 Last additions - Otsu 大津市 |
During Ishiyama-dera's display of the hidden Kannon Buddha, they also allowed the public to ring the temple bell for a small fee.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Torii at a Buddhist templeMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
HondoMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Omikuji paper fortunesMay 29, 2017
|
|
Ema prayer tabletMay 29, 2017
|
|
After staying in the temple for seven days, this is the room where Lady Murasaki Shikibu got inspired by an autumn moonlit night and started writing Genji Monogatari.May 29, 2017
|
|
At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who in the 11th century wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.May 29, 2017
|
|
Room of Genji (源氏の間)May 29, 2017
|
|
Room of GenjiMay 29, 2017
|
|
The large, hidden Buddha also had smaller Kannon statues inside. These were also displayed.May 29, 2017
|
|
Normally, you cannot see this Buddha through the altar since the Buddha is housed behind closed doors. We were allowed to walk behind the altar to see the giant Buddha in its shelter with the doors open. A large, impressive Buddha. No photos were allowed.May 29, 2017
|
|
It didn't that long to see the hidden Buddha.May 29, 2017
|
|
Ishiyama-dera's hidden, giant Buddha (Kannon) is visible through the altar. May 29, 2017
|
|
The line to see the hidden Buddha.May 29, 2017
|
|
This smaller Buddha was used to obstruct the view of the hidden Buddha from non-paying visitors.May 29, 2017
|
|
Admission was charged to see the hidden Buddha. May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Inside HondoMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Hondo main temple hallMay 29, 2017
|
|
From March 18 to Dec. 4, 2016, Ishiyama-dera held a special display of their hidden Buddha. Shown only once every 33 years.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
As of spring 2023, Ishiyama-dera's head priest is a woman, the 53rd zasu abbot. Washio Ryuge (鷲尾龍華) is Ishiyama-dera's first woman abbot taking over from her father who preceded her. She's in her mid-30s..May 29, 2017
|
|
Path to Ishiyama-dera in autumn.May 29, 2017
|
|
The Calendar terrace as seen from Otsu Station platform.May 29, 2017
|
|
The Calendar as seen from Otsu Station platform.May 29, 2017
|
|
Otsu Heiwado AL Plaza being torn down in Nov. 2016.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Chiyahayafuru taxiMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Some inspiration while you do your business.May 29, 2017
|
|
Beautiful urinalsMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
In this corner, the door to the capsule hotel.May 29, 2017
|
|
Daily special lunch MenuMay 29, 2017
|
|
My lunch: Daily special (hi-gawari lunch) served 11 am–2:30 pm for ¥850 includes soup, rice or bread, and the drink bar (coffee, tea, juices).May 29, 2017
|
|
Not much of a view though.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Outdoor terrace on part of the west-end rooftop.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
View from the restaurant.May 29, 2017
|
|
Window seating for couples or small groups.May 29, 2017
|
|
A variety of seating.May 29, 2017
|
|
Bookshelves of books for sale. Couldn’t find any books about Otsu.May 29, 2017
|
|
Ping-pong room. Play for free.May 29, 2017
|
|
Ping-pong room. Play for free.May 29, 2017
|
|
On-the-floor seating next to the ping-pong room.May 29, 2017
|
|
Before renovation.May 29, 2017
|
|
Central area of The Calendar restaurant.May 29, 2017
|
|
Stairs to The Calendar on the 2nd floor. No elevators.May 29, 2017
|
|
The building’s biggest and most dramatic change is upstairs on the 2nd floor. It’s where they have “The Calendar,” a unique combination of different and almost seamless spaces for a restaurant, cafe, bar, open-air rooftop terrace (barbecue and beer garden), bookshelves selling books, 60-bed capsule hotel, and even a ping-pong table. May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Menu for The Calendar.May 29, 2017
|
|
Ground floor with ATMs on the left and the entrance to The Calendar.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
1st/ground floor now has Starbucks and three Shiga-original restaurants: Okaki for Omi beef, Chanpontei for ramen, and Konkian for soba noodles.May 29, 2017
|
|
Otsu Tourist Information CenterMay 29, 2017
|
|
Taxi at Otsu StationMay 29, 2017
|
|
Ground floor with ATMs on the left and the entrance to The Calendar.May 29, 2017
|
|
The station building is now named “Vierra Otsu” (ビエラ大津).According to the building’s developer, JR West Real Estate & Development Co., the word “Vierra” was created with the Spanish words “vida” (life) and “tierra” (land or earth), so it supposed to mean May 29, 2017
