April 2010 --- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the STS-131 crew, each holding a flag from his or her country of origin, pose for a portrait in front of space shuttle Discovery.20 April 2010 --- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the STS-131 crew, each holding a flag from his or her country of origin, pose for a portrait in front of space shuttle Discovery. From the right are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists. Discovery landed on Runway 33 after 15 days in space, completing the more than 6.2-million-mile STS-131 mission on orbit 238. Main gear touchdown was at 9:08:35 a.m. (EDT) on April 20, 2010, followed by nose gear touchdown at 9:08:47 a.m. and wheelstop at 9:09:33 a.m. The seven-member STS-131 crew carried the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that were transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also switched out a gyroscope on the station's truss, installed a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieved a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

Space shuttle Discovery lands on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:08 a.m. (EDT) on April 20, 2010.20 April 2010 --- Space shuttle Discovery lands on Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:08 a.m. (EDT) on April 20, 2010, completing the 15-day STS-131 mission to the International Space Station. Main gear touchdown was at 9:08:35 a.m. followed by nose gear touchdown at 9:08:47 a.m. and wheels stop at 9:09:33 a.m. Aboard are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson, Clayton Anderson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. The seven-member STS-131 crew carried the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that were transferred to the station's laboratories. The crew also switched out a gyroscope on the station's truss, installed a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieved a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

Main gear touchdown was at 9:08:35 a.m. followed by nose gear touchdown at 9:08:47 a.m. and wheels stop at 9:09:33 a.m.May 25, 2010

See more STS-131 photos by NASA here and at JAXA here.May 25, 2010

20 April 2010 --- The space shuttle Discovery is seen as it lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 20, 2010.20 April 2010 --- The space shuttle Discovery is seen as it lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 20, 2010. Discovery and the STS-131 mission crew, NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson, Clayton Anderson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists, returned from their mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Bill IngallsMay 25, 2010

STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station...14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. STS-131 crew members pictured (light blue shirts) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Clayton Anderson, Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. Expedition 23 crew members pictured are Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov, commander; Mikhail Kornienko and Alexander Skvortsov; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi, and NASA astronauts T.J. Creamer and Tracy Caldwell Dyson, all flight engineers.May 25, 2010

18 April 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for an in-flight portrait on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Discovery...18 April 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for an in-flight portrait on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Discovery. Pictured on the front row are NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, commander; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (left) and NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, both mission specialists. Pictured from the left (back row) are NASA astronauts James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Clayton Anderson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Rick Mastracchio, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station...14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. STS-131 crew members pictured (light blue shirts) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Clayton Anderson, Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. Expedition 23 crew members pictured are Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov, commander; Mikhail Kornienko and Alexander Skvortsov; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi, and NASA astronauts T.J. Creamer and Tracy Caldwell Dyson, all flight engineers.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a portrait in the Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. 14 April 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a portrait in the Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured counter-clockwise (from top left) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Rick Mastracchio, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, NASA astronauts Clayton Anderson and Stephanie Wilson, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members gather for a group portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. STS-131 crew members pictured (light blue shirts) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Clayton Anderson, Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. Expedition 23 crew members pictured are Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov, commander; Mikhail Kornienko and Alexander Skvortsov; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi, and NASA astronauts T.J. Creamer and Tracy Caldwell Dyson, all flight engineers.May 25, 2010

Naoko and Soichi make maki-sushi for the crew, using seaweed wrapper, rice, and shellfish. Naoko also played a miniature koto (Japanese harp).May 25, 2010

9 April 2010 --- The seven STS-131 crew members are seen in Japan's Kibo laboratory during a video downlink. That's a Canon camcorder in the foreground.9 April 2010 --- The seven STS-131 crew members -- working guests for several days aboard the International Space Station -- are seen in Japan's Kibo laboratory during a video downlink to the ground. NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter is at bottom center. Others pictured are astronauts James P. Dutton Jr. (top edge of frame), pilot; and Rick Mastracchio (from far left), Clayton Anderson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Stephanie Wilson, along with Japan's Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members share a meal in the Unity node of the International Space Station. Naoko wears a pink kimono.14 April 2010 --- STS-131 and Expedition 23 crew members share a meal in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured are Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov, Expedition 23 commander; Mikhail Kornienko and Alexander Skvortsov, both Expedition 23 flight engineers; NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, STS-131 commander; James P. Dutton Jr., STS-131 pilot; Clayton Anderson, STS-131 mission specialist; Tracy Caldwell Dyson and T.J. Creamer, both Expedition 23 flight engineers; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronauts Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer; and Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist.May 25, 2010

7 April 2010 --- NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (left) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki appear especially happy to be aboard the International Space Station shortly after the Discovery docked with the orbital o7 April 2010 --- NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (left) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki appear especially happy to be aboard the International Space Station shortly after the Discovery docked with the orbital outpost. Each of the two mission specialists is enjoying her first trip into space, and the two are joined by two other women and nine men for several days of joint activities as work continues on the station.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- The four women currently on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Cupola while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station...14 April 2010 --- The four women currently on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Cupola while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured clockwise (from the lower right) are NASA astronauts Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, both STS-131 mission specialists; and Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer; along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist.May 25, 2010

