Local tourists enjoy snow in Fukui.

Children make snow man during fall heavy snow at front of the JR station in Fukui, about 320 kilometers west Tokyo in Japan December 31, 2010. They come to Fukui on their New Year holidays. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y6318

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Asian People Marks Sixth Anniversary Of Their Most Shock Day-Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Sri Lankan, people remove dead body of child who died Indian Ocean tsunami that hit the island six years ago December 26, 2004. Sri Lanka today commemorates the sixth tsunami anniversary that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people. On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.15 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia's Aceh Province triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean. It killed around 226,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other countries. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.(File Picture)

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Christmas Night in Japan

Japanese man dressed as Santa Claus and walks during the heavy snow falling front of the Christmas lights illuminate in Fukui about 320 kilometers west Tokyo Japan December 24, 2010. Christians around the world will gather with family and friends to exchange gifts. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y5670

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Thousands Of Migratory Birds Come To Japan For The Winter

Migratory birds take off from paddy field at Sakai city in Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan December 19, 2010. Thousand of migratory birds come to north and west Japan from Siberia and other part of Asia in the winter season.Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y5004

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Kiteboarding Becomes New Modern Water Sport

Kiteboard player, Hisanori Hasegawa practices on the sea of the Sunset Beach at Mikuni city in Fukui about 320 kilometers west Tokyo December 19, 2010. Kiteboarding becomes world wide very fast a new modern water sport. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y5305　

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Japanese ready to celebrate the year of the Rabbit

Japanese girl make rabbit charm at Shrine in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west Tokyo December 18, 2010. Japanese people celebrate their New Year 1st of January and next year is a rabbit year according to zodiac. Zodiac has a cycle of 12 years each year is represented by an animal. The animals are, in order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. This year is year of the tiger.

Japanese people buy rabbit charm from Shrine and Buddhist temple on New Year day and wish to bring their life happiness and fortune. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y3833

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Buddhist monks collect alms

Japanese Buddhist monks walk in a street and collecting alms during the snow 
fall in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west Tokyo December 16, 2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y35
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Process of Japanese Sake

A sake brewery worker mixes frehs sake  at the  Jozan Sake Brewery in Fukui city about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan, December 6,2010. Sake is an excellent alcoholic beverage in Japan and every year winter is the season of Japanese sake brewer. Japanese sake can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Sake’s history is very long, dating back to the more than two thousand years. Pix-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y2668

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Hakusan

Hakusan(白山) is one most beautiful and worship mountain among the three major mountains in the Japan. Japanese people has been prayed Hakusan in the ancient period because nature and beauty of that mountain. It is the highest mountain in the Hokuriku region. Pix-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.

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Kids perform Kabuki

A kid waits make-up in preparation for a Kabuki performance during a Maruoka Kids Kabuki tenth anniversary plays at indoor stadium, Isobe elementary  school in Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan November 20,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/ Street Photo Gallery 844Y 9897.                                                                                                                                                Kids Kabuki in Maruoka tenth anniversary marked two days from November 20 to 21 and they performance most famous Edo period samurai story as known “Chushingura” at Isobe elementary school indoor stadium in Fukui prefecture, Japan.

Fifteen of Japanese elementary and junior school students performed real historical incident, which forty – seven loyal samurai assassination by his junior samurai during the beginning of Edo period in 1701. This story has become famous later in Japan through and turn into a plays, novels movies and kabuki drama.
Kabuki is a popular Japanese musical drama characterized by elaborate costuming and makeup. As well as kids Kabuki program take a place around the country theater in these days.
               

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Snow crab catching in the Sea of Japan.

A commercial crab catching fisherman stands in the vessel during a crab capturing in the Sea of Japan. pictures has taken November 18,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Picture Gallery.844Y7799.

Dozens of seagulls fly and follow a snow crab vessel as they try to catch fallen fish from the snow crab catching net.that beautiful seen I saw when I was came to outdoor area from sleeping quarters below the deck of vessel “Kisshomaru” during the two days journey in Sea of Japan with commercial crabs catching fishermen.

It is so easy for sea gull to find their food without tired. But Echizen crab catching commercial fishermen works not that much easy. About 35 hours continually works under the freezing wind and during that long time has a one or half hour rest each three hours. That is the time of before the pull the crab net. Those small break their use mostly for sleep in cabin quarters and having their food. Sometime they were read the Japanese comedian  pictures books and take rest for their tired mind. 

