Most viewed - Nagahama 長浜市 |
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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132 views
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A newer annex to the Keiunkan. This is the exit.132 views
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Inside Kawake Station.132 views
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Illustration of the Ochaya (on the lower left terrace). The area was divided into two by a dirt wall and had an L shape. It was a military outpost and included a small garden. 御茶屋跡132 views
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Inside Benzai Tendo131 views
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Memorial for the Azai clan in the Sakura-no-Baba. It's not a grave. Azai Nagamasa's grave (along with this father and grandfather's graves) is at Tokushoji temple in central Nagahama (photos at bottom).131 views
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Glass artists make their works.130 views
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In Nov. 2001, part of the land was flooded with water as an experiment, and the ensuing plant and wildlife were observed. MAP130 views
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View from Oku Biwako Parkway130 views
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If you're walking up Mt. Odani, this is one of the best scenic viewpoints on Odani. Good place to rest too. 130 views
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Illustration of the Ouma-ya Horse Stable (center terrace). You can see the two Horse-washing Ponds at the foot of the stone wall.130 views
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Kannondo Temple129 views
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Illustration of Bansho guard house.129 views
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Yanmar Museum is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (enter by 5 pm), Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if the Monday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 3.129 views
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Throwing mochi rice cakes on Toka Ebisu, Hokoku Shrine, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.129 views
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Northern Lake Biwa, looking toward Sugaura. Seen from Mt. Shizugatake.128 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial 石田三成供養塔127 views
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Lake Yogo has a nice lakeshore road going completely around the lake. Going counterclockwise is recommended since you'll be closer to the lake edge on the road. In winter, only part of the road is cleared of snow. 127 viewsThe photos below follow a counterclockwise route.
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Straw blind126 views
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Ura-Jizo (Rear Jizo) at the back of the Hondo, now open to the public from Jan. 2007. 裏地蔵尊126 views
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Illustration of Kyogoku-maru which was the second largest bailey in Odani Castle after O-hiroma.126 views
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What's left of the large stone wall. It was 5 meters tall and the largest stone wall at Odani Castle, even larger than the Honmaru's stone wall.126 views
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Nagahara Station on the JR Kosei Line. A nice, loghouse station building. JR湖西線、永原駅125 views
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Benzai Tendo125 views
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View from Oku Biwako Parkway125 views
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Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.125 views
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The kabuki boys are placed on the hikiyama floats.125 views
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Odani Castle stone marker near the entrance to the paved road going up the mountain.125 views
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Rest house at foot of Mt. Odani.125 views
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Otemichi path is apparently an alternate way up, but it is closed off to visitors.125 views
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Illustration of the Akao Yashiki residence.125 views
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Illustration of O-hiroma hall that was next to the Honmaru seen on the left.125 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial124 views
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Sumo wrestler monument dedicated to Yokozuna Hitachiyama, a great Yokozuna during the Meiji Period. Built by Asami Matazo who built the Keiunkan. 力士碑 横綱常陸山124 views
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Kogenji Temple in Takatsuki, Nagahama belongs to the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect (Otani school). On the left of this main hall is the Doganji Kannon Hall where the 11-face Kannon statue (National Treasure) can be viewed. 渡岸寺観音堂(向源寺)124 views
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Marker of Ishida Mitsunari's estate123 views
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2nd floor of Keiunkan123 views
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Basho Haiku Monument 「蓬莱にきかはや伊勢の初たより はせを」芭蕉の句碑123 views
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View of Lake Yogo from the hiking trail from Mt. Shizugatake.123 views
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O-hiroma is Odani Castle's largest bailey. The site of a large hall where Azai Nagamasa and Ichi held their wedding. See the illustration. On the far end is the Honmaru.123 views
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Glassware workshop122 views
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NHK Taiga Drama "Komyo ga Tsuji" souvenirs.122 views
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In spring.122 views
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Shimmering waters of Lake Biwa.122 views
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Memorial for Yogo's war dead.122 views
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Beware of wild goats (kamoshika) on Mt. Odani.122 views
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A more modern train ferry on Lake Biwa.121 views
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A number of attached lakes in Shiga were reclaimed to make rice paddies amid a shortage of food after the war. This has proven to be detrimental to Lake Biwa's ecology, and now Shiga wants to restore Hayasaki's reclaimed land back to an attached121 views
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Marker for the Battle of Shizugatake and the famous "Seven Spears" which refer to Hideyoshi's top generals in the battle.121 views
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Entrance to the paved road going up the mountain. There's a small parking lot, small park, restrooms, and resthouse here.121 views
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Steamship which carried train cars on Lake Biwa.120 views
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Outside on the terrace facing south at Nagahama Station. The small waiting room has been removed and replaced by a walkway to the new Mondecool Heiwado store.120 views
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For current information on the Bonbaiten exhibition, see the official website (English).120 viewsThe Keiunkan is near Nagahama Station's west exit, toward the south end. It is across from Nagahama Railroad Square. This is the gate to Keiunkan guesthouse.
