JAPAN TRIP PHOTO ALBUM
Niihama City

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 Here is a map to orient you to the location of Niihama in relation to Tokyo and Hiroshima (across the Inland Sea)
An aerial view of Niihama.  You can see it is an industrial city.  Niihama owes its wealth to the now giant Sumitomo Chemical Company which had its origins here.  (Brochure photo.)

 
We are welcomed warmly by the Mayor of Niihama. 
Betty Jackson from Georgia presents the mayor and staff with T-shirts from Atlanta.

 
Entering Niihama we see a driving school.  It takes 3 months and about $3,000 worth of lessons once you are 18 to get a license.
This is Ikku Shrine just down the street from City Hall.  It was founded in 709 AD and is designated a "natural monument."

 
Old large camphor trees line both sides of the entrance to Ikku Shrine.  They are estimated to be about 1,000 years old.
These gingko trees are newer, but none-the-less lovely in their November gold, especially against the dark green of the conifer. They line the boulevard in front of City Hall.

 
This large ancient taiko festival float is housed in the City Hall.  The Taiko Festival is important to Niihama.  The drummer and drum are carried inside this cloth covered structure.
World famous Niihama Taiko Festival floats are carried upon large beams by large crews of men.  We missed the festival by one month.  Oh darn!  (This photo is from a postcard.)
These floats are called taikodai and weigh 2.5 tons and are carried by 150 men called kakifu.  Over 30 taikodais parade in the streets competing with various styles of carrying and marching.  The city is crowded with visitors from all over Japan from October 16th to 18th annually.  These floats and this festival were the inspiration for much of the local student art.  (See "Children's Art Show.")
 
 
The modern library, noted for its prize winning architecture, is hidden by trees which are part of a very old garden that has been at this site for many generations.
This is the friendly gardener for the library grounds.  He was quite cheerful and willing to stand for this early morning picture. This must be a cool job.

 
Morning exercise is important for all workers.  This crew of mechanics warms up before undertaking a day's labor. 
These homes are a few of the Sumitomo Company houses that are left after most were torn down about 12 years ago.  Removal made room for the hotel in which we stayed while in Niihama. 

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