“Freezing weather hard to work in sea but I so much like to do this job” said Takahiro Sagawa, 19 years old. “I walk out from my high education and find this job in this year. Earlier I did some part time job. “Very difficult to get a job present economic crisis. This is my first crab catching season,” Said Takahiro.

Snow crab is local name of Echizen crab that crab is one of most expensive crab in Japan. As well as that crab is so much delicious. Echizen crab has captured from Echizen city to Mikuni city area at Fukui prefecture in Sea of Japan that located about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo. Every year winter is the season of Echizen crab and this year November 6 started crab capture up to March 20 of next year. 

Male and female crab captured by commercial fishermen that Echizen crabs living about 300 to 400 meters deep in the Sea of Japan.

Minami Teruo, 58 years old last ten years captured crab and he said how difficult to capture Echizen crab in deep see. “This is difficult job. Some time I like some time I don’t like to do this job.”
Minami is worried this year crab price is a less and said, “We captured same quantity of crab but price not as much of last year.”

Commercial Echizen crab catching domestic fisheries market in build up Meiji period during the 1870. Presently, domestic fishermen catching about 350 tone of crab and supply domestic fisheries market annually.
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Daikon from Fukui

A man arranges radish on the huge bamboo frame front of the Agriculture Association in Fukui city about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan November 15, 2010. Agriculture Association of Fukui hold 1400 radish on the bamboo frame to dry that value about 140,000 Yen (1687.80US$). Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y6915

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Inside the quality of Echizen, Snow Crab

A woman sees the fresh crabs live in sea water tank during a Echizen Crab Festival at Sunset Beach in Mikuni, Fukui prefecture, about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan November 14, 2010. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y6482

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Shimenawa, a sacred rope

Farmers and salary workers use the rice straw and make huge size Shimenawa at Misuumi Assembly center in Ikeda, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan November 7,2010. These Shimenawa straw ropes hung above the front entrance of Shrine for show to separate the sacred or pure space from people, usually a Shinto Shrine, hung the Shimenawa and mark the entry into a sacred area.
Every year December they change old Shimenawa and set up new one.
Ikeda city is most country side city in Fukui, which city about 20 farmers and salary workers together use their Sunday holiday for make to Shimenawa for 130 Shrine. They supply Ikeda Shimenawa most of Shirne around the Fukui since 1970. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y6040

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Fisermen worried Snow Crab price might be less.

A fisherman who is crab catching  shows most expensive Echizen crab against the backdrop of sunset at Mikuni port in Fukui Prefecture, about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo Japan, November 6, 2010. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y5600

A fisherman who is crab catching  arranges
most expensive Echizen crab box for selling
crab auction at Mikuni port in Fukui Prefecture,
about 320 kilometers  northwest Tokyo, Japan.
November 6,2010. Pic- Buddhika Weearsinghe /
Street Photo Gallery.844Y5937

 In Japan, Fishermen catching the Echizen Crab who worried this year crab price might be a lesser amount of comparing other years for the reason that country economic and financial crisis. Mikuni Fishing Corporation official said, large size of Echizen crab (snow crab) that weight 1.6 kilogram sold Yen |55,000(USD 676.71) highest price in the last year but that same size Echizen Crab this year sell  Yen 33,400(USD 410.94) during the first day, November 6 Echizen crab auction at fishing market in Mikuni city, Fukui prefecture.

Mikuni port located about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan

Each year Echizen crab catching from November to next year March. Today is a first day of Echizen crab catching on this season and twelve crab catching vessel came to Mikuni port.
Echizen crab is one of most expensive crab and that is big business in Japan. Yellow tag is trade mark of these most expensive crabs which tag even boiling time and serving time can see his big size right hand.
These large size crabs local name is Snow Crabs but that name not much famous as a Echizen crab around the Japan.




