 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Zensuiji Hondo Hall in Konan, Shiga. National Treasure.167 views
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When they wash pots and pans, the koi fish eat the food scraps to keep the water clean. Also see my YouTube video here.167 views
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Cable car station in Sakamoto for Enryakuji. The ride is only 8 min. Japan Railways sells a set of discount tickets for the roundtrip cable car ride, Enryakuji admission, and shuttle bus pass. 167 views
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Cable car167 views
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Tenbin Yagura turret in spring. This is also one location where the film Idai Naru, Shurararabon (偉大なる、しゅららぼん The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) was filmed.167 views
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Many daimyos assisted during the early phase. Most of the structures and stones came from defunct castles in Omi like Otsu, Nagahama, Odani, and Sawayama to reduce the construction time and cost.167 views
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Hiyoshi Taisha's Higashi Hongu Shrine Honden, a National Treasure. This shrine worships the mountain god (Oyamakui-no-kami) of Mt. Hiei. Built in 1595. 東本宮 本殿 国宝167 views
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View from the bridge during cherry blossom season, looking toward the Kondo Hall.167 views
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167 views
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Samegai Museum in a former post office designed by William Merrell Vories, in Samegai, Maibara, Shiga Pref. MAP167 views
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Sugo-Moroko gudgeon (スゴモロコ) - Endangered endemic species167 views
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First they go along the main street toward Shigaraki Station. In the background is a Shigaraki pottery shop.167 views
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Lotus Sutra monument. In the early 17th century when the temple was built here, it took 3 years to carve out these characters on this stone slab. According to legend, this monument oozed blood when Ii Naosuke, Lord of Hikone, was assassinated in Tokyo.166 views
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The Shamusho Shrine office I (社務所I) serves as the Karuta Matsuri tournament venue.166 views
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Taking a sip of sacred sake. They soon get pretty drunk with sacred sake as they walk around the neighborhood beating the taiko drum.166 views
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Carrying the boat back166 views
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Basho Matsuo's grave at Gichuji temple, Otsu. 芭蕉の墓166 views
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Setagawa River boat cruise modeled after the Ichiban-Maru paddlewheel steamboat which cruised on Lake Biwa in the 19th century. In operation during warmer months from Ishiyama-dera port and stopping at Nango Aqua Biwa and Seta-no-karahashi ports.166 views
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Garden166 views
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Omatsu "Famous Place" marker166 views
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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song sung during Lake Biwa Cruise," June 17, 2007, Kyoto Shimbun, Shiga Edition.166 views
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Aerial photo of Echigawa.166 views
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North side of Ukimido. Haiku poet also visited Ukimido and wrote a haiku poem about it, displayed on a stone monument on shore.166 views
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166 views
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166 views
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166 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂166 views
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Zeze Castle's main path to the lake shore is lined with cherry trees.166 views
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Dai-niku float in front of Hakuunkan, a classic Western-style building, now a tourist info office and exhibition gallery. Also see the video at YouTube. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. 第二区166 views
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Mold for making a dotaku. Yasu's dotaku found their way to the following overseas museums: Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne (Germany), Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (USA), and Minneapolis Institute of Arts (USA).166 views
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166 views
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My video of the Katsube Shrine Fire Festival on Jan. 12, 2013. Three Japanese kids report in English.166 views
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This says "Tadaima" or "I'm home."166 views
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Lake Biwa's South Basin.166 views
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Numa-ebi shrimp (ヌマエビ), Native species166 views
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165 views
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Kurokabe Square intersection165 views
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Nagahama Castle as seen from Lake Biwa. More photos of Nagahama here.165 viewsThe castle tower was reconstructed in 1984.
More photos of Nagahama here.
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Indigo fabrics for sale. Around 2000 yen per meter. Indigo dyeing came to Shiga from Kyoto. Indigo dyeing is called "aizome" in Japanese. 藍染165 views
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Inside the room of Murasaki Shikibu is a mannequin of Lady Murasaki Shikibu writing Tale of Genji. 紫式部源氏の間165 views
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Diamond Shiga, a luxury hotel with a golf course.165 views
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More outdoor ceramic art. This is outside the Institute of Ceramic Studies where invited artists in residence create and do research and workshops and lectures are held.165 views
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Sign welcoming you to the Kohoku Town Waterfowl Park along the northeastern shore of Lake Biwa, directly north of Nagahama. MAP165 viewsThis is slightly north of Hayasaki Biotope.
