Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Last additions - Nagahama 長浜市

Keihan Maru boat during the early 1900s. This is a vintage postcard showing a steamer called Keihan Maru moored at Chikubushima. This boat landing is still being used.Mar 13, 2006

Lake Yogo in winterJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

So scenic...Jan 27, 2006

PanoramaJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Slabs of iceJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Yogoko-so lodge in the distanceJan 27, 2006

Ducks on iceJan 27, 2006

Speed limit 30 kphJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Water and iceJan 27, 2006

Snow clearerJan 27, 2006

Snowy path. I was the only fool walking here, I saw no one else. But the scenery was great.Jan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Yogoko-so Kokuminshuku lodge at the southern tip of the lake. It affords a scenic view of the lake. This is a national pension so prices are affordable. 国民宿舎　余呉湖荘Sadly, after 40 years in business, this pension closed in Sept. 2013 due to aging facilities that were too expensive to repair.Jan 27, 2006

Saw me and they flew awayJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Lake Yogo in winterJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Looking toward Yogo StationJan 27, 2006

Where the water meets the ice. About one-fourth of the lake was iced over.Jan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Ducks on iceJan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Looking toward Yogo Station.Jan 27, 2006

Jan 27, 2006

Water's edgeJan 27, 2006

During winter in Jan. 2006, when it snowed a lot, I walked around the lake starting from Yogo Station.Jan 27, 2006

Lake Yogo map. At the top is Yogo Station. There is a road going around the entire lake. It is easily walkable or great for bicycling (rentable at the train station). Jan 27, 2006

Good luck mochi rice cakes. I caught two of them. The kanji character is "fuku" meaning good luck.Jan 13, 2006

Shrine maidens ready to toss the mochi at Hokoku Shrine. Another highlight of Toka Ebisu.Jan 13, 2006

Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama, ShigaJan 13, 2006

Inside the shrineJan 13, 2006

On Jan. 11 they burn the old New Year's decorations.Jan 13, 2006

Jan 13, 2006

Old New Year's decorations to be burnedJan 13, 2006

Burning old New Year's decorations, Hokoku Jinja, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.Jan 13, 2006

Burning of old New Year's decorations in mid-JanuaryJan 13, 2006

Jan 13, 2006

Ebisu is one of the seven gods of good fortune. MAPJan 13, 2006

Scenic point at end of trailNov 01, 2005

Panorama at end of trailNov 01, 2005

Beyond the east end of Sugaura (beyond the east thatched-roof gate) is a scenic walking trail along the peninsula's shore.After you pass through the town, there is a hiking/bicycle trail along the peninsula.Nov 01, 2005

Swimming areaNov 01, 2005

Trail goes further.Nov 01, 2005

Trail going up the mountain.Nov 01, 2005

Thatched-roof gate, called Shisokumon 四足門, on the east end used to monitor outsiders entering the village.Nov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

Sugaura Local History Museum 菅浦郷土史料館. Contains historical documents related to the town. But it was closed when I went.Nov 01, 2005

Suga ShrineNov 01, 2005

Thatched-roof gate, called Shisokumon 四足門, on the west end used to monitor outsiders entering the village. Another one is at the east end. MAPNov 01, 2005

Suga Shrine, dedicated to Sugaura's patron god. The shrine also has a connection with Emperor Junnin (733-765). 淳仁天皇. 須賀神社須賀神社Nov 01, 2005

Way to Suga Shrine. Emperor Junnin supposedly once lived in this area in secret.Nov 01, 2005

Entrance to Sugaura, a quaint lakeshore village on a peninsula. It is will be designated as an Important Cultural Landscape. A pleasant trail goes along the lakeshore trail.Nov 01, 2005

Sugaura is a length-wise town hugging the shore of the lake.Nov 01, 2005

The maruko-bune boat is a symbol of Nishi-Azai town which is now part of the city of Nagahama.Nov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

Going down to the lake shore of Sugaura.Nov 01, 2005

Chikubushima island in the distanceNov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

Lookout point, Chikubushima island in the distanceNov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

The big maruko-bune boat (17 meters long) was donated by a native of Nishi-Azai. It could hold 13 tons of cargo.Nov 01, 2005

Large maruko-bune displayed outdoors, without a mast.Nov 01, 2005

Large wooden paddle of a maruko-bune boat. The boat also had a sail. The boat had a round log on both sides.Nov 01, 2005

The wooden maruko-bune boat was a common sight on Lake Biwa before railroads were built. They were mainly used for shipping cargo between Kyoto and the northern region of Fukui, Kanazawa, etc.Nov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

Sugaura is one of the best areas of northern Shiga and northern Lake Biwa. Quiet, clean, and scenic.Nov 01, 2005

