 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Cheering/coaching from bicycle145 views
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We now enter Lake Biwa.145 views
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Local Artifacts Museum (Kyodo Shiryokan). Former residence of Omi merchant Nishimura Tarouemon. 郷土資料館145 views
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Otemon-dori arcade 大手門通り145 views
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Practice horse track at JRA Ritto Training Center in Ritto.145 views
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Attic145 views
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External view of house145 views
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Printable map and directions to all song monuments. Google map 歌碑の案内地図145 viewsAlso see this Google map: Google map
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Souvenir shop and rest space.145 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間145 views
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Rice-planting Festival Shinto ceremony. A torii stands next to the rice paddy. MAP For more info: Yasu Tourism FB145 views
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Naotaka Shrine, dedicated to Lord Ii Naotaka, the third lord of Hikone Castle. 直孝神社145 views
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Shimasako-nyan, a cat based on one of Ishida Mitsunari's retainers. しまさこにゃん、ひこね「街の駅」寺子屋 力石マスコットキャラクター145 views
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In the end, the kid pushed out Takamisakari.145 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret145 views
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The Ninomaru Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura (二の丸佐和口多聞櫓) has left and right buildings that used to be connected by a bridge-like Sawaguchi Gate in the middle. A yagura was a storehouse (for weapons, etc.) that had a small watchtower or turret.145 views
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View of the other side of the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret (now a museum).145 views
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Behind the horse stable.145 views
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View from castle tower145 views
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Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is said to have formerly been the tenshu castle tower of Odani Castle in Nagahama. 西の丸三重櫓145 views
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Statue of Akechi Mitsuhide at Sakamoto Castle site.145 views
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Shodenji temple145 views
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Kabata shed of a lake fisherman.145 views
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Someone's outdoor kabata where we could drink the water or even put it in plastic bottles to take home.145 views
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Stream with baikamo145 views
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Genjihama Beach145 views
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Kibukawa Station, terminus of the Omi Railway Line and connection to the JR Kusatsu Line.145 views
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Ishiyama-dera Hondo Hall, a National Treasure.145 views
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Dig this van with a ninja on top.145 views
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Biwa-kogata-sujishima spiny loach (ビワコガタスジシマドジョウ) - Endangered endemic species145 views
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Pachycordyle kubotai - First discovered in Lake Biwa in mid-1990s by Dr. Oleg A. Timoshkin of the Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.145 views
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Snapped part being repaired.144 views
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This is the old Imazu Port building. It was a two-story building with a small restaurant on the 2nd floor. Ironically, it had no enclosed interior space for passengers.144 views
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To Takeshima144 views
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Inside Saimyoji temple's Hondo hall.144 views
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple144 views
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Gate guardian (left side)144 viewsIn the San-mon Gate
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Katsube Shrine was founded in 649 and originally dedicated to a warrior god by the Mononobe clan.144 views
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Everyone enjoyed the rowing trip. The motorboat on Lake Biwa was fun and I got a lotta good shots.144 views
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Although the Honjin is long gone, there are a few reminders of its shukuba past. Near Ohmi Railways Toriimoto Station. Map144 views
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Shinmachi-dori looking toward Hachimanyama144 views
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Nishikawa residence.144 views
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Tonomura Shigeru Literature Museum (Bungakukan). Shigeru had a passion for writing, so he entrusted the family business to his younger brother. 外村 繁文学館144 views
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Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee.144 views
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Tokonoma alcove with scroll.144 views
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2nd floor room144 views
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Back of Verse 1 Song Monument, Otsu (Mihogasaki)144 viewsDirections: From JR Otsu Station, take a bus to Mihogasaki. It's about 10 min. Or you can easily walk it from Hama-Otsu Station. Just walk on the main road toward the race boat arena. There will be a small marina on the right. Right after passing the marina, turn right into the small road. There will be a small park on the right. The monument is there. There are two stone monuments. It might be roped off and you're not supposed to enter the park. While you're there, walk around the marina and see the boathouse with the cherry blossom logo with three stripes. That's the logo of the school and the place where the boys left for the rowing trip in 1917. Otsu Station also has a tourist information office where you can obtain directions and a map.
