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Hirosaki Castle tower439 views
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Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, Kanagawa439 viewsAwa Odori dancers are characterized by their straw hats, a thin kimono called the yukata, and geta clogs. Their heels don't touch the ground, so they dance on their toes. They hop along while shaking their hands above their heads. Since the dance is performed in the summer, often the yukata gets soaked with perspiration.
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Banner with Ukita Hideie's crest.439 views
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Ninja phone straps439 views
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A sailor salutes as the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka.439 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) A sailor salutes as the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josh Cassatt (Released)
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Way to Niu Shrine, near Hashimoto bus stop, about 15 min. by bus from Yogo Station. The Chawan Matsuri festival is held by Niu Shrine. The last time was in May 2003. The festival features three floats, a procession, and sacred dances and music.439 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景438 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri438 viewsNext was exhibition sumo matches by the top-division Makunouchi wrestlers. Musashimaru never appeared again.
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Asashoryu later won438 views
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Path to the Kaisenchi or site where the battle started, at the foot of the hill straight ahead. 開戦地438 views
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Girl in Storm. Wires were used inside the kimono to make it look wind-blown like in a rainstorm. Even her clogs are for rain. Early photographers commonly imitated the poses and scenes depicted in ukiyoe woodcut prints and Nihonga paintings.438 viewsAlthough the photographer and model were serious in making this picture, it makes you laugh.
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The highlight of the show was the hydraulics competition where we could see car hopping during most of the day.438 views
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Statue of Lord Toda Ujikane who was the Ogaki Castle lord in 1635.438 views
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437 views
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Closeup of a Neputa float.437 viewsTheories concerning the origin of the Neputa are identical to those of the Nebuta. However, in the 1880's, the Neputa gradually changed from human figures into a fan shape. The floats have come a long way since then. Candles have been replaced by generator-powered lights and the washi paper has been replaced by washi paper blended with nylon. The festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Culture Asset.
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Mountain vegetables 山菜437 views
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Yotsudake, Okinawa's most famous dance. 四つ竹437 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.437 views
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Battleship Yamato has an Imperial chrysanthemum crest on the bow. This was one of the things which helped to identify the wreck on the sea bottom.437 views
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Butsuri keiko436 views
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Kawasaki Motorcycles436 viewsKawasaki had a bevy of leggy beauties promoting their cycles. They didn't dance, but served well to attract attention.
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Futami Okitama Shrine does not have a main hall (Honden) like most other shrines. It worships the Okitama Sacred Stone in the ocean beyond the Wedded Rocks. 二見興玉神社436 views
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Quite spectacular when the flowers are in full bloom.436 views
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Daimaru Dept. Store on the west side. Notice the entrance sign celebrating the 5th anniversary of the new train station.436 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Kintaikyo Bridge from his "Famous Views of the 60 Provinces" series.436 views
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Keiji Suzuki wins by hantei.435 views
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The right hand points to the threat of nuclear weapons.435 viewsThe bronze statue is 10 meters tall.
