 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
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This hikiyama is shaped like a boat.114 views
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Turning the hikiyama's wheel.114 views
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Plum blossoms114 views
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Plum tree114 views
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Ema votive tablets on which you write your prayers and wishes.114 views
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Small silvery fish, beans, and perhaps onions. Looks like very painstaking work. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga.114 views
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Small mushrooms114 views
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Floats go through the torii and head for Himure Hachimangu Shrine.114 views
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Another "kenka" (fight) starts. けんか114 views
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The children's float returns to the shrine.114 views
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Swan maiden's tree. Sadly, a strong typhoon knocked down this tree and it's no longer here.114 views
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My YouTube video of the Hinade Shrine Sumo Odori Dance.114 viewsMt. Hinodeyama with Hinode Jinja Shrine holds an annual sumo festival on the third Mon. of Sept. It features mainly children's sumo and a sumo jinku dance by about 16 men. Near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line).
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In 2011, the Go and Azai Sisters Expo is publicized everywhere in Nagahama. This is the east side of Nagahama Station.114 views
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The 1,000 yen ticket includes admission to all three pavilions and roundtrip shuttle bus fare. Best to go the Odani pavilion first, then take another shuttle bus to Odani Castle.114 views
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The shuttle bus leaves once or twice an hour from Nagahama Castle. It comes with a bus guide. 114 views
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About the Ochaya in Japanese.114 views
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Next to the Horse-washing Pond is a large area called the Ouma-ya or Horse Stable. It is not known if there actually was a horse stable here. This was enclosed on three sides by high earthen walls.114 views
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Overview of the heart of Sotoen.114 views
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The heat from the furnace at the bottom chamber rises and seeps into all the chambers. 登り窯114 views
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The top of the noborigama kiln.114 views
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Poster recruiting torch/taiko drum men aged 13-34 to carry the taiko drums and giant torches on the day of the fire festival.114 views
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Photographers stake their place hours before the festival started. The prime viewing spots were already taken by 4 pm.114 views
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This kite's hanjimon has twin dragons that can be pronounced "shin-shin" (辰辰), a homonym for mind and body (心身). And the vermillion kanji reads "sukoyaka" (健やか), meaning good health. So the kite wishes for your "114 views
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The four Wind Goddesses pose for us. The four Wind Goddesses (風の女神) are like festival princesses and they beckon the wind to blow during the kite festival.114 views
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Inside Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.114 views
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Inside Hikoneguchi Station with turnstile visible, before the building was torn down in Aug. 2014.114 views
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Altar for the Chikubushima Dragon God.114 views
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This is how Lake Biwa compares to Tokyo in area.114 views
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There are several companies that offer suigo boat rides in Lake Nishinoko in Omi-Hachiman. One of them is at this place in Maruyama. They use human-powered boats. MAP113 views
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Keage Incline113 views
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You can hike up the hillside garden.113 views
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View from top. Hazy weather made it difficult to see the scenery.113 views
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Garden113 views
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Stone lantern sculpture113 views
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Hondo 本堂113 views
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Giant rock113 views
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大権現社113 views
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Chomeiji pier113 views
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Site of Hachiman-yama Castle in Omi-Hachiman.113 views
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Shrine next to temple113 views
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Photo op room at Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan. You can dress up as a traveler on the Tokaido/Nakasendo Road and take a picture of yourself. You can even sit in the palanquin. A tripod is provided too. 草津街道交流館113 views
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Starting line staff113 views
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Omi-Fuji (Mt. Mikami) and Karasuma Peninsula. 近江富士（三上山）と烏丸半島113 views
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The boat is deluged with large swells spilling into the boat. 大波113 views
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Shinmachi-dori next to Local Artifacts Museum113 views
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Tree113 views
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Entrance to Ishida Shrine 石田神社 供養塔113 views
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Horse ride.113 views
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Shopkeeper's record book.113 views
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Inside the home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).113 views
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Bonsai113 views
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On the other side of this Anegawa River were Oda Nobunaga's forces.113 views
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As if drawn to the singing, the floating school named "Uminoko" (Child of the Lake) also docked at the same time.113 views
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Small trophy for those who appeared on the TV program. (Photo by Jamie Thompson)113 views
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Float from Shimizu-cho with a panel explaining about the float in both English and Japanese. Carved panels depicting the Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety by famed Suwa woodcarver, Tatekawa Washirō and a wave design drawn by Kyōto artist Mankō are..113 viewsConstructed in 1825 (Bunsei 8). Carved panels depicting the Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety by famed Suwa woodcarver, Tatekawa Washirō and a wave design drawn by Kyōto artist Mankō are of great beauty. The gold leaf and lacquer adorning this hikiyama was applied by a Shimizu-chō resident artisan employing the utmost skill and devotion.
