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Otaue odori dancer at Taga Taisha Rice-planting Festival (O-taue Matsuri).190 views
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The tanuki have different faces and doing different things, even karaoke. Didn't see any looking like a photographer though.190 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. 190 views
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After reaching Higashi-Mitsuke Gate, backtrack back to the train station and cross the train tracks to the other side of the Tokaido Road. You will be heading toward Minakuchi Castle. Minakuchi manhole. Shiga Pref.190 views
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Inside school auditorium.190 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri.190 views
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The Takara and Tomoe floats pass by each other during the Omizo Matsuri.190 views
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K-ON! fans have donated and dropped off numerous K-ON! merchandise like these figurines of the K-ON! characters.190 views
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Stone buddha189 views
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Castle tower foundation189 views
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More details about the song here.189 views
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Temple bell189 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin. the Honjin was the town's most luxurious accommodation catering to society's elite like daimyo warlords, Imperial family members including the emperor, and other dignitaries. National Historic Site189 viewsAt stage towns along the major roads like the Nakasendo and Tokaido, the Honjin was the town's most luxurious accommodation catering to society's elite like daimyo warlords, Imperial family members including the emperor, and other dignitaries. It operated during 1635 to 1870. The Honjin is now a museum.

This Honjin in Kusatsu is a very impressive example of traditional architecture. It is designated as a National Historical Place. It underwent a complete renovation and reconstruction during 1989 to 1995. (In case you wonder why such an old building looks so new.) Admission 200 yen. 10-min. walk from Kusatsu Station.
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Entrance road to JRA (Japan Racing Association) Ritto Training Center. MAP189 views
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Hot spring facility, the centerpiece of the Kita-Omi Resort. MAP189 views
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Saikyoji temple's Hondo main hall, in Otsu, Shiga. 西教寺 本堂189 views
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Saikyoji is noted for the grave of Akechi Mitsuhide, the lord of Sakamoto Castle and temple patron who helped to reconstruct the temple.189 views
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Outside Kawake Station is a statue of Lord Azai Nagamasa and wife Ichi who was Oda Nobunaga's younger sister. They lived in Odani Castle and had three famous daughters: Chacha, Hatsu, and Go.189 views
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This air-conditioned waiting room for regular trains was renovated finally by 2011.189 views
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Nigorobuna carp (ニゴロブナ 似五郎鮒) - Endangered endemic species, famous for funazushi.189 views
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Largemouth bass (black bass) and bluegill are Lake Biwa's worst invasive species. They eat eggs and fry of native fish, crustaceans, and insects.189 views
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Kunitomo teppo no sato Matchlock Museum (Kunitomo Gun Museum) 国友鉄砲の里資料館 MAP188 views
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Inside the Haiden Hall, you can buy these little dishes. Buy two of them. You write your name on one and your wish on the other dish. Then throw it through the torii gate.188 views
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Entrance to the Echigawa Bin-temari Museum. Free admission.188 views
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After the flight, we could see the kite up close. A sacred sakaki tree branch adorned the back of the kite. Also many paper stickers with people's wishes were pasted on the back.188 views
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The hump at the center is about 26.3 meters above the lake surface allowing boats to pass under. If you bicycle around Lake Biwa, you can cross this bridge as a short cut. But I recommend cycling all the way down to central Otsu.188 views
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Omi rice made in Shiga.188 views
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In Sakamoto, Hiyoshi Baba road is lined with various cherry trees that bloom in mid-April.188 views
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Since the construction of Hikone Castle was designated as a national project by the Tokugawa government, as many as 12 daimyo lords were ordered to assist in the construction.188 views
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Exhibition panels explaining school's history.188 views
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Hashi Yukio sings the "Yuru-kyara Ondo" in front of Yuru-Kyara characters in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.188 views
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Built as a castle garden in 1677 by Ii Naooki, the fourth lord of Hikone Castle. The garden has representations of the Eight Views of Omi, Chikubushima island, and the Shiraishi rocks in Lake Biwa.187 views
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Inside hondo, Hyakusaiji187 views
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The Biwako Ohashi Bridge spans the neck of Lake Biwa's panhandle between Moriyama and Katata, the lake's narrowest width. Completed in Sept. 1964, the bridge portion over the lake is 1.4 km long.187 views
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Hana-yakko dancer at Chawan Matsuri, Yogo, Shiga187 views
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A black kite is perched in a cherry tree.187 views
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Miidera's Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms in Otsu.187 views
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Telephone booth187 views
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Second-floor corridor187 views
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. Near Mihogasaki in Otsu, and adjacent to the boat racing arena.186 views
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) supplies water from Lake Biwa in Otsu to Kyoto. After four years of monumental construction, the canal was completed in 1890.186 views
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View from Mt. Hiei186 views
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The Otsu Matsuri has thirteen floats called hikiyama. Each one belongs to a different neighborhood in central Otsu. Each float has a name and features ornate carvings, tapestries, paintings, and other art work.186 views
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During June 2008 to March 2010, the castle celebrated the 150th anniversary of Lord Ii Naosuke and the opening of Japan.186 views
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Also this garden for the daimyo.186 views
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Beach at the site of Sakamoto Castle.186 views
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Little statue in the entrance hall.186 views
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Study desks inside public library. They face a window with a view of the new Toyosato Elementary School building.186 views
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Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dance in Maibara, Shiga.186 views
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All the Omizo Matsuri hikiyama arrived in succession as they ran each time. Also see my video at YouTube.186 views
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About Lake Biwa186 views
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And lift off...185 views
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Inside Hondo temple hall185 views
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Hyakusaiji's Main temple hall (hondo). Important Cultural Property.185 views
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Finish line 300 meters later185 views
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Verse 4 Lyrics (Chikubushima) 四番の英訳(竹生島)185 viewsAzure blue flower garden, revered coral shrine.