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri435 views
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Children dressed for the chigo parade (photo session), Tsukiji Hongwanji, Tokyo435 views
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Exhibits inside the castle, a folk and history museum for the Chiba clan and Chiba city.435 views
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Shirakawa-go 白川郷435 views
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Japanese Garden435 views
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View from atop Mt. Azuchi.434 views
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Lotus pond at Karasuma Peninsula.434 views
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434 views
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434 views
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Fushimi Turret as seen from Nijubashi Bridge. Edo Castle was first built by Ota Dokan (太田道灌) in 1457 when Tokyo/Edo was still a small fishing village. Ota Dokan is thus regarded as one of Tokyo's forefathers. 伏見櫓434 views
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Blow darts with poison tips maybe.434 views
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433 views
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Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. The names of the children playing are written on the red lanterns hanging above. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台433 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.433 views
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The 28th Asakusa Samba Carnival was held on Aug. 30, 2008. Despite the threat of heavy rains, the parade was not cancelled and many people showed up. Kaminarimon-dori is crowded with people at 1 pm.433 views
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Sailors man the rails of The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).433 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) Sailors man the rails of The Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the carrier pulls into its new operating base at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing 5 will be operating from Fleet Activities Yokosuka as the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick/released)
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Nu-no-mon Gate (Important Cultural Property). This is the way out.432 views
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Kyoto University's winning rowing crew432 views
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The large slope of azalea bushes have walking paths where you can see and photograph the flowers up close.432 views
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PACIFIC OCEAN (April 20, 2008) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 perform a fly-by maneuver over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CV 73).432 viewsPACIFIC OCEAN (April 20, 2008) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 perform a fly-by maneuver over the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CV 73) as crew members and distinguished visitors watch from the flight deck. George Washington is en route to Yokosuka, Japan, where she will replace the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis (Released)
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Toyosato Elementary School after renovations in 2009. Nice new coat of paint makes the old school look almost brand new. MAP432 views
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Since Jan. 2010 is the 15th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake that struck on Jan. 17, 1995, I decided to upload these photos for the first time. I visited Kobe 10 days after the killer quake struck. Had to take a hydrofoil from Osaka to reach Kobe.432 views
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431 views
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Break to treat Marumoto's bleeding nose.431 views
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Photo Booth431 views証明写真 - "Shōmei shashin." This is another very common photo term in Japan. You often see it at camera shops, photofinishers, and on these photo booths.
This booth is emblazoned with "Shōmei shashin" in red characters. It means ID photos (for resumes, driver's license application/renewal forms, and passports). Of course, people often use it for fun too.
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife431 views
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Salt sprinkler heads the procession to purify the way.431 views
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Wartime Mitsui Life Insurance ad card. Dated Feb. 1942, this advertising postcard shows a Japanese torpedo bomber dropping a torpedo aimed at a US battleship under heavy attack. An American flag (faint) can be seen on the ship's mast.431 viewsDated Feb. 1942, this advertising postcard shows a Japanese torpedo bomber dropping a torpedo aimed at a US battleship under heavy attack. An American flag (faint) can be seen on the ship's mast. The advertising copy reads, "This one shot is a phenomenal force." On the left, the text reads, "A new weapon for national savings." "Very low insurance premiums." "Mitsui's provision for old age" "It has no enemies!" For some reason, the left corners of the card were cut with scissors, perhaps to remove it from an album.
Needless to say, the lowest point in US-Japan relations was World War II. The Pearl Harbor attack, the internment of Japanese-Americans, battles at Midway and other Pacific islands, Tokyo fire bombing raids, land battle on Okinawa, and the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still reverberate among the generations today. Every year in August in Japan, ceremonies are held to mark and memorialize the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and the war's end. All the while, Dec. 8 (7 in Hawaii) is just another day in Japan with no particular significance.
Of course in Hawaii, Dec. 7 is a day of national mourning as much as Hiroshima/Nagasaki Day in Japan. Each country mourns its own and neither seems to care about the other's war dead. I await the day when both countries mourn for each other as well as for themselves. After all, we all belong to the same family, the Family of Man.
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Calling Musashimaru (with a conch shell)430 views
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Scenery along the way by bus to Ainokura from Shirakawa-go.430 views
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Not sure what this is.430 views
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Hamura Tulip Festival, Tokyo430 views
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Leader of the 47 ronin, Oishi Kuranosuke goes in front of the Hondo hall and reported their successful capture of Kira.430 views
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Oh yeah...430 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession429 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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429 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3 (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) is perhaps Shiga's most prominent with three impressive demons (called oni) on stage acting as the evil oni to be chased away with soybeans.429 viewsFeb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune.
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Hakata Ningyo dolls428 views
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428 views
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Portable shrine for Takeinadane-no-Mikoto428 views
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Sexy MC. It was pretty cold that Nov. day.428 views
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Iga-Ueno really plays up its ninja past. 428 views
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During April and early May, they hold the annual ninja festa.428 views
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Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido427 viewsEarly Feb.
More pictures here.