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X-mas wedding ceremony

Japanese Tokitaka Yoshizuni, center, and his wife Misato Yoshizuni sees the baby shoe that present received from Santa Claus during a their winter wedding ceremony at AOSSA shopping complex in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan November 5,2010. In Fukui city, first wedding ceremony of that held front of the huge Christmas tree. 
The wedding couple together lights up the Christmas tree that red and green natural colors of Christmas wedding. Then children wear the Christmas costume and performing music and songs. Pic – Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo gallery.844Y4857

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Mama-san Volleyball

A Japanese mother blocks the ball during a “mama san” volleyball tournament at Tsuruga sport stadium in Fukui prefecture, about 320 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, Japan November 3,2010. Mama san volleyball is one of most famous games among the Japanese mothers all over the country between the ages 30 to 50 years. Most of them are mothers, housewives and amateur players.
Usually in volleyball, each team has six players but "mama san” volleyball has nine players in each team.
In Japan, Fukui prefecture has held a “Mama-san” volleyball tournament in the Tsuruga sport stadium with seventeen teams attending. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/ Street Photo gallery. 844Y4650

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Soba noodles fighting

An elementary school student eats soba noodles during a Soba Fighting annual festival at Miyama city, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo, Japan October 31,2010. Soba are one of the most popular Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour. The noodles are usually cooked and served with various toppings and shoyu (Japanese soy sauce). Soba dishes are often served chilled in the summer and hot in the winter, although different varieties of soba noodles are available all over the country.                                                    

In Fukui prefecture, Oroshi Soba is the most famous soba, topped with daikon (radish) and invented in 1601. That Oroshi soba are a popular inexpensive fast food at JR train stations throughout Fukui prefecture. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.844Y4207

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Traditional method of river fishing-Japan

A man throws the fishing net at Asuwa river in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan October 19,2010. Net fishing is traditional method of river fishing and catching the Ayu fish that has been practiced in Japan for some hundreds years. Ayu fish are amongst the Japanese people's favorite fish that fish catching between summer and winter season. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street photo gallery.844Y3154
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Japan concerns floating of yen

A bank teller counts yen bank notes in Fukui city about 320 kilometer north Tokyo, Japan. Japan concern over the rise of the yen against the dollar after 15-years and government officially announce will take necessary step against extremely currency move. Yen's rise in recent months and U.S. dollar is being traded at 81.33 on Today  Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe. 844Y2644

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River side café of Kakusen-kei Kawadoko at Yamanaka.

People take relax and enjoyed special sweets recipes introduced by Rokusaburo Michiba at river side popular cafe at Kakusen-kei Kawadoko in Yamanaka, Ishikawa prefecture about 295 kilometers from Tokyo, Japan. Most of visitors are enjoy a relaxing time in this beautiful area surrounded by rich greenery and clean water from the stream. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Galeery. 844Y2331

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Man rides the bicycle

A man rides the bicycle over the Asuwa river  against backdrop of sunset in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan October 6, 2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Picture Gallery. 844Y1741

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Dreams of a human chain - Fukui,Japan

A Woman draws her daughter's body shape on the ground during a painting shape of human chain front of the railway station in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan October 3, 2010. About 60 of people lay down ground and drawing their body shape as a human chain and painting their shape of body two days human chain drawing event that organize by local government office of Fukui. Most of participants paint their own shape of body by their dreams of colors and right the messages “PEACE, FREEDOM, SMILE, LOVE” over the body shape. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 844Y1596

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Eco-Candle festival in Fukui, Japan

People light candle during a Eco- candle festival at Ikeda city in Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers northwest Tokyo in Japan, September 25,2010. Hundreds of people mark Eco- candle festival and light over 25,000 candles and show eco friendly environment at Ikeda city.  Eco-candle festival started five years ago in 2005,
 a campaign to recycle waste cooking oil as well as to show their environmental friendly lifestyle and take attraction for Ikeda city. An important aspect of the Eco-Candle event is that every age of people takes part in making the candles, so all the candles are made by volunteers. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.44Y1185

A Japanese traditional wedding takes in rice field

Ishikawa, Senmaida rice filed is one of the most beautiful view rice filed in Japan and each year two lucky couples will be drawn from a nation-wide lottery to have their wedding ceremony take a place at Senmaida rice filed in September. This year that fortune gets Japan Defense Force, Mizumoto Keiichi, 24 years old younger at Wajima city. His wife is Mizumoto Mami, 23 years old. 

