 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Garden of Keiunkan180 views
|
|
It had rained the night before and in the morning. The ground would've been muddy, but they spread a layer of rocks to make the ground dry. It must have been hard to pull the kite and run on these rocks.180 views
|
|
View from the bridge to Ukimido Floating Temple, Katata, Shiga. The building houses altars and 1,000 small Amida Buddha figures supposedly carved by Priest Enshin. Dedicated to transportation safety on the lake.180 views
|
|
Shigaraki Toki (Pottery) Matsuri banner180 views
|
|
Makino Sunny Beach is a major swimming beach on Lake Biwa in summer. MAP180 views
|
|
Taiwanese Association of America180 views
|
|
Cubby hole180 views
|
|
Before the new Toyosato Elementary School building was completed, the school held classes in this temporary structure in front of the old school building.180 views
|
|
Matcha shaved ice for dessert. I ended up buying two 1000-yen ticket books. Cheap food, but you want to try as much as possible and end up spending around 2,000 yen.180 views
|
|
3-story pagoda, reconstructed in 1978179 views
|
|
The photo above shows part of the stone monument for the first verse of the song. It reads "Ware wa Umi no Ko" (We're children of the lake). [url=http://photoguide.jp/txt/Lake_Biwa_Rowing_Song]More info about Lake Biwa Rowing Song here.[/u179 viewsThis is the song's first and most famous line. The monument is in a small park near the former boathouse in Mihogasaki pier. The photo has been digitally altered (the colors are not real).
I visited and photographed all the places mentioned in the song as well as all the song monuments in Otsu, Omi-Maiko, Imazu, Chikubushima, Hikone, Chomeiji, and Okaya (Nagano). I also created some digital images to match the scenes mentioned in the song.
|
|
Boat house where Taro Oguchi and crew departed on their rowing trip. No longer used by the university's boat club. Mihogasaki, Otsu179 views
|
|
179 views
|
|
Numerous Shigaraki pottery vendors display and sell their wares. MAP179 views
|
|
School auditorium.179 views
|
|
179 views
|
|
Fireman's ladder acrobatics179 views
|
|
Cycling path map in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.178 views
|
|
Garden and pond. This house has a nice garden.178 views
|
|
Built in 1882 as Nagahama Station's first station building. Nagahama Railroad Square 旧長浜駅舎 MAP178 views
|
|
"Umi no Ko" (Child of the Lake) Lake Biwa training boat178 viewsThe bow of Shiga Prefecture's "floating school." The name of this boat was obviously taken from the song. The boat is owned by Shiga Prefecture and used to educate elementary school kids about the lake. Since 1983, this ship has been serving as a floating school for kids where they stay overnight and spend two days conducting experiments to learn more about the lake. Picture was taken at Hikone Port.
|
|
Held during Aug. 3-5 at Taga Taisha Shrine, the Mantosai or 10,000-Lantern Festival is a night festival when numerous lanterns are lit within the shrine grounds. The lanterns are for the repose of ancestral spirits.178 views
|
|
Statue of a Japanese archer at Yaai Shrine, Toragozen-yama, Torahime, Shiga.178 views
|
|
The photo exhibition was held at the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan museum. Many of the photos were also contributed by Philbert Ono.178 views
|
|
Tanuki faces. This one is probably the most typical in the modern age.178 views
|
|
Shigaraki Tanuki mascot walked around the site.178 views
|
|
Umaya Horse Stable. The only castle in Japan to have a large horse stable intact. The L-shaped building originally extended further toward Omotemon Bridge. 178 views
|
|
Yoshibue reed flute, made from reeds growing in Lake Biwa (Lake Nishinoko).178 views
|
|
Camellias and Mt. Ibuki, Maibara, Shiga Prefecture.178 views
|
|
178 views
|
|
The school auditorium also has an upper level.178 views
|
|
During the weekend of Oct. 24-25, 2009 on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road near Hikone Castle, the mascot character festival was held amid product PR booths. ゆるキャラ ふれあい物産展178 views
|
|
Ii clan samurai armor and helmet. Remember this helmet because it also appears on Hikone's official mascot Hiko-nyan (photos below).178 views
|
|
The float is about 5.6 meters high. Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri, Shiga. 壽山178 views
|
|
In the center is Namura Shrine's Nishi Honden hall, a National Treasure. On the left is Hachiman Shrine, an Important Cultural Property. I could finally see this building directly. Ryuo, Shiga.178 views
|
|
Jorakuji Hondo hall, a National Treasure in Konan, Shiga. The pagoda on the left is also a National Treasure. The original temple burned down in 1360, and rebuilt the same year.177 views
|
|
8-man crew alumni in their 20s and 30s at starting line177 views
|
|
Gichuji temple is known for the grave of Haiku poet Basho Matsuo (1644-94). National Historic Site near JR Zeze Station, 300 meters from Gichuji JR膳所駅177 viewsGichuji is a short walk from Zeze Station.