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Drum427 views
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Old Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side. On the left end is the North Entrance under a dome roof, and on the right end is the South Entrance also under a dome roof. Both dome roofs were damaged during World War II, and were repaired with slat-style roofs.427 views
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Mona Lisa Smile. She's cute, ideal for a passport photo. But her hairstyle is more striking than anything. What do you call it? A Westernized Japanese hairstyle?427 views
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Keiji Suzuki vs. Hidekazu Shoda (semi-final)426 views
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Getting closer to the bridge426 views
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Gate to Zenkoji426 views
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Yokozuna Asashoryu performs his dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony426 views
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Ishida Mitsunari's banner with his family crest.426 views
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Statue of Ishida Mitsunari426 views
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Profiles of neutral armies425 views
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The route is short, but it's a slow procession with many short breaks. The procession lasts 1.5 hours.425 views
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A large crowd line the narrow street.425 views
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Koku-Koen Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line 航空公園駅425 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park in spring.425 views
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Medicines made by the company which owns the house.425 views
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Healthy "Ninja tea." Free samples in the living room.425 views
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Luggage storage room ヴェネツィアの駅の荷物預かり所424 viewsCoin-operated lockers were out of order in the station. In the morning at 9:30 am, the line can be long for people wanting to store their baggage.
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Statue of Lord Takatora Todo, who became the 11th lord of the castle in 1608. He is revered for revamping the castle and developing the castle town of Tsu. He was originally from Inugami, Shiga Pref. This statue was built in 1998.424 views
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Inuyama Castle tower424 views
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Kobuntei Villa424 views
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The retirement ceremony had a lot of Hawaiian touches. This was only the beginning.424 viewsHula dancers and live Hawaiian band from Hawaii.
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Grilled Iwana river fish424 views
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Sakurajima, Kagoshima. Part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park. 桜島424 views
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Sake cart424 views
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Smiling for the camera. It's always nice to see a smiling woman on a vintage postard. This is not an ideal smile though. Kind of sheepish and unnatural. Sort of half-hearted and "halfway" like her fan which is only half open.424 views
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A family embraces the Japanese culture and wears yukatas as they wait for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to pull into its new operating base Fleet Activities Yokosuka.424 viewsYOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 25 2008) A family embraces the Japanese culture and wears yukatas as they wait for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to pull into its new operating base Fleet Activities Yokosuka. George Washington's arrival from its former homeport of Norfolk, Va., marks the beginning of its role as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter D. Lawlor/Released)
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Beware of Jellyfish423 viewsハブクラゲに注意しよう！ - "Habu kurage ni chūi shiyō." Beware of jellyfish. In Okinawa, "habu kurage" (Chiropsalmus quadrigatus) is a type of poisonous jellyfish whose venomous sting can cause death.
Place: Taketomi island, Okinawa.
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Ducks on ice423 views
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Dinner423 views
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Branches of the sacred sakaki tree.423 views
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Bin-temari in Echigawa, Shiga. Echigawa's bin-temari history goes back to around 1840 when its oldest bin-temari was made. However, this traditional art died out with the death of Aoki Hiro in 1973, Echigawa's last bin-temari maker.423 views
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The Matsuda Sakura Matsuri is held from mid-February to mid or late March. The cherry blossoms bloom in mid-March or later if it's a cold winter like in 2012. Near Odakyu Shin-Matsuda Station (80 min. from Shinjuku).423 views
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422 views
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About the Tokyo Motor Show...422 viewsMakuhari Messe is near Kaihin Makuhari Station on the Keiyo and Musashino Lines. The huge show occupies the entire Makuhari Messe consisting of the North, East, Center, and West Halls, and Event Hall. Admission was 1200 yen. The show sees over 1.4 million visitors.
Although this is called the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the first motor show was held in 1954 and called the 1st All-Japan Motor Show. The venue was Hibiya Park in Tokyo. In 1964, the show was renamed "Tokyo Motor Show." The show was held annually until 1973 when the oil shock occurred. It was so severe that organizers decided to hold the show every other year. No show was held in 1974. From 1975, the show was held every other year. 2005 is actually the 50th anniversary of the motor show.
