Hikone Castle Nishinomaru & Moat Boat 彦根城 西の丸・彦根城お堀めぐり
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After seeing the main castle tower, walk behind it to also see the Nishinomaru keep. This is the rear view of Hikone Castle's main tenshu tower as seen from Nishonomaru in fall.
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Rear of castle tower.
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Behind the castle tower is Nishinomaru keep which is west of the castle tower.
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Path to Nishinomaru in spring. This area is also good for pinicking.
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If you walk further, you will see Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is usually closed to the public, but opened during the 400th anniversary in 2007.
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is said to have formerly been the tenshu castle tower of Odani Castle in Nagahama. 西の丸三重櫓
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. "Sanju" means three stories. You can see the 3-story turret and go up the 2nd and 3rd floors.
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. (Important Cultural Property)
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. Quite authentic.
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Beam joint inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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No nails
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Top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.
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View from top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.
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View from top floor of Hikone Castle's Nishinomaru turret.
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Sawayama Castle site as seen from Hikone Castle.
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You can walk further to go behind Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret and this is what you will see.
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Behind Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Rear view of Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Moat of Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Scale model of original Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.
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Site of Kannon-dai temple that was here before the castle was built. Near Nishinomaru.
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About Kannon-dai temple
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Lake Biwa as seen from Nishinomaru.
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After visiting the Hikone Castle Tower. There are a few ways to exit. One way is going through this Otemon Gate to Kyobashi Bridge.
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Kyobashi Bridge 京橋
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Hikone Castle moat in autumn from Kyobashi Bridge.
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Kyobashi Bridge goes to Yume-Castle Road which is a street of local shops and restaurants. In the moat, you might see a few black swans which were gifts from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture.
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Ride the moat boat on the Inner Moat (内堀) around the Honmaru. Operates once an hour from 10 am to 3 pm. The 45-min. tour has a Japanese guide narrating the sights.
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The quiet-motor Yakatabune boat is a replica of the daimyo's boat.
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Moat boat departure times and fares as of May 2013. Board the boat near the Genkyuen Garden entrance.
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Koedo Hikone NPO started operating "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats in the moats of Hikone Castle as a tourist attraction for the castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. They operate 6 rides per day around the castle, taking 50 min.Boat landing for the Hikone-jo Ohori Meguri boat ride. Near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden. They operate "yakata-bune" Japanese-style boats as a tourist attraction.
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Hikone Castle Moat Boat Ride Poster
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Inside Japanese-style yakata-bune boat. Seats 11 people on tatami mats. The roof is very low. 彦根城お堀めぐり
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It certainly gives you a different perspective of the castle as you see the moat, castle tower, and bridges from the water. The ride costs 1,200 yen.
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Heading toward Otemon Gate/Bridge
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Otemon Bridge
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Going under Otemon Bridge. Wooden boards protect the bridge posts from the boat.
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The boat is powered by very silent, battery-powered outboard motors.
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Otemon Bridge
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A few of the stones in the wall are black. Some say those stones might have come from Azuchi Castle after it was burned to the ground.
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The next Otemon Bridge
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Castle tower as seen from the moat
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Castle tower
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The boat includes a narrator who explains about the castle and moat and swans.
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End of the moat. The moat once was connected to Lake Biwa, but not anymore since the lake's water level does not match the moat's water level.
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End of the moat. Lake Biwa is right beyond. This is where we make a U-turn.
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Black swan in Hikone Castle's moat, a gift from Mito in Ibraraki Prefecture.
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Ready to pass under Otemon Bridge again.
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Boat landing is near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden.
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The second yakata-bune boat. They referred to old drawings, etc., and carefully built the boat to resemble Edo-Era yakata-bune.
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End of the 50-min. ride. It was pleasant, and highly recommended. Boat landing for the Hikone-jo Ohori Meguri boat ride is near the entrance to Genkyu-en Garden.
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