JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Best views of Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture at various locations. Includes panorama photos.

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Photos of National Treasures in Shiga. Castle, temples, and shrines from various photo albums.

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Photos of Shiga's festivals in random order from various photo sets.

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Photos of important historic sites in Shiga from various albums.

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Photos of Shiga's most beautiful cherry blossom spots.

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Home to Hiko-nyan, one of Japan's most famous yuru-kyara mascots, Shiga has its share of many mascots.

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Manholes in Shiga's cities and towns each with a different design.

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Famous woodblock print artist Hiroshige depicted Shiga's Eight Views of Omi and post towns (shukuba) along the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads.

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I’ve created “We love (heart) Shiga” banners (horizontal and square) for anyone to download and use. Feel free to use them on your Web site, blog, Facebook, etc. You can opt to link the banner to any Web site about Shiga. (It doesn’t have to be shiga-ken.com.) Or just tack it on your home page for decoration or self-expression. I also provide large sizes for printing on A4- or A3-size paper. Make a posters, T-shirt iron-on transfers, or bumper stickers. Free for non-commercial use. Let’s spread the word that not just you love Shiga, but also your boy/girlfriend, wife/husband, parents, family, relatives, kids, friends, students, etc. The kanji characters (left to right) read “Shi ga.”

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About 40 rowers from overseas rowed around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan on June 5-11, 2011 for the annual FISA World Rowing Tour held for the first time in Asia. They made history as we've never seen so many foreigners rowing around Biwako. They also visited historic sights like Enryakuji temple and Hikone Castle. FISA is the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron, the International Rowing Federation which is the governing body for international Rowing.

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Things from Shiga outside Shiga. Tokyo, Nagano, Hawaii, and more.

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Pictures of places related to this nationally famous song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) composed by Oguchi Taro and his college boatmates from Kyoto who rowed completely around Lake Biwa in 1917. Each verse sings about different places along the lake: Otsu, Omi-Maiko, Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, Mt. Ibuki, Hikone, and Chomeiji.

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Shiga Prefecture has a monument for each of the six verses at the respective places mentioned in the song "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). Kyoto University and Okaya in Nagano Prefecture also have a song monument. More info about Lake Biwa Rowing Song here.

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Public performances of "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" ever since June 3, 2006 when the song was sung in public for the first time in Imazu, Shiga.

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Japanese newspaper articles related to Lake Biwa Rowing Song. More info about Lake Biwa Rowing Song here. 英語版関連の新聞記事。

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Oguchi Taro is one of Okaya's most honored sons. Best known for writing the song "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). A monument dedicated to him and his song is on the shore of Lake Suwa. Also see the video at YouTube. More info about Taro Oguchi here.

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Home of Yoshida Chiaki who composed a song called "Hitsuji-gusa" (Water Lilies) whose melody was used for the song "Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). More about Yoshida Chiaki here.

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Pictures of photo exhibitions I've held since Nov. 2005 to introduce the Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta), mainly in Shiga Prefecture and once in Kyoto in 2011.

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On June 16, 2007, Imazu marked the 90th anniversary of the song by organizing a boat cruise on Lake Biwa and other activities. We also introduced our Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD this day. チャーター船による琵琶湖周航クルージング

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Located in Aisho-cho town, Tendai Buddhist temple established in 741 and the middle temple in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. The main temple hall is a National Treasure housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues designated as Important Cultural Properties. The 3-story pagoda is engulfed in foilage in autumn. Also see many little stone Jizo statues. Visit this temple before or after Saimyoji. Admission 500 yen. Map

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Echigawa-juku was the sixty-sixth station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the sixth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Takamiya-juku in Hikone), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. It has a few reminders of its shukuba past. Near Ohmi Railways Echigawa Station. Map

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Bin Temari no Yakata Museum - Threaded balls in round glass bottles on exhibit. Temari is a symbol of Echigawa. Near Echigawa Station. Map

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Held annually on May 4, the local people carry 2-meter long torches from their homes to the shrine. A taiko drum is also carried and beaten. The shrine has a 5-meter tall pile of bamboo which is lit to make a towering inferno within the shrine grounds. Very dramatic. Also see the video at YouTube. Map

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Other sights in Aisho town including Echigawa Station.

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(Note: Due to a tragic kite crash in May 2015, this kite festival has been suspended since May 2016. It will not be held in May 2019.) The Higashi-Omi Giant Kite Festival (Higashi-Omi Odako Matsuri) used to be held on the last Sunday of May at Fureai Undo Park (ふれあい運動公園) in Notogawa, HigashiOmi, Shiga. The main highlight is the giant kite, flying at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Also see kite-flying contests, exotic kites from around Japan, and stage entertainment. Anybody can fly a kite too. From 10 am to 3 pm. The festival name changed from Yokaichi Odako Matsuri to Higashiomi Odako Matsuri in May 2012 and the festival site changed in May 2013 to Fureai Undo Koen Park. Also see my YouTube video here. Map

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Formerly called the Yokaichi Odako Kaikan (Giant Kite Museum), the Higashiomi Odako Kaikan giant kute museum exhibits the city's giant kite used previously, as well as many different kites from all over Japan and the world. Walk or take a bus from Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station. Map

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Pictures (and one movie) of Higashi-Omi's (formerly Yokaichi) Giant Kite Festival held annually on the last Sunday of May. These pictures were taken on May 23, 2004 and May 27, 2007. In 2007, it was another 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. Also see the 2004 video at YouTube and my 2007 YouTube video here.

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Every three years, the giant kite flown every May is replaced by a new kite bearing a new design. The new kite was made during July-Aug. 2007, taking about 30 days. The kite is made by volunteers from the public under the instruction of the Yokaichi Giant Kite Preservation Society. For the first time, I helped make this giant kite which was first flown successsfully on May 25, 2008 at the annual kite festival. More about Higashi-Omi here.

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Located in Higashi-Omi and established by Shotoku Taishi in 609, this is Shiga Prefecture's oldest temple and one of Japan's oldest. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist Sect. Being the southern-most temple in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio, visit it after Eigenji or Kongorinji Temple. The hillside garden gives a good view of Lake Biwa. The main temple hall worships an 11-faced Kannon statue carved by Shotoku Taishi. Admission 500 yen. Map

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Located in Higashi-Omi and established in 1361, Eigenji is a temple of the Zen Rinzai Buddhist Sect (Eigenji School) and well-known for fall colors with 3,000 maple trees. Although not part of the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio (all Tendai Buddhist temples), most visitors also visit Eigenji together with the Koto Sanzan temples. Accessible by bus taking 30-40 min. from Yokaichi Station on the Omi Railway Line or from Hyakusaiji. Admission 500 yen. Map

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Gokasho is famous for the grand, old homes of wealthy Omi merchants. Three of them are conveniently clustered together for us to see. They are the former residences of Tonomura Uhee (外村 宇兵衛), Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁), and Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎). In Feb. 2005, Gokasho became part of the newly established Higashi-Omi city. Map

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From the Ohmi Railways' Gokasho Station, you can walk to the Fujii Hikoshiro House (藤井 彦四郎邸), which is also a history museum, and to the modern Ohmi Merchant Museum (近江商人博物館). You can buy a set of tickets to all four Omi merchant homes and the museum which cheaper than buying a ticket at each place. Map

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Tarobo-gu is a shrine complex on a small mountain, featuring grand views of the city 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. Map

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Tarobogu Shrine holds a bonfire festival on the first Sunday in December. The bonfire is used to burn about 100,000 goma prayer tablets collected from all over Japan. The fire's spiritual force supposed to ward off evil, accidents, and sickness and cleanse you. Toward the end, there is fire-walking on the hot embers. KInd of unique festival because it combines Shinto and Buddhist practices.

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Held on May 4 by Sanposan Shrine in Higashi-Omi, Shiga Prefecture, three portable shrines are hauled down a steep mountain (Kinugasa-yama) for about 500 meters. This photos were taken at the end of the trail at the large torii at the foot of the mountain. Also see my YouTube video. Map

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Held near Yokaichi Station in summer, the Yokaichi Shotoku Matsuri is a bon dance featuring Shiga's native Goshu Ondo folk song. It's also a yokai festival. Yokaichi's connection with yokai comes from its place name "Yokaichi," a pun for "Land of Yokai."