In 1958, the venue changed to Korakuen Bicycle Racing Stadium. Also in 1958, the date was changed from spring (April-May) to fall (Oct.-Nov). In 1959, the venue was switched to Harumi at the domed Tokyo International Trade Center where it would remain until 1987 when it moved to Makuhari Messe in 1989. In 1970, foreign automakers participated in the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time.
In 1999, the show combined passenger cars and motorcycles. Also, in 1999, the show for commercial vehicles was omitted and instead to be held in a separate show in alternating years starting in 2000. The motor show for passenger cars and motorcycles would continue to be held every two years from 1999. So there would be a Tokyo Motor Show every year, but the purpose would alternate between passenger cars/motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
During the 1st motor show in 1954, when most of the vehicles displayed were for commercial use, the attendance was 547,000. In 1963, it exceed 1 million over 16 days. It hovered around 1.4 million in the years following. The record attendance was attained in 1991 with over 2 million visitors during 15 days. In 2003, the total attendance was 1.424 million.
In 2000, at the first Tokyo Motor Show dedicated to commercial vehicles, attendance was a mere 177,900 over 5 days. In 2004, attendance was 248,600 over 6 days.
The ubiquitous female companions, attendants, or models that we see today started appearing at the show from as early as 1957. They do not only decorate the show, but they also reflect the fashion of the times. Their hairstyles, wardrobe, skirt length, make-up, etc. The Tokyo Motor Show is not only a showcase for cars, it is also a fashion showcase. Therefore, in this online photo gallery, you will see not only cars, but also women. Enjoy!
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Priests splash cold water over themselves at the Nose Myokenzan Betsuin in Sumida-ku, Tokyo422 views
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Inside the top floor of Kobuntei Villa422 views
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Cherry blossoms and Chiba Castle422 views
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Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成422 views
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422 views
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on a sunny morning of the Tokyo Marathon, Feb. 17, 2008.422 views
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Fighting bull statue in front of Uwajima Station.421 views
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JR Sugamo Station on the Yamanote Line. 巣鴨駅421 views
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Seibu Ikebukuro Line train with shibazakura design.421 views
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Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a favorite resting place for birds which turned the rocks white from bird droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白石421 views
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Inside Beckoning Cat Temple. The altar's objects of worship are numerous beckoning cat dolls.421 views
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Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.421 views
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Natto fermented beans420 views
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Dancers under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo420 views
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I would say this is one of Japan's top five best places to see carp streamers at Kanna-machi, Gunma.420 views
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Kawaii!!420 views
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Monuments marking Tokugawa Ieyasu's first base camp during the Battle of Sekigahara. The banners have the Tokugawa family crest.420 views
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Bin-temari monument. "Bin" means bottle, and "temari" is a threaded ball. The bin-temari is a round glass ball with a threaded ball inside.420 views
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As the climax of the 37th Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival, the Kagurazaka Awa Odori Dance was held on July 25-26, 2008, from 7 pm to 9 pm. These photos were taken on July 25, 2008. Crowd at Bishamonten.420 views
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Naosuke Ii and Commodore Perry. Issued in 1909, this postcard commemorates the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. It has a commemorative postmark marking the "Jubilee of Opening of Yokohama Port."420 viewsYokohama Port was officially opened to foreign trade on July 1, 1859 in accordance with the US-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
The card honors Naosuke Ii and Commodore Matthew C. Perry. You could say that Japan-America relations started with these two men. Ii was the Tokugawa shogunate's Great Elder (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world. Foreigners were then allowed to trade with Japan and take up residence in cities like Yokohama and Hakodate. Ii was later assassinated in 1860 by people who sought to oust the foreign "barbarians."
Commodore Perry first came to Japan in July 1853 with his four warships which the Japanese called "black ships" (kurobune). No diplomatic breakthrough was made, but Perry's knocking on Japan's door was heard loud and clear. Running low on provisions, Perry departed for China and promised to return to Japan which he did in Feb. 1854. This time he got what he wanted. The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed about a month later. The treaty allowed US ships to call on two ports: Shimoda (Kanagawa) and Hakodate (Hokkaido). Permission for a US Consul (Townsend Harris) to reside in Japan was also stipulated. Official diplomatic relations between Japan and America thus began.