STOP THE RE-DETAINED say forieners live in Japan

A foreign nationalist hold the placard and walks during a protest of against to re-detaining Shinagawa city, Tokyo, September 8, 2010. Pic.Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery  44Y9653

Dozens foreign nationals live in Japan who were asylum seekers comes road side under the heavy rain and held protest and demanding to authority of Tokyo Immigration stop the re-detaining the after long detaining and threat all of foreigners human way on today, 8th Wednesday at Shinagawa city Tokyo.

Paddy crop comes to town - Japan

A school student arranges the paddy on the huge bamboo frame front of the Agriculture Association of Fukui city about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan September 6,2010. About fifty years ago Japanese farmers used bamboo frame for dry to paddy.Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery 44Y9243

Easy pop art show.

A man sits front of the "Easy pop art show" in Echize city, Fukui prefecture Japan August 13, 2010. Outside of room art, country side artists and musicians together held “Easy pop art show” make the attraction for younger to visit paddy field. It started by Kiyonori Kado at in Echizen city, Fukui Prefecture in 1992.  Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery 44Y8064

Fireworks of Mikuni Sunset Beach

Fireworks display over the Sunset Beach during a biggest summer fireworks festival in Hokuriku, Mikuni Fireworks Festival is held on August 11th at Mikuni Sunset Beach in Fukui prefecture. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y7856

Rice field in Japan

Rice is beginning to show in a rice field in Fukui city, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan July 24, 2010. Japan is the ninth largest producer of rice in the world in rice production. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo gallery. 44Y6927

Fireworks in Japan

Fireworks display over the Asuwagawa River during the Phoenix Summer Festival in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west Tokyo,Japan July 30, 2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery 44Y6530

Cheering to baseball

A baseball fan use Japanese Megaphone and shouts during a high school baseball tournament in Fukui, July 2010. High school base ball tournaments are most famous sport event in Japan. Pic- Buddhika Weerasinge/Street Photo Gallery 44Y2635

Moon rise over the Japan Sea

Moon rise over the Japan Sea July 17,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y7958

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Goodbye to baseball

A base ball player weeps after their team didn’t qualify next game in Fukui city, Japan July 19,2010. High school base ball tournaments are most famous sport event in Japan among the school sport as well as which is one of the boundary to high school students carry on their base ball talent. Large of amounts high school student said to goodbye their base ball skill losing a game or tournament around the Japan that amount over thousand. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.44Y0160

Fireworks explode over the Japan Sea.

Fireworks explode over the Japan Sea during an annual summer fireworks festival in Fukui, west Japan July 17, 2010.Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo gallery.44Y8107

Ono Morning Market

A woman clean the potatoes in road side vegetable stall in Ono city, Fukui, west of Tkyo, Japan July 8,2010. The Ono Morning Market is historical open-air market and it was set up 300 years ago Shichiken Dori street in Ono city. The fresh vegetables, flowers and other village harvest bring by female farmers and selling. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo gallery. 44Y6534

A woman rides a bicycle through the during a morning market business  hours in Ono city, Fukui, west of Tkyo, Japan July 8,2010. The Ono Morning Market is historical open-air market and it was set up 300 years ago Shichiken Dori street in Ono city. The fresh vegetables, flowers and other village harvest bring by female farmers and selling. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo gallery. 44Y6674

Ono Castle

Ono castle is historical and an important cultural artifact in Ono city which was builds 1580 during an Edo period. It was completely destroyed by fire accident in year 1775 and long year later it rebuilt in 1968.
Ono people’s once a year held castle festival during a mid on August and this year festival will held August 13 to 16, 2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.

Ono castle is historical and an important cultural artifact in Ono city which was builds 1580 during an Edo period. It was completely destroyed by fire accident in year 1775 and long year later it rebuilt in 1968.
Ono people’s once a year held castle festival during a mid on August and this year festival will held August 13 to 16, 2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.

A man walks through the paddy field

A man walks through the paddy field at Ono city, Fukui prefecture, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 8, 2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y6749

Japan’s main party leaders address upcoming election campaign

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C) during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4902

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sadakazu Tanigaki (C) during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4826

Japan soccer fans react, their country's way out the world cup.

Japan soccer fan reacts during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fan reacts during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Monsoon clouds gather over the soccer ground at Japan

Japan’s junior high school soccer player of Nissin FC Soccer Club practices against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer player of Nissin FC Soccer Club practices against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010