 Most viewed - Omi-Hachiman 近江八幡市 |
Hachiman Commercial High School designed by William Merrell Vories in 1935. 八幡商業高等学校 MAP1122 views
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Hachiman-yama Castle wall858 views
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Azuchi Castle tower replica at House of Nobunaga. Very ornate and beautiful. both outside and inside.845 views
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Nohime, wife of Oda Nobunaga. 農姫603 views
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Poster for the movie "Katen no Shiro" (火天の城) released in Japan on Sept. 12, 2009. It is about the building of Azuchi Castle. Movie review here595 views
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Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival.577 viewsEven these people had to obtain police permission to bear and fire these feudal-era guns.
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Azuchi Castle construction572 views
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Traditional minka house547 views
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もっと奇麗に歩け525 views
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Oda Nobunaga 織田信長523 views
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Ladies in waiting (hey there, look up!)514 views下を向いたらあかん。
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Azuchi Castle replica460 views
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Oda Nobunaga actually started living in Azuchi Castle's main tower or donjon. Normally, the castle lord resided in a separate palace.450 views
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House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata). A replica of the top (best) part of Azuchi Castle is displayed inside. See this album to see what's inside. MAP442 views
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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.441 views
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This Azuchi Castle tower replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain before it was moved here.437 views
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View from atop Mt. Azuchi.430 views
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife421 views
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Old Ryugen Gakko school. First built in 1876 as a primary school in Takashima, northern Shiga, this is the prefecture's oldest surviving school building. It was moved here for display. 旧柳原学校417 views旧柳原学校
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The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.417 views
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Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成415 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)413 views
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399 views
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385 views
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Oda Nobunaga378 viewsIn the Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)
安土城郭資料館
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Azuchi Castle in snow362 viewsThe castle was made as a snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival in Feb. 2000.
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The Azuchi Nobunaga Festival's main venue was here, next to Azuchi Castle (hill on right). MAP361 views
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Also in Azuchi is this museum called the House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata) which displays a life-size replica of the top part of Azuchi Castle. MAP355 views
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Inside minka house347 views
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Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaelogical Museum. This is where they painstakingly clean and catalog all the pieces dug up at the Azuchi Castle ruins. You can watch them at work. 安土城考古博物館345 views
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Storage room338 views
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The most important historical persons in Azuchi's feudal history were represented.338 views
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Rental bicycle329 views
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To Bungei no Sato. This is a complex of several buildings including a castle museum and archealogical museum. 文芸の郷 MAP319 views
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Bicycle path. In front of Azuchi Station, bicycles are available for rent. I highly recommend bicycling rather than walking.316 views
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Built in 1579 by famous warlord Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its opulence and octagonal castle tower. Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568–1600) is partially named after this castle. 316 viewsThe castle was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. The castle is on a hill in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga Prefecture. A replica of the top portion of the castle tower is displayed at a museum nearby the castle ruins. Photo shows the Azuchi Castle marker at the foot of the castle hill.
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Inside old school. 旧柳原学校314 views
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Hello horse! He was just starting at me. Tokugawa Ieyasu309 views
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Nishikawa residence.301 views
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Azuchi Castle on Mt. Azuchi is a Special National Historic Site. (特別史跡) The area now occupied by rice paddies were once part of the lake.289 views
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To Mt. Azuchi where Azuchi Castle once stood in Omi-Hachiman. If you don't have a car, rent a bicycle at Azuchi Station (or ride a taxi). The castle site is not very far from Azuchi Station by bicycle.287 views
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A lot of impressive stone work remains of Azuchi Castle.287 views
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Former Nishikawa Residence (Kyu-Nishikawa-ke Jutaku), large Omi merchant home designated as an Imnportant Cultural Property. Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 旧西川家住宅 国重要文化財287 views
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣秀吉285 views
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Former Ban family Omi merchant home which also served as a girls school and public library until 1997. Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 旧伴家住宅284 viewsOpened to the public in 2004 as a museum. 伴庄右衛門は江戸時代初期から活躍した八幡商人の一人で、屋号を扇屋といい、主に畳表・蚊帳を商い豪商となった。
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Boat ride along the moat of Azuchi Castle.283 views
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Niwa Nagahide 丹羽長秀277 views
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Inside Nishikawa residence. Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 国重要文化財274 views畳表や蚊帳を扱っていた江戸時代の豪商・西川利右衛門の旧宅
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Shibata Katsuie271 views
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Main stairs of Otemichi path269 views
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Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters at Azuchi Castle.267 views
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262 views
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Ii Naomasa 井伊 直政257 views
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Shinmachi-dori road with traditional Omi merchant homes. This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区). 近江商人の新町通り MAP253 views
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Foot of Mt. Azuchi251 views
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The 31st temple on the Saigoku (Western Japan) Pilgrimage circuit, Chomeiji (Long Life Temple) worships the Kannon goddess dedicated to long life and good health. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect. This sign points the way.251 viewsAccessible by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station.
