Most viewed - Hikone 彦根市 |
Inside Tenbin Yagura turret134 views
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Central compounds like the Kanenomaru and Honmaru and the main castle tower were completed within a few years and teenager Lord Naotsugu moved in from Sawayama Castle.134 views
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View from castle tower, looking toward Nishinomaru during cherry blossoms season.134 views
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Inside the main room at Rakuraku-en 楽々園133 views
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133 views
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Toriimoto Station building built in 1931 when the station opened and still in use.133 views
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Moat as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. Iroha pine trees on left.133 views
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Behind the horse stable and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret in the background.133 views
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Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret. The middle door also serves as an entrance.133 views
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Top floor. The windows are small and it's difficult to get a good shot of the view. There is also no balcony to go outside on the top floor.133 views
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Construction of Hikone Castle started in 1604 as an urgent national project ordered by Ieyasu to deter any rebellious daimyo in western Japan and to protect Kyoto, the Imperial Capital.133 views
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Caffy, mascot for Sports Recreation Shiga 2008. It was his final appearance, but he has been resurrected in March 2009 to serve as another official mascot of Shiga Prefecture. キャッフィー(滋賀)132 views
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Another bizarre mascot was Papa-tako, an octopus from Akaishi, Hyogo Pref. パパたこ(兵庫 明石市)132 views
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Banner for the 150th anniversary of Lord Ii Naosuke opening Japan to the world.132 views
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Tenbin Yagura's left side has shaped stones fitting together using a newer technique (otoshi-zumi 落し積み) when repaired in 1854. 132 views
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View of the bridge from Tenbin Yagura turret.132 views
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Under the right turret inside Tenbin Yagura. Stairway (closed to public) to 2nd floor of right turret.132 views
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Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret. 132 views
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Path to Taikomon Gate.132 views
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Front view of Hikone Castle tower 天守閣132 views
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Entrance to castle tower132 views
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132 views
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After the demise of the Tokugawa and the restoration of Imperial rule in 1868, castles were ordered to be demolished. Hikone Castle was also being dismantled when Emperor Meiji visiting in 1878 spared the castle.132 views
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Since Naomasa's son Naotsugu (井伊 直継) was too young, Chief Retainer Kimata Morikatsu (家老 木俣守勝) acted on his behalf to plan the new castle's construction. Upon the approval of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, Mt. Hikone on the shore of 132 views
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Omotemon Bridge131 views
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Inside Tenbin Yagura turret, looking toward the left turret.131 views
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You can enter Taikomon Gate which is an exhibition room for photos of Japanese castles and a model of Hikone Castle.131 views
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As one of the inner-circle fudai daimyo (譜代大名), the Ii clan continued to be influential in the Tokugawa shogunate.131 views
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A number of structures were thus saved, including the main castle tower. In 1944, the Ii family donated the castle to the city of Hikone.131 views
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Scale model of Hikone Castle in Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.131 views
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130 views
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The castle was finally completed by the Ii clan in 1622. Hikone Castle was the government seat and residence of the Hikone daimyo who ruled the Hikone domain and a few domains in Edo (Tokyo).130 views
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Naosuke's poem in modern Japanese. For the sake of the country, he had no regrets. A few months later, he was assassinated. 130 views
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Tenbin Yagura's Rokabashi Bridge had a roof.130 views
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129 views
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129 views
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129 views
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A major reason why Hikone Castle is a National Treasure is because it has many different types of roof features on one building.129 views
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129 views
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Hikone Castle is a designated Special National Historic Place (特別史跡).128 views
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128 views
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Hikone Port for boats going to Chikubushima and Takeshima islands 彦根港127 views
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Tawawa-chan promoting Kyoto Tower probably wishes that she could also smile. Also see my YouTube video here. たわわちゃん (京都 京都市)127 views
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In one Tora-san movie (starring Atsumi Kiyoshi) made in 1982, this is where he sold his goods.127 views
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127 views
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View from castle tower, looking toward central Hikone with the castle museum in the foreground.127 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.126 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret with windows open.125 views
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Although it was the most prominent building, the daimyo did not live in it. It was mainly a glorious symbol and storehouse for samurai armor and other artifacts of past Hikone daimyo.125 views
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Some are Tosa (from Kochi Prefecture) pines whose roots do not protrude above ground.125 views
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Other folding screens on display.125 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion124 views
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Sagawan (little sister) is the cutest of the bunch, promoting the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga. さがわん3兄弟(妹)(滋賀 守山市)123 views
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Sign outside the Taikomon Gate indicating the city's project to have Hikone Castle be designated as a World Heritage Site.123 views
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Nicknamed Little Edo (Koedo), the castle town of Hikone holds the annual Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade on Nov. 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm.123 viewsVery elaborate costume parade of mainly kids dressed as samurai and Edo-Period ladies. Highlights include the Hikone Gun Battalion giving a matchlock gun demo (in front of Horse Stable), Ii Naosuke played by an actor on horseback, fireman acrobatics, and Sarugaku dancers. The parade route starts from Joto Elementary School and proceeds along the road to the castle and passes in front of the Umaya Horse Stable. Short walk from JR Hikone Station. Parade route map:
http://www.hikoneshi.com/jp/event/articles/c/parade
Photo: Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station.
