 Most viewed - Imazu 今津町 |
Lake Biwa shore in Imazu, with a boat landing in the distance259 views
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Scenic water on sunny day, Takashima224 views
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Imazu in winter201 views
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Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.191 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta Birthplace Monument, Imazu. This is Imazu's second monument for the song. 全歌詞碑の「琵琶湖周航の歌」誕生の地 今津。今津港。背景には竹生島行きの船。181 viewsImazu has two monuments for the song. The first one is a lamp at the end of the pier (visible in this picture on the right of the boat). That was for Verse 3 which is written on the lamp post.
Later in 1994, Imazu town built this red clay monument to commemorate the song's birth in Imazu. The entire lyrics is also engraved. It is next to the Imazu boat pier where boats depart for Chikubushima. Looks like a red flame, but it's shaped after the geographical shape of Imazu town.
From Imazu, you can easily go to Chikubushima island, from which you can take another boat to go to Hikone or Nagahama. Going vice versa is possible too. It's a great way to cross the lake.
See more photos of Imazu here.
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Imazu also has a few buildings designed by William Merrell Vories like this former bank building in Imazu, Shiga Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP180 views
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Imazu Church, designed by William Merrell Vories. Next to the former bank building also designed by Vories.164 views
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The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.162 viewsThe song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song.
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Chikubushima as seen from Imazu Port161 views
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The lantern/monument has the Verse 3 lyrics mentioning a red fire on shore in Imazu. This is thought to be a lamp on the dock.161 views
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This is the old Imazu Port building. It was a two-story building with a small restaurant on the 2nd floor. Ironically, it had no enclosed interior space for passengers.158 views
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The monument has an engraving of rowers and song lyrics.157 views
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Old Imazu Port. Notice the "red flame" song monument on the right.128 views
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Shopping arcade on the west side of Omi-Imazu Station125 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flower 座禅草121 views
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Imazu has a pebble beach. Some sand as well.118 views
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Imazu's main lakeshore road leads to more tourist sights.118 views
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117 views
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Shopping arcade117 views
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Inside Omi-Imazu Station116 views
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Outdated photo: Arriving Imazu Port. This old port building was replaced by new building in March 2020. MAP115 views
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115 views
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Road from Imazu Port to Omi-Imazu Station.115 views
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Entrance to grove of Eastern Skunk Cabbage (zazenso). This is too far to walk from the train station, so you'll need a car to get here. 座禅草115 views
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Lake Biwa from Imazu shore. Mt. Ibuki in the distance.114 views
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List of cover versions by singers like Miyako Harumi, Kobayashi Akira, Watari Tetsuya, Baisho Chieko, Frank Nagai, and more.114 views
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Black kite going fishing トビ114 views
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Lakeshore road in winter112 views
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Model of fixed-seat boat used during Oguchi Taro's time in 1917.110 viewsModel of the fixed seat boat that Taro Oguchi and crew used to row around Lake Biwa. Displayed at the song museum in Imazu. The boat is quite stable and thus suited for long rowing trips. However, it became obsolete in the 1960s as competitive rowing boats incorporated sliding seats.
In 1993, a boat craftsman built two of these and donated them to Imazu. They measure 13.7 meters long and 1.25 meter wide. Seats 6 crew. They are available for rent at Imazu.
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Outdated photo: Red flame monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta song 琵琶湖周航の歌 歌碑109 views
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In winter, road toward Imazu Port109 views
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Made of wood. The seats do not move. It is an obsolete racing boat.108 views
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At the end of Imazu Port's dock is a lantern which is a song monument.107 views
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Omi-Imazu Station on JR Kosei Line, East Exit107 views
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In front of Omi-Imazu Station, East Exit107 views
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Omi-Imazu station, west side107 views
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Handpainted postcard from Taro Oguchi mailed from Imazu on June 28, 1917.106 viewsDuring the rowing trip, Oguchi wrote a postcard to a friend back at the school dorm in Kyoto. One side of the card has his watercolor painting of Omatsu with pine trees on the sandy beach and a boat pier. Oguchi was quite good at painting.
