 Most viewed - Takashima 高島市 |
I love the design of this boat. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇913 views
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Harie is a unique rural neighborhood where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata.497 viewsHarie is in Takashima, Shiga, near JR Shin-Asahi Station on the Kosei Line, the gateway to Shin-Asahi and Harie. 新旭駅 MAP
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Kaizu-Osaki is a peninsula easily accessible from Makino or Nishi-Azai Station. You can rent a bicycle at Makino Station on the Kosei Line or at Nagahara Station. Makino Station is closer so I rented a bicycle there at the tourist info office.461 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii, Takashima. One of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land. Rent a bicycle or go by taxi from Omi-Takashima Station (Kosei Line).456 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.423 views
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The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.407 views
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Held annually on May 4 in Takashima, Shichikawa Matsuri is Oarahiko Shrine's biggest festival (Reisai). It starts with a procession in the shrine's neighborhood. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line).360 views
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Five types of boats were provided: Single scull, double scull (shown here), quadruple with cox, ocean scull, and fixed-seat boats.346 views
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Yomeien Garden, Adogawa, Shiga 陽明園 MAP343 views
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Our fixed-seat boat 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇331 views
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Omi-Takashima Station on the JR Kosei Line. Takashima's southern-most train station and the only train station in the Takashima-cho area. It takes about 38 min. from Kyoto. JR湖西線 近江高島駅 MAP328 views
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Here's a close-up of the bird's claws grasping the gills of the fish. The bird sure knows where to grab a fish. The fish had no way to escape this grip.300 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.286 views
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In the morning, two fishing boats pulled the rowing boats from Imazu to Nagahama Port where we met them here. 今津中学校ボート部の琵琶湖周航283 views
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Omi-Shirahama Beach on Lake Biwa. MAP282 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta. Also see my YouTube video here.264 views
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On Aug. 8, 2007, I was allowed to join the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club as they rowed from Nagahama to Imazu. Photo: A briefing by the club's coach before departure in front of a minshuku lodge near Nagahama Castle.259 views
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JR Adogawa Station (East exit) on JR Kosei Line. MAP259 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.257 views
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My YouTube video of the Shichikawa Matsuri in 2010.251 views
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About 100 meters offshore are two large rocks in the lake. They appear above the surface only when there is a water shortage. This little shrine with two rocks are for praying for rain. 二ツ石235 views
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Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line. The only train station in the Makino area of Takashima. MAP234 views
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It then swooped down to the water and I started clicking away whether it would catch a fish or not. I was delighted to see it catch this large fish and captured the moment.221 views
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What a catch. It was my first time to capture a shot like this. I love these graceful and elegant birds which have a distinct cry.216 views
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Originally, there were 48 stone buddhas. Only 33 remain now. Thirteen of them were moved to Sakamoto in Otsu, and 2 were stolen. Although they stand upright, it's possible that they can fall on you, especially if you've been bad.213 views
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Chikubushima island and cherry blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki, Lake Biwa.211 views
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Fixed-seat boats208 views
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Lake Biwa shore in Imazu, with a boat landing in the distance207 views
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Marker showing the way to Kaizuten Jinja Shrine on a busy highway in Makino. Kaizuten Jinja holds the annual Kaizu Matsuri (nicknamed Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri) on April 29. Rikishi means sumo wrestler.206 views
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Makino manhole, Takashima, Shiga Pref.205 views
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Scenic water on sunny day, Takashima204 views
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Shichikawa Matsuri's yakko-furi dance is a Shiga Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 滋賀県選択無形民俗文化財204 views
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Soon after we got to Nakajima, this black kite flew above. I tracked it with my camera. 「ピーヒョロロロロ…」200 views
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Sleek boat slicing through the water.192 views
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The Takara and Tomoe floats pass by each other during the Omizo Matsuri.192 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. 191 views
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A black kite is perched in a cherry tree.190 views
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All the Omizo Matsuri hikiyama arrived in succession as they ran each time. Also see my video at YouTube.189 views
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Statue of Nakae Toju expressing filial piety for his mother. In front of Toju-no-Sato Adogawa.185 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach and Lake Biwa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture.183 views
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The stone buddhas are about 1.6 meter tall, made of granite.181 views
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Imazu in winter178 views
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The sand is not as nice.177 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.175 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175 views
