 Most viewed - Otsu 大津市 |
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Steps to Kaidan-in temple124 views
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Kokuho-den is a museum of temple treasures. This is next to the parking lot. Admission charged, in addition to the Enryakuji admission fee.124 views
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Amida-do Hall124 views
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How the pagoda was reconstructed.124 views
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Inside Yokawa Chudo Hall are numerous little Buddha statues.124 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall124 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂124 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.124 views
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Taiko drummer sculpture at Ogoto Onsen Station.124 views
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The boats are wooden, and a few decades old.123 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera temple with Genji Millenium banners. In Otsu, the Genji Millenium event will be held from March 18 to Dec. 14, 2008.123 views
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Cafe de Genji, which is actually a Japanese-style garden called Kofuen 公風園.123 views
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Daikokudendo temple dedicated to Daikokuten. 大黒天堂123 views
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Next, we go out and head for the 明王院.123 views
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A mass of people come to watch Lake Biwa Fireworks in summer. Free seating, finally. But located somewhat faraway from the prime site. びわ湖大花火大会123 views
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The karakuri on Gekkyuden-yama float has two dancers, one wearing a crane crown and the other a turtle crown, dancing in front of the Emperor.123 views
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Central Otsu lakefront123 views
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The famous Karasaki pine tree as seen from Lake Biwa.123 views
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About Daikodo Hall.123 views
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Kaidan-in temple123 views
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About Kaidan-in temple123 views
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Jodo-in temple123 views
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Minobuchi Benzaiten shrine123 views
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Path to Ruri-do, the only building that was not torched by Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. Unfortunately, it was too far for me to reach.123 views
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My YouTube video of Otsu Matsuri filmed on Oct. 12-13, 2013. Shows the Yoimiya and Hon-matsuri main festival day.123 viewsOtsu 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.
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Two boats will lie here overnight.122 views
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Next is the 明王院, another temple building.122 views
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Inside 明王院 is an exhibition space showing works by award-winning novelist Tanabe Seiko 田辺聖子 who wrote a new version of Genji Monogatari.122 views
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View of Ukimido while rowing on Lake Biwa.122 views
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Mikoshi bearers were standing by at Wakamiya Port and one by one they offloaded the mikoshi from the barge.122 views
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Miyazawa Kenji poem monument122 views
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About Ganzan Daishi-do Hall122 views
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Statue of Nichiren at Joko-in temple.122 views
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Zeze Castle monument. This park was part of the Honmaru. The castle was on a peninsula jutting into Lake Biwa. It was one of Japan's greatest lakeside castles. 膳所城跡公園122 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.121 views
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Further along the Yume Kairo path.121 views
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Entering 明王院.121 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's inkstone case.121 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.121 views
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Biwako Aika 琵琶湖哀歌 (Lake Biwa Elegy) is a mournful song dedicated to the eight college rowers from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture and three rowers from Kyoto who died while practicing in waters off Takashima-cho, Haginohama beach when struck by st121 views
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Entrance to Garden Museum Hiei121 views
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Tenson Shrine torii gate. 天孫神社121 views
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Delivering the tea.121 views
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The Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu in a procession of Buddhist priests.121 views
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Inside 2nd floor of Enryakuji Station.121 views
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About Amida-do Hall.121 views
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Jodo-in temple121 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall121 views
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Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂121 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.121 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (left side)121 views
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Ishiyama-dera stone marker during sakura season in April.121 views
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The Kannon-do Hall stores many Kannon statues.121 views
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Gate to Zeze Castle Park 膳所城跡公園121 views
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Infirmary 保健室121 views
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Keage Incline boat trolley120 viewsThe Keage Incline was once restored in 1977. However, the sample boats are in poor condition.
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Keage Hydroelectric Power Plant pipes120 views
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Two-man boat race120 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂120 views
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Inside Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza. "Kome" means rice. On the first floor they sell local rice and produce.120 views
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Kitty120 views
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This float always heads the festival procession every year, while the other floats draw lots to determine their order in the procession.120 views
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Unimpressive beach at the site of Sakamoto Castle.120 views
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Enryakuji Station120 views
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People chanting in front of Shaka-do Hall.120 views
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Inside Ganzan Daishi-do Hall120 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.120 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.120 views
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Pelton water wheel at Lake Biwa Canal Museum119 viewsUsed at the Keage Power Plant to generate electricity. The Keage Plant was Japan's first hydroelectric power plant.