The four women currently on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Zvezda Service Module while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.7 April 2010 --- The four women currently on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Zvezda Service Module while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured clockwise from the lower left are NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer; NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, all STS-131 mission specialists.May 25, 2010

7 April 2010 --- For the first time, four women were in space.7 April 2010 --- The four women currently on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Zvezda Service Module while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. From the left are NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, both STS-131 mission specialists; along with NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer; and Stephanie Wilson, STS-131 mission specialist.May 25, 2010

Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer; and Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, pose for a photo in the Kibo laboratory.14 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronauts Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer; and Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, pose for a photo in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

6 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki is in the hatch which connects the flight deck and middeck of space shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.6 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured in the hatch which connects the flight deck and middeck of space shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities. NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, commander, is at right.May 25, 2010

7 April 2010 -- Marking the first occasion of more than one Japanese astronaut onboard any space vehicle at any time in history, JAXA astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Naoko Yamazaki reunite in the Japanese Kibo laboratory7 April 2010 -- Marking the first occasion of more than one astronaut representing the Japan Aerospace Space Agency onboard any space vehicle at any time in history, JAXA astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Naoko Yamazaki reunite in the Japanese Kibo laboratory aboard the International Space Station shortly after it docked with the space shuttle Discovery on April 7. Noguchi, Expedition 22/23 flight engineer, is in the back end of a six month stay aboard the orbital complex. Yamazaki is a mission specialist with the STS-131 crew.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured in a window of the Cupola for operating the robotic arm.14 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured in a window of the Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. The Cupola enables direct visibility of the robotic arm instead of relying on monitors.May 25, 2010

12 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki (left), STS-131 mission specialist; and Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer, pose for a photo near a window in the Kibo laboratory...12 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronauts Naoko Yamazaki (left), STS-131 mission specialist; and Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 23 flight engineer, pose for a photo near a window in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, poses for a photo in the Cupola of the International Space Station.17 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, poses for a photo in the Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, works at a robotic workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.15 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, works at a robotic workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

10 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, works in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module.10 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, works in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) linked to the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

14 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, eats a snack in the Kibo laboratory...14 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, eats a snack in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

6 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki floats through a hatch on the middeck of space shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.6 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, floats through a hatch on the middeck of space shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, floats freely in the Leonardo Multi-purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) linked to the International Space Station...15 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, floats freely in the Leonardo Multi-purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) linked to the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

10 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki works with the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) in the Destiny laboratory...10 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, works with the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. WORF will provide cameras, multispectral and hyperspectral scanners, camcorders and other instruments to capture Earth imagery through Destiny's nadir window.May 25, 2010

10 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, floats freely in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module.10 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, floats freely in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) linked to the International Space Station while space shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.May 25, 2010

12 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki watches a water bubble float freely between her and the camera, showing her image refracted , on the middeck of space shuttle Discovery...12 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, watches a water bubble float freely between her and the camera, showing her image refracted, on the middeck of space shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki flashes the peace sign on the flight deck of space shuttle Discovery during postlaunch activities.5 April 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, is pictured on the flight deck of space shuttle Discovery during postlaunch activities.May 25, 2010

April 2010 --- Astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-131 mission commander who has led the Discovery crew on its mission to the International Space Station, displays a pleasant countenance as the hatches come open7 April 2010 --- Astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-131 mission commander who has led the Discovery crew on its mission to the International Space Station, displays a pleasant countenance as the hatches come open and two crews begin their traditional handshakes aboard the orbital outpost. Behind Poindexter is Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, mission specialist.May 25, 2010

7 April 2010 --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov (far left), Expedition 23 commander, prepares to greet the STS-131 crew as it comes aboard the International Space Station7 April 2010 --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov (far left), Expedition 23 commander, prepares to greet the STS-131 crew as it comes aboard the International Space Station to spend several days in a number of busy joint activities for the two crews. Seen clearly in the hatch are astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-131 commander, and Japan Aerospace Agency astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, mission specialist.May 25, 2010

Sapce Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station.May 25, 2010

The International Space Station.17 April 2010 --- The International Space Station is featured in this image photographed by an STS-131 crew member on space shuttle Discovery after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 7:52 a.m. (CDT) on April 17, 2010.May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- Time-elapsed photography captures space shuttle Discovery's path to orbit. Liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida was at 6:21 a.m. (EDT) April 5, 2010 on the STS-131 mission.5 April 2010 --- Time-elapsed photography captures space shuttle Discovery's path to orbit. Liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida was at 6:21 a.m. (EDT) April 5, 2010 on the STS-131 mission. Onboard are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson and Clayton Anderson; along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. The seven-member crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station's truss structure, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

