 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
130 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. 130 views
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130 views
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130 views
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Unimpressive beach at the site of Sakamoto Castle.130 views
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This kabata was in a Japanese garden.130 views
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Kabata shed attached to a home.130 views
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View from Oku Biwako Parkway130 views
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Enryakuji Station130 views
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People chanting in front of Shaka-do Hall.130 views
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Path to Joko-in temple.130 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.130 views
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130 views
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Then the children's sumo matches. Boys only, no girls. This was the main highlight and crowd pleaser.130 views
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130 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion130 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.130 views
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Illustration of Kyogoku-maru which was the second largest bailey in Odani Castle after O-hiroma.130 views
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Namura Shrine's Romon Gate, Ryuo, Shiga. Important Cultural Property.130 views
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Other folding screens on display.130 views
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USA (Great Lakes)130 views
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The cargo was mainly rice, fish, and kelp.130 views
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Checkered pattern was unique to Lake Biwa boats.130 views
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Museum restaurant130 views
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Zensuiji temple in autumn.130 views
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129 views
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129 views
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3-story pagoda129 viewsThis is what you first see at the top.
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3-story pagoda, also a National Treasure129 views
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Model of the town at the Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 129 views草津街道交流館
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Gift shop and clock museum in background. 時計博物館129 views
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Oars keep the unstable boat stable.129 views
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Straw blind129 views
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Living room129 views
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Former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).129 views
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Verse 3 Song Monument is written with Verse 3.129 viewsWe drift from wave to wave, straying aimlessly.
On shore we see red fire, brings back memories.
With our sights set nowhere, rolling with the waves.
Today is Imazu or, Nagahama huh.
Nami no mani mani, tadayoeba
Akai tomaribi, natsukashimi
Yukue sadamenu, nami makura
Kyo wa Imazu ka, Nagahama ka
浪のまにまに 漂えば
赤い泊火 懐かしみ
行方定めぬ 浪枕
今日は今津か 長浜か
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Off we go, boys on one fixed-seat boat.129 views
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West Gate for car parking. Bus stop on right.129 views
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Although a Shinto priest from Mikami Shrine conducts the ceremony, the festival is organized by the Yasu Tourist Association. The rice planters and dancers are from a local rice-planting preservation group.129 views
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The rice paddy actually consists of four square paddies divided by cross-shaped ridges. When you see it from above, it looks like the kanji "ta" 田 which means rice paddy.129 views
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129 views
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Pulling it tight.129 views
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Karakuri dolls from Nishinomiya Ebisu-yama float.129 views
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Biwako Hall, Shiga's most modern concert hall. This area is also reclaimed land.129 views
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Omi Ohashi Bridge at the southern tip of Lake Biwa. 近江大橋129 views
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The accident was due to a train signal mixup and human error.129 views
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129 views
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Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret with windows open.129 views
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Sign outside the Taikomon Gate indicating the city's project to have Hikone Castle be designated as a World Heritage Site.129 views
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129 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.129 views
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129 views
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On the hillside between Omi-Takashima Station and Shirahige Shrine, there is a cemetery with 33 large stone buddhas. MAP129 views
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Shodenji temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. 正伝寺129 views
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129 views
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Kaidan-in temple129 views
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Soothing sounds of water, etc., can be heard. Almost Zen-like.129 views
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129 views
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About St. Shinran at Enryakuji.129 views
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Inside Ganzan Daishi-do Hall129 views
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129 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.129 views
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129 views
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129 views
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Shrine priest on horseback and behind him on another horse is the mayor of Omi-Hachiman who serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Sagicho Festival.129 views
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Boar and peony.129 views
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Suwai-cho float. 仲屋町129 views
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Next to the Andrews Memorial Hall is the Hachiman Church built in 1983. The original church, which was lost in a fire, was designed by William Merrell Vories in 1924. 八幡教会129 views
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Nicknamed Little Edo (Koedo), the castle town of Hikone holds the annual Little Edo Hikone Castle Festival Parade on Nov. 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm.129 viewsVery elaborate costume parade of mainly kids dressed as samurai and Edo-Period ladies. Highlights include the Hikone Gun Battalion giving a matchlock gun demo (in front of Horse Stable), Ii Naosuke played by an actor on horseback, fireman acrobatics, and Sarugaku dancers. The parade route starts from Joto Elementary School and proceeds along the road to the castle and passes in front of the Umaya Horse Stable. Short walk from JR Hikone Station. Parade route map:
http://www.hikoneshi.com/jp/event/articles/c/parade
Photo: Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station.