|
|
Quilt from Echigawa's sister city of West Bend, Wisconsin.177 views
|
|
The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri's main highlight are boys age 5 to 12 performing kabuki plays on a few ornate floats at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine and other locations in central Nagahama. MAP177 views
|
|
The stone in fall.177 views
|
|
Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park with Omi Ohashi Bridge in the distance.177 views
|
|
177 views
|
|
177 views
|
|
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176 views
|
|
Takatsuki-cho176 views
|
|
Echibashi Bridge over Echi River. Nice views of the river can be had from this bridge.176 views
|
|
Front view of Anegawa River Battle Memorial where Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Azai Nagamasa and the Asakura clan on Aug. 9 1570.176 views
|
|
More pictures of Mt. Toragozen taken years earlier.176 views
|
|
Sanyaku wrestlers: Kotomitsuki, Chiyotaikai, and Kotooshu.176 views
|
|
A great time to visit Shigaraki is during the Shigaraki Pottery Festival (信楽陶器まつり) and Ceramic Art Market in mid-Oct. Bridge to the Shigaraki Pottery Fair in mid-Oct.176 views
|
|
Hikone Castle was built with many structures and materials transferred other Shiga castles such as Otsu Castle, Nagahama Castle, Odani Castle, Kannonji, and Sawayama Castle. This greatly reduced the cost and time required to complete the castle.176 views
|
|
Minakuchi Castle was originally built in 1634 as a rest place for shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu during his travels to and from Kyoto. But the shogun stayed at the castle only once.176 views
|
|
On the second floor, a mural depicting a train station.176 views
|
|
Turning the float at Omizo Matsuri.176 views
|
|
Symbol of Notogawa175 views
|
|
175 views
|
|
Todai's 4-man crew rowing175 views
|
|
Altar in Amida-do hall, Jizo-in, Kinomoto, Shiga 阿弥陀堂175 views
|
|
Reeds bid rowers farewell for now...175 views
|
|
Ripples lap white sands of Omi-Maiko.175 views
|
|
"Lake Biwa Rowing Song performed in public in Imazu, the song's birthplace," June 4, 2006, Yomiuri Shimbun, Shiga News175 views
|
|
Kannon-do complex at Miidera temple, Shiga.175 views
|
|
As well as Otsu Hikaru-kun, official mascot of Otsu. He is based on the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) character. おおつ光ルくん175 views
|
|
The Ceramic Art Market in Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park has ceramics artists having their own booth to sell their wares.175 views
|
|
Inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.175 views
|
|
Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake. "Shirahige" means white beard, and so people pray here for long life and longevity. The shrine is dedicated to a god named Sarutahiko. 白鬚神社175 views
|
|
Ryuo is accessble by bus from JR Omi-Hachiman Station, North exit bus stop. 近江八幡駅 北口バスターミナル. Catch a bus at stop 4 going to Okaya Minami 岡屋南. Or catch the Ryuo Daihatsu-mae bus.175 views
|
|
175 views
|
|
Genjihama Beach in Shin-Asahi.175 views
|
|
Tahoto's ground floor has a dome-shaped ceiling and a square pent roof, a round second floor and square roof.175 views
|
|
Heron with a frog at Lake Yogo, Nagahama, Shiga.175 views
|
|
School auditorium.175 views
|
|
Spiral staircase175 views
|
|
Upper level of old school library.175 views
|
|
At the Omizo Matsuri in Shiga, I couldn't get used to the people in casual clothes pulling a traditional float. Maybe they can't afford to buy happi coats for all these people.175 views
|
|
|
|
JR Koka Station north (Kitaguchi) side. 175 views
|
|
Near the south of JR Mikumo Station (Kusatsu Line) is Fudo-no-taki Waterfall. One of two noted waterfalls in Konan. The waterfall's trail entrance is right along the road, marked by a stone monument. MAP175 views
|
|
K-ON! fan's car.175 views
|
|
Interlaken boat to Imazu at Chikubushima.174 views
|
|
"Rising mist evaporates, ripples come and go." のぼる狭霧や さざなみの174 views
|
|
Pine trees at Omi-Maiko174 views
|
|