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Makino Sunny Beach is a major swimming beach on Lake Biwa in summer. MAP174 views
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Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.171 views
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Also part of Adogawa is Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a few km off shore and a favorite place for birds which turned the rocks white from their droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白171 views
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At the Omizo Matsuri in Shiga, I couldn't get used to the people in casual clothes pulling a traditional float. Maybe they can't afford to buy happi coats for all these people.171 views
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Turning the float at Omizo Matsuri.171 views
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"Tell us my friends your stories, with your fervent hearts."「語れ我がが友 暑き心」 Also see my YouTube video here.170 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake. "Shirahige" means white beard, and so people pray here for long life and longevity. The shrine is dedicated to a god named Sarutahiko. 白鬚神社170 views
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Shirahige Shrine's torii in Lake Biwa. The torii is a smaller version of the much more famous one in Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture).169 views
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My video of Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club on Lake Biwa.167 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta Birthplace Monument, Imazu. This is Imazu's second monument for the song. 全歌詞碑の「琵琶湖周航の歌」誕生の地 今津。今津港。背景には竹生島行きの船。164 viewsImazu has two monuments for the song. The first one is a lamp at the end of the pier (visible in this picture on the right of the boat). That was for Verse 3 which is written on the lamp post.
Later in 1994, Imazu town built this red clay monument to commemorate the song's birth in Imazu. The entire lyrics is also engraved. It is next to the Imazu boat pier where boats depart for Chikubushima. Looks like a red flame, but it's shaped after the geographical shape of Imazu town.
From Imazu, you can easily go to Chikubushima island, from which you can take another boat to go to Hikone or Nagahama. Going vice versa is possible too. It's a great way to cross the lake.
See more photos of Imazu here.
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Genjihama Beach in Shin-Asahi.164 views
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Yabusame horseback archer.164 views
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This is the first kabata we visited. There is a pipe which spews the spring water from 12 to 25 meters below the ground. The original water source is called moto-ike.162 views
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Imagine having a spring in your own home spewing drinkable water 24/7 for free. This kabata has a few baskets. The oblong one is used for fish, and the ones on the right were used to dry bowls.162 views
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Imazu also has a few buildings designed by William Merrell Vories like this former bank building in Imazu, Shiga Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP160 views
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Entrance to Omi-Shirahama Beach160 views
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Bird-watching area in Shin-Asahi.159 views
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Makino Sunny Beach158 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach in Takashima. I know they did some filming here for the NHK Taiga Drama "Go" where she rides on horseback. 白ひげの浜155 views
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A local non-proft group called Harie Shozu-no-Sato Committee conducts tours of Harie. For 1,000 yen, they will spend 90 min. to take you to see numerous kabata in private homes. Call 0740-25-6566 to make reservations. hariekabata.com154 viewsOr email: shozunosato@lapis.plala.or.jp
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Site of the 3rd Imazu Regatta on Lake Biwa, off the shore of Imazu, Takashima. Held on Aug. 17, 2008, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Organized by the Takashima-Imazu Rowing Club NPO. 高島・いまづロウイングクラブ153 views
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The guided tour is well worth it. I highly recommend it. The Harie-Okawa River would be crystal clear if it weren't for the rice paddies being flooded. MAP153 views
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Cycling path along the shore in Shin-Asahi, Takashima.153 views
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The boys running. When you see them, you know the horse is coming so keep off the path.151 views
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Statue in front of JR Shin-Asahi Station east side.150 views
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The horseback archer on his second run. He did not shoot any arrows. 150 views
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When they wash pots and pans, the koi fish eat the food scraps to keep the water clean. Also see my YouTube video here.149 views
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Imazu Church, designed by William Merrell Vories. Next to the former bank building also designed by Vories.148 views
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When I visited Harie in late April, the water, which supposed to be crystal clear, was muddied from the rice paddies being drained. Late April to June is probably not a good time to visit Harie due to the rice paddies.148 views
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Giant statue of Gulliver outside JR Takashima Station.147 views
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This is close to Haginohama Beach.147 views
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Can't tell in the photo, but these were the biggest carp you've ever seen.147 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake.145 views
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A small stream empties into Lake Biwa through Haginohama Beach. Numerous streams and rivers like this one feed water to the lake.144 views
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Harie Okawa River has baikamo underwater flowers. It was muddy when I visited in late April because of the rice paddy flooding. 針江大川144 views
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Kabata shed.144 views
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Shin-Asahi144 views