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Letter of appreciation from the governor of Michigan in 2006. Click to read the letter.129 views
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Odani Castle stone marker near the entrance to the paved road going up the mountain.129 views
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Otemichi path is apparently an alternate way up, but it is closed off to visitors.129 views
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Illustration of O-hiroma hall that was next to the Honmaru seen on the left.129 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.129 views
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Some are Tosa (from Kochi Prefecture) pines whose roots do not protrude above ground.129 views
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Tenbin Yagura is named after the luggage-carrying shoulder pole like this Omi merchant. 129 views
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Other exhibition rooms129 views
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The shells are mostly endemic Seta shijimi clams.129 views
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Water was taken from a ditch and well. The fish in the ditch ate food scraps from washed dishes.129 views
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Scenic bike path128 views
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128 views
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Benzai Tendo128 views
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Garden128 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128 views
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Palanquin at Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 草津街道交流館128 viewsFor photos.
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Hikone Port for boats going to Chikubushima and Takeshima islands 彦根港128 views
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Inside former Ban family residence, 2nd floor.128 views
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Entrance to Nishikawa Residence. During the Edo Period, the family made their fortune selling mosquito nets and tatami straw matting.128 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial 石田三成供養塔128 views
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Tumulus No. 5 with a reconstructed chamber made of stone in Ritto.128 views
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Bonsai128 views
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Iki-ikikan-mae bus stop for JR Notogawa Station.128 views
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Sumo wrestler monument dedicated to Yokozuna Hitachiyama, a great Yokozuna during the Meiji Period. Built by Asami Matazo who built the Keiunkan. 力士碑 横綱常陸山128 views
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Cherry trees bloom in early April in Omi-Fuji Karyoku Koen Park (also called Omi-Fuji Green Acres), Yasu. MAP128 views
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Soon you see the gate to Daikokudendo temple on the right.128 views
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View of 明王院.128 views
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密蔵院 is another building with an exhibition.128 views
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Waterwheel128 views
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Bonkei of Tsuchiyama-juku. Notice the straight wires used to depict falling rain. 土山宿の盆景128 views
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Yutate-yama float128 views
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128 views
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128 views
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Forty-two people died, and over 600 were injured. The JR West train was packed with people heading to Shigaraki for the World Ceramic Festival. The front cars of the two trains formed an upside-down V.128 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128 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 Saio procession heads for the gymnasium for another ceremony.128 views
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128 views
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128 views
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View from Oku Biwako Parkway128 views
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Jodo-in temple128 views
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Gate to Yokawa temple complex in Enryakuji.128 views
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128 views
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128 views
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On weekends, the road is bumper-to-bumper traffic when the cherries are in full bloom. The road also becomes a one-way road from west to east.128 views
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Soon you will reach this rest stop and the Kaizu-Osaki boat pier. 128 views
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128 views
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Waterwheel128 views
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It has a cherry tree, a red sake cup, and boar. Sagicho floats depict animals from the Oriental Zodiac, and 2007 was the Year of the Boar.128 views
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Three floats ablaze. 奉火128 views
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128 views
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From JR Yasu Station's South exit (Minami-guchi), take a bus going to Karyoku Koen (花緑公園) or Murata Seisakusho (via Nishi Gate 西ゲート経由 村田製作所行き) and get off at Dotaku Hakubutsukan-mae (銅鐸博物館前). Bus ride is 128 views
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First they introduced Shiga's mascot characters including Hiko-nyan.128 views
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Spelling mistake...128 views
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128 views
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Here are two versions of Omi-Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi 近江八景) by Hiroshige. The main complaint is that they center on Otsu in the southern half of Shiga. No scenes from northern Shiga. Autumn Moon at Ishiyama128 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.128 views
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128 views
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128 views
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The Katsube Shrine Fire Festival is held annually on the second Sat. of January. They light 12 giant straw torches with young men dancing around. The shrine is near JR Moriyama Station (JR Tokaido/Biwako Line). 128 viewsThis is the shrine's main o-torii gate. MAP
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People line up to enter Hikone Castle's main tower.128 views
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Mt. Ibuki, Shiga's highest mountain a seen from the Honmaru compound.128 views
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Fish's view of going to the trap hole. Eri has been in use for 1,500 years. Eri today have more sophisticated shapes and use modern materials instead of bamboo.128 views
