Most viewed - Omi Jingu Shrine and Yabusame Horseback Archery 近江神宮 流鏑馬神事 |

Karuta Festival. The narrator (standing) recites one of the poems and the contestants must search for and claim the card written with the poem.382 views
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Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門)250 views
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Karuta cards with verses from famous poems234 views
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Steps to Rōmon Gate, the shrine's most outstanding structure. (楼門)211 views
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Built in 1940, Omi Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji who moved the capital to Otsu in 667 at the location of this shrine. Otsu was therefore once the capital of Japan. MAP180 views
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Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門)173 views
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The Shamusho Shrine office I (社務所I) serves as the Karuta Matsuri tournament venue.170 views
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Karuta Festival poster164 views
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Used New Year's decorations164 views
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Yabusame horseback archery is held at Omi Jingu Shrine on the first Sunday in June from 12:30 pm. (Used to be held on Nov. 3.) My YouTube video of Omi Shrine's yabusame horseback archery on Nov. 3, 2013.155 viewsI believe this is Shiga's only authentic yabusame.
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Path to shrine. Omi Shrine is a short walk from Omi Jingu-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.150 views
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Poetry149 views
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Corridor144 views
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In late 2013, the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line in Otsu had trains painted in the Chihayafuru design to promote a Chihayafuru exhibition at Omi Shrine. Omi Shrine is near Omi Jingu-mae Station.144 views
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Sun dial. Another one in the background as well. Hidokei I (日時計1: Sundial I)142 views
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Gift shop and clock museum in background. 時計博物館141 views
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Inner side of Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門).137 views
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)136 views
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Second site of the Otsu Palace at Nishikori. MAP133 views
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Along the way from Omi Jingu-mae Station to Omi Jingu Shrine, there are two sites of the old Omi-Otsu Palace built when Japan's capital was located here in 667. 近江大津宮錦織遺跡 MAP130 views
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Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門)129 views
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Sotokairo corridor (外廻廊), Jinpu-Juyosho shop selling souvenirs (神符授与所), and Rōmon Gate (楼門)128 views
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Second site of the Otsu Palace at Nishikori is a National Historic Site called Omi-Otsu-no-Miya Nishikori Iseki.128 views
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Naihaiden Hall (Inner Haiden 内拝殿)125 views
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National Historic Site of Omi-Otsu Palace building in Nishikori. Thirteen large pillar holes of a long building was first discovered here in 1974. Otsu was Japan's capital for only 5 years from 667. 近江大津宮125 views
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Near the first Otsu Palace site is this second site of the Otsu Palace's main building when Otsu was Japan's capital for 5 years from 667. Now an open space. 近江大津宮錦織遺跡124 views
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Omi Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenji (Tenchi 天智天皇) who moved the capital from Asuka, Nara to Otsu in 667 at the location of this shrine. Otsu was therefore once the capital of Japan. 117 views
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Naihaiden Hall116 views
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Water clock (clepsydra). Emperor Tenchi made Japan's first clock which was a water clock. Hence, the shrine is associated with clocks.116 views
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The winner of the men's division is called Meijin and the winner of the women's division is called Queen. The popular manga/anime Chihayafuru has brought international attention to karuta.113 views
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Omi Jingu is noted for competitive karuta card games. The Japanese national championship tournament of competitive karuta is held in January at Omi Jingu (since the mid-1950s). 112 views
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Inside the Keihan Line train with Chihayafuru.111 views
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Before this site at Nishikori in Otsu was unearthed, it was uncertain exactly where the Otsu Palace was located. In 1978, further archaeological evidence showed that this was indeed where the main palace building was. 近江大津宮110 views
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The yabusame horse track. They first hold a Shinto ceremony at the shrine.109 views
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Scale model of the Otsu Palace displayed at the Otsu History Museum.109 views
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Hit target108 views
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Chihayafuru exhibition poster.108 views
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Hidokei II (日時計2: Sundial II)107 views
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Yabusame horseback archery is held on the first Sunday in June from 12:30 pm. (Used to be held on Nov. 3.) I believe this is Shiga's only authentic yabusame.107 views
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After the ceremony, they leave the worship hall and head for the horses.105 views
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Three targets and each archer galloped at full speed to try and hit all three targets. Each archer made several runs and it was dramatic to watch.105 views
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Resupply of arrows on the way back.105 views
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Monument about the Nishikori place name. 錦織104 views
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Monument about the Nishikori place name, originating from brocade weavers in this area. 錦織104 views
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The archers first held a prayer ceremony in the Naihaiden Hall.104 views
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The first target.104 views
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Reserved seating available for a few hundred yen.101 views
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About the water clock.98 views
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)96 views
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I came to see this to pray for a good Year of the Horse in 2014, the following year.96 views
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Now a much smaller target.91 views
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About the scale model77 views
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