Full of old-time stories, Chikubushima.
In the hands of Buddha, one young maiden lies.
She's sleeping in compassion, resting peacefully.

瑠璃の花園 珊瑚の宮
古い伝えの 竹生島
仏の御手に いだかれて
ねむれ乙女子 やすらけく

Ruri no hanazono, sango no miya
Furui tsutae no, Chikubujima
Hotoke no mite ni, idakarete
Nemure otomego, yasurakeku

Lake Biwa's most famous and sacred island is accessible by boat from Hikone, Nagahama, and Imazu. Color of the water in the photo is not real.
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Tea fields next to Tarumi Tongu. When the Saio princess was called back to Kyoto, she took a different route back to Kyoto.185 views
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Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture185 views
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VIP room.185 views
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My YouTube video of the Takatora Summit in Kora.185 views
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Manhole in Nagahama, Shiga. Gourd design.185 views
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Keage today, incline is on the right of road184 views
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Verse 3 Lyrics (Imazu) 三番の英訳(今津) "We drift from wave to wave..."184 viewsWe drift from wave to wave, straying aimlessly.
On shore we see red fire, brings back memories.
With our sights set nowhere, rolling with the waves.
Today is Imazu or, Nagahama huh.

浪のまにまに 漂えば
赤い泊火 懐かしみ
行方定めぬ 浪枕
今日は今津か 長浜か

Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama ka
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Boarding time at Imazu Port. In the forefront is a song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta.184 views
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Museum restaurant serves lake fish.184 views
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Taga Matsuri Festival on April 22, Shiga Prefecture. 多賀まつり184 views
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Naomasa's son Naokatsu was still an infant when Naomasa died. So Naomasa chief retainer consulted with Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and it was decided to build a new castle at the present location. Construction started in 1603.184 views
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Swan maiden statue at Lake Yogo. Monument built in Nov. 1994.184 views
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Tsukubusuma Shrine's Haiden Hall183 views
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Steps to Rōmon Gate, the shrine's most outstanding structure. (楼門)183 views
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Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri used to be held on the first Sunday in June, but it's now held in Nov. (since 2020). The festival is dedicated to Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Parking available at nearby Bungei no Sato.183 views
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Kinomoto Jizo-in Hondo temple hall on the left and giant Jizo statue on the right. 木之本地蔵院183 views
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Former residence of Omi merchant Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956) (藤井 彦四郎邸). Now a history museum.183 views
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Statue of Amenomori Hoshu. He is regarded as a pioneer in Korean-Japanese relations and an internationally-minded person ahead of his time.183 views
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Statue of Nakae Toju expressing filial piety for his mother. In front of Toju-no-Sato Adogawa.183 views
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Two sumo wrestlers near the gate greeted spectators. The sumo contingent's stop in Maibara was part of their autumn exhibition tour. The day before, they were in Noto, Ishikawa Pref.183 views
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Also see my YouTube video here.183 views
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OK, RUN NOW!! This is the most exciting part when we start running with the rope. It was like a stampede, and I let go after a few seconds to avoid getting runned over by the mob behind me.182 views
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Castle tower foundation182 views
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Hyozu Taisha Shrine's Japanese garden at night in fall. It's really beautiful. Like someone painted colorful autumn leaves on a black canvas.182 views
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Every Jan.-Mar., the Keiunkan holds the Nagahama Bonbaiten exhibition of plum tree bonsai.182 views
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Lunch and dinner buffet for 1500 yen.182 views
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Map of Miidera temple showing a variety of structures at the foot of Mt. Nagara (not Mt. Hiei). There are about 40 buildings, but you can enter only a few of them. It's not a huge complex, but allow at least 90 min. to see the major things.182 views
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起).182 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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They carried the mikoshi on a rainy day on April 14, 2009.182 views
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What it looked like before the new school building was built.182 views
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Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri, Shiga.182 views
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Lake Nishinoko181 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument. Song details here. 琵琶湖就航の歌 歌碑181 views
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Tarobo-gu is a shrine complex on a small mountain, featuring grand views of Yokaichi and a pair of Wedded Rocks. It is 1.1 km from Tarobogu-mae Station on the Ohmi Railway Line. The shrine's real name is Aga Jinja 阿賀神社. [url=http://goo.gl/map181 viewsMap of Tarobo-gu. You can drive up halfway up the mountain (called Mitsukuriyama 箕作山) which is 350 meters high. If you don't have a car, climb over 700 steps to reach the shrine's main hall.
