 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Sansho Shrine151 views
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Local firemen151 views
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Kyoto Univ. comes in 3rd place151 views
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We now enter Lake Biwa.151 views
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Neck of Okishima.151 views
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Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee.151 views
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External view of house151 views
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Tokonoma alcove with scroll.151 views
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2nd floor room151 views
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Chomeiji, 31st temple on the Saigoku Pilgrimage Circuit151 views
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On the first page is Yoshida Chiaki's song "Hitsuji-gusa" (Water Lilies). Although the melody is different, the lyrics are a direct translation of a childen's song called Water Lilies written by E.R.B. in the UK.151 views
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Inside the courtyard of the Echigawa Bin-temari Museum.151 views
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Naotaka Shrine, dedicated to Lord Ii Naotaka, the third lord of Hikone Castle. 直孝神社151 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）151 views
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Hakuho vs. Kotomitsuki151 views
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Observation tower in Garden Museum Hiei, a tourist attraction on the summit of Mt. Hiei.151 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.151 views
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This pottery shop also offers pottery classes.151 views
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Free shuttle bus to move between the ceramic park, pottery fair, and train station.151 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret151 views
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View of the other side of the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret (now a museum).151 views
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Behind the horse stable.151 views
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View from castle tower151 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151 views
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GumQ151 views
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Very impressive.151 views
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Cable car leaving Sakamoto.151 views
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Entrance to Enryakuji's Todo complex. Admission charged.151 views
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It was some distance to walk, but all downhill.151 views
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The right side of the turret is now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.151 views
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Hikone Castle has bell-shaped windows at the top.151 views
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Kibukawa Station, terminus of the Omi Railway Line and connection to the JR Kusatsu Line.151 views
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The Sando path also has cherry trees in April. Late April brings azaleas.151 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151 views
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Nagahama Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.151 views
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Letter written by Ii Naosuke is also displayed in the Hikone Castle Museum.151 views
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English information sign for Taikomon Gate.151 views
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Infirmary for anyone feeling sick. 保健室151 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.151 views
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Electric catfish (デンキナマズ) from Lake Tanganyika, Africa151 views
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Yabusame horseback archery is held at Omi Jingu Shrine on the first Sunday in June from 12:30 pm. (Used to be held on Nov. 3.) My YouTube video of Omi Shrine's yabusame horseback archery on Nov. 3, 2013.151 viewsI believe this is Shiga's only authentic yabusame.
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Crowds150 views
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Rear view of torches.150 views
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Everyone enjoyed the rowing trip. The motorboat on Lake Biwa was fun and I got a lotta good shots.150 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. Map150 views
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Shinmachi-dori looking toward Hachimanyama150 views
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Nishikawa residence.150 views
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Practice horse track at JRA Ritto Training Center in Ritto.150 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150 views
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In a small room in the library is Echigawa's sister city exhibit. Echigawa used to be a separate town before it merged with Aito to form Aisho town.150 views
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View from the balcony.150 views
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In the end, the kid pushed out Takamisakari.150 views
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Up you go...150 views
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Approaching Otsu Prince Hotel, major landmark visible from afar.150 views
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Inside the Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館150 views
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Inside Taikomon Gate.150 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.150 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 150 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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In 2014, The Shozu-no-Sato Committee 針江生水の郷委員会 won the top Ecotourism Grand Prize エコツーリズム大賞 sponsored by the Japan Ecotourism Society and Environment Ministry. Harie Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine 針江日吉神社150 views
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A tofu maker puts tofu in a kabata.150 views
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One entrance to Oku Biwako Parkway is at Sugaura. It's not a toll road. The most trying part of bicycling around Lake Biwa. MAP150 views
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World Heritage Site plaque150 views
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Daikodo Hall150 views
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Sanno-in temple in Saito temple complex of Enryakuji.150 views
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About Ninai-do.150 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.150 views
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The Hyde Memorial Building was built in 1931 to serve as Seiyuen Kindergarten run by Hitotsuyanagi Makiko, Vories' wife from 1919. MAP150 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Bell at Miidera temple from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.150 views
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Northern snakehead (カムルチー) - Invasive species, eats aquatic insects, mollusks, and carp.150 views
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Iridescent shark (カイヤン) from Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia.150 views
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Sturgeon are ancient fish150 views
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Mie elephants once roamed this area.150 views
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Endemic mussel used to produce Biwa pearls, now extinct.150 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150 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150 views
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Kite corner149 views
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Snapped part being repaired.149 views
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Mini kite flying contest. The flying portion of the kite contest is held.149 views
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Ready for another flight149 views
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Kite pullers wanted. This booth, next to the giant kite, is where you can apply to pull the kite. Anybody can apply to pull the giant kite. I applied and got a little kite pin and a pair of gloves.149 views
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Boat schedule and price in the old days. ¥2,100 per person. You can also charter a boat.149 views
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Karasaki Shrine149 views
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Cycling path in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.149 views
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Hikone Port149 views
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Gate guardian (left side)149 viewsIn the San-mon Gate
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The old Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song Museum), Imazu 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館、今津町149 viewsThis museum dedicated to this song opened in April 1998 in Imazu. It is a 3-min. walk from Omi-Imazu Station on the JR Kosei Line. Closed in March 2020 and moved to a new building.
