Most viewed - Takashima 高島市 |
I love the design of this boat. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇913 views
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Harie is a unique rural neighborhood where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata.503 viewsHarie is in Takashima, Shiga, near JR Shin-Asahi Station on the Kosei Line, the gateway to Shin-Asahi and Harie. 新旭駅 MAP
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Kaizu-Osaki is a peninsula easily accessible from Makino or Nishi-Azai Station. You can rent a bicycle at Makino Station on the Kosei Line or at Nagahara Station. Makino Station is closer so I rented a bicycle there at the tourist info office.463 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii, Takashima. One of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land. Rent a bicycle or go by taxi from Omi-Takashima Station (Kosei Line).457 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.432 views
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The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.409 views
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Held annually on May 4 in Takashima, Shichikawa Matsuri is Oarahiko Shrine's biggest festival (Reisai). It starts with a procession in the shrine's neighborhood. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line).362 views
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Five types of boats were provided: Single scull, double scull (shown here), quadruple with cox, ocean scull, and fixed-seat boats.348 views
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Yomeien Garden, Adogawa, Shiga 陽明園 MAP345 views
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Our fixed-seat boat 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇332 views
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Omi-Takashima Station on the JR Kosei Line. Takashima's southern-most train station and the only train station in the Takashima-cho area. It takes about 38 min. from Kyoto. JR湖西線 近江高島駅 MAP330 views
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Here's a close-up of the bird's claws grasping the gills of the fish. The bird sure knows where to grab a fish. The fish had no way to escape this grip.304 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.286 views
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Omi-Shirahama Beach on Lake Biwa. MAP284 views
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In the morning, two fishing boats pulled the rowing boats from Imazu to Nagahama Port where we met them here. 今津中学校ボート部の琵琶湖周航283 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta. Also see my YouTube video here.266 views
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On Aug. 8, 2007, I was allowed to join the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club as they rowed from Nagahama to Imazu. Photo: A briefing by the club's coach before departure in front of a minshuku lodge near Nagahama Castle.260 views
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JR Adogawa Station (East exit) on JR Kosei Line. MAP260 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.259 views
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My YouTube video of the Shichikawa Matsuri in 2010.251 views
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About 100 meters offshore are two large rocks in the lake. They appear above the surface only when there is a water shortage. This little shrine with two rocks are for praying for rain. 二ツ石241 views
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Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line. The only train station in the Makino area of Takashima. MAP239 views
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It then swooped down to the water and I started clicking away whether it would catch a fish or not. I was delighted to see it catch this large fish and captured the moment.230 views
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What a catch. It was my first time to capture a shot like this. I love these graceful and elegant birds which have a distinct cry.225 views
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Originally, there were 48 stone buddhas. Only 33 remain now. Thirteen of them were moved to Sakamoto in Otsu, and 2 were stolen. Although they stand upright, it's possible that they can fall on you, especially if you've been bad.215 views
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Chikubushima island and cherry blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki, Lake Biwa.211 views
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Lake Biwa shore in Imazu, with a boat landing in the distance210 views
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Marker showing the way to Kaizuten Jinja Shrine on a busy highway in Makino. Kaizuten Jinja holds the annual Kaizu Matsuri (nicknamed Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri) on April 29. Rikishi means sumo wrestler.210 views
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Fixed-seat boats209 views
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Makino manhole, Takashima, Shiga Pref.208 views
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Shichikawa Matsuri's yakko-furi dance is a Shiga Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 滋賀県選択無形民俗文化財208 views
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Soon after we got to Nakajima, this black kite flew above. I tracked it with my camera. 「ピーヒョロロロロ…」206 views
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Scenic water on sunny day, Takashima205 views
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The Takara and Tomoe floats pass by each other during the Omizo Matsuri.196 views
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Sleek boat slicing through the water.193 views
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All the Omizo Matsuri hikiyama arrived in succession as they ran each time. Also see my video at YouTube.193 views
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Held annually on April 18 by Hioki 日置神社 and Tsuno Shrines in Imazu, Takashima, Shiga, this festival features a pair of very tall (18 meters), decorated bamboo poles called O-nobori carried little by little at a horse-riding course. 191 views
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A black kite is perched in a cherry tree.191 views
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Statue of Nakae Toju expressing filial piety for his mother. In front of Toju-no-Sato Adogawa.186 views
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The stone buddhas are about 1.6 meter tall, made of granite.185 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach and Lake Biwa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture.184 views
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Most kabata have two water sinks (ike), the one on the right (tsubo-ike) is for washing summer vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumber. The one on the left (hata-ike) is for washing dirty root vegetables like daikon, carrots, and spinach. 川端182 views
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Imazu in winter180 views
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Makino Sunny Beach is a major swimming beach on Lake Biwa in summer. MAP179 views
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The sand is not as nice.178 views
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The photo exhibition was held at the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan museum. Many of the photos were also contributed by Philbert Ono.176 views
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Turning the float at Omizo Matsuri.175 views
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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.173 views
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Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.172 views
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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
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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172 views
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"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
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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.170 views
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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).169 views
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Genjihama Beach in Shin-Asahi.169 views
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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.168 views
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Bird-watching area in Shin-Asahi.168 views
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My video of Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club on Lake Biwa.168 views
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Yabusame horseback archer.167 views
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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。166 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.
