 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
31 views
|
|
More kimono ladies start to arrive.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Mountain ascetic priests chanting.31 views
|
|
On the Sports Day national holiday in Oct., top-notch street performers perform from 10 am to 4 pm in Torahime, at the Torahime Ikigai Center parking lot (虎姫いきがいセンター). 31 views15-min. walk from JR Torahime Station. Website: http://torass.com/
|
|
Entrance to the site. 15-min. walk from JR Torahime Station.31 views
|
|
They paused here first.31 views
|
|
And they are off!! Good luck to them all!!31 views
|
|
Bus to pick up runners.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Manhole card collecting is becoming popular in Japan. Shiga has 8 different manhole cards. You need to go to each city and know where to get the card. 31 viewshttp://www.gk-p.jp/mhcard/?pref=25#mhcard_result
|
|
Aisho Town Museum.31 views
|
|
Boat named "Benten" going to Chikubushima.31 views
|
|
Approaching Chikubushima, Lake Biwa's most famous, historic, and sacred island. Takes about 30 min. from Nagahama Port. I've visited this island a number of times before, but this time I wanted to see something I'd never seen before.31 views
|
|
Decorative wooden support assemblages called tokyo (枓栱) or dougong. They are now illuminated to show off the vibrant colors.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Karamon Gate door.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Left side of the kaeru-mata.31 views
|
|
The roof was also entirely restored. The gate is a splendid example of the finest art from the Momoyama Period (late 16th century).31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
A pair of tigers on the main roof.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Bell tower31 views
|
|
"Interlaken" boat to Imazu at Chikubushima.31 views
|
|
Inside the new Imazu Port building. That's the ticket office.31 views
|
|
Old tourist PR posters for Lake Biwa. Great design. They don't make them like that anymore.31 views
|
|
Swan maiden willow tree. Unknown how old the tree is.31 views
|
|
View from the western shore of Lake Yogo.31 views
|
|
31 views
|
|
Lake Yogo Tourist Center exhibition space had a model of Mt. Shizugatake.31 views
|
|
JR Yogo Station train platform.31 views
|
|
Adoberry sweets, from Adogawa, Takashima.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
This is the Omi Fair in 2012.30 views
|
|
Omi rice30 views
|
|
Nagahama also holds an outdoor kimono garden party in the afternoon with several hundred young women in kimono descending on this provincial city. (長浜きもの大園遊会)30 viewsThe kimono women first had to register at Ekimachi Terrace in front of JR Nagahama Station (West side) on the Hokuriku Line. Short ride from JR Maibara Station.
|
|
Women in furisode kimono who visit the city for this kimono party are eligible to win prizes in a drawing held at Daitsuji Temple in the afternoon.30 viewsFurisode kimono are kimono with long sleeves going down below the knees. They are worn by single women. Married women wear kimono with shorter sleeves. And so most of the kimono women are in their teens to 30s.
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
From 1 pm, the kimono ladies started to arrive at the Daitsuji Temple as the local duo ~Lefa~ played.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
It's not so bad if you're in shape. Actually, I took these going-up pictures while going down the steps. (Went up by bus.)30 views
|
|
Suzuka mountains.30 views
|
|
Trucks for marathon staff and logistics.30 views
|
|
Ojiyama Stadium's exit and entry gate for the runners.30 views
|
|
Ojiyama Stadium bleachers. No reserved seating.30 views
|
|
Runners pass by Otsu Mayor Naomi Koshi (standing in red) after she fired the starting gun at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon on March 4, 2018.30 views
|
|
Runners at the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon leaving Ojiyama Stadium.30 views
|
|
About 90 min. later, I went to the Lake Biwa Canal here to watch the runners again. This is a few km before the finish.30 views
|
|
Police cars.30 views
|
|
Two police motorcycles lead the way for the leading runners.30 views
|
|
The leaders were two Kenyans, Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR at Lake Biwa Canal a few km before the finish.30 viewsNo. 8 Jake Robertson (New Zealand) is close behind.
