 Most viewed - Yasu 野洲市
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View of Mt. Mikami from Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park in spring.388 views
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Entrance to Kibogaoka Park during the Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 festival during Oct. 18-21, 2008. It's an annual event held in a different prefecture. People from all 47 prefectures and South Korea participate in tournaments for 18 sports.372 views
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The Hyozu Matsuri is held at Hyozu Taisha Shrine during May 3-6, but the 5th is the climax with the mikoshi parade. 242 viewsThis is the shrine's first torii. This is at the front end of a 300-meter pine tree-lined path. Infrequent buses go to the shrine from Yasu Station (North exit). So infrequent that you might need to take a taxi. 一の鳥居
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Mikami Jinja's Honden. This was Shiga's first Shinto shrine building to be designated as a National Treasure. 本殿224 views
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"Dotaku" means bronze bell. This one decorates the entrance of the Dotaku Museum in Yasu. Map208 views
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Rice-planting Festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture with Mt. Mikami in the background. Also see my YouTube video here.206 views
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This rice paddy near the foot of Mt. Mikami and next to Mikami Shrine was used to produce the rice offering used for the Showa Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne in 1928. Such a paddy is called Yuki Saiden. 悠紀斎田199 views
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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.181 views
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Mikami Shrine's Honden in Yasu, a National Treasure. It is a mixture of Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple architecture. It dates from the Kamakura Period, about 700 years ago. 本殿180 views
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Large grassy lawn.175 views
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Shallow stream171 views
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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.169 views
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Hyozu Taisha Shrine's Japanese garden at night in fall. It's really beautiful. Like someone painted colorful autumn leaves on a black canvas.165 views
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West gate (Nishi Gate) to Kibogaoka Culture Park, a large prefectural park featuring a large grassy lawn, sports facilities, camping facilities, and seminar facilities. MAP159 views
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Osasahara Shrine's Honden Hall, a National Treasure in Yasu, Shiga. The shrine dates from the mid-Heian Period. It is dedicated to a god named Susano-o. 大笹原神社 本殿153 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri.153 views
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I often see foreigners participating in Shiga festivals.153 views
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Woman planting rice at the rice-planting festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture.151 views
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On the fourth Sunday in May, the Yuki Saiden O-taue Matsuri, or Rice-planting Festival is held here. It starts at 10 am with a Shinto ceremony with the planters and local dignitaries in attendance in front of the rice paddy.146 views
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Yamanokami mountain god monument135 views
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View of Mt. Mikami-yama amid rice paddies in Yasu. Elevation 432 meters.130 views
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Hyozu Matsuri Festival 兵主祭130 views
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Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri Festival, Shiga. 兵主祭126 views
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Mold for making a dotaku. Yasu's dotaku found their way to the following overseas museums: Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne (Germany), Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (USA), and Minneapolis Institute of Arts (USA).125 views
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Almost finished planting the rice in this paddy. The festival was over after 11 am.119 views
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Caffy, the official mascot of Sports Recreation Shiga 2008, is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.116 views
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They wear a sedge hat (suge-kasa すげ笠), red trousers (緋ばかま), wrist covers (手甲), and leggings (脚絆).114 views
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This rice paddy was used to produce the rice used for a ritual called the Daijosai as part of the Showa Emperor's accession ceremonies in 1928. Selected by the Imperial Household Agency, the Yuki Saiden sacred rice paddy must be east of Kyoto. 悠104 views
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Rice-planting Festival Shinto ceremony. A torii stands next to the rice paddy. MAP102 views
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My YouTube video of the Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.100 views
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First they threw bunches of rice seedlings into the paddy.99 views
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The dotaku were nestled inside each other. These bells are dated from around 100 BC to 300 AD. The bells were not really used as bells. They were more for decorative and religious purposes.99 views
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From JR Yasu Station's South exit (Minami-guchi), take a bus going to Karyoku Koen (花緑公園) or Murata Seisakusho (via Nishi Gate 西ゲート経由 村田製作所行き) and get off at Dotaku Hakubutsukan-mae (銅鐸博物館前). Bus ride is 99 views
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97 views
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West Gate for car parking. Bus stop on right.96 views
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Everyone took off their straw sandals and went into the paddies barefoot.96 views
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From Yasu Station, it's a short bus ride to the foot of Mt. Mikami (get off at Yamade-mae 山出前). Then backtrack along the road to see two hiking paths. There are two trails, the Front (Omote, seen on the left)) and Back (Ura, seen on the right).94 views
