 Most viewed - Yasu 野洲市 |
View of Mt. Mikami from Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park in spring.451 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.414 views
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Rice-planting Festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture with Mt. Mikami in the background. Also see my YouTube video here.301 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. 286 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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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.279 views
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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276 views
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Rice-planting festival dancer, Yasu, Shiga Pref.268 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263 views
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"Dotaku" means bronze bell. This one decorates the entrance of the Dotaku Museum in Yasu. Map242 views
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Woman planting rice at the rice-planting festival in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture.240 views
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I often see foreigners participating in Shiga festivals.235 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228 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri.228 views
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Large grassy lawn.225 views
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Shallow stream219 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.218 views
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Hyozu Matsuri Festival 兵主祭212 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.211 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.206 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206 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. MAP204 views
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Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri Festival, Shiga. 兵主祭197 views
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View of Mt. Mikami-yama amid rice paddies in Yasu. Elevation 432 meters.180 views
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Almost finished planting the rice in this paddy. The festival was over after 11 am.170 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).169 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).169 views
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Yamanokami mountain god monument166 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�163 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.161 views
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Yasu's official mascot, named Dotaku-kun, is modeled after a dotaku.159 views
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Rice-planting Festival Shinto ceremony. A torii stands next to the rice paddy. MAP For more info: Yasu Tourism FB154 views
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First they threw bunches of rice seedlings into the paddy.153 views
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Ready to sink into the paddy.147 views
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Cherry trees bloom in early April in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres), Yasu. MAP146 views
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Everyone took off their straw sandals and went into the paddies barefoot.146 views
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143 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.143 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Karasaki, across Lake Biwa.140 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).140 views
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A gate with sacred rope140 views
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West Gate for car parking. Bus stop on right.139 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.139 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.138 views
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136 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.136 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.136 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.136 views
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136 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.136 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 1928.135 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.134 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�134 views
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My YouTube video of the Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.134 views
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On the ridges were women dancers.133 views
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Rice seedlings in hand.133 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.132 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.131 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.131 views
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Young children also joined in the singing.131 views
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131 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 131 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.130 views
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130 views
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They also had a short break.129 views
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In the background is cloud-capped Mt. Mikami.127 views
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127 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.127 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.125 views
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Osasahara Shrine's Honden Hall, a National Treasure. 大笹原神社 本殿124 views
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Lookout point on Mt. Mikami in Yasu.123 views
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123 views
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After passing through a bamboo grove, there is a clearing with the Tempo Gimin Monument.122 views
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122 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.122 views
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Torii and gate at night121 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121 views
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Garden of various cherry trees.121 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.121 views
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Romon Gate at night in fall.120 views
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Cherry blossoms120 views
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There is the 300-meter, pine tree-lined gravel path to the shrine from the first torii. MAP120 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.119 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.118 views
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Time capsule to be opened in 2042.118 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.118 views
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This is how the dotaku were buried. 118 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 MAP117 views
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117 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.117 views
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Satellite view of Yasu.116 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.115 views
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Weeping cherry tree in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres) in Yasu.115 views
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114 views
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Grass slide113 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.113 views
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112 views
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112 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.111 views
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Replica of Japan's largest dotaku found in Yasu.111 views
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The mikoshi head home from Hyozu Taisha. That's Mt. Mikami in the background.111 views
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Hyozu Taisha Shrine at night110 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 pa110 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.110 views
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Ayame girls rehearsing their festival call.110 views
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Chain railing is helpful.109 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu. Ishibe is toward the left.109 views
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Mt. Mikami in the distance.109 views
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These ancient abode were pretty much a hole in the ground with a roof over it.109 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..108 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.108 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.108 views
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My YouTube video of Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.108 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.&q106 views
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The trail is rocky and rooty, with lots of tree roots.106 views
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Ayame girls at Hyozu Matsuri in Yasu.106 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.105 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.105 views
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Sacred rock where the god lives.105 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.104 views
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Shrine and torii at the summit.104 views
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Sato no Ie thatched-roof house now a display space. 里の家104 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).103 views
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Mushrooms103 views
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Caffy-yaki sweet bean bun.103 views
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He thanked the girls and asked them to help clean up. He also gave away the iris flowers.103 views
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Beware of snakes (mamushi). Never saw any. Never saw any monkeys either.102 views
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Cherry blossoms and softball field102 views
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Steps101 views
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Sometimes log steps are provided.101 views
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Trail to summit.101 views
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500 meters until the peak.101 views
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View from Mt. Mikami, Yasu.101 views
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Route 8 crossing Yasu River101 views
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Caffy doll101 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.101 views
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Going down to the lookout point.100 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.100 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100 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.100 views
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Inside a Yayoi-Period grass shack.100 views
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Roots99 views
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Roots99 views
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Steel railing to grab.99 views
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Looking toward Ritto99 views
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Mt. Mikami and slide99 views
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Inside Sato no Ie99 views
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The sign is almost totally unreadable.98 views
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Kokegatani98 views
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Normally, the largest dotaku is not exhibited here. It is in the Tokyo National Museum.98 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.97 views
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This trail goes around the side of the mountain. Not recommended.97 views
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Small torii and shrine.97 views
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Gods here must be happy to see such grand views.97 views
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Large stone walls97 views
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Softball field97 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.97 views
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Path to shrine96 views
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No sign for this little shrine.96 views
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The path on the left leads to the mountain's peak.96 views
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Sign at the summit.96 views
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Bridge over the highway96 views
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Furusato Yakata for nature workshops96 views
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Monument marking the site where the dotaku were found. In 1962, ten more dotaku were found in Yasu.96 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96 views
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Sign95 views
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This is almost near the mountain's peak.95 views
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Sign pointing to a lookout point, slightly below the shrine.95 views
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Getting close to civilization.95 views
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Prevent forest fires.95 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 tai95 views
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95 views
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On the right, Route 8 can be seen crossing Yasu River.94 views
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Chain railing really helps.94 views
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1.4 km to Karyoku Koen Park94 views
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850 meters to Karyoku Koen flower park.94 views
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Going down from the summit.93 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93 views
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BBQ93 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93 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 5.93 views
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Yuba-no-Futokoro92 views
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Summit in sight.92 views
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Camping lodge92 views
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Dotaku means bronze bell. Yasu is the site of the discovery of Japan's largest ancient bronze bells. The Dotaku Bronze Bell Museum (Dotaku Hakubutsukan) explains the history and discovery of Yasu's bronze bells.92 views
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Kokegatani Valley. There's a small dip in the trail, going down and up again. This is a small valley near the peak. Visible as a small notch next to the peak. 苔が谷91 views
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Entrance/Exit to Karyoku Koen-gawa Tozando91 views
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This park and surrounding area has a number of different things to see and do. Walk further more and you will reach Kibogaoka Park.91 views
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Some pots inside a hut.91 views
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A shrine with a view.90 views
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To the peak.90 views
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Just beyond the tree is the peak.90 views
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Lots of ferns.90 views
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Tree trunk90 views
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Water fountain90 views
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Log steps88 views
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Mt. Mikami88 views
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Hand sculpture.88 views
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"Take home your trash"87 views
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