 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Joko-in temple.126 views
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The hikiyama floats were then pulled into position for the day's first kabuki performances.126 views
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In fall126 views
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Sometimes a float collapses when float bearers get too tired.126 views
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Numerous tiny fish heads make up this flower design.126 views
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Jukku-kai float. 十区会126 views
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The sake cup has numerous little bead-like things. All edible.126 views
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Swan maiden's tree. A sign next to it explains the legend. Lake Yogo is Japan's most noted lake for the swan maiden story. 余呉湖の衣掛柳126 views
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Mother Lake logo on Uminoko. From April 2001, the boat started using BDF (biodiesel fuel). It also has a small elevator (wheelchair accessible). Since the boat is over 25 years old, donations are being accepted for its replacement in several years.126 views
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Lots of parking space.126 views
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The shops open from 10 am to 8 pm. Buses run from Omi-Hachiman and Yasu Stations.126 views
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Beware of wild goats (kamoshika) on Mt. Odani.126 views
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Here's our block of Shigaraki clay.126 views
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Lord Ii Naosuke Poetry Monument along the Iroha pine trees.126 views
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While using a metaphor of Lake Biwa's waves crashing relentlessly against a rocky shore, the poem expresses Naosuke's brain-wracking efforts as Chief Minister in dealing with successive waves of difficult problems.126 views
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One of the large stones at the poetry monument has a duck carving.126 views
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Statue of Lord ii Naosuke.126 views
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The lotus used to bloom in July. In 1975, there was only 4 hectares. By 2004, it covered 13 hectares.125 views
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Nagahara Station on the JR Kosei Line. A nice, loghouse station building. JR湖西線、永原駅125 views
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Cherry blossoms which bloom in Nov. This is full bloom. Not as glorious as the cherries in spring, but unusual to see them in Nov. 不断桜125 views
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Sansho Shrine125 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)125 views
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Another dashi float is hauled to the shrine. 南大窪町の「南壮社（なんそうしゃ）」125 views
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Day 3: Arrival at Manohama beach, near the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge. 真野浜上陸125 views
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Glassware workshop125 views
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NHK Taiga Drama "Komyo ga Tsuji" souvenirs.125 views
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Outside on the terrace facing south at Nagahama Station. The small waiting room has been removed and replaced by a walkway to the new Mondecool Heiwado store.125 views
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Practice track125 views
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Starting gates. The left gate has the largest width for beginner horses until they can get used to the narrow gates on the right. Some horses refuse to leave the gate.125 views
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Nice view of uphill training course. The wood chips, which eventually wear out, are replaced once a year.125 views
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Horse stables.125 views
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Hinamatsuri dolls125 views
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Inside the bus for Notogawa Station, about 15 min. ride.125 views
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Mt. Mikami as seen from JR Yasu Station train platform. The south exit of Yasu Station has a tourist info office where you can get maps and directions to the bus stop.125 views
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密蔵院125 views
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At 10:30 am when the ceremony was over, they proceeded to the rice paddies. Four groups of planters and dancers went to the four paddies.125 views
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Bench on shore near Ukimido125 views
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Hiko-chu from Hikone. A Koga ninja mouse. Notice the shuriken on his left. Its creator seems to have been influenced too much by Mickey. ひこちゅう (滋賀 彦根市）125 views
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Sumo souvenirs125 views
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Ozeki Kotomitsuki practicing.125 views
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Nighttime view during Yoimiya at Otsu Matsuri. Yoimiya is similar to the one held during the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. 宵宮125 views
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Between the Yutate-yama and Jingu Kogo-yama floats, they held a little event featuring the musicians from both floats.125 views
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On the right were musicians from the Jingu Kogo-yama float. They performed separately, then together. Flutes, drums, and chimes.125 views
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People crowd the route to the shrine hall to worship.125 views
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The floats are steered by men behind the wheels.125 views
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More chimaki for the crowd.125 views
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Karakuri dolls performing. They are manipulated with strings and other devices below or on the side. (There are no strings above the puppets.)125 views
