Most viewed - Otsu 大津市 |
Free rides on this dragon boat were also provided.78 views
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There is a small opening where you can enter the bell pavilion to ring the gong. 鐘楼78 views
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It costs 300 yen to ring this bell once. (Not supposed to ring it more than once unless you pay again.) Also see my YouTube video here. 三井晩鐘78 views
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The dance area is very big. Many of the dance groups are from local companies.78 views
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浜大津と大津港の近辺では非常に不快感でした。柵で閉鎖されて有料の観客席だけ。最低の花火会場。78 views
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Instead of going to Hama-Otsu Station, go to Shimanoseki Station (Keihan streetcar) to reach the free viewing area.78 views
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Otsu lakefront as seen from Top of Otsu.78 views
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Lake Biwa Canal No. 1. The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) supplies water from Lake Biwa in Otsu to Kyoto. After four years of monumental construction, the canal was completed in 1890. 78 views
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Inside Saikyoji's Hondo hall.78 views
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Torii at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Two of the shrine's main structures are National Treasures.78 views
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Another torii on the Sando road leading to Hiyoshi Taisha. This neighborhood is called Sakamoto which is noted for traditional architecture.78 views
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Omiya Bridge happens to be an Important Cultural Property. 大宮橋78 views
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About Toshogu Shrine in Japanese.78 views
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Way to Shirayama-gu Shrine.78 views
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Mii Bell Pavilion (Mii-no-Bansho) on the right. The small building on the left is a gift shop where you buy a ticket to ring the bell.78 views
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On the 3rd floor top deck, Uminoko has five cutter boats for 12 rowers each. There is also a motor boat. The cutter boats are used for rowing excursions. The cutters are named after waterfowl.78 views
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Leaving Otsu Port as the ground crew wave us off.78 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Night Rain in Karasaki from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. 78 views
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There was hardly any crowd control nor crowd direction. We just had to work our way through the lines when moving to another booth. Some lines extended all the way to the hotel behind the park.78 views
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I came to see this to pray for a good Year of the Horse in 2014, the following year.78 views
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Biwako Ohashi Bridge 78 views
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Keihan train at Karahashi-mae Station.78 views
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It didn't that long to see the hidden Buddha.78 views
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心経堂78 views
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Kyoto Univ. is unable to correct their misdirection77 views
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One of the main events, the 4-man boat race between Todai and Kyodai on a 3200-meter course.77 views
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Rowing on the dragon boat77 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD presented to a winner. A CD was also presented to the regatta's youngest and oldest rower.77 views
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Inside 豊浄院77 views
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On the left of the Kancho-do is the Chonichi Goma-do Hall. Important Cultural Property. 長日護摩堂77 views
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Inside Kannon-do Hall77 views
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The festival's highlight is a local bon dance called Goshu Ondo. Also see the video at YouTube.77 views
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Entering Nishi Hongu Shrine.77 views
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Romon Gate to Higashi Hongu77 views
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Usa-gu Shrine is also in the Hie-zukuri style, but smaller than Nishi Hongu. Important Cultural Property built in 1598.77 views
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The boat has four floors. The upper three floors are made of aluminum alloy to make the ship lighter. We first entered the 2nd floor where there was a small lobby for us to change into indoor shoes.77 views
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This corridor has photos of native Lake Biwa fish on the wall.77 views
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However, I did manage to buy some food at a few booths, and all were very good. Tasty like I've never tasted before. Unique and original dishes I would say. This is red devil's tongue with gravied bread.77 views
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Now a much smaller target.77 views
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This giant ferris wheel was a landmark in Katata until it was finally dismantled.77 views
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At Ishiyama-dera, inside Room of Genji is a lifesize doll of Lady Murasaki Shikibu who in the 11th century wrote Tale of Genji, one of Japan's most famous novels.77 views
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4-man crew alumni boat race76 views
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Todai's 4-man crew in the lead76 views
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Carrying the boat back76 views
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Celebrations76 views
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Chojitsudo Hondo main hall 朝日堂76 views
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Gate to the To-in complex, Miidera's most sacred area where Enchin (Chisho-Daishi) is buried and enshrined. All the buildings are Important Cultural Properties. 唐院76 views
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When the temple founder was crossing this bridge, a temple in China was ablaze. When he sprinkled water from a well, a mist arose from beneath the bridge and flew to extinguish the burning temple in China. 村雲橋76 views
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Incense burner inside Kannon-do Hall76 views
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Soroban (Abacus) Monument76 views
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Another gate to Goho Zenjin-do Hall76 views
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Goho Zenjin-do Hall worships a guardian deity for children. Pray here for a safe childbirth and healthy growth of your kids. 護法善神堂76 views
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Overall winner with two salmon at Otsu Summer Festival. 優勝作品76 views