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I visited the park in April 2009 in the early morning before the crowds arrived. It truly was a peaceful beauty.120 views
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The trail is pretty level most of the way. It's not a strenuous tour.120 views
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In central Nagahama (walkable from Nagahama Station) is Tokushoji temple (徳勝寺), the location of the graves of Lord Azai Nagamasa and his father Hisamasa and grandfather Sukemasa.120 views
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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. MAP119 viewsThe 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
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Stone foundation of original Nagahama castle tower. It is just slightly behind the current castle building is this small hill with stone walls.119 views
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Swan maiden's tree. A sign next to it explains the legend. Lake Yogo is Japan's most noted lake for the swan maiden story. 余呉湖の衣掛柳119 views
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Torahime manhole.119 views
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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.118 views
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Japan's first train ferry started on Lake Biwa, linking Otsu and Nagahama. In operation until the train line opened.118 views
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Small Jizo statues118 views
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Inside Kohoku Wild Bird Center. It has large picture windows facing Lake Biwa and high-powered binoculars enabling you to clearly see the waterfowl. 湖北野鳥センター118 views
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Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking south.118 views
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Lake Yogo is also noted for the swan maiden legend. There's even a statue monument for her. The pedestal is engraved with "Yogo-ko" (Lake Yogo).118 views
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View of Lake Biwa and Chikubushima island.118 views
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The expo focuses on the Battle of Anegawa, but it does not provide shuttle buses to the battle site and this battle memorial.118 views
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That's Chikubushima island on the left.117 views
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Autumn wildflowers at Lake Yogo.117 views
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Front of old Nagahama Station116 views
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Monument and bus stop116 views
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Anegawa River ran red with the blood of fallen warriors in Aug. 1570.116 views
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Sanbaso dancer is the first to perform.116 views
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Men wearing sumo aprons also arrive at the shrine.116 views
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The hikiyama floats were then pulled into position for the day's first kabuki performances.116 views
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View of Lake Biwa and Chikubushima island from Mt. Odani.116 views
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Bansho guard house site at Odani Castle. It was a security gate for castle visitors.116 views
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Illustration of Nakanomaru. You can see the three terraces of Nakanomaru. The Honmaru is on the right, separated from Nakanomaru by the large moat.116 views
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Illustration of the Sannomaru. The center section was the highest where there was the Sanno Shrine dedicated to the mountain god. You can see also how the Large Stone Wall looked, part of it remains on the upper right. 116 views
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Also not included in the expo is Ishida Mitsunari's birthplace in Nagahama. Accessible by bus from Nagahama Station. A short ride. More birthplace photos here.116 views
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Entrance to Otemon-dori shopping arcade. It is right near Kurokabe Glass Shop. See shops and restaurants. 大手門通り115 views
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Site of Ishida Mitsunari's former residence. 石田三成屋敷跡115 views
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Entrance hall115 views
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The current castle tower was reconstructed in 1983. It serves as a local history museum.115 views
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Samurai statue on Mt. Shizugatake115 views
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The first thing we saw was this, the Kingo-maru keep, a hill. Named after Asakura Norikage (Soteki) (朝倉 教景) who was stationed here while defending the castle against Rokkaku Takayori (六角高頼) in 1525.115 views
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Stone marker indicating the place where Azai Nagamasa committed seppuku on Sept. 1, 1573 at age 29. Under siege by Nobunaga's forces, Nagamasa was unable to get back to the Honmaru and instead entered the Akao residence to cut his belly.115 views
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Now here is Sakura-no-Baba or Sakura Horse Grounds. This is one of the main highlights of Odani Castle due to its scenic views.115 views
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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.114 views
