 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
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.135 views
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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.135 views
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Most of the wood is Japanese conifer (槇の木). 135 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135 views
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Discovery Room - Hands-on exhibits for kids (free admission) ディスカバリールーム135 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. 135 viewsSeven of them were previously unknown (pink), but not necessarily endemic to Shiga.
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Yamashina134 views
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Jodan no Ma: Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house. Reserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. 上段の間134 views
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Starting line. The man says "Yoi" (Ready) then "Go."134 views「用意」、次いで「ゴー」
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Ceremony at Nishinomiya Shrine134 views西之宮
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Nishikawa residence.134 views
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Glass artists make their works.134 views
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Uphill training course with wood chips. 坂路調教馬場134 views
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Kitchen area with dirt floor.134 views
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Bonsai plum and pine trees134 views
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Imazu Exhibition, May 16 - June 25, 2006 at Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan, Takashima, Shiga. Photo exhibition poster.134 views
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Megan could not make it to this event, nor could Philbert. Thanks to Akazawa-san, leader of the flute group, for the photos. Photo by: 赤澤 一壽134 views
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Further along the Yume Kairo path.134 views
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View of Lake Biwa from Ukimido. The Biwako Ohashi Bridge can be seen in the distance.134 views
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View of Ukimido while rowing on Lake Biwa.134 views
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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.134 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）134 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）134 views
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Kitty134 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.134 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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Midway is this station called Horaioka.134 views
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Inside Monjuro is an altar.134 views
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Honen and Shinran134 views
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Amida-do Hall134 views
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Now I walked from Todo to the Saito temple complex.134 views
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Inside Amida-do Hall.134 views
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Ninai-do Hall consists of two halls connected by a corridor.134 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.134 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.134 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).134 views
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Kabuki performance in the shopping arcade.134 views
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Rennyo-do Hall, dedicated to Rennyo, prominent priest of the Jodo Shinshu Sect. 蓮如堂134 views
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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134 views
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Sanwakai float. 参和会134 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134 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Evening Glow at Seta from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.134 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.134 views
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Naosuke's poem in modern Japanese. For the sake of the country, he had no regrets. A few months later, he was assassinated. 134 views
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Touching Corner ふれあい体験室 - Petting zoo for crayfish and small fish.134 views
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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.134 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.134 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.134 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134 views
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My YouTube video of Otsu Matsuri filmed on Oct. 12-13, 2013. Shows the Yoimiya and Hon-matsuri main festival day.134 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.
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Canoe Land133 views
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Kannondo Temple133 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.133 views
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Corridor133 views
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Nishinomiya Shrine on May 2, 2006 西之宮133 views
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Oda Nobunaga at Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri. 織田信長133 views
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Wall133 views
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After the awards ceremony, she was asked to sing a little bit of the English song she talked about. She beautifully sang the first verse and drew much applause.133 views
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Entrance to 世尊院.133 views
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Well133 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.133 views
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There was an entertainment stage called Kenmin Yume Stage where 8 acts, including us, performed from 9:30 am to 11:15 am. We performed at 10:20 am.133 views
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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.133 views
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This frog will supposedly have your money "returned."133 views
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The LakeStars shake hands or high five fans.133 views
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The famous Karasaki pine tree as seen from Lake Biwa.133 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133 views
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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.133 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133 views
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Torch bearers arrive at the Yomiya-jo while running.133 views
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The Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu in a procession of Buddhist priests.133 views
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Mikoshi bearers were standing by at Wakamiya Port and one by one they offloaded the mikoshi from the barge.133 views
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The wooden walls are actually half-burnt, almost like charcoal.133 views
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Water quality report.133 views
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Steps to Monjuro Gate which faces the Konpon Chudo.133 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.133 views
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About Kaidan-in temple133 views
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How the pagoda was reconstructed.133 views
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Statue of Nichiren at Joko-in temple.133 views
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Bishamon-do Hall was built in 1773. 毘沙門堂133 views
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Steps going to the Hondo Hall, Ishiyama-dera's main worship hall and a National Treasure.133 views
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This is the closest we can get to Kangaku-in Hall, a National Treasure at Miidera temple in Otsu.133 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.133 views
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Illustration of Bansho guard house.133 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).133 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.133 views
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Tenbin Yagura's Rokabashi Bridge had a roof.133 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.133 views
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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.133 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.133 views
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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.133 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.133 views
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The bow's tip is studded.133 views
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Keage Incline boat trolley132 viewsThe Keage Incline was once restored in 1977. However, the sample boats are in poor condition.