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At this stage, the fire is quite hot. Sagicho Matsuri, Omi-Hachiman249 views
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Site of Hashiba Hideyoshi's quarters.248 views
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248 views
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On the grounds of Shinoda Jinja Shrine is this large wooden panel with a large design. It is about 15 meters high and 20 meters wide. Held annually on May 4 at Shinoda Shrine, the Shinoda Hanabi display is a surprisingly spectacular fireworks display.248 views
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Lake Nishinoko247 views
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Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival in Azuchi, Omi-Hachiman.244 views
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Azuchi Castle tower foundation stones still remain.229 views
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Ahoy there!228 views
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The kids then run around the fire while chanting "Masse-masse!"221 views
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Beware of flying sparks and the wind which can blow the flames toward you. Of course, the fire dept. with fire hoses were on hand just in case.221 views
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Lakeshore road and Okinoshima island220 views
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Omi-Hachiman's manhole depicts Hachiman-bori moat adorned with cherry blossoms. Shiga Prefecture.217 views
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The boar's mane is made of tiny fish. You can smell the seafood. I'm surprised that crows never swooped down on the floats to feast on them.214 views
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Lake Nishinoko212 views
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Honmachi float leaving Himure Hachimangu Shrine. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 本町のだし212 views
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211 views
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Toyosato Elementary School was renovated and reopened in May 2009.210 views
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Kami shibai storyteller 紙芝居206 views
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Steps to castle tower foundation205 views
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Castle tower foundation204 views
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Police box in front of Azuchi Station201 views
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Stone buddha201 views
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Sumo ring near Azuchi Station. It was built in 1988 and once used for a exhibition sumo tournament. It was removed in late 2014 due to a redevelopment of this train station area.200 views
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This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.199 views
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William Merrell Vories is one of the most famous historical figures in Shiga. His legacy remains in physical form in many places through former bank buildings, post office branches, schools, and Christian churches. MAP198 views
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Castle tower foundation193 views
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Lake Nishinoko192 views
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Castle tower foundation189 views
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Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri used to be held on the first Sunday in June, but it's now held in Nov. (since 2020). The festival is dedicated to Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Parking available at nearby Bungei no Sato.186 views
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Life-like boar, all edible materials.186 views
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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.179 views
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Yoshibue reed flute, made from reeds growing in Lake Biwa (Lake Nishinoko).175 views
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Street performer in front of the steps to Azuchi Castle ruins.169 views
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Nishikawa residence.169 views
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Musa-juku was the sixty-sixth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the seventh Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Echigawa-juku in Aisho). MAP166 viewsMusa was one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near Ohmi Railways Musa Station, a short ride from Omi-Hachiman.
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Jomon Period dugout canoe replica made in 1990. Carved out of single log, two men successfully used it to paddle to Chikubushima from Onoe, Nagahama. 165 views
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Hachiman-bori is quite long and it even connects to Lake Biwa. The main part of moat is about 1 km long. I started walking here on the west end near the Omi-Hachiman Public Library. MAP165 views
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We head for Lake Nishi-no-ko.164 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga164 views
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Hachiman-yama map159 views
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Nobunaga speaks.159 views
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In front of Azuchi Station. That's a statue of Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. MAP157 views
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Nishikawa residence.154 views
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In Omi-Hachiman, Shinmachi-dori looking toward Hachimanyama. This area is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).154 views
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Samegai Museum in a former post office designed by William Merrell Vories, in Samegai, Maibara, Shiga Pref. MAP154 views
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From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. Also see the video at YouTube.152 views
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Former Hachiman Post Office in Omi-Hachiman, designed by William Merrell Vories. Built in 1921 and served as a post office until 1960. MAP152 views
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Imazu Vories Museum in Imazu, Takashima, a former bank building designed by William Merrell Vories. Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP147 views
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My Hachiman Matsuri video.147 views
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Cycling on lakeshore road. There is a scenic cycling path all around Lake Biwa. Takes 2-3 days to cycle around the lake.146 views
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Dai-niku float in front of Hakuunkan, a classic Western-style building, now a tourist info office and exhibition gallery. Also see the video at YouTube. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. 第二区146 views
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On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end.145 views
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Inside former Minakuchi Public Library. Now it is sometimes used as an art gallery.145 views
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This rabbit sculpture and turtle sculpture represents the famous Aesop's fable, the race between the turtle and hare.145 views
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Entering Okinoshima Port. Okishima is the largest island in Lake Biwa. MAP140 views
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At 271 meters high, Mt.Hachiman-yama was the site of Hachiman Castle built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu in 1585. Now home to Zuiryuji temple of the Nichiren Sect, some of the castle's stone walls still remain. MAP138 views
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Neck of Okishima.137 views
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Although this was Vories' residence, he did not own the house. He did not believe in having private assets. We could see the large living room full of pictures, books, etc., and the Japanese-style room for Makiko. ヴォーリズ記念館（旧ヴォ137 views
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808 steps to Chomeiji. Chomeiji (Long Life Temple) worships the Kannon goddess dedicated to long life and good health. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect.136 views
