Most viewed - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Most viewed

About Mieji-juku in Japanese.1 views

Akiba Shrine is also here. 秋葉神社1 views

Replica of Mieji-juku's Kosatsu official bulletin board. 高札1 views

Turn the corner here.1 views

Site of Mieji-juku's Honjin (VIP lodging). The building no longer exists. This was Mieji-juku's highest elevation at only 10 meters. 本陣跡1 views

Looks like a rest place for travelers. Not a bus stop.1 views

Walk further to see the small Kannon-do Hall.1 views

Next to Kanzeon-do Hall is Saikawa River depicted in Hiroshige's woodblock print. 犀川1 views

Hiroshige's woodblock print for Mieji-juku showing Saikawa River and two farmers giving directions to a priest. It was a low-lying area near three rivers and prone to flooding. 犀川1 views

Mizuho is a major producer of Fuyu-gaki persimmons. 1 views

Bust stop at Mieji Station. Buses very infrequent.1 views

Back to Mieji Station.1 views

Onomichi Castle overlooking Onomichi Station. It was built in 1964 solely as a local museum and tourist attraction. 1 views

On Mukaishima island, the ferry to Onomichi. Onomichi Castle can be seen across the water.1 views

Danish street.1 views

Stone lantern in Kunigawa Onsen. "Onsen" means hot spring.1 views

Near most major hot spring hotels is Tateiwa Promenade, a walking path along Kinugawa River. Something to do during the day. 楯岩遊歩道1 views

Kinutateiwa Bridge is for pedestrians only. Spans 140 meters long, and 37 meters above the river. 鬼怒楯岩大吊橋1 views

Kinugawa River as seen from Kinutateiwa Bridge.1 views

Kinugawa Onsen1 views

After crossing the bridge, go left and you will soon see Furukama Falls. 古釜の滝1 views

Tateiwa Kinuhime Shrine. Pray here to find a good mate, have a child, long life, and business prosperity. 楯岩鬼怒姫神社1 views

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Tateiwa Scenic Point is a small lookout deck on a small hill 104 meters above the river. 楯岩展望台1 views

From Tateiwa Scenic Point, fine views of Kinugawa Onsen spa. 楯岩展望台1 views

Directions back.1 views

Kinutateiwa Bridge over Kinugawa River.1 views

Cherry blossom road in Kinugawa Onsen.1 views

Sunset clouds in Kinugawa Onsen.1 views

Kinugawa Park Hotels, where we stayed overnight in Kinugawa Onsen hot spring. Very nice hotel. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ1 views

Sofa1 views

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Hina dolls at Kinugawa Park Hotels.1 views

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The hotel president also greeted us during dinner and gave us the VIP treatment.1 views

View from the outdoor bath.1 views

Hair dryers, etc.1 views

Kinugawa Onsen Station.1 views

Small horse (live). Pay ¥200 to get carrots to feed the horse.1 views

View from Ryogoku Bridge.1 views

Echigoya gift shop.1 views

Soba noodle restaurant.1 views

Fire tower1 views

Wakamatsu-ya Theater is the park's most eye-catching building. 若松屋1 views

Samurai District, local magistrate's residence. 南町奉行所1 views

Roof tiles in a wall.1 views

Yaba Archery Dojo1 views

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About the ninja mansion. Pregnant women should not enter.1 views

Ninja guide1 views

Revolving wall.1 views

Under floor secret path.1 views

Ninja Maze1 views

Tower in the middle of the maze is a reference point.1 views

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Koyama Castle was built by the Takeda Clan in 1568, but destroyed by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1582 and never rebuilt. Yoshida Town Historic Site.1 views

View from Koyama Castle.1 views

The bridge going to Manazuru Peninsula is on Route 135.1 views

Cape Manazuru tip with Mitsu-ishi (三ツ石) or Rock Trio. Two of the pointy rocks are bound by a shimenawa sacred rope. It's a noted spot for watching the New Year's first sunrise which rises between the two roped rocks.1 views

