Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Maibara 米原市

Most viewed - Maibara 米原市
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It wasn't so crowded. There were some photographers, and it received local TV news coverage.98 views
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My YouTube video of the Hinade Shrine Sumo Odori Dance.98 viewsMt. Hinodeyama with Hinode Jinja Shrine holds 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. Near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line).
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Tickets please. We all got a sumo booklet with pictures of all the wrestlers.97 views
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Taiko drummer added atmosphere.97 views
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Yokozuna Hakuho performs the yokozuna dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony.97 views
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Takamisakari does his robocop routine.97 views
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Then for fun, they held random sumo matches regardless of age and size.97 views
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Samegai Museum in a former post office designed by William Merrell Vories, Samegai, Shiga Pref. 旧醒井郵便局局舎 MAP97 views
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Each team had to have 3 to 5 people performing 90 sec. to 120 sec. long. The routine was required to include jumping jacks, kicks, and push ups.96 views
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Dohyo-iri Ring-entering ceremony by Juryo wrestlers on the east side.96 views
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Dohyo-iri Ring-entering ceremony by Juryo wrestlers on the west side.96 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony on the west side.96 views
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Ozeki Kotomitsuki is interviewed.96 views
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Kaio vs. Kotooshu96 views
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Kiyotaki Jinja Shrine95 views
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Sumo souvenir shops and food stalls.94 views
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They set up up to the ring.94 views
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On the west side of Maibara Station is this long escalator to go down. The up escalator is inside the station building.94 views
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The new Ohmi Railways Maibara Station. This station is now closer to the JR Maibara Station, but still not integrated in Maibara Station. I thought it was a temporary structure.94 views
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Yaito Matsuri sign93 views
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Skiing on Mt. Ibuki at the 3rd station. How it looked in the good old days.92 views
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Sanyaku Soroifumi has the top three ranking wrestlers (Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi) stomp the ring to further purify the ring as they face the shrine.92 views
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Afterward, more children's sumo.92 views
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Arena layout and ticket prices. The cheapest ticket was 4,000 yen and the most expensive near ringside was 14,000 yen.91 views
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Naganoya91 views
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Naganoya, the house where Yamauchi Kazutoyo lived during childhood with his mother.91 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers Jizogawa River, Samegai, Shiga Pref. Bloom in summer, only in very clean water. 梅花藻、バイカモ90 views
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A few more matches by the men were held.90 views
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In a local community center in Suijo, they started at 6 am to paint the bellies and thighs of 15 men called yakko. Yakko were manual laborers employed by the samurai. They carried luggage during trips, etc.89 views
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Snow on Mt. Ibuki at the 3rd station, the main area for skiing (when there is snow).88 views
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A pillow for this winner.88 views
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Aerobics team from Miyagi.87 views
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More matches between the men.87 views
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There were about 50 taiko drummers. They also practiced every day during summer vacation. The boys drummed, while the girls played the flute.86 views
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The taiko drum dance started as a rainmaking dance in 1671 during a drought. The dance continued until 1947. In 1965, they revived the dance, but held it only once every 5 years due to the cost.86 views
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You can visit Mt. Ibuki by hiking up from the foot at Ueno or driving up the Ibukiyama Driveway (from Sekigahara) to the summit. MAP85 views
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The first kabuki ended, and now they are moving out the first hikiyama float. The float behind it will be put in position for the next kabuki performance at Yutani Shrine in Maibara.85 views
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At the end of the procession are these little kids waving a wand attached to a gourd.85 views
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Sannomiya Shrine, at foot of Mt. Ibuki84 views
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Before the train departs, the passengers take pictures from the train platform. 84 views
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On certain weekends, this steam locomotive runs between Maibara, Nagahama, and Kinomoto Stations in northern Shiga. Very popular attraction among adults and kids alike.84 views
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The first match was between these two men who had a piece of paper in their mouths.84 views
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West Hiking Trail is most popular for hiking to the summit. 西遊歩道83 views
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Entrance to West Hiking Trail.83 views
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Mt. Ibuki and camellias in winter.83 views
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The next time this taiko dance will be held will be in Oct. 2014. However, a similar taiko drum dance will be held in Oct. 2010 in neighboring Ueno at Sannomiya Shrine at the foot of Mt. Ibuki.83 views
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Winner. The sumo matches are held as religious ceremony dedicated to the shrine's gods.83 views
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In the end, the boys take home their prizes in a large garbage bag.83 views
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High heels not recommended.82 views
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The station building does have an office and few tourist pamphlets. They also rent bicycles. 500 yen for a few hours. If you want to go to Mt. Hinade (about 2 km away), renting a bicycle is recommended.82 views
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Maibara Hikiyama Matsuri in Oct.82 views