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The hikiyama floats await at the shrine as everyone arrive. The hikiyama are about 7 meters high.114 views
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They use microphones so we can hear them speak. Very authentic style, and they practiced a lot for this festival.114 views
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Nagahama Hikiyama poster for an earlier year. The official festival poster changes every year and is always well designed.114 views
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View of Mt. Toragozen (near Torahime Station on the JR Hokuriku Line) where Oda Nobunaga's troops were perched prior to their attack on Odani Castle in 1573.114 views
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Head Display Stone is where Azai Sukemasa (first lord of Odani Castle) displayed the beheaded head of a traitor (Imai Hidenobu 今井秀信) among his samurai retainers in 1533. 首据石114 views
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Depiction of Oichi and her daughters being allowed to escape Odani Castle while it was under attack by Oda Nobunaga in 1573.114 views
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Position of Oda Nobunaga's forces, the river is on the left.113 views
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Naginata sword bearers standby near the hikiyama floats.113 views
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They run around with the mikoshi, making a big ruckus.113 views
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Plaque proclaiming Hokoen Park as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.113 views
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About the Horse Washing Pond and Horse Stable in Japanese.113 views
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We soon came to the path leading to the Akao Yashiki residence where Azai Nagamasa committed suicide in the face of defeat by Oda Nobunaga in 1573.113 views
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Illustration of Sakura-no-Baba Horse Grounds, seen on the slender terrace on the right, overlooking the Ouma-ya.113 views
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Perfumed water?112 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial112 views
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A ceremony is conducted before the kabuki plays started.112 views
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After the kabuki play ends, they pull and turn the hikiyama float and it goes toward central Nagahama through the shopping arcade where they will perform the same play again.112 views
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The kabuki performances then started at around 10 am on one of the hikiyama floats. The kabuki performances are held as offerings to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.112 views
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In April, numerous cherry trees around the castle in Hokoen Park bloom spectacularly. The best time to visit Nagahama Castle.112 views
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Lake Yogo as seen from Yogo Station. The tree where the swan maiden hung her clothing to bathe in the lake is on the right.112 views
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The 1,000 yen ticket includes admission to all three pavilions and roundtrip shuttle bus fare. Best to go the Odani pavilion first, then take another shuttle bus to Odani Castle.112 views
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Bansho guard house site112 views
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Next to the Horse-washing Pond is a large area called the Ouma-ya or Horse Stable. It is not known if there actually was a horse stable here. This was enclosed on three sides by high earthen walls.112 views
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Azai Nagamasa, wife Oichi, son Manpukumaru (left), Chacha in the middle, Hatsu on the right, and Go in Oichi's arms.112 views
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Belfry surrounded by a pond111 views
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Entrance to Ishida Shrine 石田神社 供養塔111 views
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Sign explaining about Hayasaki (Hayazaki) Naiko Biotope. It was an attached lake to Lake Biwa until it was filled in as reclaimed land in 1970.111 views
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At the end of the arrow tip is where the fish eventually gather so fisherman can just scoop up the fish. The fish don't backtrack and so they don't escape this place.111 views
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Large crowd watching kabuki by boys at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.111 views
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Shedding real tears...111 views
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The last kabuki performance was a dance rather than a play.111 views
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In 2011, the Go and Azai Sisters Expo is publicized everywhere in Nagahama. This is the east side of Nagahama Station.111 views
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Nagahama Kimono Garden Party in mid-Oct. in Shiga Prefecture.111 views
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Poem about Ishida Mitsunari110 views
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Guide map to places in the area related to Ishida Mitsunari.110 views
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He's such a good actor that he shed real tears.110 views
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This and the following pictures were taken in another year (not in 2009).110 views
