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Two Weeks in Japan, 09.
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| Tokyo | Fondue in Kyoto? | Tokyo Return |
| Tokyo! | Asuka | Takadanobaba |
| Depaato | Kansai Dinner | Koenji |
| Mt. Takao | Arashayama (Kyoto) | Akemi's New Place! |
| Takao, Cont. | Nembutsu-ji, Kyoto | Roppongi Lights |
| Takao, Descent | Osaka! | Visit to Grave |
| Evening | Osaka by Day! | Koichi's building |
| Sunday afternoon | Osaka by night! | Sights |
| Shinkansen | Kyoto and Shigaraki | New baby |
| Kansai | Kyoto morning | Yakiniku |
| Kiyomizu | Miho Museum | Akihabara |
| Kyoto Station | Goodbye, Setsuko! | Documentation |
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Click on any for a larger view
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Tokyo
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Hello, Tokyo!
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2232a A plaza in the Marounouchi district
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2234 "Bushido"-spirited coffee vendor in the plaza supplying non-Bushido spirited office workers.
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2234a His very neat little camping car.
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Tokyo
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Hello, Depaato!
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2339 MOVIE! Department store basement delirium. See HERE, the antithesis - chapter and verse - to everything that's wrong with eating in the United States. Look and learn, Americans.
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2344 MOVIE! It is so, so good to be back here.
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168 _09Nov04-ni_2352 MOVIE! "Bushido"-spirit "Elevator Girl". Millions each year admire the gondoliers of Venice. Here we have the same thing. The vehicle lacks the elegance of the gondola but the "gondoliers" exceed in grace their Venetian counterparts.
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Tokyo
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Excursion to Mt. Takao
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1859 A calm above-ground train-platform at the limit of suburbs of Tokyo, the foot of the mountain.
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1901
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1901a
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1912 School excursion, randomly scurrying like just-released bugs.
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1957 The first catch-breath point after a very steep incline.
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168 _09Nov05-ni_1958
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169 _09Nov05-ni_1959 Someone takes good care of this and the other Jizos.
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170 _09Nov05-ni_2019 Farther up - at the uppermost reach of the cable car.
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170 _09Nov05-ni_2020
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Tokyo
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The cable foot-bridge and higher.
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170 _09Nov05-ni_2047 The cable bridge.
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172 _09Nov05-ni_2048a
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173 _09Nov05-ni_2050a
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174 _09Nov05-ni_2052a
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175 _09Nov05-ni_2121 Temple close to the top.
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176 _09Nov05-ni_2124
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177 _09Nov05-ni_2150a Lunch at the top we share with hundreds.
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177 _09Nov05-ni_2215 The view from this point - the rugged parallel ranges.
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177 _09Nov05-ni_2216
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Tokyo
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The way down.
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177 _09Nov05-ni_2235a Begin descent on a path forbidden to descenders.
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178 _09Nov05-ni_2240
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179 _09Nov05-ni_2248
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180 _09Nov05-ni_2324 The water-fall training place for apprentice monks.
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181 _09Nov05-ni_2325
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183 _09Nov05-ni_2333
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183 _09Nov05-ni_2336 A cave frequented by the pious.
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184 _09Nov05-ni_2343 Electicity-frugal Japanese outdoor illumination.
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Tokyo
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Return to Delirious Tokyo as the sun sets.
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185 _09Nov06-ni_0143 MOVIE! - Shunjuku station, not yet rush hour.
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185 _09Nov06-ni_0409 MOVIE! Shujuku!
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Tokyo
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Kotoku in repose
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185 _09Nov07-ni_1735
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185 _09Nov07-ni_2252
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186 _09Nov07-ni_2253
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186 _09Nov07-ni_2253a
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Tokyo
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A quiet, smooth ride on the "Nozomi" at 186 miles per hour.
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187 _09Nov08-ni_1827 Not much sleep the previous night, this is almost as comfortable as home in bed.
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187 _09Nov08-ni_1848 Don't blink! There goes Mt. Fuji at 186 miles per hour!
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187 _09Nov08-ni_1848b
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Kansai
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Kyoto, Kiyomizu. Noriko and Obaachan seek lunch while I seek sights.
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187 _09Nov08-ni_2102
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187 _09Nov08-ni_2145 Nihonjin acting like Nihonjin.
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188 _09Nov08-ni_2146
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2205
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2206 The vendor of god-informed fortunes.
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2206a
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2206b
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2207
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2208
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189 _09Nov08-ni_2211
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191 _09Nov08-ni_2211b Construction detail.