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Genji Millenium sign with "Genji Yume" (Genji Dream) kanji logo on the right. Otsu is not the only place celebrating the Genji Millenium. Kyoto and other places are also celebrating.144 views
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Ohmi Railways Echigawa Station. The station building, named Ruburu Echigawa, has a tourist information counter and exhibition gallery.144 views
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View from the balcony.144 views
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Michinoeki Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza, a shopping place for local produce. 道の駅びわ湖大橋米プラザ144 views
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Up you go...144 views
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Observation tower in Garden Museum Hiei, a tourist attraction on the summit of Mt. Hiei.144 views
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Otsu Matsuri floats look better at night with the lanterns lit. Seeing the festival eve is well worth it. It's not so crowded either.144 views
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The top of the Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama float also has a stuffed tanuki (raccoon dog). This is how to identify this float at Otsu Matsuri.144 views
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Koka City Hall, Shigaraki Branch144 views
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A warehouse converted into a pottery fair.144 views
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This pottery shop also offers pottery classes.144 views
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Free shuttle bus to move between the ceramic park, pottery fair, and train station.144 views
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Very impressive.144 views
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Sometimes the kabata is outdoors with no shelter.144 views
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In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.144 views
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Nakajima is really nice. But right behind this scene is a neighborhood of summer homes. Also see my YouTube video here.144 views
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Cable car leaving Sakamoto.144 views
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The right side of the turret is now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.144 views
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The Sando path also has cherry trees in April. Late April brings azaleas.144 views
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Nagahama Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.144 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 MAP144 views
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English information sign for Taikomon Gate.144 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.144 views
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Fish Conservation and Breeding Center 保護・増殖センター - They breed endangered freshwater fish species and research breeding methods.144 views
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Electric catfish (デンキナマズ) from Lake Tanganyika, Africa144 views
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Endemic mussel used to produce Biwa pearls, now extinct.144 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.144 views
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Boat schedule and price in the old days. ¥2,100 per person. You can also charter a boat.143 views
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No. 1 Tunnel entrance. 143 views
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Inside Benzai Tendo. The statue of Benzaiten in that corner was donated by the father of Lord Azai Nagamasa. 143 views
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Kusatsu as seen from Mt. Hiei143 viewsKarasuma Peninsula is also visible.
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Church house143 views
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In the deep-green forest, you can see part of the pagoda's roof. You can walk to Jorakuji (means "Constant Comfort Temple") from Chojuji Temple. From Ishibe Station, best to take a bus to Chojuji first, then walk downhill to Jorakuji. Entra143 views
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Local firemen143 views
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This was the first time the English song was sung in public. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版の発表会、今津港の歌碑前143 views
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Inside the boat house143 views
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The Kita-Omi Resort is mainly a natural hot spring facility with segregated baths. It is complemented by a few restaurants and even the Egypt Pavilion which was brought over in Sept. 2006 from the 2005 Aichi Expo.143 views
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We can peer inside the rooms from outside, but cannot actually enter the building.143 views
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Keihan Ishiyama-dera Station with Genji Millenium banners. Tale of Genji Millennium was held in 2008 in Otsu. 源氏物語千年紀143 views
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Namu-kun from Nara to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of Nara. "Namu" is based on "Namu Amida butsu" and "Namu Horengekyo." なーむくん (奈良 奈良市）143 views
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Another place to visit in Shigaraki. 143 views
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143 views
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Inside Taikomon Gate.143 views
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Each choir has to sing two songs: One is Biwako Shuko no Uta, and the second one could be any song. Each choir must sing both songs within 8 min.143 views
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Hikone Castle has bell-shaped windows at the top.143 views
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Omido Hall 御影堂143 views
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This is what you see at the top of the stone steps. Founded in 749, Ishiyama-dera, belonging to the Shingon Buddhist Sect, is the 13th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage.143 views
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Inside Bishamon-do Hall is Bishamon.143 views
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Issaikyo-zo Hall is a storehouse for all of the temple's Buddhist scriptures and valuable books. Built in the Muromachi Period and moved here from Yamaguchi Pref. in 1602 by Lord Mori Terumoto. Important Cultural Property. 一切経蔵143 views
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The sumo festival started at 1 pm. They had kids and men on both sides of the sumo ring.143 views
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Yasu's official mascot, named Dotaku-kun, is modeled after a dotaku.143 views
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Letter written by Ii Naosuke is also displayed in the Hikone Castle Museum.143 views
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My YouTube video of the Kenketo Odori Festival.143 views
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On the 4th floor is the bridge of the Uminoko. There is a small observation room behind the bridge where people can watch the captain and crew steer the boat. 操舵室143 views
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Yakata-bune tourist boat cruising through Hachiman-bori moat in Omi-Hachiman.143 views
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Biwa-Yoshinobori goby (ビワヨシノボリ) - Endemic species143 views
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Hon-moroko (honmoroko) gudgeon (ホンモロコ) - Endangered endemic species, but it has been recovering in numbers during the 2020s.143 views
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Utsusemi-kajika sculpin (ウツセミカジカ) - Endangered endemic species143 views
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Lake trout (レイクトラウト) from The Great Lakes, North America143 views
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Maruki-bune replica displayed at the Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum in Omi-Hachiman. 滋賀県立安土城考古博物館143 viewsIn 1990, the Shiga Prefectural Association for Cultural Heritage had this replica made for a successful voyage from northern Nagahama to Chikubushima island, proving its viability.