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419 views
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Old Ryugen Gakko school. First built in 1876 as a primary school in Takashima, northern Shiga, this is the prefecture's oldest surviving school building. It was moved here for display. 旧柳原学校419 views旧柳原学校
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Kongorinji's Main temple roof drowning in fall leaves419 views
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Kobuntei Villa419 views
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This must be a first, a kumu hula (hula teacher) from Hawaii performing on the sumo ring.419 viewsHe is Sonny Ching, a well-known hula teacher in Hawaii. He brought four male hula dancers who danced at the four corners of the ring.
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The warriors are the procession's main attraction.419 viewsWaiting near Futarasan Shrine's torii.
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Center-gai arcade419 views
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Yuka-chan, A.B.S.UNIDOS DO URBANA based in Nagoya at Asakusa Samba 2008.419 views
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419 views
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Nagisa Park in Moriyama, Shiga has this beautiful field of nano-hana rapeseed blossoms blooming in winter from early-Jan. to mid-March at this lakeside park. なぎさ公園 MAP419 views
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Narita-san during Narita Gion Festival418 views
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The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.418 views
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418 views
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This page is a complete English guide to all the groups that appear in the parade. The parade assembles behind Sensoji Temple and starts at 1:30 pm from Nitenmon gate. The procession then goes down Umamichi-dori street, passes by Matsuya Department Store.418 views先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
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Breakfast at Isaburo minshuku418 views
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Bikini idols Yoshii Rei, Mitsuya Yoko, and Fukushita Megumi throwing beans on Setsubun418 views
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418 views
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Lighting a tobacco pipe. (Real smoke)418 views
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418 views
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Narita-san temple's main hall.418 views
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418 views
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Raising a pole in front of Inazawa Station417 views
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Medicine (gunpowder?) case.417 views
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Baby Baby Sitter. Such scenes were common in those days. Mom and dad were both busy farming, leaving the baby in the hands of older children. Hand-colored.417 views
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Yamagata maiko417 views
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Do not Enter416 views立入禁止 - Another "entry prohibited" sign or "tachi-iri kinshi" in red kanji characters. On the right, the characters read, "kankei-sha igai" meaning "unauthorized persons."
Place: Lake Biwa at Otsu, Shiga Pref.
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The left leg is poised for action to assist humanity.416 views
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The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.416 viewsAt 7:00 p.m., the taiko drum-beating started and the floats left the starting point one by one. The beat of the taiko drums was the same as that in the Nebuta Matsuri. A few men stood on the top of the large Neputa and collapsed the hinged, top portion to clear overhead power lines. The floats were jerked left and right and spun around.
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Turning the hoko float at the Kyoto Gion Matsuri.416 views
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Tokyo Jidai Matsuri, Nov. 3416 viewsMore pictures here
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The "Rio Grande" cruise boat awaits at Imazu Port on a miraculously sunny day during the rainy season. 梅雨でありながら、奇跡的にこんないい天気になった。今津港416 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)415 views
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Merging with another line up ahead415 views
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4. Sakura Kazashite 桜かざして415 viewsDancers: 舞子、万り (Maiko and Mari)
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Bishamon-numa Pond, Fukushima Pref. Bandai-Asahi National Park 毘沙門沼415 views
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415 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo415 views
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The Wedded Rocks are part of Futami Okitama Shrine known for frog sculptures. 二見興玉神社415 views
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Laughing Geisha with Basket. It looks like she's dressed for picking tea leaves. This card, which has an undivided back, dates before 1907. The actual card is more yellowed.415 views
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415 views
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Muramoto wins414 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu takes up residence in Edo. 徳川家康 江戸入府414 views
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Zojoji Temple is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Buddhist sect and best known as the temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. 大門414 viewsAfter Tokugawa Ieyasu started to rule the Kanto region, he designated Zojoji as the family temple of the Tokugawa clan. The temple was expanded during the same time Edo Castle was being built.
