 Most viewed - TOKYO 東京都 |
The warrior monk costume is interesting. The collar makes them look bigger and more fearsome. 僧兵行列659 views
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7. Sawagi さわぎ658 views
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658 views
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At the starting point of the procession, the oiran gets ready to wear her high and heavy wooden clogs.657 views
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652 views
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650 views
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648 views
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645 viewsKids could have their picture taken with these characters.
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Statue of Hijikata Toshizo from Shinsengumi. 土方歳三像641 views
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Bye-bye Konica-Minolta640 views
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View from top of bridge years ago. The shrine has two "taiko-bashi" arch bridges. This is the view from the top of the first one soon after you pass under the torii.638 views
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Edo Geisha portrayed by Asakusa geisha.638 views江戸芸者
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Lumix638 views
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Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa635 views三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. Behind the Asakusa Temple, there was a variety of shows, street performers, plays, and other characters. Asakusa has always been Tokyo's entertainment center. 浅草奥山風景634 views
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Bye-bye Agfa633 views2005 was also the last time for Agfa to have a booth.
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630 views
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628 views
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Shot in 2003.627 views
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Torch runner at Omotesando, for Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay627 viewsMiura Yukari, a high school student from Fukushima Pref.
福島工業高等専門学校に通い、部活動はソフトボールという三浦由香里さん。
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Looks like the trees are on fire. Rikugien Garden, Tokyo622 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)621 views
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Oiran Dochu procession, Ichiyo Sakura Festuval, Tokyo. Her obi sash is tied in the front in a knot called manaita-musubi.619 views
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Maids to greet you619 views
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They changed their outfit and looked more like cheerleaders now.619 views
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Path to front gate of Gotokuji Temple known as the Ii Clan's family temple. Over 300 lords (incuding 6 Hikone Castle lords), wives, concubines, and children related to the Ii Clan from Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture, are buried here.617 views
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Weeping plum blossoms at the top of the plum tree "waterfall."616 views
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Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Entrance in 2007. 東京駅八重洲中央口614 views
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花魁道中614 views
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610 views
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609 views
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Bag checkpoint ahead. They inspected all our bags. Note that they do not allow any drinks (not even water) to be taken into the palace. You will have to dump it in the trash can they provide.608 views
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607 views
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Four ladies in waiting called shinzo, follow the oiran. They are future oiran. 振袖新造606 views
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Out of the main gate. Everything was very orderly, no pushing nor shoving.605 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession 花の吉原おいらん道中605 views
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Yohei Takai vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto (semi-final)602 views
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Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geisha599 views
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596 views
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3. Edo no Nigiwai (Liveliness of Edo)595 views
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3. 梅にも春 Ume ni mo Haru595 viewsDancers: 千丸、史織
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593 views
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Farewell Konica-Minolta593 views
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Entrance to the Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri festival site on Komatsu-bashi-dori near Asakusa, behind Sensoji temple. 第5回浅草観音うら 一葉桜まつり 小松橋通り593 views
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Nakamon Gate to Imperial Palace 中門592 views
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Head of the Edo-Yoshiwara Oiran Dochu procession which started at 1:30 pm. 江戸吉原おいらん道中591 views
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According to legend, three days after the golden Kannon statue was found, a golden dragon descended from heaven and danced. The mountain name of the temple is Kinryu-zan, meaning Golden Dragon Mountain. (Most temples have a mountain name.)590 views
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586 views
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Welcome to Akihabara! (Or Akiba for short.) Japan and Tokyo's largest cluster of electronics shops.586 views
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9:38 am: Crossing the second bridge. The first Nijubashi Bridge, which we crossed first, is in the distance. Nijubashi means double bridge. 二重橋585 views
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Tokyo Anime Center, Akihabara585 views
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9:33 am: Behind us on Nijubashi Bridge. 二重橋584 views
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583 views
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582 views
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Behind us. At the very rear below the trees, there is a slightly elevated platform where the news media can take photos. You can see many tripods set up. That's how they are able to photograph the Emperor with the flags waving well below the balcony.582 views
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582 views
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7. Sawagi さわぎ581 views
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You have to see the video of these fantastic women taiko drummers on March 5, 2011.581 views
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580 views
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579 views
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Opel579 viewsYes, some girls don't need to smile to look good.