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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 is what we are danci82 views
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It made a loud tooting sound before leaving. Also see my YouTube video here.81 views
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They slowly walked step by step in unison.81 views
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Steam locomotive80 views
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The most common flower during summer it seems. シモツケソウ80 views
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Easy 40-min. hike, but if's summer, it can get hot and sweaty.80 views
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The oblong pond's circumference is about 780 meters. It was first created about 700 years ago as a water reservoir for agriculture. It is also a bird sanctuary.80 views
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I also saw this Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance 5 years before. The following photos were taken on Oct. 2, 2005. It was the same as in 2010 except for the performers.79 views
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They walk very slowly79 views
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The smoke was all over the platform.79 views
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Inside a passenger car. Almost the same as an ordinary train. Should be a wooden floor...79 views
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Tenjin-sui Natural Spring Park 天神水広場79 views
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The shrine also has a sumo ring. In the 13th century, Emperor Go-Toba visited the shrine and watched sumo performed by the local people. He offered a yellow cow to the shrine. This was the start of the shrine's annual sumo festival.79 views
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Trout at Samegai Trout Farm (Yosonjo). The water flows from the Suzuka mountains and it's quite cold which is good for the fish.78 views
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While dressed in formal sumo aprons, they first went to the shrine to pray.78 views
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Maibara Station is Shiga's sole shinkansen bullet train station and transfer station for the Hokuriku region.78 views
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Old Maibara Station corridor.78 views
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In May, a large field of tulips bloom.77 views
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Tokimeki Silvers ときめきシルバーズ77 views
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Filipendula multijuga. We saw this everywhere back in 2006. However, in 2023, these flowers are mostly gone due to wild deer eating the plants. シモツケソウ77 views
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Omi-Nagaoka Station on JR Tokaido Line77 views
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Tiger man.77 views
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Yakko men carried some luggage and sometimes passed it on to other men. This is Suijo's main road.77 views
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In the end, they gathered on the sumo ring and clapped their hands in appreciation.77 views
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Also see the video at YouTube.77 views
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2. Joining train cars on the Tokaido Line, Maibara Station.77 views
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Checking the furnace76 views
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Tiger Lily コオニユリ76 views
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View of the 3rd station (san-gome) below. The 3rd station is accessible by gondola from the foot of Ibukiyama at Ueno.76 views
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The pond is quite shallow, about 50 cm. It is one favorite destination for migratory birds including the Mallard duck. It is next to Mishima Shrine.76 views
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Birds which come to Mishima Pond.76 views
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Entrance and torii to Hinade Shrine with banners announcing the sumo festival held on the third Mon. of September in Maibara.76 views
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The yobidashi caller calls the name of the sumo wrestler.76 views
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Up the stairs to the shrine grounds75 views
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Aerobics team from Shiga.75 views
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The hall lobby had posters showing Maibara's major sights.75 views
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Statue of Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto 日本武尊像75 views
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Another part of Mishima Pond in summer.75 views
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The last group in the procession were the taiko drummers led by four bell ringers. 鉦75 views
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Maibara Station renovation work.75 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers Jizogawa River, Samegai, Shiga Pref. 梅花藻、バイカモ MAP74 views
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Trout-catching pond. Kids can freely catch a big trout.74 views
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Look! I caught one!74 views
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Summit buildings74 views
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Mallard ducks. マガモ74 views
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Also see my YouTube video here.74 views
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You can see the second weeping cherry tree in the distance. Both cherry trees are called "Doyo Sakura" since the original tree was planted by Kyogoku Doyo.74 views
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Corridor going to the west side. Maibara Station was renovated during 2007-2009. Most parts of Maibara Station are new, and others are old. This is an old corridor. 74 views
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Old corridor of Maibara Station being dismantled.74 views
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Maibara's official mascot, a family of fireflies.73 views
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Path to summit73 views
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Mt. Ibuki as seen from Torahime in winter.73 views
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Bell ringers73 views
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Old corridor of Maibara Station being dismantled in 2008.73 views
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Pass under the torii72 views
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It's the real thing, belching thick black smoke and steam. Tickets can also be bought one month before departure at major JR train stations. The train ride between Maibara and Kinomoto Stations takes about an hour. The locomotive pulls five train car72 views
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The steam locomotive was built in 1939.72 views
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Entrance/exit to the Central Hiking Trail. 中央遊歩道72 views
