Most viewed - Yasu 野洲市 |
View of Mt. Mikami from Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park in spring.425 views
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Entrance to Kibogaoka Park during the Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 festival during Oct. 18-21, 2008. It's an annual event held in a different prefecture. People from all 47 prefectures and South Korea participate in tournaments for 18 sports.394 views
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The Hyozu Matsuri is held at Hyozu Taisha Shrine during May 3-6, but the 5th is the climax with the mikoshi parade. 272 viewsThis is the shrine's first torii. This is at the front end of a 300-meter pine tree-lined path. Infrequent buses go to the shrine from Yasu Station (North exit). So infrequent that you might need to take a taxi. 一の鳥居
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Rice-planting Festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture with Mt. Mikami in the background. Also see my YouTube video here.263 views
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Mikami Jinja's Honden. This was Shiga's first Shinto shrine building to be designated as a National Treasure. 本殿260 views
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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.242 views
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This rice paddy near the foot of Mt. Mikami and next to Mikami Shrine was used to produce the rice offering used for the Showa Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne in 1928. Such a paddy is called Yuki Saiden. 悠紀斎田241 views
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"Dotaku" means bronze bell. This one decorates the entrance of the Dotaku Museum in Yasu. Map232 views
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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.231 views
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Mikami Shrine's Honden in Yasu, a National Treasure. It is a mixture of Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple architecture. It dates from the Kamakura Period, about 700 years ago. 本殿209 views
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Large grassy lawn.206 views
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Woman planting rice at the rice-planting festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture.205 views
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I often see foreigners participating in Shiga festivals.204 views
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Shallow stream199 views
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Adjacent to the Dotaku Museum is a replica of a Yayoi Period village. Yayoi Period (500 BC to 300 AD) is noted as when rice growing started in Japan.197 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri.197 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.193 views
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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. MAP187 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.185 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184 views
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Hyozu Matsuri Festival 兵主祭181 views
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Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri Festival, Shiga. 兵主祭169 views
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View of Mt. Mikami-yama amid rice paddies in Yasu. Elevation 432 meters.164 views
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Mold for making a dotaku. Yasu's dotaku found their way to the following overseas museums: Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne (Germany), Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (USA), and Minneapolis Institute of Arts (USA).157 views
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Yamanokami mountain god monument156 views
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Almost finished planting the rice in this paddy. The festival was over after 11 am.151 views
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They wear a sedge hat (suge-kasa すげ笠), red trousers (緋ばかま), wrist covers (手甲), and leggings (脚絆).150 views
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Caffy, the official mascot of Sports Recreation Shiga 2008, is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.145 views
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Rice-planting Festival Shinto ceremony. A torii stands next to the rice paddy. MAP For more info: Yasu Tourism FB139 views
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This rice paddy was used to produce the rice used for a ritual called the Daijosai as part of the Showa Emperor's accession ceremonies in 1928. Selected by the Imperial Household Agency, the Yuki Saiden sacred rice paddy must be east of Kyoto. 悠139 views
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First they threw bunches of rice seedlings into the paddy.133 views
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Yasu's official mascot, named Dotaku-kun, is modeled after a dotaku.132 views
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Everyone took off their straw sandals and went into the paddies barefoot.129 views
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Ready to sink into the paddy.127 views
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For the Daijosai, another sacred rice paddy is also selected to the west of Kyoto. That paddy is called Suki Saiden. In 1928, it was located in Fukuoka Pref.126 views
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The dotaku were nestled inside each other. These bells are dated from around 100 BC to 300 AD. The bells were not really used as bells. They were more for decorative and religious purposes.126 views
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Dotaku Museum in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture. Opened in Nov. 1988, the museum is near the site where Japan's largest bronze bell was unearthed. It has bronze bell exhibits and research facilities. Open 9 am to 5 pm (closed Mon.). Admission 400 yen.123 views
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From Yasu Station, it's a short bus ride to the foot of Mt. Mikami (get off at Yamade-mae 山出前). Then backtrack along the road to see two hiking paths. There are two trails, the Front (Omote, seen on the left)) and Back (Ura, seen on the right).122 views
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West Gate for car parking. Bus stop on right.122 views
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121 views
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Although a Shinto priest from Mikami Shrine conducts the ceremony, the festival is organized by the Yasu Tourist Association. The rice planters and dancers are from a local rice-planting preservation group.121 views
