 Most viewed - Best of Shiga Prefecture |
About 40 rowers from overseas rowed around Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan on June 5-11, 2011 for the annual FISA World Rowing Tour held for the first time in Asia. Schedule and map for June 5, the first day of rowing. They started from Otsu. 377 views
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Farewell, and thank you everyone for visiting Japan and Shiga Prefecture. We are all happy you had a great time here. Hope you visit again because we have a lot more than just Lake Biwa, Enryakuji, and Hikone Castle. And spread the word about Shiga.300 views
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"Tell your friends back home that JAPAN IS FINE!!" says Masaki Unose, tour director. Shiga was totally safe from any radiation. I was disappointed in Shiga's tourism bureau and other organizations which failed to assert that Shiga was safe 275 views
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And who knows when another FISA World Rowing Tour will be held again in Japan. Not anytime soon as there are many other significant countries in Asia.258 views
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Southeastern shore of Lake Biwa251 viewsAs seen from Mt. Hiei Driveway. Kusatsu and Moriyama are in view.
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View from Mt. Hiei226 views
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Northern Lake Biwa (Sugaura)215 views
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Near Imazu, Takashima214 views
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Takatsuki-cho211 views
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Otsu shoreline and Mt. Hiei208 viewsAs seen from the Otsu Prince Hotel.
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Sugaura in northern Lake Biwa205 views
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Near Sugaura in northern Lake Biwa200 views
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Lake Biwa is near the center of Honshu island between Nagoya and Kyoto.183 views
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Lake Biwa has the North Basin and South Basin with the Biwako Ohashi Bridge as the border. Seta River is the only outflowing river.182 views
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This is how Lake Biwa compares to Tokyo in area.145 views
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Here are two versions of Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景) by Hiroshige. The main complaint is that they center on Otsu in the southern half of Shiga. No scenes from northern Shiga. Autumn Moon at Ishiyama140 views
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Ukimido floating temple in Katata, one of Shiga's most famous and picturesque buildings. One of the eight Omi Hakkei Views made famous by ukiyoe prints by Hiroshige.118 views
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Shirahama Beach along the lake's western shore.117 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii, Takashima. One of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land. Rent a bicycle or go by taxi from Omi-Takashima Station (Kosei Line).117 views
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Omi-Maiko is Shiga's most popular swimming beach.116 views
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Lake Biwa (blue) in Shiga Prefecture highlighted in pink.114 views
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Funazushi fermented carp fish.114 views
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Hot rowers in a cool Lake Biwa.113 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu113 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu111 views
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Ganbaro Nippon! stickers on oars.110 views
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Omi-Maiko white sand beach.110 views
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Chikubushima108 views
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Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a favorite resting place for birds which turned the rocks white from bird droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白石108 views
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Uminoko Floating School operates overnight cruises for 5th graders to learn about Lake Biwa.108 views
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According to legend, two high mountains in northern Shiga argued over who was the highest in Shiga. One of the mountains got so upset by the argument that he drew a sword and sliced off the other mountain's peak...107 views
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Northern Lake Biwa as seen from Mt. Shizugatake.107 views
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With shrines and temples, Chikubushima is a sacred island in northern Lake Biwa.107 views
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Boat houses at Imazu. The boat house on the right includes two fixed-seat wooden boats based on a design dating back to 1917. Photos of fixed-seat boats here.105 views
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Biwako Ohashi Bridge is a toll road (200 yen for ordinary passenger cars), but free for bicycles and pedestrians who can go on the sidewalk. There are actually two parallel bridges, making it a four-lane bridge. The additional bridge was built in 1994.105 views
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Setagawa River boat cruise modeled after the Ichiban-Maru paddlewheel steamboat which cruised on Lake Biwa in the 19th century. In operation during warmer months from Ishiyama-dera port and stopping at Nango Aqua Biwa and Seta-no-karahashi ports.105 views
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104 views
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Most of Lake Biwa's boats are named after Otsu's sister cities. This is Lansing.104 views
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103 views
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Cycling up northern Lake Biwa.103 views
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Lake Biwa Giant Catfish is the lake's largest endemic species (max. 1.2 meter long), dubbed the King of Lake Biwa.103 views