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Pig125 views
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Top floor ceiling.125 views
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Following the Saio are more Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.125 views
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The Saio princess arrives at Tarumi Tongu.125 views
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The Saio receives the tea.125 views
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Biwako Sosui. The city of Otsu is thinking about resurrecting a tourist boat service on this canal. MAP125 views
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The Tendai Abbot (orange robes) lines up along with other Enryakuji Buddhist priests on the Sando path of Hiyoshi Taisha.125 views
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THe head priest of Hiyoshi Taisha greets the Tendai Abbot.125 views
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This is to publicize the Gulliver Youth Travel Village, a camping and recreational facility. ガリバー青少年旅行村125 views
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If you go to Konki Senshoku, you might as well also see Shimoda-yaki 下田焼 pottery down the road in the Konan Traditional Crafts Hall (Dento Kogei Kaikan). 湖南市伝統工芸会館 MAP125 views
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Bird-watching center125 views
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About Jodo-in temple125 views
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Shaka-do Hall altar125 views
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About Shaka-do Hall125 views
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Joko-in temple.125 views
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Benzaiten125 views
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Early-blooming cherry blossoms.125 views
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Gate to Kangaku-in Hall, school for priests at Miidera temple in Otsu. Closed to the public.125 views
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Ao-nori (powery seaweed) was used to make the dark-green leaves.125 views
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Notice the Treasure Boat.125 views
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Uwai-cho float. 魚屋町のだし125 views
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At 6 pm, the Shinmachi-dori children's float is set afire.125 views
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Shimmering waters of Lake Biwa.125 views
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Memorial for Yogo's war dead.125 views
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Torii of Kobiyoshi Shrine and giant torches in the distance, Ryuo, Shiga Prefecture.125 views
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My YouTube video of the Ayame mikoshi girls at Hyozu Matsuri in 2010.125 views
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Hachiman-bori goes all the way to Lake Biwa. This is toward the west end of the moat.125 views
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In central Nagahama (walkable from Nagahama Station) is Tokushoji temple (徳勝寺), the location of the graves of Lord Azai Nagamasa and his father Hisamasa and grandfather Sukemasa.125 views
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Steps along the side of the noborigama kiln.125 views
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The instructor showed how to smooth the top edge with a wet cloth.125 views
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Observe live plankton through the microscope or on the monitor. A high concentration of plankton is obtained from a net thrown 10 meters into Lake Biwa.125 views
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum at bottom of Keage Incline124 viewsThe museum opened in 1996.
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Path to temple124 views
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Ritto Station. MAP124 views
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Inside Ritto Station and sign celebrating the decision to build a shinkansen station in Ritto. Celebration has been muted after the new governor was elected in July 2006.124 views
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Gehaiden Hall (Outer Haiden 外拝殿)124 views
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Inner side of Omi Jingu Shrine's Rōmon Gate (楼門).124 views
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The 16 floats start entering the shrine grounds during 9:30 - 11:00 am.124 views
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Steering the float124 views
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Throwing a torch up the pine tree. Very few people succeeded in landing the torch on the tree (which doesn't burn down).124 views
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Front of old Nagahama Station124 views
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Small Jizo statues124 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial124 views
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Uphill training course with observation building. The wood chips are soft, making the horse less prone to injury.124 views
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Shopkeeper's desk.124 views
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Obata doll museum124 views
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And girls on the other fixed-seat boat. These boats have fixed seats which do not slide as in modern rowing boats. This boat is a replica of the fixed-seat boat used 90 years ago by Oguchi Taro and crew when he wrote the song, Biwako Shuko no Uta.124 views
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Almost finished. This paper cutting step took 3 days to complete.124 views
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Popular Hiko-nyan from Hikone also made an appearance in the Social Salon.124 views
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Table of Contents of magazine "Ongaku-kai" (The Musical Japan) 音楽界. Many music-related articles.124 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Front Mountain Path" (Omote Tozando). I recommend taking a bottle or two of drinks. There's a vending machine near the bus stop. If you miss the bus from Yasu Station, it's a 40 min. walk. Taxis available. 表124 views