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A gate with sacred rope121 views
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The rice paddy actually consists of four square paddies divided by cross-shaped ridges. When you see it from above, it looks like the kanji "ta" 田 which means rice paddy.121 views
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My YouTube video of the Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.121 views
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From JR Yasu Station's South exit (Minami-guchi), take a bus going to Karyoku Koen (花緑公園) or Murata Seisakusho (via Nishi Gate 西ゲート経由 村田製作所行き) and get off at Dotaku Hakubutsukan-mae (銅鐸博物館前). Bus ride is 120 views
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At 10:30 am when the ceremony was over, they proceeded to the rice paddies. Four groups of planters and dancers went to the four paddies.119 views
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119 views
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Mt. Mikami as seen from JR Yasu Station train platform. The south exit of Yasu Station has a tourist info office where you can get maps and directions to the bus stop.117 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Front Mountain Path" (Omote Tozando). I recommend taking a bottle or two of drinks. There's a vending machine near the bus stop. If you miss the bus from Yasu Station, it's a 40 min. walk. Taxis available. 表117 views
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Cherry trees bloom in early April in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres), Yasu. MAP117 views
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Their feet are more than ankle deep in the mud. No one lost their balance and fell into the mud.117 views
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Map of Mt. Mikami. It says the trail is 1.3 km long, taking 40 min. For normal people, allow 80 min. to reach the peak. I took about 90 min. to reach the top, while taking time to take pictures.115 views
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Monument marking the site where the dotaku were found. It's frustrating that none of the original dotaku discovered in Yasu are in Yasu. Another case of bungling and ineptness by local officials. Even one original dotaku would make the museum busier.115 views
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It is a great honor to be selected as the sacred rice paddy for an emperor's accession to the throne. The Yuki Saiden paddy for the current Emperor Akihito was in Akita Pref.114 views
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Rice seedlings in hand.114 views
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The Yuki Saiden rice paddy is in a scenic, rural location, with Mt. Mikami in the background. You can understand why it was selected to be the Yuki Saiden in 1928.114 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Karasaki, across Lake Biwa.113 views
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Young children also joined in the singing.113 views
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113 views
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When the taiko drumming and folk singing started, they started planting the rice seedlings. On the ridge, there were dancers.112 views
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On the ridges were women dancers.112 views
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They also had a short break.112 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.110 views
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In the background is cloud-capped Mt. Mikami.109 views
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This is how the dotaku were buried. 108 views
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A local troupe of Taiko drummers called "Mukade Taiko." Mukade means centipede. Mt. Mikami is famous for a folk tale about a giant centipede which occupied the mountain. It was later killed by a brave warrior from Otsu.107 views
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They leave here and proceed along the pine tree path to the first torii. Then they will come back here and go back and forth a few times during the festival.107 views
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After passing through a bamboo grove, there is a clearing with the Tempo Gimin Monument.106 views
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Lookout point on Mt. Mikami in Yasu.106 views
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Satellite view of Yasu.106 views
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On the left is Shinohara Shrine dedicated to Ishikoritome, the god of mochi rice cakes. The rice around here was said to be ideal for making mochi.105 views
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On Aug. 20, 1881, two young lads were playing on Mt. Oiwa when they stumbled across three dotaku partially exposed in the ground. The next day, eleven more dotaku were discovered in the same area.104 views
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There is the 300-meter, pine tree-lined gravel path to the shrine from the first torii. MAP104 views
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It was a beautiful festival day on May 5, 2010. The Ayame girls wore colorful happi coats which really added color to the festival.104 views
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Torii and gate at night103 views
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Romon Gate at night in fall.103 views
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103 views
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Osasahara Shrine's Honden Hall, a National Treasure. 大笹原神社 本殿103 views
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The "Front Mountain Path" has a gate to prevent monkeys from escaping to the residential area. Be sure to close the gate after entering.101 views
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Sandwiched between the foot of Mt. Mikami and Kibogaoka Bunka Park, Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres) is about flowers and greenery, including cherry blossoms. 植物園101 views
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Cherry blossoms101 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.101 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Back Mountain Path" (Ura Tozando). This is the less steep trail to the summit. Notice the peak on the left. I went on this trail. 裏登山道 MAP100 views
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Time capsule to be opened in 2042.100 views
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Garden of various cherry trees.100 views
