tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772070891302617072024-03-13T22:55:02.297-07:00PhotoJapanPhoto Blog of living in Japan.islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-72020985752031484652016-02-16T08:23:00.000-08:002016-02-16T08:26:26.556-08:00Ancient capital Nara<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-US"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/24441262363/" nbsp="" title="Nara-Park"><img alt="Nara-Park" height="310" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1520/24441262363_248b1791da.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Nara city is a beautiful and quaint city in
the Kansai area, outstanding by his effort
to balance nature with the rapid development of modern Japan. The city simbol
are the wild deer that roams freely in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/24437473014/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Kasuga shrine"><img alt="Kasuga shrine" height="327" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/24437473014_5422bb4786.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Eight places in the city: Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji,
Kasuga shrine, Ganjou ji, Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji, Nara palace site, Kasugayama
primaveral forest, has been collectively
designated as UNESCO World heritage site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/24700492629/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Heijo palace"><img alt="Heijo palace" height="324" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1485/24700492629_1c1bb4a66e.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Toudai-ji, Koufuku-ji and Kasugayama
primaveral forest are link togueter by Nara Park. The Park is renowed by the deers
roaming through the premises and the surrounding areas. The deers have been
designed a natural monument by the Japanese government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/25068143265/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Todai-ji"><img alt="Todai-ji" height="335" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1598/25068143265_33f2bdb30a.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/24437470694/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Daibutsu"><img alt="Daibutsu" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/24437470694_14c328069e.jpg" width="332" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Todai ji houses the world's largest bronze
Budha and the daibutsuden hall itself is
the largets wooden building in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/25041798106/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Kofuku-ji"><img alt="Kofuku-ji" height="325" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1666/25041798106_01bbf50bed.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The city is one hour from Osaka and Kioto
so a day trip visits are popular, however, a longer stays is recommended to
appreciate fully the city sites..<br />
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<a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2016/02/antigua-capital-nara.html">Español</a></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-31568114244442147652012-12-22T15:22:00.001-08:002012-12-22T15:32:38.287-08:00Autumn Colors at Nikko<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nikko is a
small colorful city in the Toshigi prefecture, famous for Tokugawa Ieyasu
shrine, and for its Koyo or autumn colors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8297555693/" title="DSC_0289 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0289" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8297555693_23ded6d42c.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nikko Koyo is
particularly long due to large different elevations between the area around the
city and the mountains, giving the town a majestic background during the autumn
and early winter season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8297553471/" title="DSC_0406 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0406" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8297553471_e105ea084a.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8297557849/" title="DSC_0271 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0271" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8297557849_06fbdd83d0.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Nikko “sacred
bridge”, underwent large renovations and it is now open to the public, you can
now walk across this bridge (you need to pay a fee).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8298606070/" title="DSC_0313 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0313" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8298606070_cb01e1de9e.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The site is
quite popular with international and domestic visitors and it may get a bit
crowded during the autumn season, but the beauty of the place and the
relatively closeness to Tokyo, make it a perfect one day trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004d179500991ea2ed82&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.750284,139.613056&spn=0.005158,0.006437&z=16&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004d179500991ea2ed82&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.750284,139.613056&spn=0.005158,0.006437&z=16&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Nikko</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/12/colores-del-otono-en-nikko.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-20356084206631310322012-10-17T05:24:00.003-07:002012-10-17T05:24:57.095-07:00Kasama Inari Shrine<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Kasama
Inari Shrine in Kasama city, Ibaraki, one of the three largest Inari Okami
Shrines in Japan, was founded in 651, and is dedicated to the Ukanomitama no kami,
the spirit with jurisdiction over the five grains and foodstuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551881/" title="DSC_0106 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0106" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8059551881_715a030a7c.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551779/" title="DSC_0107 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0107" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/8059551779_af53ec6ec8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Shrine suffered
serious damage during the Tohoku earthquake. An illustration of this is the now
absent torii gates, pending restoration at the time of my visit. Similarly the
purification font is with a big crack on the roof, apparently caused by the
quake, and is yet to be repaired. On the other hand, some of the buildings bear
signs of the of the fresh damage reparation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059550930/" title="DSC_0110 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0110" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/8059550930_d7dda71b4f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The old main gate
to the shrine, now known as the east gate, it is now located at the right side
of the main approach to the premises. With an edo style high gable roof, now
has a recently refurbished roof, built still keeping most of its original
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551965/" title="DSC_0105
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0105" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/8059551965_84d44b444c.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551503/" title="DSC_0113 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0113" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/8059551503_030767f5ab.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551613/" title="DSC_0112 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0112" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/8059551613_6f04e7ac2c.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059550574/" title="DSC_0116 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0116" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/8059550574_2885e590db.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The new gate,
known as Romon, is a two stories gate, built in 1961. Guarded by two guardian
deities, at the sides, and a pair of wood horses at the back; attesting the age
of the shrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551429/" title="DSC_0114 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0114" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8059551429_cbf5a49205.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551532/" title="DSC_0125 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0125" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8059551532_3a4f861b89.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059551293/" title="DSC_0121 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0121" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8059551293_4824671ceb.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059550412/" title="DSC_0122 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0122" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/8059550412_35c580e99b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the
main gate, the main hall or haiden, dominates the ground premises. Built in 1960,
the hall is relatively new but as the main gate case, some of the decorations
are quite old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8059550318/" title="DSC_0123 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0123" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8059550318_eeb4720477.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Make sure
that you visit the main sanctuary at the back of the main hall, constructed in
1856, or you will miss it as I regrettably did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004cc4041a8c52228691&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.386155,140.253825&spn=0.002591,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004cc4041a8c52228691&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=36.386155,140.253825&spn=0.002591,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Kasama Inari