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While using a metaphor of Lake Biwa's waves crashing relentlessly against a rocky shore, the poem expresses Naosuke's brain-wracking efforts as Chief Minister in dealing with successive waves of difficult problems.123 views
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People line up to enter Hikone Castle's main tower.123 views
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Display cases of castle artifacts.123 views
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Mt. Ibuki, Shiga's highest mountain a seen from the Honmaru compound.123 views
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122 views
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First they introduced Shiga's mascot characters including Hiko-nyan.122 views
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Lord Ii Naosuke Poetry Monument along the Iroha pine trees.122 views
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Statue of Lord ii Naosuke.122 views
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Tenbin Yagura is named after the luggage-carrying shoulder pole like this Omi merchant. 122 views
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122 views
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Kamon-chan is a princess created by students at Shiga Univ. for Ii Naosuke and the 150th anniversary of Japan's opening to the world. カモンちゃん (滋賀 彦根市)121 views
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121 views
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Top floor ceiling.121 views
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Statue of Ii Naosuke near the Hikone Castle moat. Lord of the castle and also an important historical figure. 井伊 直弼121 viewsIi Naosuke was the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world. Foreigners were then allowed to trade with Japan and take up residence in cities like Yokohama and Hakodate. Ii was later assassinated in 1860 by samurai radicals from Mito (Ibaraki) who sought to oust the foreign "barbarians."
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For New Year's in 1860, Naosuke had a formal portrait of himself painted by Kano Eigaku (狩野永岳) and wrote this poem above the portrait.121 views
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This is how crowded it can get to enter Hikone Castle's main tower. This was on a Sunday during Golden Week.121 views
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Hiko-chu from Hikone. A Koga ninja mouse. Notice the shuriken on his left. Its creator seems to have been influenced too much by Mickey. ひこちゅう (滋賀 彦根市)120 views
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One of the large stones at the poetry monument has a duck carving.120 views
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119 views
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Jaguji, one of the more bizarre-looking mascots, is based on a water faucet. Promotes the Board of Water Supply in the Osaka city. じゃぐ爺 (大阪 大阪市)119 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion whose members are licensed to fire matchlock guns.119 views
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Iroha-matsu pine trees line the road to the castle.119 views
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About the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura.119 views
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View from Honmaru compound, looking toward Lake Biwa.119 views
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118 views
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Yoemon-kun, the mascot for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Confucian scholar Nakae Toju from Takashima, Shiga Pref. よえもん君 (滋賀 高島市)118 views
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View of the bridge from Tenbin Yagura turret.118 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Genkyu-en Garden. Genkyu-en is a Japanese garden next to the castle.118 views
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Shiga's mascot characters118 views
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Entrance to Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.118 views
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Statue of Lord ii Naosuke.118 views
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People line up to enter Hikone Castle's main tower.118 views
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Hikone City Hall with a sign urging Hikone Castle to become a World Heritage Site.117 views
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JR Minami Hikone Station116 views
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Two catfishes: Magnee (Shiga Lakestars mascot) and Caffy (sports mascot).116 views
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116 views
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Ogoton for promoting Ogoto Onsen Spa in Otsu, Shiga. His hairs represent the hot spring's steam. おごとん (滋賀 大津市雄琴温泉)115 views
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Miss Hikone Castle115 views
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About the Iroha pine trees.115 views
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115 views
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The main highlight of the festival is the Hikone Castle Festival Parade held in the afternoon of Nov. 3 (national holiday called Culture Day).114 views
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Main building of the Arikawa home, Toriimoto's most distinguished-looking building. This main building was built in 1759. The Arikawa family were a drug manufacturer. The home was designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2012.113 views
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Palanquin. Did not say that Naosuke rode it.112 views
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Musubi-maru to promote tourism in Sendai, Miyagi Pref. Modeled after Lord Date Masamune. むすび丸 (宮城 仙台市)112 views
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Sento-kun, a boy priest with deer antlers to promote the 1300th anniversary of Nara. せんとくん (奈良 奈良市)112 views
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. "Sanju" means three stories. You can see the 3-story turret and go up the 2nd and 3rd floors.112 views
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112 views
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Hikoneguchi Station on the Ohmi Railways first opened in 1901 and renamed Hikoneguchi in 1917. This station building was torn down in Aug. 2014. 彦根口112 views
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Inside Hikoneguchi Station with turnstile visible, before the building was torn down in Aug. 2014.112 views