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100 views
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Great view, but hazy when I was there. Ishibe is toward the left, and the shinkansen tracks toward the right.98 views
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98 views
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98 views
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I visited this park after coming down from Mt. Mikami which was full of green and brown. So seeing bright colors in this park was a great sight.97 views
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My YouTube video of Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.97 views
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Ayame girls rehearsing their festival call.96 views
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After the festival is over, the path is deserted. I had to take a taxi back to Yasu Station. No buses running.96 views
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Gate to the Back Mountain Path. Be sure to close the gate after entering. I don't know how it would prevent monkeys from climbing over the low gate. Between Sept. 23 and Nov. 3 during mushroom season, 500 yen admission is charged for the Front/Back pa94 views
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View from the dip. There should be a better view on the other side too, but too many trees block the view.94 views
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Camping lodge in Karyoku Koen Park. There are more trails within the park and other sights like cherry blossoms. To get back to Yasu Station, walk to Kibogaoka Bunka Koen Park and the bus stop is at the Kibogaoka Nishi Gate next to the parking lot.94 views
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94 views
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The mikoshi head home from Hyozu Taisha. That's Mt. Mikami in the background.94 views
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Hyozu Taisha Shrine at night93 views
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At the foot of Mt. Mikami is Tempo Gimin Monument dedicated to the farmers who were tortured to death after the 1842 Tempo Ikki (天保一揆) uprising against the government's unfair land taxation surveys..93 views
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Chain railing is helpful.93 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu. Ishibe is toward the left.93 views
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These ancient abode were pretty much a hole in the ground with a roof over it.93 views
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93 views
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One feature of this festival is that someone rides on the mikoshi and detaches and raised the phoenix ornament at the top of the mikoshi.93 views
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Weeping cherry tree in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres) in Yasu.92 views
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Grass slide92 views
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Mt. Mikami in the distance.91 views
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Two of the dotaku were acquired by the Tokyo National Museum. The remaining dotaku were scattered among various people. Their whereabouts were unknown until an investigation found 12 of them at temples and Japanese and overseas museums.91 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri in Yasu.91 views
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He thanked the girls and asked them to help clean up. He also gave away the iris flowers.91 views
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Two wooden signs pointed in opposite directions both say "To Mt. Mikami summit." Go right to continue on the easier Back Mountain Path. Or go left to get on the steeper Front Mountain Path. The large white sign says "Take home your trash.&q90 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.90 views
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The trail is rocky and rooty, with lots of tree roots.89 views
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Sacred tree. The bark from this tree is used for the roofing of the shrine. Do not scratch or damage it.89 views
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89 views
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Hiking up the Back Mountain Path. The trail actually goes mainly toward the side of the mountain rather than the back. The back of the mountain has a trail going down toward Kibogaoka Bunka Koen Park.88 views
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Halfway point called Uchikoshi 打越. It's a small clearing and crossroads for multiple trails. Also a good place to harvest matsutake mushrooms during the fall (Sept. 23-Nov. 3).88 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.88 views
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Sacred rock where the god lives.88 views
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Sato no Ie thatched-roof house now a display space. 里の家88 views
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Mini concert at night. They had a few solo musicians playing romantic night songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Very nice.87 views
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Normally, the largest dotaku is not exhibited here. It is in the Tokyo National Museum.87 views
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Inside a Yayoi-Period grass shack.87 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu.86 views
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Map of the Dotaku Museum and Yayoi no Mori Park featuring Yayoi Period grass shacks. Dotaku Museum is a short bus ride from JR Yasu Station. Take the bus which goes to Dotaku Hakubutsukan-mae.86 views
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Sometimes log steps are provided.85 views
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500 meters until the peak.85 views
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Going down to the lookout point.85 views
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Route 8 crossing Yasu River85 views
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Downward slope and trail. This trail is called the Karyoku Koen-gawa Tozando which starts from the Karyoku Koen flower park. 花緑公園側登山道85 views
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Beware of snakes (mamushi). Never saw any. Never saw any monkeys either.85 views
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Roots84 views
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Trail to summit.84 views
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Steel railing to grab.84 views