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The scenic Ukimido has been the subject of ukiyoe woodblock prints (see below) by Hiroshige and other artists. You can walk on the short bridge to the Ukimido.181 views
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Also see my YouTube video for these dances here.181 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach and Lake Biwa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture.181 views
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Map of Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine at the foot of Mt. Hiei. It is a complex of the so-called Seven Sanno Shrines, including two shrines designated as National Treasures. There are also 14 lesser shrines. Most things are within easy walking distance.181 views
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Lake Biwa and cherry blossoms as seen from Nagahama Castle.181 views
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The same men perform the ring-entering ceremony for the east side. There were about 20 men.181 views
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On the 2nd floor, this classroom has been reconstructed.181 views
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Osasahara Shrine's Honden Hall, a National Treasure in Yasu, Shiga. The shrine dates from the mid-Heian Period. It is dedicated to a god named Susano-o. 大笹原神社 本殿181 views
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Hiko-nyan is Hikone's official mascot. A white cat wearing a samurai helmet modeled after Ii Naomasa.181 views
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Minamihama swimming beach in Nagahama. Pebble beach. 南浜180 views
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Takeshima ("Island of Many Views") is a small island (600 m circumference) in Lake Biwa off Hikone, accessible by a short boat ride from Hikone Port.180 views
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Monument for Biwako Hakkei. "Cool Breeze on White Sands of Omatsu" is one of the Eight Views of Lake Biwa as selected in 1949.180 views
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Kusatsu town map. Kusatsu basically developed along the old Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads as they intersected before going on to Kyoto, Shiga's neighboring prefecture.180 views
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On the fourth Sunday in May, the Yuki Saiden O-taue Matsuri, or Rice-planting Festival is held here. It starts at 10 am with a Shinto ceremony with the planters and local dignitaries in attendance in front of the rice paddy.180 views
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This was my favorite part of the festival. Funa-zushi was offered to everyone at the festival. Some people refused though. I love it. It was salty. Goes great with alcohol.180 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.180 views
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Takatora Summit in Kora, Shiga180 views
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The main mikoshi on the boat during the Senko-sai festival on Setagawa River in Otsu.180 views
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K-ON! dolls. Too bad they don't sell any K-ON! merchandise.180 views
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Scale model of Hikone Castle in Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.180 views
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Keage Incline postcard179 viewsThe Keage Incline was in operation until 1948.
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Ready to row on a "quad" sculling race boat. Each person rows with two oars.179 viewsSorry for the small image.