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Edo Scenes: 2. Sumidagawa (Sumida River)577 viewsSolo dancer: 眞由美 (Mayumi)
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577 views
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Left view from Nijubashi Bridge. Everyone knows what the Nijubashi Bridge looks like from outside. Finally, we see what it looks like from the bridge. 二重橋575 views
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Subaru574 views
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Kia Motors574 viewsA crowd favorite. Kia (not her name) is from South Korea.
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9:57 am: Filled on our left. The entire place was full by 10 am. Quite a few foreigners were present as well. Rightists with large flags were also there.574 views
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Baton-twirling club from the Chiyoda Jogakuin Junior/Senior High School followed by the elephant574 views千代田女学院
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I give her my Best Babe and Best Costume Awards for Tokyo Marathon 2010.573 views
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Praying at Bishamon571 viewsBishamon is a Buddhist temple in Kagurazaka where the geisha go to worship. The song included a reference to this temple.
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8:37 am: We crossed the street to enter Imperial Palace grounds571 views
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8:40 am: Bag check570 views
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569 views
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Beckoning cats, maneki neko, which did their duty for their owners who now offer them to the temple as a gesture of thanks. Gotokuji temple, Tokyo.568 views
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Tekomai geisha existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari originally sung by lumberers hauling wood. 手古舞562 viewsThese tekomai did not sing, so they might not be real. When they sing, they hold a fan to their mouth.
手古舞
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562 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo562 views
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562 views
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Koenji Awa Odori560 views
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Shibuya crossing560 views
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560 views
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558 views
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Nezu Shrine, Tokyo556 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り551 views
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Hagoita Honey550 views
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549 views
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Shinya Katabuchi vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto (Semi-final)548 views
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Hagoita Honey548 views
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Hagoita Honey poses in Asakusa546 views
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Yuta Yazaki vs. Yohei Takai545 views
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Finale544 views
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Daihatsu544 views
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543 views
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1717: Firemen's Acrobatics. Ooka Echizen no Kami Tadasuke (1677-1751) and Edo Fire Brigade. Ooka was a famous Edo magistrate who organized fire brigades in Edo. 大岡越前守と江戸町火消541 views
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Seven Gods of Good Fortune 浅草市村座七福神舞541 views浅草市村座七福神舞
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Established in 1617, Tsukiji Hongwanji temple is the Tokyo headquarters of the Nishi Hongwanji Jodo Shinshu sect. The present temple, based on Indian architecture, was built in the 1930s.541 viewsThe temple is the only one in Japan which is under the direct control of the sect. Its head priest is the Monshu Abbot himself. April 8 is observed as Buddha's birthday, called Hana Matsuri ("Flower Festival) in Japan.
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The Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri or Azalea Festival is held from April to early May at Nezu Shrine which has a slope filled with 50 varieties of azaleas.539 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics538 views大岡越前守と江戸町火消
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Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム538 views
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9:20 am: Long line behind. If it's a sunny day, it's sunburn time. We waited here for over 30 min.536 views
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Big expressive eyes.535 views
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534 views
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534 views
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On the left of the Beckoning Cat Temple is a shelf where you can offer your lucky cat after it has brought you good luck.534 views
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My lunch. Ball-shaped gyoza. The skin is slightly crunchy.533 views
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Othello531 views
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Hagoita Honey531 views
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530 views
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The Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom) Festival is held annually from early Feb. to early March. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers and on weekends, stage entertainment can include belly dancers and Shiraume Taiko women drummers.530 viewsThis is the entrance to Yushima Tenjin Shrine (also called Yushima Tenmangu) flanked by plum blossoms on the right.
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Suzuki Ionis529 viewsA real ballerina-type model danced in front of the car. I like this picture.
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Filling up the plaza529 views
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Facing the right in thanks...529 views
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Cosplayer teenager posing on the road.529 views
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528 views
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Towel throwing527 viewsDuring the finale, the geisha started throwing hand towels to the audience.
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Closing words527 viewsThe women standing in the back are the okami-san (proprietress) of high-class Japanese-style restaurants in Kagurazaka where the geisha are hired to perform at private geisha parties.
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Right view from Nijubashi Bridge. In the distance, you can see another parallel bridge which leads directly into the inner grounds of the palace. We will cross that bridge too. There is also the castle-like structure called the Fushimi Turret.527 views
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Firemen's Acrobatics 大岡越前守と江戸町火消526 views
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Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance525 views
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525 views
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Nijubashi Bridge, the symbol of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo. One of Japan's most famous bridges. There is another bridge behind this one. 二重橋525 views
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Yasukuni Shrine's main torii during Mitama Matsuri524 views
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524 views
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Finale522 viewsEveryone performed in the finale.