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111 views
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Naosuke bided his time studying and practicing the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Zen, poetry, martial arts, and other arts.111 views
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Yaoi-chan from a shopping arcade in Kita-ku, Kyoto. やおいちゃん(京都 京都市北区 御薗橋801商店街)111 views
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Kumokkuru was created by a flower project group in Shibuya, Tokyo. I thought it was a baby monster from a Godzilla movie. くもっくる (東京 渋谷)111 views
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Nigiwai-ichi local goods shop set up in spring.111 views
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Inside a palanquin.110 views
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About 46 mascots showed up during the two days. I went on the first day. They are called "yuru-kyara" (ゆるキャラ) in Japanese which means "loose characters." (Don't ask me what that means.)110 views
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Tabi-maru. a traveler character from Kusatsu, Shiga. Kusatsu was a crossroads on the old Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads where many travelers lodged. "Tabi" means "travel." たび丸 (滋賀 草津市)110 views
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Wataru from Kobe, Hyogo promotes the three bridges crossing from Honshu to Shikoku. (Notice the car on the head.) I thought it was a piece of toast walking around. わたる (兵庫 神戸市)110 views
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Inside Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.110 views
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Old Hikoneguchi Station turnstile.110 views
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109 views
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Vivace-kun is a beaver promoting Viva City shopping mall in Hikone, Shiga. ビバッチェくん (滋賀 彦根市)109 views
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Hiko-nyan and mouse.109 views
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Before or after the castle parade, you might as well see the chrysanthemum exhibit at Gokoku Shrine (護国神社), a shrine dedicated to Shiga's war dead.109 views
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Moat as seen from Kuromon Gate.108 views
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Ii Naosuke (井伊 直弼) (1815-1860) was the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world.108 views
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Near the statue, Hana no Shogai (Flowering Life 花の生涯) monument for Funahashi Seiichi's novel about Naosuke's life that was made into the first NHK Taiga Drama.108 views
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107 views
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107 views
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This road near the primary school is dubbed "Road for Greetings" (Aisatsu no Doro). I walked on this road and passed by a few kids, but received no hellos from them...107 views
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Miss Hikone Castle107 views
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Next are groups wearing period costumes. They are junior high schoolers.107 views
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Umoregi-no-ya was restored from 1985 to 1991, costing 200 million yen. Subsidized by the Cultural Affairs Agency, the prefecture, and city. It is a Special National Historic Site.106 views
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Behind the castle tower is Nishinomaru keep which is west of the castle tower.106 views
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After seeing the main castle tower, walk behind it to also see the Nishinomaru keep. This is the rear view of Hikone Castle's main tenshu tower as seen from Nishonomaru in fall.106 views
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No nails106 views
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Turbo-kun based on pop singer Takanori Nishikawa of T.M. Revolution who hails from Shiga Prefecture. He is an official tourism ambassador for Shiga.106 views
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is usually closed to the public, but opened during the 400th anniversary in 2007.105 views
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105 views
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Inside a palanquin. Seat back cushion.104 views
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Hikone Castle tower lit up at night.104 views
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Ii Naosuke (井伊 直弼) (1815-1860) as the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world.104 views
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Road marker: Go left for the Nakasendo Road or right for the Hikone Road.103 views
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Hikone Castle admission fees in 2017.103 views
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These heron birds make nests in Genkyu-en's trees.102 views
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Tabimaru from Kusatsu, Shiga.102 views
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Mori from Moriyama, Shiga102 views
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Ninjaemon ninja mascot from Koka, Shiga102 views
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102 views
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Another room in Choshoan.102 views
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Umoregi-no-ya entrance.101 views
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For tea ceremony, he was the one who coined the phrase "Ichigo Ichie," literally meaning one time, one meeting. It can mean, "happens only once." 一期一会101 views
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101 views
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The main draw by far was Sento-kun from Nara. The place had two small stages where they introduced each mascot. A huge crowd gathered to see Sento-kun appear on stage.101 views
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101 views
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101 views
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Moat near Genkyuen Garden.101 views
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For ¥500, you can try matcha tea and a small confection. It’s operated by members of a tea school started by castle lord and tea master Ii Naosuke.101 views
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Choshoan tea house was originally the bell ringer’s rest house.101 views
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Matcha tea and confection at Choshoan tea house, Hikone Castle.101 views