Chojiya ryokan inn, Imazu. This is probably the inn where Taro Oguchi and crew stayed in Imazu and created the song in 1917. 丁子屋174 viewsIt is along the lake shore and still in business today.
It was on June 28, 1917 in Imazu, after dinner on the second day of their rowing trip, when a boatmate named Jiro Nakayasu exclaimed, "Hey everyone, listen up! Oguchi has written this song," and showed everyone the song. Then another boatmate named Taniguchi, who knew a popular song called Hitsuji Kusa (Water Lilies), began singing Oguchi's lyrics to the melody. Since the melody went well with the words, the seven boat crewmates sang the song together that night. It was the birth of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song. The boys worked on the song further and sang it while rowing.
See more photos of Imazu here.
|
|
Official mascot greets visitors on the main path to Ishiyama-dera temple.174 views
|
|
Sign for Oichi-no-Sato, a complex consisting of a public library and folk history museums. Named after Ichi, the wife of Lord Azai Nagamasa who resided at Odani Castle. She was also the younger sister of warlord Oda Nobunaga.174 views
|
|
Hiyoshi Baba road in central Sakamoto. On the right is Mt. Hachijoji. 日吉馬場174 views
|
|
Sushikiri Matsuri (sushi-cutting festival) in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture.174 views
|
|
This is the first kabata we visited. There is a pipe which spews the spring water from 12 to 25 meters below the ground. The original water source is called moto-ike.174 views
|
|
Further right of Saito is the third complex called Yokawa (横川). The three complexes are connected to each other by a road and walking path. It is possible to visit all three complexes in one day.174 viewsEnryakuji is also part of a World Heritage Site called Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
|
|
The bridges are for the highway and shinkansen trains.174 views
|
|
174 views
|
|
174 views
|
|
2nd floor corridor174 views
|
|
174 views
|
|
Map of Hikone. Hikone Castle is famous as being only one of five castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. The tenshu castle tower is original, and you can enter it to get a good idea of what a real castle looked like.174 views
|
|
Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.173 views
|
|
173 views
|
|
173 views
|
|
Kyodai's 4-man crew rowing173 views
|
|
Street performer in front of the steps to Azuchi Castle ruins.173 views
|
|
173 views
|
|
Imagine having a spring in your own home spewing drinkable water 24/7 for free. This kabata has a few baskets. The oblong one is used for fish, and the ones on the right were used to dry bowls.173 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms, castle moat, and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.173 views
|
|
Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall, a National Treasure. 本堂173 views
|
|
The Lakestars shake hands with fans as they leave the court.173 views
|
|
Another reconstructed classroom on the 2nd floor. This one was for homemaking.173 views
|
|
On the opposite side of the auditorium is the old library.173 views
|
|
Julius Ashby173 views
|
|
Senko-sai video (embedded).173 views
|
|
Yokaichi Giant Kite Preservation Society. This is the group responsible for producing, maintaining, and flying the giant kite. 大凧保存会172 views
|
|
Giant Kite sake. The food and souvenir booths sold a variety of merchandise including this locally-brewed sake, complete with a label showing this year's kite design.172 views
|
|
The garden served as the location of one scene in the TV mini-series "Shogun."172 views
|
|
Kyoto Univ. starts to veer off course172 views
|
|
Awards ceremony172 views
|
|
Many boats are made in Italy.172 views
|
|
Near the rowing club is the Lake Biwa Rowing Course where regattas are held. 滋賀県立琵琶湖漕艇場172 views
|
|
Musa-juku was the sixty-sixth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the seventh Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Echigawa-juku in Aisho). MAP172 viewsMusa was one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near Ohmi Railways Musa Station, a short ride from Omi-Hachiman.