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On Jan. 1, 2006, Notogawa town merged with Higashi-Omi. The city for the first time can thereby claim a shore of Lake Biwa. It is no longer landlocked. Notogawa is famous for its giant water wheel. Map

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Other places of interest such as Yokaichi Station (Ohmi Railways) and Shin-Yokaichi Station. More about Higashi-Omi here.

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Hikone Castle is one of four castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. It was the base of the Ii Clan, most notably Ii Naosuke (1815-1860), the 16th lord of the Hikone clan who served as the Chief Minister in the Tokugawa shogunate government. He was a key person in opening Japan to Western countries by signing the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (日米修好通商条約 Nichibei Shūkō Tsūshō Jōyaku) between the United States and Japan in 1858. From age 17 to 32, he lived and trained at Umoregi-no-ya 埋木舎 within the grounds of Hikone Castle. Besides the castle tower, four other original castle buildings are now open to the public. More about Hikone here. Map

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Genkyu-en is a Japanese garden next to Hikone Castle. It was built as a castle garden in 1677 by Ii Naooki, the fourth lord of Hikone Castle. In Nov., the fall colors are beautifully lit up at night (6 pm - 9 pm). Admission 500 yen. Umoregi-no-ya is a reclusive house where Lord Ii Naosuke lived and trained in various arts from age 17 to 32. Map

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Called Little Edo (Koedo), the castle town of Hikone holds the annual Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade on Nov. 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Children and adults parade in historical costumes, especially samurai from the Ii clan. The parade includes demonstrations of matchlock gun firing and fireman's acrobatics. These photos were taken on Nov. 3, 2009.

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On Oct. 25-26, 2008, the first Yuru-Kyara (Mascot Character) Matsuri was held on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road in Hikone. About 46 mascots showed up in front of thousands of people jamming this road of shops. The most popular was Sento-kun (boy priest with antlers on his head) from Nara. Hikone's Hiko-nyan was the host of this successful event. The event saw about 46,000 visitors. Also see my YouTube video here. Map

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The 2nd Yuru-kyara festival was held in Oct. 23-25, 2009. The festival was expanded by a day by including an indoor stage show featuring enka singer Hashi Yukio singing "Yuru-kyara Ondo." From 2013, this mascot character festival was renamed Go-tochi Kyara-haku in Hikone (ご当地キャラ博in彦根).

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Takeshima ("Island of Many Views") is a small island (600 m circumference) having many different shapes depending on your viewpoint. A Nichiren temple and the priest's family are on the island. Accessible by boat from Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Map

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Toriimoto-juku is the sixty-third of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the fourth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Bamba-juku in Maibara), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. Although the Honjin is long gone, there are a few reminders of its shukuba past. Near Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station. Map

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Takamiya-juku was the sixty-fourth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns of the Nakasendo Road. Today, it has a few remnants of its Nakasendo past with a Honjin gate, Enshoji temple (where Emperor Meiji once stayed), and shrines. Near the Ohmi Railways Takamiya Station. Map

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Hikone hosts Shiga University's Hikone Campus, the University of Shiga Prefecture, and The Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU).

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Pictures of Hikone Station, Ohmi Railways Museum, Hiko-nyan in Hawaii, lantern floating festival, and Hikoneguchi Station. More about Hikone here.

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Held annually during May 2 and 3, the Hino Matsuri is the largest festival in eastern Shiga Pref. In 2006, sixteen ornate floats and three portable shrines were paraded through the streets. It is the spring festival of the Umamioka Watamuki Shrine and one of Shiga's Intangible Cultural Properties. Also see my YouTube video here. More about Hino here. Map

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Hino's most prominent shrine is best known for the Hino Matsuri festival on May 2-3. The shrine was originally atop Mt. Watamuki, Hino's tallest mountain. It was moved to its present location in 796. Later it became Lord Gamou's family shrine and it was revered by Hino merchants during the Edo Period. Map

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Very pleasant gorge with rhododendron (shakunage) blooming on the slopes during early May. The official name is Kaigake-dani Valley which is part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park. Shuttle buses are provided from Hino Station. Map

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Hino 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. Those from Hino were called Hino shonin (Hino merchants). Some of their former grand homes have been renovated such as the Omi Hino Merchant House and Omi Hino Shonin Furusato-kan. Map

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Held for two evenings on Aug. 14-15 during the obon season, people light their torches at Gosha Shrine and proceed to Hibarino park where the torches are thrown up to a large pine tree. The more torches get stuck on the tree, the better the next harvest will be. Also see the video at YouTube. Map

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Nakano Castle, also known as Hino Castle (日野城), built in 1534 by Lord Gamou Sadahide (1508-1579). In 1582, when Oda Nobunaga was assassinated in Kyoto, Lord Gamo Katahide brought Nobunaga's wife and children from Azuchi Castle to Hino Castle for their safety. The castle was abandoned in 1597. Only a few stone walls and shrines remain adjacent to Hinokawa Dam. Map

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Very little remains of this castle originally built by Lord Gamou Sadahide. Two battles took place here in 1496 and 1503. The castle met its demise in 1522 less than 60 years after it was built, after a war within the Gamou Clan. It now serves as a large hilltop park with good views of the surroundings. Map

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Other sights in Hino town, Shiga Prefecture including the Minami Sanno Matsuri and Hino Station. More about Hino here.

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The world's only authentic ninja house still in its original location. Revolving doors, trap doors, and underground tunnels helped the ninja escape or hide from the enemy. They avoided direct combat as much as possible. Called Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki, this house was the residence of Mochizuki Izumo-no-kami, the leader clan of the Koga ninja. Located in Konan-cho, the former heart of the Koka ninja, popularly called Koga ninja. JR Konan Station on the Kusatsu Line is the closest train station. Special thanks to Takayuki Mochizuki (ninja descendant) for taking me here. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Koka, Shiga Prefecture is known historically as a town of the Koga ninja. (Correct pronunciation is "Koka.") As a theme park, the Koka-no-Sato Ninjutsu-mura or Koka Ninja Village offers a good tourist sampling of ninja in a hidden village of former ninja houses transplanted to this "village." MAP

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One of Japan's renown and historical centers for pottery, Shigaraki's heart is the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. A large, pleasant park boasting ceramic art, kilns, and museums. A great time to visit Shigaraki is during the Shigaraki Pottery Festival and Ceramic Art Market in mid-Oct. Shigaraki has a good number of pottery centers and Sotoen (宗陶苑) is major one. I visited for the first time in Aug. 2012. It covers a large ceramic park-like area. Also visited the ancient ruins of Shigaraki Imperial Palace. More about Koka here. MAP

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Shigaraki Fire Festival is held annually on the fourth Sat. of July closest to July 23. It is a torch procession of 700 people (including children) who carry wooden torches on their shoulders from Shingu Shrine (新宮神社) to Atago Shrine on a hill and ending at the parking lot of the Shimin Center. The festival starts at 7 pm and the route is about 2.4 km long, taking about 50-60 min. From 9 pm, they shoot fireworks. The festival is held to give thanks to fire (for use in pottery kilns, industry, everyday life, etc.) and to pray for fire safety. Shingu Shrine and the Shimin Center is near Shigaraki Station.