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On the day before, they were supposed to row from Imazu to Nagahama, but high waves forced cancellation. So they were bused to Nagahama where they stayed overnight. Photo: Carrying the kayak to the lake, passing by Nagahama Castle.113 views
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So here's the handkerchief (1200 yen). It's very thin cotton. 近江正藍染 ＜県知事指定・滋賀県伝統的工芸＞113 views
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We started with a vat having a low density of indigo. We dip the handkerchief for 15 sec., wring it, then expose it to the air. The indigo dye is actually a murky brownish-yellow color, but turns blue when exposed to the air.113 views
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Inside a palanquin.113 views
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After passing through a bamboo grove, there is a clearing with the Tempo Gimin Monument.113 views
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Lookout point on Mt. Mikami in Yasu.113 views
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Painting of a scene from Tale of Genji on square paper.113 views
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A local troupe of Taiko drummers called "Mukade Taiko." Mukade means centipede. Mt. Mikami is famous for a folk tale about a giant centipede which occupied the mountain. It was later killed by a brave warrior from Otsu.113 views
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This road near the primary school is dubbed "Road for Greetings" (Aisatsu no Doro). I walked on this road and passed by a few kids, but received no hellos from them...113 views
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About 46 mascots showed up during the two days. I went on the first day. They are called "yuru-kyara" (ゆるキャラ) in Japanese which means "loose characters." (Don't ask me what that means.)113 views
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Tabi-maru. a traveler character from Kusatsu, Shiga. Kusatsu was a crossroads on the old Tokaido and Nakasendo Roads where many travelers lodged. "Tabi" means "travel." たび丸 (滋賀 草津市)113 views
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Vivace-kun is a beaver promoting Viva City shopping mall in Hikone, Shiga. ビバッチェくん (滋賀 彦根市）113 views
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Boxing113 views
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Now the Yokozuna dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony.113 views
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The floats gathered at Chuo-dori one after another.113 views
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After the lunch break, the floats geared up to move on. This is the Genji-yama float with banners declaring the Millennium anniversary of Tale of Genji.113 views
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Side view of Genji-yama.113 views
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A peach splits opens and out comes a peach boy. The children's story Momotaro is based on this.113 views
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Ogoto Station before it changed its name to Ogoto Onsen Station.113 views
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Moat as seen from Kuromon Gate.113 views
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Ii Naosuke (井伊 直弼) (1815-1860) 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.113 views
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Bobby receives a DVD player.113 views
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At the end of the arrow tip is where the fish eventually gather so fisherman can just scoop up the fish. The fish don't backtrack and so they don't escape this place.113 views
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They danced to recorded music.113 views
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Route to the Tarumi Tongu palace site.113 views
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Family portrait with the chigo child.113 views
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April 13 climaxes in the evening with the Yomiya Otoshi Ceremony starting with a torch procession around the streets near Hiyoshi Taisha from 6 pm.113 views
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The fun is not over until they start to carry the mikoshi out of the Yomiya-jo. They run with the mikoshi and make it very dramatic (and dangerous if you're in their way).113 views
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The Tendai Abbot chants a sutra in front of the Honden at Nishi Hongu. 読経113 views
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Omizo Castle in Takashima was originally built by Oda Nobuzumi in 1578, a nephew of Oda Nobunaga. It was built to oversee transportation on Lake Biwa along with Azuchi, Nagahama, and Sakamoto Castles on the shores of Lake Biwa.113 views
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They are called the Kamogawa 48 Stone Buddhas. They were originally made in 1553 by Sasaki Rokkaku Yoshikata (佐々木六角 義賢), lord of Kannonji Castle in Azuchi in memory of his deceased mother.113 views
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Established in the 8th century and one of the Konan Sanzan Trio of Tendai Buddhist National Treasure temples in Konan, Zensuiji's main Hondo Hall is a National Treasure. It is on the slope of Mt. Iwane.113 viewsZensuiji means "Efficacious Water Temple." From JR Kosei Station on the JR Kusatsu Line, catch a bus and get off at Iwane 岩根. From there, you still have to walk a bit, follow the signs (if you can read Japanese). This road leads to one entrance to Zensuiji.
