One of Maibara's enduring symbols, Mt. Ibuki or Ibukiyama is Shiga Prefecture's tallest mountain at 1,377 meters as well as one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. It is well-known for 1,200 species of wild flowers and plant life. In spring and summer, the summit (accessible by the Ibukiyama Driveway) is popular for easy hiking trails and alpine flowers. A gondola also goes up to the 3rd station from the foot of the mountain at Ueno. Also see the video at YouTube. More about Maibara here.
121 files, last one added on Jul 22, 2009, 1 linked files, 122 files total Album viewed 15 times
With Mt. Ibuki in the background, Mishima Pond (Mishima-ike) is very scenic during sunny winter days and the cherry blossom season. It is also well-known locally for migratory birds (especially ducks).
51 files, last one added on Feb 15, 2009 Album viewed 5 times
Held on Sept. 23, 2009, the Suijo Hachiman Jinja Taiko Odori is a colorful and unique rain-making and rain thanksgiving taiko drum dance held by Suijo Hachiman Shrine in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. It starts with a procession slowly proceeding along 1 km to Suijo Hachiman Shrine. They include yakko-furi samurai laborers, yamabushi ascetic priests, flutists, and taiko drummers. The dance is held only once every 5 years. Also see my YouTube video here.
107 files, last one added on Sep 28, 2009 Album viewed 5 times
Held at the foot of Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, this taiko drum festival is held only once every 5 years. These photos were taken in Oct. 2005. Also see the video at YouTube.
54 files, last one added on Oct 30, 2005 Album viewed 6 times
Kashiwabara-juku is the sixtieth station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the first Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Imasu-juku in Gifu), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. Kashiwabara has many traditional-style buildings with signs indicating what was what. A local history museum, Kiyotaki Tokugen-in Temple noted for the Kyogoku clan's graves, and the Kitabatake gravesite are noted sights. Near JR Kashiwabara Station on the JR Tokaido Line.
92 files, last one added on Nov 06, 2008 Album viewed 0 times
Samegai-juku is the sixty-first station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the second Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Kashiwabara-juku), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. It has one shukuba-era building, a post office designed by Vories, the crystal-clear Jizogawa River and underwater baikamo flowers, and the Samegai Trout Farm, the largest in Asia. In May, tulips bloom. Also see the video at YouTube.
103 files, last one added on Jun 25, 2008 Album viewed 9 times
Reenacts the procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara. The men walk with a stylized, kicking action. It starts with a Shinto ceremony which includes dancing by shrine maidens. Held annually by Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine on April 29 at 2 pm near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line). Also see my YouTube video here.
45 files, last one added on Jun 06, 2010 Album viewed 12 times
Near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line) in former Omi-cho town is Mt. Hinodeyama with Hinode Jinja Shrine holding an annual sumo festival on the third Mon. of Sept. It features mainly children's sumo and a sumo jinku dance by about 16 men. Also see a haniwa museum and Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo's mother's gravesite and childhood home. Also see my YouTube video here.
108 files, last one added on Jun 06, 2010 Album viewed 15 times
The area of Asahi in Maibara is home to the Asahi Honen Taiko drum troupe whose drum dance originated centuries ago to pray for rain. In Oct., they perform their drumming and dancing after walking from Asahi to Hachiman Shrine.
44 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2010 Album viewed 12 times
Bamba-juku is the sixty-second station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the third Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Samegai-juku), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. Former post town buildings are marked with signs. The only original building remaining is Rengeji temple. Rural and pleasant to walk through. Closest station is Maibara and Samegai Stations. Somewhat far to walk from either station.
84 files, last one added on Jun 22, 2008 Album viewed 2 times
Annual festival held on May 3 by Chikuma Shrine. It is a procession along the shore of Lake Biwa featuring eight 8-year-old girls wearing a "nabe" or pot helmet. The shrine is dedicated to the God of Food and the nabe pot is for containing food offerings to the god.
17 files, last one added on Jan 02, 2007 Album viewed 1 times
The Sports Recreation Shiga aerobics competition was held in Maibara during Oct. 19-20, 2008. Aerobics teams from all over Japan and South Korea competed, including a group of five women in their 80s and 90s.
102 files, last one added on Nov 06, 2008 Album viewed 11 times
Shiga's shinkansen bullet train station and transfer station for the Hokuriku region. A steam locomotive train also runs between JR Maibara Station, Nagahama Station, and Kinomoto Station on certain weekends. Reservations required. See Web site here for train schedules (in Japanese). Or call toll-free 0088-24-5489 (or 078-341-7903) to make reservations. Tickets can be bought one month before departure at major JR train stations. Also see my YouTube video here.
40 files, last one added on Feb 02, 2008 Album viewed 10 times
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