Japan field trip (Odawara Castle & Ninomiya Shrine) ~26MB of photos.

[mrmephistopheles]

Here, have a virtual tour of Odawara Castle here in Japan

Here's a shot overlooking metropolitan Odawara City. That curvy bridge leads to a toll road which is a very convenient way of getting to Hakone (a popular tourist area). Sidenote: I urinated in public shortly after this pic was taken. When in Rome...
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/5557/15ik.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[mrmephistopheles]

Oh Koi!!
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/9469/28um.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Dunno what this building was called but I thought it looked nice.
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/893/38yx1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is to the left of the above shot and shows part of the moat system surrounding the castle grounds. I'll show you a reverse shot of this later.
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/2392/44ud.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is a far shot of Akaganemon Gate
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/8260/55bw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Detail of the roof of Akaganemon Gate
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Profile of Akaganemon Gate
http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/7728/75jf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This is Sumiyoshibashi Bridge
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/1198/81kj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
You squawkin at me?!
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/360/98lk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Sumiyoshibashi Bridge
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/1106/105yr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Interior shot of Akaganemon Gate
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/6820/112ge.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Akaganemon Gate
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/8153/469rr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Akaganemon Gate
http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/4578/485dc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Akaganemon Gate
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9681/128wv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Reverse exterior shot of Akaganemon Gate
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/130/493mj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Dunno the name of this bridge, but it was closed off for construction.
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4601/133gy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Exterior wall of the courtyard
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/4775/149xw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
One of the guard towers on the outer edges of the moat.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4499/529wx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The path leading back toward Akaganemon Gate
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/5155/156rp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Another bridge connecting Odawara Castle with the rest of the world
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9692/160qc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Now all the moat keeps out is the encroaching city.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3897/179ej.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This was hilarious - Grandpa being pulled along by his dog chasing granddaughter.
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/6695/186lf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Kids playing kickball in the courtyard
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7858/193pj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ogibashi Bridge
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7058/205pd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Tokiwagimon Gate
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9415/212gg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
An elephant!? (The upper courtyard had a small zoo, including monkeys, flamingos, raccoons and all sorts of other animals. Seemed very out of place.)
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/9027/227hl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The Donjon (aka Don Johnson) This was the primary structure of the castle proper, home of the daimyo (fuedal lord). It's location is high atop a hill so that a great view of the surrounding land can be obtained.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1201/230pl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/512/277pc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


The castle was originally constructed around 1200AD, but reached the pinnacle of fortification around 1590, with the largest network of moats and other fortifications in Japan. The current layout of the castle is that of it's 1633 reconstruction. All of the structures seen on the castle grounds today are reconstructions, most completed in 1959-1960. Most such castles were destroyed by the Meiji Emperor upon his return to power in an effort to prevent uprisings.

[mrmephistopheles]

Ninomiya Jinja Shrine
Leaving the castle courtyards, you can walk down a path and enter the Ninomiya Jinja shrine via a back entrance. This is the first thing that caught my eye.
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/9205/282te.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This was a cool-looking water fountain, and the pond surrounding it was FULL of koi.
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/3750/296uc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The main building of the shrine. New Year's preparations were underway, so we couldn't go inside.
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/5881/303ij.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
One of the Torii gates leading to the main entrance.
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/4066/311ul.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Bronze statue of Ninomiya. This is one of very few remaining statues of Ninomiya, as most throughout Japan were sent to weapons-making facilities during WWII.
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9718/329gp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The steps leading up toward the shrine.
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9397/337et.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
I don't recall what this is called, but as you enter the shrine, you're supposed to wash your hands.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/3648/341wl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This little guy was an advertisement for a kimono portrait service within the shrine's grounds.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4183/355wq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Festive new year's lamps.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/9681/367fj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Reverse shot of the 3rd image in the thread.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/2510/379kc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
I love lamp.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/641/389us.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The entrance of Ninomiya Shinjo Shrine.
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/9956/393uq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Here's a great website about Ninomiya and this shrine:
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/Ninomiya.htm


Now my artsy-fartsy shots.
http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/1305/artsy11dj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2121/artsy23dq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/7422/artsy31cv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks to the 'shack (http://imageshack.us) for hosting.

[mrmephistopheles]

enjoy.

[ThatGuy]

Awesome pictures MrMeph! :rawk: :rawk:

[driftshot]

Wow , beautiful scenery ... I really can't wait until I make a little week or so trip to Japan . Congratulations on your "field trip" ... and great pictures you took ...

[alexchanman]

really nice pics, very artsy.

[WILDACEX187]

wow those pix are beautiful. very nice. is it getting really cold out there? how close did u get to that elephant?

[RSP13-Sideways]

Looks great Mr.Meph. I think you're suppose to wash your hands before entering the shrine and there should be a small smoke stack where you wash your face with smoke to get rid of something cultural related, i forgot what....

Anyway, it looks exactly what I had to do when I entered the Kamosu shrine in Matsue. There should of been a Buke-Yashiki (Samurai house) around that area, did you happen to get shots of it, kinda wanna compare and contrast?