|
|
The old Heiwado AL Plaza Otsu being torn down.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Renovated Otsu StationMay 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Ticket officeMay 29, 2017
|
|
Convenience store inside the station.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 29, 2017
|
|
Turnstile area is nice and new.May 29, 2017
|
|
I dropped by in late Nov. 2016 to check it out.May 29, 2017
|
|
After a few years of uncertainty and about a year of major renovations, a new lease on life has been bestowed on the JR Otsu Station building that reopened on Oct. 1, 2016.May 29, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge over Seta RiverMay 20, 2017
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi BridgeMay 20, 2017
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge with the new paint job in 2012.May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge in autumn. 瀬田之唐橋May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
May 20, 2017
|
|
The current bridge was rebuilt in 1979 and painted a beige color.May 20, 2017
|
|
The original Seta-no-Karahashi Bride was the site of historic battles. It has two bridges, one long and one short going over an island in the river.May 20, 2017
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge with the new paint job in 2012. 瀬田之唐橋May 20, 2017
|
|
The gateway to the Seta area is Karahashi-mae Station.May 20, 2017
|
|
Keihan train at Karahashi-mae Station.May 20, 2017
|
|
Nakanosho Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.Oct 03, 2016
|
|
Miidera Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line is the closest station to Miidera temple (and Lake Biwa Canal).Oct 03, 2016
|
|
Ishiyama Station on the Keihan Line and JR Tokaido Line.Oct 02, 2016
|
|
Gallery Karahashi is a fine-art rental gallery near Seta Karahashi Bridge ギャラリー唐橋Oct 02, 2016
|
|
Karahashi-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line is the closest station to Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.Oct 02, 2016
|
|
Otsu Prince and Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Otsu lakefront as seen from the lake. Biwako Hall can be seen.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Seta Karahashi BridgeSep 17, 2016
|
|
Michigan paddlewheel boat on Lake Biwa.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Hiyoshi Taisha's waterfront torii as seen from the lake.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Yachting and rowing on Lake Biwa.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sailboats on Lake BiwaSep 17, 2016
|
|
Water skier on Lake BiwaSep 17, 2016
|
|
Lake monitoring stationSep 17, 2016
|
|
Manohama BeachSep 17, 2016
|
|
Manohama BeachSep 17, 2016
|
|
Manohama BeachSep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sailboats and Lake Biwa manhole for Shiga-cho in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Juge Shrine near Shiga StationSep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
JR Shiga Station on the Kosei Line.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Matsunoura Camp grounds along Lake Biwa near Shiga Station.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
JR Kosei Line near Hira.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
JR Hira Station on the Kosei LineSep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Kita Hira beach for kids.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Kita Hira beachSep 17, 2016
|
|
Heron hunting for dinner.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Sep 17, 2016
|
|
A little south of Omi-Maiko. Bicycled from Omi-Maiko and went south.Sep 17, 2016
|
|
Ferris wheel front view.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Golf practice range in Katata.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
The giant ferris wheel was a remnant of the Biwako Tower amusement park that had long closed.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge is Shiga's longest bridge.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
This giant ferris wheel was a landmark in Katata until it was finally dismantled.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Under Biwako Ohashi Bridge Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Ukimido as seen from the lake.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge is 1.35 km long connecting Moriyama and Katata across the neck of Lake Biwa.Sep 09, 2016
|
|
Too many Otsu condos block lake views.Mar 24, 2016
|
|
At Hama-Otsu, shopping mall Aqus, also built on reclaimed land.Mar 24, 2016
|
|
About the scale modelMar 24, 2016
|
|
Mar 24, 2016
|
|
Mar 24, 2016
|
|
