Last additions - 2011 FISA World Rowing Tour at Lake Biwa, Japan |
Farewell, and thank you everyone for visiting Japan and Shiga Prefecture. We are all happy you had a great time here. Hope you visit again because we have a lot more than just Lake Biwa, Enryakuji, and Hikone Castle. And spread the word about Shiga.Jun 25, 2011
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"Tell your friends back home that JAPAN IS FINE!!" says Masaki Unose, tour director. Shiga was totally safe from any radiation. I was disappointed in Shiga's tourism bureau and other organizations which failed to assert that Shiga was safe Jun 25, 2011
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And who knows when another FISA World Rowing Tour will be held again in Japan. Not anytime soon as there are many other significant countries in Asia.Jun 25, 2011
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And everyone formed a circle and danced. All the rowers who came to Japan were very happy that they decided to come. They all had an unforgettable experience. It's too bad there were many people who canceled their trip. They really missed out...Jun 25, 2011
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Goshu Ondo folk dance native to Shiga was performed.Jun 25, 2011
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Buffet of sushi, sandwiches, etc.Jun 25, 2011
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A Japanese tradition of smashing open a barrel of sake or rice wine. The stack of square wooden cups on the right emblazoned with "FISA World Rowing Tour in Biwako" was also given as a souvenir to the rowers.Jun 25, 2011
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The FISA flag is given to the Canadian host of next year's FISA World Rowing Tour.Jun 25, 2011
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This FISA flag has flown at all the World Rowing Tours. It was time to fold it up and give it to the host of next year's FISA World Rowing Tour.Jun 25, 2011
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They also gave gifts to the Seta Rowing Club. I have more photos and videos of everyone else. Rowers should receive them on disc etc., from Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Participants from each country came up and gave thanks or sang a song.Jun 25, 2011
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Seta Rowing Club members and host stand in front to accept thanks and messages.Jun 25, 2011
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Jens Chr. Kolberg from FISA conducted the closing ceremony.Jun 25, 2011
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Motoki Kyo, chairman of the Seta Rowing Club, is the MC.Jun 25, 2011
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Farewell party at Seta Rowing Club. They first showed the video I took on June 9 when they rowed from Nagahama to Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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Later in the evening (still June 11, 2011), a Farewell party was held at Seta Rowing Club. I attended and took these pictures and videos.Jun 25, 2011
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At Seta Rowing Club. The rowers went back to the hotel to freshen up for the farewell party in the evening.Jun 25, 2011
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Seta Rowing Club await the returning boats.Jun 25, 2011
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Seta Rowing Club's pier.Jun 25, 2011
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Small canal to Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Welcome back!Jun 25, 2011
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A-OK!Jun 25, 2011
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Staff directing rowers to the small canal leading to the Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Staff person directing rowers to the small canal leading to the Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Turning right.Jun 25, 2011
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Staff telling rowers to turn right.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Lake Biwa Rowing Course operated by Shiga Prefecture for major rowing regattas. Seven of the eight boats used for the rowing tour were borrowed from this facility. It is near the head of Seta River, and near Seta Rowing Club.Jun 25, 2011
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Otsu Prince Hotel and Omi Ohashi Bridge in the background.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Zeze Castle Park.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing under the railway bridge for the JR Tokaido Line on the way out.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge again on the way out.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past the rowing club of Ryukoku University, based in Kyoto.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past the rowing club of Kyoto University. One of the eight boats used for the rowing tour was borrowed this club. Their new members row around the southern half of Lake Biwa in Aug.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past the rowing club of Ritsumeikan University.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past the rowing club of Ryukoku University, based in Kyoto.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past the rowing club of Ritsumeikan University.Jun 25, 2011
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In the background is the bridge for the shinkansen bullet train. People traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto by train will pass through Shiga.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowers make a U-turn here on Seta River.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Ishiyama-dera temple along the Seta River. The temple has National Treasure buildings. Also famous as the place where Lady Murasaki wrote the famous novel, Tale of Genji.Jun 25, 2011
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Seta River becomes more quiet and scenic downriver.Jun 25, 2011
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Setagawa River boat cruise modeled after the Ichiban-Maru paddlewheel steamboat which cruised on Lake Biwa in the 19th century.Jun 25, 2011
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The large bridge is the Meishin Expressway for cars linking Nagoya and Kobe.Jun 25, 2011
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The original Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge was one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) made famous by Hiroshige's woodblock prints. (Omi is Shiga's old name.)Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge, a historic landmark although the bridge has been rebuilt a few times.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading Seta River marked by a series of bridges.Jun 25, 2011
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Seta River at Lake Biwa's southern tip is the lake's sole outflowing river. All other rivers flow into the lake.Jun 25, 2011
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This part of Seta River has numerous rowing club houses, most are affiliated with universities.Jun 25, 2011
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Students from Otsu High School and Shiga University greet and cheer on the rowers from FISA. 大津高、滋賀大経済学部、滋賀大教育学部の部員たちJun 25, 2011