|
|
172 views
|
|
Bamba Chutaro Jizo-son statue, based on a character in the novel "Mabuta-no-Haha" 瞼の母 by Hasegawa Shin (1884-1963) 長谷川伸. 番場忠太郎172 views
|
|
Lookout point along Hie-zan Driveway. This was my favorite.172 views
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge172 views
|
|
Empress Jingu172 views
|
|
172 views
|
|
Also part of Adogawa is Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a few km off shore and a favorite place for birds which turned the rocks white from their droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白172 views
|
|
Shirahige Shrine's torii in Lake Biwa. The torii is a smaller version of the much more famous one in Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture).172 views
|
|
View of Lake Biwa and Otsu. Omi Ohashi Bridge in the background. The towering building is Otsu Prince Hotel.172 views
|
|
Lady Murasaki supposedly wrote the novel in this room at Ishiyama-dera in Otsu.172 views
|
|
Poster for the Suijo taiko dance.172 views
|
|
Classroom door172 views
|
|
172 views
|
|
Cherry blossoms along the Kasumitei riverbank.172 views
|
|
Waiting room on the platform. It had peeling paint.172 views
|
|
Lakeside park in northern Nagahama. This area was formerly Biwa-cho town which merged with adjacent Nagahama in Feb. 2006. 171 views
|
|
Mt. Mikami across Lake Biwa from Karasaki.171 views
|
|
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. 171 views
|
|
Funa-roka boat corridor171 views
|
|
View of Takeshima171 views
|
|
Sugaura in northern Lake Biwa171 views
|
|
Otsu shoreline and Mt. Hiei171 viewsAs seen from the Otsu Prince Hotel.
|
|
171 views
|
|
PR poster designed by Tetsuo Oshiro171 viewsPoster for the race.
京都大学ボート部OBの尾城徹雄様に作成したポスター。大学内や大津市石山商店街などで張り出された。
|
|
Every Jan.-Mar., the Keiunkan (慶雲館), a former guesthouse originally built in 1887 to accommodate Emperor Meiji when he visited Nagahama, holds the Nagahama Bonbaiten exhibition (Nagahama Bonsai Plum Blossom Trees). 171 views
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge is a toll road (200 yen for ordinary passenger cars), but free for bicycles and pedestrians who can go on the sidewalk. There are actually two parallel bridges, making it a four-lane bridge. The additional bridge was built in 1994.171 views
|
|
This is the Shiranui style with two loops in the back. The rope has a wire core to stiffen the rope. 横綱白鵬 不知火型171 views
|
|
Karakuri puppet from Ryumon Taki-yama on display. At Otsu Station, maps and pamphlets about the festival are available.171 views
|
|
Prices are quite reasonable. They sell pottery for any type of budget.171 views
|
|
Inside the kiln. This one was open and empty, but some were closed and you could feel the warmth on the door.171 views
|
|
Side entrances of noborigama kiln. 登り窯171 views
|
|
For about 660 years from the 7th century, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. Each time there was a new emperor, a new Saio princess would be appointed to serve at Ise.171 views
|
|
At Hachiman Shrine, which was much more spacious than Nyu Shrine, everyone danced again.171 views
|
|
Flower hat dancers at Naginata Matsuri, Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture.171 views
|
|
Bird-watching area in Shin-Asahi.171 views
|
|
School auditorium entrance.171 views
|
|
Nichiren statue is next to the giant stone monument.170 views
|
|
Inside Hondo temple hall170 views
|
|
After a neat rowing trip, the boat is lifted out of the water.170 views
|
|
"Tell us my friends your stories, with your fervent hearts."「語れ我がが友 暑き心」 Also see my YouTube video here.170 views
|
|
Ozeki Kotomitsuki signs autographs.170 views