Shrine</a> in a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/10/santuario-inari-kasama.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-55195908576489366822012-09-29T05:41:00.000-07:002012-09-29T05:41:52.995-07:00Osaka Castle<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Osaka
Castle is a Japanese castle in Osaka, Japan; One of Japan most famous castles,
Osaka’s most famous landmark and symbol of the city. The castle was built in
1583 by Hideyasu Toyotomi to become the center of the new, unified Japan under his
rule, it suffered several destructions through its history, and the current
castle was built in 1931 in the image of Toyotomi’s castle. The main tower
underwent major renovations and repairs in 1997, providing the castle more
modern facilities like an elevator. The Japanese government has designated the
main tower as a tangible cultural property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075924/" title="DSC_0332 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0332" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8015075924_8cd10545e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015076100/" title="DSC_0326 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0326" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/8015076100_780a151764.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The castle
grounds cover an area of approximately 60,000 square meters, although the main
tower is of recent construction, thirteen structures remain in original
condition and have been designated Important Cultural Assets by the Japanese
Government. The main tower, situated on an elevated platform of landfill, is suported
by walls of cut rock surrounded by a moat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015072643/" title="DSC_0369 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0369" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/8015072643_cd0c1e2fcc.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015073145/" title="DSC_0349 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0349" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/8015073145_12790a7258.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015072869/" title="DSC_0366 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0366" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/8015072869_87cd28bc26.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The main
tower is five levels on the outside and eight on the inside, with a museum with
several historical objects on display.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Several of
the castle ornaments like the tiger’s reliefs, the dolphins, and roof ornaments
are glided with gold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015073947/" title="DSC_0323 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0323" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8015073947_6e8bdc02cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075474/" title="DSC_0342 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0342" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/8015075474_925acfe07e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075328/" title="DSC_0363 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0363" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/8015075328_1915bc653e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075038/" title="DSC_0367 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0367" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/8015075038_19a2420f54.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075236/" title="DSC_0364 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0364" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8015075236_edeca28dde.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is an
observation deck at the 8th floor providing an unmatchable view. The Osaka
castle Hall, the Osaka Business Park and the surrounding area can be fully
appreciated from the deck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8035504025/" title="DSC_0344 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0344" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/8035504025_570015e371.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Kinmeisui
well was originally called Ogonsui (golden water), and according to the legend,
Hideyoshi sank gold bars on the well to eliminate Miasma, however it was
established by investigation by Osaka University in1959, that the current well
was dug in during the Tokugawa Shogunate when rebuilding the castle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075554/" title="DSC_0341 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0341" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/8015075554_cd2109d68b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015073573/" title="DSC_0337 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0337" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8015073573_925981875e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015075652/" title="DSC_0340 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0340" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/8015075652_9d0efe5d51.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/8015073775/" title="DSC_0331 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0331" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/8015073775_e446195ff5.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The beauty
and historical significance of the castle made a visit indispensable if you
visit Osaka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004cad5497402a72cf3d&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.687322,135.525885&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004cad5497402a72cf3d&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.687322,135.525885&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Osaka castle</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/09/el-castillo-de-osaka.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-34134751575040979542012-09-18T07:33:00.000-07:002012-09-24T06:18:27.649-07:00Universal Studios Japan<br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949177146/" title="DSC_0240 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0240" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/7949177146_c1ef9d71e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Universal Studios
Japan is a theme park in Osaka, inspired by the Universal Studios Movies. The
park opened in March 2001, and is currently ranked number 9th among the top 25
amusement/theme parks of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949177510/" title="DSC_0300 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0300" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/7949177510_b8876a94a5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176068/" title="DSC_0298 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0298" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7949176068_9351ffd1c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949175932/" title="DSC_0299 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0299" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7949175932_4c28d847c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is a small mall
marking the way to the entrance, after this you need to manage the crowds to
get in. The park, as most of the attractions in Japan, gets a large number of
visitors, but due to its large size, it does not feel crowed. The
queues for the popular attractions are certainly not for the impatient, but you
can always use the “single rider” option, that will give you a faster access to
the rides, if you don’t mind riding by yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176546/" title="DSC_0284 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0284" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/7949176546_3af696b7b1.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176394/" title="DSC_0285 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0285" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/7949176394_0366ce29e2.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176220/" title="DSC_0289 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0289" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7949176220_66cae2c0ac.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The park areas are
themed on movies locations, the major ones being: New York, San Francisco,
Hollywood, Jurassic Park, and Amity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">All the buildings and
the interiors are reproductions of movies locations, be sure to check the small
plates on the buildings before going in, to help you locate the movie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176834/" title="DSC_0261 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0261" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/7949176834_9514f8816b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949176694/" title="DSC_0265 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0265" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7949176694_61433da9d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you bring small
children, there is also a kids section with enough variety to spend a complete
afternoon on it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949177294/" title="DSC_0238 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0238" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/7949177294_95799fe7ea.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7949177032/" title="DSC_0243 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0243" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/7949177032_e0eb6c54e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The park is definitively