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The next kabuki play started on another hikiyama. Amazing how a boy can look so feminine.110 views
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Swan maiden's tree. Sadly, a strong typhoon knocked down this tree and it's no longer here.110 views
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The shuttle bus leaves once or twice an hour from Nagahama Castle. It comes with a bus guide. 110 views
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Site of the Ochaya which was right above the Bansho. It was Odani Castle's first castle keep or bailey within the castle's central area. 御茶屋跡110 views
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About the Ochaya in Japanese.110 views
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Azaleas blooming around the Horse Stable in May.110 views
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It's almost like Coming-of-Age Day in mid-January when 20-year-olds wear kimono to the official ceremony. But these women can be older than 20. 110 viewsI believe most of them are from Shiga, but a good number are also from nearby prefectures like Gifu, Aichi, and Kyoto. A few were foreigners, probably local English teachers. Nagahama, Shiga.
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Tree109 views
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Nomura-bashi bus stop. Get off here to visit the Anegawa River battle site.109 views
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This hikiyama is coming through the shopping arcade.109 views
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Boys act on a boat on the boat float.109 views
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Lake Yogo's swan maiden story.109 views
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JR Yogo Station platform with Lake Yogo in the background. In Sept. after the rice was harvested.109 views
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Lake Yogo green with algae in late Sept.109 views
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Site of the Ouma-ya Horse Stable. This castle keep was used to defend the castle's Honmaru keep. There was a water well in the center.109 views
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Toragozen-yama cherry blossoms109 views
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The property is now occupied by the Ishida Kaikan public hall and monuments. 石田三成屋敷跡 石田会館108 views
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Monument marking Ishida Mitsunari's former residence.108 views
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Monument marking Ishida Mitsunari's former residence.108 views
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On the other side of this Anegawa River were Oda Nobunaga's forces.108 views
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The Chawan Matsuri festival was unique and very, very impressive. It was great.108 views
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Turning the hikiyama's wheel.108 views
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After a short walk was the Bansho guard house site here. 番所108 views
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About the Bansho in Japanese.108 views
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Trail blocked off.108 views
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View from the Ouma-ya. That's Yamamoto-yama in the distance.108 views
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Marker for the Akao Yashiki residence. The Akao family was one of the Azai's important samurai retainers. The proximity of the residence to the Honmaru is indicative of this.108 views
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Circle of rocks in Sannomaru. Not sure what it means.108 views
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Altar for the Chikubushima Dragon God.108 views
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This woman was nice because she had a traditional Japanese hairstyle (Shimada style) with her real hair which is rare. 108 viewsThere are hairdressers in Japan who are trying to learn, preserve, and promote traditional Japanese hairstyles. It's quite complicated to create and you need really long hair. Nagahama, Shiga.
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The bow's tip is studded.107 views
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Inside public hall107 views
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Scenic point at end of trail. Notice the hut.107 views
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View from the Kohoku Wild Bird Center. 107 views
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Tapestry may have a western design.107 views
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Footwear behind a float.107 views
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Swan maiden tree at Lake Yogo. It's actually not that close to the lake edge. It's a willow tree. (マルバヤナギ) 余呉湖の衣掛柳107 views
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Along the lakeshore road are few monuments like this one for the souls of lake fish.107 views
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About the Kingo-maru keep in Japanese.107 views
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Large Stone Wall at Odani Castle. The original stone wall supported the Sannomaru bailey. 大石垣107 views
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Most of them come with friends or with their mother. Nagahama, Shiga.107 views
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Canal106 views
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Giant stone lantern106 views
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Jizo statue106 views
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