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Enter the crayfish and control its claws. ザリガニになろう143 views
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From 2006 to 2010, Dr. Grygier supervised the museum's comprehensive project: Exploration of the Biological Diversity of Lake Biwa and its Watershed: Taxonomy and Morphology- & Molecule-based Phylogeny143 views
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People's fortune stickers on the kite. 願い札142 views
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Karasaki Shrine142 views
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Cycling path in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.142 views
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Funa-roka boat corridor142 views
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Omi-Shiotsu Station JR近江塩津駅142 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin on the Tokaido Road. MAP142 views
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Cheering section142 views
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Cheering/coaching on foot142 views
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Old photo of Verse 2 Song Monument in Omi-Maiko. The tree was cut down and lyrics later painted white.142 views
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Approaching Otsu Prince Hotel, major landmark visible from afar.142 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.142 views
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About Tarumi Tongu. (垂水頓宮) Tongu means temporary palace. There were five of them for the Saio princess between Kyoto and the Saiku palace in Ise.142 views
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Notice the little shrine in the background to mark the Tarumi Tongu site. 皆さん、大変お疲れさまでした。とても優雅なお祭りでした。皆に伝えます。142 views
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A roadside spring.142 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers bloom year-round since the water temperature remains almost the same.142 views
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World Heritage Site plaque142 views
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Another nice building to photograph is this Hokke Soji-in Toto pagoda.142 views
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Sanno-in temple in Saito temple complex of Enryakuji.142 views
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Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi in spring.142 views
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Cherry trees also greet you at the temple.142 views
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Inside Rennyo-do Hall.142 views
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Mieido Hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi who founded Shingon Sect, to Roben 良弁僧正, the founder of Ishiyama-dera, and to Shunnyu Naiku 淳祐内供, the third head priest of Ishiyama-dera. 御影堂142 views
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Map and history of Mt. Odani and Odani Castle, a National Historic Site. Odani Castle was built around 1523.142 views
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Also see kite-flying contests, exotic kites from around Japan, and stage entertainment. Anybody can fly a kite too. From 10 am to 3 pm. 142 views
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Lake Biwa's North Basin.142 views
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Biwa-higai gudgeon (ビワヒガイ) - Endemic species142 views
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Northern snakehead (カムルチー) - Invasive species, eats aquatic insects, mollusks, and carp.142 views
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Three-Story Pagoda. Reconstructed in 2000.141 views
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Rear view of torches.141 views
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Boat landing141 views
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Stone lantern in garden141 views
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Another room in the 世尊院 showed more embroidery, mainly of flowers. The exhibition here will change a few times during 2008.141 views
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First they threw bunches of rice seedlings into the paddy.141 views
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Altar facing the shore141 views
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Kiyotaki Tokugen-in temple's three-story pagoda141 views
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Garden Museum Hiei as seen from the lookout deck141 views
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The second day of the Otsu Matsuri Festival is called the Honmatsuri, featuring a procession of the thirteen floats as the festival climax. The highlight are the performances by the karakuri mechanical dolls on the floats.141 views
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Steps going up the hill at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. Good exercise.141 views
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Azaleas would be beautiful in early May.141 views
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Iroha-matsu pine tree and banner.141 views
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Inside Tenbin Yagura turret now open to the public since 2007.141 views
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The rear of the castle tower.141 views
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This is a unique court lady called the Uneme (釆女) chosen from an aristocratic family and who was in charge of food and drink. She wears a special wardrobe. She is played by Emi Oe (大江絵巳) from Kyoto.141 views
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National Historic Site of Tarumi Tongu. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), a total of 31 Saio princesses lodged at Tarumi Tongu. 垂水頓宮 141 viewsIn 1935, the Japanese government sent a team of scholars to Tarumi and they found solid evidence of the Tarumi Tongu beg located here. Remains of the palace's earthen walls and wells were found in this area. In 1944, this area designated as a National Historic Site.