|
|
No. 5 Daniele Meucci at Lake Biwa Marathin in 2018.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Manhole card for Hikone's manhole. Shows Hiko-nyan.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Path back to the main gate. Lots of eye candy.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Small garden outside Aisho Town Museum.30 views
|
|
Snowy mountains around Lake Biwa.30 views
|
|
Small shrine for the White Snake God, a messenger of goddess Benzaiten. 白巳大神30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Corridor facing the Funa-roka.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Kannon-do ceiling and transom carvings. Absolutely brilliant colors.30 views
|
|
30 views
|
|
Before photo of the statue of Pindola Bharadvaja and the nearby wall with flower carvings. (See the next photo after the restoration.)30 views
|
|
Inside Karamon Gate. Just gorgeous. Too bad most people just walk in without looking back and noticing. 30 views
|
|
Behind the Karamon Gate.30 views
|
|
It's the entrance of the temple's Kannon-do Hall that worships Kannon. The gate features the karahafu roof gable shaped like a hump, commonly found on important traditional buildings such as temples and castles.30 views
|
|
Left door of Karamon Gate.30 views
|
|
Kannon statue on Chikubushima.30 views
|
|
From JR Yogo Station on the JR Hokuriku Line, there's a view of Lake Yogo and the rice paddies before it. This is in April when farmers are preparing the soil for rice.30 views
|
|
By late May, rice seedlings already planted and paddies flooded.30 views
|
|
In winter, most everything is covered with deep snow.30 views
|
|
Stone monuments at Lake Yogo swan maiden monument. Looks like poetry monuments.30 views
|
|
Lake Yogo green with algae in late Sept.30 views
|
|
Nagahama Castle and autumn foliage, Shiga Prefecture.30 views
|
|
At Seta Rowing Club. The rowers went back to the hotel to freshen up for the farewell party in the evening.29 views
|
|
Omi beef at Omiten 201229 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
This battalion was from Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture (Kyushu). That's where guns were first introduced to Japan from Europe in 1543 and forever changed warfare in Japan.29 views
|
|
Hikiyama float was also displayed near the museum.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
This is Daitsuji Temple, Nagahama's largest Buddhist temple (Higashi Honganji) large enough to seat up to 1,000 women. 29 viewsThe kimono ladies will gather here by 2 pm for the grand prize drawing.
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
Event schedule.29 views
|
|
Local duo ~Lefa~ performing at Daitsuji Temple.29 views
|
|
Miss Biwako Kimono.29 views
|
|
After all the big prizes were given out, the remaining women were eligible to receive door prizes so they stood in line for that.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
Street performers were very good. But it's hot under the sun.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
The Biwako Marathon or Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon is held annually in March in Otsu. It starts (at 12:30 pm) and finishes at Ojiyama Stadium in central Otsu, near Otsu Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line. 29 viewsKnown as one of Japan'a major marathons for top male runners, the Lake Biwa Marathin's 42.195 km course goes along the lake shore and Seta River. The terrain is mostly flat. Before the start of the marathon, there are PR booths near the stadium entrance.
|
|
PR for Expo 2025 in candidate city Osaka. (Osaka won the bid to host Expo 2025.)29 views
|
|
Police motorcycles for the marathon.29 views
|
|
Runners walking to the start line as the starting time of 12:30 pm approaches.29 views
|
|
Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon runners start running after Otsu Mayor Naomi Koshi (in red on the far right) fires the starting pistol at 12:30 pm.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
Lead police car.29 views
|
|
One hour and 49 min. has passed, according to the official timekeeper.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
TV cameraman on motorcycle covering marathon runners.29 views
|
|
No. 270 NAKAMURA Shogo (中村匠吾) came in 7th at 2:10'51".29 views
|
|
Not much of a crowd. No cosplayer runners. This is a serious marathon for elite runners.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
The last marathon runner followed by the tailing police car and staff vehicles. I later watched the marathon on my video recorder.29 views
|
|
Manhole card for Hikone's manhole.29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
Steps to the Hondo main worship hall.29 views
|
|
Another prime spot for autumn foliage at Kongorinji.29 views
|
|
Autumn foliage near the Dojo. 29 views
|
|
29 views
|
|
About Chikubushima in Japanese.29 views
|
|
Chikubushima (竹生島) is a small, sacred island dominated by a temple/shrine complex called Hogonji (宝厳寺) perched on this fairly steep slope. 29 viewsThe temple/shrine's construction was ordered by the emperor in 724 when he proclaimed that Chikubushima was a sacred place for the goddess Benzaiten (弁才天). The temple was to bring national peace, bountiful harvests, and prosperity to all. A priest named Gyoki (僧行基) then proceeded to build the temple with Benzaiten as the principal object of worship.
