 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Front of Niomon Gate. The name Miidera literally means "Three-Well Temple." It refers to three Emperors (Tenchi, Temmu, and Jito) who as newborns bathed in the temple's Akaiya well. "Mii" 御井 originally meant "sacred well.141 views
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Bamba-juku monument141 views
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A mass of people come to watch Lake Biwa Fireworks in summer. Free seating, finally. But located somewhat faraway from the prime site. びわ湖大花火大会141 views
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Omotemon Bridge141 views
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Tenbin Yagura's left side has shaped stones fitting together using a newer technique (otoshi-zumi 落し積み) when repaired in 1854. 141 views
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You can enter Taikomon Gate which is an exhibition room for photos of Japanese castles and a model of Hikone Castle.141 views
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A pair of court ladies called the Nyoju (女嬬) who serve in the inner palace (後宮) and takes care of the Saio princess' daily living.141 viewsBehind is the Torimono-toneri (執物舎人) holding an umbrella is a ceremony attendant to the emperor and Imperial family.
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Gardening seemed to be a popular pasttime in Harie. With all that free and clean water, I can think of many things to do besides gardening.141 views
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Shodenji temple also has a spring feeding this pond with various fish.141 views
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Snail trails. These snails are food for the fireflies in June.141 views
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Nakajima. An old fisherman departed from this dock and went around to catch fish to eat at home. He also gave a few fish to the birds which waited for him. 中島141 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016 due to aging facilities and low attendance. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima in July 2018.141 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima.141 views
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Midway is this station called Horaioka.141 views
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Inside 2nd floor of Enryakuji Station.141 views
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Steps to Monjuro Gate which faces the Konpon Chudo.141 views
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Kokuho-den is a museum of temple treasures. This is next to the parking lot. Admission charged, in addition to the Enryakuji admission fee.141 views
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Inside Amida-do Hall.141 views
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Minobuchi Benzaiten shrine141 views
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Path to Ruri-do, the only building that was not torched by Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. Unfortunately, it was too far for me to reach.141 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.141 views
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San-mon Gate Deva King (left side)141 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.141 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会141 views
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The festivities and summit ended at 6:30 pm.141 views
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Sotoen has a very large number of Shigaraki pottery pieces outside in park-like tract. All for sale. Shigaraki ware is known for its weather-resistance, so they are suited for gardens and outdoor use.141 views
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Lake Biwa's forerunner Lake Oyamada emerged about 4 million years ago southeast of Shiga in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Over millions of years, at least two lakes formed and disappeared before Lake Katata (western Otsu) formed.141 views
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Lake Biwa's endemic species. The lake's long history and diverse habitats (rocky areas, sandy beaches, attached lakes, reeds, cold waters, pelagic zones) gave rise to these 17 endemic fish and 30 mollusk species.141 views
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Maruko-bune's trademark is this half-round cedar or cypress log on both sides. おも木141 views
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Gallery C - Large floor photo of the Lake Biwa basin. About 120 rivers flow into Lake Biwa. 琵琶湖盆地141 views
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Discovery Room - Hands-on exhibits for kids (free admission) ディスカバリールーム141 views
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Exhibit of sow bugs in Shiga (ワラジムシ). Sow bugs are crustaceans. During the 2006-2010 survey, 22 species of sow bugs were found in Shiga. 141 viewsSeven of them were previously unknown (pink), but not necessarily endemic to Shiga.