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Miidera temple's Kondo Hall, a National Treasure and Miidera's main worship hall built in 1599 in Otsu. 金堂165 views
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Giant statue of Gulliver outside JR Takashima Station.165 views
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Can't tell in the photo, but these were the biggest carp you've ever seen.165 views
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On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end.165 views
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Scale model shows the Omote Goten Palace.165 views
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Entrance hall atrium165 views
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Aquarium tunnel showing rocky habitat.165 views
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165 views
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Midstream River Fish 川の中流の生き物 - Pale chub and dark chub with streamlined bodies suited for river currents. At bottom are pike gudgeon.165 views
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Former Kunitomo gunsmith home164 views
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164 views
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Tsukubusuma Shrine (National Treasure)164 views
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We cannot cross this bridge.164 views
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Front gate. This is where you pay the admission fee of 500 yen. During fall, the autumn leaves are brilliant, and you can enter the three-story pagoda (National Treasure) to see the wall paintings. MAP164 views
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They turned off all the lights and lit the torches all at once! Torch lighting! (たいまつ ほうか 松明奉火)164 views
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View of Seta River race course from Karahashi Bridge164 views
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They use four-man boats (called "knuckle four" in Japanese) with sliding seats. It is stable and safe, ideal for beginners.164 views
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Entrance gate to Genji Millennium exhibitions. Admission 1000 yen to see both the exhibitions and temple.164 views
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They wear a sedge hat (suge-kasa すげ笠), red trousers (緋ばかま), wrist covers (手甲), and leggings (脚絆).164 views
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The sumo arena was under a large tent. The ground was covered by a blue, vinyl tarp.164 views
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The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries.164 viewsThis Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession was started in 1998.
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Kondo Hall164 views
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To enter the choir competition, the choir must have at least 12 members. The entry deadline is late Feb. Entry fee is 5,000 yen per choir (3,000 yen for high school and younger choirs).164 views
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164 views
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Statue of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.164 views
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Yamanokami mountain god monument164 views
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Galley staff. Uminoko's crew and galley staff are actually employees of Biwako Kisen Steamship Co. that also operates other cruise boats on Lake Biwa. They are contracted by Shiga Prefecture to work on Uminoko.164 views
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Photographers are on the prowl on the boat, offering to take your picture. After the cruise, you can buy a photo for 1,000 yen.164 views
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My Hachiman Matsuri video.164 views
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Reeds are essential164 views
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163 views
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All fires totally fizzled out.163 views
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Near miss?163 views
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Tokonoma alcove and scroll163 views
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Nagahama Bonbaiten exhibition of plum tree bonsai at Keiunkan. 長浜盆梅展163 views
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One result... All the designs are unique. We held the wet handkerchief in front of a kerosene heater and it dried quickly.163 views
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Almost finished planting the rice in this paddy. The festival was over after 11 am.163 views
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Around 21 kids from Shiga got to push around these rikishi.163 views
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Lit lanterns and lit float.163 views
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Sesshoseki float at Otsu Matsuri.163 views
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Stone plaque with the names of the 42 fatalities, including five employees of Shiga Kogen (Highland) Railways (SKR).163 views
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Kyoto-based Emperor Shomu first built a Detached Palace in Shigaraki in 742. This became the the Shigaraki-no-miya Palace.163 views
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The tenbin Yagura turret is said to have come from Nagahama Castle. (Important Cultural Property) 天秤櫓163 views
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The bean-throwing was fun, but potentially dangerous with people pushing you around. Taking pictures is pretty risky as well. One mochi hit my camera lens. Fortunately, no damage.163 views
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163 views
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Shimoniikawa Shrine worships a god named Toyoki-iribiko-no-Mikoto who was the first son of Emperor Sujin 崇神天皇, Japan's tenth emperor. 豊城入彦命163 views
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Harie Okawa River has baikamo underwater flowers. It was muddy when I visited in late April because of the rice paddy flooding. 針江大川163 views
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Kabata shed.163 views
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The inner courtyard of Konpon Chudo Hall. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to photograph inside the hall which has three lanterns with an eternal flame.163 views