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Shots from Omi Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Mouth of Seta River straight ahead, as seen from Omi Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching the Omi Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Further south is the Omi Ohashi Bridge, smaller than the Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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On the right is the German restaurant, called "Würzburg." Würzburg in Germany is Otsu's sister city.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Otsu Prince Hotel.Jun 25, 2011
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The tall building is Otsu Prince Hotel. Japan's Prince Hotel chain has Shiga roots as the company founder was from Shiga.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing off central Otsu.Jun 25, 2011
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The landscape becomes quite urban as they approach Otsu, Shiga's capital city.Jun 25, 2011
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The rowers probably didn't notice, but Ukimido temple is seen on the right. The iconic temple is over the water on stilts. More Ukimido photos here.Jun 25, 2011
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View from Biwako Ohashi Bridge as the boats row south to Otsu.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing under Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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The Biwako Ohashi Bridge is the largest bridge in Shiga, linking Moriyama and Katata at the neck of Lake Biwa's panhandle.Jun 25, 2011
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Captain's meeting.Jun 25, 2011
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June 11, 2011 (Day 8): The final day of rowing. This is the beach in front of Hotel Laforet in Moriyama.Jun 25, 2011
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Beach in front of Hotel Laforet in Moriyama is the day's final stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading to Hotel Laforet in Moriyama.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving the Scenic Water Channel boat pier.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving the Scenic Water Channel boat pier.Jun 25, 2011
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The boat ride passes by rape blossoms, and in April, cherry blossoms.Jun 25, 2011
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Smaller groups can ride hand-powered boats.Jun 25, 2011
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Shiga has been pursuing a reed expansion program to increase reed fields around Lake Biwa and in attached lakes. The reeds help to clean the water and also provides refuge for fish and birds.Jun 25, 2011
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Silent outboard motor and the pilot.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch on the boat.Jun 25, 2011
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Ground crew in yellow take a break.Jun 25, 2011
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Click on page 2 below to see more photos.Jun 25, 2011
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Passengers sit on the floor like in a Japanese room and have lunch as they ride through reed fields in and around Lake Nishinoko in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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The Scenic Water Channel boat ride uses traditional-looking motorized boats for large groups.Jun 25, 2011
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Arriving at the boat landing for the Scenic Water Channel boat ride (Suigo Meguri) in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Miyagahama Beach in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Motor boat flying Seta Rowing Club's flag.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Isakiji temple.Jun 25, 2011
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Isakiji temple holds a Buddhist ritual on Aug. 1 where participants jump off the plank into the lake 7 meters below. They do it to wash away bad luck and build up courage.Jun 25, 2011
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Isakiji temple has a 13-meter long plank jutting above the lake in the city of Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Isakiji temple.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Preparing to leave Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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June 10, 2011 (Day 7): Satsuma Beach in Hikone. Someone camped here overnight to watch over the boats.Jun 25, 2011
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My video of the the group rowing from Nagahama to Hikone (Satsuma) on June 9, 2011.Jun 25, 2011
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Top floor of Hikone Castle tower. Hikone Castle's last lord was Ii Naosuke, the Chief Minister of the Tokugawa samurai government. He was the one who agreed to open Japan to the USA in 1858 after Commodore Perry visited.Jun 25, 2011
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Steep stairs inside Hikone Castle tower.Jun 25, 2011
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Watching Hiko-nyan, Hikone Castle's official mascot which is wildly popular. He performs daily inside Hikone Castle Museum. He is a white cat with a samurai helmet.Jun 25, 2011
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After lunch, the group visited Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden. Hikone Castle is famous for cherry blossoms and Hiko-nyan (see next photo).Jun 25, 2011
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Shabu-shabu lunch in Hikone with Omi beef. People had questions about how to eat the food. Cook the meat, vegetables, and udon noodles in the little shabu-shabu pot of boiling water, then dip into the sauce. One sauce for the meat, another for the udon.Jun 25, 2011
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Hot rowers in a cool Lake Biwa.Jun 25, 2011
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Satsuma Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Satsuma Beach, the final stop for the day.Jun 25, 2011
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The island is noted for its giant stone monument inscribed with the prayer words "Namu Myo-horenge-kyo" from the Lotus Sutra.Jun 25, 2011
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Takeshima means "Island of Many Views" because it looks dramatically different from different angles.Jun 25, 2011
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Takeshima is a small island with only Nichiren Buddhist temple and the priest's family living on the island. Accessible by boat from Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.Jun 25, 2011