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Rocky trail.72 views
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Looking back on West Hiking Trail and parking lot72 views
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ミヤマコアザミ72 views
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Mt. Ibuki and shinkansen72 views
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Mishima Pond is adjacent to the Green Park Santo recreational park. The nearest train station is Omi-Nagaoks on the JR Tokaido Line. Take a bus.72 views
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Part of the pond is lined with beautiful cherry blossoms which bloom in April.72 views
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Lotus72 views
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It rained on this day on Oct. 10, 2010, so the floats were covered and the kabuki performance was delayed.72 views
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Kitabatake Tomoyuki-kyo Grave. Kitabatake Tomoyuki (1290-1332) was a high-ranking Imperial Court official during the late Kamakura Period. National Historic Site 北畠具行卿墓72 views
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The steam locomotive pulled modern-looking passenger cars.71 views
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Poor fish... Also see the video at YouTube.71 views
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The tulip field is along the road going to the trout farm.71 views
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Mt. Ibuki summit parking lot. The local bus also come up here. And loads of tour buses during flower seasons. Many tourists make the easy climb to the summit from the parking lot. 71 views
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Entrance to Yutani Shrine, the first location where the two floats perform kabuki on the festival's second and main day. MAP71 views
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There are steps to go up the hill where there are more Kyogoku graves. These are for the older Kyogoku members, starting with the founder of the Kyogoku Clan.71 views
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Inside the hall with the aerobics competition which started at 9:30 am on Oct. 20, 2008. The hall was filled with energy and cheering. Thirty-nine teams of 3 to 5 people competed, totalling about 190 competitors. Three South Korean teams also competed.70 views
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The contestants had to be at least 20 years old, but I think most people looked middle-aged.70 views
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Aerobics team from Tokushima.70 views
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Posters for aerobics teams made by local school children.70 views
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Steep hiking trail going to the 3rd station (san-gome).70 views
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High-altitude butterfly on rock70 views
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Summit is right there.70 views
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Yobidashi70 views
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Then they held the dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony performed by the men.70 views
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Hinade Shrine's priest blesses the wrestlers.70 views
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Hiking trail on Mt. Hinade.70 views
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Kitabatake Tomoyuki-kyo Grave 北畠具行卿墓 70 views
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The summit69 views
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Statue of Prince Yamato-takeru. Mythical prince associated with Mt. Ibuki. 日本武尊像69 views
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Mt. Ibuki summit area with pretty patches of summer flowers.69 views
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Sakura tunnel.69 views
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After the ring-entering ceremony, the men remained on the ring and performed the sumo odori dance accompanied by sumo jinku singing.69 views
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With Mt. Ibuki in the background, the Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dance troupe head for Hachiman Shrine.69 views
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Haiden Hall of Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine. 坂田神明宮69 views
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Tokugen-in temple has two weeping cherry trees. This is the older one, about 300 years old. The original cherry tree was planted by Kyogoku Doyo in the 14th century.69 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Imasu-juku next to Kashiwabara-juku shows the border between Imasu and Kashiwabara. There is an inn on the Imasu side (left, called Ryogokuya Inn) and Kashiwabara side (called Kameya Inn).69 views
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Azai Sisters Expo poster.69 views
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Rear end of train.68 views
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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), MAP68 views
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Samegai Museum in a former toiya-ba. 米原市醒井宿資料館 醒井宿問屋場(旧川口家住宅)68 views
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Jizogawa River was also noted for a freshwater fish called hariyo or stickleback. However, researchers have found that the hariyo seems to have become extinct here by May 2010.68 views
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Local children watch aerobics behind a "Welcome to Maibara" sign.68 views
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The winning teams performed their routines again.68 views
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Mt. Ibuki's summit is easily accessible via this Ibukiyama Driveway toll road (3,000 yen for passenger cars) from Sekigahara, Gifu Pref. This road opened in 1965 and is open to traffic during April to Nov.68 views
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Mt. Ibuki as seen from Hikone.68 views
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Mishima Pond during a warmer winter68 views
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Mt. Ibuki and Mishima Pond in spring.68 views
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Mt. Ibuki and the entire shinkansen whizzing by.68 views
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Most tourists traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto barely notice Mt. Ibuki and Lake Biwa along the way.68 views
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About the Asahi Honen Taiko Odori. It originated in the latter 7th century in Ohara village when they started to cultivate new farming land. It was a rainmaking dance. Now held in Oct. in Maibara.68 views
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Prefectural boundary between Gifu (Imasu) and Shiga (Kashiwabara) is this narrow groove. The cross-border bedtime chatter in the old days gave this place the name Nemonogatari-no-Sato.68 views
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Maibara Station's east exit has a bus stop.68 views
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Almost departure time67 views
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