 Most viewed - Nikko 日光市 |
Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列503 views
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Posing with maybe with their school teacher.489 views
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The warriors are the procession's main attraction.422 viewsWaiting near Futarasan Shrine's torii.
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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.415 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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Chigo children wearing an elaborate crown with the signs of the eto Oriental Zodiac. Nikko392 viewsNikko Grand Spring Festival in May.
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Warriors on Omotesando347 views
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Face of a samurai.344 views
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Shinkyo Sacred Bridge, Nikko 神橋342 views
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Warriors leaving the Otabisho.324 views
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure, Nikko 陽明門322 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum310 views
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Dance maidens309 views
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303 views
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Warriors walk back up the slope in front of the Otabisho.300 views
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Shrine priest296 views
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Tobu Line train to Nikko. It takes about 2 hours from Asakusa, Tokyo.282 views
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272 views
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Coming down from Yomeimon Gate (National Treasure). 陽明門252 viewsThe gate is a National Treasure and symbol of Nikko.
陽明門
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Shrine priests standing250 views
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Chigo children 稚児, Nikko244 views
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Priests on a rainy day.239 views
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Near departure time at Otabisho235 views
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社232 views二荒山神社
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Shrine priest232 views
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221 views
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫217 views
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Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum215 views
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Hear, speak, and see no evil214 viewsWood carving on the horse stable
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Warriors and Five-story Pagoda211 views
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Five-story pagoda 五重塔205 views
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Oriental zodiac (hare) carving on five-story pagoda199 views
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Yomeimon Gate, National Treasure 陽明門198 views
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Dragon on ceiling that squeaks when you clap.195 views
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Shrine maidens 巫女194 views
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Horse stable191 views
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Sleeping cat189 views
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1:30 pm: The end (path to Futarasan Shrine). A similar festival is held in Oct., but on a smaller scale and with only one mikoshi.188 viewsAfter the festival ends, there's enough time to see the shrine.
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188 views
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Sleeping cat 眠り猫186 views
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In front of the portable shrine storehouse for the three mikoshi. A ceremony is held to transfer the spirits from the main shrine to the portable shrines. 神輿舎にて宵成渡御184 viewsThis building is right next to the famous Yomei-mon Gate at the Toshogu Shrine.
神輿舎にて宵成渡御
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Oriental zodiac (tiger) carving on five-story pagoda184 views
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Ichino-torii182 views
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Yomeimon Gate181 views
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Oriental zodiac (dragon) carving on five-story pagoda180 views
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177 views
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176 views
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Karamon close-up176 views
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Niomon175 views
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Karamon174 views
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Horse stable172 views
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172 views
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Rear of Yomeimon Gate170 views
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Kids on school trip along Omotesando 表参道169 views
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Inside Tobu Line train166 views
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Group photo166 views
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Rear of Yomeimon Gate166 views
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Prayer ceremony by priests164 views
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Yomeimon Gate164 views
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163 views
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Tobu Nikko Station 東武日光駅162 views
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Portable shrine storehouse162 views
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Passing under Yomeimon Gate.161 views
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A National Treasure and World Heritage Site, Nikko's magnificent shrines and temples overshadow any other attractions Tochigi has. The Toshogu Shrine is especially famous and also serves as Tokugawa Ieyasu's mausoleum. Omotesando 表参道160 views
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) are then carried out of the storehouse to be taken to Futarasan Shrine.158 views
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This warrior procession is said to be a reenactment of Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada's visit to Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Successive shoguns visited the shrine as well.157 views上新道
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157 views
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Cool heads.156 views
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156 views
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152 views
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The spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Minamoto Yoritomo in the three portable shrines are then transferred to Futarasan Shrine. The mikoshi spend the night here.152 views
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Futarasan Shrine's torii146 views
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Warriors coming down the Omotesando. 武者行列146 views
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Portable shrine in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.142 views二荒山神社 拝殿
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Both men and boys wear the warrior costumes.142 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞142 views
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141 views
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Second group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.140 views
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139 views
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At 11:00 am, the procession starts. They leave Futarasan Shrine through this torii. 上新道139 views上新道
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138 views
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A short path leads to Futarasan Shrine.138 views
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The procession's starting point at Futarasan Shrine is a great photo op.138 views
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Over 50 different costumes are featured in the procession.138 views
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The three portable shrines (mikoshi) in Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿137 views
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Rear view137 views
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136 views
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Beware of horse droppings136 views
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What happened to the white roof for the musicians? Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞136 viewsThese pictures were taken in different years and combined.