one of the best in Japan and it’s worth making a trip just to visit it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c9fada98af85bcf65&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.666464,135.431728&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c9fada98af85bcf65&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.666464,135.431728&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Universal Studios</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/09/universal-studios-japan.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-32111472355166687932012-08-30T06:46:00.001-07:002012-08-30T06:46:24.416-07:00Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route<br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887499142/" title="DSC_0469 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0469" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7887499142_18c2763f28.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Tateyama Kurobe alpine
route is a mountain route between Tateyama in Toyama and Omachi in Nagano. The
route opened in 1971 is 37 km long, ascending 1,795m.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The route uses several
transport methods to cover the route without damaging the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887503782/" title="DSC_0395 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0395" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/7887503782_b69835cd44.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887503374/" title="DSC_0399 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0399" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7887503374_0b7df76f35.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I started the route
from Ogisawa station on the Omachi side of the route; from there a trolleybus
connects this station with kurobedam station, in a 16 minutes ride through a
tunnel. This line, together with the one on the Tateyama tunnel trolleybus are
the only remaining trolleybus lines in Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887502936/" title="DSC_0403 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0403" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/7887502936_8773d92343.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887502288/" title="DSC_0432 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0432" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/7887502288_e2b7cfd3c3.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887501730/" title="DSC_0435 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0435" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7887501730_62e675df6d.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kurobe dam the highest
in Japan provides dramatics views of the Tateyama range and the North alpine,
the dam 186 meters high concrete wall is an impressive view, especially when is
discharging water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887501280/" title="DSC_0461 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0461" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7887501280_f30498a7b8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887500924/" title="DSC_0463 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0463" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/7887500924_39a66bfa91.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887500398/" title="DSC_0467 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0467" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7887500398_3a0e6b9f26.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After a 15 minutes’
walk to next station, kurobeko, you can ride the kurobe cable car to
kurobedaira in a short 5 minutes tunnel ride.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887496128/" title="DSC_0512 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0512" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/7887496128_fd1a0be57b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887499880/" title="DSC_0468 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0468" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7887499880_3d03eac2cb.jpg" width="500" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From Kurobedaira, the
tateyama ropeway will take you to daikanbo in a 7 minutes breathtaking ride.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887498664/" title="DSC_0481 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0481" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7887498664_dd98158d2e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887498194/" title="DSC_0483 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0483" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7887498194_65509d72bf.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887497362/" title="DSC_0494 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0494" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7887497362_d75ba74984.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887497804/" title="DSC_0488 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0488" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/7887497804_c806e9b409.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887496938/" title="DSC_0503 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0503" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7887496938_4b73ec52da.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From Daikanbo another
trolley ride using a tunnel connects to Murodou, the Tateyama station at 2450
meters. Next to the station, the Tateyama hotel is the highest resort in Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are several
hiking routes from this station, for all levels of expertise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From Murodou a bus
takes you to Biyodaira, during the spring, the snow corridor is open to
pedestrians, this year the snow wall reached 17 m, I skipped this part of the
trip as it was out of season already.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7887496512/" title="DSC_0505
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0505" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/7887496512_75f77e7ea0.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Alpine route is
one of the best ways to escape the summer heat of Tokyo, and enjoy the
fantastic views from the Japanese Alps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/08/ruta-alpina-tateyama-kurobe.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-64131015393764453912012-07-29T07:12:00.002-07:002012-07-29T07:14:40.321-07:00Osaka Station<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582893106/" title="DSC_0309 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0309" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7582893106_22f007e38f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Osaka station
in Umeda district in Osaka, is the main train station in the north of this
city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582895276/" title="DSC_0303 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0303" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7582895276_5daf7f348d.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582893828/" title="DSC_0306 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0306" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7582893828_280ea74824.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The station
underwent extensive renovations and in 2011, a new north station building
opened creating one of the most beautiful stations of Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582895934/" title="DSC_0310 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0310" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7582895934_e722ca3993.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A large glass
roof spans over the railway tracks, this roof has a close resemblance to Kyoto
station’s one. Making this two stations compete for the title of the most
beautiful one. The beautifully designed roof, provide protection to the
elements and provide natural light to illuminate the station area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582894762/" title="DSC_0304 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0304" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7582894762_2a0c706546.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The building
at the north and south gates contain department stores, shopping complex,
restaurants, and green areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7582894162/" title="DSC_0305 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0305" height="332" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7582894162_f0463d64fa.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although the
Shinkansen (bullet train) does not stop here, it’s definitively worth a visit
if in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c5f872477d763a409&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.70223,135.495586&spn=0.002646,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c5f872477d763a409&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.70223,135.495586&spn=0.002646,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Osaka Station</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/07/estacion-de-osaka.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-55657542480258940032012-06-03T06:29:00.000-07:002012-06-03T06:29:07.271-07:00Limited Express Rapi:t<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7273046938/" title="IMG_0724 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0724" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7273046938_ba9042fae3.jpg" width="375" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Limited
Express Rapi:t is an express train that runs between Namba station and Kansai
Airport Station in Osaka. The train’s top speed is 120km, fast compared to the
local line trains, but less than half of top speed of the bullet train. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7273046778/" title="IMG_0723 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0723" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7273046778_8390dc9a5d.jpg" width="375" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The true
