 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
South end gate of Echigawa-juku.116 views
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Snowcapped Mt. Ibuki and half-frozen Mishima Pond in winter.116 views
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Shiika シィカ116 views
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This Gekkyuden-zan float had instruments (bells, drums) which anybody could try and play. 116 views
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Bobby receives a DVD player.116 views
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View from the Kohoku Wild Bird Center. 116 views
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Inside Tarumi Tongu. Today, it is just a small forested area with a monument. The names and dates of all 31 Saio princesses who stayed in Tarumi Tongu are known today.116 views
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The Shinto priests proceed to Nishi Hongu.116 views
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After the Reisai Ceremony, the Tendai Abbot leaves Nishi Hongu through the Romon Gate.116 views
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Chawan Matsuri Hana-yakko flower umbrella dancers. They wear a Nagajuban kimono slip (長襦袢) and straw sandals. 花奴116 views
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Pulling out the first float out of Hachiman Shrine.116 views
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Yae-zakura cherry blossoms are fluffy-looking.116 views
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Naginata Odori in Ryuo. 長刀仕舞振り（長刀芸）116 views
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Sanno Torii has a unique shape. The triangular gable on top represents the integration of Buddhism's Womb Realm and Diamond Realm with Shinto. 山王鳥居116 views
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You can see a line of pink along the shore of the peninsula in the distance.116 views
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Steering the hikiyama from behind.116 views
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Ishiyama-dera in fall116 views
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Winner116 views
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The crowd is drawn to the fire for warmth. It was a cold, windy day.116 views
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In a local community center in Suijo, they started at 6 am to paint the bellies and thighs of 15 men called yakko. Yakko were manual laborers employed by the samurai. They carried luggage during trips, etc.116 views
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In autumn (late Sept.), cosmos autumn flowers along Lake Yogo.116 views
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On Aug. 20, 1881, two young lads were playing on Mt. Oiwa when they stumbled across three dotaku partially exposed in the ground. The next day, eleven more dotaku were discovered in the same area.116 views
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Tabimaru from Kusatsu, Shiga.116 views
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It was a beautiful festival day on May 5, 2010. The Ayame girls wore colorful happi coats which really added color to the festival.116 views
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Festival waste material.116 views
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Kenketo Odori poster. The word "kenketo" is written in katakana, but the kanji is written as 献鶏頭 which is not accurate in meaning. It was just made up. No one is sure what kenketo means in Japanese.116 views
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Hiroshige's woodblock print of Otsu-juku (70th post town on the Nakasendo) from his Kisokaido series. Hatcho-dori street and Lake Biwa in the distance.116 views
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In 2011, the Go and Azai Sisters Expo was held in Nagahama. The west side of Nagahama Station had shuttle buses going to the Odani pavilion. Buy the roundtrip bus ticket at the little office near the bus stop at the train station.116 views
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At the Odani pavilion at the foot of Mt. Odani, a shuttle bus with a bus guide is provided for 500 yen roundtrip during 2011. A lot easier than walking up the mountain.116 views
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View from the Ouma-ya.116 views
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About Sakura-no-Baba in Japanese.116 views
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After the Honmaru, the castle spreads out further along the mountain ridge all the way to the peak. This is Nakanomaru, just north of the large moat.116 views
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Large Stone Wall at Odani Castle. The original stone wall supported the Sannomaru bailey. 大石垣116 views
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Photos labeled as "2012" were taken on May 3, 2011, not 2012.116 views
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During China's Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, chancellor of the state of Shu Han, fought Cao Cao, the chancellor of the state of Wei.116 viewsZhuge Liang looked at flowing water and prayed to the water god to wash away the enemy's huge army. He thereby emerged victorious.
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Boy monk with eyeglasses at Eigenji Temple, Shiga.116 views
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Path to Daitsuji Temple was full of kimono ladies for the Nagahama Kimono Garden Party in Shiga.116 views
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Going back.115 views
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Omi Hakkei (Eight Views of Omi) marker115 views
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Nice path with fall colors115 views
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Hondo115 viewsPilgrims often come and chant.
