 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
No. 5 Daniele Meucci at Lake Biwa Marathin in 2018.26 views
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Ride for runners.26 views
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End police car.26 views
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About Kongorinji's famous temple garden.26 views
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Steps to the Hondo main worship hall.26 views
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Aisho Town Museum.26 views
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Boat named "Benten" going to Chikubushima.26 views
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You can sit anywhere you want. Inside Benten. Very comfortable and warm in winter. Not many passengers. Easy to social distance.26 views
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Chikubushima is also home to Tsukubusuma (Chikubushima) Shrine which is also a National Treasure. Until 1868 when Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines were required to be separate, the shrine was part of Hogonji temple.26 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) monument for Verse 4 engraved on the front.26 views
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After some steps, a small torii to Tsukubusuma Shrine.26 views
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Corridor facing the Funa-roka.26 views
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Decorative wooden support assemblages called tokyo (枓栱) or dougong. They are now illuminated to show off the vibrant colors.26 views
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Above the pillars are decorative wooden support assemblages called tokyo (枓栱) or dougong. They have also been brilliantly repainted and even lit up. Dougong are interlocking wood pieces commonly found on temples and shrines as a Chinese influence.26 views
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Pindola Bharadvaja statue right inside Karamon Gate.26 views
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Karamon Gate door.26 views
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Karamon Gate 唐門 (National Treasure) beautifully restored to its original splendor. Entrance to the Kannondo Temple.26 viewsThis gate is said to have come from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Gokuraku Bridge at Osaka Castle in the early 17th century (Momoyama Period). Chikubushima, Nagahama, Shiga.
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It's the entrance of the temple's Kannon-do Hall that worships Kannon. The gate features the karahafu roof gable shaped like a hump, commonly found on important traditional buildings such as temples and castles.26 views
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The gate and other castle structures were later moved to warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi's mausoleum in Kyoto in 1600. In 1603, Hideyoshi's son ordered Karamon Gate to be moved to Chikubushima to help rebuild Hogonji Temple which was in disrepair at 26 viewsChikubushima had close ties to Toyotomi Hideyoshi since he was once the lord of Nagahama Castle. Chikubushima was part of his domain.
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Right door of Karamon Gate.26 views
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Left side of Karamon Gate. The gate doors are also adorned with peony flower carvings.26 views
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Before the renovation, Kannon-do and Karamon Gate had this old, moldy roof.26 views
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A pair of tigers on the main roof.26 views
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Inside Benzai Tendo. The statue of Benzaiten in the corner was donated by the father of Lord Azai Nagamasa. The Nagamasa clan paid their respects to it regularly thereafter.26 views
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Another statue of Benzaiten.26 views
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Mochinoko Tree もちの木26 views
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Zuisho-sui Well 瑞祥水26 views
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Imazu Port with Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki in the background.26 views
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Walking to Imazu Port on the boat dock. New Imazu Port building.26 views
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Inside the new Imazu Port building. That's the ticket office.26 views
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JR Yogo Station on the Hokuriku Line in 2018. You can rent bicycles inside the station.26 views
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Lake Yogo Visitors Center where you can sell your catch of invasive fish. No English. There's a better tourist center on the other part of the lake.26 views
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Sadly, in Oct. 2017, a major typhoon knocked down the swan maiden willow tree. Most of the tree had to be cut. This photo was taken in April 2018. 余呉湖の衣掛柳26 views
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Map of Yogo area. This area is also famous for the Battle of Shizugatake in 1583.26 views
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Autumn cosmos flowers at Lake Yogo.26 views
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Autumn flowers at Lake Yogo.26 views
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White flowers along Lake Yogo in late May. Nobody could tell me what kind of flowers they were.26 views
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White flowers along Lake Yogo in late May. 26 views
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White flowers along Lake Yogo in late May. 26 views
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Boat dock. Note that swimming is not allowed in Lake Yogo.26 views
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Rice paddies in late May.26 views
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Lake Yogo's mirror surface.26 views
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Trail up the mountain to Mt. Shizugatake.26 views
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Trail up the mountain to Mt. Shizugatake.26 views
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Yogoko-so Kokuminshuku lodge closed.26 views
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Lake Yogo sakura cherry blossoms.26 views
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Lake Yogo sakura cherry blossoms.26 views
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Lake Yogo cherry blossoms.26 views
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Lake Yogo cherry blossoms.26 views
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From Mt. Shizugatake, a short downhill trail to Lake Yogo.26 views
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Lake Yogo green with algae in late Sept.26 views
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Lake Yogo Tourist Center restaurant.26 views
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JR Yogo Station.26 views
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Jens Chr. Kolberg from FISA conducted the closing ceremony.25 views
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Entrance to the site. 15-min. walk from JR Torahime Station.25 views
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Police vehicles to be used for the marathon.25 views
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Trucks for marathon staff and logistics.25 views
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Runners walking to the start line as the starting time of 12:30 pm approaches.25 views
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They paused here first.25 views
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Two police motorcycles lead the way for the leading runners.25 views
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No. 270 NAKAMURA Shogo (中村匠吾) came in 7th at 2:10'51".25 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)25 views
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Saimyoji's three-story pagoda, a National Treasure.25 views
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Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.25 views
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Another prime spot for autumn foliage at Kongorinji.25 views
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Autumn foliage near the Dojo. 25 views
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Small garden outside Aisho Town Museum.25 views
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Shuttle bus on the right going to the next Koto Sanzan Temple.25 views
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Snowy mountains around Lake Biwa.25 views
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Approaching Chikubushima, Lake Biwa's most famous, historic, and sacred island. Takes about 30 min. from Nagahama Port. I've visited this island a number of times before, but this time I wanted to see something I'd never seen before.25 views
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Chikubushima (竹生島) is a small, sacred island dominated by a temple/shrine complex called Hogonji (宝厳寺) perched on this fairly steep slope. 25 viewsThe temple/shrine's construction was ordered by the emperor in 724 when he proclaimed that Chikubushima was a sacred place for the goddess Benzaiten (弁才天). The temple was to bring national peace, bountiful harvests, and prosperity to all. A priest named Gyoki (僧行基) then proceeded to build the temple with Benzaiten as the principal object of worship.