beauty of this train is in the design. Designed around a concept of “retro-future”,
the cool front of the train, resembling a pilot’s helmet, gives the train a
very distinctive appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c1913fe697731e486&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.666676,135.495157&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c1913fe697731e486&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.666676,135.495157&spn=0.002647,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Namba station</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/06/el-limited-express-rapi-t.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-41718878784017587862012-05-26T05:45:00.000-07:002012-06-03T06:24:31.323-07:00Hibiya Shrine in Shinbashi<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6963365916/" title="DSC_0441 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0441" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/6963365916_330101ac2f.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The hibiya Shrine
in Shibashi is a small shrine surrounded by the Shiodome and Shinbashi
buildings. Founded in 1606, it was rebuilt and relocated to current location in
2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7109439267/" title="DSC_0437 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0437" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7109439267_e8736cf2c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6963365678/" title="DSC_0433
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0433" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/6963365678_95a87bde04.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Shrine surrounded
by the Shiodome skyscrapers, present an striking view, with the great contrast
of an old style shrine and modern architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6963366002/" title="DSC_0444 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0444" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/6963366002_abb8a25806.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you visit
the shiodome area, this shrine is a must to appreciate the mix of old and new,
characteristic of Tokyo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c1914836aa93a0bc9&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.66332,139.758303&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004c1914836aa93a0bc9&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.66332,139.758303&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Hibiya Jinja</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br /></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/05/santuario-hibiya-en-shinbash.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-73668055908008183882012-04-22T06:48:00.003-07:002012-04-22T06:48:53.327-07:00Sakura Season<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6941222032/" title="DSC_0025 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0025" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6941222032_3c889be634.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cherry
Blossom (sakura) season is back in Tokyo, the most anticipated and brief season
on the year has finally come to town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6941222154/" title="DSC_0040 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0040" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/6941222154_e3a15a9569.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6941222100/" title="DSC_0030 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0030" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/6941222100_48cfc2df4e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7087292085/" title="DSC_0011 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0011" height="332" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/7087292085_b1ee982689.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Large parks
are the most popular places to enjoy the cherry trees, but there is always an
area not far from work or home with of a large number of cherry trees, making
it easy to go out and enjoy the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6941221708/" title="DSC_0002 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0002" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6941221708_fa0afc9d6b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7087291995/" title="DSC_0008 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0008" height="332" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/7087291995_e5cc3c0135.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6941221778/" title="DSC_0007 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0007" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/6941221778_e78d3af00e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As it is
usual every year, large number of people goes out to enjoy the the sakuras, sitting
under the trees, on the open tables set by the restaurants or just walking
around the blooming trees, giving the city a great ambiance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/04/temporada-de-sakura.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-47677492361784822572012-03-26T06:36:00.000-07:002012-03-26T06:36:44.993-07:00Uniqlo Ginza<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7013701319/" title="DSC_0459 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0459" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/7013701319_e90e9a38b9.jpg" width="321" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Japanese casual
clothing store Uniqlo has just open a new store in Ginza. The new flagship store
is the company largest in the world. The 12<sup>th</sup> floors building glass
and steel beam front, it is effectively used as a display for the store
clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7013701281/" title="DSC_0450 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0450" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7013701281_c094a04666.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A large
number of the store employees are foreigners, to accommodate for the large
number of foreigners customers visiting Ginza. Since the store opening large
queues form in front of the store, to my surprise many Japanese people also
queued to enter the store, even though there are uniqlo store everywhere, perhaps
is due to the store novelty and exclusive models.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/7013701303/" title="DSC_0453 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0453" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/7013701303_ac570db127.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A casual low
cost clothing store and Ginza may seem like a mismatch, the store is looking to
enhance its brand to compete with competitors like H&M and Zara, whom
already have stores at Ginza, and point up that low cost does not equal to low
quality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004bc2559c110e2636c2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.670092,139.76356&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004bc2559c110e2636c2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.670092,139.76356&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Uniqlo ginza</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/03/uniqlo-ginza.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-26285850511338907742012-03-21T07:43:00.000-07:002012-03-21T07:43:19.220-07:00Street photography in Shinjuku<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999838951/" title="DSC_0383 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0383" height="323" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/6999838951_69ca54fba7.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shinjuku at peak
hours (early morning and after six) is a very well organized chaos, an
incredible number of people filling the streets and stores on the way to and after
work. Surprisingly the streets are relatively empty in the hours in between.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6853716140/" title="DSC_0422 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0422" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/6853716140_102a663788.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6853716192/" title="DSC_0423 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0423" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6237/6853716192_b73b4c62c8.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999839451/" title="DSC_404 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_404" height="355" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6037/6999839451_7009c16718.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shinjuku street
fashion has its distinct characteristics, like the other big areas in Tokyo, a
mix between the elegant Ginza, and the hipster Shibuya. Perhaps due to the type
of companies based in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999839111/" title="DSC_0411
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0411" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6051/6999839111_c6ae3fee0e.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999838997/" title="DSC_0385 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0385" height="331" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6238/6999838997_34db753ccd.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The kabukicho
area is almost deserted before six, as it consist mostly of restaurant-bars,
and after-hours recreational places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999839329/" title="DSC_0426 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0426" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6236/6999839329_6da83b4237.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6853715998/" title="DSC_0394 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0394" height="353" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/6853715998_d39204719f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6853716252/" title="DSC_0424 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0424" height="313" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/6853716252_0f59528bd8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The east exit