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Omotemon Bridge and Gate 表門163 views
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These pictures were taken on April 15. In the morning, all the kabuki actors proceed to Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine, arriving by 8:30 am.163 views
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Arriving at Nagahama Hachimangu Shrine. People are not allowed to cross in front of this procession.163 views
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Map of Ishiyama-dera163 views
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Cutouts for you face.163 views
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David Benoit congratulates the Lakestars for their win. However, he got his revenge the next day when the Hannaryz beat the Lakestars 85-81.163 views
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Inside the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum in 2007, the castle's 400th anniversary.163 views
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Noh play on the Noh stage inside Hikone Castle Museum.163 views
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Horse-washing Pond. There were two ponds, this bottom one to wash off the main dirt and another pond behind this one on the upper level for cleaner washing. On the left was the Horse Stable. 馬洗池163 views
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Fudo-no-taki Waterfall in Mikumo, Konan, Shiga Prefecture.163 views
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Mussel163 views
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Hikone Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.162 views
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Genkyuen entrance gate at night in autumn.162 views
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JR Kusatsu Station162 views
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162 views
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162 views
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Tenjin Shrine, reconstructing the shrine. Ryuo-cho, Shiga. 天神社162 views
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Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形162 views
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Lake waters of Imazu, with Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki in the distance.162 views
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Chomeiji worships the Kannon goddess of long life and good health. "Chomeiji" literally means "Long Life Temple." See more photos of Chomeiji Temple here.162 views
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"Lake Biwa Rowing Song photo exhibition at Imazu," June 5, 2007, Chunichi Shimbun, Biwako Edition162 views
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明王院162 views
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Small shrine near the entrance to Shimonogo.162 views
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During Aug. 2008, the Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club also held a photo exhibition of their rowing trip across Lake Biwa held in Aug. 2007.162 views
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The floats also have elaborate tapestries, also removed for public display at street level. Two floats have tapestries depicting the Sack of Troy from Greek mythology.162 viewsThis one is from the Ryumon Taki-yama float.
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This float (called Seio Bo-zan) is inside the Maruya-cho shopping arcade. 丸屋町162 views
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162 views
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Entrance to Umaya Horse Stable. Open to the public, free admission.162 views
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Rokabashi Bridge (廊下橋) goes to the Tenbin Yagura (天秤櫓) whose stone wall differs between the left and right.162 views
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This is close to Haginohama Beach.162 views
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Inside Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall 本堂162 views
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Straight ahead is the huge slab of black stone which gave the temple its name. Ishiyama-dera means "Stone Mountain Temple." The pagoda above is the Tahoto, a National Treasure and positioned perfectly for our line of sight from below.162 views
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Former Hachiman Post Office in Omi-Hachiman, designed by William Merrell Vories. Built in 1921 and served as a post office until 1960. MAP162 views
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Inside former Minakuchi Public Library. Now it is sometimes used as an art gallery.162 views
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Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政 1561-1602 ) in front of JR Hikone Station. One of the four great generals (徳川四天王) who helped Tokugawa Ieyasu win the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原合戦) in 1600 to unify Japan and become shogun.162 views
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Naomasa planned to build a new castle, but died in 1602 from an old Sekigahara gunshot wound before construction began.162 views
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Yaito udon served by the Kashiwa restaurant inside Kashiwabara-juku History Museum in Maibara, Shiga. Yaito is moxa. The red dot (red ginger) is the burning flame.162 views
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Invasive Species 外国からきた魚 - The aquarium has a number of tanks showing invasive species like this Red-eared slider/terrapin (ミシシッピアカミミガメ).162 viewsInvasive species, popular pet, outcompetes native turtles for physical space.
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Special Exhibit: Kunimasu Trout, Once Thought Extinct (black kokanee) Read about it here.162 views[企画展示室] よみがえった魚： クニマス
Oct. 26 – November 24, 2013
Five artificially-hatched kunimasu trout, originally endemic to Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture, were exhibited. Kunimasu was thought to be extinct since the 1940s when Lake Tazawa became too acidic due to man-made causes. In 2010, kunimasu was rediscovered in Lake Saiko at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Apparently, they successfully bred from eggs sent to Lake Saiko in 1935. Local fishermen knew about the fish, but did not know it was kunimasu. Sensational fish story.