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People used to place these vinyl mats to save a fireworks viewing spot as early as 2 weeks before the fireworks date. However, from Aug. 2010, the city no longer allows this. You can save a spot only on the day of the fireworks.76 views
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Otsu Castle marker76 views
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Entrance to Biwako Bunkakan museum. A lookout deck is on the top of this tower.76 views
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View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking south toward the city.76 views
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Lake Biwa Canal No. 176 views
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Gate to Saikyoji temple. Saikyoji is a 20-min. walk from central Sakamoto.76 views
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Gate to a temple in Sakamoto.76 views
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Temple belfry76 views
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Ninomiya Bridge leading to Higashi Hongu Shrine. 二宮橋76 views
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Approaching Sanno Torii76 views
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Inside looks like brand new.76 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.76 views
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About Kangaku-in Hall.76 views
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2nd floor welcome mat.76 views
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The university also has a pleasant cafeteria called “Yui” near the lake shore where you can have lunch.76 views
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)76 views
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Biwako Ohashi Bridge is 1.35 km long connecting Moriyama and Katata across the neck of Lake Biwa.76 views
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Hondo main temple hall76 views
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Inside Hondo76 views
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Kyodai's 4-man crew rowing with dark-blue blades75 views
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Lotus pond75 views
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View from Biwako Bunkakan museum, looking east where Biwako Hall can be seen.75 views
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Shiga Prefectural Capitol (Shiga Kencho) is a short walk from Otsu Station. This original building was built in 1939. Newer wings have since been built. 滋賀県庁75 views
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The temple is full of other graves and monuments.75 views
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Columbarium.75 views
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Way to Hiyoshi Toshogu, in the same direction as the Hieizan cable car.75 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Toshogu Shrine is a lesser shrine (massha 末社), a short walk from the main area of Hiyoshi Taisha.75 views
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Going to board the Michigan paddlewheel boat.75 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Otsu-juku from his "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road" series. 75 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Night Rain in Karasaki from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. 75 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Clearing Storm at Awazu from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. Zeze Castle can be clearly seen.75 views
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Biwako Ohashi Bridge is Shiga's longest bridge.75 views
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Room of Genji (源氏の間)75 views
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Ishiyama-dera's bell75 views
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Sit on the rock under the Sutra Repository,75 views
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心経堂75 views
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豊浄院 temple museum75 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).75 views
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Kyodai is clearly in the lead74 views
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Seta no Karahashi Bridge (stone sign) and Seta River. This was before the bridge got a new paint job in 2012. 瀬田の唐橋74 views
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Seta River74 views
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Hydrangea in June74 views
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Yukata with a logo of Lake Biwa.74 views
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Stone marker indicating Saikyoji as the headquarters of the Tendai Shinsei Sect.74 views
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Previously, they held day-trip voyages for the public once or twice a year. We had to send in a postcard to apply. Usually over 500 people applied and only about 115 could get in. Now, due to a tight budget, they only hold these open house tours at port.74 views
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Top wooden deck on the 3rd floor. There was a water transparency demonstration amid cutter boats. 3階甲板74 views
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Those international flags on the top deck weren't there when I went in Aug. 2010.74 views
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Bow of Michigan.74 views
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As of spring 2023, Ishiyama-dera's head priest is a woman, the 53rd zasu abbot. Washio Ryuge (鷲尾龍華) is Ishiyama-dera's first woman abbot taking over from her father who preceded her. She's in her mid-30s..74 views
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From March 18 to Dec. 4, 2016, Ishiyama-dera held a special display of their hidden Buddha. Shown only once every 33 years.74 views
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Room of Genji74 views
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Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来74 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).74 views
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Keihan Ishiyama Station74 views
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Keihan Line at Ishiyama Station.74 views
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Writing names on award certificates.73 views
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In the center of the To-in complex is the Kancho-do Hall. Its a dojo exercise hall for entering the priesthood and conducting Buddhist initiation ceremonies. 潅頂堂73 views
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Built in 1616, Bishamon-do Hall is an Important Cultural Property. 毘沙門堂73 views
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Ema tablet pavilion73 views
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Moon-viewing stage 勧月舞台73 views
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Okinawan eisa taiko drummer 琉友会73 views
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Ice sculpture contest73 views
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Pay money to watch the sky. I wonder if they actually filled up these seats. One of the most commercialized fireworks I've ever seen.73 views
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At the top of Otsu Prince Hotel is a restaurant called Top of Otsu. See grand views of the city and Lake Biwa on sunny days. Order a soft drink which should be affordable. It's worth the views to be had.73 views
