Aburaya leaves for Olympic marathon

Aburaya leaves for Olympic marathon

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Japanese marathoner Shigeru Aburaya is encouraged by his company colleagues in Hiroshima on Aug. 17 before leaving for Athens to take part in the event.

Aburaya chosen as marathon runner for Athens Olympics

Aburaya chosen as marathon runner for Athens Olympics

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Shigeru Aburaya poses for photos during a press conference in Hiroshima on March 15 after being chosen as one of the three runners for the men's marathon at the Athens Olympics.

Aburaya settles for 5th in men's marathon

Aburaya settles for 5th in men's marathon

PARIS, France - Japan's Shigeru Aburaya produced his fastest time of the season but had to settle for fifth place in the men's marathon at the athletics world championships in Paris on Aug. 30.

Japan's Aburaya finishes 5th in marathon

Japan's Aburaya finishes 5th in marathon

EDMONTON, Canada - Shigeru Aburaya of Japan finishes fifth in the men's marathon at the world athletics championships in Edmonton, Canada on Aug. 3.

2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

A statue of Kumahachi Aburaya, often called the father of tourism in Beppu, stands in front of Beppu train station in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2018. Oita will host five Rugby World Cup matches in October 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan

A statue of Kumahachi Aburaya, often called the father of tourism in Beppu, stands in front of Beppu train station in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 26, 2018. Oita will host five Rugby World Cup matches in October 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Aburaya leaves for Olympic marathon

Aburaya leaves for Olympic marathon

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Japanese marathoner Shigeru Aburaya is encouraged by his company colleagues in Hiroshima on Aug. 17 before leaving for Athens to take part in the event. (Kyodo)

Inns at Nakasendo Oiwake

Inns at Nakasendo Oiwake

Could be the eastern edge of Oiwake juku, over the Shojin Bridge and a little further onwards. Aburaya can be seen to the right, but this hotel prospered even when Oiwake became rather bleak during the Meiji and Taisho eras. The fact that many novelists such as Hori Tatsuo stayed there is famous.==Date:unknown, Place:Nagano, Photo:Kusakabe Kinbei, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number38‐49‐0]

Aburaya chosen as marathon runner for Athens Olympics

Aburaya chosen as marathon runner for Athens Olympics

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Shigeru Aburaya poses for photos during a press conference in Hiroshima on March 15 after being chosen as one of the three runners for the men's marathon at the Athens Olympics. (Kyodo)

Japan's Aburaya finishes 5th in marathon

Japan's Aburaya finishes 5th in marathon

EDMONTON, Canada - Shigeru Aburaya of Japan finishes fifth in the men's marathon at the world athletics championships in Edmonton, Canada on Aug. 3.