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135 views
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135 views
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Entering Futarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall. All three portable shrines are taken to this hall. 二荒山神社 拝殿135 views
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.135 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance musicians135 views
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Warriors make their way through.134 views
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134 views
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12 noon: Otabisho resting place. They arrive and have lunch. The three mikoshi are stored in the building on the upper left. 御旅所134 views御旅所
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Mikoshi bearers standing by.133 views
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Grounds of Futarasan Shrine, the starting point of the "1,000-Person Procession." 千人行列133 views
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Start of the Omotesando with Ichino-torii in the background. 一ノ鳥居133 views
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131 views
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Warriors with shiny gold helmets.131 views
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May 18: At 10:35 am, the spirits are transferred from Futarasan Shrine back to the portable shrines.130 viewsFutarasan Shrine's Haiden Hall.
二荒山神社 拝殿
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The Boy Scouts collect offerings (excluding horse droppings) thrown on the ground by spectators.130 views
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Another mikoshi going up to Omote-mon Gate130 views
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People get ready to leave and go back to Toshogu Shrine.129 views
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First group of mikoshi bearers fall in line.128 views
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Omotesando main promenade 表参道128 views
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This short path goes to the Omotesando main promenade.128 views上新道
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞128 views
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Azuma-asobi no Mai Dance 東遊の舞128 views
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127 views
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Shrine priests sitting127 views
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127 views
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These two performed the Yaotome-no-Mai. They are leaving the building.127 views
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Sacred music musicians126 views
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126 views
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Passing under the torii at Futarasan Shrine. 二荒山神社125 views二荒山神社
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.125 views
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Mikoshi passing through Ichino-torii125 views
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This is near the end of the Omortesando and they turn left to go to the Otabisho resting place.125 views
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Dancers leaving the building125 views
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Those crowns are heavy.125 views
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Omotesando is the main part of the route to watch the procession. It is the shrine's largest avenue.124 views
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Wooden birds124 views
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Warriors going through the Omote-mon Gate.124 views
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123 views
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123 views
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122 views
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Carrying out the mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.122 views
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The procession includes about 18 horses.122 views
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Mikoshi122 views
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Otabisho 御旅所122 views
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Another lion (shi-shi)122 views
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121 views
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121 views
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121 views
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Chigo children, notice the Oriental zodiac animals on their crowns.121 views
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.120 views
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Carrying out another mikoshi from Futarasan Shrine.120 views
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120 views
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119 views
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119 views
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119 views
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Mikoshi coming through.119 views
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳119 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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Chigo children and assistants make sure the crown doesn't fall off.119 views
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Mikoshi coming through Ichino-torii119 views
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118 views
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118 views
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118 views
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118 views
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Ceremony to give offerings to the shrine deity. 三本立七五膳117 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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Offerings of sea bream (tai)117 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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116 views
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116 views
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Banners leading the procession.115 views
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Mikoshi stored in the Otabisho's Shinden Hall, a resting place for spirits in transit. 御旅所 御神殿114 views
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113 views
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Ceremony at the Otabisho. 御旅所祭113 views
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Offering of ducks (dead)112 views
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Lion112 views
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111 views
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111 views
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110 views
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Ceremony at the Otabisho. 御旅所祭 拝殿110 views
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The three mikoshi are carried out of the Otabisho.109 views
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Warriors on Omotesando109 views
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Mikoshi enter the Ichino-torii109 views
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109 views
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108 views
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Warriors on Omotesando108 views
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108 views
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Mikoshi and Five-story Pagoda108 views
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Procession banners107 views
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107 viewsSanbon-date Shichi-jugo zen
三本立七五膳
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Ya-otome no Mai Sacred Dance 八乙女の舞106 views
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Mikoshi is carried out of the Otabisho.106 views
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106 views
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106 views
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105 views
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1:00 pm: Departure at Otabisho105 views
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105 views
