 Most viewed - Otsu 大津市 |
A Tahoto pagoda has two stories, a square roof, and a round building. 多宝塔122 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The temple on stilts and Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.122 views
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Top of Keage Incline121 viewsThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
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Cafe de Genji, which is actually a Japanese-style garden called Kofuen 公風園.121 views
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Katata pier121 views
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The Otsu Matsuri is a festival of Tenson Shrine in Otsu. The path to the shrine is packed with worshippers. 121 views
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On April 12, they raucously bring down portable shrines from Mt. Hachioji nearby in the evening. On April 13, they hold a series of ceremonies including this one called the Tea Offering Ceremony at 11 am. 献茶祭121 views
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Kaidan-in temple121 views
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Minobuchi Benzaiten shrine121 views
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Statue of Nichiren at Joko-in temple.121 views
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Zeze Castle monument. This park was part of the Honmaru. The castle was on a peninsula jutting into Lake Biwa. It was one of Japan's greatest lakeside castles. 膳所城跡公園121 views
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Keage Incline boat trolley120 viewsThe Keage Incline was once restored in 1977. However, the sample boats are in poor condition.
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Keage Hydroelectric Power Plant pipes120 views
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There's also the 金龍社 shrine in a pond.120 views
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Daikokudendo temple dedicated to Daikokuten. 大黒天堂120 views
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A mass of people come to watch Lake Biwa Fireworks in summer. Free seating, finally. But located somewhat faraway from the prime site. びわ湖大花火大会120 views
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Torch bearers arrive at the Yomiya-jo while running.120 views
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Mikoshi bearers were standing by at Wakamiya Port and one by one they offloaded the mikoshi from the barge.120 views
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Inside 2nd floor of Enryakuji Station.120 views
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About Amida-do Hall.120 views
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People chanting in front of Shaka-do Hall.120 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall120 views
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About Ganzan Daishi-do Hall120 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is wollastonite (硅灰石) which looks gray or white when dry and black when wet. Tahoto pagoda can also be seen.120 views
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Infirmary 保健室120 views
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Two boats will lie here overnight.119 views
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Inside Daikokudo temple.119 views
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Entrance to Garden Museum Hiei119 views
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Those people in the windows get a lot of chimaki thrown in. Otsu Matsuri.119 views
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The famous Karasaki pine tree as seen from Lake Biwa.119 views
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The Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu in a procession of Buddhist priests.119 views
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Path to Ruri-do, the only building that was not torched by Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. Unfortunately, it was too far for me to reach.119 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.119 views
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Gate to Zeze Castle Park 膳所城跡公園119 views
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My YouTube video of Otsu Matsuri filmed on Oct. 12-13, 2013. Shows the Yoimiya and Hon-matsuri main festival day.119 viewsOtsu Matsuri is one of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10.
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Path to Ishiyama-dera temple with Genji Millenium banners. In Otsu, the Genji Millenium event will be held from March 18 to Dec. 14, 2008.118 views
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The main path to Ishiyama-dera temple has been converted to the Genji Yume Kairo (Genji Dream Path). Along the way are a few buildings open to the public. 源氏夢回廊118 views
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Next is the 明王院, another temple building.118 views
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Inside Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza. "Kome" means rice. On the first floor they sell local rice and produce.118 views
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Kitty118 views
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Unimpressive beach at the site of Sakamoto Castle.118 views
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Jodo-in temple118 views
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Inside Ganzan Daishi-do Hall118 views
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Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂118 views
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Ishiyama-dera's stone is a National Natural Monument.118 views
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Yamashina117 views
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Pelton water wheel at Lake Biwa Canal Museum117 viewsUsed at the Keage Power Plant to generate electricity. The Keage Plant was Japan's first hydroelectric power plant.
