 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.146 views
|
|
Stream with baikamo146 views
|
|
Genjihama Beach146 views
|
|
Monks146 views
|
|
Roof corner of Konpon Chudo Hall, a National Treasure.146 views
|
|
Offer 50 yen to ring the bell.146 views
|
|
Inside Yokawa Chudo Hall146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
Ishiyama-dera's stone is a National Natural Monument.146 views
|
|
Maid costume146 views
|
|
Matchlock gun146 views
|
|
Koka Station's 2nd floor corridor has shuriken (ninja throwing knives) design on the floor.146 views
|
|
Donko sleeper (ドンコ) - Native species endemic to Japan.146 views
|
|
Tinfoil barb (シルバーバルブ) from Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia146 views
|
|
Sturgeon is also famous for caviar.146 views
|
|
Geological History of Lake Biwa - Exhibition Gallery A 琵琶湖のおいたち（Ａ展示室）146 views
|
|
The sail is made of thick cotton material, replacing the old straw mat that didn't last long.146 views
|
|
Rudder hangs down from a torii-like brace (かさ木), also used as a mast rest when the mast is laid down.146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
146 views
|
|
Ostracod from Lake Biwa. Dr. Robin J. Smith from the UK is the ostracod specialist at Lake Biwa Museum.146 views
|
|
Shigaraki taiko drummers' main competitor for attention was the smartphone (or maybe Pokemon Go).146 views
|
|
People's fortune stickers on the kite. 願い札145 views
|
|
Poster for dragon canoe race in June145 views
|
|
Top of Keage Incline145 viewsThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
|
|
Kusatsu as seen from Mt. Hiei145 viewsKarasuma Peninsula is also visible.
|
|
145 views
|
|
Autumn leaves. In its heyday, Hyakusaiji was home to 1,300 priests, before the temple was burned by Oda Nobunaga.145 views
|
|
Kusatsu River145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Snuffing out the last flames145 views
|
|
Shrine worshippers145 views
|
|
Ito Miki, a member of Japan's moguls team at the Turin Winter Olympics, is from Hino.145 views
|
|
|
Sleek rudder and steering cables145 views
|
|
2nd floor balcony (Watch your head).145 views
|
|
Anegawa River was the site of a major battle with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeating Azai Nagamasa and the Asakura clan on Aug. 9 1570. The area was left with so many dead that the river ran red.145 viewsLocal place names such as Chibara (Blood Field) stuck. Looking toward Nomura-bashi Bridge where the Anegawa battle monument stands.
|
|
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.145 views
|
|
New Year's prayers amid snow.145 views
|
|
Entrance to Cafe de Genji, an open-air garden where you can sit and have tea.145 views
|
|
Daikokudendo temple dedicated to Daikokuten. 大黒天堂145 views
|
|
Next, we go out and head for the 明王院.145 views
|
|
Next is the 明王院, another temple building.145 views
|
|
Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂145 views
|
|
Kiyotaki Tokugen-in temple's three-story pagoda145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Biwako Bunkakan museum is right on the shore, even over the water. It's a landmark, but a tacky-looking castle replica housed a cultural and art museum and gallery.145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Banner for the 150th anniversary of Lord Ii Naosuke opening Japan to the world.145 views
|
|
Inside Tenbin Yagura turret145 views
|
|
Top floor. The windows are small and it's difficult to get a good shot of the view. There is also no balcony to go outside on the top floor.145 views
|
|
Entrance to castle tower145 views
|
|
Saio princess on a pedestal. The woman in the green kimono behind her was always with her, helping her with her kimono as she moved about.145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Monjuro altar with Manjusri bodhisattva (Monju bosatsu).145 views
|
|
145 views
|
|
Picture panels telling the stories of Saicho and other founders.145 views
|
|
Another nice building to photograph is this Hokke Soji-in Toto pagoda.145 views
|
|
Soundscape garden in front of Amida-do Hall.145 views
|
|
Now I walked from Todo to the Saito temple complex.145 views
|
|
Jodo-in temple145 views
|
|
Construction of Hikone Castle started in 1604 as an urgent national project ordered by Ieyasu to deter any rebellious daimyo in western Japan and to protect Kyoto, the Imperial Capital.145 views
|
|
Central compounds like the Kanenomaru and Honmaru and the main castle tower were completed within a few years and teenager Lord Naotsugu moved in from Sawayama Castle.145 views