|
|
29 views
|
|
Ceiling paintings of flowers.29 views
|
|
Right side of the kaeru-mata.29 views
|
|
It looks new because it was magnificently restored (including the roof) after six years of meticulous work completed in March 2020. Finally came to see it. I was not disappointed. It's jaw-dropping beautiful.29 views
|
|
Karamon Gate before the restoration. Very drab-looking with most of the paint and lacquer weathered away by the elements after 67 years when it was last repainted.29 views
|
|
Before photo. Without the colors, it was so hard to see the wood carvings.29 views
|
|
Some of the wood carvings had pieces that broke off or worn out. So they were reconstructed too. The metal fittings were also re-plated or remade.29 views
|
|
About the Kannon-do Hall.29 views
|
|
Inside the Interlaken boat. Very comfortable and looks new.29 views
|
|
Imazu Port also has this song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). 琵琶湖周航の歌 歌碑29 viewsThe song is about college boys from Kyoto rowing around Lake Biwa while mentioning famous places like Otsu (the starting point), Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, and Chomeiji.
|
|
The new Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum is now in this building since April 1, 2020. This is the Imazu-Higashi Community Center (今津東コミュニティセンター).29 views
|
|
CD listening station where you can listen to numerous cover versions of the song by famous artists.29 views
|
|
Photos of the Kanazawa college rowers who died due to strong winds that capsized their boat in 1941.29 views
|
|
Old records of the song.29 views
|
|
Old records of the song covered by many famous Japanese singers.29 views
|
|
Shigaraki Kogen Railways Shigaraki Station. You can take a bus to reach Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in 5 min., or walk for 20 min. 信楽駅29 views
|
|
Overpass to station building.29 views
|
|
Trail up the mountain to Mt. Shizugatake.29 views
|
|
JR Yogo Station train platform.29 views
|
|
Lunch on the boat.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Seta Rowing Club members and host stand in front to accept thanks and messages.28 views
|
|
Three matchlock gun battalions to shoot their guns (blanks of course). The battalions are from Tanegashima (Kagoshima), Sakai (Osaka), and Hikone (Shiga). 28 viewsJapan has a number of matchlock gun battalions who are licensed to possess and fire these guns to preserve their history and perform at events and festivals.
|
|
BANG!!! The guns were extremely loud. Makes you jump.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Local duo ~Lefa~ performing at Daitsuji Temple.28 views
|
|
Local duo ~Lefa~ performing at Daitsuji Temple.28 views
|
|
Celebrities will join the stage program (talk show).28 views
|
|
On the stage, local sponsors and dignitaries pulled out the lucky lots one by one.28 viewsBesides the trip to Hawaii as the grand prize, they gave out kimono fabric, travel certificates, free hotel rooms, and other valuable prizes sponsored by local businesses.
|
|
28 views
|
|
This is the super lucky girl who won the free trip to Hawaii. She was from the neighboring city of Maibara and plans to take her younger sister to Hawaii.28 viewsCongratulations!!! Doesn't she look like a deserving person? Hope you enjoy my home state, Aloha and bon voyage!!