area is the busiest, as there are many department stores along the Shinjuku Street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6853716298/" title="DSC_0428 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0428" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6853716298_9e8f12ebb0.jpg" width="329" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6999839401/" title="DSC_0430 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0430" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6999839401_08ebb339d7.jpg" width="290" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A very fashionable
girl waiting in front of Alta building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.jp/2012/03/fotografia-callejera-en-shinjuku.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com4日本, 東京都新宿区35.6938401 139.703549435.668048600000006 139.66406740000002 35.7196316 139.7430314tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-80328739410685103632012-02-28T05:55:00.000-08:002012-03-26T04:50:34.558-07:00Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6937374511/" title="DSC_0161 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0161" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6937374511_866e1830ce.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Mode Gakuen Cocoon
Tower in Shinjuku is an educational complex designed by Tange associates, the
company of the late Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Completed in 2008, it is
the second tallest educational building in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6791256606/" title="DSC_0150 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0150" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6791256606_968e7873de.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The cocoon like
structure, hence the name, has an elegant design with white aluminum and dark
blue glass. The tower is an eye magnet on the Shinjuku skyline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6937374479/" title="DSC_0152 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0152" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6937374479_caaf0df373.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tower was awarded
the Skyscraper of the year in 2008 by Emporis. The tower has a visual
similarity with another Emporis prizewinner, the Gherkin in London.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6937374545/" title="DSC_0162 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0162" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6937374545_8692f2db97.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The building houses
three educational institutions, and the interiors are amazing, unfortunately, I
was not allowed to take photos inside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/02/torre-capullo-en-shinjuku.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-86581978133157288912012-02-26T06:41:00.000-08:002012-02-26T06:41:49.329-08:00Tokyo National Museum<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916133429/" title="DSC_0101-hdr by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0101-hdr" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6916133429_5d7fca3db7.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Tokyo
National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Japan, established in 1872,
with the first exhibition held at the <a href="http://japanbits.blogspot.com/2010/03/confucian-temple-yushima-seido.html">Yushima Seido</a>. In 1882 the museum moved
to its current location at the Ueno Park in Taito Ward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916131341/" title="DSC_0066 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0066" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6916131341_94f5bc86ce.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132821/" title="DSC_0122 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0122" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6916132821_7793ecc49f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are
five exhibition buildings, a memorial hall, a research center, gardens and
teahouses at the museum premises. The garden is open to the public only during spring
and autumn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916131491/" title="DSC_0072 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0072" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6916131491_3fa3e88010.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916133047/" title="DSC_0127 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0127" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6916133047_85a398612b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132711/" title="DSC_0117 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0117" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6916132711_4d7f5f2da6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132411/" title="DSC_0114
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0114" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6916132411_16f0da1b7d.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Honkan building
exhibits Highlights of Japanese art, from the Jiomo period to the edo period
(1603-1868). The original building, designed by the British architect Josiah
Conder, was severely damaged during the 1923 Kanto earthquake. The current
building was designed by the Japanese architect Jin Watanabe, and it is designated
an important Cultural property of Japan 2001.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916131711/" title="DSC_0084 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0084" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6916131711_c2be605465.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Toyokan building
is closed due to earthquake-proofing work, it will reopen in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132941/" title="DSC_0126 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0126" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6916132941_aeef0c20e2.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916131859/" title="DSC_0085 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0085" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6916131859_149f1e55a3.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Hyokan building,
built in honor of the wedding of the Taisho crown prince, is closed and there
is no set date for reopening, the building has been designated an important
cultural property.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916131983/" title="DSC_0086 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0086" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6916131983_4288863925.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Heiseikan
building, was built to commemorate the crown prince’s wedding, it is used primarily
for temporary exhibitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132065/" title="DSC_0100 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0100" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6916132065_059726eb0b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6916132305/" title="DSC_0102 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0102" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6916132305_14da340bba.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The gallery
of horyuji treasures is a beautiful building designed by Yoshio Taniguchi,
housing the treasures of the houryu ji temple in Nara, Japan, one of the oldest
wooden buildings in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/02/museo-nacional-de-tokio.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-13966040088999942462012-02-10T06:49:00.000-08:002012-02-10T06:49:55.283-08:00Count Nogi’s former house at Nogizaka<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822516791/" title="DSC_0020 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0020" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6822516791_446f733337.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Count
Nogi’s former house in Nogizaka was built in 1902 for the Count Maresuke Nogi,
an eminent general of the Imperial Japanese Army. Located in Minato ku, on
gaien Higashi Street, a short walk from Tokyo Midtown, it has been designated
an important Cultural asset by the Minato-ku. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822516519/" title="DSC_0018 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0018" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6822516519_55fd51fa4e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Count Nogi, son
of a samurai, after a distinguished military career, became the head of Peers
school, and became the mentor and big influence for the future emperor Showa. In
1992 he and his wife committed suicide at the Nogizaka house, after the emperor
Meiji death, in accordance to the samurai code. After his death, Nogi became a symbol
of loyalty and sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822517275/" title="DSC_0029 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0029" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6822517275_50682c7969.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The statue
outside the house recreates the story of general Nogi and the boy selling
tujiuranai (fortune cookies). In 1891 Nogi, then a General, visited Kanazawa
and run by chance into Seisaburo Imakoshi, an 8 year boy selling tujiuranai, to
help support his family, after hearing the boy story, General Nogi commented “Admirable
for a small boy, don’t forget this motivation and become a respectable adult”
and gave the boy a large amount of money. The boy never forgot the General kindness;
continued working hard and in 1965, it was named a living national treasure as