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Park near top of Keage Incline119 views
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Corridor119 views
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Gift shop and clock museum in background. 時計博物館119 views
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Entrance to 世尊院.119 views
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Inside 密蔵院 was a robot exhibition. Only two robots on display, no resemblance to anything.119 views
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Bridge traffic is well over 30,000 vehicles per day.119 views
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Front of Niomon Gate. The name Miidera literally means "Three-Well Temple." It refers to three Emperors (Tenchi, Temmu, and Jito) who as newborns bathed in the temple's Akaiya well. "Mii" 御井 originally meant "sacred well.119 views
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Nighttime view119 views
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Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama float with musicians playing on the bridge. 西行桜狸山119 views
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Yutate-yama float119 views
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Genji-yama float. 源氏山119 views
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The Sanno Festival (in Japanese it's called Sanno-sai, not Sanno Matsuri) consists of a myriad of festival events. Also interesting is the participation of Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei.119 views
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Entrance gate to Saito from the parking lot.119 views
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Gate to Yokawa temple complex in Enryakuji.119 views
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About Yokawa Chudo Hall.119 views
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Letter of appreciation from the governor of Michigan in 2006. Click to read the letter.119 views
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In late 2013, the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line in Otsu had trains painted in the Chihayafuru design to promote a Chihayafuru exhibition at Omi Shrine. Omi Shrine is near Omi Jingu-mae Station.119 views
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Yamashina118 views
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Gate to 密蔵院.118 views
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Waterwheel118 views
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JR Katata Station on the JR Kosei Line along the western shore of Lake Biwa, Shiga. Local buses run to Ukimido and other places. There's also a bus which crosses the Biwako Ohashi Bridge to reach Moriyama on the other side. 堅田駅118 views
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Observation deck118 views
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Karakuri dolls from Nishinomiya Ebisu-yama float.118 views
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Inside Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum is a life-size model of the Seiobo-zan (西王母山) float featuring a longevity peach and peach boy. 大津祭曳山展示館118 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.118 views
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Waterwheel118 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)117 views
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密蔵院 is another building with an exhibition.117 views
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Stone wall and gate to Kangaku-in Hall at Miidera temple (Onjoji), school for priests and a National Treasure but closed to the public. 勧学院117 views
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People crowd the route to the shrine hall to worship.117 views
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Tapestry designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Trojan War's Sack of Troy (from Greek mythology) is depicted. From the Gekkyuden-zan float.117 views
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Genji-yama musicians.117 views
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Omi Ohashi Bridge at the southern tip of Lake Biwa. 近江大橋117 views
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Soothing sounds of water, etc., can be heard. Almost Zen-like.117 views
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About St. Shinran at Enryakuji.117 views
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Shoro Bell tower 117 views
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Gate to Ganzan Daishi-do Hall117 views
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Ganzan Daishi-do Hall117 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.117 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.117 views
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This was going to be a one-hour cruise around the Lake Biwa. This cruise which departs Otsu at 3:30 pm is called Michigan 60. Costs 2,200 yen for adults and half price for elementary schoolers.117 views
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Sadly, as of 2023, this Karasaki Pine Tree has largely wilted due to wind and rain over the years. The branches have suffered cumulative damage including hollowing out of the trunk.116 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.116 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.116 views
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Well116 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂116 views
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Performance outside the Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum.116 views
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Jingu Kogo-yama float116 views
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Biwako Motorboat race116 views
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Statue of Akechi Mitsuhide116 views
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About Jodo-in temple116 views
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Tatsugaike Pond and Benzaiten shrine116 views
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Stilts of Yokawa Chudo Hall, the main hall in Yokawa.116 views
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Path to Joko-in temple.116 views
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Joko-in temple.116 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.116 views
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Day 3: Arrival at Manohama beach, near the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge. 真野浜上陸115 views
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Oars keep the unstable boat stable.115 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.115 views
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Bench on shore near Ukimido115 views
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Nighttime view during Yoimiya at Otsu Matsuri. Yoimiya is similar to the one held during the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. 宵宮115 views
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Karakuri dolls performing. They are manipulated with strings and other devices below or on the side. (There are no strings above the puppets.)115 views
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The head flipped up to reveal a fox's head.115 views
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The Tendai Abbot (orange robes) lines up along with other Enryakuji Buddhist priests on the Sando path of Hiyoshi Taisha.115 views