|
|
The Kaizu-Osaki welcome sign marks the start of the cherry tree-lined road. Beware of cars. MAP145 views
|
|
On the second day of the festival, the floats clash with each other. Sagicho floats pass through the torii of Himure Hachimangu Shrine, near Hachiman-bori Canal.145 views
|
|
Hinade Shrine is dedicated to a god called Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto and Okinaga-sukuneo. 少毘古名命（すくなひこなのみこと）・息長宿禰王（おきながすくねおう）MAP145 views
|
|
Hachiman Matsuri in Omi-Hachiman is Shiga Prefecture's biggest fire festival. Impressive even without the fire. Just look at these giant torches made of rice straw. There are more in front of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.145 views
|
|
Utsusemi-kajika sculpin (ウツセミカジカ) - Endangered endemic species145 views
|
|
Red swamp crayfish (アメリカザリガニ) - Invasive species, destroys water plants, outcompetes others for food.145 views
|
|
Hariyo three-spined stickleback - Endangered native species (ハリヨ)145 views
|
|
Lake Biwa and the Lakes of the World145 views
|
|
At 19 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, and 12 meters high.145 views
|
|
Yanmar Museum is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (enter by 5 pm), Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if the Monday is a national holiday) and from December 29 to January 3.145 views
|
|
megumi at Kaizu-Osaki Port, Takashima, Shiga.145 viewsThe cruise I went on docked at the port so we could get off and walk around for 30 min. If you go on a cherry blossom cruise, go on a cruise that will dock at Kaizu-Osaki. Some cruises only cruise and do not dock.
|
|
Top of Keage Incline144 viewsThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
|
|
Omi-Shiotsu Station JR近江塩津駅144 views
|
|
Entrance to Chomeiji Temple. MAP144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
Hachiman-yama map144 views
|
|
Path to shrine. Omi Shrine is a short walk from Omi Jingu-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line.144 views
|
|
Poetry144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
Cheering section144 views
|
|
The green boat. 近江舞子上陸144 views
|
|
|
Local Artifacts Museum (Kyodo Shiryokan) 郷土資料館。近江商人・西村太郎右衛門の宅地跡にある資料館144 views
|
|
Temple walls as seen from the Hokkoku Kaido road.144 views
|
|
Old photo of Verse 2 Song Monument in Omi-Maiko. The tree was cut down and lyrics later painted white.144 views
|
|
Path to Ishiyama-dera temple with Genji Millenium banners. In Otsu, the Genji Millenium event will be held from March 18 to Dec. 14, 2008.144 views
|
|
There's also the 金龍社 shrine in a pond.144 views
|
|
Entering 明王院.144 views
|
|
Katata pier144 views
|
|
Mt. Ibuki in the background.144 views
|
|
高見盛144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
A small shrine stands as a memorial.144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
Inside Tenbin Yagura turret, looking toward the left turret.144 views
|
|
Path to Taikomon Gate.144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
A small stream empties through Haginohama Beach144 views
|
|
Kamogawa Katsuno Enchi park in Takashima. 鴨川勝野園地144 views
|
|
Sakamoto-Enryakuji Cable Car144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
Inside Yokawa Chudo Hall are numerous little Buddha statues.144 views
|
|
View from castle tower, looking toward Nishinomaru during cherry blossoms season.144 views
|
|
Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.144 views
|
|
A Tahoto pagoda has two stories, a square roof, and a round building. 多宝塔144 views
|
|
Ishiyama-dera stone marker during sakura season in April.144 views
|
|
The Kannon-do Hall stores many Kannon statues.144 views
|
|
Zeze Castle was the base of the Zeze samurai domain who ruled this area during the Edo Period. Gate to Zeze Castle Park. 膳所城跡公園144 views
|
|
First, sake is sprinkled over the float.144 views
|
|
144 views
|
|
Lakestars Head Coach Robert Pierce speaks.144 views
|
|
The neighboring house, the Waterhouse Memorial House, was built in 1913 for Paul B. Waterhouse, who was an English instructor at Waseda University before becoming a missionary with the Omi Mission. Designed by William Merrell Vories. ウォーターハウ144 viewsWaterhouse and his wife Bessie lived here for six years. He was also a yachtsman and used a boat on Lake Biwa to visit lakeside villages for missionary work. After he returned to the States, the house was used for Omi Mission cooking classes and later as a girls' school in Omi Brotherhood.