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Next day on April 14, the Reisai day, the schedule is filled with more ceremonies and events. At 10 am, the Reisai ceremony is held at Nishi Hongu with the Tendai Zasu Abbot from Enryakuji in attendance. He is under the red umbrella.141 views
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It was some distance to walk, but all downhill.141 views
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About Ninai-do.141 views
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The Hondo also has this Room of Genji.141 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.141 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. 141 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The temple on stilts and Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.141 views
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As you go higher up, the views get better.141 views
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About the castle gate.141 views
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Best to see my Shotoku Matsuri Youtube video to hear the songs and see the dance.141 viewsHeld near Yokaichi Station in summer, the Yokaichi Shotoku Matsuri is a bon dance featuring Shiga's native Goshu Ondo folk song. 八日市聖徳まつり・江州音頭総おどり
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Japanese stream toad (ナガレヒキガエル) - Native species, endemic to Japan.141 views
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Iridescent shark (カイヤン) from Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia.141 views
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Sturgeon are ancient fish141 views
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Mie elephants once roamed this area.141 views
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Shigaraki Fire Festival in late July in Koka, Shiga Prefecture.141 views
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Kohoku Wild Bird Center and the Biwako Waterfowl and Wetland Center (A-frame building on the left). 湖北野鳥センター・琵琶湖水鳥・湿地センター140 views
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Inside Benzaiten-do Hall which houses one of Japan's three major statues of the Goddess Benzaiten.140 views
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Kusatsu as seen from Mt. Hiei140 views
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The giant torches burnt out within 10 minutes.140 views
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Horse stables, newly constructed.140 views
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Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形140 views
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2nd floor balcony (Watch your head).140 views
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"Japanese speech contest by foreigners in Shiga," Feb. 26, 2007, Chunichi Shimbun, Chunichi-Shiga page140 viewsWon by Jamie Thompson for her speech about Lake Biwa Rowing Song.
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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song completed in English by an American," June 3, 2006, Asahi Shimbun, Shiga News140 views
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They grow their own indigo plants, dry the leaves in the sun, and extract the dye. They offer indigo dyeing lessons during which you can dye a cotton handkerchief for 1200 yen (T-shirts also). The kind lady first showed us samples of indigo fabrics.140 views
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Tea ceremony room140 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.140 views
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For our 500 yen donation, we got a thin towel with a nice design. It is the same one worn by the rice-planting girls. Also see the Yasu Rice-Planting Festival. お田植え祭手ぬぐい140 views
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Balcony looking toward Lake Biwa140 views
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Biwako Aika (Lake Biwa Elegy) Monument and memorial for songwriter Okuno Yashio who was from Katata. Details about the song here. 琵琶湖哀歌の歌碑 堅田140 views
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MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here.140 views
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Inside the Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館140 views
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Bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret140 views
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Tenbin Yagura turret on the left.140 views
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Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.140 views
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Tarumi Tongu is a well-forested area amid tea fields. After Tarumi Tongu, the Saio princess crossed over the Suzuka mountains and stayed at the Suzuka (鈴鹿) Tongu and Ichishi (壱志) Tongu in Mie Prefecture.140 views
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Uneme takes the tea bowl back. This ended the festival at around 4 pm. I really enjoyed this festival. It was worth the long trip to come here.140 views
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All four groups of men then rocked the mikoshi back and forth. making thunderous noise. Very dramatic. This is called Yomiya Otoshi. 宵宮落し神事140 views
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Makino Station is the closest station to Kaizu-Osaki in northern Lake Biwa. Famous for cherry blossoms in mid-April. Best to rent a bicycle at Makino Station. Kaizu-Osaki photos here.140 views
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A shopping stop was here where they sold these model dragonflies well-balanced on its nose, called Kabata Tonbo.140 views
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Sharp Electronics once filmed a TV commercial here for their TVs.140 views
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Daikodo Hall140 views
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Photo of the altar inside through a narrow slit.140 views
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Cross a short bridge to Sanno-in temple.140 views
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Maid costume140 views
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Matchlock gun140 views
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Ieyasu rewarded Naomasa with the strategic domain of Hikone (mainly Hikone, Maibara, Nagahama, Taga), making Naomasa the first Hikone daimyo (feudal lord 大名) in Omi Province (近江国).140 views
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Abura-higai gudgeon (アブラヒガイ) - Endangered endemic species140 views
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Underwater foundation of the Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge from the 7th century. Discovered in 1988 about 80 meters downstream from the present bridge.140 views
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Rudder hangs down from a torii-like brace (かさ木), also used as a mast rest when the mast is laid down.140 views
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Top of Keage Incline139 viewsThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
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Inside the main room at Rakuraku-en 楽々園139 views
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Autumn leaves. In its heyday, Hyakusaiji was home to 1,300 priests, before the temple was burned by Oda Nobunaga.139 views
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Kusatsu River139 views
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Poetry139 views
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One torch enters the shrine. At around 8 pm, the young men start hauling in the giant torches that were displayed in the neighborhood.139 views
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You can take home a branch of the torch for family safety.139 views
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The green boat. 近江舞子上陸139 views
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Sleek rudder and steering cables139 views
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