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Seta Rowing Club front a small canal connected to Lake Biwa.102 views
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102 views
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Southern Basin is shallow compared to the Northern Basin.102 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossom cruise. Megumi docked at Kaizu-Osaki Port, Takashima, Shiga.102 views
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Arrow-shaped "eri" fish trap. It leads fish swimming along the fence into a small area where they can be caught.102 views
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101 views
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Omi Ohashi Bridge in southern Lake Biwa leading to Seta River.101 views
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Seta Karahashi Bridge in Otsu.101 views
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100 views
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Kaizu-Osaki and Chikubushima.100 views
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Kawau cormorants. Shiga has thousands of these birds, and most of them live on Chikubushima whose trees are being destroyed by the droppings and branches broken off to make bird nests.100 views
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Ukiyoe woodblock print by Hiroshige showing "Descending Geese at Katata" with Ukimido in the background. 近江八景「堅田の落雁」100 views
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Miidera in Otsu.100 views
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Michigan paddlewheel boat leaving Otsu Port, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.100 views
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June 9, 2011 (Day 6): Nagahama Port at around 8 am. This was the only day I accompanied the rowers on a motorboat to take pictures and videos.99 views
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99 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Returning Boats at Yabase99 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta song monument at Imazu Port. In June 1917, a song called Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) was composed by college student Taro Oguchi during a boat rowing trip around Lake Biwa.99 views
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A small stream empties through Haginohama Beach on the western shore.99 views
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Mt. Mikami across Lake Biwa from Karasaki.99 views
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Cherry blossoms along Seta River in Otsu, Lake Biwa's only outflowing river.99 views
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98 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu98 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Evening Glow at Seta98 views
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Kaizu-Osaki is famous for cherry blossoms along the lake shore. One of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots.98 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii as seen from the cruise boat.98 views
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A small stream empties into Lake Biwa through Haginohama Beach. Numerous streams and rivers like this one feed water to the lake.98 views
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Nightly water fountain show at Otsu Port.98 views
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Sugaura97 views
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Chikubushima is also home to Tsukubusuma (Chikubushima) Shrine which is also a National Treasure.97 views
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Group photo on the steps going to Monjuro tower.97 views
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Chikubushima is home to Hogonji Temple first built in 724 as ordered by the Emperor to worship the Goddess Benzaiten. It belongs to the Shingon Buddhist Sect (Buzan School) and it is the 30th temple in the 33-Temple Pilgrimage of Saigoku. 宝厳寺97 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach and Lake Biwa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture.97 views
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Koto lesson.96 views
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Captain's meeting. They wear Chinaman hats.96 views
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About 100 meters offshore are two large rocks in the lake. They appear above the surface only when there is a water shortage. This little shrine with two rocks are for praying for rain. 二ツ石96 views
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Sugaura in northern Lake Biwa.96 views
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Maibara beach.96 views
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Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu.96 views
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Hikone Port96 views
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Lake Biwa pearls.96 views
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95 views
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Heading for Sugaura, a small lakeside village. From Sugaura, there's a scenic road going up the mountains called Oku-Biwako Parkway. Part of the road is visible here.95 views
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Rest stop in Sugaura.95 views
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Zazen meditation lesson at Enryakuji temple. Mt. Hie is the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japanese Buddhist sects once trained on Mt. Hiei. 95 views
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Biwa means "lute."95 views
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Nagahama Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.95 views
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Neck of Lake Biwa with Biwako Ohashi Bridge connecting Moriyama and Katata.95 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine's boat dock is used during the Sanno Festival when they carry the portable mikoshi shrines on a boat.95 views
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Top of Otsu Prince Hotel has nice views.95 views