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Side view of a female, Fabaeformiscandona akaina, 1.3 mm long. Ostracod known only from Lake Biwa, recorded at depths down to 31 m. Photo courtesy of Robin J. Smith.141 views
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin entrance. This Honjin in Kusatsu is a very impressive example of traditional architecture. It is designated as a National Historical Place. It underwent a complete renovation and reconstruction during 1989 to 1995. Admission 200 yen.140 views
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Portable shrine (mikoshi) at Nishinomiya Shrine. The mikoshi are carried to this nearby shrine from Watamuki Shrine. 西之宮140 views
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Ceremony at Nishinomiya Shrine140 views西之宮
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The boats are wooden, and a few decades old.140 views
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Nishikawa residence.140 views
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Kitchen area with dirt floor.140 views
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The show's Champion is announced. This high school girl from Takamatsu, Kagawa Pref.140 views
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One half of the exhibition. It is similar to the exhibition held here a year before, but many new photos have been added. They include photos of the Kyoto Univ. Rowing Club and our activities in the past year.140 views
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Cherry trees bloom in early April in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres), Yasu. MAP140 views
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Ready to sink into the paddy.140 views
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Another bizarre mascot was Papa-tako, an octopus from Akaishi, Hyogo Pref. パパたこ（兵庫 明石市）140 views
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Tawawa-chan promoting Kyoto Tower probably wishes that she could also smile. Also see my YouTube video here. たわわちゃん (京都 京都市）140 views
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On the morning of May 14, 1991, a Shigaraki Kogen Railway train bound for Kibukawa collided head on with a special JR West train traveling from Kyoto to Shigaraki.140 viewsThe accident occurred May 14, 1991, when an SKR train collided head-on with a JR West train in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, leaving 42 people, including five SKR employees, dead and 614 injured.
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In one Tora-san movie (starring Atsumi Kiyoshi) made in 1982, this is where he sold his goods.140 views
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Torch bearers arrive at the Yomiya-jo while running.140 views
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The Tendai Zasu Abbot proceeds to Nishi Hongu.140 views
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The Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu in a procession of Buddhist priests.140 views
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This stream with baikamo has not been muddied by the rice paddies.140 views
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The heart of Harie has this waterwheel.140 views
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Miyazawa Kenji poem monument140 views
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About Yokawa Chudo Hall.140 views
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About Ganzan Daishi-do Hall140 views
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As one of the inner-circle fudai daimyo (譜代大名), the Ii clan continued to be influential in the Tokugawa shogunate.140 views
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A number of structures were thus saved, including the main castle tower. In 1944, the Ii family donated the castle to the city of Hikone.140 views
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The castle was finally completed by the Ii clan in 1622. Hikone Castle was the government seat and residence of the Hikone daimyo who ruled the Hikone domain and a few domains in Edo (Tokyo).140 views
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After the tunnel, some the best parts of the sakura-lined road/shore lie ahead.140 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.140 views
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Introduction of all Sagicho floats: Fourteen floats from various districts of Omi-Hachiman then paraded through a circular route. This is the Dai-ikku float. 第一区140 views
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A major reason why Hikone Castle is a National Treasure is because it has many different types of roof features on one building.140 views
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Touching Corner ふれあい体験室 - Petting zoo for crayfish and small fish.140 views
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Black copper plates decorate the bow (ダテカスガイ). The wood seams are stuffed with conifer fiber (槙縄) to repel water.140 views
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Life in the countryside before tap water and sewerage. Rural kitchen sink called kawaya. 農村のくらし140 views
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Sadly, as of 2023, this Karasaki Pine Tree has largely wilted due to wind and rain over the years. The branches have suffered cumulative damage including hollowing out of the trunk.139 views
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Maruko-bune, a traditional wooden boat mainly for shipping cargo across Lake Biwa in the old days. This used maruko-bune was donated by a local resident. 丸子船139 views
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Corridor139 views
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Sun dial. Another one in the background as well. Hidokei I (日時計1: Sundial I)139 views
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Wall139 views
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Path to next Omi merchant home.139 views
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Megan: "And Japan's nature is also beautiful..." This show was broadcast live from Mitoyo, Kagawa Pref., near Megan's town.139 views
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Everyone waving goodbye at the end of the show. Singer Fuji Ayako on the extreme right.139 views
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Off we go, boys on one fixed-seat boat.139 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.139 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.139 views
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Well139 views
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Everyone took off their straw sandals and went into the paddies barefoot.139 views
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The Taiko Drum troupe from Asahi, Maibara pose for a photo in front of the taiko bridge at the shrine.139 views
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View of Ukimido while rowing on Lake Biwa.139 views
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Kitty139 views
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Entrance to Garden Museum Hiei139 views
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Central Otsu lakefront139 views
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Biwako Hall, Shiga's most modern concert hall. This area is also reclaimed land.139 views
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This frog will supposedly have your money "returned."139 views
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139 views
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Statue of Ii Naosuke near the Hikone Castle moat. Lord of the castle and also an important historical figure. 井伊 直弼139 viewsIi Naosuke was the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world. Foreigners were then allowed to trade with Japan and take up residence in cities like Yokohama and Hakodate. Ii was later assassinated in 1860 by samurai radicals from Mito (Ibaraki) who sought to oust the foreign "barbarians."