|
|
Infirmary 保健室144 views
|
|
Plaque about the Michigan.144 views
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Autumn Moon at Ishiyama from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series. The Moon-viewing Pavilion is visible.144 views
|
|
Welcome sign and phone No. for a volunteer tour guide. But even if you call, you have to make reservations and it makes no sense if you're already there.144 views
|
|
Racks and racks of Shigaraki tanuki or racoon dogs.144 views
|
|
Best to see my Shotoku Matsuri Youtube video to hear the songs and see the dance.144 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
|
|
Tanago bitterling and clam (タナゴ) - Endangered native species, endemic to Japan, lays eggs in living clams.144 views
|
|
Sturgeon feeding144 views
|
|
Replica of a Stegodon elephant skeleton similar to the Mie elephant that roamed along the shores of Lake Biwa's forerunner lake 3.5 to 4 million years ago.144 views
|
|
Two million years ago, the Mie elephant had become extinct and this smaller Akebono elephant lived in Shiga until it became extinct 1 million years ago. Mie elephants roamed a subtropical lake land 3 to 4 million years ago.144 views
|
|
Humans appeared around Lake Biwa about 9,000 years ago, mainly along the South Basin. They ate nuts, lake fish and shellfish, and wild animals.144 views
|
|
Born in 1913, Mr. Matsui built several maruko-bune until the 1930s. The completed boat sailed to the museum.144 views
|
|
Freshwater jellyfish (マミズクラゲ) - Likely the world's longest exhibit of freshwater jellyfish (since Aug. 2, 2012). (No longer displayed in the Discovery Room).144 viewsAlthough these delicate jellyfish live all over Japan, they appear and disappear at a whim. So it's hard to catch them for a continuous exhibit.
|
|
Uses a water wheel to grind rice.143 views
|
|
Funa-roka boat corridor143 views
|
|
Genkan Hiroma entrance hall straight ahead. It was the entrance for daimyo feudal lords. 玄関広間143 views
|
|
At around 8 pm, the three taiko drums return to Katsube Shrine (たいこ みやいり 太鼓宮入り)143 views
|
|
A total of 12 torches are then in the shrine.143 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
Boat landing143 views
|
|
Warehouse for one of the floats143 views
|
|
Carrying the boat.143 views
|
|
Toriimoto Station building built in 1931 when the station opened and still in use.143 views
|
|
Glass artists make their works.143 views
|
|
Picture of Tonomura Shigeru in the Literature Museum (Bungakukan). 外村 繁文学館143 views
|
|
2nd floor with more Hina dolls.143 views
|
|
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
|
|
Viva City, a shopping mall and theater complex near Minami Hikone Station.143 views
|
|
|
"Lake Biwa Rowing Song completed in English and performed in public," June 4, 2006, Mainichi Shimbun, Shiga News143 views
|
|
Inside 淳浄館. A collection of hanging scrolls written with waka love poems from Genji Monogatari. Free admission.143 views
|
|
Concrete stilts reinforce the wooden stilts.143 views
|
|
JR Otsu Station, with AL Plaza shopping complex on the left. 大津駅143 views
|
|
Frog is "Kaeru" which means to "return." A popular ornament at house entrances (exits) and gardens.143 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
Another theory says that this is the ruins of Kokaji temple. 甲賀寺143 views
|
|
Behind the horse stable and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret in the background.143 views
|
|
View of the bridge from Tenbin Yagura turret.143 views
|
|
Under the right turret inside Tenbin Yagura. Stairway (closed to public) to 2nd floor of right turret.143 views
|
|
Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret. 143 views
|
|
Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret. The middle door also serves as an entrance.143 views
|
|
The bean-throwers for 2009 pose for a group shot in front of Taga Taisha Shrine.143 views
|
|
After the Misosugi purification ceremony, they formed a procession again and headed for the Ono Elementary School gymnasium.143 views
|
|
The Saio princess was an unmarried family member of the emperor, often the daughter. Chosen by divination, she was sometimes very young, like age 8. The palanquin bearers are called Yocho (輿丁) who were chosen from the best gentlemen. 斎王143 views