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Porsche522 views
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Hummer520 viewsShe was charming...
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9:35 am: Walking toward the second bridge. We walked up a slight slope to reach the second, parallel bridge. The Fushimi Turret is in the background.520 views
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People behind fill up the rest of the plaza515 views
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Entrance to Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace and Ginze. One of Tokyo's most centrally-located parks. Free admission.515 views
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Year 1702: The 47 masterless retainers arrive to avenge their lord. In 1701 in the shogun's palace, Lord Asano Naganori draws his sword in a fit of anger and cuts Kira Yoshinaka, the highest-ranking master of protocol who had mocked Asano.514 viewsAsano was immediately forced to commit ritual seppuku. At the end of the following year, his 47 masterless retainers avenged their master's death by attacking and beheading Kira at his residence in Ryogoku. This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura."
義士の討ち入り
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Back view512 views
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511 views
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Map of Hama-rikyu Gardens. Main entrance is on the upper left corner.511 views
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To Dogenzaka and Center-gai arcade510 views
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509 views
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Setsubun bean throwing at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo with Tamao-chan, Ai-chan, and Tochiazuma508 viewsAi-chan was really cute and seemed to be having a great time throwing the beans. Nakamura Tamao (actress), Fukuhara Ai (table tennis player) and Ozeki Tochiazuma (sumo wrestler)
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508 views
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Townsend Harris and Commodore Perry 黒船来航・浦賀奉行507 views
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Alpine505 viewsShe had horde of photographers crowded in front of her. But she managed to find me and smiled.
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Yamaha Gen-Ryu motorcycle505 views
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8:43 am: Passed body check and walking to waiting line. After seeing these coned lanes, I was glad that I went early. I don't know if all these lanes were later filled with people, but probably yes.504 views
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Temple office sells souvenirs such as the maneki neko beckoning cat in various sizes (and prices).504 views
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This story of loyalty soon becomes a timeless classic known as "Chushingura." 義士の討ち入り502 views
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502 views
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Gishisai: Kira's head strung on a spear is brought to Sengakuji temple.502 views
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Nijubashi Bridge straight ahead!500 views
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500 views
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April 8, 2006 at Ushigome-Tansu Kumin Hall in Kagurazaka, Tokyo499 viewsStarting at 4 pm, this was the third and last show of the day and all 400 seats were sold out.
The performance had two parts separated by a 20-min. intermission. Each part had several different dances.
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497 views
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496 views
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496 views
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Oiran and her attendants then performed a short but spectacular oiran show on the stage from about 2 pm. おいらんショー496 views
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496 views
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Press conference by Keiji Suzuki495 views
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495 views
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在原業平 東下り494 views
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The cars were all glossy and colorful, very nice.494 views
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Sankin Kotai Daimyo Gyoretsu palanquin. This is how the daimyo traveled--in a comfortable box hand-carried by men. 参勤交代 大名行列492 views
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Koganei Park sakura492 views
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Honda Motorcycles491 views
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Shelf for beckoning cats, maneki neko. Gotokuji temple, Setagaya, Tokyo.491 views
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Old Tokyo Station sign on the Yaesu side (old Daimaru Dept. Store).490 views
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489 views
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Stage entertainment held on one end of the street. 街角ステージ 第5回浅草観音うら 一葉桜まつり488 views
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486 views
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485 views
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485 views
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484 views
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484 views
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9:28 am: Finally walking toward Nijubashi Bridge. There were a lot of men in trench coats gazing at the crowd.482 views
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The parade started at 1:10 pm and ended at 6 pm.482 views
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481 views
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Towel throwing480 viewsThere were women in the middle the hall also throwing towels to people sitting further back.
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The parade was over after 30 min. (11:30 - 12 pm).480 views
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479 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment. This was the last act. Somewhat tacky end to the festival.478 views
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478 views
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Female schoolmates of the baton twirlers block the cameras of unrelated photographers when the baton twirlers passed. カメラ小僧を妨害するバトン部の先輩たち。477 viewsThis was the first time for me in Japan to see people blocking photographers from taking pictures at a festival. They did it to me as well. If they don't want to be photographed, why do they appear in this public festival??