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Keage Hydroelectric Power Plant pipes132 views
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Hondo grounds132 views
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Two boats will lie here overnight.132 views
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Unloaded a horse after a race. Horse trucks often arrived. One truck usually holds up to four horses.132 views
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Path to next Omi merchant home.132 views
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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song completed in English and performed in public," June 4, 2006, Mainichi Shimbun, Shiga News132 views
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Walls with excerpts from the novel.132 views
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Sculpture of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.132 views
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For the Daijosai, another sacred rice paddy is also selected to the west of Kyoto. That paddy is called Suki Saiden. In 1928, it was located in Fukuoka Pref.132 views
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And rivers. It's a pleasant drive. It's also part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park.132 views
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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132 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.132 views
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Central Otsu lakefront132 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.132 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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Rain never dampens the spirit of the people carrying a mikoshi.132 views
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Now we are at a place called Nakajima. 132 views
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Inside 2nd floor of Enryakuji Station.132 views
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Monjuro Tower 132 views
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About Amida-do Hall.132 views
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Minobuchi Benzaiten shrine132 views
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About Ganzan Daishi-do Hall132 views
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Small taiko player, Tenjin-machi132 views
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After the tunnel, some the best parts of the sakura-lined road/shore lie ahead.132 views
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Closeup of the stone, designated as a Natural Monument.132 views
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View as we head toward the Tahoto pagoda.132 views
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Miyauchi-cho float. 宮内町のだし132 views
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They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 132 views
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Northern Lake Biwa, looking toward Sugaura. Seen from Mt. Shizugatake.132 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.132 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. 132 views
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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.132 views
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View from castle tower, looking toward central Hikone with the castle museum in the foreground.132 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.132 views
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Maruko-bune's trademark is this half-round cedar or cypress log on both sides. おも木132 views
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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.132 views
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The center fence thus leads the fish to the trap holes (ツボ) in the trap's labyrinth.132 views
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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.132 views
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It's really beauitful to see the cherry blossoms from the boat.132 views
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Torahime manhole.132 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.131 views
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Cycling and pedestrian path in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.131 views
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Park near top of Keage Incline131 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.131 views
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Omi merchant house, History and Folklore Museum131 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131 views
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Kachidoki (Victory) Bridge with race horse motif.131 views
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Kitchen area131 views
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Verse 3 Song Monument 131 views
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Nagahama Exhibition, July 1 - Aug. 10, 2006 at Biwa Library, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Exhibition poster.131 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.131 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).131 views
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First you enter this building called 世尊院.131 views
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There's also a fine view of a rock garden outside.131 views
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Ishiyama-dera temple Hondo main hall 本堂131 views
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Lady Murasaki Shikibu's inkstone case.131 views
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Inside Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza. "Kome" means rice. On the first floor they sell local rice and produce.131 views
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He faced all four directions before stepping down from the ring.131 views
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Tosanoumi131 views
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Entrance to Garden Museum Hiei131 views
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There are stone markers indicating where various buildings were.131 views
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Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.131 views
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Hikone Castle is a designated Special National Historic Place (特別史跡).131 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. MAP131 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).131 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. 131 views
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Delivering the tea.131 views
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About this kabata. The well is 12 meters deep, water temperature is around 13 C year round.131 views
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It had colorful koi.131 views
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A symbol of Harie.131 views
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Nakajima and Harie became famous in 2004 when NHK TV broadcast a program about the Harie kabata and a fisherman in Nakajima.131 views
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Miyazawa Kenji poem monument131 views
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About Daikodo Hall.131 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall131 views
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Altar inside Yokawa Chudo Hall131 views
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About Yokawa Chudo Hall.131 views
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The kabuki boys are placed on the hikiyama floats.131 views
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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"131 views
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In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.131 views
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This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.131 views
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Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.131 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. 131 viewsThe photos below follow a counterclockwise route.