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West gate (Nishi Gate) to Kibogaoka Culture Park, a large prefectural park featuring a large grassy lawn, sports facilities, camping facilities, and seminar facilities. MAP179 views
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Dennosuke plugging the Nipponbashi electronics district in Naniwa-ku, Osaka. There's a power cord on his back too. でんのすけ (大阪 大阪市浪速区)179 views
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Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture179 views
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You need some trained muscles and a flexible back to do what they are doing.179 views
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The stone buddhas are about 1.6 meter tall, made of granite.179 views
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Woman warrior on horseback for the Taga Matsuri, Shiga Prefecture. 女武者179 views
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Entrance to new public library.179 views
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Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine Yakko-buri, Maibara, Shiga179 views
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100 kite pullers178 views
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Castle tower foundation178 views
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Oars and boats stored on the bottom floor. The club offers 2-hour rowing lessons on Sundays during May to Nov. Address: 6-1 Ogaya, Otsu, Shiga 520-2144 Japan. Phone/Fax: 077-545-9961, Email: info@setarc.jp178 views
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Mihogasaki harbor, Otsu. The arrow points to the boat house.178 views
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In 860, Miidera Founder Enchin worshipped this shrine as the guardian deity of Miidera.178 views
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Nagara Shrine Honden Hall. The original shrine was atop the mountain, but it was later moved here in 1054 at the foot of Mt. Nagara to make it more accessible to worshippers.178 views
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If you like the tanuki raccoon dog, this is the place to be.178 views
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View of Lake Biwa and Otsu from Enryakuji Station. The conical Mt. Mikami in Yasu can be seen on the right.178 views
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Kompon Chudo temple178 views
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Yokawa Chudo Hall in Enryakuji, Mt Hiei, Otsu, Shiga. 178 views
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Taiwanese Association of America178 views
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Front entrance of the new Toyosato Elementary School building.178 views
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On the 2nd floor toward the bow is the large Study Room where they hold lectures, tug of war, etc. Usually, 5th graders from two or more schools go on the overnight voyages. Besides learning about the lake environment, the kids get to meet other kids. 学178 views
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Hikone's super popular official mascot Hiko-nyan appears every day outside Hikone Castle Museum (photo) or in front of the main castle tower. A large crowd gathers each time.178 viewsHiko-nyan was the official mascot for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. He proven to be so popular that he has been retained as the city's official mascot.
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Biwa trout/salmon - Endemic to Lake Biwa and lives in deep, cold (15˚C), pelagic waters. These are juvenile fish. Delicious!178 views
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Kyoto Univ. alumni crew at start line177 views
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Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁邸). Gokasho is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).177 views
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Ishiyama-dera's weeping cherries and azalea bushes to bloom in late April.177 views
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Rules on Uminoko: Safety first, Save water, No running, etc. During the current school year from April 2010 to Feb. 2011, Uminoko will go on over 90 overnight voyages.177 views
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Boat with the three portable shrines pass under Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.177 views
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Ii Naosuke's portrait painted by Kano Eigaku (狩野永岳). He wrote the poem above the painting offered to Seiryoji temple in Hikone. 177 views
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Funa-roka boat corridor connects Tsukubusuma Shrine and the Kannon-do Hall. Important Cultural Property. From the Momoyama Period. 船廊下176 views
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Namako wall176 views
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May 27, 2007 was a bad day for giant kite flying in Yokaichi, as the giant kite crashes head-first into a bamboo grove on its first and last flight during the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival.176 views
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It had rained the night before and in the morning. The ground would've been muddy, but they spread a layer of rocks to make the ground dry. It must have been hard to pull the kite and run on these rocks.176 views
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Kawamori Castle, Ryuo-cho, Shiga 川守城跡 MAP176 views
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Priest Enchin (Chisho-daishi) also used the sacred well water for a succession ceremony and called the temple, "Miidera" using the kanji for "three wells." The official name of "Onjoji" was given by Emperor Temmu. Back of Nio176 views
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As the rabbit sleeps.176 views
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This old school library is most interesting architecturally.176 views
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They dance to live music with drums, bell, and flute. The Kenketo Odori dance of Tagi Shrine is a National Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 国選択無形民俗文化財176 views
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Ito-kiri mochi, a famous local confection in Taga, Shiga.176 views
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Sailboats and Lake Biwa manhole for Shiga-cho in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.176 views
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Ishibe High School. Rare to see a Japanese high school whose name is shown in English.175 views
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Imazu in winter175 views
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A heron bringing back a branch to make a nest at Genkyuen Garden in Hikone, Shiga.175 views
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Ukiyoe woodblock print by Hiroshige showing "Descending Geese at Katata" with Ukimido in the foreground. 近江八景「堅田の落雁」175 views
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Also introduced the Imazu Regatta. Also see my YouTube video here.175 views
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Ozeki Chiyotaikai works out and gives a great photo op.175 views
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Resembling a pair of praying hands, the train accident memorial is right next to the railway track.175 views
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Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park.175 views
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Old telephone175 views