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Biwako Bunkakan museum closed in March 2008. The museum was known for Buddhist art, including National Treasures.95 views
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Seta River in Otsu, Lake Biwa's only outflowing river.95 views
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Lake Biwa Canal near Miidera Temple supplies lake water to Kyoto.95 views
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Lake Nishinoko, an attached lake in Omi-Hachiman.95 views
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Lake Biwa pearl mussel.95 views
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June 6, 2011 (Day 3): Rowing from Moriyama to Imazu. They made history by being the largest (around 40) and perhaps only group from overseas to row completely around Lake Biwa.94 views
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Seta Rowng Club members in kimono.94 views
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June 6, 2011 (Day 3): Beach in front of Hotel Laforet.94 views
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Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.94 views
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South Basin94 views
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Otsu waterfront94 views
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Bianca is Lake Biwa's largest tourist boat.94 views
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93 views
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Passengers sit on the floor like in a Japanese room and have lunch as they ride through reed fields in and around Lake Nishinoko in Omi-Hachiman.93 views
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Mt. Ibuki in winter as seen from Hikone.93 views
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Lake Nishinoko reed beds.93 views
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Landing at the beach in front of Hotel Laforet.92 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Evening Bell at Miidera Temple92 views
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92 views
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View of Takeshima, an island with many shapes. Near Hikone.92 views
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91 views
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Beach in front of Hotel Laforet.91 views
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Mt. Hie is on the border between Shiga and Kyoto. The east side of Mt. Hie is in Shiga, while the west side is in Kyoto. Enryakuji is on the east side in Shiga and also accessible from Kyoto.91 views
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Goshu Ondo folk dance native to Shiga was performed.91 views
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And everyone formed a circle and danced. All the rowers who came to Japan were very happy that they decided to come. They all had an unforgettable experience. It's too bad there were many people who canceled their trip. They really missed out...91 views
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Nakasendo Road: Toriimoto (Hikone). The sixty-third of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road.91 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Descending Geese at Katata91 views
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Welcome Ceremony at LaForet Hotel in Moriyama. The tour was supposed to have 60 rowers, but many cancelled due to the sensationalized Fukushima radiation scare without understanding that Shiga was unaffected.90 views
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Arriving at Sugaura for a rest stop. Sugaura is one of the best areas of northern Lake Biwa with a nice lakeshore road and trail almost to the tip of the peninsula. It's a quiet and scenic place.90 views
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The island is noted for its giant stone monument inscribed with the prayer words "Namu Myo-horenge-kyo" from the Lotus Sutra.90 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach in Takashima. I know they did some filming here for the NHK Taiga Drama "Go" where she rides on horseback. 白ひげの浜90 views
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Rowing on dragon boats from Ogoto to Katata.89 views
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Shiga does have dragon boat races. Dragon boats are fun because anybody can row on it.89 views
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Lunch at Shirahama.89 views
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The cormorant birds inhabit parts of the island inaccessible to humans. Besides ruining the greenery on the island, they also gobble up the fish in the lake, seriously affecting the local fishermen.89 views
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Group photo in Nagahama.89 views
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Lunch at Enryakuji.89 views
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Buddhist cuisine called "shojin ryori" which is vegetarian.89 views
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Leaving Nagahama.89 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Night Rain at Karasaki. The print made the Karasaki pine tree at Karasaki Shrine famous.89 views
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View of Lake Biwa and Otsu. Omi Ohashi Bridge in the background. The towering building is Otsu Prince Hotel.89 views
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Rio Grande89 views
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The Seta Rowing Club is in eastern Otsu. It has a two-story clubhouse and an annex for storing more boats. It fronts a small canal connected to the lake.88 views
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88 views
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88 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu88 views
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Nakasendo Road: Imasu (Gifu, on the border with Shiga). Shows the border between Imasu and Kashiwabara. There is an inn on the Imasu side (left) and Kashiwabara side.88 viewsNemonogatari-no-Sato is where the prefectural boundary between Gifu and Shiga is located. The inns are no longer here, but guests at both inns used to talk to each other across the border before sleeping.