Nov 01, 2005

Some scenery from the road between Nagahara and Sugaura.Nov 01, 2005

Sugaura is a small settlement in Nishi-Azai along the northern shore of Lake Biwa. It is a quiet and scenic area with a nice lakeshore road and trail almost to the tip of the peninsula. Akasaki Maruko-bune park赤崎丸子船Nov 01, 2005

Omi-Shiotsu Station with an old 111-series JR train.Oct 22, 2005

Old Hokuriku Line trainOct 22, 2005

Omi-Shiotsu Station corridor to the tracks upstairs.Oct 22, 2005

Omi-Shiotsu StationOct 22, 2005

Bicycle rental sign. Most stations along Lake Biwa offer bicycles for rental.Oct 22, 2005

Omi-Shiotsu Station JR近江塩津駅Oct 22, 2005

Tickets pleaseOct 22, 2005

West view of ChikubushimaOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Interlaken boat to Imazu at Chikubushima.Oct 22, 2005

ChikubushimaOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Inside Benzai Tendo. The statue of Benzaiten in that corner was donated by the father of Lord Azai Nagamasa. Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima has some steep steps.Oct 22, 2005

Benzai TendoOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Inside Benzai Tendo. Oct 22, 2005

Inside Benzai TendoOct 22, 2005

Inside Benzaiten-do Hall which houses one of Japan's three major statues of the Goddess Benzaiten.Oct 22, 2005

Three-Story Pagoda. Reconstructed in 2000.Oct 22, 2005

Inside Benzai TendoOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Inside Benzai TendoOct 22, 2005

Benzaiten-do Hall, the main worship hall of Hogonji temple. Oct 22, 2005

Kannondo Temple and Karamon gate of Hogonji temple on Chikubushima island, Nagahama, Shiga.Oct 22, 2005

Karamon Gate 唐門 (National Treasure). Entrance to the Kannondo Temple. It might have come from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's original mausoleum in Kyoto. From the Momoyama Period. Chikubushima, Nagahama, Shiga.This could also have been the gate to the Gokuraku Bridge at Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle in the early 17th century.Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima Port.Oct 22, 2005

Very old and worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者) inide Karamon Gate.Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Very old and worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者) inide Karamon Gate.Oct 22, 2005

Kannondo TempleOct 22, 2005

Very old and worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者) inide Karamon Gate. Oct 22, 2005

Kannondo TempleOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Kannondo Temple 観音堂Oct 22, 2005

Kannondo TempleOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Funa-roka boat corridorOct 22, 2005

Kannondo TempleOct 22, 2005

Tsukubusuma Shrine (National Treasure)Oct 22, 2005

Tsukubusuma Shrine (National Treasure) on Chikubushima island, Nagahama, Shiga. It worships Benzaiten as well as the Dragon God and Azai-hime. 都久夫須麻神社Oct 22, 2005

Funa-roka boat corridor connects Tsukubusuma Shrine and the Kannon-do Hall. Important Cultural Property. From the Momoyama Period. 船廊下Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Throw your two dishes at the torii gate. If your dish goes under the torii gate, your wish will come true. Geez, look at all those failed wishes (shattered dishes).This is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed. The scene where Ryosuke throws his small dish through the torii.Oct 22, 2005

Inside the Haiden Hall, you can buy these little dishes. Buy two of them. You write your name on one and your wish on the other dish. Then throw it through the torii gate.Oct 22, 2005

View of Nagahama from ChikubushimaOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Tsukubusuma Shrine's Haiden HallOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

The snake is a messenger of the Goddess Benzaiten.Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Torii gate and bridge to Tsukubusuma Shrine, also called Chikubushima Shrine.Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument. One of the verses mentions Chikubushima. This monument commemorates the song and that verse. 琵琶湖就航の歌　歌碑Oct 22, 2005

Boat landing 宝厳寺Oct 22, 2005

Whenever you see a torii gate, it indicates the grounds of Tsukubusuma Shrine. The shrine is actually integrated with Hogonji temple.Oct 22, 2005

Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument. Song details here. 琵琶湖就航の歌　歌碑Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima is also home to Tsukubusuma (Chikubushima) Shrine which is also a National Treasure. Until 1868 when Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines were required to be separate, the shrine was part of Hogonji temple.Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima is home to Hogonji Temple first built in 724 as ordered by the Emperor to worship the Goddess Benzaiten. It belongs to the Shingon Buddhist Sect (Buzan School) and it is the 30th temple in the 33-Temple Pilgrimage of Saigoku. 宝厳寺Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima used to be a lush green island. Now it is turning brown by the thousands of cormorants which nest on the island, beyond the reach of humans. Oct 22, 2005

ChikubushimaOct 22, 2005

Approaching Chikubushima.Oct 22, 2005

Heading for Chikubushima.Oct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Top deck of boat going from Nagahama to ChikubushimaOct 22, 2005