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192 _09Nov08-ni_2212
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193 _09Nov08-ni_2213
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194 _09Nov08-ni_2213a
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194 _09Nov08-ni_2216
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194 _09Nov08-ni_2216a
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194 _09Nov08-ni_2218
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194 _09Nov08-ni_2220
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195 _09Nov08-ni_2224a
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196 _09Nov08-ni_2228 Gardens on the Kiyomize premises.
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197 _09Nov08-ni_2229
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Kansai
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With XMas tree.
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198 _09Nov08-ni_2347
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Kansai
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Semi-successful attempt to import fondue to Kyoto.
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225 _09Nov09-ni_0254 Of course Noriko would try to arrange for me to make fondue anywhere for anyone with no regard to practicality.
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225 _09Nov09-ni_0255
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225 _09Nov09-ni_0256
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Kansai
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We visit sites in Asuka by bicycle while Obaachan, in Nara, visits her chum from Kindergarten.
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225 _09Nov09-ni_2031
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225 _09Nov09-ni_2049 Buddha at Asukadera, the oldest Temple in Japan.
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225 _09Nov09-ni_2052
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226 _09Nov09-ni_2104
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227 _09Nov09-ni_2105
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228 _09Nov09-ni_2108 It just celebrated its 1400th birthday.
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228 _09Nov09-ni_2132 The "Saka-Fune Ishi" (Sake-Ship Stone), a mysterious stone structure dating from before AD 700. Its function is not know but modern Japanese assume it may have been sake-making.
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229 _09Nov09-ni_2136 Ishibutai
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229 _09Nov09-ni_2152
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229 _09Nov09-ni_2154
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229 _09Nov09-ni_2154a Ancient tomb, formerly buried.
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231 _09Nov09-ni_2231
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232 _09Nov09-ni_2236 Kaki (persimmon) tree, loaded!
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232 _09Nov09-ni_2254
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232 _09Nov09-ni_2259 Possibly my no. 1 favorite Jizos.
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233 _09Nov09-ni_2317 Urushi? Need to confirm.
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234 _09Nov09-ni_2319 Oni's toilet stone. This is where the Oni's poop out human remains after cooking and eating humans.
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234 _09Nov09-ni_2327 Four ancient monkey stones. Date unknown; probably before AD 700.
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235 _09Nov09-ni_2328
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236 _09Nov09-ni_2328a
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237 _09Nov09-ni_2328b
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Kansai
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We join the Kansai relatives and Setsuko's favorite spa restaurant in Kyoto, Kasuki.
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199 _09Nov10-ni_0224
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199 _09Nov10-ni_0225
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199 _09Nov10-ni_0319
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199 _09Nov10-ni_0320
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Kansai
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Fond renunion after 28 year absence.
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1953
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199 _09Nov10-ni_1758
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1758a
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1759
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1759a
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1759b
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1803
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1810a
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1814
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1817a
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200 _09Nov10-ni_1818
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201 _09Nov10-ni_1820
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201 _09Nov10-ni_1822
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202 _09Nov10-ni_1824
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202 _09Nov10-ni_1831
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202 _09Nov10-ni_1832
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202 _09Nov10-ni_1838
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203 _09Nov10-ni_1838a
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204 _09Nov10-ni_1840
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205 _09Nov10-ni_1841
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206 _09Nov10-ni_1850
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206 _09Nov10-ni_1852
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207 _09Nov10-ni_1852a
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208 _09Nov10-ni_1905
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Kansai
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Here are gathered together about 8000 stone statues of Buddha (Jizos) which were found abandoned in the forest in the vicinity.
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1914
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1916
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1916a
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1917
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1918
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1919
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1923
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1929
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1931
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1933
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209 _09Nov10-ni_1933a
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Osaka!
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Reunion after 28 years. Though I have missed Osaka, it plainly has not missed me! Looks great!
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210 _09Nov10-ni_2109
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211 _09Nov10-ni_2112
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212 _09Nov10-ni_2116
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213 _09Nov10-ni_2116a
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214 _09Nov10-ni_2120
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215 _09Nov10-ni_2136
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216 _09Nov10-ni_2227 Nakasuji's last building.
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217 _09Nov10-ni_2231
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218 _09Nov11-ni_0020
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218 _09Nov11-ni_0053a Tennoji condo roof garden.
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218 _09Nov11-ni_0054
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Osaka!
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Osaka's heart! That's what I'm talkin' about!
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219 _09Nov11-ni_0108 We return after 28 years!
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219 _09Nov11-ni_0109
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220 _09Nov11-ni_0110
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221 _09Nov11-ni_0114a
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222 _09Nov11-ni_0118 Old Osaka by night at Dotonbori.