Zojoji then came to be known as one of Japan's principal Buddhist temples. The temple grounds have many buildings, monuments, and the tombs of six Tokugawa Shoguns, Imperial Princess Kazunomiya (wife of Shogun Iemochi), and wives and children of shoguns.
Zojoji Temple is a short walk from Onarimon Station on the Mita subway line, Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo and Asakusa subway lines, and JR Hamamatsu-cho Station. This photo shows Daimon Gate on the road to the temple.
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Kobuntei Villa, fusuma sliding door with painting of fall leaves414 views
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In the entrance hall, hula and Hawaiian music direct from Hawaii414 views
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Here he comes...414 views
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The chair414 views
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Air Nippon YS-11 propeller plane. Donated by All Nippon Airways in 1997.414 views
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Kawasaki Motorcycles413 viewsOne of the best-looking motorcycle models.
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413 views
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Narita Gion Matsuri412 views
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Budokan412 views
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Okiku's Well. Subject of a famous ghost story called "Banshu Sara Yashiki," about a castle servant named Okiku.412 views
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5. Otsu-e 大津絵412 views眞由美
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Upper level and VIP booth.412 views
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Upper level and giant sumo portraits of 32 past tournament winners. As of Jan. 2012, there are no portraits of Japanese sumo wrestlers. Only foreigners.412 views
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Entrance to Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street 巣鴨地蔵通り商店街412 views
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Quite overwhelming with about 360,000 tulip bulbs.412 views
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Maiko on Gojobashi Bridge. Postcard-size real photo taken in Kyoto. She has been poorly posed. Her posture is bad, her kimono is ruffled, the sleeves look bad, and her feet are pointing in the wrong direction. Maiko usually know how to pose themselves.412 viewsPostcard-size real photo taken in Kyoto. She has been poorly posed. Her posture is bad, her kimono is ruffled, the sleeves look bad, and her feet are pointing in the wrong direction. Maiko usually know how to pose themselves for a photograph. But not this one. Perhaps she's an amateur.
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Year 1603: Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun. He designates Asakusa Temple as a place of worship, and he worships there himself in 1616. Behind him is his son Tokugawa Hidetada who became the second Tokugawa shogun. 徳川家康 江戸入府411 views
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Statue of Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station411 views
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Foot of Mt. Sasaoyama, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp. 笹尾山 石田三成陣跡411 views
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Yoshino Baigo plum trees410 views
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Also called "Sennin Gyoretsu" (1,000-person Procession 千人行列), this is Nikko's largest festival held on May 17-18. The highlight is a long procession of over 1,000 people dressed in various costumes.410 viewsThe three portable shrines are dedicated to the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo. Photos start with May 17 at Toshogu Shrine, when priests gathered for a ceremony. 発興祭
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Giant portrait of Yokozuna Akebono410 viewsThese are B/W photographs painted over with oil.
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The first half of the route is quite narrow.410 views
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To Obama via JR Obama Line (Tsuruga Station).410 views
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The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) was the emperor's residence from the 14th century to 19th century. This is the main path to the palace where major festivals such as the Aoi Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri are held.410 views
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I gladly gave them a coin, even though they deserve a lot more. Hopefully there were people who gave bills.410 views
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The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.410 views
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Awards ceremony409 views
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Hanakawa do Sukeroku & Ikyu (kabuki characters). Sukeroku and Ikyu vie for the love of a courtesan named Agemaki. 花川戸助六 意休409 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)409 views
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Temple office sells maneki neko beckoning cat in various sizes (and prices).409 views
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Yodobashi, Hokkaido's largest camera and electronics store.409 views
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14 Sept. 2009 --- Naoko Yamazaki, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session...409 views14 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 near one of the full-scale trainers in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
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Group photo of bean throwers. Sumo wrestlers at the top.409 views
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Inuyama Castle roof408 views
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Yoshida Castle turret408 views
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Plum blossom-viewing picnickers408 views
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He goes back to the dressing room408 views
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Takamisakari wins408 views
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Tokushima Awa Odori dancer408 views
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Center-gai arcade408 views
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408 views
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The clothing shops are geared for elderly women. Sugamo is the fashion capital for elderly women. 「おばあちゃんの原宿」408 views
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Near Kora Town Hall is this statue of Kora Bungo-no-Kami Munehiro (1574-1646). Born here, he started a famous lineage of shrine/temple carpenters. 甲良豊後守宗廣 MAP408 viewsHe supervised the construction of many famous buildings.