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if Mon. is a national holiday, and closed on Tue. instead)
Free admission.
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Printable map and directions to all song monuments. Google map 歌碑の案内地図149 viewsAlso see this Google map: Google map
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Inside the boat house149 views
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Gate to 密蔵院.149 views
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Mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間149 views
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Echigawa Fire Dept.149 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149 views
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Steps going up the hill at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. Good exercise.149 views
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Azaleas would be beautiful in early May.149 views
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Another place to visit in Shigaraki. 149 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.149 views
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Tenbin Yagura turret on the left.149 views
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The rear of the castle tower.149 views
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Baikamo in Harie-Okawa River149 views
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Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi in spring.149 views
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Cherry trees also greet you at the temple.149 views
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Inside Rennyo-do Hall.149 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149 views
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Inside Bishamon-do Hall is Bishamon.149 views
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The sumo festival started at 1 pm. They had kids and men on both sides of the sumo ring.149 views
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My YouTube video of the Kenketo Odori Festival.149 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149 views
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Map and history of Mt. Odani and Odani Castle, a National Historic Site. Odani Castle was built around 1523.149 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. 149 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).149 views
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Lake Biwa's North Basin.149 views
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Awazu Shell Mound of food waste from 4,500 years ago excavated in 1990-91 near Seta River. 粟津貝塚149 views
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Taiko drummer sculpture at Ogoto Onsen Station.149 views
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Inside Benzai Tendo. The statue of Benzaiten in that corner was donated by the father of Lord Azai Nagamasa. 148 views
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The two main areas are the hillside garden and the main worship hall. Most people visit the garden before climbing up the stone steps to the main worship hall. This is the long route to the temple. The tour buses go up to a closer gate.148 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin on the Tokaido Road. MAP148 views
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The giant torches burnt out within 10 minutes.148 views
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Stone lantern in garden148 views
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Back of Verse 1 Song Monument, Otsu (Mihogasaki)148 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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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song completed in English by an American," June 3, 2006, Asahi Shimbun, Shiga News148 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 2008.148 views
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Inside 明王院 is an exhibition space showing works by award-winning novelist Tanabe Seiko 田辺聖子 who wrote a new version of Genji Monogatari.148 views
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Rice-planting Festival Shinto ceremony. A torii stands next to the rice paddy. MAP For more info: Yasu Tourism FB148 views
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The Otsu Matsuri is a festival of Tenson Shrine in Otsu. The path to the shrine is packed with worshippers. 148 views
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During Yoimiya at night, each float had musicians performing.148 views
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Those people in the windows get a lot of chimaki thrown in. Otsu Matsuri.148 views
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Greenery at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.148 views
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Bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret148 views
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Inside Tenbin Yagura turret now open to the public since 2007.148 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。148 views
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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.148 views
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Many houses and wooden walls in Harie are black.148 views
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Road to Harie. It's about a 25 min. walk from Shin-Asahi Station. The water stream on the right was muddy to my surprise.148 views
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Shodenji temple's kabata. Women like this water as it feels creamy and makes their skin feel smooth and soft.148 views
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Kabata shed of a lake fisherman.148 views
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Another shopping break was this fisherman's shop where you can buy ayu sweetfish caught in Lake Biwa.148 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.148 views
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Steps to Kaidan-in temple148 views
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Photo of the altar inside through a narrow slit.148 views
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Cross a short bridge to Sanno-in temple.148 views
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Monk with a nice car. 148 views
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Next to the Kannon-do is the Bishamon-do Hall.148 views
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Zeze Castle monument. This park was part of the Honmaru. The castle was on a peninsula jutting into Lake Biwa. It was one of Japan's greatest lakeside castles. 膳所城跡公園148 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 MAP148 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.148 views
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Abura-higai gudgeon (アブラヒガイ) - Endangered endemic species148 views