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222 _09Nov11-ni_0119
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222 _09Nov11-ni_0123
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222 _09Nov11-ni_0128
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222 _09Nov11-ni_0133 Hozenji Yokocho
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Kyoto and Shigaraki
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After one intense day in Osaka we plan to leave Kyoto after breakfast.
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222 _09Nov11-ni_1446 Early morning walk to edge of Gion
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223 _09Nov11-ni_1450a a Tonbi
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223 _09Nov11-ni_1508
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223 _09Nov11-ni_1512
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223 _09Nov11-ni_1515
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223 _09Nov11-ni_1515a
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1516
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1518a
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1525
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1525a
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1528
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224 _09Nov11-ni_1529
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Kyoto and Shigaraki
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An unexpectedly stunning place near Shigaraki.
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224 _09Nov11-ni_2222 The Kibukawa trip must be aborted. So Toshiko and Hideo join us for fun and interesting day.
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224 _09Nov11-ni_2222a
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224 _09Nov11-ni_2223
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224 _09Nov11-ni_2225
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225 _09Nov11-ni_2226
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225 _09Nov11-ni_2332
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226 _09Nov11-ni_2332a
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227 _09Nov12-ni_0053
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227 _09Nov12-ni_0055
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Kyoto and Shigaraki
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Until next time.
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227 _09Nov12-ni_1805a
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228 _09Nov12-ni_2019a The nature of inter-city travel by train.
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Tokyo Return
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Another day with Itsuko and Akemi, begins with sightseeing
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229 _09Nov13-ni_2230 Old fashioned street advertising. They are touting a new pachinko palace.
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Tokyo Return
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A suburb to the north of the center. Low rise and much less dense than Kotoku.
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229 _09Nov14-ni_0006 A theater by Toyo Ito
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229 _09Nov14-ni_0008
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229 _09Nov14-ni_0009
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229 _09Nov14-ni_0043 Streetscape
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230 _09Nov14-ni_0043a
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Tokyo Return
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Its first visit for us all, even for Itsuko.
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231 _09Nov14-ni_0202 In Akemi's just-rebuilt apartment.
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232 _09Nov14-ni_0219
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0310
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Tokyo Return
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On the way home we check the renowned XMas light display.
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0657 The XMas lights in Rappongi
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0702
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0704
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0706 MOVIE!
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233 _09Nov14-ni_0711
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Tokyo Return
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A familiar place.
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233 _09Nov14-ni_1930
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234 _09Nov14-ni_1931
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234 _09Nov14-ni_1933
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Tokyo Return
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The legacy - a grand new facility.
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235 _09Nov14-ni_2011
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236 _09Nov14-ni_2012
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236 _09Nov14-ni_2037
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237 _09Nov14-ni_2049
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Tokyo Return
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In Koichi's home's vicinity
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238 _09Nov14-ni_2158 Japanese lineman. Who needs a bucket truck?
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239 _09Nov14-ni_2241 Another great shopping street, Nippori Yasaka area, "Yanaka Ginza"
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240 _09Nov14-ni_2242
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241 _09Nov14-ni_2243
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242 _09Nov14-ni_2350
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Tokyo Return
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At Akiko's
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243 _09Nov15-ni_0116 Grand and great-grandmothers adore grandsons.
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243 _09Nov15-ni_0117
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245 _09Nov15-ni_0117b
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246 _09Nov15-ni_0118
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247 _09Nov15-ni_0118a Presenting Sota
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0120
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0120a
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0120b
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0132
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0133
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0134a
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248 _09Nov15-ni_0136
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249 _09Nov15-ni_0146
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249 _09Nov15-ni_0146b
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249 _09Nov15-ni_0147
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249 _09Nov15-ni_0148
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249 _09Nov15-ni_0148b
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250 _09Nov15-ni_0148c
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250 _09Nov15-ni_0149a
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251 _09Nov15-ni_0153
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251 _09Nov15-ni_0153b
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Tokyo Return
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More enjoyable in this cooler weather.
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251 _09Nov15-ni_0257
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251 _09Nov15-ni_0257a
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251 _09Nov15-ni_0258
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Tokyo Return
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Only pictures can describe it.
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251 _09Nov15-ni_1907a
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251 _09Nov15-ni_1933
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252 _09Nov15-ni_1956
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Tokyo Return
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For future reference
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233 _09Nov14-ni_1725
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233 _09Nov14-ni_1726
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233 _09Nov14-ni_1740
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251 _09Nov15-ni_1815
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