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Following Tsuchiyama-juku, Minakuchi-juku was the fiftieth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road. The most prominent remnant is Minakuchi Castle. A moat, stone walls, and a reconstructed turret are all that remains. The turret serves as the Minakuchi Castle Museum. The original castle was 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. It later became the castle of the Minakuchi clan in 1682 headed by Lord Kato Akitomo. The old Tokaido Road in Minakuchi has a few other historical places like Minakuchi Shrine. Short walk from Minakuchi Jonan Station on the Omi Railway Line. MAP

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Held on April 19-20 in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, the Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival has ornate Hikiyama floats pulled through town. On the festival eve, the floats are lit up with paper lanterns from 7 pm and Minakuchi-bayashi festival music is played. On the 20th, at 9 am, the floats are paraded through the streets as they head toward Minakuchi Jinja Shrine (near Minakuchi Jonan Station). Portable shrines also make their way to the shrine. During midday, ceremonies are held at the shrine. At 2 pm, a procession of Chigo children and portable shrines leave the shrine. MAP

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Held on the last Sunday in March, the Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession reenacts the Tsuchiyama segment of the Saio Gunko procession when a new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to Ise to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter or sister, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines.
The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Otsu and Tsuchiyama in Shiga Prefecture. Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama was one of the five palaces where the Saio lodged along the way.MAP

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Held on May 3 by Takigi Jinja Shrine (龍樹神社) in Tsuchiyama, the Kenketo Odori is a dance performed by eight boys aged 7 to 12. The dance was originally started to ward off calamities. The boys wear tall peacock feathers on their heads. From Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways), catch the Aikuru Bus and get off at Higashi Maeno. The shrine is a short walk toward the river. Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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Tsuchiyama-juku in Tsuchiyama-cho was the forty-ninth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road, following Sakanoshita-juku in Mie. It is right after Suzuka Pass on the Suzuka mountains, one of the two most difficult sections of the Tokaido. Travelers thus were happy to see Tsuchiyama. Nicknamed "Ai no Tsuchiyama," the town is working hard to preserve its old buildings. The Tsuchiyama-juku Honjin where Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and Emperor Meiji lodged is still intact and well maintained. The Tsuchiyama Tokaido Museum is also a major attraction. Special thanks to Uno Yoshinobu who was my guide in Tsuchiyama. MAP

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Held only once every five years, the Aburahi Festival with the yakko-furi procession was held by Aburahi Shrine in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan on May 1, 2011. The procession features yakko samurai laborers who carry a trunk and sing. Others also dance. The procession makes a circular route near Aburahi and Koka Stations on the JR Kusatsu Line. MAP

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Photos of other sights in southeastern Koka such as Koka Station's new station building opened in Nov. 2005. It resembles a farmer's warehouse. But what makes it unique are the seven wall murals depicting ninja. The paintings are designed to look three-dimensional and interactive so you can pose within the painting for picture-taking. Also, the Kusuri Gakushukan featuring Koka's history and industry of medicines, and Rakuyaji temple noted for numerous Buddhist statues which are Important Cultural Properties.

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Established in the 8th century and one of the Konan Sanzan Trio of Tendai Buddhist National Treasure temples in Konan, Zensuiji's main Hondo Hall is a National Treasure. Zensuiji means "Efficacious Water Temple." It is on the slope of Mt. Iwane. From JR Kosei Station on the JR Kusatsu Line, catch a bus and get off at Iwane 岩根. From there, you still have to walk a bit, follow the signs (if you can read Japanese). MAP

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A stone's throw from Chojuji Temple, Jorakuji Temple (est. 708) of the Tendai Buddhist Sect boasts two National Treasures with its main hall and three-story pagoda. Jorakuji means "Constant Comfort Temple." It is one of the Konan Sanzan Temple Trio accessible by bus from JR Ishibe Station. MAP

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Meaning "Long Life Temple," Chojuji's Hondo temple hall is a National Treasure. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist Sect and one of the Konan Sanzan Temple Trio along with Jorakuji and Zensuiji Temples. Fall colors are also nice. Accessible by bus from Ishibe Station or walk from Jorakuji. MAP

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Ishibe was the 51st stage/post or shukuba lodging town on the Tokaido Road where even Emperor Meiji once stayed (with an entourage of over 3,000). The town's Shukuba no Sato park recreates the old stage town. More about Konan here. MAP

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Other sights in Konan include Fudo-no-taki Waterfall near Mikumo Station, indigo dyeing at Konki Senshoku, Shimoda-yaki pottery, Konan Marché, yahei-togarashi, and Nigori-ike Park with cherry blossoms.

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Established in 834 and located in Kora-cho town, this Tendai Buddhist temple is the northern-most one in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. The main temple hall, designated as Japan's first National Treasure, houses statues of gods with a carving of the 12 Oriental Zodiac signs on the head. During fall, the autumn leaves are brilliant, and you can enter the three-story pagoda (National Treasure) to see the wall paintings. Accessible by bus from Amago Station on the Omi Railway Line. Admission 500 yen. MAP

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Amago is the area near Amago Station (Ohmi Railways). See Kora Shrine and its Important Cultural Property. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Since 1998, the Takatora Summit has been held once every two years in one of four places (Kora, Tsu and Iga both in Mie, and Imabari in Ehime) having a close connection with Lord Todo Takatora. Kora's Zaiji area in Shiga is where Takatora was born. He went on to become lord of Tsu. In 2010, it was Kora's turn to host the Takatora Summit, for the second time. The one-day event on May 9, 2010 was filled with stage entertainment, street vendors, a samurai procession, and more. Also see my YouTube video here.

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Zaiji is almost at the center of Kora. Its most famous son is Lord Todo Takatora. Zaiji Hachiman Shrine and Takatora Park are dedicated to him. MAP

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Shimonogo has more roadside streams with colorful flowers, a famous temple called Nenshoji, and Shimonogo Sports Park. Also see my YouTube video here.

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Kusatsu-juku was the fifty-second station on the Tokaido Road (following Ishibe-juku) and the sixty-eighth station (following Moriyama-juku) on the Nakasendo Road. During the Edo Period, Kusatsu was an important stage or shukuba post town at the crossroads of the Tokaido Road and Nakasendo Road where daimyo warlords and other dignitaries lodged during their travels to and from Edo (Tokyo). They stayed at the exclusive Honjin which still remains. More about Kusatsu here. MAP

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Annual festival held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. Numerous events and activities are held such as flea markets, street & stage performances, and Japanese dances. The main highlight is the Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession of people dressed in historical costumes. Also see the video at YouTube. MAP

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World-class lake museum for the exhibition of Lake Biwa's history, fish and wildlife, coexistence with people, and a large lake-fish aquarium. It is also a research facility with a number of researchers and curators. Take a bus from JR Kusatsu Station. Open 9:30 am - 5 pm, closed Mon. and the day after a national holiday. Admission 750 yen for adults. Includes admission to the adjacent Mizunomori Garden. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Huge lotus pond that used to bloom in summer next to Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture. It stopped blooming from summer 2016, and experts say there's little chance of recovery. This is at the Mizu no Mori Water Garden (Suisei Shokubutsu Koen Mizu no Mori). MAP

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Other sights in Kusatsu, including the lake shore.

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One of Maibara's enduring symbols, Mt. Ibuki or Ibukiyama is Shiga Prefecture's tallest mountain at 1,377 meters as well as one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. It is well-known for 1,200 species of wild flowers and plant life. In spring and summer, the summit (accessible by the Ibukiyama Driveway) is popular for easy hiking trails and alpine flowers. Note that the gondola and ski lifts are not in service. Also see the video at YouTube. More about Maibara here. MAP

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With Mt. Ibuki in the background, Mishima Pond (Mishima-ike) is very scenic during sunny winter days and the cherry blossom season. It is also well-known locally for migratory birds (especially ducks). MAP

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Held on Sept. 23, 2009, the Suijo Hachiman Jinja Taiko Odori is a colorful and unique rain-making and rain thanksgiving taiko drum dance held by Suijo Hachiman Shrine in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture. It starts with a procession slowly proceeding along 1 km to Suijo Hachiman Shrine. They include yakko-furi samurai laborers, yamabushi ascetic priests, flutists, and taiko drummers. The dance is held only once every 5 years. Also see my YouTube video here. [url=]MAP[/url] MAP

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Long ago, villagers in Ueno at the foot of Mt. Ibuki prayed for rain by doing the thunder dance by beating drums and bells, lighting torches, etc. After the rainfall and a good harvest in autumn, they danced to give thanks. This thanksgiving taiko drum dance is now performed only once every five years as a local festival at a small shrine in Ueno. These photos were taken on Oct. 3, 2010 and Oct. 2005. Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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Held annually around Oct. 10 near Maibara Station. Two ornate floats are paraded around the neighborhood and stop to hold 1-hour kabuki plays performed by boys. Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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The area of Asahi in Maibara is home to the Asahi Honen Taiko drum troupe whose drum dance originated centuries ago to pray for rain. In Oct., they perform their drumming and dancing after walking from Asahi to Hachiman Shrine. MAP

