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All these photos are in Chiba-ken, about two hours
East of Tokyo...
Note: To make this page load faster, some photos have been shrunk to
thumbnails.
To see a larger version of a photo, please click the small photo
(I improved the size and scaling of the thumbnails and full images
6/12/2000). |
First Day! |
Although we are surrounded by
old traditional Japanese houses and historic architecture, we live in a
modern, rather plain house. It took 2 taxis to get people and 14
boxes to the house.
The best part about being so far from Tokyo is the peace. Instead of
listening to traffic and city noises 24 hours a day, we go to sleep to the
sounds of frogs and crickets, and wake up to the sounds of song birds and
even roosters!
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Chiba Castle surrounded by Cherry Blossoms |
We arrived just after the peak
of 'Hanami' (Cherry Blossom Season).
There are magnificent old traditional houses with beautiful architecture
all around us in the city of Yachiyo, Chiba. This is Chiba Castle about 30
minutes away in Chiba City. |
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Ancient Katori Jingu Shrine |
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The Shrine next door with steep steps leading to
the top... |
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Kids named this Mushu Fountain (after the movie Mulan)
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Stephanie and the "Great Stone Dragon" from the Shrine
next door |
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Big tree at the Shrine next door...
An enchanting tall bamboo forest surrounds the Shrine! |
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Waking the ancestors!!!
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Richard in the
bamboo forest |
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Rice paddies across the street viewed from the
Shrine on the hill. The river is behind the trees. |
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This large river (Shinkawa) irrigates the rice
paddies |