Otsu Matsuri floats Mar 24, 2016
|
|
Somebody made a tanuki model and placed it near the float.Mar 24, 2016
|
|
Otsu Matsuri floats at Chuo-doriMar 24, 2016
|
|
Yabusame horseback archery is held at Omi Jingu Shrine on the first Sunday in June from 12:30 pm. (Used to be held on Nov. 3.) My YouTube video of Omi Shrine's yabusame horseback archery on Nov. 3, 2013.I believe this is Shiga's only authentic yabusame.Nov 03, 2014
|
|
My YouTube video of Otsu Matsuri filmed on Oct. 12-13, 2013. Shows the Yoimiya and Hon-matsuri main festival day.Otsu Matsuri is one of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
The karakuri shows Empress Jingu using her bow to write kanji characters on a large rock.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
During China's Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, chancellor of the state of Shu Han, fought Cao Cao, the chancellor of the state of Wei.Zhuge Liang looked at flowing water and prayed to the water god to wash away the enemy's huge army. He thereby emerged victorious.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
The karakuri is based on the Noh play Sessho-seki.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Kakkyo digging a hole with a hoe and finding a pot of gold while his wife holds their son to be buried.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Oct 08, 2014
|
|
A female wearing a crane crown and a male with a turtle crown start dancing in front of the Chinese emperor to celebrate his longevity. Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Seiobo is the Chinese goddess Xi Wangmu living on the mythological Kunlun Mountain. She danced for Emperor Wu of Han who desired longevity. She gave him a longevity peach.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Ebisu (god of fishermen) fishing for sea bream.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
The karakuri shows saké seller Takafu pouring saké for Shojo, an alcohol-loving, legendary sea creature with a red face and red hair. Shojo then drinks the saké.Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Modeled after Tenson Shrine, the karakuri puppets reenact the shrine's yudate Shinto ritual. Oct 08, 2014
|
|
Scale model of the Otsu Palace displayed at the Otsu History Museum.May 21, 2014
|
|
May 21, 2014
|
|
Chihayafuru exhibition poster.May 21, 2014
|
|
Inside the Keihan Line train with Chihayafuru.May 21, 2014
|
|
Ramen dining tent.May 21, 2014
|
|
Stage entertainment that nobody watched at the Ikemen Battle.May 21, 2014
|
|
May 21, 2014
|
|
May 21, 2014
|
|
May 21, 2014
|
|
The Ikemen Battle was an event of ramen booths selling ramen noodles in a competition.May 21, 2014
|
|
Popular ramen saw long lines.May 21, 2014
|
|
Entrance to Ikemen Battle 2013 next to the Shiga Prefectural Government.May 21, 2014
|
|
Shiga KaikanMay 21, 2014
|
|
Shiga KaikanMay 21, 2014
|
|
Shiga Kaikan. I had my first photo exhibition in Shiga in here.May 21, 2014
|
|
Shiga Kaikan that was across from the Shiga Prefectural Government. Already torn down.May 21, 2014
|
|
The Shiga Prefectural Government Building is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property (登録有形文化財) in summer 2014. Designed by Sato Koichi. 建築家の佐藤功一氏が設計しました。May 21, 2014
|
|
May 21, 2014
|
|
Restaurant in the Otsu Station building 2nd floor before renovation in 2016.May 21, 2014
|
|
Restaurant in the Otsu Station building 2nd floor before renovation in 2016.May 21, 2014
|
|
Dinner at a restaurant in the Otsu Station building.May 21, 2014
|
|
JR Otsu Station building corridor, 2nd floor before renovation in 2016.May 21, 2014
|
|
JR Otsu Station platformMay 21, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Now a much smaller target.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Resupply of arrows on the way back.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Hit targetApr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Three targets and each archer galloped at full speed to try and hit all three targets. Each archer made several runs and it was dramatic to watch.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
I came to see this to pray for a good Year of the Horse in 2014, the following year.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
The first target.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
After the ceremony, they leave the worship hall and head for the horses.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
The archers first held a prayer ceremony in the Naihaiden Hall.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Apr 14, 2014
|
|
Reserved seating available for a few hundred yen.Apr 14, 2014
|
|
| 2449 files on 10 page(s) |
2 |  |
|
|
|
|