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Inside Shaka-do Hall115 views
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Shaka-do Hall altar115 views
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About Shaka-do Hall115 views
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View during the bus ride.115 views
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Gyo-in training hall (not open to the public).115 views
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Joko-in temple.115 views
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Mother Lake logo on Uminoko. From April 2001, the boat started using BDF (biodiesel fuel). It also has a small elevator (wheelchair accessible). Since the boat is over 25 years old, donations are being accepted for its replacement in several years.115 views
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Inner side of Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門).114 views
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Truck to carry the boats114 views
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Otsu Matsuri lantern114 views
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Artificial shoreline is actually not good for the lake ecologically. They should grow reeds instead. Reclaimed land.114 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's tea field is said to be Japan's oldest. Tea picked from this field is presented to the gods housed in the portable shrines.114 views
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THe head priest of Hiyoshi Taisha greets the Tendai Abbot.114 views
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Site where Saint Shinran trained at Enryakuji.114 views
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There are these small Buddha statues all over Yokawa.114 views
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Ganzan Daishi-do Hall114 views
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Benzaiten114 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来114 views
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Spelling mistake...114 views
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No. 1 Tunnel exit113 views
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum in Kyoto113 viewsAt the end of the canal, there's this museum in Kyoto tracing the history of the canal.
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)113 views
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Shoes are fixed to a small, angled platform.113 views
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Rinsing the oars.113 views
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密蔵院113 views
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Next to Miidera temple's southern boundary is Nagara Shrine. The shrine is not part of Miidera, but it is often included in maps of Miidera temple. 長等神社113 views
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On the right were musicians from the Jingu Kogo-yama float. They performed separately, then together. Flutes, drums, and chimes.113 views
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These pictures were taken on Oct. 12, 2008. This is the first float in the procession, called Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama. 西行桜狸山113 views
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The floats are steered by men behind the wheels.113 views
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On Chuo Odori road, this spot had spectator seats (admission charged) to watch the karakuri performances which last only for a few minutes. At other spots, you can watch it for free.113 views
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Door of Amida-do Hall113 views
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People chanting in front of Shaka-do Hall. They are ordinary folk undergoing a training program.113 views
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Eshin-do temple 113 views
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About Sekizan-gu Shrine 113 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)112 views
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View of 明王院.112 views
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Steps to 密蔵院.112 views
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Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza lookout deck on the 2nd floor.112 views
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This bridge seemed to be a favorite spot for photographers. It later was filled with standing-room only crowds.112 views
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Between the Yutate-yama and Jingu Kogo-yama floats, they held a little event featuring the musicians from both floats.112 views
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Karakuri puppet from the Genji-yama float. 源氏山112 views
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On a narrower street, there are houses with open windows on the upper floor which is almost the same level as the float.112 views
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The karakuri has Lady Murasaki writing A Tale of Genji at Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu.112 views
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The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga (Shiga-kenritsu Kindai Bijutsu-kan). Closed for major renovations from April 1, 2017. Will reopen in June 2021.112 viewsOpened in Aug. 1984, this large, modern museum is located in a quiet and green area called "Bunka Zone" (Culture Zone). This zone also has a Japanese garden and the Shiga Prefectural Library.
10 min. by bus from Seta Station on the JR Biwako or Tokaido Line. 滋賀県立近代美術館 MAP
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The Tea Offering Ceremony is held at the Yomiya-jo where the four portable shrines (mikoshi) are placed. 宵宮場 大政所112 views
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On the right is Hokke-do Hall.112 views
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Steps to Shaka-do Hall, the main hall in Saito.112 views
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Shaka-do Hall112 views
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Buddha's giant footprints.112 views
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Shuttle buses run between all three temple complexes. I took the shuttle bus from Saito to Yokawa which was too far away to walk.112 views
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Sekizan-gu Shrine 112 views
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In fall112 views
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Gate to Kangaku-in Hall, school for priests at Miidera temple in Otsu. Closed to the public.112 views
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Off they go111 views
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About Biwako Ohashi Bridge.111 views
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On the left were musicians from the Yutate-yama float. 111 views
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Him dancing on the festival float continued for over ten years after which his old age prevented him from continuing. A tanuki karakuri puppet was then used in his place on the float.111 views
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Musicians at the Genji-yama float. 源氏山111 views
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More chimaki for the crowd.111 views
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