|
|
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.143 views
|
|
Sign saying that Harie is not a tourist spot, that a guide is required to see the kabata.143 views
|
|
Underwater baikamo flowers bloom year-round since the water temperature remains almost the same.143 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
Honen and Shinran143 views
|
|
Daikodo Hall143 views
|
|
Amida-do Hall altar143 views
|
|
143 views
|
|
Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂143 views
|
|
This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.143 views
|
|
Entrance to Miho Museum which has an excellent collection of art from most parts of the world. Photography is not allowed inside the museum. MAP143 views
|
|
Inside Kawake Station.143 views
|
|
Kannonji temple Hondo main hall in Maibara, Shiga. Ishida Mitsunari was suppsedly a young monk here where he met Toyotomi Hideyoshi.143 views
|
|
Scale model of Hikone Castle in Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.143 views
|
|
Feeding time for sturgeon.143 views
|
|
Maruko-bune transported rice, fish, kelp, and many other northern Japan goods bound for Kyoto/Osaka. From Kyoto, came cotton, confections, soy sauce, sake, kimono, textiles, tobacco, and more.143 views
|
|
They grow from polyps and feed on plankton for a 6-month lifespan. They like non-filtered and non-circulating water. The museum succeeded in breeding and raising freshwater jellyfish. This display will continue as long as possible.143 views
|
|
My YouTube video of Otsu Matsuri filmed on Oct. 12-13, 2013. Shows the Yoimiya and Hon-matsuri main festival day.143 viewsOtsu Matsuri is one of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10.
|
|
Torahime manhole.143 views
|
|
Bottom of Keage Incline in Kyoto142 views
|
|
Three-Story Pagoda. Reconstructed in 2000.142 views
|
|
Inside Benzaiten-do Hall which houses one of Japan's three major statues of the Goddess Benzaiten.142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
Kusatsu as seen from Mt. Hiei142 views
|
|
Oiwake Guidepost road marker at the intersection of the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads. The left side says "Left for Nakasendo Road" and the right side says "Right for Tokaido Road."142 views
|
|
Lake Biwa shore142 views
|
|
Megan and Jamie Thompson about to board the boat. トンプソン姉妹142 views
|
|
|
Cafe de Genji, which is actually a Japanese-style garden called Kofuen 公風園.142 views
|
|
Further along the Yume Kairo path.142 views
|
|
Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.142 views
|
|
Stone wall and gate to Kangaku-in Hall at Miidera temple (Onjoji), school for priests and a National Treasure but closed to the public. 勧学院142 views
|
|
MC Chiho Ono from FM Shiga (e-radio) asks the twins a few questions. Also see the video here.142 views
|
|
Kotooshu142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
The karakuri on Gekkyuden-yama float has two dancers, one wearing a crane crown and the other a turtle crown, dancing in front of the Emperor.142 views
|
|
Nightly water fountain show at Otsu Port. MAP142 views
|
|
They wear Heian Period costumes. Although Tsuchiyama's Saio festival is not as big as Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri or Meiwa's Saio Matsuri in Mie, it is still very colorful and enjoyable.142 views
|
|
Only the location of the Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama is known today. The exact locations of the other Tongu palaces are unknown, but two others were in Shiga, called the Seta (勢多) and Kafuka (鹿深) Tongu.142 views
|
|
A shopping stop was here where they sold these model dragonflies well-balanced on its nose, called Kabata Tonbo.142 views
|
|
Sharp Electronics once filmed a TV commercial here for their TVs.142 views
|
|
Enryakuji has numerous monuments.142 views
|
|
Inside Monjuro142 views
|
|
Inside Monjuro is an altar.142 views
|
|
About Kaidan-in temple142 views
|
|
Inside the pagoda.142 views
|
|
Amida-do Hall142 views
|
|
About Amida-do Hall.142 views
|
|
How the pagoda was reconstructed.142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