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The famous Karasaki pine tree as seen from Lake Biwa.139 views
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On April 12, they raucously bring down portable shrines from Mt. Hachioji nearby in the evening. On April 13, they hold a series of ceremonies including this one called the Tea Offering Ceremony at 11 am. 献茶祭139 views
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Mikoshi bearers were standing by at Wakamiya Port and one by one they offloaded the mikoshi from the barge.139 views
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JR Shin-Asahi Station west side.139 views
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Shodenji temple has its own spring spewing drinkable water.139 views
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The kabuki boys are placed on the hikiyama floats.139 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂139 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし139 views
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Northern Lake Biwa, looking toward Sugaura. Seen from Mt. Shizugatake.139 views
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This was going to be a one-hour cruise around the Lake Biwa. This cruise which departs Otsu at 3:30 pm is called Michigan 60. Costs 2,200 yen for adults and half price for elementary schoolers.139 views
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On the north side, the waiting room has this large painting. The shadow areas is where you can stand and pose for a picture.139 views
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Illustration of Bansho guard house.139 views
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Memorial for the Azai clan in the Sakura-no-Baba. It's not a grave. Azai Nagamasa's grave (along with this father and grandfather's graves) is at Tokushoji temple in central Nagahama (photos at bottom).139 views
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Shakunage Gorge is a very pleasant gorge with rhododendron (shakunage) blooming on the slopes during early May. The official name is Kaigake-dani Valley which is part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park. Shuttle buses are provided from Hino Station.139 views
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Tenbin Yagura's Rokabashi Bridge had a roof.139 views
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In late 2013, the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line in Otsu had trains painted in the Chihayafuru design to promote a Chihayafuru exhibition at Omi Shrine. Omi Shrine is near Omi Jingu-mae Station.139 views
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Shiga's ostracods are tiny aquatic crustaceans with a hinged, rounded shell. Usually 0.3 mm to 5 mm long, living on the lake bottom or on water plants. Appendages are extended through a slit in the shell for crawling, digging, eating, etc.139 views
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Really enjoyed the cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki. No hassle with car traffic. Totally worth it.139 views
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum in Kyoto138 viewsAt the end of the canal, there's this museum in Kyoto tracing the history of the canal.
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Keage Hydroelectric Power Plant pipes138 views
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Inside Benzai Tendo138 views
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Chikubushima has some steep steps.138 views
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Urinal (made of lacquered wood) for warlords. The room has two tatami mats. Right below the urinal is a bamboo mat. Above is a small shoji paper window to provide light.138 views
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Toilet (made of lacquered wood) for warlords. This is a separate room adjacent to the urinal. It also has two tatami mats. The walls are plain and not decorated. The toilet had a box which was likely replaced each time it was used. 上段雪隠138 viewsThis is a separate room adjacent to the urinal. It also has two tatami mats. The walls are plain and not decorated. The toilet had a box which was likely replaced each time it was used.