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Large carp in the roadside streams help keep the water clean by eating food scraps from washed dishes, etc.143 views
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Chikubushima as seen from Imazu Port142 views
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During Aug. 2008, the Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club also held a photo exhibition of their rowing trip across Lake Biwa held in Aug. 2007.142 views
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The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.141 viewsThe song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song.
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The lantern/monument has the Verse 3 lyrics mentioning a red fire on shore in Imazu. This is thought to be a lamp on the dock.140 views
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Roadside spring, one of the oldest and longest lasting.140 views
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Haginohama Beach in Takashima.139 views
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Kabata shed is usually either attached to the main house or right outside it.139 views
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Roadside spring with waterwheel.139 views
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This is the old Imazu Port building. It was a two-story building with a small restaurant on the 2nd floor. Ironically, it had no enclosed interior space for passengers.138 views
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The tour starts at the Harie Kominkan community center. They don't have English-speaking guides, so bring a translator. 針江公民館138 views
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The monument has an engraving of rowers and song lyrics.137 views
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Since this kabata has small fish, a net is put over the water to prevent birds from entering.136 views
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Sign saying that you are entering Harie where water is a treasure. The important thing to understand about Harie is that you need a guide to see the kabata water springs in private homes.135 views
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Inside the boat house134 views
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Sign points the way to Harie.134 views
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Bird looks for its meal in the stream.134 views
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A tofu maker puts tofu in a kabata.133 views
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Kaizu-Osaki is famous for cherry blossoms along the lake shore. One of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots.133 views
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Makino Station is the closest station to Kaizu-Osaki in northern Lake Biwa. Famous for cherry blossoms in mid-April. Best to rent a bicycle at Makino Station. Kaizu-Osaki photos here.132 views
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In 2014, The Shozu-no-Sato Committee 針江生水の郷委員会 won the top Ecotourism Grand Prize エコツーリズム大賞 sponsored by the Japan Ecotourism Society and Environment Ministry. Harie Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine 針江日吉神社132 views
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Another shopping break was this fisherman's shop where you can buy ayu sweetfish caught in Lake Biwa.132 views
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Kamogawa Katsuno Enchi park in Takashima. 鴨川勝野園地130 views
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130 views
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Road to Harie. It's about a 25 min. walk from Shin-Asahi Station. The water stream on the right was muddy to my surprise.130 views
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A roadside spring.130 views
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Shodenji temple's kabata. Women like this water as it feels creamy and makes their skin feel smooth and soft.130 views
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A small stream empties through Haginohama Beach129 views
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129 views
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On the west side of JR Shin-Asahi Station is this building where the local tourist info office is. You can rent bicycles here too.129 views
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Many houses and wooden walls in Harie are black.129 views
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129 views
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Shodenji temple129 views
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Someone's outdoor kabata where we could drink the water or even put it in plastic bottles to take home.129 views
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In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.129 views
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Baikamo in Harie-Okawa River128 views
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128 views
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Nakajima is really nice. But right behind this scene is a neighborhood of summer homes. Also see my YouTube video here.127 views
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Sometimes the kabata is outdoors with no shelter.126 views
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Kabata shed of a lake fisherman.126 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers bloom year-round since the water temperature remains almost the same.126 views
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The Kaizu-Osaki welcome sign marks the start of the cherry tree-lined road. Beware of cars. MAP126 views
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"This journey fills my heart with intense happiness..."「さすらいの 旅にしあれば しみじみと」125 views
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A shopping stop was here where they sold these model dragonflies well-balanced on its nose, called Kabata Tonbo.125 views
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125 views
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Sharp Electronics once filmed a TV commercial here for their TVs.125 views
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Stream with baikamo125 views
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Genjihama Beach125 views
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megumi at Kaizu-Osaki Port, Takashima, Shiga.125 viewsThe cruise I went on docked at the port so we could get off and walk around for 30 min. If you go on a cherry blossom cruise, go on a cruise that will dock at Kaizu-Osaki. Some cruises only cruise and do not dock.