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Lake Biwa Rowing Song (Biwako Shuko no Uta) monument 琵琶湖就航の歌 歌碑115 viewsThe song is about a four-day, boat-rowing trip around Lake Biwa undertaken on June 27, 1917 by seven college students. They were in the rowing club at an elite college in Kyoto called Dai-san Koto Gakko (No. 3 High School 第三高等学校) which later merged with Kyoto University. They started at Otsu and rowed to Omatsu (now called Omi-Maiko), Imazu, Chikubushima island, Nagahama, Hikone, Chomeiji, and back to Otsu. They stopped overnight at Omatsu, Imazu, and Hikone.
For a detailed explanation of this song and monument, this album.
Biwako Shuko no Uta
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Hachiman-yama ropeway station115 viewsA short walk from Hachiman-bori canal.
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Church house115 views
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Entrance to temple hall115 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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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan 草津街道交流館115 views
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Singing "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" (Biwako Shuko no Uta)115 views
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Kamiko. 神子 芝田楽 (shibadengaku)115 views
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South of Biwako Ohashi Bridge.115 views
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The last boat arrives.115 views
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Omi merchant daily implements, History and Folklore Museum115 views
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The property is now occupied by the Ishida Kaikan public hall and monuments. 石田三成屋敷跡 石田会館115 views
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Monument marking Ishida Mitsunari's former residence.115 views
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Monuments on the property115 views
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Site of Okamura Castle 岡村城跡115 views
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The old outdoor hot spring bath at the old Sugatani Spa in mid-2004 before the new building was completed.115 views
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Verse 5 Song Monument, the third monument showing the rowing route, Hikone Port115 viewsThe monument's third stone shows a map of the lake and rowing route. It also states the dates when all the song monuments were built in Shiga.
See more photos of Hikone here.
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Small trophy for those who appeared on the TV program. (Photo by Jamie Thompson)115 views
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Nodo Jiman for those who made it to the preliminary screening.115 views
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After they sang, there was a mad rush to buy the CD priced at 800 yen. 英語版CDの購入者が殺到。115 views
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View of Imazu shore from hotel115 views
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Outdoor sculpture115 views
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Umoregi-no-ya entrance.115 views
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The "Front Mountain Path" has a gate to prevent monkeys from escaping to the residential area. Be sure to close the gate after entering.115 views
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Time capsule to be opened in 2042.115 views
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Painting of a scene from Tale of Genji on square paper.115 views
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The ukiyoe print by Hiroshige shows a bridge across Echigawa River. It was toll-free (Muchin-bashi).115 views
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Ozuchi Dam115 views
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Inside Issaikyo-zo Hall is an octagonal, rotating Rinzo rack where the scriptures are stored.115 views
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Jizo statue115 views
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Dohyo-iri Ring-entering ceremony by Juryo wrestlers on the west side.115 views
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Makunouchi dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony on the west side.115 views
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Kaio vs. Kotooshu115 views
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The tall building is Otsu Prince Hotel.115 views
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Praying at Tenson Shrine.115 views
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Toward the end of the route is an even narrower road. This is where I photographed and shot videos of all the floats and all the karakuri performances.115 views
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The ninth float is Shakkyo-zan. 石橋山／湊町115 views
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On this street corner was where Russian Crown Prince Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (later Tsar Nicholas II) was attacked by a policeman guard (Tsuda Sanzo) on May 11, 1891.115 views
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The backdrop was quite dramatic with the temple gate.115 viewsChianji belongs to the Obaku-shu Chinese Zen sect. It also has a connection to the Imperial family.
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Coming through an avenue of pine trees on the old Tokaido Road. The procession is led by a patrol car with a speaker blaring out a Saio song.115 views
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Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.115 views
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It's a huge bell. After hearing the sound of the bell on Mt. Hiei, Benkei was disgusted with how it sounded and threw the bell back down the mountain.115 views
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Lake Biwa Canal on vintage postcard. Notice the boats in the canal. Boat rides were initially offered.115 views
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After the Tea Offering Ceremony, they march back.115 views
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Little kids in ceremonial dress for this fesival are called chigo. 稚児115 views
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The first group arrive at Yomiya-jo and go to their mikoshi.115 views
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The Tendai Zasu Abbot is escorted to the Honden.115 views
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Then the mikoshi sailed to Wakamiya Port. 船渡御115 views
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Shirayama-gu Shrine Honden Hall. Important Cultural Property built in 1598. 白山宮 本殿115 views
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The sail of the boat float almost got caught on a tree branch as it was moved.115 views
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A boy writes with a brush with his mouth.115 views
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A hikiyama proceeds through the shopping arcade whose ceiling is high enough. Each hikiyama holds a kabuki performance four times this day.115 views
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Fall leaves on a rock formation.115 views
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Grounds of Himure Hachimangu Shrine which holds the Sagicho Matsuri. 日牟禮八幡宮115 views
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Sanyaku Soroifumi has the top three ranking wrestlers (Ozeki, Sekiwake, Komusubi) stomp the ring to further purify the ring as they face the shrine.115 views
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The defunct Yogoko-so Kokuminshuku lodge at the southern tip of the lake. It had a scenic view of the lake. This was a national pension with affordable prices. 国民宿舎 余呉湖荘115 viewsSadly, after 40 years in business, this pension closed in Sept. 2013 due to aging facilities that were too expensive to repair. It has been torn down.