妨害しても無駄だと思いますが。撮られるのがいやでしたら、まつりに出ない方がいいですよ。
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477 views
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Magistrate Procession 奉行475 views
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474 views
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474 views
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Final match: Keiji Suzuki vs. Tatsuhiro Muramoto471 views
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Yamaha Motorcycles470 viewsAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
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467 views
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Entrance. The entrance gate is 22 meters tall and 19 meters wide.466 views
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466 views
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Cold-water ablutions is not unusual in ascetic Buddhism, but to see it at a Shinto shrine is unusual.466 views
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This crow was unafraid of humans. It was right in front of me and seemed to wait for food.466 views
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465 views
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463 views
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Walking toward the second bridge462 views
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6. Hahha Kudoki ハッハくどき462 views
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Both the Marunouchi and Yaesu sides have three main entrances/exits at the north (Kita-guchi), center (Chuo-guchi), and south (Minami-guchi) ends. Tokyo Station platform sign461 views
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458 views
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Every three years (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026, etc.), the full-scale version of this festival is held in mid-Aug. The festival's last day is the climax with this procession of over 50 portable shrines. Led by this banner which reads Tomioka Hachimangu.458 views
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457 views
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457 views
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Fuji TV with professional cheerleaders457 views
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457 views
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Even Hello Kitty threw beans for Setsubun at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo456 views
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Baton holder456 views
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455 views
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452 views
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452 views
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Asakusa hangyoku (apprentice geisha in Tokyo). 半玉 千福452 views
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1. Fuji Murasaki (Purple Wisteria)451 views
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Baby Buddha statue451 viewsLadles are provided for pouring the sweet tea over the Buddha. Sweet tea is also provided to worshippers. It symbolizes the sweet rain that fell when the Buddha was born.
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Shibuya Station, South Exit, as seen from Tokyu Plaza 渋谷駅南口451 views
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448 views
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Mt. Mitake is one of Tokyo's easily accessible peaks via cable car. But it still requires a good deal of climbing up slopes and steps. You can also hike to adjacent Mt. Hinode-yama. Great daytrip getaway from Tokyo's concrete jungle.448 viewsGetting off the train at Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. I wasn't the only one who decided it was a good day to hike up Mitake. 御岳駅
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447 views
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446 views
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445 views
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Cherry blossoms line the Meguro-gawa River from Naka-Meguro Station (Hibiya Line) to Ikejiri Ohashi Station (Toyoko Den'en Toshi Line).444 views
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Approaching the entrance near Nijubashi Bridge442 views
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Even the engine is sparkling clean. Is that a gold-plated radiator hose??442 views
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Honda Motorcycles440 viewsAt the end of the day, the companions line up in front of their booth to say goodbye. Great photo op too.
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Lining up in line 1438 views
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Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe. They were all girls and super good!438 views大江戸助六太鼓
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The bj-league's final and championship game for the 2009-2010 season was held on May 23, 2010 at Ariake Coliseum in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Golden State Warrior Girls from California perform as special guests at the Final Four games.435 views
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434 views
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Children dressed for the chigo parade (photo session), Tsukiji Hongwanji, Tokyo434 views
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The highlight of the show was the hydraulics competition where we could see car hopping during most of the day.434 views
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Kawasaki Motorcycles433 viewsKawasaki had a bevy of leggy beauties promoting their cycles. They didn't dance, but served well to attract attention.
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432 views
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Keiji Suzuki wins by hantei.432 views
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Asakusa Folk Entertainment 浅草奥山風景432 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.430 views
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Oh yeah...430 views
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Break to treat Marumoto's bleeding nose.429 views
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429 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429 views
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The large slope of azalea bushes have walking paths where you can see and photograph the flowers up close.429 views
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428 views
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Hamura Tulip Festival, Tokyo428 views
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Sexy MC. It was pretty cold that Nov. day.427 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426 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession. Passing by Matsuya Dept. Store and Tobu Asakusa Station.426 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.426 views
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Getting closer to the bridge425 views
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Keiji Suzuki vs. Hidekazu Shoda (semi-final)424 views
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Oiran Dochu Procession423 views花の吉原おいらん道中
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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.422 views
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A large crowd line the narrow street.422 views
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About the Tokyo Motor Show...421 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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JR Sugamo Station on the Yamanote Line. 巣鴨駅421 views
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Dancers under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park, Tokyo420 views
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Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on a sunny morning of the Tokyo Marathon, Feb. 17, 2008.420 views
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Priests splash cold water over themselves at the Nose Myokenzan Betsuin in Sumida-ku, Tokyo419 views
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