a gold leaf Artisan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822517619/" title="DSC_0034 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0034" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6822517619_4962c84a70.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822517435/" title="DSC_0033 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0033" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6822517435_2b0fd7dc06.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The house modeled
after a house of the French army that Nogi saw whilst studying in Germany. Built
of wood of austere design, with a semi underground concrete structure skillfully
using the slope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6822516933/" title="DSC_0027 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0027" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6822516933_11a414ff54.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The stables
built next to the house provide a glimpse of the count great love of horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b89d275724acef9c3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.668245,139.728262&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b89d275724acef9c3&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.668245,139.728262&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">ex-house of Count
Nogi</a> in a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/02/casa-de-conde-nogi-en-nogizaka.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-66573408971786302202012-01-31T06:03:00.000-08:002012-01-31T06:04:28.118-08:00Kitain in Kawagoe<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6775978283/" title="DSC_0116 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0116" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6775978283_80c56cfc27.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The temple Kita-in
in Kawagoe it is believed to have been founded in 830 by monk Ennin, burned
down in 1205, the temple was rebuilt in 1296. The temple was patronized by the
Tokugawa shoguns, and after another fired destroyed the temple in 1638, Iemitsu
Tokugawa transferred part of the Edo castle to kita-in. These buildings are the
only surviving of the castle after the damage to Tokyo during grand Kanto
earthquake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6775978359/" title="DSC_0118 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0118" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6775978359_e9bb8b9dc8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6775978055/" title="DSC_0100 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0100" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6775978055_6e21516497.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6775978117/" title="DSC_0101 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0101" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6775978117_7c533a328e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the
rooms is believe to be the one where Iemitsu was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tahoto
pagoda built in 1639, was moved several times, until finally being set to its
current location in 1973.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6775978213/" title="DSC_0115 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0115" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6775978213_db6a9c3393.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Jingendo,
located in a hill was built by order of ieyasu in 1645 it is considerate an
important cultural asset. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b6c9dfc37df678ed0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.917068,139.489492&spn=0.000652,0.000805&z=19&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b6c9dfc37df678ed0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.917068,139.489492&spn=0.000652,0.000805&z=19&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Kita-in temple</a> in
a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitain-en-kawagoe.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-22863352803746942192012-01-18T01:22:00.001-08:002012-01-21T06:28:30.588-08:00500 statues of rakan at Kita-in<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821331/" title="DSC_0135 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0135" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6694821331_4efbdda391.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Among the attractions
in Kawagoe Saitama prefecture, the 500 statues of Rakan at Kita-in temple are extremely
popular, and are indispensable stopover for visitors of not only temple’s but to
the Kawagoe area as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821225/" title="DSC_0127 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0127" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6694821225_fa699c5edd.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821455/" title="DSC_0140
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0140" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6694821455_b412a5e49c.jpg" width="500" /></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821279/" title="DSC_0129 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0129" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6694821279_04c4efeaf6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Rakan figures,
one of the three largest in Japan, are statues representing the disciples of Buddha.
The 500 statues (actually 538) with no two alike, all in different position and
with different face expression: smiling, crying, angry, praying, at rest, and
many others, represent the various aspects of the Buddhist life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821187/" title="DSC_0126 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0126" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6694821187_2a51d0902e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821525/" title="DSC_0142 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0142" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6694821525_b6277f10f1.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Carved in
stone between 1782 and 1825, the statues are in a walled area, in front of the
Kita-in temple, hiding the statues to temple visitors, and thus often missed to
visitors with not prior knowledge of the statues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821129/" title="DSC_0124 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0124" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6694821129_d7ab1607c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6694821407/" title="DSC_0138 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0138" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6694821407_bbdbb0313e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to
the tradition if you come in the middle of the night and feel the head of
rakans you will find one that is warm, if you come in the morning to see this
statue, this will be the one that most resembles you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b6c9dfc37df678ed0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.917068,139.489492&spn=0.000652,0.000805&z=19&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b6c9dfc37df678ed0&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.917068,139.489492&spn=0.000652,0.000805&z=19&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Kita-in temple</a> in
a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/01/500-estatuas-de-rakan-en-kita-in.html">Español</a></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-30613613419295024252012-01-09T05:00:00.001-08:002012-01-09T05:08:08.662-08:00Haneda Otorii<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6652899503/" title="Haneda Torii by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="Haneda Torii" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6652899503_2b8972d73b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Haneda
Otorii in Ota ku is a legendary torii found in a small area, surrounded by the
Haneda airport, the Tamagawa River and the Kanpachi Street. According to the
urban legend, this torii was to be relocated with the Haneda shrine in 1945,
but as several workers died during the moving effort, the work was suspended
and the torii was left at his original location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6666250019/" title="Haneda Otorii by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="Haneda
Otorii" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6666250019_784e9b93b6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A more
informed version of the story, notes that this torii was left behind on purpose,
perhaps as a Japanese symbol for the airport. The torii was actually moved 800m in 1999
during the construction of a new runway, with no casualties or mysterious
accidents reported.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b616c395d4f9a7fbe&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.546587,139.752381&spn=0.002619,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b616c395d4f9a7fbe&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.546587,139.752381&spn=0.002619,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Haneda Otorii</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2012/01/otorii-haneda.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-29878631995920866832011-12-20T06:50:00.000-08:002012-02-28T05:58:24.500-08:00Jiyu Gakuen Myonichikan<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515682201/" title="DSC_0548-HDR by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0548-HDR" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6515682201_c43ab345df.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jiyugakuen
Myonichikan “The house of tomorrow” is the original building complex of Jiyu Gakuen
girls’ school in Toshima, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most renowned
architects of U.S.. Lloyd Wright fascinated with Japan, set up residence in the