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Park near top of Keage Incline117 views
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Corridor117 views
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Gift shop and clock museum in background. 時計博物館117 views
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Two-man boat race117 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.117 views
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Next, we go out and head for the 明王院.117 views
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The karakuri on Gekkyuden-yama float has two dancers, one wearing a crane crown and the other a turtle crown, dancing in front of the Emperor.117 views
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117 views
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Enryakuji Station117 views
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Gate to Yokawa temple complex in Enryakuji.117 views
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About St. Shinran at Enryakuji.117 views
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About Yokawa Chudo Hall.117 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.117 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.117 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.117 views
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Taiko drummer sculpture at Ogoto Onsen Station.117 views
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Further along the Yume Kairo path.116 views
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Inside 明王院 is an exhibition space showing works by award-winning novelist Tanabe Seiko 田辺聖子 who wrote a new version of Genji Monogatari.116 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂116 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's inkstone case.116 views
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View of Ukimido while rowing on Lake Biwa.116 views
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Front of Niomon Gate. The name Miidera literally means "Three-Well Temple." It refers to three Emperors (Tenchi, Temmu, and Jito) who as newborns bathed in the temple's Akaiya well. "Mii" 御井 originally meant "sacred well.116 views
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Stone wall and gate to Kangaku-in Hall at Miidera temple (Onjoji), school for priests and a National Treasure but closed to the public. 勧学院116 views
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Delivering the tea.116 views
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Soothing sounds of water, etc., can be heard. Almost Zen-like.116 views
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Entrance gate to Saito from the parking lot.116 views
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Stilts of Yokawa Chudo Hall, the main hall in Yokawa.116 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.116 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂116 views
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Ishiyama-dera stone marker during sakura season in April.116 views
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The Kannon-do Hall stores many Kannon statues.116 views
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Letter of appreciation from the governor of Michigan in 2006. Click to read the letter.116 views
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In late 2013, the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line in Otsu had trains painted in the Chihayafuru design to promote a Chihayafuru exhibition at Omi Shrine. Omi Shrine is near Omi Jingu-mae Station.116 views
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Entrance to 世尊院.115 views
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Biwako Aika 琵琶湖哀歌 (Lake Biwa Elegy) is a mournful song dedicated to the eight college rowers from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture and three rowers from Kyoto who died while practicing in waters off Takashima-cho, Haginohama beach when struck by st115 views
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JR Katata Station on the JR Kosei Line along the western shore of Lake Biwa, Shiga. Local buses run to Ukimido and other places. There's also a bus which crosses the Biwako Ohashi Bridge to reach Moriyama on the other side. 堅田駅115 views
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Observation deck115 views
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Omi Ohashi Bridge at the southern tip of Lake Biwa. 近江大橋115 views
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Biwako Motorboat race115 views
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Tatsugaike Pond and Benzaiten shrine115 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (left side)115 views
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This was going to be a one-hour cruise around the Lake Biwa. This cruise which departs Otsu at 3:30 pm is called Michigan 60. Costs 2,200 yen for adults and half price for elementary schoolers.115 views
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Entering 明王院.114 views
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Inside 密蔵院 was a robot exhibition. Only two robots on display, no resemblance to anything.114 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.114 views
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Bridge traffic is well over 30,000 vehicles per day.114 views
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Tenson Shrine torii gate. 天孫神社114 views
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Artificial shoreline is actually not good for the lake ecologically. They should grow reeds instead. Reclaimed land.114 views
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The Sanno Festival (in Japanese it's called Sanno-sai, not Sanno Matsuri) consists of a myriad of festival events. Also interesting is the participation of Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei.114 views
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Site where Saint Shinran trained at Enryakuji.114 views
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About Shaka-do Hall114 views
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Shoro Bell tower 114 views
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Gate to Ganzan Daishi-do Hall114 views
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Ganzan Daishi-do Hall114 views
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Joko-in temple.114 views
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Joko-in temple.114 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.114 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.114 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.114 views
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Sadly, as of 2023, this Karasaki Pine Tree has largely wilted due to wind and rain over the years. The branches have suffered cumulative damage including hollowing out of the trunk.113 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)113 views
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Truck to carry the boats113 views
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Day 3: Arrival at Manohama beach, near the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge. 真野浜上陸113 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.113 views
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Gate to 密蔵院.113 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂113 views
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Inside Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum is a life-size model of the Seiobo-zan (西王母山) float featuring a longevity peach and peach boy. 大津祭曳山展示館113 views
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Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama float with musicians playing on the bridge. 西行桜狸山113 views
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Statue of Akechi Mitsuhide113 views
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Door of Amida-do Hall113 views
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Shaka-do Hall altar113 views
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Gyo-in training hall (not open to the public).113 views
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Benzaiten113 views
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No. 1 Tunnel exit112 views
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)112 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)112 views
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Well112 views
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Bench on shore near Ukimido112 views
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Yutate-yama float112 views
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About Jodo-in temple112 views
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On the right is Hokke-do Hall.112 views
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Inside Shaka-do Hall112 views
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View during the bus ride.112 views
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Eshin-do temple 112 views
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Ganzan Daishi-do Hall112 views
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Path to Joko-in temple.112 views
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Waterwheel112 views
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Mother Lake logo on Uminoko. From April 2001, the boat started using BDF (biodiesel fuel). It also has a small elevator (wheelchair accessible). Since the boat is over 25 years old, donations are being accepted for its replacement in several years.112 views
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Inner side of Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門).111 views
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Oars keep the unstable boat stable.111 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.111 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.111 views
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密蔵院 is another building with an exhibition.111 views
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Nighttime view during Yoimiya at Otsu Matsuri. Yoimiya is similar to the one held during the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. 宵宮111 views
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Nighttime view111 views
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Performance outside the Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum.111 views
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This float always heads the festival procession every year, while the other floats draw lots to determine their order in the procession.111 views
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Tapestry designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Trojan War's Sack of Troy (from Greek mythology) is depicted. From the Gekkyuden-zan float.111 views
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The Tendai Abbot (orange robes) lines up along with other Enryakuji Buddhist priests on the Sando path of Hiyoshi Taisha.111 views
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Site where Saint Shinsei trained at Enryakuji.111 views
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Shuttle buses run between all three temple complexes. I took the shuttle bus from Saito to Yokawa which was too far away to walk.111 views
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Konpon Nyoho-to pagoda111 views
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There are these small Buddha statues all over Yokawa.111 views
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Sekizan-gu Shrine 111 views
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Spelling mistake...111 views
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum in Kyoto110 viewsAt the end of the canal, there's this museum in Kyoto tracing the history of the canal.