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Descending Geese at Katata88 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Night Rain at Karasaki88 views
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Marker and sign indicating the site of the Ii clan residence in Edo (Tokyo) during the feudal era.87 views
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June 9, 2011 (Day 6): Rowing from Nagahama to Hikone (Satsuma Beach).87 views
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Photo taken from Omi Ohashi Bridge.87 views
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Passing by Shirahige Shrine in Takashima, western Lake Biwa.87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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87 views
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June 8, 2011 (Day 5): Day trip to Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hie in Otsu. This is the cable car station at Sakamoto, at the foot of Mt. Hie (Hie-zan) in western Shiga.87 views
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Nakasendo Road: Echigawa (Aisho), the 65th post town on the Nakasendo. A bridge across Echigawa River. It was toll-free (Muchin-bashi). On the left across the river is Mt. Kannonji (Kinugake).87 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Clearing Storm at Awazu87 views
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Rowers casting off at Seta Rowing Club.86 views
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The brown building is the Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel.86 views
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86 views
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Leaving Matsubara Beach in Hikone.86 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu86 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Evening Snow at Mt. Hira86 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Autumn Moon at Ishiyama86 views
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June 11, 2011 (Day 8): Rowing from Moriyama to Otsu (Seta River). Shiga Prefecture is one of Japan's 47 prefectures. A prefecture is similar to a US state like California, Texas, etc.85 views
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T-shirt with "Biwako" written was given to all rowers. "Biwako" means Lake Biwa. Rowing is most common at the southern tip of the lake, along Seta River in the capital city of Otsu. A few rowing clubs row partially around the lake. 85 views
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June 4, 2011 (Day 1) started with a reception at LaForet Hotel in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture.85 views
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85 views
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85 views
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85 views
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Inside the cable car going up to Enryakuji temple. One of the largest temple complexes in Japan, Enryakuji is the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. 85 views
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85 views
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Tokaido Road: Minakuchi (Koka). A summer scene of a few women drying gourd shavings to make kanpyo. Minakuchi-juku was the fiftieth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road.85 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu85 views
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84 views
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Leaving Imazu.84 views
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84 views
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The rear of Chikubushima island is still recovering from wilted trees caused by tens of thousands of cormorant birds.84 views
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84 views
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84 views
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Arriving at the boat landing for the Scenic Water Channel boat ride (Suigo Meguri) in Omi-Hachiman.84 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu84 views
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Katata is on the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge, opposite of Moriyama where the hotel was. The ferris wheel was part of an amusement park which closed over 10 years ago. It has been rusting and abandoned since.83 views
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Arriving at Nagahama Port. Nagahama is one of Shiga's major cities and covers northern Shiga almost entirely. Chikubushima is also part of Nagahama.83 views
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Leaving Nagahama Port at around 8:30 am. Photos you see here are only part of the total number of photos I gave to Seta Rowing Club for distribution.83 views
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83 views
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Buffet of sushi, sandwiches, etc.83 views
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Tokaido Road: Tsuchiyama (Koka)83 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Evening Glow at Seta. Today, you can see a modern version of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge.83 views
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Portable boat landing decks (in blue) were used.82 views
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JCMU is an educational facility for college students mainly from Michigan to study in Japan. Shiga and the US state of Michigan are sister states. Many cities in Shiga have sister-city ties with cities in Michigan.82 views
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Isakiji temple has a 13-meter long plank jutting above the lake in the city of Omi-Hachiman.82 views
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Tokaido Road: Tsuchiyama (Koka). People at the head of a daimyo procession are crossing a bridge over a river near Tamura Shrine during spring rains. Tsuchiyama-juku was the 49th of the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road.82 views
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Nakasendo Road: Musa (Omi-Hachiman), 66th of the 69 stations on the Nakasendo Road. A bridge of boats.82 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Evening Snow at Mt. Hira82 views
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81 views
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The western shore of Lake Biwa has many white sand beaches.81 views
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Rowing past Hikone Castle atop a hill.81 views
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Approaching Satsuma Beach, the final stop for the day.81 views
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Tokaido Road: Kusatsu. A rest house and servants are depicted. Kusatsu-juku was the 52nd station on the Tokaido Road (following Ishibe-juku) and the 68th station (following Moriyama-juku) on the Nakasendo Road.81 views
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The back of her kimono obi sash has a design featuring rowing geisha.80 views
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Omi-Maiko Beach, a rest stop.80 views