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At the end of this trail is this shore of Lake Yogo, on the opposite end from Yogo Station. You still have to walk along one side of the lake to get to the train station. It's a scenic walk.115 views
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Yogoko-so Kokuminshuku lodge at the southern tip of the lake when it was still operating. It afforded a scenic view of the lake. This was a national pension, so prices were affordable. 国民宿舎 余呉湖荘115 views*Sadly, after 40 years in business since 1971, this pension closed in Sept. 2013 due to aging facilities that were too expensive to repair.
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Satellite view of Yasu.115 views
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Next are groups wearing period costumes. They are junior high schoolers.115 views
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The giant torches can be as high as 10 meters. They are made on the Sunday before April 14-15 when the festival is held. So these torches have been here since Sunday. In front of Taneya.115 views
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Rakuyaji temple office where you pay the 500 yen admission fee to enter the main Hondo hall (open 9:00 am - 5 pm, till 4 pm in winter). Pilgrims can also get the temple's autograph and seal in their pilgrimage book.115 views
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Road going up Mt. Odani. You can walk uphill (taking 30 min.), but easier if you have a car. I don't recommend walking up in the heat (and flying insects) of summer. MAP115 views
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Walking further along the castle tour. The tour guide explained each site in Japanese with a megaphone. The tours were quite popular.115 views
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View from Sakura-no-Baba with Lake Biwa and Chikubushima island.115 views
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Stone wall of the Honmaru at the far end of the O-hiroma. There are steps on the right to go atop the Honmaru.115 views
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Beyond the top of the Honmaru is a deep ravine. The guided tour ended at the Honmaru, but Odani Castle has other castle keeps beyond, and I left the tour to see them by myself.115 views
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Peak of Mt. Odani115 views
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View from Sannomaru.115 views
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On the west side of Maibara Station is this long escalator to go down. The up escalator is inside the station building.115 views
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All the while at the shrine, festival music was played.115 views
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Mitsunari-kun is the official mascot of the Nagahama Sengoku Taiga Furusato-haku expo. The expo highlights three areas of interest in Nagahama: Odani Castle and Azai, Kinomoto and Mt. Shizugatake, and central Nagahama and Chikubushima island.115 views
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The torches are made of tree branches, bamboo, and straw from rapeseed hulls. Many people are involved in gathering the materials and making the torches.115 views
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Ishiyama-dera's hidden, giant Buddha (Kannon) is visible through the altar. 115 views
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Normally, you cannot see this Buddha through the altar since the Buddha is housed behind closed doors. We were allowed to walk behind the altar to see the giant Buddha in its shelter with the doors open. 115 viewsA large, impressive Buddha. No photos were allowed.