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The place is packed with people. Normally, it is a parking lot. The shrine is a few minutes by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station. MAP136 views
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Omi-Hachiman Station133 views
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Shinmachi-dori looking toward Hachimanyama133 views
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The Hyde Memorial Building was built in 1931 to serve as Seiyuen Kindergarten run by Hitotsuyanagi Makiko, Vories' wife from 1919. MAP133 views
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Former Minakuchi Public Library designed by William Vories and built in 1928. It is next to Minakuchi Elementary School in Koka. 旧水口図書館 MAP133 views
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Nishikawa residence.132 views
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Boat schedule and price in the old days. ¥2,100 per person. You can also charter a boat.131 views
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Entrance to Chomeiji Temple. MAP131 views
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Local Artifacts Museum (Kyodo Shiryokan). Former residence of Omi merchant Nishimura Tarouemon. 郷土資料館131 views
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Yakata-bune tourist boat cruising through Hachiman-bori moat in Omi-Hachiman.131 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)130 viewsIn the Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)
安土城郭資料館
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Maid costume129 views
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Oda Nobunaga at Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri. 織田信長128 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会127 views
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On the second day of the festival, the floats clash with each other. Sagicho floats pass through the torii of Himure Hachimangu Shrine, near Hachiman-bori Canal.127 views
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First, sake is sprinkled over the float.127 views
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Local Artifacts Museum (Kyodo Shiryokan) 郷土資料館。近江商人・西村太郎右衛門の宅地跡にある資料館126 views
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The construction of the kindergarten building was financed by the wife of Albert Alexander Hyde, the founder of The Mentholatum Company. This building was thus named after Hyde. 125 views
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Hachiman-yama map124 views
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The neighboring house, the Waterhouse Memorial House, was built in 1913 for Paul B. Waterhouse, who was an English instructor at Waseda University before becoming a missionary with the Omi Mission. Designed by William Merrell Vories. ウォーターハウ124 viewsWaterhouse and his wife Bessie lived here for six years. He was also a yachtsman and used a boat on Lake Biwa to visit lakeside villages for missionary work. After he returned to the States, the house was used for Omi Mission cooking classes and later as a girls' school in Omi Brotherhood.
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Nishikawa residence.123 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"123 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし123 views
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Introduction of all Sagicho floats: Fourteen floats from various districts of Omi-Hachiman then paraded through a circular route. This is the Dai-ikku float. 第一区123 views
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This local municipal museum was originally the Hachiman Police Department built in 1886. In 1953, it was renovated by Vories and continued to house the Omi-Hachiman Police Department. In 1974, it was converted to the museum it is today. 近江八幡市立123 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.122 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.122 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.121 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 121 views
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Wall120 views
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It has a cherry tree, a red sake cup, and boar. Sagicho floats depict animals from the Oriental Zodiac, and 2007 was the Year of the Boar.120 views
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Built in 1933, the Matsuoka Residence was designed by William Merrell Vories. This house was not open to the public.120 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町119 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.118 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火118 views
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Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman is Shiga Prefecture's biggest fire festival. Impressive even without the fire. Just look at these giant torches made of rice straw. There are more in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.118 views
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Hachiman-bori goes all the way to Lake Biwa. This is toward the west end of the moat.118 views
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3-story pagoda117 viewsThis is what you first see at the top.
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They came from Hikone. 鉄砲隊演武（彦根鉄砲隊）117 views
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Entrance to Nishikawa Residence. During the Edo Period, the family made their fortune selling mosquito nets and tatami straw matting.117 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.117 views
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Scenic bike path116 views
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Nishikawa residence.116 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.116 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.116 views
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Boar and peony.116 views
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Next to the Andrews Memorial Hall is the Hachiman Church built in 1983. The original church, which was lost in a fire, was designed by William Merrell Vories in 1924. 八幡教会116 views
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Omi merchant house, History and Folklore Museum115 views
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Inside former Ban family residence, 2nd floor.115 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会115 views
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Shrine priest on horseback and behind him on another horse is the mayor of Omi-Hachiman who serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Sagicho Festival.115 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし115 views
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Hondo main hall and pagoda 本堂114 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.114 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.114 views
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Lost geta clog. The confetti is from the Dai-ikku float with the sakura theme. Supposed to be cherry blossom petals.114 views
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Next was the Andrews Memorial Hall, the first building designed by William Merrell Vories. It was formerly the Hachiman YMCA. アンドリュース記念館（旧八幡YMCA会館）114 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし113 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし113 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし113 views
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Chomeiji bus stop112 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument 琵琶湖就航の歌 歌碑112 views
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Omi merchant furniture, History and Folklore Museum112 views
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This has a chrysanthemum design which is the Imperial family crest. To celebrate the newborn prince.112 views
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Shrine officials followed by chigo children carrying red paper streamers.112 views
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Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga112 views
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Castle model111 viewsIn the Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)
安土城郭資料館
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Inside former Ban family residence.111 views
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