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407 views
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Narita-san Park's Ukimido Floating Hall407 views
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407 views
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The golden sculpture is atop the Asahi Beer building in Asakusa. It's supposed to be beer froth, but most people think it looks like doo-doo.407 views
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Hakodate's main attraction and landmark is Mt. Hakodate-yama, accessible by ropeway.407 views
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Toyosato manhole, Shiga Pref.407 views
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Map and about the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.407 views
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Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure406 views
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Katsube Fire Festival: Men dance in rings in front of the fire. Also see the video at YouTube.406 views
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Fujimi Turret, Edo Castle 富士見櫓406 views
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Smiling Maiko Sitting. Real-photo postcard to cheer up soldiers. This card was sent as military mail from Kyoto on New Year's Day 1939. The kanji characters on the fan says "Banzai," the traditional Japanese cheer for victory and happy occas406 viewsReal-photo postcard to cheer up soldiers. This card was sent as military mail from Kyoto on New Year's Day 1939. The kanji characters on the fan says "Banzai," the traditional Japanese cheer for victory and happy occasions. It also means "long life," something that soldiers would like.
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The festival is held along a straight, 800-meter section of San'o Odori Road, a 20-min. walk from Akita Station.405 viewsIn the evening, the main event starts at 6:38 p.m. with a taiko drum-beating performance or minyo dancers on San'o Odori Road. At 7:17 p.m., some 200 kanto are carried into the street to the sound of flutes and taiko drums. At 7:40 p.m. following a brief address by the city's mayor, the performance begins as the kanto are raised all at once.
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405 views
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Outside the ninja house. This ninja house is very impressive. It does have an air of authenticity, although there are, unavoidably, a few touristy elements. This house should be designated as a Important Cultural Property or an National Historic Site.405 views
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Pair of Geisha, autographed (back). This is the back of the preceding card. It looks like four geisha signed it.405 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple is a 10-min. walk from Ishiyama-dera Station on the Keihan Ishisaka Line. You can transfer to the Keihan Line at JR Ishiyama Station on the Tokaido Line.405 views
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The festival usually features a celebrity or two. This is actress Fujita Tomoko at the Tokushima Awa Odori.404 views
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Foot of Mt. Sasao, Ishida Mitsunari's base camp. 笹尾山 石田三成陣跡404 views
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404 views
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Yamato Museum's main attraction is this large scale model of Battleship Yamato. You can walk around it. This area of the museum is called Yamato Hiroba.404 views
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403 views
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Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe403 views
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Chiba Castle as seen from Kencho-mae monorail station.403 views
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One of Kyoto's Big Three Festivals held on May 15. The Aoi Matsuri's colorful procession of over 500 people in Heian-Period costumes start off at the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and head for the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. 403 viewsKyoto Gosho Imperial Palace 京都御所: The first ox carriage waits for the procession to start. The ox carriage is called a gissha. 牛車
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403 views
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Toyama Castle 富山城403 views
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Keikyu Yokosuka-Chuo Station. This is Yokosuka's main train station. The major shopping areas as well as the US Navy Base are nearest to this train station.403 views
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Local protestors put up signs opposing the deployment of the USS George Washington.403 views
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403 views
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Ninja paint job on a train.403 views
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First bridge and azaleas402 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu 参勤交代 大名行列402 views
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Keihan Maru boat during the early 1900s. This is a vintage postcard showing a steamer called Keihan Maru moored at Chikubushima. This boat landing is still being used.402 views
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Closeup of "sakura-bai." Very beautiful. 桜梅402 views
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Monument marking the site where the Sekigahara battle started. 開戦地402 views
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402 views
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