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100 views
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Jiimo-kun from Kita-Kyushu, Fukuoka. じーもくん (福岡 北九州市門司区)100 views
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Beam joint inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.100 views
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.100 views
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Moat and cherry trees next to Genkyuen Garden.100 views
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Dotaku-kun from Yasu, Shiga. Modeled after Japan's largest ancient bronze bell discovered in Yasu. ドウタクくん (滋賀 野洲市)100 views
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Hiko-nyan appears outside the Taikomon near the main Hikone Castle tower.100 views
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Pyuara promotes the waterworks bureau of Osaka city. Water droplet character. ぴゅあら (大阪 大阪市)99 views
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99 views
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Otsu Hikaru-kun from Otsu, Shiga to promote the 1000th anniversary in 2008 of the novel Genji Monogatari written in Ishiyama-dera temple in Otsu. おおつ光ルくん (滋賀 大津市)99 views
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99 views
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Hikone daimyo's living quarters.99 views
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99 views
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Heiwado dept. store98 views
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JR Hikone Station as seen from Heiwado.98 views
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Mamyu from the Kyoto International Manga Museum. He wears a pen on his head. About his name, "Ma" is manga, and "myu" is for museum. マミュー (京都 京都市)98 views
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. (Important Cultural Property)98 views
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Rear view of Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.98 views
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98 views
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In front of JR Hikone Station97 views
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Yakuimon Gate at the Arikawa machiya home. Emperor Meiji rested at the Arikawa home. A family still lives in this home. 有川家住宅 薬医門97 views
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Saba-tora Nana-chan is a cat with stripes from mackerel (saba). See the fish in her pouch. Promote Obama in Fukui Pref. さばトラななちゃん (福井 小浜市)97 views
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He wasn't in the guide book.97 views
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. Quite authentic.97 views
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Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.97 views
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Path to Nishinomaru in spring. This area is also good for pinicking.97 views
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Vivace-kun is a beaver promoting Viva City shopping mall in Hikone, Shiga. ビバッチェくん (滋賀 彦根市)97 views
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97 views
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96 views
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96 views
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Takumi Ponzan, a tanuki potter mascot from Shigaraki, Koka, Shiga96 views
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On the way to the main castle tower (tenshu), you can take a tea break at this small tea house called Choshoan (聴鐘庵).96 views
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Road marker95 views
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Tanemaru looks like a seed sprouting two leaves while in a boat. Mascot for Yokohama Port's 150th anniversary of its opening in 2009. 横浜開港150周年記念事業「たねまる」95 views
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Hiko-nyan95 views
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Hikone Castle and plum blossoms.95 views
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94 views
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Who's this baby wandering around Yonbancho shopping center?94 views
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Bird mascots were also numerous, like Unagappa from Tajimi, Gifu Pref. うながっぱ (岐阜 多治見市)94 views
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I thought this was another piece of toast walking around, and I think I was right. Name's Kawarakki to promote healthy meals for children, from Takahama, Aichi Pref. かわら食人 カワラッキー (愛知 高浜市)94 views
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94 views
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Nesting herons can be quite noisy in spring.93 views
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Takamiya Primary School 高宮小学校93 views
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Rear of castle tower.93 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Matsubara Beach.93 views
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Hiko-nyan cutout in front of Hikone Castle. He appears daily.93 views
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Hikone Castle and plum blossoms.93 views
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Chikamon-kun from Sabae, Fukui Pref. Modeled on Chikamatsu Monzaemon for his 345th birthday. ちかもんくん (福井 鯖江市)92 views
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Aoi-kun from Aoi-ku, Shizuoka. あおいくん (静岡 静岡市葵区)92 views
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Mama firefly from Maibara92 views
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Hatsu Azai92 views
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Military band92 views
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Asahinomori Elementary School in Hikone.92 views
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Ii Naosuke procession92 views
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Ii Naosuke is portrayed by an actor.92 views
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Kamakura Period (1185–1333) women wearing veiled straw hats called ichime-gasa. 市女笠92 views
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About Lord Ii Naosuke.92 viewsNaosuke had many enemies who opposed allowing foreigners into Japan or opposed his choice for Shogun Iesada's successor. On a snowy morning on March 24, 1860, Naosuke left his Edo (Tokyo) residence in his palanquin and headed for Edo Castle nearby. Near Sakuradamon Gate, Naosuke was ambushed by 18 anti-foreigner rogue samurai mostly from Mito (Ibaraki Prefecture). It started with a distraction and a bullet hitting Naosuke through his palanquin.