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Reenacts the procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara. The men walk with a stylized, kicking action. It starts with a Shinto ceremony which includes dancing by shrine maidens. Held annually by Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine on April 29 at 2 pm near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line). Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line) in former Omi-cho town is Mt. Hinodeyama with Hinode Jinja Shrine holding an annual sumo festival on the third Mon. of Sept. It features mainly children's sumo and a sumo jinku dance by about 16 men. Also see a haniwa museum and Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo's mother's gravesite and childhood home. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Kashiwabara-juku is the sixtieth station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the first Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Imasu-juku in Gifu), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. Kashiwabara has many traditional-style buildings with signs indicating what was what. A local history museum, Kiyotaki Tokugen-in Temple noted for the Kyogoku clan's graves, lodging for daimyo, Yaito Matsuri festival, and the Kitabatake gravesite are noted sights. Near JR Kashiwabara Station on the JR Tokaido Line. MAP

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Not far from JR Kashiwabara Station is Kiyotaki Tokugen-in Temple noted for the graves of the Kyogoku Clan. One of them, Kyogoku Takatsugi, is a nationally-known historic figure who was married to Hatsu, one of the three Azai sisters. The temple, which belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect (affiliated with Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei), is also noted for cherry blossoms in April and autumn leaves in Nov. MAP

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Samegai-juku is the sixty-first station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the second Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Kashiwabara-juku), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. It has one shukuba-era building, a post office designed by Vories, the crystal-clear Jizogawa River and underwater baikamo flowers, and the Samegai Trout Farm, the largest in Asia. In May, tulips bloom and in Aug., the Jizo-bon night festival is held. Also see the video at YouTube. MAP

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Bamba-juku is the sixty-second station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the third Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Samegai-juku), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. Former post town buildings are marked with signs. The only original building remaining is Rengeji temple. Rural and pleasant to walk through. Closest station is Maibara and Samegai Stations. Somewhat far to walk from either station. MAP

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Annual festival held on May 3 by Chikuma Shrine. It is a procession along the shore of Lake Biwa featuring eight 8-year-old girls wearing a "nabe" or pot helmet. The shrine is dedicated to the God of Food and the nabe pot is for containing food offerings to the god. MAP

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Maibara Station is Shiga's sole shinkansen bullet train station and a major transfer point for the Tokaido Line and Hokuriku Line. From this station, you can go on to Kyoto (or Tokyo in the east) in the west or to Fukui, Kanazawa, and Toyama up north. MAP

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Other sights in Maibara such as Kannonji temple where Toyotomi Hideyoshi met Ishida Mitsunari, Green Park Santo, Maibara Basho sumo tournament, and Spo-rec Aerobics Competition スポレク滋賀 エアロビック大会 in 2008. The Sports Recreation Shiga aerobics competition was held in Maibara during Oct. 19-20, 2008. Aerobics teams from all over Japan and South Korea competed, including a group of five women in their 80s and 90s. More about Maibara here.

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Katsube Shrine near JR Moriyama Station holds an impressive fire festival on the second Sat. of January. They light giant torches for the festival's climax. According to one legend, 800 years ago during the Kamakura Period, Emperor Tsuchimikado (土御門天皇) fell ill and a fortune-teller said that a monster dragon-serpent (orochi) living in a marsh in present-day Moriyama was to blame. When the dragon was finally slain and burned by hunters sent by the Emperor, the body fell on Katsube Shrine and the head fell on Sumiyoshi Shrine. The young men danced wildly around the burning dragon and the Emperor recovered. That's how the festival supposedly started. Unfortunately, you cannot see the festival at both shrines since they are held around the same time. Katsube Shrine's fire festival is bigger with more torches, twelve of them. Also see my video at YouTube. More about Moriyama here. MAP

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Every Jan., both this shrine and Katsube Shrine light giant torches for the festival's climax. Unfortunately, you cannot see the festival at both shrines since they are held around the same time. Sumiyoshi Shrine's fire festival is smaller with fewer (six) torches which represent the head of the slain dragon. MAP

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Held every May 5 at Shimoniikawa Shrine, an unusual festival with two young lads cutting funa-zushi fermented fish (crucian carp native to Lake Biwa) as an offering. The festival prays for abundant harvests and good health. These photos were taken on May 5, 2009. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Held annually on May 5 by Ozu Jinja Shrine, the festival consists of dances and music by children, taiko drumming, a naginata dance and acrobatics by boys using a pole sword, and a roundtrip procession from Ozu Shrine to Ozu Wakamiya Shrine. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Established in 1642, Moriyama-juku was the sixty-seventh of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the eighth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Musa-juku in Omi-Hachiman), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near JR Moriyama Station on the JR Tokaido/Biwako Line. MAP

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Pictures of other sights in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture including Nagisa Park full of rape blossoms, Biwako Ohashi Bridge, and Pieri Moriyama shopping mall.

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Nagahama Castle (reconstructed) in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture is a lakeside castle within Hokoen Park. The original castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century who lived in Nagahama Castle until 1582. The current building was reconstructed in 1983. It serves as a history museum. Hokoen Park fronting Lake Biwa is noted for cherry blossoms and plum blossoms. Near JR Nagahama Station. Also see my YouTube video here. More about Nagahama here. MAP

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Chikubushima is a sacred island in northern Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. Easily accessible by boat from Nagahama and Imazu, the island has a large temple complex called Hogonji worshipping the Goddess Benzaiten and includes buildings designated as National Treasures. Click here to read the folktale of how Chikubushima was created. MAP

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Held by the Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, the Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri is Nagahama's most famous festival featuring authentic kabuki plays performed by boys around April 15. Several ornate floats on wheels serve as the stage for talented young actors. The floats are paraded along the main street as they a few stops to put on the kabuki plays. On Dec. 1, 2016 (JST), it was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as one of 33 "Yama, Hoko, and Yatai float festivals in Japan." Also see my YouTube video. MAP

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As part of the Nagahama Shusse Matsuri festival, the Nagahama Kimono Garden Party is held on a Sat. in mid-October in central Nagahama culminating in a huge gathering of kimono ladies at Daitsuji Temple for a grand prize drawing. It is preceded by a matchlock gun demonstration at Nagahama Castle.

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This is Nagahama's popular shopping area. "Kurokabe" means black wall. The glass shop and workshop, the Otemon-dori shopping arcade, the Hikiyama Museum, and Ando House are the main attractions. MAP

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Nagahama's most famous temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu sect, Otani school. Inside are fusuma sliding doors with exquisite paintings. Near Kurokabe Square. MAP

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The site of a historic battle between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuie, Mt. Shizugatake today provides grand views of Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo. Take a bus from Kinomoto Station on the JR Hokuriku Line, get off at Ooto. Then go up the chair lift. The mountain also has a few hiking trails. More about Kinomoto here. MAP

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Nishi-Azai in northern Nagahama is one of Shiga's most scenic areas. There is a museum for the Maruko-bune boat, a once common sight on the lake before trains came to fore. MAP
Sugaura is a quaint lakeshore village on a peninsula. It is will be designated as an Important Cultural Landscape. A pleasant trail goes along the lakeshore trail. MAP
Oku-Biwako Parkway is a scenic mountain road on a peninsula in northern Shiga Prefecture providing great views of Lake Biwa. The most strenuous part of bicycling around Lake Biwa, but you get some of the best views. MAP

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Lake Yogo is a small but scenic and serene lake north of Lake Biwa. It is famous for the legend of the swan maiden. You can walk or bicycle around the lake. Near Yogo Station on the JR Hokuriku Line. Rental bicycles available at Yogo Station. MAP

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One of Shiga's rarest and unusual festivals was held for the first time in six years on May 4, 2009. Held by Nyu Shrine deep in a mountain valley of Yogo in northern Nagahama, the festival featured sacred dances by boys dressed as girls, three floats topped with lofty "balancing act" decorations, and a procession of colorful dancers. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Odani Castle in northern Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, was originally built in 1524 atop Mt. Odani (495 m). The Azai clan called it home for three generations until Azai Nagamasa was defeated by Oda Nobunaga in 1573. Nobunaga bestowed the castle to Hashiba (Toyotomi) Hideyoshi. However, Toyotomi built and occupied a castle in Nagahama, abandoning Odani. No buildings have survived, but there are many rock walls and foundations remaining. Odani Castle enjoyed the spotlight in 2011 when NHK TV broadcast a year-long period drama centering on one of Nagamasa's daughters named Go. MAP

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The Azai area has historic ties to nearby Odani Castle and Anegawa River (battle). This unique museum complex (also called Oichi-no-Sato) consists of three buildings including two thatched-roof houses with interesting displays including silk production. Learn more about the Azai Clan, Odani Castle, and the Battle of Anegawa. Well worth a trip. 滋賀県長浜市大依町528 MAP

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Mt. Toragozen-yama has low hills, ancient tumuli, shrines, and campgrounds. It also affords a fine view of the town. Beautiful in spring with numerous cherry trees. It is also a historical battle site. Near the foot is also the Jiyukan Hall for exhibitions, tourist info, and a place to relax and meet. Near JR Torahime Station on the JR Hokuriku Line.