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Exhibit of live plankton collected from Lake Biwa every morning.128 views
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Aquatic parasites. A few are endemic to Lake Biwa.128 views
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Cycling path in Notogawa, Higashi-Omi.127 views
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No. 1 Tunnel exit127 views
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127 views
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Hondo127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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They came from Hikone. 鉄砲隊演武（彦根鉄砲隊）127 views
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Nishikawa residence.127 views
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Horse stables.127 views
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Hina festival dolls in alcove.127 views
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127 views
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Inside former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee. 玄関127 views
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Garden127 views
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Ohmi Railways Toyosato Station. MAP127 views
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2nd floor of Keiunkan127 views
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Basho Haiku Monument 「蓬莱にきかはや伊勢の初たより はせを」芭蕉の句碑127 views
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Sachiko Tsuji, the MC, interviews the sisters before they sang on the boat. 自動販売機前でインタービュー。船内の客は姉妹の顔や姿がほとんど見えへん。127 views
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A reception was held afterward in the hotel. The mayor of Takashima, Hidekazu Kaito, speaks. I gave him a copy of our CD. 高島市長 海東英和127 views
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Two fixed-seat boats were also used.127 views
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Front of Yoshida Chiaki's home. Chiaki's room was on the left end of the 2nd floor as seen here. More about Yoshida Chiaki here.127 views
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Yoshida Chiaki's room on the 2nd floor.127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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JR Katata Station on the JR Kosei Line along the western shore of Lake Biwa, Shiga. Local buses run to Ukimido and other places. There's also a bus which crosses the Biwako Ohashi Bridge to reach Moriyama on the other side. 堅田駅127 views
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Bridge traffic is well over 30,000 vehicles per day.127 views
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127 views
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Kogenji Temple in Takatsuki, Nagahama belongs to the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect (Otani school). On the left of this main hall is the Doganji Kannon Hall where the 11-face Kannon statue (National Treasure) can be viewed. 渡岸寺観音堂（向源寺）127 views
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Sagawan (little sister) is the cutest of the bunch, promoting the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga. さがわん３兄弟（妹）(滋賀 守山市）127 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson sing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" at Sports Recreation Shiga 2008 on Oct. 18, 2008 in Kibogaoka Park, Yasu, Shiga Pref.127 views
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127 views
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Baruto practicing.127 views
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This is something we don't seeing during regular grand sumo tournaments held every other month in Tokyo (3 times), Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.127 views
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Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama float with musicians playing on the bridge. 西行桜狸山127 views
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This float always heads the festival procession every year, while the other floats draw lots to determine their order in the procession.127 views
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Tapestry designated as an Important Cultural Property. The Trojan War's Sack of Troy (from Greek mythology) is depicted. From the Gekkyuden-zan float.127 views
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These pictures were taken on Oct. 12, 2008. This is the first float in the procession, called Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama. 西行桜狸山127 views
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127 views
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Genji-yama musicians.127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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Ruins of a gate. Only the stone foundations are left. No original buildings stand.127 views
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Taiko drummers127 views
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The woman on the right is the Onna Betto (or Nyo-betto) (女別当) who was the supervisor of the court ladies at special occasions such as the Saio procession. The lady behind her is another Nyoju court lady. And in the end is the Zoshiki (雑色) handym127 views
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The Sanno Festival (in Japanese it's called Sanno-sai, not Sanno Matsuri) consists of a myriad of festival events. Also interesting is the participation of Buddhist priests from Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei.127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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Entrance gate to Saito from the parking lot.127 views
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127 views
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Buddha's giant footprints.127 views
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Tatsugaike Pond and Benzaiten shrine127 views
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Stilts of Yokawa Chudo Hall, the main hall in Yokawa.127 views
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Gate to Ganzan Daishi-do Hall127 views
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Cable car back down to Sakamoto.127 views
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By late afternoon on April 19, the festival eve, one hikiyama float arrived at Minakuchi Shrine. This is the Oike-machi hikiyama.127 views
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Unlike the floats used in Kyoto's famous Gion Matsuri, Minakuchi's hikiyama floats are not disassembled. They are stored in their constructed state. Koka, Shiga.127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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Plum blossoms.127 views
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Memorials next to Tahoto dedicated to Minamoto Yoritomo and Kamegayatsu. 源頼朝 亀ケ谷禅尼127 views
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127 views