Mitsu-ishi (三ツ石) rocks bound by a shimenawa sacred rope.1 views

Old map of Manazuru Peninsula.1 views

For many years, even before Niseko became popular among overseas skiers, Niseko was long known in Japan as offering the best powder snow. There are multiple ski resorts in Niseko and I skiied on three of them. This is Niseko Hirafu. ニセコヒラフ1 views

Niseko Hirafu has both easy and steep (moguls) slopes. ニセコヒラフ1 views

Niseko Hirafu ski lift. ニセコヒラフ1 views

Niseko Annupuri ski grounds has a different view of Mt. Yotei compared to Hirafu. ニセコアンヌプリ1 views

Niseko Annupuri 1 views

Views while skiing on Niseko Annupuri. ニセコアンヌプリ1 views

Views from Niseko Annupuri at close to sunset.1 views

Views from Niseko Annupuri. ニセコアンヌプリ1 views

Niseko Moiwa ski run. We skiied here at night. ニセコモイワ1 views

Bihoro Pass is within Akan-Mashu National Park. 1 views

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On the southern shore is Akanko Onsen hot spring with hotels and inns. Boat cruises also operate. These photos were taken years ago, so a few buildings might look different today. 阿寒湖温泉1 views

Only part of Lake Penketo can be seen from the road. Part of the Akan Volcanic Complex. ペンケトー1 views

Shintoku Ski Grounds as seen from the train in autumn. The building is the ski lodge where you buy lift tickets, etc.1 viewsNear JR Shintoku Station (JR Nemuro Line).

Newer Lake Mashu sign at a lookout point. 1 views

View of Lake Mashu from Scenic Point 1.1 views

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Beautiful shades of blue.1 views

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Mt. Io, meaning "Sulphur Mountain," is a lava dome spewing steam and sulphur gases. Tourists can walk and easily see the sulphur and steam vents. 1 views

Literally nicknamed "Sulfur Mountain," Mt. Io is a convenient, steaming tourist attraction between Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu. The mountain's Ainu name is "Atosa-nupuri," meaning "naked mountain" since it hardly has an1 views

Since there was no machinery in those days, mining operations were done manually with a pick and shovel. Prison labor was used for the mining. The sulphur was then loaded on horseback and boats to Kushiro.1 views

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Takao Baigo is in the area of the famous Mt. Takao. It's an area with several plum blossom groves mainly along a road called Kyu-Koshu Kaido (旧甲州街道) near JR Takao Station and Keio Line Takaosanguchi Station. 1 views

Takao Baigo was established in 1964 by a local tourist group. They happened to have multiple plum groves in this area, so they decided to market them together as a tourist attraction named "Takao Baigo" (Takao Plum Blossom Area).1 views

JR Takao Station. Takes a little over an hour from Tokyo Station on the JR Chuo Line.1 views

Buses run only once an hour on weekdays and two or three times per hour on weekends. Take the bus going to Kobotoke (小仏).1 views

When I took the bus from Takao Station in mid-morning, it was packed even on a weekday during peak bloom.1 views

If you want to see the largest plum grove first (Kogesawa Bairin), get off here at the Oshimo stop (大下). Takes about 20-30 min. from Takao Station.1 views

Bus stops between the two nearest train stations and Takao Baigo.1 views

Walking up to the top of Kogesawa Bairin along this path on the periphery.1 views

Kogesawa Bairin is on a hillside.1 views

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Plum trees also have lichens growing on the trunk and branches. These lichens form on plum trees in rural areas. We don't see them on plum trees in the city because exhaust fumes from vehicles kill them. 1 viewsSo if you see these lichens on plum trees, it means the surrounding environment is very clean. (Parmotrema tinctorum ウメノキゴケ)

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Steps going down hill of plum trees at Kogesawa Bairin.1 views