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Besides Mt. Toragozen, Torahime's sights include noted temples Gomura Betsuin, Gyokusenji (Gansan Daishi), and the Wooden Seated Kannon Statue in the Kannon-do Hall.

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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). 15-min. walk from JR Torahime Station. Website: http://torass.com/

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This temple is noted for its giant statue of Jizo, one of Japan's three largest Jizo statues. Jizo is the guardian deity of children and travelers. The temple's real name is Joshinji (浄信寺). It's along the old Hokkoku Kaido road going to the Hokuriku region. The temple's Kinomoto Jizo Ennichi Festival held on Aug. 22-25 is one of Kinomoto town's major events. MAP

Kinomoto-juku in northern Nagahama is a former lodging post town along the old Hokkoku Kaido Road going to the Hokuriku region. It was Kinomoto-juku's main street. It is also known as the place where Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo's wife Chiyo bought a fine horse for her husband. Other sights include Shakudoji temple and Kinomoto Station. MAP

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Near JR Takatsuki Station are several notable sights. Amenomori Hoshu-an museum, dedicated to Takatsuki native and Confucian scholar Amenomori Hoshu (1668-1755) who was Japan's main diplomat to Korea in the mid-Edo Period. Doganji Temple (Kogenji) is the keeper of the town's symbol: A beautiful 11-face Kannon statue designated as a National Treasure. Nearby is the Kannon Folk History Museum (Kannon no Sato Rekishi Minzoku Shiryokan) with numerous Kannon statues on display. And the Deai-no-Mori local public library has an exhibition room for famed novelist Inoue Yasushi who visited Takatsuki many times. Kita-Omi Resort is a natural hot spring facility complemented by a few restaurants and even the Egypt Pavilion from Aichi Expo 2005. MAP

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Hayasaki (Hayazaki) Naiko was an attached lake to Lake Biwa until it was filled in as reclaimed land in 1970. A number of attached lakes in Shiga were reclaimed to make rice paddies amid a shortage of food after the war. This has proven to be detrimental to Lake Biwa's ecology, and now Shiga wants to restore Hayasaki's reclaimed land back to an attached lake. In Nov. 2001, part of the land was flooded with water as an experiment, and the ensuing plant and wildlife were observed. MAP
The Kohoku Waterfowl Park has a lake shore where migratory birds like tundra swans and bean geese gather. A convenient waterfowl observation center makes it easy to observe the birds. Also see Kohoku Mizudori Station, a roadside shop and restaurant (michi-no-eki) selling local products. MAP
This Kohoku-cho area has a nice bicycling path and Minamihama swimming beach.

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Nagahama Station, new and old. Nagahama's first train station building is also preserved as Nagahama Railroad Square, now a railway and train museum. The new train station (opened in Oct. 2006) is modeled after the first one. MAP

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Every Jan.-Mar., the Keiunkan, a former guesthouse originally built in 1887 to accommodate Emperor Meiji when he visited Nagahama, holds the Nagahama Bonbaiten exhibition (Nagahama Bonsai Plum Blossom Trees). The Keiunkan is near Nagahama Station's west exit, toward the south end. MAP

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Yanmar Museum was opened in March 2013 to mark the company's 100th anniversary. Besides showing off Yanmar's diesel engines, rice-farming tractors, and the life of Yanmar founder Yamaoka Magokichi from Takatsuki, there are interactive exhibits fun for kids (and adults). NOTE: Yanmar Museum is CLOSED for year-long renovations until around Sept. 2019. MAP

The Kunitomo Gun Museum (Kunitomo teppo no sato Shiryokan 国友鉄砲の里資料館} is also worth a visit. Located where the gunsmiths lived and worked. MAP

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Sugatani Spa is a hot spring near Mt. Odani. The hot spring water has been used since centuries ago. Sugatani hot spring is famous for being a favorite of Ichi, the sister of feudal lord Oda Nobunaga and wife of Lord Azai Nagamasa in the 16th century. She lived in nearby Odani Castle. Rebuilt in 2004, the bathing facilities are still quite new. MAP

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Lord Ishida Mitsunari was born in 1560 in Ishida village in Shiga Pref. The area can be reached by bus from Nagahama Station. His birthplace and former residence have monuments dedicated to this fallen but revered leader of the Western Forces which lost to Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Take a bus from Nagahama Station and get off at Ishida bus stop. 長浜市石田町 MAP

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Anegawa River was the site of a major battle with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeating Azai Nagamasa and the Asakura clan on Aug. 9 1570. The area was left with so many dead that the river ran red, and local place names such as Chibara (Blood Field) stuck.

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Dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this shrine is a 3-min. walk from Nagahama Station. It holds the Toka Ebisu Festival on Jan. 9-11. Ebisu is one of the seven gods of good fortune. MAP

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The city's most popular shrine on New Year's Day. About 150,000 people worship at the beginning of the new year. It also holds the annual Hikiyama Float Festival in April. MAP

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In concert with NHK TV’s year-long Taiga Drama called Go–Himetachi no Sengoku (Go–Noble Ladies of Feudal Japan), Nagahama is holding a year-long mini expo called Go and Azai Sister Trio Expo (Go–Azai Sanshimai Hakurankai 江・浅井三姉妹博覧会) from Jan. 15 to Dec. 4, 2011.

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Nagahama Sengoku Taiga Furusato-haku, or Nagahama Warring States Hometown Expo, is a feudal history expo held from March 24 to Dec. 2, 2012. The expo highlights three areas of interest in Nagahama: Odani Castle and Azai, Kinomoto and Mt. Shizugatake, and central Nagahama and Chikubushima island. The main expo pavilion is in Kinomoto. The expo focuses on the Battle of Shizugatake and Anegawa River.

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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats carried around the streets and in Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal. On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2018, Year of the Dog. Also see my video at YouTube.

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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats carried around the streets and in Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal. On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. Also see my video at YouTube.
The second day (Sun.) of the Sagicho Festival is the climax. During the day, the Sagicho floats collide with each other and try to topple each other. At night, the floats are set afire. Sagicho is actually a fire festival. Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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Held annually on April 14-15, the Hachiman Matsuri is Shiga's biggest fire festival. Giant torches made of straw as tall as 10 meters are set on fire starting from 8 pm on the 14th. The festival is prayer for an abundant harvest. Very dramatic and impressive. MAP

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As part of the old Hachiman Castle atop Mt. Hachiman-yama, Hachiman-bori moat enabled boats to ply to Hachiman Castle from Lake Biwa. In April, many cherry blossom trees lining the moat make it a beautiful place to stroll. MAP

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At 271 meters high, this mountaintop was the site of Hachiman Castle built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu in 1585. Now home to Zuiryuji temple of the Nichiren Sect, some of the castle's stone walls still remain. Great views of Lake Biwa and Omi-Hachiman, as well as fall colors. Easily accessible via ropeway near Hachiman-bori canal. MAP

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Built in 1579 by Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its octagonal castle tower. It was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. The castle is on a hill in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. A replica of the top portion of the castle tower is displayed at a museum nearby the castle ruins. More about Azuchi here. MAP

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Held in early June, festival held for Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Various events and activities highlighted by the Musha Gyoretsu warrior procession and a demonstration of firing matchlock guns. The boat ride along the moat was also enjoyable. Photos taken on June 4, 2006. Also see the video at YouTube. MAP

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Born in Kansas, William Merrell Vories (1880-1964) moved to Omi-Hachiman in 1905 to work as an English teacher while engaging in Christian missionary activities. He always had an interest in architecture and never had formal training as an architect, but he studied on his own and opened his own architectural firm in Omi-Hachiman in 1908. He and his firm went on to design numerous buildings in Shiga and other places in Japan. Omi-Hachiman still has a number of Vories buildings intact, including his former residence.