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Sign saying that Harie is not a tourist spot, that a guide is required to see the kabata.124 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016 due to aging facilities and low attendance. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima in July 2018.124 views
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This "Biwako shuko" (Rowing around Lake Biwa) between Imazu and Nagahama was the club's annual summer tradition since 1995. Photo: Assembling a two-man kayak.123 views
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Gardening seemed to be a popular pasttime in Harie. With all that free and clean water, I can think of many things to do besides gardening.123 views
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Shodenji temple also has a spring feeding this pond with various fish.123 views
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Snail trails. These snails are food for the fireflies in June.123 views
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This stream with baikamo has not been muddied by the rice paddies.123 views
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123 views
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On the hillside between Omi-Takashima Station and Shirahige Shrine, there is a cemetery with 33 large stone buddhas. MAP122 views
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The heart of Harie has this waterwheel.122 views
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JR Shin-Asahi Station west side.121 views
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Shodenji temple has its own spring spewing drinkable water.121 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima.121 views
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After the tunnel, some the best parts of the sakura-lined road/shore lie ahead.121 views
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Omizo Matsuri poster121 views
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Really enjoyed the cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki. No hassle with car traffic. Totally worth it.121 views
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Off we go, boys on one fixed-seat boat.120 views
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Nakajima. An old fisherman departed from this dock and went around to catch fish to eat at home. He also gave a few fish to the birds which waited for him. 中島120 views
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Soon you will reach this rest stop and the Kaizu-Osaki boat pier. 120 views
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The wooden walls are actually half-burnt, almost like charcoal.119 views
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It's really beauitful to see the cherry blossoms from the boat.119 views
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Two fixed-seat boats were also used.118 views
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On weekends, the road is bumper-to-bumper traffic when the cherries are in full bloom. The road also becomes a one-way road from west to east.118 views
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Water quality report.117 views
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This kabata was in a Japanese garden.117 views
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It had colorful koi.117 views
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This is to publicize the Gulliver Youth Travel Village, a camping and recreational facility. ガリバー青少年旅行村116 views
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Kabata shed attached to a home.116 views
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And girls on the other fixed-seat boat. These boats have fixed seats which do not slide as in modern rowing boats. This boat is a replica of the fixed-seat boat used 90 years ago by Oguchi Taro and crew when he wrote the song, Biwako Shuko no Uta.115 views
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Fishing boat for human transport. It was a very hot day with no wind.115 views
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A symbol of Harie.115 views
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Nakajima and Harie became famous in 2004 when NHK TV broadcast a program about the Harie kabata and a fisherman in Nakajima.115 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms. These cherry trees were first planted in 1936 to commemorate the opening of Osaki Tunnel. Some 600 cherry trees were planted along a 4-kilometer route along the lakeshore.114 views
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I wanted to experience rowing this fixed-seat boat on Lake Biwa, and rowed with these jr. high girls from Nagahama Port. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇113 views
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I never got to see the torches with the mikoshi. For more info, call the shrine in Japanese: 0740-28-0051113 views
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Shodenji temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. 正伝寺113 views
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113 views
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Now we are at a place called Nakajima. 113 views
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They tossed mochi after this in the shrine, but I left early to see the Shichikawa Festival in Shin-Asahi. Sorry, no photos of what happened here after this.113 views
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About this kabata. The well is 12 meters deep, water temperature is around 13 C year round.112 views