Jodan settin
上段雪隠
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Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. The main highlight is this Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession from 11:45 am to 2 pm. This is the Tokaido Road.138 views
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Two boats will lie here overnight.138 views
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Omi merchant house, History and Folklore Museum138 views
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Unloaded a horse after a race. Horse trucks often arrived. One truck usually holds up to four horses.138 views
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The twins talk with the host of the 61-year-old TV program. NHKのど自慢出場、合格138 views
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Two fixed-seat boats were also used.138 views
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Taga Taisha Lantern Festival also had some entertainment. Also see my YouTube video here.138 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.138 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂138 views
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And rivers. It's a pleasant drive. It's also part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park.138 views
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View of Lake Biwa from Ukimido. The Biwako Ohashi Bridge can be seen in the distance.138 views
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Kamon-chan is a princess created by students at Shiga Univ. for Ii Naosuke and the 150th anniversary of Japan's opening to the world. カモンちゃん (滋賀 彦根市）138 views
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Comedic sumo. It actually takes quite a bit of practice to put on comedic sumo, another thing we don't normally see during regular tournaments.138 views
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Tenson Shrine torii gate. 天孫神社138 views
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There are stone markers indicating where various buildings were.138 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.138 views
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Hikone Castle is a designated Special National Historic Place (特別史跡).138 views
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At Yume no Ogawa park, there is a small stream where the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 夢の小川138 views
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Another Myobu, followed by a man in white who is the Hakucho (白丁), a guide and guard of the court ladies. 138 views
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This is the Naishi (内侍), a court lady who served in the palace of the empress (中宮). During the Saio procession, she is at the service of the Saio princess. 138 views
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Delivering the tea.138 views
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Ray's fan (maybe wife?)138 views
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Rain never dampens the spirit of the people carrying a mikoshi.138 views
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Enryakuji Station138 views
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Monjuro Tower 138 views
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Soothing sounds of water, etc., can be heard. Almost Zen-like.138 views
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Tatsugaike Pond and Benzaiten shrine138 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall138 views
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Shoro Bell tower 138 views
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Path to Joko-in temple.138 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.138 views
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Although it was the most prominent building, the daimyo did not live in it. It was mainly a glorious symbol and storehouse for samurai armor and other artifacts of past Hikone daimyo.138 views
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Small taiko player, Tenjin-machi138 views
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In spring.138 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 138 views
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Lake Yogo has a nice lakeshore road going completely around the lake. Going counterclockwise is recommended since you'll be closer to the lake edge on the road. In winter, only part of the road is cleared of snow. 138 viewsThe photos below follow a counterclockwise route.
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Illustration of the Ouma-ya Horse Stable (center terrace). You can see the two Horse-washing Ponds at the foot of the stone wall.138 views
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What's left of the large stone wall. It was 5 meters tall and the largest stone wall at Odani Castle, even larger than the Honmaru's stone wall.138 views
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Other folding screens on display.138 views
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View from castle tower, looking toward central Hikone with the castle museum in the foreground.138 views
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USA (Great Lakes)138 views
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Seventeen million years ago, southeastern Shiga was under a warm ocean. Fossils of dolphins and this baleen whale bone (replica) have been found in Tsuchiyama, Koka.138 views
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The boat's bottom is flat, suited for shallow waters. 138 views
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Water was taken from a ditch and well. The fish in the ditch ate food scraps from washed dishes.138 views
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The center fence thus leads the fish to the trap holes (ツボ) in the trap's labyrinth.138 views
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Library - Reading room and kids books (free admission) 図書室138 views
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Museum restaurant138 views
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Cycling and pedestrian path in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.137 views
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Keage Incline boat trolley137 viewsThe Keage Incline was once restored in 1977. However, the sample boats are in poor condition.
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About Taro Oguchi.137 viewsThe song was written as a collaboration among boatmates, but Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924) is credited as being the main song writer. He was born in 1897 (Meiji 30) in Minato-mura village, now part of Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
He grew up in a loving and respected family and demonstrated an early talent for writing, music (violin and shakuhachi), and sports (judo, skiing, skating). Since he was the eldest son expected to take over the family home, there was opposition for him to go away for college. However, his father was persuaded to allow Taro to apply for college at the elite No. 3 High School (later to become Kyoto University). It was one of nine college-level schools in Japan, the No. 3 school being one of the most elite.
Contrary to family expectations, Taro passed the entrance exam, went school in Kyoto in 1914 and joined the rowing and speech clubs. In 1917, he wrote the famous song about Lake Biwa which first went public in 1918.
After the rowing trip in June 1917, school started in September and they had the usual student welcoming event where the school clubs would try to recruit new members. The music club gave a performance and boatmate Taniguchi (who suggested the Water Lilies melody for the song) also sang the Lake Biwa Rowing Song. He had such a beautiful voice that the boating club got several new members who were taken by the song. However, they quickly regretted joining the rowing club after being subjected to harsh training and practice.