Some plum trees with pruned branches. May they flower again someday.1 views

The grove is near the mountains, so there's a nice backdrop.1 views

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Kogesawa Bairin plum grove at Takao Baigo, Hachioji, Tokyo.1 views

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It's a quiet, rural, residential area along a small river. As you keep walking, you see plum trees here and there.1 views

Bus stop1 views

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Pruning plum trees.1 views

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The next plum grove was Surusashi Bairin (するさし梅林). This might be the second largest plum grove in Takao Baigo.1 views

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Surusashi Bairin has just one main path in the middle. The Chuo Expressway (goes to Nagoya via Nagano) is in the background.1 views

Surusashi Bairin1 views

Other end of Surusashi Bairin.1 views

Since they are so few in Takao, the red plums really stand out.1 views

The public cannot enter Yunohana Bairin, so you just see it from the road.1 views

A grove named Takao Ume-no-Sato Machi-no-Hiroba. 1 views

Takao Ume-no-Sato Machi-no-Hiroba is more for picnicking.1 views

Takao Ume-no-Sato Machi-no-Hiroba1 views

Takao Ume-no-Sato Machi-no-Hiroba has restrooms.1 views

Tenjin Bairin well.1 views

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About Takao Tenmangu Shrine. Plum blossoms are associated with Sugawara Michizane because he once wrote a poem for his beloved plum blossoms that "flew through the air" to follow him when he was exiled to Dazaifu, Fukuoka.1 views

People in this Takao area have been worshipping Tenjin for centuries. Most all Tenmangu/Tenjin shrines (thousands of them) have plum blossoms.1 views

Walking path along the river.1 views

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Homes along the river.1 views

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Yuhodo Bairin (遊歩道梅林)1 views

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Lake Kussharo has two tourist areas. One is here at Sunayu. 砂湯1 views

Lake Kussharo was also known for the "Kusshi" legend similar to the Loch Ness Monster, "Nessie." Credible sightings of Kussi were widely reported from 1973-1974, but stopped after the 2000s.1 viewsThis is an old statue displayed at JR Bihoro Station. Newer statue is at Sunayu near the lake shore.

Boats can be rented at Sunayu. In May 1938, the Kussharo Earthquake had sulfates seep into the lake from the lake bottom, making the water too acidic (pH4) for fish which got wiped out. 1 views

By the 2000s, the water acidity decreased enough to introduce fish which could endure the acidity. Only small stocks of rainbow trout, Kokanee, and Masu salmon are now in the lake. The lake has no fishing industry.1 views

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Wakoto Peninsula's west side.1 views

Wakoto Peninsula1 views

Water hose manhole for firemen.1 views

Some cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond in late March. じゅん菜池1 views

In autumn, Junsai-ike Pond is also noted for fall leaves.1 views

Small island in the middle of the pond.1 views

Junsai-ike Pond. No swan boats or rowboats. Only ducks. じゅん菜池1 views

Cherry blossoms along Junsai-ike Pond. じゅん菜池1 views

Two stone coffins on Akedo Kofun burial mound. Experts believe that they contained the remains of local nobility who ruled this area in the 6th to 7th century. Chiba Prefecture has many of these stone coffins. 明戸古墳石棺1 views

Konodai Castle remains in Satomi Park. Embankments and rocks. 国府台城1 views

Satomi Park cherry blossoms.1 views

This is where most people enjoyed Satomi Park, under the cherry blossoms.1 views

About Shien-soja. It was originally located in Koiwa (Edogawa Ward, Tokyo) and moved here. (紫烟草舎).1 views

Old well on the fringe of Satomi Park named "Rakan-no-I". 羅漢の井1 views

Straight ahead is the bridge for the Keisei Line. 江戸川沿い1 views

Directions at Ichikawa Station.1 views

Looking west toward Edogawa River. The JR Sobu Line (left) and Keisei Line (extreme right) over Edogawa River can be seen. The bridge in the middle is Route 14.1 views

Looking further upstream on Edogawa River. Left of the river is Edogawa (Koiwa) and Katsushika (Shibamata) Wards.1 views

