 Most viewed - OSAKA 大阪府 |
The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Haruki Danjiri Matsuri festivals are held during the weekend before Respect for Aged Day (national holiday) which is the third Mon. in Sept. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is held near Nankai Kishiwada Station (pictured).689 views
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Miss Ebisu-bashi Runner-up591 views
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Shinsaibashi Top Lady576 views
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547 views
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Another Shinsaibashi Top Lady532 views
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532 views
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Geisha on a palanquin, Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka499 views
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Osaka Castle tower closeup447 views
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A symbol of Osaka and one of Japan's largest reconstructed castles. Originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1583. 390 viewsThe castle tower was reconstructed in 1931 and underwent major renovation during 1995-97 and serves as a very modern history museum. Closest station is Osaka-jo Koen Station.
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Castle map359 views
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Inside castle tower351 views
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Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, representing business prosperity. On Jan. 9-11 (centering on the 10th), the shrine holds one of Japan's largest Toka Ebisu festivals to pray for good business. 346 viewsThe festival is perhaps Japan's most commercial festival where souvenirs and trinkets for business prosperity are sold. Photo: The road from the subway station to the shrine is decorated.
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Crowd at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, the organizer of the Tenjin Festival and starting point of the festival's Land Procession called "Riku-togyo." 大阪天満宮335 viewsOne of Japan's Big Three Festivals (besides Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri) is also Osaka's biggest summer festival held on July 24-25. These photos were taken on July 25, 2004. The festival has a procession starting from Tenmangu Shrine in the afternoon and a water procession on the river in the evening.
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Hanagasa umbrella dancers, Tenjin Matsuri, Osaka 花傘332 views
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The Boat Procession (Funa-togyo) is the Tenjin Matsuri festival's main event.331 views
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Portable shrine 船渡御 玉御神輿奉安322 views
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Inside castle tower311 views
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Stone wall pattern310 views
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307 views
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Even gaijin shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes. Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka305 views
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Who says money can't buy happiness?303 views
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Miss Ebisu-bashi, Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Jinja, Osaka298 views
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Expo '70 Time Capsule296 viewsThe plaque reads that the time capsule is to be opened in 5000 years or the year 6970. It can also be opened at the start of each century. I wonder if it was opened in 2001.
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Gokuraku-bashi Bridge291 views
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Moat291 views
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Shachihoko288 views
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Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka288 views
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To ride these boats, you have to be a member of a shrine parish or supporting group.282 views
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Castle tower280 viewsIt is modeled after the tower built by the Tokugawa shogunate who made it bigger than the castle Toyotomi Hideyoshi had built. One reason why it's such a big castle.
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Even gaijin shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes. Toka Ebisu, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka279 views
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Horrendous crowd gathers to watch the fireworks, the festival's climax. The festival ends at 10 pm when the procession returns to the shrine.277 views
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View of castle from Nakanoshima274 views
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Kishiwada Castle273 views
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Stone wall pattern272 views
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265 views
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Chigo child263 views
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Lion dance262 views
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玉御神輿奉安259 views
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Outer moat and Sengan Turret253 views
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Aoya-mon Gate252 viewsRebuilt in 1970. Although this is not the main or front gate, it is the closest castle gate to Osaka-jo Koen Station.
青屋門
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Money pit252 views
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The shrine is surrounded by Ebisu street stalls.252 views
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Slope to castle tower247 views
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Castle tower, reconstructed in 1931, was renovated in 1995-97.247 viewsThe exterior walls are gleaming white and bright gold ornaments shine in the sun.
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245 views
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245 views
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One of the largest stones242 views
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In 2006, a rare folding screen painting showing Osaka Castle during Hideyoshi's years in early 17th century was found at Schloss Eggenberg Castle in Austria.241 viewshttp://www.museum-joanneum.at/en/schloss_eggenberg/saka-zu-bybu-1
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Castle tower balcony241 views
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Castle tower237 viewsThis picture was taken before the 1995-97 renovation.
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The original Osaka Castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi was actually buried (smothered) by the Tokugawa and a new castle was built on it. Aoya-mon Gate 青屋門. Rebuilt in 1970.236 views
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Stone wall pattern236 views
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Gokuraku-bashi Bridge235 viewsMeans Paradise Bridge. The original bridge was wooden. Rebuilt in 1965. It connects the Yamazato-maru section with the Ninomaru section.