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Lake Biwa Canal and cherry blossoms above the tunnel entrance.73 views
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Romon Gate rear73 views
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Rear of Higashi Hongu Honden Hall. You can see that the veranda in the center is slightly elevated. This makes it different from Nishi Hongu.73 views
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During Aug. 2010, they displayed some native Lake Biwa fish in fish tanks on the boat.73 views
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Bow73 views
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As the boat turns, the sun's striking area changes. People leave wherever the sun strikes in the heat of summer. 73 views
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Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge had four bamboo poles indicating where the mikoshi (portable shrine) boats will pass under. These photos were taken on Aug. 17, 2010, a very hot day. MAP73 views
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Omi Italian sausage. Hot dog like I've never tasted before. Very good.73 views
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After staying in the temple for seven days, this is the room where Lady Murasaki Shikibu got inspired by an autumn moonlit night and started writing Genji Monogatari.73 views
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Omikuji paper fortunes73 views
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Hondo73 views
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Inside 豊浄院73 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki writing Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).73 views
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Inside Keihan Line train.73 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station73 views
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JR Tokaido Line train tracks crossing Seta River72 views
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3rd place winner in the Masters Men's Category. マスターズ男子の部 3位 大歯大松籟会B72 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall72 views
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Inside bell tower72 views
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Inside Biwako Bunkakan museum.72 views
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Otsu and Lake Biwa as seen from the top of Otsu Prince Hotel.72 views
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Directions to Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine and the cable car station.72 views
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Path going to Saikyoji temple's Hondo hall. This would be pretty during cherry blossom season.72 views
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This is a must-see shrine. Very ornate and colorful, similar to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. Important Cultural Property.72 views
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Path to Mt. Hachioji where there are two more shrines.72 views
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Kannon-do on the left.72 views
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View of central Otsu which is experiencing a building boom along the lake shore. This has prompted local residents to seek a building height limit, otherwise the lake would disappear from view.72 views
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A former student's art work is displayed. Made of corrugated cardboard.72 views
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Michigan boat at Otsu Port. I would call this boat suited for spring and fall. The open-air design can make it too hot or too cold if you don't opt to pay extra to relax in the air-conditioned rooms.72 views
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Other boats follow. They all proceeded to the shrine's Otabisho near the Nango sluice on Seta River. A Shinto ceremony would be performed there before they returned back to Seta Karahashi Bridge at 8 pm.72 views
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The large, hidden Buddha also had smaller Kannon statues inside. These were also displayed.72 views
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During Ishiyama-dera's display of the hidden Kannon Buddha, they also allowed the public to ring the temple bell for a small fee.72 views
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Ishiyama-dera is also noted for autumn leaves.72 views
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TripAdvisor certificate displayed at Ishiyama-dera.72 views
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Kyodai's 4-man crew try to keep up71 views
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Seta Castle garden71 views
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Ema tablet71 views
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The stone marker on the right indicates where Emperor Meiji was when he visited here.71 views
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Otsu Port and this area is reclaimed land.71 views
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Kondo Hall corner wood beam71 views
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Typical stone walls in Sakamoto71 views
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About Nishi Hongu Honden Hall71 views
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Kondo Hall carvings71 views
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Kondo Hall and cherry blossoms.71 views
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On the right of the Kancho-do is the three-story pagoda (Sanju-no-to). It was moved from Fushimi Castle in Kyoto in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Important Cultural Property. 三重塔71 views
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Kondo Hall carvings71 views
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Zeze Castle was built in 1601 upon the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu after he won the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He dismantled Otsu Castle and assigned Zeze Castle as a guard for the Tokaido Road.71 views
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About once a year, the old Uminoko was open to the public for free while moored at Otsu Port. You could freely go inside and look at most of the rooms. I went on Aug. 18, 2010. This is the flyer for the tour called Kengakukai.71 views
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Sleeping quarters are on the 1st floor. This room is for 20 girls. They sleep on the floor. There are 12 rooms similar to this one. A total of 240 kids can thus be accommodated.71 views
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More cutter boats. They accommodate ten kids and two adults. They use these boats only in calm waters. カッター艇71 views
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It was a gourmet battle, so we could vote for our favorite B-class food by throwing away the wooden chopsticks in the these trash bins for each food booth. They weighed these bags of chopsticks and the heaviest won the battle.71 views
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Path to Ishiyama-dera in autumn.71 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来71 views
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