Hama-Otsu Lakefront and Zeze Castle Park - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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Most viewed - Hama-Otsu Lakefront and Zeze Castle Park

Map of central Otsu and lakefront. It is quite easy to walk or bicycle along the lake shore in central Otsu, starting from Hama-Otsu.344 views

Different boats on Lake Biwa.152 views

Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park.134 views

Lakeside at Zeze Castle Park with Omi Ohashi Bridge in the distance.126 views

Biwako Bunkakan museum closed in March 2008. The museum was known for Buddhist art, including National Treasures. It has been here for as long as most Otsu residents can remember. 112 views

Otsu's nice lakefront walking promenade in an area called Nagisa Koen Park in Nionohama. Notice the box on the right... なぎさ公園110 views

Approaching Otsu Prince Hotel, major landmark visible from afar.109 views

About the No. 4 High School (Yonko) cherry blossoms planted in 1977. 四高桜107 views

Central Otsu lakefront is rocky most of the way, with no beaches.105 views

Nightly water fountain show at Otsu Port. MAP104 views

Biwako Bunkakan museum is right on the shore, even over the water. It's a landmark, but a tacky-looking castle replica housed a cultural and art museum and gallery.104 views

Zeze Castle Park, Otsu.102 views

Central Otsu lakefront100 views

Zeze Castle Park also has No. 4 High School cherry blossoms planted here in memory of the college rowers from Kanazawa University who died in a rowing accident on Lake Biwa in April 1941.100 views

Omi Ohashi Bridge at the southern tip of Lake Biwa. 近江大橋94 views

Artificial shoreline is actually not good for the lake ecologically. They should grow reeds instead. Reclaimed land.93 views

Biwako Motorboat race93 views

Otsu manhole showing Lake Biwa, Omi Ohashi Bridge, Otsu mascot Hikaru-kun, rowing, yachting, and Michigan boat.92 views

Zeze Castle's main path to the lake shore is lined with cherry trees.89 views

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Biwako motorboat race in Otsu.87 views

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Gate to Zeze Castle Park 膳所城跡公園78 views

Lakefront77 views

Zeze Castle monument. This park was part of the Honmaru. The castle was on a peninsula jutting into Lake Biwa. It was one of Japan's greatest lakeside castles. 膳所城跡公園77 views

Otsu Castle site. There's a lot of open land here, so it would be great if they decided to reconstruct the castle. A perfect location for a castle.71 views

Biwako Hall, Shiga's most modern concert hall. This area is also reclaimed land.65 views

Fish disposal box for black bass and blue gill and other invasive species. If you catch one, don't throw it back into the lake. Dispose of it in this box or take it home.63 viewsBe sure to close the cover to keep cats out. If you catch a non-native fish like black bass and blue gill fish in the lake, they urge you to bring it in and throw it away in this bin. They don't want you to throw it back into the lake.

Biwako Hama-Otsu Station (renamed from Hama-Otsu Station) on the Keihan Line. Most of the land north of the Keihan Line along the lake has been reclaimed.61 views

Otsu Prince Hotel MAP61 views

Michigan paddlewheel boat is based at Otsu Port. Daily cruises offered.58 views

Fishing in summer.58 views

Otsu Castle site. This area had many moats, but they have been filled in and much of Otsu's waterfront land has been reclaimed.57 views

Otsu Castle marker57 views

Biwako Motorboat Race Course. Biwako Kyotei びわこ競艇場56 views

View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking east where Biwako Hall can be seen.53 views

Otsu lakefront as seen from Top of Otsu.53 views

Entrance to Biwako Bunkakan museum. A lookout deck is on the top of this tower.52 views

At the top of Otsu Prince Hotel is a restaurant called Top of Otsu. See grand views of the city and Lake Biwa on sunny days. Order a soft drink which should be affordable. It's worth the views to be had.52 views

Inside Biwako Bunkakan museum.51 views

Otsu and Lake Biwa as seen from the top of Otsu Prince Hotel.51 views

Panoramic photo of the southeastern shore of Lake Biwa as seen from Top of Otsu.51 views

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View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking south toward the city.50 views

Central Otsu as seen from Top of Otsu. The right half of this picture is basically reclaimed land.49 views

Hiroshige's woodblock print of Clearing Storm at Awazu from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. Zeze Castle can be clearly seen.49 views

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It used to be a lake fish aquarium as well before the Lake Biwa Museum opened in Kusatsu.48 views

48 views

Monument where Akechi Mitsuhide's younger brother Samanosuke rode his horse as it swam in the lake to Sakamoto Castle in June 1582. Now a legend.48 viewsUpon hearing of his brother's defeat and death by Hideyoshi, Samanosuke rushed back to Sakamoto Castle where he committed suicide.

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Michigan cruising on Lake Biwa.47 views

Stoney beach47 views

Zeze Castle was built in 1601 upon the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu after he won the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He dismantled Otsu Castle and assigned Zeze Castle as a guard for the Tokaido Road.47 views

Otsu Port and this area is reclaimed land.46 views

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Piazza Omi contains a hotel, passport office, and the Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization. 46 views

Find some gamblers here inside the Biwako Kyotei stands. It's a modern and comfortable indoor facility.46 views

Scoreboard46 views

Gate to Zeze Castle Park with cherry blossoms in full bloom in April. 膳所城跡公園 MAP46 views

View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking west.45 views

Zeze Castle Park45 views

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Zeze Castle wall45 views

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Southern Lake Biwa44 views

A lot of older women were also there.44 views

Go!44 views

Start line. Note that you will need to apply for and obtain a permit to photograph the motor boat races. Otherwise, they will stop you from shooting.44 views

Zeze Castle monument 膳所城跡公園44 views

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Bridge going to Zeze Castle Park43 views

Rocky shore43 views

Omi Ohashi Bridge43 views

Omi Ohashi Bridge and Mt. Mikami43 views

Old postcard showing the pine trees of Awazu.43 views

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Views from Biwako Bunkakan museum.42 views

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Now on the lake shore heading toward Omi Ohashi Bridge.42 views

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Zeze Castle gate and cherry blossoms.42 views

Omi Ohashi Bridge 近江大橋41 views

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Pine trees of Awazu. This road is near the lakeshore. 粟津41 views

41 views

The first Zeze Castle lord was Toda Kazuaki who moved from Otsu Castle. The Zeze-han domain was thereby established. The castle was abolished in 1870. 戸田一西.41 views

Lookout deck in Biwako Bunkakan museum.40 views

Approaching Zeze Castle Park40 views

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Lake front near Zeze Castle Park. Finally we see reeds.40 views

More rocky lakeshore40 views

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You can also watch the motorboat races outside.40 views

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Local community center designed after Zeze Castle.40 views

Gift coupons in exchange for black bass and blue gill fish. If you catch a non-native fish like black bass and blue gill fish in the lake, don't throw it back into the lake. This was at Zeze Castle park.40 views

At Hama-Otsu, shopping mall Aqus, also built on reclaimed land.40 views

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Place your bets.39 views

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Zeze Castle was controlled by a fudai daimyo, a lord with close ties to the Tokugawa. It was considered a strategic location being close to the Tokaido Road and Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. 39 views