country for six years, to supervise the construction of the<a href="http://japanbits.blogspot.com/2010/05/architecture-museum-meiji-mura-part2.html"> Imperial Hotel</a>. Busy
with this project, he accepted the request to design the school only after
hearing the founders’ educational philosophy of free education in at-home
atmosphere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the 90s after
a long battle with the government to save the aging building, the government
rewrote its regulations so the building could be used after obtaining the “Important
Cultural Property” designation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681859/" title="DSC_0595 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0595" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6515681859_9f38426339.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681947/" title="DSC_0596 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0596" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6515681947_426949c8b5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Built of wood
and plaster, the complex consists of four buildings: the main building at the
center, west and east buildings at the sides forming a U-shape, and the
Auditorium across the street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681505/" title="DSC_0567 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0567" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6515681505_891aee0b01.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681579/" title="DSC_0575 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0575" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6515681579_87fc7c664d.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681543/" title="DSC_0571 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0571" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6515681543_f499d4a83e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Lounge
Hall in the main building has a big window facing the courtyard. The window
frame and crosspieces have a very characteristic Lloyd Wright design. The mural
on left wall of the hall discovered after the restoration was painted to commemorate
the tenth anniversary of the school, and it is unknown when it was concealed
under a thick layer of mortar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681661/" title="DSC_0582 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0582" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6515681661_8e03ef3ff1.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681619/" title="DSC_0578 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0578" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6515681619_cfae2da8e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the back
of the main hall, there is the dinning hall, with a beautiful V-shaped pendant
light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A small room
between the Lounge and the dinning halls is dedicated to Lloyd Wright, with a
display of his most famous designs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681799/" title="DSC_0589 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0589" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6515681799_b92a96878f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681743/" title="DSC_0587 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0587" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6515681743_fecf815550.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is a
classroom In each of the East and West hall, it is now used for receptions and
seminars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681413/" title="DSC_0556 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0556" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6515681413_a3ebeb46c1.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6515681697/" title="DSC_0584 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0584" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6515681697_b7583d71f8.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The building was
renovated hoping that it will be used for the next 100 years, with its
beautiful design I am sure that it surely deserves it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b48715dd6dcd4e9f8&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.7267,139.707212&spn=0.002613,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b48715dd6dcd4e9f8&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.7267,139.707212&spn=0.002613,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Jiyu Gakuen
Myonichikan</a> in a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/12/jiyu-gakuen-myonichikan.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-24821152094154927332011-12-13T06:16:00.001-08:002012-02-28T05:57:31.496-08:00Sponsored illumination at Yurakucho<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6492258483/" title="DSC_0859 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0859" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6492258483_a7dbc935fa.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yurakucho
station in chiyoda ku, has decorated his central plaza for the season. A major
renovation is ongoing in the area around the plaza; two new buildings, a flashy
new entrance to the subway station, the only thing missing is perhaps a face-lift
to the JR station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6492258611/" title="DSC_0864 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0864" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6492258611_45f87abd4b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6492258821/" title="DSC_0870 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0870" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6492258821_17912b0831.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although the
sponsorship is made obvious by the sponsor big billboard facing the plaza, nevertheless
the illumination gives a festive mood to the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6492258703/" title="DSC_0867 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0867" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6492258703_b4a099b70a.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6492258549/" title="DSC_0862 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0862" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6492258549_0cda9af1d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The station
is next to Ginza, Tokyo station, and the Tokyo International Forum, if you
visit any of this spots; take time to stopover the Yurakucho station to appreciate
the illumination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b3f9c7b273819b2e5&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.674633,139.763335&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b3f9c7b273819b2e5&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.674633,139.763335&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Yurakucho Station</a>
in a larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/12/iluminacion-patrocinada-en-yurakucho.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-72608259100207896692011-12-09T07:02:00.001-08:002012-02-26T06:42:22.315-08:00Shinbashi SL Square Illumination<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6475709525/" title="DSC_0856 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0856" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6475709525_e34da6ef9c.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shinbashi station
has decorated the Steam Locomotive (SL), on display at the fittingly named SL square,
with a futuristic themed illumination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6475709459/" title="DSC_0851 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0851" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6475709459_bbff9eb6c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The square usually
has a nostalgic elegance due to the old locomotive, and by night takes a more
futuristic air with the new illumination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6475709497/" title="DSC_0854 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0854" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6475709497_605a3eb7c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The square is
definitively livelier with the illumination and I hope the area office workers,
consequently will take the seasonal good feeling, back home with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b3f9cc105b98a5d23&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.667059,139.757509&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.0004b3f9cc105b98a5d23&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=0&ll=35.667059,139.757509&spn=0.002615,0.003219&z=17&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">SL Plaza</a> in a
larger map</small><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/12/iluminacion-en-la-plaza-sl-en-shinbashi.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-24080605612458810992011-12-06T07:15:00.001-08:002012-02-10T06:51:14.927-08:00Shibuya Station and center-gai<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459978659/" title="DSC_0833 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0833" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6459978659_334ede13b0.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shibuya
station, never a dull place to visit, has this year opted for a very austere Christmas
decoration. Almost no existent if you exclude the decoration on the archs at
the entrance of Center gai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459978755/" title="DSC_0837 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0837" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6459978755_e7143c744f.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459979003/" title="DSC_0842-TS by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0842-TS" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6459979003_4fc89a1bc1.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459978913/" title="DSC_0839 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0839" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6459978913_d64c62e434.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the same