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Ready to sink into the paddy.94 views
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For the Daijosai, another sacred rice paddy is also selected to the west of Kyoto. That paddy is called Suki Saiden. In 1928, it was located in Fukuoka Pref.94 views
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Yasu's official mascot, named Dotaku-kun, is modeled after a dotaku.94 views
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Dotaku Museum in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture. Opened in Nov. 1988, the museum is near the site where Japan's largest bronze bell was unearthed. It has bronze bell exhibits and research facilities. Open 9 am to 5 pm (closed Mon.). Admission 400 yen.92 views
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A gate with sacred rope89 views
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Mt. Mikami as seen from JR Yasu Station train platform. The south exit of Yasu Station has a tourist info office where you can get maps and directions to the bus stop.88 views
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The rice paddy actually consists of four square paddies divided by cross-shaped ridges. When you see it from above, it looks like the kanji "ta" 田 which means rice paddy.88 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Front Mountain Path" (Omote Tozando). I recommend taking a bottle or two of drinks. There's a vending machine near the bus stop. If you miss the bus from Yasu Station, it's a 40 min. walk. Taxis available. 表87 views
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Map of Mt. Mikami. It says the trail is 1.3 km long, taking 40 min. For normal people, allow 80 min. to reach the peak. I took about 90 min. to reach the top, while taking time to take pictures.87 views
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Although a Shinto priest from Mikami Shrine conducts the ceremony, the festival is organized by the Yasu Tourist Association. The rice planters and dancers are from a local rice-planting preservation group.86 views
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At 10:30 am when the ceremony was over, they proceeded to the rice paddies. Four groups of planters and dancers went to the four paddies.86 views
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Monument marking the site where the dotaku were found. It's frustrating that none of the original dotaku discovered in Yasu are in Yasu. Another case of bungling and ineptness by local officials. Even one original dotaku would make the museum busier.86 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Karasaki, across Lake Biwa.85 views
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They leave here and proceed along the pine tree path to the first torii. Then they will come back here and go back and forth a few times during the festival.85 views
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Their feet are more than ankle deep in the mud. No one lost their balance and fell into the mud.84 views
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It is a great honor to be selected as the sacred rice paddy for an emperor's accession to the throne. The Yuki Saiden paddy for the current Emperor Akihito was in Akita Pref.84 views
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Satellite view of Yasu.84 views
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Rice seedlings in hand.83 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.83 views
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Adjacent to the Dotaku Museum is a replica of a Yayoi Period village. Yayoi Period (500 BC to 300 AD) is noted as when rice growing started in Japan.83 views
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On the ridges were women dancers.82 views
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The Yuki Saiden rice paddy is in a scenic, rural location, with Mt. Mikami in the background. You can understand why it was selected to be the Yuki Saiden in 1928.81 views
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Young children also joined in the singing.81 views
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This is how the dotaku were buried. 81 views
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Torii and gate at night80 views
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It was a beautiful festival day on May 5, 2010. The Ayame girls wore colorful happi coats which really added color to the festival.80 views
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Romon Gate at night in fall.79 views
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After passing through a bamboo grove, there is a clearing with the Tempo Gimin Monument.79 views
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When the taiko drumming and folk singing started, they started planting the rice seedlings. On the ridge, there were dancers.78 views
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In the background is cloud-capped Mt. Mikami.78 views
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On Aug. 20, 1881, two young lads were playing on Mt. Oiwa when they stumbled across three dotaku partially exposed in the ground. The next day, eleven more dotaku were discovered in the same area.77 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.77 views
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A local troupe of Taiko drummers called "Mukade Taiko." Mukade means centipede. Mt. Mikami is famous for a folk tale about a giant centipede which occupied the mountain. It was later killed by a brave warrior from Otsu.76 views
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They also had a short break.76 views
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My YouTube video of Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.76 views
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Lookout point on Mt. Mikami in Yasu.75 views
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On the left is Shinohara Shrine dedicated to Ishikoritome, the god of mochi rice cakes. The rice around here was said to be ideal for making mochi.75 views
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There is the 300-meter, pine tree-lined gravel path to the shrine from the first torii. MAP74 views
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Ayame girls rehearsing their festival call.74 views
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The mikoshi head home from Hyozu Taisha. That's Mt. Mikami in the background.74 views