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Along Shinmachi-dori road are a few historic former homes of Omi merchants. This area is also a designated traditional building preservation area. More about Omi-Hachiman here. MAP

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The Suigo boat ride in waterways connected to Lake Biwa is a major tourist attraction in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. We (two of us) were lucky to have the entire boat all to ourselves. MAP

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The 31st temple on the Saigoku (Western Japan) Pilgrimage circuit, Chomeiji (Long Life Temple) worships the Kannon goddess dedicated to long life and good health. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect. Local buses run from Omi-Hachiman Station to Chomeiji. MAP

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Held annually on May 4 at Shinoda Shrine, the Shinoda Hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks display. Torch fireworks, Niagara Falls, and panel-type fireworks provide an explosive experience. Good for people who cannot wait till summer to see fireworks in Japan. Walk from Omi-Hachiman Station. Intangible Folk Cultural Property. MAP

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Okishima (Okinoshima) is Lake Biwa's largest island inhabited by over 400 residents, mainly into fishing. It is a short boat ride away from Omi-Hachiman's Horikiri port. MAP

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Musa-juku was the sixty-sixth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the seventh Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Echigawa-juku in Aisho), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near Ohmi Railways Musa Station, a short ride from Omi-Hachiman. MAP

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Besides the castle ruins, Azuchi in eastern Shiga Prefecture has a number of interesting and scenic places. See canals and rivers as well as archaelogical museums.

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Pictures of other sights in Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture including Omi-Hachman Station and a yoshibue reed flute concert in Azuchi. More about Omi-Hachiman here.

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One of the largest temple complexes in Japan, Enryakuji is the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. The temple was founded by Saicho to protect Kyoto from the demons of the northeast. Mt. Hiei is the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japanese Buddhist sects once trained on Mt. Hiei. Enryakuji is also part of a World Heritage Site called ''Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto'' and noted for National Treasures. MAP

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At the eastern foot of Mt. Hiei is the temple and shrine town of Sakamoto. It was the gateway to Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei. As such, retired Enryakuji priests were granted smaller temples in Sakamoto which still has many small temples associated with Enryakuji. The area is noted for stone walls and a traditional look, enough to designate it as a National Historic Landscape Area. Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and Saikyoji temple are the two most prominent in Sakamoto, easily accessible from Sakamoto Station on the Keihan Line and JR Hiezan-Sakamoto Station on the JR Kosei Line. MAP

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Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine at the foot of Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture is the head shrine for all Hiyoshi, Hie, and Sanno Shrines in Japan (around 2,000). Near Sakamoto (Keihan Line) and Hie-zan Sakamoto (JR Kosei Line), this shrine is noted for two shrines designated as National Treasures. The fall leaves in Nov. with 3,000 maple trees are also lit up at night 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm. In April, it holds the Sanno Festival. MAP

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Held by Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and one of Shiga Prefecture's largest festivals, the annual Sanno-sai Festival is held during April 12-15 and features various ceremonies and processions, violent rocking of portable shrines, and a boat procession on Lake Biwa. Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple also participate. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage. The temple is noted for National Treasure architecture, cherry blossoms, and fall leaves.
Also, much of the epic novel "Genji Monogatari" or Tale of Genji was written at Ishiyama-dera by Lady Murasaki Shikibu in 1008. More about Otsu here.. MAP

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Established in the 7th century, Miidera temple, or Onjoji, is one of Otsu's major temples and one of Japan's four largest temples. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei. It is a complex of numerous structures including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The temple bell is famous for being one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) depicted in ukiyoe prints. Also noted for cherry blossoms in early April and lit up at night. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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One of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10. The first day of the festival has the floats parked and displayed on the streets and lit up at night (Yoimiya). The second day is the festival climax with a procession of all the floats highlighted by performances by karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats. Also see my YouTube video.

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Omi Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji who moved the capital to Otsu in 667. The shrine also holds the annual karuta card festival in Jan. and yabusame horseback archery on the first Sunday in June at 12:30 pm. Emperor Tenji/Tenchi also produced Japan's first clock which was a water clock. The shrine has a replica of this clock as well as a clock museum with thousands of clocks on display. MAP

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Katata is on the west shore of Lake Biwa in Otsu and most noted for the Ukimido Floating Temple (Mangetsu-ji). This temple jutting into the lake is famous as one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) and thus one of Shiga's most scenic views, even today despite the concrete (instead of wooden) stilts. Katata also has a number of monuments including the Biwako Aika (Lake Biwa Elegy) song monument. Katata is also on the west end of the Biwako Ohashi Bridge. MAP

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Omi-Maiko, on the western shore of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, is a popular beach during summer. Many Kyotoites go there for sunning and swimming. Other beaches along the western shore include Matsunoura and Manohama. include In March 2006, Shiga-cho merged with Otsu and Omi-Maiko became part of Otsu city. MAP

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The Michigan paddlewheel boat is based at Otsu Port, Shiga Prefecture and offers lake cruises around the southern part of Lake Biwa a few times a day. Michigan in the US is Shiga's sister state. Many cities in Shiga have sister-city ties with cities in Michigan. Also see the video at YouTube. MAP

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Otsu dominates southern and southwestern Shiga Prefecture. It has a long lakeshore centering on Hama-Otsu and Otsu Port. A nice lakefront path makes it easy to walk east to Biwako Bunkakan Museum, Otsu Prince Hotel, Omi Ohashi Bridge, Zeze Castle Park, and Awazu. Toward the west are the motor boat race course and the site of Sakamoto Castle. More about Otsu here. MAP

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Photos of cherry blossoms in Otsu including Zeze Castle, Ishiyama-dera, Miidera, and Biwako Sosui.

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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. Kyoto was thereby revitalized with electric power and a stable water supply. A second, almost parallel canal for drinking water was also constructed in 1912. The canal portion near Miidera temple in Otsu is also noted for cherry blossoms in early April. MAP

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One of Otsu's Big Three Festivals, the Senko-sai is a portable shrine procession on boats going down Seta River from Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge to Nango sluice and back. Held annually on Aug. 17 by Takebe Taisha Shrine near the bridge. The festival starts at 5 pm when the portable shrines leave the shrine, and climaxes with fireworks on Seta River after the boats return at about 8:00 pm. MAP

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Seta River is the only river flowing out of Lake Biwa. Major sights along the river include Seta Karahashi Bridge and the Seta Castle ruins. Rowing regattas are also held. The river also becomes very picturesque as you leave Lake Biwa. MAP

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Kyoto University's rowing club went on their annual Lake Biwa rowing trip during Aug. 9-11, 2006. In three wooden boats, they started from their base at Seta River in southern Lake Biwa. First they rowed north to Omi-Maiko where they lodged overnight. Then rowed to Chomeiji (Omi-Hachiman) across the lake where they stayed at a temple. On the third day, from Chomeiji to Manohama, then back to home base.

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Rowing club near the Lake Biwa Rowing Course in eastern Otsu. The club offers 2-hour rowing lessons on Sundays during non-winter months. Web site here

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Operated by Shiga Prefecture, Uminoko, nicknamed "Lake Biwa Floating School," is a large boat for kids to study Lake Biwa. All 5th graders in Shiga go on an overnight voyage on this boat to learn more about the lake and boating. The first and original Uminoko ship was built in 1983 and retired in 2018. It was replaced by a new Uminoko ship (same name) in May 2018.

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This pine tree in Karasaki, Shiga Prefecture is famous as one of the Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi). It is within the grounds of a shrine. MAP

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Photos of the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon held on March 4, 2018 in Otsu. Saw them at the start line at Ojiyama Stadium and later at Lake Biwa Canal a few km before the finish. Kenyan Macharia NDIRANGU won the 73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon in 2:07'53". NAKAMURA Shogo #中村匠吾 was 7th at 2:10'51".

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Two of Japan's most prestigious universities, the University of Tokyo (Todai) and Kyoto University (Kyodai), hold an annual boat-rowing race alternating between Lake Biwa's Seta River and Saitama Prefecture's Toda Boat Course in Toda Park. This is the 57th regatta between the two rival schools held on July 8, 2006 at Seta River.

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Annual regatta held on Seta River near Seta-Karahashi Bridge on July 29, 2007. Sixty rowing teams (300 people) of all ages rowed in five categories. The Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD was awarded to all the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in all five categories. Organized by the Seta Rowing Club in Otsu.