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Chikubushima boat dock.25 views
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After you get off the boat at Chikubushima, you face this slope of buildings. Many monuments. On the upper right is the famous Karamon Gate.25 views
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Candle holder.25 views
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Kannon-do Hall roof corner with a tokyo assemblage. So much eye candy in this building. 25 views
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Before photo of the statue of Pindola Bharadvaja and the nearby wall with flower carvings. (See the next photo after the restoration.)25 views
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Behind the Karamon Gate.25 views
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Left side of the kaeru-mata.25 views
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It looks new because it was magnificently restored (including the roof) after six years of meticulous work completed in March 2020. Finally came to see it. I was not disappointed. It's jaw-dropping beautiful.25 views
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The roof was also entirely restored. The gate is a splendid example of the finest art from the Momoyama Period (late 16th century).25 views
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Before photo. Without the colors, it was so hard to see the wood carvings.25 views
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About the Kannon-do Hall.25 views
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What the Karamon looks like with the doors closed.25 views
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Karamon Gate entrance to Kannon-do Hall.25 views
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Bell tower25 views
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"Interlaken" boat to Imazu at Chikubushima.25 views
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Inside the Interlaken boat. Very comfortable and looks new.25 views
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Leaving Chikubushima.25 views
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"Birthplace of Biwako Shuko no Uta" (Lake Bwa Rowing Song) on a bulletin board in the train station.25 views
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Imazu Port also has this song monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). 琵琶湖周航の歌 歌碑25 viewsThe song is about college boys from Kyoto rowing around Lake Biwa while mentioning famous places like Otsu (the starting point), Omi-Maiko (Omatsu), Imazu, Chikubushima, Nagahama, and Chomeiji.
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The new museum occupies a large corner of the building's first floor. It's on the left when you enter the building.25 views
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Photos of the Kanazawa college rowers who died due to strong winds that capsized their boat in 1941.25 views
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Overpass to station building.25 views
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Lake Yogo as seen from Mt. Shizugatake. From Shizugatake, there are trails going down to the lake. The long trail is on the right.25 views
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Mt. Shizugatake has a bald patch where the lookout point is for tourists. Accessible by chair lift on the other side of the mountain.25 views
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Lake Yogo is also called "Mirror Lake" for its mirror reflections.25 views
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Lake Yogo cherry blossom trees in late May.25 views
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Entrance to the long hiking trail to Mt. Shizugatake.25 views
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Long hiking trail to Mt. Shizugatake.25 views
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From Mt. Shizugatake, a short downhill trail to Lake Yogo.25 views
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Lake Yogo green with algae in late Sept.25 views
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JR Yogo Station.25 views
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The tall building is Otsu Prince Hotel. Japan's Prince Hotel chain has Shiga roots as the company founder was from Shiga.24 views
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Staff directing rowers to the small canal leading to the Seta Rowing Club.24 views
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Food stalls.24 views
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Tobidashi boya24 views
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The Biwako Marathon or Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon is held annually in March in Otsu. It starts (at 12:30 pm) and finishes at Ojiyama Stadium in central Otsu, near Otsu Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line. 24 viewsKnown as one of Japan'a major marathons for top male runners, the Lake Biwa Marathin's 42.195 km course goes along the lake shore and Seta River. The terrain is mostly flat. Before the start of the marathon, there are PR booths near the stadium entrance.