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105 views
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105 views
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Mikoshi and Five-story Pagoda105 views
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105 views
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Mikoshi going up to Omote-mon Gate105 views
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104 views
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104 views
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Leaving the Otabisho.104 views
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103 views
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Heading to Omotesando. They follow the same route back.103 views
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Mikoshi is carried out of the Otabisho.103 views
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103 views
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Under arrest by the Edo police. Rope handcuffs.56 views
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Oh-oh, the Edo police are on the prowl, looking for criminals. At Edo Wonderland in Nikko, Tochigi.54 views
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Women at Wakamatsu-ya Theater in Edo Wonderland in Nikko, Tochigi. Too bad we didn't have time to catch the show. There's also the Oiran Courtesan Procession. but we didn't see it.52 views
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Pretty Edo Period Japanese woman who was sweeping the path. At Edo Wonderland in Nikko, Tochigi.49 views
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Tateki ogre statue. One of the Seven Ogres of Good Fortune at Kinugawa Onsen. 楯鬼「七福邪鬼めぐり」43 views
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After a 130-min. train ride from Asakusa, Tokyo, we are greeted by this ogre statue at Kinugawa Onsen Station. The Japanese word for "ogre" (oni) is included in the name "Kinugawa." So you'll see lots of ogres (also called demons41 views
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Breakfast at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi.33 views
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My lunch at Okariba restaurant. At Edo Wonderland in Nikko, Tochigi.32 views
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Kinugawa Onsen spa is a hot spring resort along the Kinugawa River. It is also adjacent to Kawaji Onsen spa. It's not a crowded place. Large hotels, some nature walks, and theme parks (Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, etc.) nearby.29 views
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Eggplant25 views
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Tateiwa Tunnel. This Tateiwa Rock is considered to be female.24 views
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Entrance to Okariba restaurant.24 views
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Furukama Falls in Kinugawa Onsen, Tochigi. 古釜の滝23 views
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23 views
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Ninja Training Hall has a steep incline creating an optical illusion.22 views
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Edo Wonderland, called "Nikko Edomura" in Japanese, is a theme park featuring Japan's Edo Period (1603–1867) architecture and culture.21 viewsFor admission prices, see the official website: edowonderland.net/en/
Besides the general admission fee, some attractions charge an extra fee.
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Throwing shuriken knives at a target.21 views
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Ninja Training Hall corridor.21 views
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Echigoya on the left.21 views
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Small gift shop.21 views
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So Tateiwa Tunnel is like being inside a mother's womb. It goes to the Tateiwa Scenic Point.20 views
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The park has many samurai elements and costumed people wearing topknots or geisha hairstyles. The park is quite big with many attractions (theaters and hands-on activities), full-scale traditional buildings, gift shops, and eateries. 20 viewsThis is the Sekisho Gate where they checked everyone entering and leaving the town during the samurai days. 関所
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Traditional-looking townscape. Mostly dirt paths. No cars allowed.20 views
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Koike-ya, gift shop for traditional paper prints. 絵草紙・小池屋20 views
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Yakata-bune boat rides also available.20 views
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The start of our aesthetic and delicious kaiseki dinner at Kinugawa Park Hotels in Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko. 鬼怒川パークホテルズ19 views
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About shukuba-machi post towns on the five Kaido main roads of Japan all starting from Nihonbashi in Edo/Tokyo. Edo to Nikko had the Nikko-kaido Road.19 views
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On the left is the Ninja Karakuri Mansion, on the right is the entrance to the ninja maze.19 views
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Fireman's museum next to the Ninja Training Hall.19 views
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Wood panel in a gift shop.19 views
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Water Mill House 水車小屋19 views
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Sekisho Guardhouse19 views
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At the park's Sekisho checkpoint exit/entrance, large gift shops on the right. It was an interesting theme park. Would take all day to see everything. Something to do in the Kinugawa area. 関所19 views
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Tateiwa Tunnel is 72 meters long.18 views
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18 views
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Samurai Training Institute18 views
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Finally found the exit.18 views
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Ryogoku Bridge and canal.18 views
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Suehiro Pond is in an auspicious fan shape.. 末広池17 views
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Namijiya gift shop.17 views
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Yaba Archery Dojo 矢場17 views
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Tower in the middle of the maze is a reference point.17 views
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About Hanzomon Gate.17 views
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Okariba restaurant. Must be for large tour groups.17 views
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Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura's official mascot. White cat named Nyanmage, a samurai cat. He also appears in person and walks around the park for photos.17 views
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Back on the Tateiwa Promenade walking path. It's not a long path.16 views
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Tateiwa Scenic Point is on this small, pointy hill. 楯岩展望台16 views
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Edo Period policemen. They are always on patrol. (Note that photos on this page were taken in Jan. 2020 before the pandemic started.)16 views
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Ryogoku Bridge replica over a canal. 両国橋16 views
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Senbei cracker-making activity.16 views
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Woodblock print workshop.16 views
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In the Samurai Training Institute, we tried yabusame horseback archery.16 views
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Ninja Maze16 views
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Entrance to Ninja Training Hall.16 views
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We'll catch you now!16 views
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About Hatago inns.16 views
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Geta clog shop. 笠下駄屋・笹山16 views
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