Inside boat. Almost empty.Oct 22, 2005

Chikubushima in the distanceOct 22, 2005

Oct 22, 2005

Mt. Ibuki from Lake BiwaOct 22, 2005

Nagahama Castle from Lake BiwaOct 22, 2005

View of Mt. Ibuki as we leave Nagahama Port. Map for Nagahama PortChikubushima can be reached from Nagahama Port, Hikone Port, or Imazu Port on the other side of the lake. There are several round trips every day from either port. Nagahama boat schedule and Hikone boat scheduleOct 22, 2005

*The following photos were taken over 10 years ago and might be outdated. Latest photos are above.Nagahama Port is where you board the boat for Chikubushima. There are several round trips every day from either port. No reservations necessary. Within walking distance from Nagahama Station.Oct 22, 2005

Nagahama from Lake BiwaOct 22, 2005

Bicycling to Sugaura.Oct 20, 2005

Adjacent museum called Oura Furusato Shiryokan. A museum of local artifacts and knicknacks.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune, a traditional wooden boat mainly for shipping cargo across Lake Biwa in the old days. This used maruko-bune was donated by a local resident. 丸子船Oct 20, 2005

Black copper plates decorate the bow (ダテカスガイ). This checkered pattern was unique to Lake Biwa boats. The wood seams are stuffed with conifer fiber (槙縄) to repel water.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune's trademark is this half-round cedar or cypress log on both sides. おも木Oct 20, 2005

Rudder hangs down from a torii-like brace (かさ木), also used as a mast rest when the mast is laid down. Most of the wood is Japanese conifer (槇の木).Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune were a vital transportation link between northern Japan and Kyoto/Osaka. Goods coming and going via the Sea of Japan also went over the lake.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune boat hands.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune crew.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune wooden boat which was a common sight on Lake Biwa in the old days before trains came to fore. Near this area was a major maruko-bune port called Oura.Oct 20, 2005

The bow's tip is studded.Oct 20, 2005

Adjacent museum showing things from Oura.Oct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune exhibits.Oct 20, 2005

Major parts of a maruko-bune. For details see my video here.Oct 20, 2005

The sail is made of thick cotton material, replacing the old straw mat that didn't last long.Oct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Diorama of Oura Port. MAPOct 20, 2005

Near Nagahara StationOct 20, 2005

Maruko-bune Museum (Maruko-bune no Yakata). The maruko-bune was commonly used to transport cargo over the lake from the Hokuriku region to the Kyoto-Osaka region during the 17th and 18th c. MAPThe museum is a short bicycle ride from Nagahara Station (JR Kosei Line). 滋賀県西浅井町大浦582 丸子船の館Oct 20, 2005

Nagahara Station in the distance.Oct 20, 2005

Nagahama City Hall, Nishi-Azai Branch. An incredibly large and beautiful town hall for a small town (Later merged with Nagahama.)Oct 20, 2005

Nagahara Station on the JR Kosei Line. A nice, loghouse station building. JR湖西線、永原駅Oct 20, 2005

Former Kunitomo gunsmith homeOct 20, 2005

Kunitomo Gun MuseumOct 20, 2005

Kunitomo teppo no sato Matchlock Museum (Kunitomo Gun Museum) 国友鉄砲の里資料館 MAPOct 20, 2005

Yamamoto-yama mountainOct 20, 2005

Kohoku Wild Bird Center and the Biwako Waterfowl and Wetland Center (A-frame building on the left). 湖北野鳥センター・琵琶湖水鳥・湿地センターOct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Nice cycling path along the shore.Oct 20, 2005

Some nice lakeside scenery while cycling further north from Kohoku Waterfowl Park.Oct 20, 2005

Sumo ring on the beachOct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Minamihama beachOct 20, 2005

Nagahama in the distance from MinamihamaOct 20, 2005

南浜Oct 20, 2005

Minamihama swimming beach in Nagahama. Pebble beach. 南浜Oct 20, 2005

Minamihama swimming beach. Don't swim beyond the buoys. 南浜Oct 20, 2005

Minamihama swimming beach, Nagahama 南浜Oct 20, 2005

River mouthOct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Lakeside park with a nice, long cycling path.Oct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Lakeside park in northern Nagahama. This area was formerly Biwa-cho town which merged with adjacent Nagahama in Feb. 2006. Oct 20, 2005

View of Chikubushima islandOct 20, 2005

Lakeside park in northern Nagahama (Biwa-cho), slightly south of Oku Biwa Sports no Mori. Nice cycling path along the lakeshore.Oct 20, 2005

Oct 20, 2005

Lotus pond at Oku Biwa Sports no Mori. In summer, the lotus bloom.Oct 20, 2005

Slightly south of Hayasaki Naiko Biotope along the shore is Oku Biwa Sports no Mori. This is a nice outdoor sports complex. Outdoor pool is great for kids in summer.Oct 20, 2005

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