|
|
170 views
|
|
Ducks170 views
|
|
Yatsu-kaeshi-no-Mai. 八つ換しの舞170 views
|
|
A local non-proft group called Harie Shozu-no-Sato Committee conducts tours of Harie. For 1,000 yen, they will spend 90 min. to take you to see numerous kabata in private homes. Call 0740-25-6566 to make reservations. hariekabata.com170 viewsOr email: shozunosato@lapis.plala.or.jp
|
|
Entrance to castle. The ticket office is where you pay castle admission. You can also buy a ticket set which includes admission to Genkyuen Garden (recommended). Open 8:30 am to 5 pm.170 views
|
|
Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga170 views
|
|
Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri Festival, Shiga. 兵主祭170 views
|
|
Kenketo Odori dance at Tagi Shrine, Tsuchiyama, Shiga.170 views
|
|
Boat with the main portable shrine pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.170 views
|
|
My video of Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club on Lake Biwa.170 views
|
|
Hachiman-bori is quite long and it even connects to Lake Biwa. The main part of moat is about 1 km long. I started walking here on the west end near the Omi-Hachiman Public Library. MAP170 views
|
|
Sagamihara kite team invited. Sagamihara city in Kanagawa Prefecture also has a giant kite festival, and they were invited to fly a smaller version of their kite at Yokaichi. (Yokaichi was also invited to Sagamihara's kite festival in April.)169 views
|
|
Jomon Period dugout canoe replica made in 1990. Carved out of single log, two men successfully used it to paddle to Chikubushima from Onoe, Nagahama. 169 views
|
|
Note: The following photos were taken years ago. More recent photos are at the beginning of this album. Kongorinji is a Tendai Buddhist temple established in 741 and the middle temple in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. 169 viewsThe main temple hall is a National Treasure housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues designated as Important Cultural Properties.
They come by the busloads. If possible, you should avoid visiting the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio and Eigenji during the weekend in fall. If possible, you should avoid visiting the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio and Eigenji during the weekend in fall.
|
|
Seta Rowing Club's clubhouse. Boats are stored on the bottom floor, while the 2nd floor has office space, ergo machines, meeting room, locker room, etc. Web site here169 views
|
|
Rowing exercise machines called "ergometers" or "ergo" or "indoor rower." In Japan, they call it "ergo." エルゴ169 viewsThe machine measures the energy you expend rowing. Also measures how fast and far you rowed if you were on water. They even have ergo rowing contests which is a sport itself.
|
|
Rowed all the way to Seta Karahashi Bridge and the shinkansen tracks. It was my first time rowing on a competitive rowing boat, and not too difficult even for a beginner.169 views
|
|
Nishikawa residence.169 views
|
|
"Azure blue flower garden, revered coral shrine."169 views
|
|
The Shiga University Education Dept. B team placed 3rd in the Women's Category. 一般女子の部 3位 滋賀大教育B169 views
|
|
Heading south on the Nakasendo in Echigawa-juku.169 views
|
|
Pottery vendor169 views
|
|
Time-Keeping Bell. The bell was recast in 1844. 時報鐘 - Jihosho. Next to the bell is a tea house called Choshoan. The 13th lord of the castle, Ii Naosuke was a diligent practitioner of the tea ceremony.169 viewsThe famous phrase "Ichigo Ichie" (One Encounter, One Chance) was coined by him in a tea ceremony book titled "Chanoyu Ichie-shu" （茶の湯一会集）.