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Stone foundation of original Nagahama castle tower. It is just slightly behind the current castle building is this small hill with stone walls.127 views
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In spring.127 views
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127 views
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127 views
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View of Lake Yogo from the hiking trail from Mt. Shizugatake.127 views
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Entrance to the paved road going up the mountain. There's a small parking lot, small park, restrooms, and resthouse here.127 views
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Rest house at foot of Mt. Odani.127 views
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127 views
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Illustration of the Akao Yashiki residence.127 views
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O-hiroma is Odani Castle's largest bailey. The site of a large hall where Azai Nagamasa and Ichi held their wedding. See the illustration. On the far end is the Honmaru.127 views
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They also have owls. This one has a camera.127 views
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A talk about Shigaraki ware at Sotoen.127 views
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For New Year's in 1860, Naosuke had a formal portrait of himself painted by Kano Eigaku (狩野永岳) and wrote this poem above the portrait.127 views
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Display cases of castle artifacts.127 views
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Riverside forests in Shiga are now rare due to development. They were a wildlife haven. The bamboo was also useful. 川岸林127 views
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Research wing of Lake Biwa Museum127 views
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"Blood-red" maples126 views
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Road marker at the intersection of the Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads126 viewsThis tunnel goes under the Kusatsu River.
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Kusatsu-juku Honjin guest book. See the names of Kira and Lord Asano both of whom once lodged at this Honjin (at different times). These two men later became adversaries which led to the legendary chushingura or vendetta of the 47 masterless samurai. 大126 viewsYou can see the names of Kira and Lord Asano both of whom once lodged at this Honjin (at different times). These two men later became adversaries which led to the legendary chushingura or vendetta of the 47 masterless samurai.
大福帳
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Sekifuda name plates in Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. This is what you see when you enter the Honjin through the Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. The name plate for the warlord staying at the lodge was displayed. 玄関広間126 viewsThis is what you see when you enter the Honjin through the Genkan Hiroma entrance hall. The name plate for the warlord staying at the lodge was displayed here.
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Jodan no Ma - Kusatsu-juku Honjin's best room in the house126 viewsReserved for daimyo warlords, emperors, etc. The room had an elevated tatami mat for the person to sit and sleep on.
上段の間
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Mukae Jodan no Ma. Painting on the fusuma sliding doors by Matsumura Keibun. 向上段の間126 views
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Two-man boat race126 views
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Rinsing the oars.126 views
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Steamship which carried train cars on Lake Biwa.126 views
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A more modern train ferry on Lake Biwa.126 views
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2nd floor balcony126 views
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2nd floor room with Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形126 views
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Turn left there.126 views
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Inside former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee.126 views
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Window126 views
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Verse 6 Song Monument, Chomeiji Port. Built in 1998. 六番の歌碑。長命寺（バス停のすぐそば）126 viewsNear the Chomeiji bus stop. It faces the pier. This monument has the most number of stones. But only two of them are used.
See more photos of Chomeiji Temple here.
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126 views
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Entrance to Echigawa-juku at the northern end. Echigawa-juku was the sixty-sixth station or post town (shukuba) of the sixty-nine stations on the Nakasendo Road. Map126 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）126 views
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126 views
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At 11 am, it was sumo with the little kids. Here's Takamisakari. 人気力士とちびっ子の稽古126 views
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Observation deck126 views
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Nighttime view126 views
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Inside Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum is a life-size model of the Seiobo-zan (西王母山) float featuring a longevity peach and peach boy. 大津祭曳山展示館126 views
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Artificial shoreline is actually not good for the lake ecologically. They should grow reeds instead. Reclaimed land.126 views
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Biwako Motorboat race126 views
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The Shigaraki Kogen Railway between Kibukawa and Shigaraki Stations is a single railway.126 views
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126 views
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Mike Sakan, local boy from Kusatsu, Shiga.126 views
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The Saio procession was one of the largest of its kind at the time, with up to 500 people.126 views
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126 views
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Bird-watching shack126 views
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126 views
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Door of Amida-do Hall126 views
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View during the bus ride.126 views
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Shoro Bell tower 126 views
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Ganzan Daishi-do Hall126 views
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About Eshin-do temple 126 views
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