極楽橋
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Castle tower balcony235 views
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Castle tower balcony234 views
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Path near the shrine is filled with street stalls selling Ebisu decorations and charms.234 views
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Gokuraku-bashi Bridge233 views
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Castle tower233 views
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231 views
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About the castle228 views
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The Land Procession is one of the festival's two main events. It starts with a group of taiko drummers.228 views
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About 3,000 people are in the procession which follows a 4 km route from the shrine to a boat landing near Tenjin-bashi Bridge on the Okawa River. 陸渡御228 views
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Inner moat227 views
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Sakura-mon Gate with kadomatsu New Year's decoration227 views
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At Hirakata Koen Station (Keihan Line), I was surprised to see this Malasada shop on the train platform.227 views
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Kadomatsu at castle tower entrance225 viewsNew Year's decoration
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Ebisu decorations225 views
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224 views
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Otemon Gate222 views大手門
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The castle's fourth and fifth largest stones.222 viewsBrought by the Tokugawa during construction. Next to Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate.
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219 views
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219 views
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View from castle tower218 views
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Otemon Gate in the distance218 views
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Spectators wait near Tenmangu Shrine's torii for the Land Procession (Riku-togyo) to start at 4 pm on July 25, the festival's 2nd day. The shrine is near Minami-morimachi Station on the Tanimachi subway line. 陸渡御218 views
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View of Nishinomaru Garden from castle tower217 views
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They run while pulling the danjiri floats while a man on the float's roof dances and prances with two fans. They pass by very quickly, unlike other float festivals. This is in front of Kishiwada Station.217 views
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Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate215 viewsJapan's largest turret of this type where the turret above is integrated with the gate below. First built in 1628, reconstructed in 1848 and renovated in 1969.
多聞櫓と大門
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215 views
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Kadomatsu New Year's decoration213 viewsRight side of Sakura-mon Gate.
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Most pf the danjiri festival girls had braided scalps, sometimes in a flowery pattern.. 213 views
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Mother and twins in yukata211 views
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Castle tower208 views
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Castle tower208 views
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Kadomatsu New Year's decoration207 viewsLeft side of Sakura-mon Gate.
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Osaka Castle was built on the foundations of Ishiyama Honganji, a fortress-like temple.206 views
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Tamon Yagura Turret and Daimon Gate206 views
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Sculpture in Wanpaku Okoku, Hannan, Osaka.206 views
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Kishiwada manhole with castle motif, Osaka.205 views
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Hawaii spent only one night in Japan. They didn't see much here. Hope they spend more time in Japan next time.205 views
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By 6 pm, shrine parishioners started boarding boats near Tenjin-bashi Bridge, the starting point of the Boat Procession. These are supporter's boats.204 views
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Castle tower entrance203 views
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Never-ending sales pitch on Toka Ebisu Day. All these good-looking girls make you wanna buy something.202 views
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Taiko drummers at the shrine's Otorii gate. 催太鼓202 views
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Hannan manhole, Osaka.202 views
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Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri202 views
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Ningyo-bune 人形船201 views
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This is the most important boat in the procession. It holds a ceremony called the Senjo-sai (船上祭) in the middle of the river to celebrate Sugawara Michizane's birthday. 御鳳輦奉安船201 views
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200 views
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Kimono-clad beauties, winners of some Miss contest.197 views
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Castle tower195 views
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Sengan Turret near Otemon Gate194 viewsOne of the castle's oldest remaining buildings built in 1620. Underwent major restoration in 1961. Overlooking the outer moat.
千貴櫓
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193 views
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The boat carrying the portable shrine housing the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. 御鳳輦奉安船192 views
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Path to castle tower191 views
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Hanagasa umbrella dancers 花傘191 views
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191 views
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Near Otemon Gate190 views
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Castle tower190 views
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Sarutahiko on horseback 猿田彦190 views
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Torii and entrance to Imamiya Ebisu Shrine189 views
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National Bunraku Puppet Theater Museum187 views
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184 views
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Near Otemon Gate183 views
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Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Kishiwada Castle183 views
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The boats are numerous. About 100 of them go up and down the river.182 views
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182 views
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Danjiri float 地車181 views
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Most of the boats carry parishioners who eat bento on the boats while sometimes looking at photographers shooting them from a bridge overhead.180 views
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花傘178 views
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Kishiwada Castle moat178 views
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Imamiya Ebisu Shrine177 views
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Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Osaka177 views
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176 views
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174 views
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Shrine maidens happily sell and attach lucky decorations on the branches.174 views
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Shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.174 views
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Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens174 views
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The Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens are all nice-looking.173 views
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Danjiri float 地車173 views
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The Boat Procession started at 7 pm on Okawa River. These boats are called Dondoko. どんどこ船 大川 船渡御173 views
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171 views
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Fuku-musume or Lucky Maiden171 views
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Portable shrine housing the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. This is the most important thing in the procession. 御鳳輦171 views
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The shrine rakes in the money on its most important day of the year, Jan. 10.170 views
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A giant umbrella serves as the roof.169 views
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Here you go...168 views
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Hanagasa dancers 花傘168 views
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船渡御168 views
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People patting a lucky mirror?166 views
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165 views
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The fire, fueled by LP gas, is on a corporate-sponsored boat, used for illumination. 大篝165 views