Oguchi sent the postcard from Imazu on June 28, 1917, in the evening sometime between 9 pm and midnight after arriving from Omatsu. He sent it to a friend named Hiroshi Kodama back at the school dorm in Kyoto. However, the friend never received the postcard since he was back in his hometown in Niigata Prefecture for the summer.
The postcard was returned to Oguchi who kept it. If his friend had received the postcard, he would have certainly thrown it away (as he later mentioned in an interview). This postcard has survived miraculously and it is key evidence for the exact date when they were in Imazu where the song was created.
On the postcard, Oguchi writes about how easy it was to row to Omatsu the day before, thanks to a strong tailwind. He notes that Omatsu was a lonely place with only one lodge. They tied up the boat in the pond and rolled around on the sand till late night while gazing at the moon and dreaming of a beautiful girl. That morning, they played tug of war (it was fun). He also mentions that they were to lodge in Imazu that night.
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Omi-Imazu Station, west side105 views
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104 views
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Omi-Imazu Station, west exit has bus stops for local buses.104 views
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Song monument and snow104 views
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Outdated photo: Waiting lounge at Imazu Port in winter.104 views
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On the shore is a small stone wall and foundation, the remains of the Kaga Clan's magistrate's office. Imazu was within the Kaga domain (centering on Ishikawa Prefecture) during the Edo Period.103 views
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Song monument buried in snow at Imazu Port in winter.103 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flower 座禅草103 views
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Sumiyoshi Jinja Shrine 住吉神社102 views
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Former bank building101 views
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101 views
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In the old Imazu Port building, snowy seats in winter.101 views
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These flowers actually generate heat, so if it's a snowy ground, the snow around the flower would be melted.101 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers 座禅草101 views
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Panel showing Japanese lyrics, old and new. Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan, Imazu100 viewsOne of the exhibition panels with the song lyrics showing all the little quirks and idiosyncrasies of the words. This is the first verse.
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Path through the grove of Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers 座禅草100 views
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View of Imazu shore from Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel. 今津サンブリッジホテル100 views
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99 views
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View of Imazu from Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel, Imazu's highest building.99 views
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View of Imazu from Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel.98 views
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Inside Chojiya. 98 views
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On Imazu's lakeshore road, Chojiya ryokan. From the roadside, it looks like a small building, but it has much depth toward the lake shore. 丁子屋96 views
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Confection in the shape of Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers95 views
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Inside the former bank building94 views
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Model of fixed-seat boat94 views
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Inside Chojiya. Very impressive Japanese-style inn with lake views. This ryokan is also well-known for duck dinners.94 views
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Japanese-style room in Chojiya ryokan. Very quaint and quiet place fronting the lake.93 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), Imazu 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館92 viewsThe museum has various panel exhibits, videos, etc. Currently, no explanations in English. Tokiko Kato scored a national hit with the song in 1971.
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Panel exhibits of each verse.92 views
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Old records by famous Japanese singers and groups who covered the song.90 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), Imazu 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館89 views
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The old Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), dedicated to the Lake Biwa Rowing Song, Shiga's most famous song. 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館 MAP89 viewsThis old museum closed in March 2020, and moved to the Imazu-Higashi Community Center on April 1, 2020. Museum photos on this page show the old museum.
Photos of the new museum is here: https://shiga-ken.com/blog/2022/01/lake-biwa-rowing-song-museum/
In June 1917, a song called Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) was composed by college student Taro Oguchi during a boat rowing trip around Lake Biwa. He was a member of the rowing club at Dai-san High School (now Kyoto University). He composed it in Imazu, Shiga Prefecture during the second night of the trip.