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Imazu also has a few buildings designed by William Merrell Vories like this former bank building in Imazu, Shiga Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP162 views
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Entrance to Omi-Shirahama Beach162 views
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Makino Sunny Beach161 views
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Cycling path along the shore in Shin-Asahi, Takashima.161 views
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The guided tour is well worth it. I highly recommend it. The Harie-Okawa River would be crystal clear if it weren't for the rice paddies being flooded. MAP160 views
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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.com159 viewsOr email: shozunosato@lapis.plala.or.jp
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Site of the 3rd Imazu Regatta on Lake Biwa, off the shore of Imazu, Takashima. Held on Aug. 17, 2008, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Organized by the Takashima-Imazu Rowing Club NPO. 高島・いまづロウイングクラブ156 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach in Takashima. I know they did some filming here for the NHK Taiga Drama "Go" where she rides on horseback. 白ひげの浜156 views
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Statue in front of JR Shin-Asahi Station east side.155 views
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Can't tell in the photo, but these were the biggest carp you've ever seen.155 views
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When I visited Harie in late April, the water, which supposed to be crystal clear, was muddied from the rice paddies being drained. Late April to June is probably not a good time to visit Harie due to the rice paddies.153 views
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The boys running. When you see them, you know the horse is coming so keep off the path.153 views
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The horseback archer on his second run. He did not shoot any arrows. 153 views
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When they wash pots and pans, the koi fish eat the food scraps to keep the water clean. Also see my YouTube video here.152 views
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Kabata shed.151 views
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Shin-Asahi151 views
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Large carp in the roadside streams help keep the water clean by eating food scraps from washed dishes, etc.150 views
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Giant statue of Gulliver outside JR Takashima Station.149 views
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This is close to Haginohama Beach.149 views
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Harie Okawa River has baikamo underwater flowers. It was muddy when I visited in late April because of the rice paddy flooding. 針江大川149 views
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Imazu Church, designed by William Merrell Vories. Next to the former bank building also designed by Vories.148 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake.146 views
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A small stream empties into Lake Biwa through Haginohama Beach. Numerous streams and rivers like this one feed water to the lake.146 views
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Kabata shed is usually either attached to the main house or right outside it.146 views
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The tour starts at the Harie Kominkan community center. They don't have English-speaking guides, so bring a translator. 針江公民館144 views
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Roadside spring with waterwheel.144 views
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Roadside spring, one of the oldest and longest lasting.144 views
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Since this kabata has small fish, a net is put over the water to prevent birds from entering.144 views
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Chikubushima as seen from Imazu Port143 views
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During Aug. 2008, the Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club also held a photo exhibition of their rowing trip across Lake Biwa held in Aug. 2007.143 views
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The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.142 viewsThe song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song.