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164 views
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These boats will carry portable shrines.164 views
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163 views
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162 views
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New Year's decorations trashed at the shrine to be burned.162 views
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162 views
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Crowded walking path along Okawa River. Most people view the festival from the riverside.162 views
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Miss Ebisu-bashi Runner-up161 views
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Boat corner159 views
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Good-looking shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.158 views
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158 views
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158 views
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158 views
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157 views
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Shishimai lion dance157 views
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牛曳童児157 views
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Okawa River 大川157 views
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157 views
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156 views
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Sacred dance performed at cost.155 views
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155 views
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Yamanaka-dani Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in spring. It is also the least busy station on the Hanwa Line.155 views
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154 views
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船渡御154 views
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Yamanaka-dani Station is lined with 1,000 cherry trees on both sides of the track. They bloom in early April.154 views
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Group photo. Too bad they didn't face the crowd.154 views
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Giving out free bamboo branches under the giant umbrella.153 views
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Replenishing the supply of bamboo branches.153 views
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Fully-loaded "lucky rake."153 views
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Geisha on palanquin.153 views
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153 views
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Shrine priest153 views
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The boats are large barges.153 views
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Tugboats pull these huge barges.153 views
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Fuku-musume or Lucky Maidens152 views
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152 views
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The small bamboo branches festoon the huge crowd on Jan. 10.151 views
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People line up to decorate their free bamboo branches with various lucky decorations.151 views
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Shrine maidens decorate bamboo branches or rakes.151 views
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151 views
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御羽車151 views
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船渡御151 views
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151 views
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150 views
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2007 is the Year of the Boar, decoration created by over 500 students at a local elementary and junior high school.150 views
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150 views
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A large crane is used to carry the portable shrines onto the boats.150 views
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150 views
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Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri and Kishiwada Castle150 views
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Inside National Bunraku Puppet Theater. Photography is not allowed during the plays. Bunraku puppets can perform feats which human actors cannot. This can make it interesting. Bring binoculars though.149 views
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Hauling away the old New Year's decorations.149 views
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Portable shrine 御羽車149 views
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149 views
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Empty branches waiting for all the trimmings (at a price).148 views
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Miss Ebisu-bashi148 views
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Start of the procession's return trip from the shrine.148 viewsとんぼりリバーウォーク→大和屋→道頓堀東映→B1角座（10：00）→松竹座→戎橋橋詰→千日前国際劇場→吉本会館→今宮戎神社（12：10頃）→なんばCITY→高島屋→大丸→大和屋
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I wish they at least said "Aloha" to the crowd. After all, they came all the way from Hawaii for the first time.148 views
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The procession includes geisha and other celebrities.147 views
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Geisha146 views
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Crowd near Tenjin-bashi Bridge.146 views
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Higashi-mon east gate145 views
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Omikuji fortune paper strips for sale at 200 yen.145 views
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145 views
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Higashi-mon east gate144 views
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Geisha on a palanquin144 views
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144 views
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JR Osaka Station's new terminal building opened on May 4, 2011. Great improvement. It has a simple lean-to roof that creates some space to build bridges and plazas above the train tracks.141 viewsVery easy to get your bearings and remember which way to go wherever you wanna go.
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JR Osaka Station141 views
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140 views
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National Bunraku Puppet Theater at night.139 views
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Omikuji fortune paper strips139 views
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Shinsaibashi Top Lady138 views
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Fuku-musume Lucky Maiden137 views
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Haruki Station137 views
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Even a bunraku puppet walks in the parade.136 views
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136 views
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Ebisu on a palanquin.136 views
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Good Luck Palanquin procession on Jan. 10. They are entering the shrine's East Gate. 宝恵駕籠135 views
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135 views
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Cart for Miss Ebisu-bashi135 views
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More stalls behind the shrine.134 views
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Geisha134 views
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Miss Ebisu-bashi134 views
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132 views
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131 views
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The parade ended at 5 pm. They then mounted paper lanterns on the floats for the night parade. Same as the night before. But I left Kishiwada before 7 pm when the night parade started.131 views
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Slim-looking Ebisu130 views
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130 views
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Haruki Danjiri Matsuri poster130 views
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Shinsaibashi Top Lady cart128 views
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128 views
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127 views
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126 views
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Cart for the Lucky Maiden124 views
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National Bunraku Puppet Theater. Bunraku is over 370 years old, even older than kabuki. 123 views
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Yamanaka-dani Station 山中渓駅 on the Hanwa Line between Osaka and Wakayama.121 views
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On Sat., the first day of the festival, they pulled the danjiri floats from 6:00 am to 7:30 am in their respective neighborhoods. Then from 9:30 am to 11 am, they pull the floats along the central streets, including Kishiwada Ekimae-dori shopping arcade.112 views
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Each float has two long white ropes pulled by many people, both men and women, dressed in happi coats, headband, and usually white pants.109 views
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They also pop party poppers.107 views
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