Yamazaki Plaza Ichikawa, a coffee shop and bakery operated by Yamazaki Baking in front of Ichikawa Station. This was a good place for refreshments before heading home.1 views

Near Guhoji is Tekona Reijindo, another temple. We didn't go to see this temple though. (Too tired walking.) Tekona Reijindo is dedicated to a local girl named Tekona who lived 2,000 years ago. 手児奈霊神堂1 viewsHer job was to fetch water from a well. She was such a beautiful girl that every man who saw her fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. They even fought over her. Even the moon fell in love with her. She got so distraught by all the attention and fighting that she drowned herself in the well. Poor girl, she was loved to death.

In 1501, Tekona's spirit told a priest to build a grave for her. This evolved into this temple where women pray for maternal happiness including safe childbirth and child rearing. 手児奈霊神堂1 views

Poem about Tekona.1 views

The weeping cherry tree looks different from different angles.1 views

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Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge near the steps going up to Guhoji Temple. The bridge is mentioned in some poems in the Man'yoshu. 真間の継橋1 views

About Mama no Tsughihashi Bridge. 真間の継橋1 views

Mama River empties into Edogawa River. We later walked along Edogawa River toward Konodai Station on the Keisei Line.1 views

There's a boy and girl Monchicchi usually depicted as infants sucking their thumbs.1 views

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Boy Monchicchi-kun greets you.1 views

History of Sekiguchi Corporation, inventor of Monchicchi.1 views

Monchicchi Park layout. Upper left is the new Monchicchi Zone and lower right is the new Chibikko Hiroba for infants.1 views

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On the left is Mademoiselle Jeje from 1973. Her thumb-sucking was also incorporated in Monchicchi. In the middle are clown dolls for music boxes in 1984.1 views

Also see my Monchicchi blog post.1 views

Monchicchi angel has its own corner of the park. 天使のモンチッチ1 views

Main part of Monchicchi Park. Good place to run around, play with radio-controlled cars, or use playground equipment. This is also the emergency evacuation zone.1 views

In this corner, fitness equipment for stretching your body.1 views

The shrine was historically famous for plum trees where even Hiroshige created a woodblock print. However, in 1910, a great flood ruined the garden. The current garden was built in 1994. Free admission. 1 views

The plum blossoms bursting at the seams at this small shrine called Omurai Katori Shrine in Sumida Ward, Tokyo1 views

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Plum trees on left side of the shrine.1 views

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View of Tokyo Sky Tree through the plum blossoms.1 views

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Pink weeping plum blossoms.1 views

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Pink weeping plum blossoms.1 views

Red plum blossoms.1 views

View from Omurai Katori Shrine's main worship hall.1 views

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Plum blossoms on the right side of the shrine.1 views

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Entrance to the plum garden on the right side of the shrine. 1 views

Entrance to the small plum blossom garden named Kobaien. 香梅園1 views

Large weeping plum tree in Kobaien garden.1 views

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Omurai Station on the Tobu Kameido Line. 1 views

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These were still one or two days before peak bloom.1 views

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A long cycling path goes along Shin-Shibakawa River and the America cherry blossoms.1 views

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The park also has this Reagan Sakura cherry tree planted here in April 2012 to mark the centennial of Tokyo gifting cherry trees from Adachi Ward to the US in 1912.1 viewsThis tree came from the original "Reagan Sakura" cherry tree planted in Nov. 1982 from a sapling given to Japan by Nancy Reagan in 1981. The sapling came from the original cherry tree planted in Washington, DC's Tidal Basin by Mrs. Helen Taft, the wife of President Willian Taft, in 1912.

About Adachi Ward's Japan-US Cherry Blossom connection and centennial in 2012.1 views

"America" Somei-Yoshino cherry trees from America at the park when in bloom. They are planted for a few hundred meters along Shin-Shibakawa River behind the Visitors Center. This was in late March.1 views