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Haginohama Beach in Takashima.142 views
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Sign saying that you are entering Harie where water is a treasure. The important thing to understand about Harie is that you need a guide to see the kabata water springs in private homes.142 views
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Sign points the way to Harie.141 views
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The lantern/monument has the Verse 3 lyrics mentioning a red fire on shore in Imazu. This is thought to be a lamp on the dock.140 views
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Bird looks for its meal in the stream.140 views
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The monument has an engraving of rowers and song lyrics.139 views
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A tofu maker puts tofu in a kabata.139 views
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This is the old Imazu Port building. It was a two-story building with a small restaurant on the 2nd floor. Ironically, it had no enclosed interior space for passengers.138 views
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In 2014, The Shozu-no-Sato Committee 針江生水の郷委員会 won the top Ecotourism Grand Prize エコツーリズム大賞 sponsored by the Japan Ecotourism Society and Environment Ministry. Harie Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine 針江日吉神社138 views
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Another shopping break was this fisherman's shop where you can buy ayu sweetfish caught in Lake Biwa.138 views
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Shodenji temple137 views
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Many houses and wooden walls in Harie are black.136 views
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Road to Harie. It's about a 25 min. walk from Shin-Asahi Station. The water stream on the right was muddy to my surprise.136 views
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Genjihama Beach136 views
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Makino Station is the closest station to Kaizu-Osaki in northern Lake Biwa. Famous for cherry blossoms in mid-April. Best to rent a bicycle at Makino Station. Kaizu-Osaki photos here.135 views
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On the west side of JR Shin-Asahi Station is this building where the local tourist info office is. You can rent bicycles here too.135 views
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135 views
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Someone's outdoor kabata where we could drink the water or even put it in plastic bottles to take home.135 views
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Inside the boat house134 views
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A roadside spring.134 views
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Kabata shed of a lake fisherman.134 views
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In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.134 views
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Nakajima is really nice. But right behind this scene is a neighborhood of summer homes. Also see my YouTube video here.134 views
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Kaizu-Osaki is famous for cherry blossoms along the lake shore. One of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots.134 views
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Baikamo in Harie-Okawa River133 views
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Shodenji temple's kabata. Women like this water as it feels creamy and makes their skin feel smooth and soft.133 views
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Sometimes the kabata is outdoors with no shelter.133 views
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Stream with baikamo133 views
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A shopping stop was here where they sold these model dragonflies well-balanced on its nose, called Kabata Tonbo.131 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers bloom year-round since the water temperature remains almost the same.131 views
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Sharp Electronics once filmed a TV commercial here for their TVs.131 views
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A small stream empties through Haginohama Beach130 views
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Kamogawa Katsuno Enchi park in Takashima. 鴨川勝野園地130 views
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Sign saying that Harie is not a tourist spot, that a guide is required to see the kabata.129 views
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Gardening seemed to be a popular pasttime in Harie. With all that free and clean water, I can think of many things to do besides gardening.129 views
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Shodenji temple also has a spring feeding this pond with various fish.129 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016 due to aging facilities and low attendance. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima in July 2018.129 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima.129 views
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The Kaizu-Osaki welcome sign marks the start of the cherry tree-lined road. Beware of cars. MAP129 views
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Snail trails. These snails are food for the fireflies in June.128 views
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This stream with baikamo has not been muddied by the rice paddies.128 views
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The heart of Harie has this waterwheel.128 views
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megumi at Kaizu-Osaki Port, Takashima, Shiga.128 viewsThe cruise I went on docked at the port so we could get off and walk around for 30 min. If you go on a cherry blossom cruise, go on a cruise that will dock at Kaizu-Osaki. Some cruises only cruise and do not dock.
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The wooden walls are actually half-burnt, almost like charcoal.127 views
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JR Shin-Asahi Station west side.127 views
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Shodenji temple has its own spring spewing drinkable water.127 views
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Nakajima. An old fisherman departed from this dock and went around to catch fish to eat at home. He also gave a few fish to the birds which waited for him. 中島127 views
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"This journey fills my heart with intense happiness..."「さすらいの 旅にしあれば しみじみと」125 views
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On the hillside between Omi-Takashima Station and Shirahige Shrine, there is a cemetery with 33 large stone buddhas. MAP125 views
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This "Biwako shuko" (Rowing around Lake Biwa) between Imazu and Nagahama was the club's annual summer tradition since 1995. Photo: Assembling a two-man kayak.123 views
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Water quality report.123 views
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This kabata was in a Japanese garden.123 views
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It's really beauitful to see the cherry blossoms from the boat.123 views
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Really enjoyed the cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki. No hassle with car traffic. Totally worth it.123 views
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It had colorful koi.122 views
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After the tunnel, some the best parts of the sakura-lined road/shore lie ahead.122 views
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Soon you will reach this rest stop and the Kaizu-Osaki boat pier. 122 views
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Omizo Matsuri poster122 views