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Japanese stream toad (ナガレヒキガエル) - Native species, endemic to Japan.148 views
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People and Lake Biwa - Exhibition Gallery B 人と琵琶湖の歴史（B展示室）148 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.148 views
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The museum's maruko-bune was built by Shiga's last maruko-bune builder, Matsui Sanshiro (松井三四郎) and his son in 1995 in Seta, Otsu.148 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)147 viewsIn the Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)
安土城郭資料館
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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147 views
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Saimyoji was my favorite Koto Sanzan temple147 views
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Withdrawing the burnt-out torch147 views
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You can take home a branch of the torch for family safety.147 views
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Cheering/coaching from bicycle147 views
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Battle map showing the position of the opposing armies.147 views
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"This journey fills my heart with intense happiness..."「さすらいの 旅にしあれば しみじみと」147 views
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We can peer inside the rooms from outside, but cannot actually enter the building.147 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）147 views
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The Chuo Odori road is wide, making it easy to view the floats. It's not as crowded as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. There's a more earthly atmosphere at Otsu Matsuri.147 views
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Mail box147 views
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Iroha-matsu pine tree and banner.147 views
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Left end of Tenbin Yagura turret.147 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.147 views
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Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.147 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.147 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147 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.147 views
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View from cable car.147 views
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If you go by bus, this is the entrance to Enryakuji from the parking lot.147 views
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The Hondo also has this Room of Genji.147 views
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As you go higher up, the views get better.147 views
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About the castle gate.147 views
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Utsusemi-kajika sculpin (ウツセミカジカ) - Endangered endemic species147 views
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See how our lives have changed during 1955 to 2005. Represented by technology and pop culture. わたしたちくらし50年147 views
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Shigaraki Fire Festival in late July in Koka, Shiga Prefecture.147 views
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No. 1 Tunnel entrance. 146 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. Entra146 views
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The waiting crowd.146 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.146 views
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Cheering/coaching on foot146 views
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Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形146 views
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Shopfront with shopkeeper's desk.146 views
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"13 contestants in Japanese speech contest by foreigners in Shiga," Feb. 26, 2007, Kyoto Shimbun, Shiga News146 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.146 views
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Inside Daikokudo temple.146 views
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First they threw bunches of rice seedlings into the paddy.146 views
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Ohmi Railways Echigawa Station. The station building, named Ruburu Echigawa, has a tourist information counter and exhibition gallery.146 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146 views
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Balcony looking toward Lake Biwa146 views
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Altar facing the shore146 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146 views
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Central Otsu lakefront is rocky most of the way, with no beaches.146 views
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Moat as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. Iroha pine trees on left.146 views
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Tenbin Yagura's right side has natural, unshaped stones (gobo-zumi 牛蒡積み) with small stones in the gaps.146 views
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Front view of Hikone Castle tower 天守閣146 views
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Before embarking on the journey from Kyoto to Saiku in Mie Prefecture near Ise Grand Shrine where she was to serve as High Priestess, the Saio would undergo a three-year purification period in Kyoto.146 views
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The woman in purple is a court lady called the Myobu (命婦), an assistant who tends to the immediate needs of the Saio princess.146 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.146 views
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THe Flower Procession is held to celebrate the birth of the shrine's child god. Therefore, this event centers on the parent-child connection.146 views
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A roadside spring.146 views
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Shodenji temple146 views
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Sometimes the kabata is outdoors with no shelter.146 views
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In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.146 views
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Stream with baikamo146 views
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Genjihama Beach146 views
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Monks146 views
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Roof corner of Konpon Chudo Hall, a National Treasure.146 views
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Offer 50 yen to ring the bell.146 views
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