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Inside Sato no Ie84 views
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Mushrooms84 views
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Steps83 views
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Looking toward Ritto83 views
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Summit of Mt. Mikami. Only a small clearing with a bench. It was a great day for hiking. It is quite a popular mountain for climbers. Even for families with little kids. Didn't see any monkeys. No bears.83 views
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Mt. Mikami and slide83 views
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83 views
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Cherry blossoms and softball field83 views
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Caffy doll83 views
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83 views
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Hiking Rules: No smoking. Do not make fire. Don't break tree branches or damage any trees. Don't take home any rocks, wood, etc. Take home your own trash.82 views
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This trail goes around the side of the mountain. Not recommended.82 views
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Roots82 views
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Small torii and shrine.82 views
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The sign is almost totally unreadable.82 views
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Sign pointing to a lookout point, slightly below the shrine.82 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean bun.82 views
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When I arrived, the Ayame girls were rehearsing their routine for the festival in front of this red Romon Gate. This gate was said to have been donated by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji in the 14th century. 楼門82 views
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No sign for this little shrine.81 views
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Kokegatani81 views
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Gods here must be happy to see such grand views.81 views
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Large stone walls81 views
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They had a whole bunch of Caffy mascots walking around. Caffy is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.81 views
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"Ayame" means iris flower, in reference to women. Out of the 30+ portable shrines (mikoshi) and taiko drums to be paraded during the festival, two of them, called Ayame, are carried only by women. These women will carry the Ayame mikoshi and tai81 views
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Sign80 views
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Getting close to civilization.80 views
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Prevent forest fires.80 views
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Bridge over the highway80 views
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Furusato Yakata for nature workshops80 views
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Monument marking the site where the dotaku were found. In 1962, ten more dotaku were found in Yasu.80 views
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This is almost near the mountain's peak.79 views
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The path on the left leads to the mountain's peak.79 views
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Sign at the summit.79 views
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In spring, the cherries bloom in the botanical gardens. Lodging facilities, walking trails, playgrounds, and workshops are also provided. Water fountain. 近江富士花緑公園79 views
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Softball field79 views
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MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here. 司会者 小野千穂79 views
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A Shinto ceremony is held at the shrine in the morning. Then by noon or so, over 30 portable shrines and taiko drums gather here on this path for the annual Hyozu Matsuri on May 5.79 views
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850 meters to Karyoku Koen flower park.78 views
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Path to shrine77 views
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On the right, Route 8 can be seen crossing Yasu River.77 views
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Chain railing really helps.77 views
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Going down from the summit.77 views
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1.4 km to Karyoku Koen Park77 views
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Some pots inside a hut.77 views
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Kokegatani Valley. There's a small dip in the trail, going down and up again. This is a small valley near the peak. Visible as a small notch next to the peak. 苔が谷76 views
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Yuba-no-Futokoro76 views
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BBQ76 views
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Camping lodge76 views
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This park and surrounding area has a number of different things to see and do. Walk further more and you will reach Kibogaoka Park.76 views
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After you get off the bus at Mikami Jinja-mae, you see this small road leading to the rear entrance of the shrine. MAP76 views
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The ceiling has square beams.76 views
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Japan's largest dotaku bronze bell is 134 cm high and dated from around 100 BC to 300 AD (Japan’s Yayoi Period).76 viewsDotaku bells in Kinki area are known for their protruding "ears," whereas dotaku found in Shizuoka (another dotaku hotbed) usually don't have ears.
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Summit in sight.75 views
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Entrance/Exit to Karyoku Koen-gawa Tozando75 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.75 views
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At the festival start time, the Ayame girls start carrying the taiko drum and mikoshi from this gate.75 views
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Japan's smallest dotaku. 3.4 cm high.75 views
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