GO! GO! GO!May 25, 2010

Liftoff was at 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5, 2010, from launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 5 April 2010 --- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-131 crew head toward Earth orbit and rendezvous with the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5, 2010, from launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-131 crew head toward Earth orbit and rendezvous with the International Space Station.(5 April 2010) --- Space shuttle Discovery and its seven-member STS-131 crew head toward Earth orbit and rendezvous with the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5, 2010, from launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Onboard are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson and Clayton Anderson; along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, all mission specialists. The crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station's truss structure, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.
May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- After suiting up, the STS-131 crew members pause alongside the Astrovan to wave farewell to onlookers before heading for launch pad 39A...5 April 2010 --- After suiting up, the STS-131 crew members pause alongside the Astrovan to wave farewell to onlookers before heading for launch pad 39A for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-131 mission. From the right are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists. Liftoff of the STS-131 mission is set for 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5. On STS-131, the seven-member crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station's truss structure, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- After suiting up, the STS-131 crew members exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to launch pad 39A for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-131 mission. On the right (front to back) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson and Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists. On the left (front to back) are NASA astronauts James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, both mission specialists. Liftoff of the STS-131 mission is set for 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5. On STS-131, the seven-member crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station's truss structure, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

5 April 2010 --- After suiting up, the STS-131 crew members exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan...5 April 2010 --- After suiting up, the STS-131 crew members exit the Operations and Checkout Building to board the Astrovan, which will take them to launch pad 39A for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on the STS-131 mission. On the right (front to back) are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; Rick Mastracchio, Stephanie Wilson and Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists. On the left (front to back) are NASA astronauts James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, both mission specialists. Liftoff of the STS-131 mission is set for 6:21 a.m. (EDT) on April 5. On STS-131, the seven-member crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station's truss structure, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station's exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall.May 25, 2010

2010 March 5 --- For the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, Naoko Yamazaki is about to board Space Shuttle Discovery.May 25, 2010

2010 March 5 --- During the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, the crew sit in Space Shuttle Discovery for a countdown simulation. In the middle is Naoko.May 25, 2010

2010 March 5 --- Naoko gives the thumbs up as she heads for Space Shuttle Discovery for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.May 25, 2010

10 March 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.10 March 2010 --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio, mission specialist; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Alan Poindexter, commander; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki (left) and NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, await the start of an ingress/egress training session...29 Jan. 2010) --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (left) and NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, both STS-131 mission specialists, attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, await the start of an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

14 Sept. 2009 --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-131 crew members await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at Johnson Space Center.14 Sept. 2009 --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, the STS-131 crew members await the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, mission specialist; NASA astronauts James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Alan Poindexter, commander; Stephanie Wilson, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Clay Anderson and Rick Mastracchio, all mission specialists.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in one of the full-scale trainers in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at Johnson Space Center.14 Sept. 2009 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in one of the full-scale trainers in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

United Space Alliance crew trainer Robert (Rob) Tomaro briefs Naoko Yamazaki in preparation for a water survival training session...17 Sept. 2009 --- United Space Alliance crew trainer Robert (Rob) Tomaro briefs Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, in preparation for a water survival training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Yamazaki is wearing a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit.May 25, 2010

29 Jan. 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, awaits the start of an ingress/egress training session...29 Jan. 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, awaits the start of an ingress/egress training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

Naoko Yamazaki gets help in the donning of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session...17 Sept. 2009 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, gets help in the donning of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technicians assisted Yamazaki.May 25, 2010

9 Dec. 2009 --- Naoko Yamazaki dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility...9 Dec. 2009 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, STS-131 mission specialist, dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician Toni Cost-Davis assisted Yamazaki.May 25, 2010

2009 May 15 -- Checking the fit of her pressurized suit at Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

2010 March 2 -- Naoko arrives Kennedy Space Center for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test.May 25, 2010

2 Feb. 2005 --- NASA?s 2004 class of astronaut candidates participates in a galley training session in the Crew Compartment Trainer...2 Feb. 2005 --- NASA?s 2004 class of astronaut candidates participates in a galley training session in the Crew Compartment Trainer (CCT-2) in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. Pictured (seated, from back to front) are Christopher J. (Chris) Cassidy, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, Jose M. Hernandez and Richard R. (Ricky) Arnold II.May 25, 2010

10 Feb. 2010 --- Naoko Yamazaki (center), along with NASA astronauts Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (background) and Stephanie Wilson participate in an ingress/egress time...10 Feb. 2010 --- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki (center), along with NASA astronauts Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger (background) and Stephanie Wilson, all STS-131 mission specialists, participate in an ingress/egress timeline training session in a shuttle mock-up in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.May 25, 2010

2009 Aug. 26 -- In a domed simulator, Naoko Yamazaki(right) and Stephanie Wilson practice manipulating the space shuttle's robot arm (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System: SRMS).Shuttle Remote Manipulator System: SRMSMay 25, 2010

1947 files on 8 page(s)