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Steps to 密蔵院.124 views
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Their feet are more than ankle deep in the mud. No one lost their balance and fell into the mud.124 views
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Sister city certificate for West Bend, Wisconsin, USA, in Echigawa Public Library.124 views
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About Biwako Ohashi Bridge.124 views
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Next to Miidera temple's southern boundary is Nagara Shrine. The shrine is not part of Miidera, but it is often included in maps of Miidera temple. 長等神社124 views
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Yoemon-kun, the mascot for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Confucian scholar Nakae Toju from Takashima, Shiga Pref. よえもん君 (滋賀 高島市）124 views
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From 11:40 am, sumo matches began. Started with the Makushita wrestlers. (Notice their black mawashi belt.)124 views
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This bridge seemed to be a favorite spot for photographers. It later was filled with standing-room only crowds.124 views
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Performance outside the Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Museum.124 views
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Jingu Kogo-yama float124 views
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On a narrower street, there are houses with open windows on the upper floor which is almost the same level as the float.124 views
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The head flipped up to reveal a fox's head.124 views
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Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.124 views
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These four men are Kyoto (Heiankyo) government officials called Kyoshiki Kannin (京職官人).124 views
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The Saio gets out of her palanquin.124 views
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In the background is a stone monument marking the area as the site of the Tarumi Tongu palace.124 views
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Closing remarks. For more info about the festival, call 0748-66-1602 (in Japanese). Note that if it rains, everything is held inside the Ono Elementary School Gymnasium.124 views
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Bobby Nash gives autographs after the game.124 views
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Statue of Akechi Mitsuhide124 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. 藤本太郎兵衛像 124 views
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About St. Shinran124 views
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Sekizan-gu Shrine 124 views
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Gyo-in training hall (not open to the public).124 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms. These cherry trees were first planted in 1936 to commemorate the opening of Osaki Tunnel. Some 600 cherry trees were planted along a 4-kilometer route along the lakeshore.124 views
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Shinmachi-dori float. 新町通りのだし124 views
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Ishin-cho float. 為心町のだし124 views
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Lost geta clog. The confetti is from the Dai-ikku float with the sakura theme. Supposed to be cherry blossom petals.124 views
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Marker for the Battle of Shizugatake and the famous "Seven Spears" which refer to Hideyoshi's top generals in the battle.124 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion whose members are licensed to fire matchlock guns.124 views
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Hachiman Jinja Shrine in Asahi, Maibara. The Asahi Honen Taiko Odori is supposed to be performed at Oka Shrine, but they perform it here on Oct. 4. MAP124 views
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The expo focuses on the Battle of Anegawa, but it does not provide shuttle buses to the battle site and this battle memorial.124 views
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Bento lunch at Sotoen.124 views
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Statue of Lord ii Naosuke.124 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.124 views
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Hikone City Hall with a sign urging Hikone Castle to become a World Heritage Site.124 views
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More path foilage123 views
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JR Ishibe Station123 views
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JR Ishibe Station before renovations.123 views
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Hondo temple hall123 views
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Yudono bath room for warlords. The hot water was heated nearby and carried to this room. 湯殿123 views
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Float named "Jusosha" leave the shrine. 寿雙車123 views
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Three boats are used for the trip, sighted here off shore near JR Hira Station on the Kosei Line. 湖西線比良駅の沖123 views
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Japan's first train ferry started on Lake Biwa, linking Otsu and Nagahama. In operation until the train line opened.123 views
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Omi merchant furniture, History and Folklore Museum123 views
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Inside former Ban family residence.123 views
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Marker of Ishida Mitsunari's estate123 views
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Unusual horse with a white face.123 views
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For current information on the Bonbaiten exhibition, see the official website (English).123 viewsThe Keiunkan is near Nagahama Station's west exit, toward the south end. It is across from Nagahama Railroad Square. This is the gate to Keiunkan guesthouse.