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A symbol of Harie.121 views
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Now we are at a place called Nakajima. 121 views
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Off we go, boys on one fixed-seat boat.120 views
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Shodenji temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. 正伝寺120 views
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Nakajima and Harie became famous in 2004 when NHK TV broadcast a program about the Harie kabata and a fisherman in Nakajima.120 views
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Two fixed-seat boats were also used.119 views
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About this kabata. The well is 12 meters deep, water temperature is around 13 C year round.119 views
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On weekends, the road is bumper-to-bumper traffic when the cherries are in full bloom. The road also becomes a one-way road from west to east.119 views
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This is to publicize the Gulliver Youth Travel Village, a camping and recreational facility. ガリバー青少年旅行村118 views
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Kabata shed attached to a home.118 views
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And girls on the other fixed-seat boat. These boats have fixed seats which do not slide as in modern rowing boats. This boat is a replica of the fixed-seat boat used 90 years ago by Oguchi Taro and crew when he wrote the song, Biwako Shuko no Uta.117 views
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Bird-watching center116 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms. These cherry trees were first planted in 1936 to commemorate the opening of Osaki Tunnel. Some 600 cherry trees were planted along a 4-kilometer route along the lakeshore.116 views
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They tossed mochi after this in the shrine, but I left early to see the Shichikawa Festival in Shin-Asahi. Sorry, no photos of what happened here after this.116 views
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Fishing boat for human transport. It was a very hot day with no wind.115 views
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I wanted to experience rowing this fixed-seat boat on Lake Biwa, and rowed with these jr. high girls from Nagahama Port. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇114 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. 藤本太郎兵衛像 114 views
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Old Imazu Port. Notice the "red flame" song monument on the right.113 views
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I never got to see the torches with the mikoshi. For more info, call the shrine in Japanese: 0740-28-0051113 views
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They shout "Yo-ya-sa-ja!." (ヨーヤサージャー). They take several rest breaks along the way.112 views
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Gulliver statue on the Omi-Takashima Station train platform.112 views
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Boys posing for a picture at Sugaura111 views
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Shin-Asahi has a nice bicycle path along the lake shore.111 views
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Bird-watching shack111 views
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Kaizu-Osaki and Chikubushima.111 views
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Shopping arcade on the west side of Omi-Imazu Station110 views
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Makino Pic-land109 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. He pushed for the flood control of Lake Biwa by building a weir on Seta River in Otsu. 藤本太郎兵衛像 109 views
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Omi-Takashima Station109 views
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They used five boats to row, including these two ocean scull boats.108 views
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This was the climax of the Kaizu Rikishi festival.108 views
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Makino in winter108 views
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Tapestry on the back of Minato float.108 views
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Yes, replenishing your fluids is important...107 views
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They are called the Kamogawa 48 Stone Buddhas. They were originally made in 1553 by Sasaki Rokkaku Yoshikata (佐々木六角 義賢), lord of Kannonji Castle in Azuchi in memory of his deceased mother.107 views
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The boat is first carried onto a trolley.106 views
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About Futatsu-ishi (Two Rocks).106 views
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A few cherry trees along the way to Kaizu-Osaki.106 views
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Boats also leave from Nagahama and Hikone for Kaizu-Osaki.106 views
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Omizo Castle in Takashima was originally built by Oda Nobuzumi in 1578, a nephew of Oda Nobunaga. It was built to oversee transportation on Lake Biwa along with Azuchi, Nagahama, and Sakamoto Castles on the shores of Lake Biwa.105 views
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Attached lake in Makino in winter.105 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms, one of Japan's 100 Best Spots for cherry blossoms.105 views
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Imazu's main lakeshore road leads to more tourist sights.104 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flower 座禅草104 views
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All that's left is this stone foundation of Omizo Castle.104 views
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Almost 50 members in the club, and almost all of them participated in this rowing trip. Some of them did this for the third time. Photo: Carrying life vests. All rowers are required to wear life vests.103 views
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At the end of the baba, they turned around, and I left the scene.103 views
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Chugging along on a fishing boat.102 views
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Map of Makino. Makino used to be an independent town until it merged with neighboring towns to form the city of Takashima.102 views
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On the day before, they were supposed to row from Imazu to Nagahama, but high waves forced cancellation. So they were bused to Nagahama where they stayed overnight. Photo: Carrying the kayak to the lake, passing by Nagahama Castle.101 views
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Makino Sunny Beach looks best on a sunny day...101 views
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Yae-zakura cherry blossoms are fluffy-looking.101 views
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Imazu has a pebble beach. Some sand as well.100 views
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Road from Imazu Port to Omi-Imazu Station.100 views
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Shopping arcade100 views
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All-girl crew pose for a picture. The rowing club has more girls than boys. はい、ポーズ!100 views
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Toju Shoin Study (drawing room) where Toju lived and taught. Reconstruction of the original building which burned down. 藤樹書院100 views
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You can see a line of pink along the shore of the peninsula in the distance.100 views
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During cherry blossom season, pedestrians will walk through this dark, narrow tunnel. No sidewalks, so be careful. Cars whiz by. Best to carry a flashlight.100 views
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