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Shirahige Shrine's torii gate in the lake is one of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land.80 views
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Watching Hiko-nyan, Hikone Castle's official mascot which is wildly popular. He performs daily inside Hikone Castle Museum. He is a white cat with a samurai helmet.80 views
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Nakasendo Road: Takamiya (Hikone). The sixty-fourth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road.80 views
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Nakasendo Road: Otsu, 69th post town on the Nakasendo from Hiroshige's Kisokaido series. Hatcho-dori street and Lake Biwa in the distance.80 views
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Masaki Unose, tour director and member of the Seta Rowing Club in Otsu, gives a welcome speech. The rowing tour was organized and hosted by the Seta Rowing Club.79 views
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"Ganbaro" means, "do your best and don't give up." This is the slogan for people affected by the earthquake and tsunami which occurred in northern Japan.79 views
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Rowing along western Lake Biwa. The JR Kosei Line is in the background. The Kosei Line runs from Kyoto to Imazu.79 views
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Departing Imazu.79 views
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Picture panels telling stories of famous Japanese Buddhist Sect founders such as Honen, Shinran, and Nichiren who trained on Mt. Hiei.79 views
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Masaki "Follow Me" Unose on the lead boat going to Takeshima island.79 views
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79 views
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The Scenic Water Channel boat ride uses traditional-looking motorized boats for large groups.79 views
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Click on page 2 below to see more photos.79 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu79 views
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Nakasendo Road: Kusatsu Oiwake, Kusatsu is the 68th post town on the Nakasendo Road.79 views
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Trying the tea.78 views
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78 views
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Chikubushima island in the background with Mt. Ibuki, Shiga's highest mountain (in Maibara), on the right.78 views
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Mt. Hiei affords great views of southern Lake Biwa. Enryakuji was founded by the priest Saicho to protect Kyoto from the demons of the northeast.78 views
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A priest explains the concepts behind the practice of meditating. Enryakuji is also part of a World Heritage Site called ''Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."78 views
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Group in front of Konpon Chudo Hall, a National Treasure and Enryakuji's main worship hall and largest building.78 views
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78 views
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78 views
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Heading for Takeshima, a small island about 6.5 km off Hikone. 78 views
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Shabu-shabu lunch in Hikone with Omi beef. People had questions about how to eat the food. Cook the meat, vegetables, and udon noodles in the little shabu-shabu pot of boiling water, then dip into the sauce. One sauce for the meat, another for the udon.78 views
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.78 views
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78 views
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Tokaido Road: Otsu78 views
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Tokaido Road: Tsuchiyama (Koka)78 views
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Tokaido Road: Kusatsu78 views
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June 10, 2011 (Day 7): Rowing from Hikone (Satsuma Beach) to Moriyama. Lake Biwa is Japan's largest lake in Shiga Prefecture. "Biwa" means lute. The lake has a number of unique species such as the Lake Biwa catfish.77 views
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Heading for Ogoto.77 views
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Leaving beach in front of Hotel Laforet.77 views
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77 views
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The torii is a smaller version of the much more famous one in Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture). 白鬚神社77 views
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Although it was during the rainy season, the rowers endured minimal rain and bad weather. The tour went on every day as scheduled. If it were Aug., it would have been really hot and humid.77 views
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A Japanese tradition of smashing open a barrel of sake or rice wine. The stack of square wooden cups on the right emblazoned with "FISA World Rowing Tour in Biwako" was also given as a souvenir to the rowers.77 views
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Nakasendo Road: Kashiwabara (Maibara). Depicts Kameya, a shop selling mugwort from Mt. Ibuki used for moxa. The shop is still there, the last surviving maker of moxa cautery in Kashiwabara, the 60th station on the Nakasendo.77 views
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Nakasendo Road: Moriyama, 67th post town on the Nakasendo) from Hiroshige's Kisokaido series. Tea houses in spring.77 views
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Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景): Clearing Storm at Awazu. This area is pretty much gone, covered by roads. Very few Awazu pine trees remain.77 views
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June 8, 2011 (Day 5): Day trip to Enryakuji temple (No rowing). Photos here are shown for display purposes, not really for downloading. Rowers will receive a disc of high-resolution photos.76 views
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Chopstick lesson.76 views
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76 views
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After lunch, the group visited Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden. Hikone Castle is famous for cherry blossoms and Hiko-nyan (see next photo).76 views
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Top floor of Hikone Castle tower. Hikone Castle's last lord was Ii Naosuke, the Chief Minister of the Tokugawa samurai government. He was the one who agreed to open Japan to the USA in 1858 after Commodore Perry visited.76 views
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76 views
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76 views
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Tokaido Road: Tsuchiyama (Koka)76 views
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