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The "Front Mountain Path" has a gate to prevent monkeys from escaping to the residential area. Be sure to close the gate after entering.73 views
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Osasahara Shrine's Honden Hall, a National Treasure. 大笹原神社 本殿73 views
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Time capsule to be opened in 2042.72 views
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Cherry trees bloom in early April in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres), Yasu. MAP72 views
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One feature of this festival is that someone rides on the mikoshi and detaches and raised the phoenix ornament at the top of the mikoshi.72 views
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After the festival is over, the path is deserted. I had to take a taxi back to Yasu Station. No buses running.72 views
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Cherry blossoms71 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Back Mountain Path" (Ura Tozando). This is the less steep trail to the summit. Notice the peak on the left. I went on this trail. 裏登山道 MAP70 views
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Great view, but hazy when I was there. Ishibe is toward the left, and the shinkansen tracks toward the right.70 views
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Hyozu Taisha Shrine at night69 views
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Two of the dotaku were acquired by the Tokyo National Museum. The remaining dotaku were scattered among various people. Their whereabouts were unknown until an investigation found 12 of them at temples and Japanese and overseas museums.69 views
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At the foot of Mt. Mikami is Tempo Gimin Monument dedicated to the farmers who were tortured to death after the 1842 Tempo Ikki (天保一揆) uprising against the government's unfair land taxation surveys..68 views
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Sandwiched between the foot of Mt. Mikami and Kibogaoka Bunka Park, Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres) is about flowers and greenery, including cherry blossoms. 植物園68 views
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Garden of various cherry trees.68 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri in Yasu.68 views
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He thanked the girls and asked them to help clean up. He also gave away the iris flowers.68 views
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View from the dip. There should be a better view on the other side too, but too many trees block the view.67 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu. Ishibe is toward the left.67 views
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Camping lodge in Karyoku Koen Park. There are more trails within the park and other sights like cherry blossoms. To get back to Yasu Station, walk to Kibogaoka Bunka Koen Park and the bus stop is at the Kibogaoka Nishi Gate next to the parking lot.67 views
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Gate to the Back Mountain Path. Be sure to close the gate after entering. I don't know how it would prevent monkeys from climbing over the low gate. Between Sept. 23 and Nov. 3 during mushroom season, 500 yen admission is charged for the Front/Back pa66 views
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Mini concert at night. They had a few solo musicians playing romantic night songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Very nice.64 views
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Mt. Mikami in the distance.64 views
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Grass slide64 views
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These ancient abode were pretty much a hole in the ground with a roof over it.64 views
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Inside a Yayoi-Period grass shack.64 views
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Chain railing is helpful.63 views
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After you get off the bus at Mikami Jinja-mae, you see this small road leading to the rear entrance of the shrine. MAP63 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.62 views
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I visited this park after coming down from Mt. Mikami which was full of green and brown. So seeing bright colors in this park was a great sight.62 views
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Sato no Ie thatched-roof house now a display space. 里の家62 views
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Map of the Dotaku Museum and Yayoi no Mori Park featuring Yayoi Period grass shacks. Dotaku Museum is a short bus ride from JR Yasu Station. Take the bus which goes to Dotaku Hakubutsukan-mae.62 views
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62 views
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Two wooden signs pointed in opposite directions both say "To Mt. Mikami summit." Go right to continue on the easier Back Mountain Path. Or go left to get on the steeper Front Mountain Path. The large white sign says "Take home your trash.&q61 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.61 views
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Sacred rock where the god lives.61 views
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Weeping cherry tree in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres) in Yasu.61 views
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Normally, the largest dotaku is not exhibited here. It is in the Tokyo National Museum.61 views
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"Ayame" means iris flower, in reference to women. Out of the 30+ portable shrines (mikoshi) and taiko drums to be paraded during the festival, two of them, called Ayame, are carried only by women. These women will carry the Ayame mikoshi and tai61 views
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Hiking up the Back Mountain Path. The trail actually goes mainly toward the side of the mountain rather than the back. The back of the mountain has a trail going down toward Kibogaoka Bunka Koen Park.60 views
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Sacred tree. The bark from this tree is used for the roofing of the shrine. Do not scratch or damage it.60 views
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When I arrived, the Ayame girls were rehearsing their routine for the festival in front of this red Romon Gate. This gate was said to have been donated by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji in the 14th century. 楼門60 views