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JR Mikumo Station on the Kusatsu Line.113 views
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Each of the hikiyama floats are named after their respective neighborhoods.113 views
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Monkey sculpture on all four corners of the Romon Gate at Nishi Hongu.113 views
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A few cherry trees along the way to Kaizu-Osaki.113 views
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Carvings on a Nagahama hikiyama float.113 views
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Tapestry may have a western design.113 views
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At around 9 pm when the day's final kabuki performance ends, they take out the mikoshi and parade it around the Otabisho before they carry it back to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine.113 views
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Many homes hang red streamers during the Sagicho Festival.113 views
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Children's floats go to battle.113 views
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Hanafuda playing cards.113 views
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This float won 2nd place.113 views
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Here we go...113 views
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More floats return to the shrine to be burned.113 views
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Lake Yogo green with algae in late Sept.113 views
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On the left is Shinohara Shrine dedicated to Ishikoritome, the god of mochi rice cakes. The rice around here was said to be ideal for making mochi.113 views
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Before or after the castle parade, you might as well see the chrysanthemum exhibit at Gokoku Shrine (護国神社), a shrine dedicated to Shiga's war dead.113 views
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At the end of the baba, they turned around, and I left the scene.113 views
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Hauling the main mikoshi onto the boat.113 views
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A total of 12 giant torches would be lit up for the festival. In the old days, they had more torches, but the number has decreased due to the difficulty of procuring materials.113 views
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The lantern bearers lead the way as the taiko drum bearers exit the shrine.113 views
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The shrine name means, "Many Felicitations," hence its popularity during New Year's.113 views
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Seiobo is the Chinese goddess Xi Wangmu living on the mythological Kunlun Mountain. She danced for Emperor Wu of Han who desired longevity. She gave him a longevity peach.113 views
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Boats also leave from Nagahama and Hikone for Kaizu-Osaki.113 views
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Most of them come with friends or with their mother. Nagahama, Shiga.113 views
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This woman was nice because she had a traditional Japanese hairstyle (Shimada style) with her real hair which is rare. 113 viewsThere are hairdressers in Japan who are trying to learn, preserve, and promote traditional Japanese hairstyles. It's quite complicated to create and you need really long hair. Nagahama, Shiga.
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Shrine grounds where the taiko drum dance is performed112 views
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Hyakusaiji temple Garden112 views
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Gate to temple, at last112 viewsTook me over 20 min. to climb the 808 steps.
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Roof ornament112 views
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3-story pagoda 三重塔112 viewsImportant Cultural Property
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護摩堂112 views
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Bicycle rental station next to Omi-Hachiman Station. You can rent a bicycle until 11 pm so you can stay in town late to see night festivals.112 viewsBest way to tour the city.
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Tokaido History Museum includes an accurate model of Ishibe-juku's palatial Kojima Honjin.112 views
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Entrance to temple hall112 viewsInside are statues of gods and Buddhas designated as Important Cultural Properties. One of them was stolen, so there are security cameras inside the temple. Photography is also forbidden.
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Built in 1400112 viewsWe cannot enter it.
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Kusatsu history112 viewsBeing a stage town along the Tokaido Road connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, Kusatsu had over 70 inns for travelers. The best inn was the Honjin, reserved for daimyo warlords, Imperial family members, etc.
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Recycling truck112 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)112 views
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At the foot of Azuchi, the boat ride was very popular and cheap.112 views
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Torii at Misaki Shrine Fire Festival.112 views
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Inside Local Artifacts Museum (Kyodo Shiryokan)112 views
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Keihan Zeze Station 京阪電鉄膳所駅112 views
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Ishida Mitsunari Memorial112 views
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View of track from press room.112 views
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Shopkeeper's record book.112 views
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View of Imazu shore from hotel112 views
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Almost 50 members in the club, and almost all of them participated in this rowing trip. Some of them did this for the third time. Photo: Carrying life vests. All rowers are required to wear life vests.112 views
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Nakasendo in Echigawa-juku112 views
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Kaio vs. Kotooshu112 views
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Inside the sumo arena. It was pretty full. 112 views
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This house in Kajiya-cho was open to the public to exhibit stuff related to the lead float Saigyo Sakura Tanuki-yama.112 views
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The route goes through central Otsu (walkable from Otsu Station.) A map of the route is available at the info counter in Otsu Station.112 views
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Sign explaining about Hayasaki (Hayazaki) Naiko Biotope. It was an attached lake to Lake Biwa until it was filled in as reclaimed land in 1970.112 views
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They first introduced all the people in the Saio Princess Procession.112 views
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Another stop was made at the Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) in front of Chianji (Chianzenji) Temple (地安禅寺).112 views
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The Saio princess was poised as always, despite the winds and sun and the heavy costume.112 views
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The first break was at the Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.（市場区民広場）112 views
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The Saio Gunko procession proceeds through tea fields on the way to Tarumi Tongu.112 views
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Flower Procession on Sando 花渡り式112 views
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Some kids get tried and end up being carried.112 views
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All four groups have arrived and they stand around the mikoshi. There are more people behind the mikoshi as well.112 views
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The Tendai Abbot leaving Nishi Hongu.112 views
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The Chawan Matsuri festival was unique and very, very impressive. It was great.112 views
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The entrance pathway has picture panels explaining about the famous founders of Japanese Buddhist sects.112 views
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Near the statue, Hana no Shogai (Flowering Life 花の生涯) monument for Funahashi Seiichi's novel about Naosuke's life that was made into the first NHK Taiga Drama.112 views
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Wedded trees at Hieda Shrine112 views
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The following photos were taken on the second day of the festival. On the festival's 2nd day (Sun.), the floats are paraded from 10:30 am and arrive at the shrine by 2 pm.112 views
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Black rice, beans, and more.112 views
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This float won the top prize for float design.112 views
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Children's float from Shinmachi-dori112 views
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The two children's floats separate.112 views
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After a loud dragging noise, they clash and lock their antlers.112 views
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A real mish-mash.112 views
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Sign of defeat as this float badly lists to one side.112 views
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