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Masaki "Follow Me" Unose on the lead boat going to Takeshima island.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Takeshima, a small island about 6.5 km off Hikone. Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Hikone Castle atop a hill.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Matsubara Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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In summer, Matsubara Beach is popular with swimmers and a fireworks display offshore sees huge crowds filling the beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Matsubara Beach in Hikone, a rest stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Matsubara Beach in Hikone, a rest stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Matsubara Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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JCMU is an educational facility for college students mainly from Michigan to study in Japan. Shiga and the US state of Michigan are sister states. Many cities in Shiga have sister-city ties with cities in Michigan.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Hikone View Hotel and the Japan Center for Michigan Universities or JCMU (green roof).Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing to Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing off Maibara in northern Shiga. The tall white tower belongs to an elevator manufacturer for testing their elevators. Maibara is best known for Mt. Ibuki and Shiga's one and only shinkansen bullet train station.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Nagahama Dome, a sports and event complex.Jun 25, 2011
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Lead boatJun 25, 2011
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Leaving Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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These blue boat landing decks are portable and were brought here by truck.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Nagahama Port at around 8:30 am. Photos you see here are only part of the total number of photos I gave to Seta Rowing Club for distribution.Jun 25, 2011
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June 9, 2011 (Day 6): Nagahama Port at around 8 am. This was the only day I accompanied the rowers on a motorboat to take pictures and videos.Jun 25, 2011
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Picture panels telling stories of famous Japanese Buddhist Sect founders such as Honen, Shinran, and Nichiren who trained on Mt. Hiei.Jun 25, 2011
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Group in front of Konpon Chudo Hall, a National Treasure and Enryakuji's main worship hall and largest building.Jun 25, 2011
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Group photo on the steps going to Monjuro tower.Jun 25, 2011
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Chopstick lesson.Jun 25, 2011
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Buddhist cuisine called "shojin ryori" which is vegetarian.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch at Enryakuji.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch and a misspelling.Jun 25, 2011
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Sitting on the tatami mat for a long period can be trying.Jun 25, 2011
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Mt. Hie is on the border between Shiga and Kyoto. The east side of Mt. Hie is in Shiga, while the west side is in Kyoto. Enryakuji is on the east side in Shiga and also accessible from Kyoto.Jun 25, 2011
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A priest explains the concepts behind the practice of meditating. Enryakuji is also part of a World Heritage Site called ''Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."Jun 25, 2011
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Zazen meditation lesson at Enryakuji temple. Mt. Hie is the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japanese Buddhist sects once trained on Mt. Hiei. Jun 25, 2011
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Mt. Hiei affords great views of southern Lake Biwa. Enryakuji was founded by the priest Saicho to protect Kyoto from the demons of the northeast.Jun 25, 2011
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Inside the cable car going up to Enryakuji temple. One of the largest temple complexes in Japan, Enryakuji is the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Jun 25, 2011
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June 8, 2011 (Day 5): Day trip to Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hie in Otsu. This is the cable car station at Sakamoto, at the foot of Mt. Hie (Hie-zan) in western Shiga.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch in Nagahama (Restaurant North Pole).Jun 25, 2011
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Group photo in Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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Portable boat landing decks (in blue) were used.Jun 25, 2011
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Arriving at Nagahama Port. Nagahama is one of Shiga's major cities and covers northern Shiga almost entirely. Chikubushima is also part of Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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Ground crew awaits rowers at Nagahama Port.Jun 25, 2011
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Nagahama PortJun 25, 2011
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Nagahama Castle (photos here) can be seen on the left.Jun 25, 2011
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Although it was during the rainy season, the rowers endured minimal rain and bad weather. The tour went on every day as scheduled. If it were Aug., it would have been really hot and humid.Jun 25, 2011
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Rough waves.Jun 25, 2011
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Trees on a sandbar, a haven for birds.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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The sliced-off peak flew high in the air and fell into Lake Biwa. It became Chikubushima. And the undisputed highest mountain in Shiga became Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.Jun 25, 2011
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According to legend, two high mountains in northern Shiga argued over who was the highest in Shiga. One of the mountains got so upset by the argument that he drew a sword and sliced off the other mountain's peak...Jun 25, 2011
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Too bad the rowers didn't have time to visit the island. It might tire them though as there are a lot of steps to climb.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Chikubushima Pier. On the island at the center of the photo, there is a light brown, rectangular monument dedicated to the "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" which mentions Chikubushima.Jun 25, 2011
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Chikubushima is also home to Tsukubusuma (Chikubushima) Shrine which is also a National Treasure.Jun 25, 2011
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Chikubushima is home to Hogonji Temple (Shingon Buddhist Sect) first built in 724 as ordered by the Emperor to worship the Goddess Benzaiten. It includes buildings that are National Treasures.Jun 25, 2011
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Front side of Chikubushima is a complex of temples and shrines.Jun 25, 2011
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The cormorant birds inhabit parts of the island inaccessible to humans. Besides ruining the greenery on the island, they also gobble up the fish in the lake, seriously affecting the local fishermen.Jun 25, 2011
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