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Front side of the monument has the Japanese lyrics and explanation of the song. Monument is made of stainless steel with a brushed-metal finish.115 views
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The canal in Kyoto near Yamashina.114 views
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Imazu has a pebble beach. Some sand as well.114 views
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Heiwado dept. store114 views
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Top in sight114 views
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Hachiman-yama ropeway takes only 4 min. to go up114 views
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Nishi-no-ko Lake as seen from Kitanomaru atop Mt. Hachiman-yama.114 views
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Shrine path114 views
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Honjin owner Tanaka's house114 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan. Terminals are provided to find information about Kusatsu. 草津街道交流館 MAP114 views
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Recycling truck114 views
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Soldier's send-off flag, History and Folklore Museum114 views
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Legend of Seta Karahashi Bridge with Fujiwara Hidesato who killed the giant centipede on Mt. Mikami.114 views
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Okinoshima Port114 views
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Inside public hall114 views
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Horse stables.114 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.114 views
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It flew very high, up to about 150 meters, then veered to the right, over our heads.114 views
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Sign shows the way to the "Back Mountain Path" (Ura Tozando). This is the less steep trail to the summit. Notice the peak on the left. I went on this trail. 裏登山道 MAP114 views
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I visited this park after coming down from Mt. Mikami which was full of green and brown. So seeing bright colors in this park was a great sight.114 views
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Snow on Mt. Ibuki and Lake Biwa as seen from the ski lift to the 3rd station.114 views
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Plastic mats are used to reserve spaces for groups. They would place these rocks, etc., to secure the mats. Some ill-mannered people would not bother to discard the sheets and rocks after the fireworks were over.114 views
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Shiga LakeStars official mascot, Magnee (modeled after the Lake Biwa catfish).114 views
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The twelveth float was Komeikisui-zan, originally built in 1694. 孔明祈水山／中堀町114 views
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Saio arrives at Maeno.114 views
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The four mikoshi at the Yomiya-jo storehouse.114 views
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Monkey carvings on a mikoshi. The monkey is the messenger of the mountain god.114 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Nishi Hongu (West) Shrine. This building is a National Treasure. 西本宮114 views
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It was raining this day on April 14, 2009. This is the Romon Gate to Nishi Hongu.114 views
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The Tendai Abbot offers the sacred branch.114 views
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Mikoshi bearers on Sando road make their way to the shrine.114 views
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Site of Sakamoto Castle, now a small park on the west shore of Otsu.114 views
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All that's left is this stone foundation of Omizo Castle.114 views
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Moat near Genkyuen Garden.114 views
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Unlike the other shrines, you can actually go inside this shrine hall.114 views
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Near the Niomon Gate is the Shaka-do Hall (also called Jiki-do 食堂) which worships the Shaka Nyorai statue. Dating from the early Muromachi Period, an Important Cultural Property. Photography is not allowed inside.114 views
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Autumn flowers at Lake Yogo.114 views
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Note that this taiko dance will be canceled if it rains.114 views
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Boat pier north of the east end of Seta-no-Karahashi Bridge. This is where the crowd was concentrated. People gave a few speeches before the boats left.114 views
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Shirahama Beach along the lake's western shore.114 views
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View of the bottom torii of Sanposan Shrine (繖峰三神社) on Kinugasa-yama (繖山) 432 meters high. (As seen from the train on the JR Tokaido Line. This torii is 15-min. walk from JR Notogawa Station. 繖峰三神社)114 views
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About the place where Azai Nagamasa committed seppuku and left behind his wife and three daughters who were allowed to escape.114 views
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About the O-hiroma hall in Japanese.114 views
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O-hiroma as seen from atop the Honmaru. Lots of rocks, not sure if any of them were foundation stones.114 views
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Azai Sukemasa designated Tokushoji temple as the Azai clan's family temple in 1518 and moved the temple to Shimizu Valley adjacent to Mt. Odani.114 views
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A female wearing a crane crown and a male with a turtle crown start dancing in front of the Chinese emperor to celebrate his longevity. 114 views
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Hikone Castle admission fees in 2017.114 views
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Imazu's main lakeshore road leads to more tourist sights.113 views
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Steps to main temple113 views
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Temple grounds113 views
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Hondo temple hall113 views
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Information sign113 views
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Honjin owner Tanaka's house113 views
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Kusatsu-juku Kaido Koryu-kan is a history museum with various exhibits showing Kusatsu's post town history. Admission 200 yen. You can buy a set ticket good for both the Honjin and this history museum. 草津街道交流館113 views
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Musa-juku 武佐宿113 views
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Old Nakasendo Road and Dobashi Bridge. Supposedly, this is the bridge from where Hiroshige drew his print of Moriyama-juku.113 views
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Univ. of Tokyo alumni crew in light blue T-shirts113 views
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Arriving Omi-Maiko on Day 1. Rowing around the lake has been an annual tradition.113 views
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Small motorboat which accompanies the three rowing boats. I was aboard this motorboat and took pictures.113 views
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Road marker: Go left for the Nakasendo Road or right for the Hikone Road.113 views
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Okishima (Okinoshima) is Lake Biwa's largest island inhabited by over 400 residents, mainly into fishing. Short boat ride away from Omi-Hachiman's Horikiri port. MAP113 views
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Steps to the larger hill113 views
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