|
|
A frozen Mishima Pond (Mishima-Ike) and Mt. Ibuki in winter. The pond is small, but quite picturesque with Mt. Ibuki in the background. MAP169 views
|
|
Lake Biwa Canal and cherry blossoms.169 views
|
|
|
|
169 views
|
|
Yabusame horseback archer.169 views
|
|
One activity they held during the tour was plankton observations through a microscope, held in sleeping quarters for girls.169 views
|
|
I was impressed with Seian University's slogan of being an ”Art Museum on Campus.” These colorful men are gazing at Lake Biwa.169 views
|
|
The Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is held annually on several days in April, but the main day is April 15. Comprehensive documentary video showing highlights of 2016.169 viewsOn Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan."
|
|
We head for Lake Nishi-no-ko.168 views
|
|
168 views
|
|
In the news: Article in Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11, 2005 Sunday morning edition. The headline reads, "Let's Make an English Version of the Rowing Song."168 viewsA reporter for the Asahi Shimbun in Otsu thought my project was worthy enough for a story in the Dec. 11, 2005 Sunday morning edition of the newspaper's Shiga News page (distributed in Shiga Prefecture).
The headline reads, "Let's Make an English Version of the Boat Song." It describes my project to create an English version of the song and have it sung at the annual choir contest in June in Imazu (which didn't happen in 2006). It also quotes people in Imazu who welcome my project for an English version.
2005年12月11日の朝日新聞朝刊の滋賀版に僕の写真展と歌の英語化を大きく掲載されました。あんなちっぽけな写真展で注目されるなんて想像もつきませんでした。
英語版を2006年6月3日に発表したあとも各新聞紙の滋賀版で大きく報道されました。詳細はここ。
|
|
Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru.168 views
|
|
"Full of old-time stories, Chikubushima."168 viewsThe island has a complex of temples named Hogonji. It belongs to the Shingon Buddhist Sect (Buzan School). It is said that it was first built in 724. It is also the 30th temple in the 33 Temple Pilgrimage of Saigoku (Western Japan).
See more photos of Chikubushima here.
|
|
Verse 6 Lyrics (Chomeiji) 六番の英訳（長命寺）168 viewsSaigoku pilgrimage, Chomeiji.
Dispel this world's impureness, very faraway.
Golden waves on which we weave, rowing all we can.
Tell us my friends your stories, with your fervent hearts.
西国十番 長命寺
汚れの現世 遠く去りて
黄金の波に いざ漕がん
語れ我が友 熱き心
Saigoku Juban, Chomeiji
Kegare no utsushiyo, tooku sarite
Kogane no nami ni, iza kogan
Katare wagatomo, atsuki kokoro
--
This verse is said to refer to the Pure Land of Buddhism. The song has strong Buddhist overtones, but interestingly the melody happens to be based on a Christian hymn. Chomeiji was a lunch stop before they rowed back to Otsu.
See more photos of Chomeiji Temple here.
|
|
"Golden waves on which we weave..."168 views
|
|
Near the entrance to the Hondo main hall is this Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.168 views
|
|
Plum blossoms and Nagahama Castle.168 views
|
|
But the scenery is great atop Mt. Ibuki in summer. 東遊歩道168 views
|
|
Later, the top division Makunouchi wrestlers started practice. They wear white mawashi belts.168 views
|
|
Vases168 views
|
|
168 views
|
|
Classroom windows as seen from the outside.168 views
|
|
168 views
|
|
Ibukiyama Taiko Odori Dance, Maibara, Shiga.168 views
|
|
168 views
|
|
Held only once every five years, the Aburahi Festival with the yakko-furi procession was held by Aburahi Shrine in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan on May 1, 2011.168 viewsThe procession features yakko samurai laborers who carry a trunk and sing. Others also dance. The procession makes a circular route near Aburahi and Koka Stations on the JR Kusatsu Line. Aburahi Station on the JR Kusatsu Line. Very nice design.
|
|
Jizo statues at Tokushoji temple.168 views
|
|
Water Birds 水辺の鳥 Little Grebe (カイツブリ) - Native species, Shiga's official bird (県の鳥).168 viewsIn classic literature like Tale of Genji, Lake Biwa is called, "Lake of Little Grebes" (Nionoumi).