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PR for Expo 2025 in candidate city Osaka. (Osaka won the bid to host Expo 2025.)24 views
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Police motorcycles for the marathon.24 views
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Ojiyama Stadium in Otsu.24 views
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Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon runners start running after Otsu Mayor Naomi Koshi (in red on the far right) fires the starting pistol at 12:30 pm.24 views
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Runners at the 2018 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon.24 views
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About 90 min. later, I went to the Lake Biwa Canal here to watch the runners again. This is a few km before the finish.24 views
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Bus to pick up runners.24 views
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Lead police car.24 views
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One hour and 49 min. has passed, according to the official timekeeper.24 views
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The leaders were two Kenyans, Macharia NDIRANGU (left) and Albert KORIR at Lake Biwa Canal a few km before the finish.24 viewsNo. 8 Jake Robertson (New Zealand) is close behind.
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The last marathon runner followed by the tailing police car and staff vehicles. I later watched the marathon on my video recorder.24 views
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Pickup van for runners.24 views
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Crossing the Meishin expressway. There's a bridge over a busy and noisy expressway which you cross to get to the other side of the temple grounds.24 views
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The path was a stunning showcase for autumn foilage.24 views
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Saimyoji's autumn highlight is its stunning path to the temple.24 views
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11-faced Kannon statue24 views
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Wedded cedar trees.24 views
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Nitenmon Gate has small waraji straw sandals. Coins stuck in the sandals.24 views
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About the Niten gods guarding the gate.24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Saimyoji Temple Hondo hall (National Treasure)24 views
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Kongorinji is a Tendai Buddhist temple established in 741 and the middle temple in the Koto Sanzan Temple Trio. The main temple hall is a National Treasure housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues designated as Important Cultural Properties.24 viewsThis is the Somon main gate to the temple. 総門
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Temple ticket admission booth. ¥500 拝観受付 24 views
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The first building you see. Nishiya-do hall housing Amida Nyorai buddha. Built in the Edo Period. 西谷堂 阿弥陀如来24 views
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Inside Nishiya-do hall housing Amida Nyorai buddha. 西谷堂 阿弥陀如来24 views
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Priest's residence next to the famous garden. Reconstructed in 1978. 明寿院 24 views
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Garden of many Jizo statues.24 views
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Long path of Jizo statues, a trademark of Kongorinji Temple.24 views
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Built in 1288, Kongorinji Hondo main hall, National Treasure in autumn.24 views
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Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.24 views
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Kongorinji's three-story pagoda built in 1246, National Important Cultural Property.24 views
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Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.24 views
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Inside the Koto Sanzan shuttle bus from Kongorinji to Hyakusaiji. Quite full this day. 24 views
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About Chikubushima in Japanese.24 views
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Leaving Nagahama in winter. After a major snowfall in late Jan. 2021, went on a scenic snow cruise on Lake Biwa.24 views
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Small shrine for the goddess Benzaiten at Hogonji, Chikubushima. Benzaiten is the goddess of everything that flows: Water, rivers, music, etc. 弁才天24 views
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Tsukubusuma Shrine used to be part of Hogonji, but it's now legally separate from the Buddhist temple as mandated by law. 24 views
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Kannon-do ceiling and transom carvings. Absolutely brilliant colors.24 views
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Before photo of the statue of Pindola Bharadvaja and the nearby wall with flower carvings.24 views
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Before photo of a very old and worn statue of Pindola Bharadvaja (賓頭盧尊者). Traditionally, you touch his body part corresponding to the part of your body you want to heal. 24 viewsNotice the pillars and ceiling beams which were plastered with pilgrim name stickers called "senjafuda" (千社札). They bear the ardent pilgrim's name and pilgrims stuck their name stickers on the temples they visited to indicate "I wuz here!"
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After photo of Pindola Bharadvaja statue. These days, best not to touch unless you use hand sanitizer afterward.24 viewsAll those old pilgrim name stickers (mostly from the Edo Period when it was fad) were removed for a new layer of lacquer.
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Inside Karamon Gate. Just gorgeous. Too bad most people just walk in without looking back and noticing. 24 views
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Karamon Gate door.24 views
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Closeup of the "kaeru-mata" showing a nest of birds. (蟇股).24 views
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Ceiling inside Karamon Gate, looking directly upward. 24 views
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It's really pleasing to see this and other major National Treasures being restored during the past 10 years. There's also Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi and Menuma Shodenzan Temple in Saitama which have been refreshed with vibrant colors and la24 viewsWith modern technologies, computers, laser measurements, and scientific techniques, restoration specialists can more accurately assess and reproduce the original colors and pigments. But much of the work is done by hand.
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Center metal fitting on the Karamon.24 views
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Left door of Karamon Gate.24 views
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Path to Karamon Gate.24 views
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Five-story Stone Pagoda 五重石塔. Important Cultural Property24 views
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Kannon statue on Chikubushima.24 views
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"Interlaken" cruise boat at Imazu Port.24 views
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Rear view of Imazu Port building. Rebuilt and opened on March 22, 2020.24 views
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Imazu Port building is made of wood from Shiga.24 views
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The main road also has this old Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) song museum which has closed. It moved to another building nearby.24 views
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