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Inside the old library which also has a local tourist information counter.175 views
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Kabuki-like175 views
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Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine, near JR Sakata Station on the Hokuriku Line. The site of the annual Yakko-buri Procession held on April 29. I saw it in 2010. MAP175 views
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Northern Lake Biwa (Sugaura)174 views
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3-story pagoda, reconstructed in 1978174 views
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Garden of Keiunkan174 views
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"Umi no Ko" (Child of the Lake) Lake Biwa training boat for kids174 views
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Pouches, etc., made of indigo fabric, for sale. Coming to this place really made me aware of how beautiful the indigo color is. Take a bus or taxi from Kosei or Mikumo Stations on the Kusatsu Line. Get off at Shimoda and walk 50 meters. Parking also avail174 views
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Statue of a Japanese archer at Yaai Shrine, Toragozen-yama, Torahime, Shiga.174 views
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Quilt from Echigawa's sister city of West Bend, Wisconsin.174 views
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Different boats on Lake Biwa.174 views
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The Biwako Sosui or Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu is also noted for cherry blossoms.174 views
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The sand is not as nice.174 views
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Shaka-do Hall, Enryakuji174 views
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Square manhole with gourds in Nagahama, Shiga.174 views
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Basho Matsuo's grave at Gichuji temple, Otsu. 芭蕉の墓173 views
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Giant Jizo statue and incense burner, Kinomoto Jizo-in, Shiga 木之本地蔵院173 views
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Boat house where Taro Oguchi and crew departed on their rowing trip. No longer used by the university's boat club. Mihogasaki, Otsu173 views
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The first day of the festival has the floats parked and displayed on the streets and lit up at night. The first day of the festival is called Yoimiya. (This was Oct. 11, 2008.) 宵宮173 views
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Ceiling of Hikone Castle tower.173 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.173 views
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Before the new Toyosato Elementary School building was completed, the school held classes in this temporary structure in front of the old school building.173 views
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Where Hiko-nyan's helmet design came from.173 views
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The matchlock guns make a huge bang.173 views
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The float is about 5.6 meters high. Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri, Shiga. 壽山173 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Minakuchi (51st post town on the Tokaido) from his "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road" series. A summer scene of a few women drying gourd shavings to make kanpyo.173 views
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Near Imazu, Takashima172 views
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Gokasho was home to many Omi merchants who plied up and down Japan during the Edo Period to sell and trade their wares. They became quite successful selling medicines, lacquerware, sake, etc.172 viewsWall of former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (1902-1961) (外村 繁邸).
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The twins pose with the high school girl who went on to be the show's Champion.172 views
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Held during Aug. 3-5 at Taga Taisha Shrine, the Mantosai or 10,000-Lantern Festival is a night festival when numerous lanterns are lit within the shrine grounds. The lanterns are for the repose of ancestral spirits.172 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.172 views
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Bowls172 views
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Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park is in a large park-like area with various pottery facilities such as this Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館172 views
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Placard holders called Waranbe (童部).172 views
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Makino Sunny Beach is a major swimming beach on Lake Biwa in summer. MAP172 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172 views
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Finally you see the main castle tower or Tenshukaku. Hikone Castle was completed in 1622 after 20 years of construction by Lord Ii Naotsugu who started building the caslte in 1603 upon his deceased father Naomasa's wish.172 views
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Minakuchi Castle was originally built in 1634 as a rest place for shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu during his travels to and from Kyoto. But the shogun stayed at the castle only once.172 views
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Camellias and Mt. Ibuki, Maibara, Shiga Prefecture.172 views
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School auditorium.172 views
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Symbol of Notogawa171 views
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Cormorants. There are to many of them and they deplete fisheries in the lake and cause forest damage.171 views
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View of Takeshima171 views
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Echibashi Bridge over Echi River. Nice views of the river can be had from this bridge.171 views
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Jorakuji Hondo hall, a National Treasure in Konan, Shiga. The pagoda on the left is also a National Treasure. The original temple burned down in 1360, and rebuilt the same year.171 views
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View of Seta River race course, Karahashi Bridge on far left. Tokyo vs. Kyoto Univ. Regatta171 views
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8-man crew alumni in their 20s and 30s at starting line171 views
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Altar in Amida-do hall, Jizo-in, Kinomoto, Shiga 阿弥陀堂171 views
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The photo above shows part of the stone monument for the first verse of the song. It reads "Ware wa Umi no Ko" (We're children of the lake). [url=http://photoguide.jp/txt/Lake_Biwa_Rowing_Song]More info about Lake Biwa Rowing Song here.[/u171 viewsThis is the song's first and most famous line. The monument is in a small park near the former boathouse in Mihogasaki pier. The photo has been digitally altered (the colors are not real).

I visited and photographed all the places mentioned in the song as well as all the song monuments in Otsu, Omi-Maiko, Imazu, Chikubushima, Hikone, Chomeiji, and Okaya (Nagano). I also created some digital images to match the scenes mentioned in the song.
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