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View of 明王院.110 views
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Waterwheel110 views
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This bridge seemed to be a favorite spot for photographers. It later was filled with standing-room only crowds.110 views
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Karakuri dolls from Nishinomiya Ebisu-yama float.110 views
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Jingu Kogo-yama float110 views
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Genji-yama float. 源氏山110 views
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The head flipped up to reveal a fox's head.110 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's tea field is said to be Japan's oldest. Tea picked from this field is presented to the gods housed in the portable shrines.110 views
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THe head priest of Hiyoshi Taisha greets the Tendai Abbot.110 views
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Steps to Shaka-do Hall, the main hall in Saito.110 views
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Shaka-do Hall110 views
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About St. Shinran110 views
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About Sekizan-gu Shrine 110 views
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About Eshin-do temple 110 views
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Sotokairo corridor (外廻廊), Jinpu-Juyosho shop selling souvenirs (神符授与所), and Rōmon Gate (楼門)109 views
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Rinsing the oars.109 views
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Steps to 密蔵院.109 views
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People crowd the route to the shrine hall to worship.109 views
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Biwako Hall, Shiga's most modern concert hall. This area is also reclaimed land.109 views
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Biwako motorboat race in Otsu.109 views
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The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga (Shiga-kenritsu Kindai Bijutsu-kan). Closed for major renovations from April 1, 2017. Will reopen in June 2021.109 viewsOpened in Aug. 1984, this large, modern museum is located in a quiet and green area called "Bunka Zone" (Culture Zone). This zone also has a Japanese garden and the Shiga Prefectural Library.
10 min. by bus from Seta Station on the JR Biwako or Tokaido Line. 滋賀県立近代美術館 MAP
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Tsubaki-do Hall.109 views
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People chanting in front of Shaka-do Hall. They are ordinary folk undergoing a training program.109 views
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Buddha's giant footprints.109 views
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Konpon Nyoho-to pagoda109 views
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Yokawa Chudo Hall balcony109 views
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The Enryakuji shuttle bus runs every day between the cable car station, Toto, Saito, and Yokawa during March 21 to Nov. 30 from 10 am to 4:30 pm. They don't run that often so check the bus times.109 views
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Off they go108 views
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Three boats are used for the trip, sighted here off shore near JR Hira Station on the Kosei Line. 湖西線比良駅の沖108 views
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The orange boat. On the left at the ear is the cox, the middle are four rowers, and at the front of the boat is one extra person who can rest and enjoy the ride.108 views
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The junior category team receive their medals and CDs.108 views
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密蔵院108 views
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Next to Miidera temple's southern boundary is Nagara Shrine. The shrine is not part of Miidera, but it is often included in maps of Miidera temple. 長等神社108 views
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On a narrower street, there are houses with open windows on the upper floor which is almost the same level as the float.108 views
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Karakuri dolls performing. They are manipulated with strings and other devices below or on the side. (There are no strings above the puppets.)108 views
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Genji-yama musicians.108 views
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The Tea Offering Ceremony is held at the Yomiya-jo where the four portable shrines (mikoshi) are placed. 宵宮場 大政所108 views
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Another group arrive and position themselves at another mikoshi.108 views
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Buddha's giant footprints.108 views
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Site where St. Honen trained at Enryakuji. Right next to Shaka-do.108 views
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Thank you for coming to worship. From here, I caught a shuttle bus back to the Enryakuji cable car station.108 views
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Early-blooming cherry blossoms.108 views
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