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Street performance schedule from 10 am to 4 pm.28 views
|
|
Rice paddy art in Torahime.28 views
|
|
|
Ojiyama Stadium in Otsu.28 views
|
|
Ojiyama Stadium has served as the start and finish line for the Biwako Mainichi Marathon since 1965.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Runners at the 2018 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Pickup van for runners.28 views
|
|
Manhole card for Kusatsu's manhole.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Wedded cedar trees.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)28 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)28 views
|
|
Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Off-season, normally you take a taxi (15 min.) from JR Inae Station if you don't have a car. There's a regular taxi that leaves the station once an hour.28 views
|
|
Temple ticket admission booth. ¥500 拝観受付 28 views
|
|
The first building you see. Nishiya-do hall housing Amida Nyorai buddha. Built in the Edo Period. 西谷堂 阿弥陀如来28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Priest's residence next to the famous garden. Reconstructed in 1978. 明寿院 28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Inside the Jizo-do Hall built in 1997. 地蔵堂28 views
|
|
Garden of many Jizo statues.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Small garden outside Aisho Town Museum.28 views
|
|
Shuttle bus on the right going to the next Koto Sanzan Temple.28 views
|
|
Port staff waving goodbye.28 views
|
|
Leaving Nagahama in winter. After a major snowfall in late Jan. 2021, went on a scenic snow cruise on Lake Biwa.28 views
|
|
Snowy mountains around Lake Biwa.28 views
|
|
Small shrine for the goddess Benzaiten at Hogonji, Chikubushima. Benzaiten is the goddess of everything that flows: Water, rivers, music, etc. 弁才天28 views
|
|
Tsukubusuma Shrine used to be part of Hogonji, but it's now legally separate from the Buddhist temple as mandated by law. 28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Corridor and incense burner in front of the altar. The wooden pillars totally re-lacquered.28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Before photo of the statue of Pindola Bharadvaja and the nearby wall with flower carvings.28 views
|
|
Before photo of a very old and worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者). Traditionally, you touch his body part corresponding to the part of your body you want to heal. 28 viewsNotice the pillars and ceiling beams which were plastered with pilgrim name stickers called "senjafuda" (千社札). They bear the ardent pilgrim's name and pilgrims stuck their name stickers on the temples they visited to indicate "I wuz here!"
|
|
After photo of Pindola Bharadvaja statue. These days, best not to touch unless you use hand sanitizer afterward.28 viewsAll those old pilgrim name stickers (mostly from the Edo Period when it was fad) were removed for a new layer of lacquer.
|
|
Worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者). 28 views
|
|
Karamon Gate door.28 views
|
|
Front of Karamon Gate.28 views
|
|
Ceiling inside Karamon Gate, looking directly upward. 28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
Path to Karamon Gate.28 views
|
|
About Benzaiten-do Hall.28 views
|
|
Five-story Stone Pagoda 五重石塔. Important Cultural Property28 views
|
|
28 views
|
|
"Birthplace of Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Bwa Rowing Song) on a bulletin board in the train station.28 views
|
|
"Interlaken" cruise boat at Imazu Port.28 views
|
|
Heading to the new Imazu Port building. On the right is the Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song monument.28 views
|
|
Imazu Port's gate to the boat dock.28 views
|
|
Imazu Port building is made of wood from Shiga.28 views
|
|
The main road also has this old Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum which has closed. It moved to another building nearby.28 views
|
|
The new museum occupies a large corner of the building's first floor. It's on the left when you enter the building.28 views
|
|
It seems all or almost all the exhibits in the old museum have been moved to this new space.28 views
|
|
Exhibit for Yoshida Chiaki, credited for composing the original melody.28 views
|
|
Uniform of the Dai-sanko college where Oguchi Taro studied.28 views
|
|
Iida donated his notebooks and cassette tapes of many interviews related to the song. Some of it is displayed here.28 viewsOn the lower shelf are books about the song by Iida and others.
|
|
JR Yogo Station as seen from the train platform.28 views
|
|
| 18510 files on 74 page(s) |
 |
|
71 | |
|
|