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Model of fixed-seat boat, Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan museum88 views
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Imazu is also noted for zazenso Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers blooming in Feb. and March.87 views
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Oguchi Taro exhibit.85 views
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Listening corner list of cover artists. There are many, and you can listen to each of them. Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), Imazu82 viewsThe song was included in a record for the first time in 1958 when Kyoto University made an album of its university songs on the 90th anniversary of the school's founding. In 1961, a chorus group named Boney Jacks recorded the song in an album of Japanese songs. And so did singer Peggy Hayama in 1962.
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JR Omi-Imazu Station on the JR Kosei Line is Imazu's train station. Most major attractions in Imazu are within walking distance. Imazu Port is only a few minutes on foot. There are also rental bicycles and local buses.81 views
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Comments about the song are welcome.78 views
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Water lilies78 views
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If you look closely, you can things that Imazu is famous for, like zazenso Eastern Skunk Cabbage flowers. 76 views
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JR Omi-Imazu Station turnstile76 views
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Imazu Port in spring.76 views
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Another boat mate matched Oguchi's lyrics to the melody based on the old song called Water Lilies as modified by a young Chiaki Yoshida.76 viewsIt soon became a popular dormitory song. The song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song. The town of Imazu even holds an annual song contest in June when choir groups from around Japan sing the song in a competition. The town even has this museum dedicated to the song.
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Souvenirs also sold in the museum.76 views
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Bus at Omi-Imazu Station with localized design.75 views
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There's also a line from Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). My kind of bus.75 views
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73 views
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Pictures of Lake Biwa Rowing Song monuments in Shiga. One for each of the six verses in the respective locations mentioned in the song.72 views
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About the remains of the Kaga Clan's magistrate's office.72 views
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Exhibit about Yoshida Chiaki who composed the original melody.71 views
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Water lilies from the Niigata home of Chiaki Yoshida who composed the melody of Lake Biwa Rowing Song. From the original plant that Chiaki planted.71 views
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JR Omi-Imazu Station70 views
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JR Omi-Imazu Station platform70 views
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JR Omi-Imazu Station in spring with colorful azaleas.69 views
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69 views
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69 views
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William Merrell Vories architecture map of Shiga.69 views
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JR Omi-Imazu Station's tourist information booth where you can pick up pamphlets and rent a bicycle.68 views
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Song museum's listening station where you can listen to many cover versions of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song recorded by Japanese singers and groups.68 views
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Exhibit about Oguchi Taro who created the song.68 views
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Records of the song by various artists including Tokiko Kato.68 views
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68 views
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Inside the old song museum.66 viewsThe song is about the boys rowing around Lake Biwa while mentioning famous places like Otsu (the starting point), Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, and Chomeiji.
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65 views
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"Interlaken" cruise boat at Imazu Port with Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki in the background.50 views
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"Birthplace of Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Bwa Rowing Song) on a bulletin board in the train station.49 views
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"Interlaken" cruise boat at Imazu Port.49 views
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Old tourist PR posters for Lake Biwa. Great design. They don't make them like that anymore.49 views
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Uniform of the Dai-sanko college where Oguchi Taro studied.49 views
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49 views
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Old records of the song.49 views
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Waiting room inside Imazu Port building.48 views
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The main road also has this old Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum which has closed. It moved to another building nearby.48 views
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Inside Interlaken. The boat also has an outside deck.47 views
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Boat ticket office operated by Biwako Kisen.47 views
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Imazu Port also has this song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). 琵琶湖周航の歌 歌碑47 viewsThe song is about college boys from Kyoto rowing around Lake Biwa while mentioning famous places like Otsu (the starting point), Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, and Chomeiji.