The song itself was never considered to be a masterpiece by the boating members, even Oguchi himself. It was just a dormitory song written informally. For example, there's the famous error about calling Chomeiji the 10th Temple of the Saigoku Pilgrimage when it is actually the 31st temple. None of the rowing members ever told their family about the song either. Oguchi's parents found out that their son wrote the song only after he had passed away.
Oguchi also wanted to use a different melody for his words, a song called "Nara no Miyako" 寧良の都. It is obvious that this song melody was too long for his lyrics, but since he had musical composition talents, it looked easy to slightly modify the song to fit the lyrics perfectly. Alas, this was not to be as the song gained much love and fame while being based on the Water Lilies melody.
He graduated in 1919 and furthered his studies at Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo) in the science department. In 1921, he invented the wired and wireless multiplex telegraph and telephone system which was patented in eight countries. He was an extremely bright young man with a promising future.
In 1922, he entered the university's aeronautical research institute as a researcher. However, his life soon took a downturn from 1923 when he received a military conscription notice. A love interest for marriage also did not work out as desired. His physical health deteriorated and he died the following year in 1924 at age 26.
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Model of the town at the Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 137 views草津街道交流館
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Starting line. The man says "Yoi" (Ready) then "Go."137 views「用意」、次いで「ゴー」
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Nishinomiya Shrine on May 2, 2006 西之宮137 views
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Ura-Jizo (Rear Jizo) at the back of the Hondo, now open to the public from Jan. 2007. 裏地蔵尊137 views
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Kachidoki (Victory) Bridge with race horse motif.137 views
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Horse stable model137 views
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Kitchen area137 views
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This "Biwako shuko" (Rowing around Lake Biwa) between Imazu and Nagahama was the club's annual summer tradition since 1995. Photo: Assembling a two-man kayak.137 views
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View of Mt. Mikami from Karasaki, across Lake Biwa.137 views
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From Yasu Station, it's a short bus ride to the foot of Mt. Mikami (get off at Yamade-mae 山出前). Then backtrack along the road to see two hiking paths. There are two trails, the Front (Omote, seen on the left)) and Back (Ura, seen on the right).137 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.137 views
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Inside Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza. "Kome" means rice. On the first floor they sell local rice and produce.137 views
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He faced all four directions before stepping down from the ring.137 views
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Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama float with musicians playing on the bridge. 西行桜狸山137 views
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Genji-yama float. 源氏山137 views
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Stone foundation for a pillar.137 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret with windows open.137 views
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In Nov. 2001, part of the land was flooded with water as an experiment, and the ensuing plant and wildlife were observed. MAP137 views
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Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri Festival held in May is also a reenactment of this Saio princess procession called Saio Gunko (斎王群行).137 views
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The three girls are called Warawame (童女). They are daughters of the Imperial family or nobility and are learning the customs of the Imperial Court while living in the Imperial Palace. Played by girls from Koka.137 views
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About Daikodo Hall.137 views
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Jodo-in temple137 views
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Gate to Yokawa temple complex in Enryakuji.137 views
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About St. Shinran at Enryakuji.137 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall137 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"137 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.137 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.137 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.137 views
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The dotaku were nestled inside each other. These bells are dated from around 100 BC to 300 AD. The bells were not really used as bells. They were more for decorative and religious purposes.137 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion137 views
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Omizo Matsuri poster137 views
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Odani Castle stone marker near the entrance to the paved road going up the mountain.137 views
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If you're walking up Mt. Odani, this is one of the best scenic viewpoints on Odani. Good place to rest too. 137 views
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Shigaraki has a good number of pottery centers and Sotoen (宗陶苑) is major one. I visited for the first time in Aug. 2012. It covers a large ceramic park-like area.137 views
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Some are Tosa (from Kochi Prefecture) pines whose roots do not protrude above ground.137 views
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This is how crowded it can get to enter Hikone Castle's main tower. This was on a Sunday during Golden Week.137 views
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