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A procession arrived at the river led by the Hikone Castle Ambassadors.92 views
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The name Tenbin refers to its similarity to a tenbin shoulder pole for carrying a piece of luggage tied to each end. Both east (right) and west (left) ends of the building has a two-story watchtower turret. They look symmetrical, but are not identical.92 views
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Yonbancho Square shopping center 四番町91 views
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Mimi-chan minus the body.91 views
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Hiko-nyan arrives on a cart pulled by bicycle. He didn't stop and kept going.91 views
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91 views
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Plum blossom ume tree given by the city of Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture.91 views
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Yonbancho Square shopping center 四番町90 views
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Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road of shops near Hikone Castle. Shops look nice, but the road is busy with cars.90 views
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90 views
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Iga-gurio to promote Iga, Mie Pref. Surprised that's it's not a ninja character. いが☆グリオ(三重 伊賀市)90 views
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Local-chan from Takatsuki, Osaka. A giant chili pepper?? ロコちゃん (大阪 高槻市)90 views
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If you walk further, you will see Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.90 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Genkyuen Garden during autumn at night.90 views
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Tent selling local goods during spring.90 views
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Daughter Sagawa from Moriyama.90 views
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The parade has children and adults dressed in historical costumes, especially the red samurai armor which was the trademark of the Ii clan. Even a modern samurai needs a cell phone. 90 views
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Moat has lotus.90 views
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Toriimoto-juku is the sixty-third of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the fourth Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Bamba-juku in Maibara), and one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga.89 views
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Habatan is phoenix from Hyogo Pref. to promote a national sports meet. はばタン (兵庫)89 views
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89 views
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Postcard of Commodore Perry and Ii Naosuke to mark the 50th anniversary of Yokohama Port's opening in 1909.89 viewsNaosuke's attackers overwhelmed his unprepared bodyguards within minutes. Wounded and defenseless Naosuke was further stabbed in his palanquin multiple times until he was dragged out by his topknot and beheaded by a Satsuma rogue samurai.
After the assassination, hard feelings continued between Hikone and Mito. But in 1968, the two cities put the past behind them and became friendship cities. Hikone gave white swans from Hikone Castle, and Mito gave plum blossom trees from the famous Kairakuen Garden.
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89 views
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The house has a depressing name. "Umoregi" means petrified wood. Since he was far down the family line to succeed the lordship of his clan, Naosuke did not expect he his life would flower and thereby named this house. 埋木舎88 views
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The road was lined with PR booths for each mascot. They promoted products or tourism. The event saw about 46,000 visitors during the two days. The festival's official Web site is here.88 views
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Yanagase Shopping Arcade booth.88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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87 views
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Plaque87 views
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Dogs were fewer than cats. Kurawanko from Osaka. Based on the local dialectical word "Kurawanka" (Wanna eat?). くらわんこ (大阪 枚方宿鍵屋浦)87 views
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Sagawan actually has two other siblings. she's the cute little sister.87 views
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Another cutie is Mimi-chan from Minami-ku, Sakai, Osaka Pref. A female flower promoting Minami-ku. Notice the bee on her forehead. みみちゃん (大阪 堺市南区)87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station platform86 views
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