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Anegawa River ran red with the blood of fallen warriors in Aug. 1570.123 views
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The Yuki Saiden rice paddy is in a scenic, rural location, with Mt. Mikami in the background. You can understand why it was selected to be the Yuki Saiden in 1928.123 views
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Biwako Ohashi Kome Plaza lookout deck on the 2nd floor.123 views
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View from Kiyotaki Jinja Shrine123 views
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Paragliders. There is a paragliding school on the 3rd station where anyone can take a daylong or half-day paragliding lesson.123 views
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Kisenosato123 views
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Otsu Matsuri lantern123 views
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Musicians at the Genji-yama float. 源氏山123 views
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On Chuo Odori road, this spot had spectator seats (admission charged) to watch the karakuri performances which last only for a few minutes. At other spots, you can watch it for free.123 views
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The rock is cracked open, and the lady changes into a fox.123 views
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View of the bridge from Tenbin Yagura turret.123 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Genkyu-en Garden. Genkyu-en is a Japanese garden next to the castle.123 views
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The first (and last) character in the procession is the Kacho, an archer and the head of security. 火長123 views
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Konpon Nyoho-to pagoda123 views
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There are these small Buddha statues all over Yokawa.123 views
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Sanbaso dancer is the first to perform.123 views
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Inside the Tahoto is this altar for Dainichi Nyorai. 大日如来123 views
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I visited the park in April 2009 in the early morning before the crowds arrived. It truly was a peaceful beauty.123 views
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Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking south.123 views
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Ikeda-machi float. 池田町のだし123 views
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Shinmachi-dori Children's float passing through Shinmachi, Omi-Hachiman's old merchants quarters. 新町通りこども123 views
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Gate of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Festival. 日牟禮八幡宮123 views
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Sumo tournament winners.123 views
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Lake Yogo is also noted for the swan maiden legend. There's even a statue monument for her. The pedestal is engraved with "Yogo-ko" (Lake Yogo).123 views
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Next was the Andrews Memorial Hall, the first building designed by William Merrell Vories. It was formerly the Hachiman YMCA. アンドリュース記念館（旧八幡YMCA会館）123 views
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Tokyo Apache shake hands with fans.123 views
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They tossed mochi after this in the shrine, but I left early to see the Shichikawa Festival in Shin-Asahi. Sorry, no photos of what happened here after this.123 views
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Wash basin in the cafeteria.123 views
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Bus and taxi stops at Maibara Station's west exit. On this side of the station, you'll find Heiwado department store and the Maibara City Hall. MAP123 views
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About the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura.123 views
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Inside Notogawa Station. The waterwheel structure houses a stairway and escalator.123 views
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Horaitei garden122 views
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Hondo main hall and pagoda 本堂122 views
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument 琵琶湖就航の歌 歌碑122 views
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View of Lake Biwa from Nishinomaru on Mt. Hachimanyama in Omi-Hachiman.122 views
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About the temple122 viewsThe temple was established in 708 as ordered by the emperor.
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Temple bell122 views
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Truck to carry the boats122 views
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Shoes are fixed to a small, angled platform.122 views
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Ritto Archaeological Center right next to the Wada Tumuli. 栗東市出土文化財センター122 views
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External view122 views
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Entrance to home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).122 views
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Jamie and Megan Thompson singing in front of Verse 4 song monument on Chikubushima. This was during a Lake Biwa cruise.122 views
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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song photo exhibition in Takashima," June 12, 2006, Chunichi Shimbun, Chunichi-Shiga page. (The man in the picture is not Philbert.)122 views
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