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Japan's largest annual regatta is held in southern Lake Biwa where the lake meets Seta River. Almost 600 rowers from junior high schoolers to age 60 and over competed during May 3-6, 2006 for the 59th Asahi Regatta. Boys and girls and men and women rowed in teams of one, two, four, or eight in over 230 rowing races (1,000 meters). These pictures were taken on May 6, the final day.

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The 6th annual Lake Biwa Kaitsuburi (Little Grebe) Regatta was held on Sept. 16, 2007. This regatta is mainly for ordinary people of all ages wanting to row. The Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD was also awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each of the nine categories. Little Grebe (called kaitsuburi) is Shiga's official bird.

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Two major summer festivals in Otsu include the Biwako Otsu Natsu Matsuri featuring the Goshu Ondo bon dance and the Biwako Fireworks both held in early Aug. The Shiga B-kyu (B-grade) Gourmet Battle is also a major draw since 2011.

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Other sights in Otsu including Gichuji temple (haiku poet Basho Matsuo's grave), the renovated Otsu Station and The Calendar restaurant, Shiga Prefectural Government, Ogoto, Museum of Modern Art, and Seian University.

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Since 1969, the government-run Japan Racing Association (JRA) has trained jockeys and race horses in Ritto. It offers free tours of this large, impressive facility on Sunday afternoons and early Wednesday mornings. These photos were taken on the Sunday tour. More about Ritto here. MAP

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Ritto is dotted with numerous ancient tumuli. Painstaking work is being conducted to unearth and clean ancient artifacts. There is even an archeaological museum next to the Wada Tumuli, a group of small tumuli. MAP

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Ritto tourist pamphlets show a map of a history and nature walk from Tehara Station taking you to see the History Museum, nature forest, Mt. Anyoji, tumuli, etc. You don't need to walk much of the route drawn on the map (take a bus instead). And there are very few signs showing the way to the sights. Mt. Anyoji has no legible signs nor map. MAP

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Dedicated to Susano-O no Mikoto, this shrine is a short walk from JR Ritto Station. MAP

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Other pictures of Ritto city.

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Held annually on May 3 by a few Shinto shrines in Ryuo and neighboring Higashi-Omi in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, the Kenketo Festival is mainly a naginata (pole sword) dance and procession by boys dressed in costume. The main venue is Suginoki Shrine in Yamanoue, Ryuo town, Shiga. Also see my YouTube Video here. MAP

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A small shrine called Kobiyoshi Jinja holds the Yuge no Hi Matsuri fire festival on the evening of May 1. After small torches, tossing flares, lots of firecrackers, and fireworks, two giant torches made of straw are set afire as well as other fireworks on the ground. Also see my YouTube video here.
From Omi-Hachiman Station No. 4 bus stop, board the bus for Okaya Minami and get off at Nishikawa Higashi-guchi bus stop. The ride is about 13 min. From the bus stop, the shrine is a 10-min. walk. You can also take a taxi from Omi-Hachiman Station. Taxi would be required on the way back to Omi-Hachiman since the buses will not be running after the festival is over. MAP

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Facing a busy road in the center of Ryuo-cho, Namura Jinja Shrine is noted for its elegant-looking, thatched-roof main gate and Nishi Honden hall which is a National Treasure. The shrine's architecture is from the Kamakura Period. On May 5 (Children's Day), it holds the Sekku Matsuri Festival featuring yabusame horseback archery. MAP

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On the east side of Ryuo Town, this ancient mountain is home to over 200 tumuli built during the 5th to 7th centuries. In 2013, it was designated as a National Historic Site. It also has a few hiking trails. It takes about 90-120 min. to go up and down the mountain. There are some fine views from the trails. At the foot is Ryuoji Temple (龍王寺) and Tenjin Shrine. MAP

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Ryuo-cho (Ryuoh) is a small town and largely agricultural with no train station. Take a bus from JR Omi-Hachiman Station's North Exit to reach Ryuo town in 15 min. or so. With Mitsui Outlet Park, Ryuo is also popular with shoppers. For families, Agri-Park Ryuo is a local farmer's market where they sell local produce. There's also a pond with swan boats, farm museum, and petting zoo.

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Taga Taisha Shrine is Shiga Prefecture's most popular Shinto shrine during New Year's with over 400,000 worshippers. Photos taken on New Year's Day in 2014. Also see the video at YouTube. More about Taga here. MAP

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Feb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune. Taga Taisha had impressive ogre (called oni in Japanese) dancers from Shimane Prefecture to act as the demons to chase away during the festival. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Held annually on April 22, this is a long procession featuring Shinto priests, children in costume, women warriors, and more people on 40 horses. A total of 500 people were in the procession. There is a morning procession from Taga Taisha to Totonomiya Shrine deep in Taga's countryside, and an afternoon (main) procession going to the Otabisho, a short distance away from Taga Taisha. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Held annually on the first Sunday in June, the Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri rice-planting festival has 70 local junior high school girls planting rice in the shrine's sacred rice paddy. There's also a stage for ceremonial performances and rituals. A ceremony starts at 1 pm at the shrine, then the rice planting starts at the nearby sacred rice paddy at 2 pm. These photos were taken on June 1, 2008. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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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. Various sacred dances and entertainment are also held nightly during the festival. These photos were taken on Aug. 5, 2007. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Other sights in Taga, Shiga Prefecture such as Taga Taisha-mae Station.

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Near JR Makino Station, Kaizu-Osaki is a very scenic stretch along the northern shore of Lake Biwa in Makino, Shiga Prefecture. Seeing it by boat on a sakura cruise is also highly recommended. One of Japan's 100 Famous Sakura Spots. Bumper-to-bumper trafffic jams are the result during cherry blossoms season. MAP

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Shin-Asahi in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture has a neighborhood called Harie where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata. Shin-Asahi also has a scenic shoreline, bird sanctuary, and Dutch-style windmill. MAP

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Imazu in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture is on the northwest corner of Lake Biwa. Imazu has boats going to and from Chikubushima island. The town is also famous as the birthplace of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta). It even holds an annual choir contest in June just for this song. More about the song here. MAP

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On Aug. 8, 2007, I went with over 45 members of this rowing club to row across Lake Biwa from Nagahama to Imazu. They took turns rowing on different boats, including two traditional, fixed-seat boats made of wood. Also see my YouTube video here. 今津中学校ボート部の長浜〜今津の琵琶湖周航に参加しました。

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Takashima-cho in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture is Takashima city's southern-most area. Belonging to Shirahige Shrine, the torii in the lake is in Takashima-cho and one of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. Also find the ruins of Omizo Castle, and Hagi-no-Hama and Shirahige-no-Hama swimming beaches. More about Takashima here. MAP

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A procession of five ornate floats are pulled around the neighborhood of JR Omi-Takashima Station (JR Kosei Line). The festival eve on May 3 has the floats festooned with paper lanterns as they are pulled around. On May 4, they pull the floats around during the day and gather at Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine which holds the festival annually. Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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Adogawa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture is proud of their favorite son, 17th-century Confucian philosopher Nakae Toju. Near JR Adogawa Station, see a Chinese-style garden, museum, shrine, gravesite, and drawing room all related to Toju. The city celebrated the 400th anniversary of his birth in 2008. Adogawa also has lakeside beaches and rivers. MAP

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Held annually on May 4 at Oarahiko Shrine in Takashima, this festival features a procession of yakko-furi procession, yabusame horse runs, and portable shrine procession. This is the largest festival in the Kosei area (western Shiga) and the only one featuring horses in Kosei. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line). Also see my video at YouTube. MAP

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Makino is Takashima's northern-most area, tucked into the northwest corner of Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. It has a number of sights such as Makino Highland, Makino Sunny Beach, and Kaizu. MAP

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Held annually by Kaizuten Jinja Shrine on April 29, this local festival features men dressed as sumo wrestlers (rikishi) carrying two mikoshi portable shrines around their respective neighborhoods. They wear kesho mawashi ceremonial aprons. They jostle the mikoshi during the day, and then at night they go to the shrine for the festival climax with lit torches. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Held annually on April 18 by Hioki 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. There are also children in costume playing music with drums and bells and others carrying a decorated branch called sanyare. The red, white, and blue motif caught my American eye. Photos taken on April 18, 2009. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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The 3rd Imazu Regatta was held off the shore of Imazu on Aug. 17, 2008. Organized by the Takashima-Imazu Rowing Club NPO, over 100 rowers, young and old, participated. Some even came from Kyoto and Osaka. The "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" CD was donated as one of the prizes to the 1st place finishers. The CD was also played as the regatta's background music. Also see my YouTube video here.