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The new museum occupies a large corner of the building's first floor. It's on the left when you enter the building.47 views
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Exhibit for Yoshida Chiaki, credited for composing the original melody.47 views
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CD listening station where you can listen to numerous cover versions of the song by famous artists.47 views
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The museum is staffed by volunteers unlike the old museum which was staffed by employees from the local tourist office.47 viewsAlso see my blog post about the museum: https://shiga-ken.com/blog/2022/01/lake-biwa-rowing-song-museum/
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From Imazu Port, Chikubushima island and Mt. Ibuki can be seen across the lake.46 views
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Imazu Port's gate to the boat dock.46 views
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Imazu Port building is made of wood from Shiga.46 views
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Boat ticket office.46 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta song monument at Imazu Port. In June 1917, a song called Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) was composed by college student Taro Oguchi during a boat rowing trip around Lake Biwa.46 views
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The new Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum is now in this building since April 1, 2020. This is the Imazu-Higashi Community Center (今津東コミュニティセンター).46 views
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The Imazu-Higashi Community Center (今津東コミュニティセンター) is across from the Imazu Shimin Kaikan concert hall. 46 views
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The museum sign includes English! Official English name is "Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum."46 views
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Old records of the song covered by many famous Japanese singers.46 views
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Iida donated his notebooks and cassette tapes of many interviews related to the song. Some of it is displayed here.46 viewsOn the lower shelf are books about the song by Iida and others.
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You can also get to Imazu by boat from Chikubushima island. Imazu Port has boats going to/from Chikubushima. On the eastern shore, Nagahama and Hikone have boats going to Chikubushima.45 viewsAt Imazu Port, boat named "Interlaken" operated by Biwako Kisen cruises to/from Chikubushima.
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Photos of the Kanazawa college rowers who died due to strong winds that capsized their boat in 1941.45 views
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Unlike the old museum, the relocated museum does not have a gift shop. However, it does sell these stationary.45 views
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You can therefore traverse northern Lake Biwa between Nagahama/Hikone and Imazu via Chikubushima. Approaching Imazu by boat.44 views
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At the end of Imazu Port's dock, the lantern is a song monument for Verse 3 of Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song).44 views
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Oguchi Taro was a member of the rowing club at Dai-san High School (now Kyoto University). He composed it in Imazu, Shiga Prefecture during the second night of the trip.44 views
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On the main road between Imazu Port and Omi-Imazu Station are sidewalk lights engraved with song lyrics. This has Verse 3 which mentions Imazu.44 views
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If you are walking from Omi-Imazu Station, you can see this large sign on the side of the old song museum showing the way to the relocated song museum.44 views
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If you are walking from Omi-Imazu Station on the main road, turn left.44 views
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The museum has only one room in a square layout with glass cases and exhibits. The middle has a small showcase as well.44 views
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Showcase dedicated to the works of the late song researcher Iida Tadayoshi who spent many years researching the song from the 1970s. 44 viewsHis books and booklets about the song greatly contributed to the understanding of the song, how it was created, and the people behind it.
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44 views
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Inside Interlaken. 43 views
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Heading to the new Imazu Port building. On the right is the Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song monument.43 views
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It seems all or almost all the exhibits in the old museum have been moved to this new space.43 views
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The accurate scale model of a fixed-seat boat is also displayed.43 views
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Rear view of Imazu Port building. Rebuilt and opened on March 22, 2020.42 views
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Ceiling.42 views
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Exhibit for Oguchi Taro who composed the song.42 views
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A few old parts from a lake cruise boat. Compass, lamp, and other things.42 views
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This is Imazu as the boat approaches Imazu Port. Small, quiet town anchoring the northwestern part of the lake. Tourist base for exploring this part of Shiga and the lake.41 views
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Near Imazu Port.41 views
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Imazu Port dock to the port building.41 views
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The new Imazu Port, opened in March 2020. Completely rebuilt.41 views
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Photos of Imazu in 1917.41 views
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Display of Biwako Shuko no Uta calendars featuring the kirie works of ??.41 views
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About the song lyrics.40 views
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Song lyrics for all six verses.40 views
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Social distancing on benches, but bad English. よい子のみなさん、この英語はダメですよ。無視してください。39 views
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