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Halfway point called Uchikoshi 打越. It's a small clearing and crossroads for multiple trails. Also a good place to harvest matsutake mushrooms during the fall (Sept. 23-Nov. 3).59 views
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Downward slope and trail. This trail is called the Karyoku Koen-gawa Tozando which starts from the Karyoku Koen flower park. 花緑公園側登山道59 views
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Inside Sato no Ie59 views
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Sometimes log steps are provided.58 views
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Beware of snakes (mamushi). Never saw any. Never saw any monkeys either.58 views
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Steps57 views
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Roots57 views
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500 meters until the peak.57 views
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Going down to the lookout point.57 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu.57 views
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Route 8 crossing Yasu River57 views
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MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here. 司会者 小野千穂57 views
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The trail is rocky and rooty, with lots of tree roots.56 views
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Trail to summit.56 views
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No sign for this little shrine.56 views
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Looking toward Ritto56 views
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Cherry blossoms and softball field56 views
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Path to shrine55 views
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Hiking Rules: No smoking. Do not make fire. Don't break tree branches or damage any trees. Don't take home any rocks, wood, etc. Take home your own trash.55 views
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This trail goes around the side of the mountain. Not recommended.55 views
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Roots55 views
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Steel railing to grab.55 views
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Sign pointing to a lookout point, slightly below the shrine.55 views
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Summit of Mt. Mikami. Only a small clearing with a bench. It was a great day for hiking. It is quite a popular mountain for climbers. Even for families with little kids. Didn't see any monkeys. No bears.55 views
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Caffy doll55 views
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Monument marking the site where the dotaku were found. In 1962, ten more dotaku were found in Yasu.55 views
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At the festival start time, the Ayame girls start carrying the taiko drum and mikoshi from this gate.55 views
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Small torii and shrine.54 views
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The sign is almost totally unreadable.54 views
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Kokegatani54 views
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Gods here must be happy to see such grand views.54 views
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Large stone walls54 views
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Furusato Yakata for nature workshops54 views
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Mt. Mikami and slide54 views
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Mushrooms54 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.54 views
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A Shinto ceremony is held at the shrine in the morning. Then by noon or so, over 30 portable shrines and taiko drums gather here on this path for the annual Hyozu Matsuri on May 5.54 views
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This is almost near the mountain's peak.53 views
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Prevent forest fires.53 views
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Bridge over the highway53 views
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Mikoshi portable shrine storehouse53 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean bun.53 views
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Some pots inside a hut.53 views
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Many of the mikoshi are for children. The mikoshi come from smaller shrines in the area related to Hyozu Taisha.53 views
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Sign52 views
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The path on the left leads to the mountain's peak.52 views
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Getting close to civilization.52 views
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The ceiling has square beams.52 views
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There are several large mikoshi carried by men. All the mikoshi and taiko drums have a name.52 views
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Summit in sight.51 views
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On the right, Route 8 can be seen crossing Yasu River.51 views
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In spring, the cherries bloom in the botanical gardens. Lodging facilities, walking trails, playgrounds, and workshops are also provided. Water fountain. 近江富士花緑公園51 views
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Softball field51 views
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Hand sculpture.51 views
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They had a whole bunch of Caffy mascots walking around. Caffy is modeled after the Lake Biwa Giant Catfish, a unique species found only in Lake Biwa.51 views
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When I visited this shrine before, I wondered what these stone markers were for. Now I know. They have the name of a portable shrine, indicating the place where the respective portable shrines can be parked along this path during the festival.51 views
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At the end of the pine tree path, the second torii is red, right after the Taikobashi Bridge.51 views
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