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Toyosato, Shiga Prefecture gained national attention when an old elementary school building designed by William Merrell Vories was going to be torn down by the mayor in opposition to activists who wanted to preserve the building. The old building still remains while a new school was built. After being renovated and made earthquake-resistant, the old school building reopened in May 2009. It now has an exhibition room, public library, local board of education offices, and a children's room. The school has also become nationally famous as the backdrop for the popular K-ON! anime/manga series. MAP

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Itoh Chube'e (1842-1903) was the founder of Itochu Corporation (C. Itoh) and Marubeni, two of Japan's largest trading companies, in 1858. This house displays his former residence and some of his possessions. A short walk from Toyosato Station, the house is open to the public on Tue., Thu., and Sat. Free admission. More about Toyosato-cho here. MAP

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Other sights in Toyosato-cho such as Toyosato Station.

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Over 35 portable shrines are paraded around Hyozu Taisha Shrine. Two of them are carried only by women. They are called "Ayame," meaning iris flowers. One is a portable shrine (mikoshi) and the other is a taiko drum. Other mikoshi are carried by children and men. The festival is held annually on May 5 at Hyozu Taisha Shrine. Photos shot on May 5, 2010. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Established in 717 (Nara Period), Hyozu Taisha worships a god named Onamuchi-no-Mikoto (大己貴命) also called Yachihoko (八千矛神). Onamuchi-no-Mikoto is a god of nation-building, farming, business, and medicine. It is the same god worshipped by Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture. Yachihoko is known as the god of military strength. The shrine also has a nationally noted Japanese garden. A short bus ride from JR Yasu Station. More about Yasu here. MAP

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Held on the fourth Sunday in May in a sacred rice paddy near Mikami Shrine, women and men in colorful costumes plant rice seedlings accompanied by singing, taiko drumming, and dancing. Starts at 10 am with a Shinto ceremony, then the rice planting is held from 10:30 am to 11 am. The rice paddy is called Yuki Saiden (悠紀斎田記念田) which was the used to produce the rice used for the Showa Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne in 1928. Near Yamade-mae bus stop near the foot of Mt. Mikami. Also see my YouTube video here. MAP

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Mikami Jinja is near the foot of Mt. Mikami. Its Honden main hall is a National Treasure. Three other buildings are Important Cultural Properties. The shrine worships a deity called Amenomikage-no-Mikoto. Accessible by bus from JR Yasu Station. Get off at Mikami Jinja-mae. MAP

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Nicknamed "Omi-Fuji" (Shiga's Mt. Fuji) since its conical shape resembles Mt. Fuji, Mt. Mikami is a sacred mountain belonging to Mikami Shrine near the foot. The mountain is easy to spot from afar. An elevation of 432 meters makes it a fairly easy climb to the top, taking 40-80 min. depending on which trail you take. There is a steep trail and a less steep trail which takes longer to go up. I took the less steep trail. MAP

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Large prefectural park featuring a large grassy lawn, sports facilities, camping facilities, and seminar facilities. MAP

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Dotaku means bronze bell. Yasu is the site of the discovery of Japan's largest ancient bronze bells. This museum explains the history and discovery. In fall 2013, Japan's largest bronze bell, normally at Tokyo National Museum, was exhibited for the first time. Adjacent to the museum is a nice park with replicas of Yayoi Period grass huts. The museum is open 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if national holiday). 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 only a few minutes. From bus stop, cross the road to get to the museum. The bus stop to go back to Yasu Station is up the slope on the other side of the road where you got off. You can ask the museum about the bus times to go back. Buses run infrequently. Bus schedule for weekdays, Sat. and Sun. here. Or 10 min. by taxi. Map

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Yasu is blessed with not one but two Shinto shrines designated as National Treasures. One of them is Osasahara Shrine tucked in a lush pocket of rural greenery. MAP

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The Sports Recreation (Spo-rec) event is a national sports meet held annually for adults of all ages. The 21st Spo-rec was held in Shiga during Oct. 18-21, 2008. The opening ceremony was held on Oct. 18 at Kibogaoka Park in Yasu. The park also had numerous food and souvenir booths, new sports demonstrations, and stage entertainment where we performed the "Lake Biwa Rowing Song."

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Hikone's official mascot, Hiko-nyan, made its overseas debut in Honolulu, Hawaii. He appeared in the 30th Pan-Pacific Festival (also called “Matsuri in Hawaii”) parade on June 7, 2009 from 5 pm to 7 pm along Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki. This festival celebrates and promotes relations between Hawaii and Pacific Rim countries, mainly Japan.

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Every few years, all the Shiga Kenjinkai in Japan and overseas gather for a convention for a few days. During Nov. 12-14, 2007, the 11th international convention was held in Shiga for the first time in 16 years. Concerts, symposiums, dinners, Lake Biwa boat cruise, and hometown exhibits were featured with some 350+ attending, including the Shiga governor. There are currently 71 Shiga Kenjinkai groups. More about the Shiga Kenjinkai here. Also see my video at YouTube.

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The Grand Omi Fair (Dai Omi-ten) is held annually at Takashimaya Dept. Store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo for several days in Jan. or Feb. Food and products from Shiga spread over a large area attracted large crowds.

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New Year's party held at Tokyo Prince Hotel on Jan. 26, 2007 by the Tokyo Shiga Kenjinkai.

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The Shiga LakeStars basketball team in the bj League is Shiga's first pro sports team. Their professional debut game was held on Oct. 11, 2008 at Shiga Prefectural Gym in Otsu. They played against Osaka Evessa, a strong team and last year's champion. The team consists of both Japanese and foreign (mostly American) players including Bobby Nash from Hawaii. The head coach is Robert Pierce.

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On Jan. 11, 2009, the Shiga LakeStars pro basketball team played against Fukuoka Rizing in one of the most exciting games so far. The game ended as a tie and went into overtime. Unfortunately, the LakeStars lost by only 3 points. The game started at 2 pm at the Shiga Prefectural Gymnasium in Otsu.

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On the evening of March 6, 2009, the Tokyo Apache basketball team played an exciting game against the Shiga LakeStars at Komazawa Gymnasium in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.

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bj-league pro basketball game held on March 22, 2009 at the Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall (Shiga Kenritsu Bunka Sangyo Koryu Kaikan) near Maibara Station. This was the last game in the 2008-2009 season which I attended.

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Kyoto Hannaryz is the thirteenth franchise in the bj-league pro basketball league in Japan. These photos show their pro debut on Oct. 3, 2009 against the Shiga Lakestars in the 2009-2010 season's opening game held at Kyoto City Gymnasium at 2 pm. They lost their debut game, but came back and beat the Lakestars the next day.

142 files, last one added on Oct 05, 2009
Album viewed 1243 times

On Oct. 10, 2009 (Sat.), the Shiga Lakestars played against Takamatsu Five Arrows for its first home game for the 2009-2010 season. The game was held at the Yasu Sogo Taiikukan Gymnasium.

106 files, last one added on Oct 14, 2009
Album viewed 167 times

On Oct. 24, 2009, the Shiga Lakestars played against Osaka Evessa at the Moriyama Shimin Taiikukan gymnasium. It was a very close and exciting game as Osaka was a strong team. But the Lakestars came out on top for their second weekend of home games for the 2009-2010 season.

82 files, last one added on Oct 27, 2009
Album viewed 184 times

The Shiga Lakestars played a home game in Hikone for the first time on Oct. 31, 2009 (Sat.). They played the Takamatsu Five Arrows and won 93-79. Special guest was Hiko-nyan, Hikone's official mascot and Shiga's favorite cat.

90 files, last one added on Nov 02, 2009
Album viewed 175 times

On March 6, 2010 (Sat.), the Shiga Lakestars played against Tokyo Apache. Held at the Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium in Yokohama, this was also the debut game of newly-acquired Mikey Marshall.

132 files, last one added on Mar 26, 2010
Album viewed 861 times