Ninai-do Hall consists of two halls connected by a corridor.142 views
|
|
Statue of Nichiren at Joko-in temple.142 views
|
|
After the demise of the Tokugawa and the restoration of Imperial rule in 1868, castles were ordered to be demolished. Hikone Castle was also being dismantled when Emperor Meiji visiting in 1878 spared the castle.142 views
|
|
Since Naomasa's son Naotsugu (井伊 直継) was too young, Chief Retainer Kimata Morikatsu (家老 木俣守勝) acted on his behalf to plan the new castle's construction. Upon the approval of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, Mt. Hikone on the shore of 142 views
|
|
Ishiyama-dera's stone is wollastonite (硅灰石) which looks gray or white when dry and black when wet. Tahoto pagoda can also be seen.142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
Built in 1933, the Matsuoka Residence was designed by William Merrell Vories. This house was not open to the public.142 views
|
|
This local municipal museum was originally the Hachiman Police Department built in 1886. In 1953, it was renovated by Vories and continued to house the Omi-Hachiman Police Department. In 1974, it was converted to the museum it is today. 近江八幡市立142 views
|
|
First they introduced Shiga's mascot characters including Hiko-nyan.142 views
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Glow at Seta from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.142 views
|
|
Illustration of the Ochaya (on the lower left terrace). The area was divided into two by a dirt wall and had an L shape. It was a military outpost and included a small garden. 御茶屋跡142 views
|
|
|
|
Naosuke's poem in modern Japanese. For the sake of the country, he had no regrets. A few months later, he was assassinated. 142 views
|
|
Hotaru (firefly) udon served by the Kashiwa restaurant inside Kashiwabara-juku History Museum in Maibara, Shiga. Firefly made of eggplant with the light from an egg slice.142 views
|
|
This lake got larger and deeper as geological protuberances 400,000 years ago pushed it to where Lake Biwa is today. South Basin on the left is much shallower than the North Basin.142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge on the old Tokaido Road over the Seta River in Otsu. It was the eastern gateway to Kyoto. 瀬田の唐橋142 views
|
|
Maruko-bune were a vital transportation link between northern Japan and Kyoto/Osaka. Goods coming and going via the Sea of Japan also went over the lake.142 views
|
|
Most of the wood is Japanese conifer (槇の木). 142 views
|
|
The bow's tip is studded.142 views
|
|
142 views
|
|
It's really beauitful to see the cherry blossoms from the boat.142 views
|
|
Canoe Land141 views
|
|
Yamashina141 views
|
|
141 views
|
|
141 views
|
|
Jodan no Ma: Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house. Reserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. 上段の間141 views
|
|
Oda Nobunaga at Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri. 織田信長141 views
|
|
Ferris wheel from the Biwako Tower amusement park, now defunct. 琵琶湖タワー（廃墟）141 views
|
|
Uphill training course with wood chips. 坂路調教馬場141 views
|
|
Bonsai plum and pine trees141 views
|
|
A newer annex to the Keiunkan. This is the exit.141 views
|
|
On July 29, 2007, this regatta was held for the second time. It targets mainly beginner rowers. Organized by the Seta Rowing Club which seeks to have more people enjoy water sports on Lake Biwa. Seta-Karahashi Bridge was the regatta's starting line.141 views The Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD was awarded to all the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in all five categories.
|
|
Eight exhibition panels in the spacious lobby.141 views
|
|
The main path to Ishiyama-dera temple has been converted to the Genji Yume Kairo (Genji Dream Path). Along the way are a few buildings open to the public. 源氏夢回廊141 views
|
|
Entrance to 世尊院.141 views
|
|
Inside 密蔵院 was a robot exhibition. Only two robots on display, no resemblance to anything.141 views
|
|
Balcony facing the lake.141 views
|
|
Biwako Ohashi Bridge as seen from Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza in Katata. 琵琶湖大橋141 views
|
|
| 18510 files on 74 page(s) |
 |
|
11 | |
|
|