time, a more natural decoration is provided by the autumn colors, in the trees
lining the streets around the station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459979069/" title="DSC_0849-TS by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0849-TS" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6459979069_34e5c87726.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6459978821/" title="DSC_0838 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0838" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6459978821_ace0ab52c4.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A pleasently
surprise was the number of people on the streets, minimum by shibuya standards,
undoubtedly due to an unexpected morning rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/12/estacion-de-shibuya-y-center-gai.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-83952275060875135862011-11-27T04:57:00.001-08:002012-01-31T06:05:05.665-08:00Tokyo Sky tree update<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6402964885/" title="DSC_0359 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0359" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6402964885_fb563c890e.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Tokyo sky
tree reached its full height of 634.0 meters, and is currently on the last stage
of the construction, it is scheduled for completion on December 2011, and with
the gran opening for spring of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6402964929/" title="DSC_0367 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0367" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/6402964929_0281be0611.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6402964813/" title="DSC_0310 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0310" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6402964813_7259740df5.jpg" width="332" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The four
tower cranes used at the top during the construction have been dismantled and a
small crane is still being used on top of the first observatory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6402964767/" title="DSC_0258 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0258" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6402964767_9b2df03c3b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6402964723/" title="DSC_0247 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0247" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6402964723_f351cc465d.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some members
of the media have been allowed to ascend to the first observatory, and the view
is breathtaking. I cannot wait until next year for the opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.00049e172b08deb5da3da&ll=35.710995,139.80993&spn=0.005227,0.006437&z=16&output=embed" width="300"></iframe><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><small>View
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210906596198372159813.00049e172b08deb5da3da&ll=35.710995,139.80993&spn=0.005227,0.006437&z=16&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Tokyo Sky tree</a> in
a larger map</small><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/11/ultimas-noticias-de-tokyo-sky-tree.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-75981394661441649292011-11-23T05:11:00.001-08:002012-01-18T03:12:35.508-08:00Chrysanthemums festival at Yushima Tenjin<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317905/" title="DSC_0758 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0758" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/6376317905_30827364b2.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbits.blogspot.com/2010/10/yushima-teijin-shrine-to-god-of.html">Yushimateijin</a> celebrates the chrysanthemum flower festival every year, around November.
The temple grounds fill up with the autumn flower aroma as a large number of arrangements
of this flower are on display.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317535/" title="DSC_0754 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0754" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/6376317535_51411d535b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317133/" title="DSC_0738 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0738" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6237/6376317133_8d6991b998.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317801/" title="DSC_0756 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0756" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6376317801_d0a523d177.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Displays are
in two varieties: flower arrangements and theme arrangements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Flower arrangements
are displays based on varieties of the flower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317447/" title="DSC_0744 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0744" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6220/6376317447_39ed21873b.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376317317/" title="DSC_0741 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0741" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6048/6376317317_039468027e.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Theme arrangements
have a scene created or decorated with the flower; artisans paint a scene with
the chrisantemum flower..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376318625/" title="DSC_0781 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0781" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6116/6376318625_8ec8ce2f63.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every year
there is a display of mannequins with Kimonos made of the flower. This year the
theme of the display is “Gou” a trendy sengoku period soap opera based on the
life of the Oeyo, wife of the second Tokugawa Shogun and mother of the third
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376318265/" title="DSC_0768
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0768" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6211/6376318265_a25b58e493.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376318151/" title="DSC_0760 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0760" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6376318151_1d00e6dced.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6376318903/" title="DSC_0785 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0785" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6376318903_2ecfd6b137.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Additionally,
many families visit the temple to celebrate the Shichi-go-san, or celebratory temple
visit for girls of seven, five, and three years old of age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/11/festival-del-crisantemo-en-yushima.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77207089130261707.post-36969730301816827812011-11-16T08:04:00.001-08:002012-01-14T05:59:42.133-08:00Chouryu temple in Moriya city.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6350652042/" title="DSC_0797-HDR by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0797-HDR" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6350652042_13d39d0fe8.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chouryuji is
an ancient temple in Moriya city Ibaraki Prefecture, founded in 1590. The
general Asano Nagamasa stayed at the temple during the conquest of the Odawara
castle by Toyotomi Hidayoshi. The general consequently issued a decree, forbidding
the soldiers from looting the temple, and thus protecting it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6336634651/" title="DSC_0799
by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0799" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6336634651_eebc9bdfb3.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The temple approach
and the esplanade in front of the main hall are lined with ancient cedar trees
that gave the temple great range of colors during the autumn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6336634615/" title="DSC_0791 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0791" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6336634615_4c5aa88dc6.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6336634527/" title="DSC_0784 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0784" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6336634527_7a811a1f19.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The temple
also has dramatically aged wooden gate and bell tower that give testimony of
the temple long history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6337389768/" title="DSC_0802 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0802" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6337389768_1ce5674600.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6336634711/" title="DSC_0805 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0805" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6336634711_c5afbff024.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hectorbc/6336634761/" title="DSC_0812 by HectorBC, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0812" height="332" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6336634761_702c5ceda5.jpg" width="500" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The temple is
a short walk from the Moriya station on the tsukuba express and is definitely
worth of a visit if you are around the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://japanbitss.blogspot.com/2011/11/templo-chouryu-en-moriya-city.html">Español</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>islandjphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424188244268694744noreply@blogger.com0