|
|
Otsu manhole showing Lake Biwa, Omi Ohashi Bridge, Otsu mascot Hikaru-kun, rowing, yachting, and Michigan boat.168 views
|
|
Nagahama from Lake Biwa167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
Inside Benzai Tendo167 views
|
|
Enter Takeshima167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
Biwako Shuko no Uta Birthplace Monument, Imazu. This is Imazu's second monument for the song. 全歌詞碑の「琵琶湖周航の歌」誕生の地 今津。今津港。背景には竹生島行きの船。167 viewsImazu has two monuments for the song. The first one is a lamp at the end of the pier (visible in this picture on the right of the boat). That was for Verse 3 which is written on the lamp post.
Later in 1994, Imazu town built this red clay monument to commemorate the song's birth in Imazu. The entire lyrics is also engraved. It is next to the Imazu boat pier where boats depart for Chikubushima. Looks like a red flame, but it's shaped after the geographical shape of Imazu town.
From Imazu, you can easily go to Chikubushima island, from which you can take another boat to go to Hikone or Nagahama. Going vice versa is possible too. It's a great way to cross the lake.
See more photos of Imazu here.
|
|
Regatta on Lake Biwa167 views
|
|
Hira mountains167 views
|
|
Inside the front of the Rio Grande boat. 琵琶湖周航クルージング167 views
|
|
"Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD on sale," June 17, 2007, Asahi Shimbun, Shiga Edition.167 views
|
|
"Let's make an English version of Biwako Shuko no Uta," Dec. 11, 2005, Asahi Shimbun, Shiga News167 views
|
|
Indigo placemats on stairs. It's possible for the shop to handle up to 20 people to try indigo dyeing in their shop. Call 0748-75-0128. Address: Shimoda 1530, Konan-shi, Shiga167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
Miyabiyama stands near the entrance gate to sign autographs.167 views
|
|
Hanamichi to the sumo ring167 views
|
|
Inside Tanuki-kan store.167 views
|
|
Inside a large pottery shop.167 views
|
|
JR trains no longer run to Shigaraki directly.167 views
|
|
The left building is an Important Cultural Property rebuilt in 1771. It has a corner turret on the left end and we used to be able to enter it through a side entrance from behind. 167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
Old camera that was used to take the school pictures on display.167 views
|
|
Stairway167 views
|
|
167 views
|
|
Otsu Port as seen from Hama-Otsu Station. It's a 3-min. walk from the station. MAP167 views
|
|
Colorful and artistic K-ON! postcards written by fans.167 views
|
|
166 views
|
|
Hachiman-yama map166 views
|
|
With twin two-lane bridges, the 1.4-km north bridge (Katata to Moriyama traffic) was completed in 1994. The south bridge (1.35 km) was the original bridge completed in 1964 (for for Moriyama to Katata traffic).166 views
|
|
Daytime view. The distinguishing feature of Otsu Matsuri floats is that they have three wheels instead of four (as with Kyoto's Gion Matsuri).166 views
|
|
The float is associated with Empress Jingu of the 4th century. When she gestures to write some characters on a rock with her bow, and the characters magically appear.166 views
|
|
Bargains to be found.166 views
|
|
"Noborigama" kiln166 views
|
|
Originally built in 1622, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Part of it was rebuilt in 1960.166 views
|
|
Another exit is this Kuromon Gate. This might be a better exit if you also want to visit Genkyuen Garden (recommended). 黒門166 views
|
|
Makino Sunny Beach166 views
|
|
Cycling path along the shore in Shin-Asahi, Takashima.166 views
|
|
After passing through Todamon Gate, there is the Sando path leading to the temple complex. See fall leaves in Nov. 参道166 views
|
|
The old school library.166 views
|
|
Chrysanthemum looking like Hiko-nyan.166 views
|
|
My video of Namura Shrine's Sekku Matsuri festival166 views
|
|
| 18510 files on 74 page(s) |
 |
|
6 | |
|
|