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Bird-watching center111 views
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Old Imazu Port. Notice the "red flame" song monument on the right.110 views
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Boys posing for a picture at Sugaura110 views
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They shout "Yo-ya-sa-ja!." (ヨーヤサージャー). They take several rest breaks along the way.110 views
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110 views
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Shopping arcade on the west side of Omi-Imazu Station109 views
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Kaizu-Osaki and Chikubushima.109 views
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Gulliver statue on the Omi-Takashima Station train platform.109 views
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Makino Pic-land108 views
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Tapestry on the back of Minato float.108 views
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Bird-watching shack107 views
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Omi-Takashima Station107 views
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They used five boats to row, including these two ocean scull boats.106 views
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Yes, replenishing your fluids is important...106 views
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This was the climax of the Kaizu Rikishi festival.106 views
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Makino in winter105 views
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Shin-Asahi has a nice bicycle path along the lake shore.105 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. 藤本太郎兵衛像 105 views
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The boat is first carried onto a trolley.104 views
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All that's left is this stone foundation of Omizo Castle.104 views
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A few cherry trees along the way to Kaizu-Osaki.104 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms, one of Japan's 100 Best Spots for cherry blossoms.104 views
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Boats also leave from Nagahama and Hikone for Kaizu-Osaki.104 views
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Imazu's main lakeshore road leads to more tourist sights.103 views
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Almost 50 members in the club, and almost all of them participated in this rowing trip. Some of them did this for the third time. Photo: Carrying life vests. All rowers are required to wear life vests.103 views
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They are called the Kamogawa 48 Stone Buddhas. They were originally made in 1553 by Sasaki Rokkaku Yoshikata (佐々木六角 義賢), lord of Kannonji Castle in Azuchi in memory of his deceased mother.103 views
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Attached lake in Makino in winter.103 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flower 座禅草102 views
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Omizo Castle in Takashima was originally built by Oda Nobuzumi in 1578, a nephew of Oda Nobunaga. It was built to oversee transportation on Lake Biwa along with Azuchi, Nagahama, and Sakamoto Castles on the shores of Lake Biwa.102 views
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About Futatsu-ishi (Two Rocks).102 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. He pushed for the flood control of Lake Biwa by building a weir on Seta River in Otsu. 藤本太郎兵衛像 102 views
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Imazu has a pebble beach. Some sand as well.100 views
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Shopping arcade100 views
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On the day before, they were supposed to row from Imazu to Nagahama, but high waves forced cancellation. So they were bused to Nagahama where they stayed overnight. Photo: Carrying the kayak to the lake, passing by Nagahama Castle.100 views
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Chugging along on a fishing boat.99 views
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All-girl crew pose for a picture. The rowing club has more girls than boys. はい、ポーズ！99 views
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Toju Shoin Study (drawing room) where Toju lived and taught. Reconstruction of the original building which burned down. 藤樹書院99 views
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Makino Sunny Beach looks best on a sunny day...99 views
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99 views
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During cherry blossom season, pedestrians will walk through this dark, narrow tunnel. No sidewalks, so be careful. Cars whiz by. Best to carry a flashlight.99 views
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At the end of the baba, they turned around, and I left the scene.99 views
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List of cover versions by singers like Miyako Harumi, Kobayashi Akira, Watari Tetsuya, Baisho Chieko, Frank Nagai, and more.98 views
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Inside Omi-Imazu Station98 views
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Map of Makino. Makino used to be an independent town until it merged with neighboring towns to form the city of Takashima.98 views
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You can see a line of pink along the shore of the peninsula in the distance.98 views
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