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Dotaku Museum in Yasu, Shiga Prefecture. Opened in Nov. 1988, the museum is near the site where Japan's largest bronze bell was unearthed. It has bronze bell exhibits and research facilities. Open 9 am to 5 pm (closed Mon.). Admission 400 yen.131 views
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Omizo Matsuri poster131 views
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The boat's bottom is flat, suited for shallow waters. 131 views
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Traditional eri is an arrow-shaped bamboo fence in the water pointing away from shore. When fish encounters the center fence, it instinctively swims toward deeper water. 早崎内湖ビオトープ131 views
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Library - Reading room and kids books (free admission) 図書室131 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.131 views
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Really enjoyed the cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki. No hassle with car traffic. Totally worth it.131 views
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum in Kyoto130 viewsAt the end of the canal, there's this museum in Kyoto tracing the history of the canal.
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Pelton water wheel at Lake Biwa Canal Museum130 viewsUsed at the Keage Power Plant to generate electricity. The Keage Plant was Japan's first hydroelectric power plant.
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"Blood-red" maples130 views
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Soon after you enter the temple, you see this "continuously blooming" cherry tree (fudan-zakura) planted next to a tree showing fall colors. This special cherry tree blooms in Nov. during the fall colors. 不断桜130 views
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San-mon Gate 山門 MAP130 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130 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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Temporary boat landing130 views
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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.130 views
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The training track consists of several different tracks with grass, dirt, or wood chips.130 views
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Horse stable model130 views
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2nd floor room looking toward the balcony.130 views
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Former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).130 views
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Road to Mt. Kinugasa.130 views
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Verse 5 Song Monument, Hikone Port 五番の歌碑。彦根港130 viewsThe left stone is inscribed with the entire song, and bigger stone on the right has the lyrics for verse 5. There is also another stone which shows a map of the lake and rowing route. The monument is now encroached by tall grass and weeds.
This song monument was built in Oct. 2005 at a cost of 8 million yen (gathered through donations). With this, now all six verses each have a song monument. This one is next to Hikone Port where you board the boat to visit Chikubushima or Takeshima.
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Title of her speech was, Biwako Shuko no Uta no Boken (Adventures with Lake Biwa Rowing Song). 「琵琶湖周航の歌」の冒険130 views
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Taga Taisha Lantern Festival also had some entertainment. Also see my YouTube video here.130 views
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A gate with sacred rope130 views
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Taga Taisha O-taue Matsuri poster. I enjoyed the festival, but was a little shocked that we had to pay money to see it. There's no notice saying that a donation is required to see the festival. I don't mind paying, but it should be mentioned somew130 views
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Biwako Aika 琵琶湖哀歌 (Lake Biwa Elegy) is a mournful song dedicated to the eight college rowers from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture and three rowers from Kyoto who died while practicing in waters off Takashima-cho, Haginohama beach when struck by st130 views
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Entrance to Samegai Trout Farm (Yosonjo). Established in 1878 and operated by Shiga Prefecture, the Samegai Trout Farm is Asia's largest trout farm with many trout ponds. 醒井養鱒場130 viewsFrom JR Samegai Station, it's a one-hour walk.
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Imazu Jr. High Lake Biwa Rowing Exhibition, July 1-30, 2008 at Imazu Public Library, Takashima, Shiga. I showed mainly photos of Imazu Jr. High's rowing club rowing across Lake Biwa from Nagahama to Imazu.130 views
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Tenson Shrine torii gate. 天孫神社130 views
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Genji-yama float. 源氏山130 views
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Stone foundation for a pillar.130 views
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In one Tora-san movie (starring Atsumi Kiyoshi) made in 1982, this is where he sold his goods.130 views
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