Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats carried around the streets and in Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal. On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. Also see my video at YouTube.
The second day (Sun.) of the Sagicho Festival is the climax. During the day, the Sagicho floats collide with each other and try to topple each other. At night, the floats are set afire. Sagicho is actually a fire festival. Also see my video at YouTube.
164 files, last one added on Jul 14, 2009 Album viewed 12 times
Built in 1579 by Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its octagonal castle tower. It was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. The castle is on a hill in Azuchi-cho, Shiga Prefecture. A replica of the top portion of the castle tower is displayed at a museum nearby the castle ruins. More about Azuchi here.
77 files, last one added on Sep 15, 2009 Album viewed 18 times
Held in early June, festival held for Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Various events and activities highlighted by the Musha Gyoretsu warrior procession and a demonstration of firing matchlock guns. The boat ride along the moat was also enjoyable. Photos taken on June 4, 2006. Also see the video at YouTube.
56 files, last one added on Sep 04, 2006 Album viewed 10 times
William Merrell Vories (1880-1964) moved to Omi-Hachiman in 1905 to work as an English teacher while engaging in Christian missionary activities. He always had an interest in architecture and never had formal training as an architect, but he studied on his own and opened his own architectural firm in Omi-Hachiman in 1908. He and his firm went on to design numerous buildings in Shiga and other places in Japan. Omi-Hachiman still has a number of Vories buildings intact, including his former residence.
84 files, last one added on Oct 28, 2009 Album viewed 4 times
Along Shinmachi-dori road are a few historic former homes of Omi merchants. This area is also a designated traditional building preservation area. More about Omi-Hachiman here.
36 files, last one added on Mar 21, 2007 Album viewed 8 times
At 271 meters high, this mountaintop was the site of Hachiman Castle built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu in 1585. Now home to Zuiryuji temple of the Nichiren Sect, some of the castle's stone walls still remain. Great views of Lake Biwa and Omi-Hachiman, as well as fall colors. Easily accessible via ropeway near Hachiman-bori canal.
48 files, last one added on Dec 08, 2005 Album viewed 6 times
The Suigo boat ride in waterways connected to Lake Biwa is a major tourist attraction in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. We (two of us) were lucky to have the entire boat all to ourselves.
13 files, last one added on Oct 09, 2005 Album viewed 6 times
The 31st temple on the Saigoku (Western Japan) Pilgrimage circuit, Chomeiji (Long Life Temple) worships the Kannon goddess dedicated to long life and good health. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect. Local buses run from Omi-Hachiman Station to Chomeiji.
68 files, last one added on Dec 08, 2005 Album viewed 6 times
Held annually on May 4 at Shinoda Shrine, the Shinoda Hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks display. Torch fireworks, Niagara Falls, and panel-type fireworks provide an explosive experience. Good for people who cannot wait till summer to see fireworks in Japan. Walk from Omi-Hachiman Station. Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
32 files, last one added on Jul 14, 2009 Album viewed 5 times
Besides the castle ruins, Azuchi in eastern Shiga Prefecture has a number of interesting and scenic places. See canals and rivers as well as archaelogical museums.
45 files, last one added on Oct 20, 2005 Album viewed 5 times
Okishima (Okinoshima) is Lake Biwa's largest island inhabited by over 400 residents, mainly into fishing. It is a short boat ride away from Omi-Hachiman's Horikiri port.
37 files, last one added on Jan 02, 2007 Album viewed 5 times
The Japan Yoshibue Association held a yoshibue (flute made of reeds growing in Lake Biwa) concert on April 4, 2009 which was Yoshibue Day. Various groups playing the reed flute gathered to perform a free concert in Azuchi. Also see my YouTube video here. and here..
30 files, last one added on Jul 10, 2009 Album viewed 0 times
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), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near Ohmi Railways Musa Station, a short ride from Omi-Hachiman.
7 files, last one added on Mar 23, 2007 Album viewed 1 times
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