Extinct in Lake Tazawa, Oncorhynchus kawamurae
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Yanmar Museum opened in March 2013 to mark the company's centennial. See Yanmar diesel engines, rice-farming tractors, and the life of founder Yamaoka Magokichi. English explanations also provided. MAP162 views
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161 views
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161 views
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Kongorinji's main temple hall is a National Treasure housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues designated as Important Cultural Properties. Aisho, Shiga. 161 views
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Taiko drum procession. Three taiko drums are carried around the neighborhood.161 views
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It gets very hot...161 views
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161 views
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161 views
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Withdrawing the burnt-out torch161 views
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One by one, all the floats gather at the shrine.161 views
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Each boat has four rowers and cox who steers the rudder.161 views
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Right across the clubhouse is the Annex boat house.161 views
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Free gift given at the end of the tour: Pen, stapler, and ruler set. Very interesting tour even though you don't see any horses running on the track. (That's Wednesday's early morning tour.)161 views
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Lake shore at Imazu161 views
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161 views
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In 1596, salt vendor Jihei (塩売 治兵衛) wore a tanuki mask and danced during a Tenson Shrine festival. People liked his dancing so much that they built a float two years later and Jihei danced on it.161 views
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At the top of the hill is the Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art called Togeikan. 陶芸館161 views
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Shigarakigushi Station on the Shigaraki Kogen Railway Line. This is where you get off to see the Shigaraki-no-miya Palace Ruins or the train accident memorial. 紫香楽宮跡駅161 views
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Behind the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.161 views
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She and her entourage arrived to perform the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 MAP161 views
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Large carp in the roadside streams help keep the water clean by eating food scraps from washed dishes, etc.161 views
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Shin-Asahi161 views
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161 views
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Higan-bana or red spider lily in Sept.161 views
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Photography is allowed only in this room of the museum.161 views
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About the Ii clan's samurai armor. It was all red.161 views
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Shrine maidens also danced.161 views
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Mt. Odani has a series of peaks and the castle was built along the ridge. Odani Castle is one of Japan's five most famous mountain castles.161 views
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Graves of the Azai clan at Tokushoji temple.161 views
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Red dots indicate old castle sites in Hikone.161 views
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The photos in this album are video stills taken from my Lake Biwa Museum video. 161 views
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View from Mt. Hiei Driveway.161 views
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Launch pad. The kite is carried to the take off point and pointed toward the wind, which unfortunately very weak this day.160 views
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160 views
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3-story pagoda160 views
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Karuta Festival poster160 views
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Used New Year's decorations160 views
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Chikubushima as seen from Imazu160 views
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"Abundant summer grasses, a moat still remains"160 views
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June 24, 2007 Hikone VOICE World Gathering was an annual event of this international exchange group in Hikone. Held at Viva City Hall in Minami-Hikone.160 views
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Nakasendo Road in Shiga160 views
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Altar facing the lake, with some of the 1,000 Amida Buddha figures.160 views
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Chiyotaikai and kid160 views
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Yokozuna Hakuho and his yokozuna rope to be put around him by his attendants.160 views
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Sports tanuki160 views
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Inside a side entrance of a noborigama kiln. 登り窯160 views
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Confection160 views
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The stable is in remarkable condition, and the only one in Japan existing within a castle grounds.160 views
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Steps to Taikomon Gate.160 views
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The two mikoshi portable shrines. They are carried by the two neighborhoods (Kaizu and Nishihama) during the day (1 pm - 3 pm) and in the evening. They rest from 3 pm to 5 pm.160 views
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160 views
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Horaioka has a small cave where stone buddhas are stored. Said to have been made for the many people who died on Mt. Hiei during the feudal period.160 views
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Model of Mt. Hiei and Enryakuji.160 views
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In 1616, the construction's 3rd phase was begun to build the castle palace. Construction was henceforth carried out by local Hikone workers without outside help. The castle construction was completed in 1622.160 views
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Iroha-matsu pine tree and sakura160 views
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Ishiyama-dera's Hondo Hall altar. 本堂160 views
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Kenketo dancer, Shiga160 views
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Walk past the Hondo hall toward the back and there is a cemetery that includes a special block for three graves.160 views
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Great Cormorant (カワウ) - Invasive native species, eats fish and destroys trees.160 views
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Mini kite flying contest159 views
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Entrance to Mizunomori garden (Suisei Shokubutsu Koen Mizu no Mori). Open 9 am to 5 pm (enter by 4:30 pm). Closed Mon. MAP159 views
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Water lilies and Lotus Pavilion.159 views
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Mt. Kinugasa (Kannonji)159 views
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Imazu Church, designed by William Merrell Vories. Next to the former bank building also designed by Vories.159 views
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Prayer ceremony at Katsube Shrine before they start parading with three taiko drums. 修祓式（しゅっぱつしき）159 views
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Temple with road marker159 views
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Michigan paddlewheel boat. ミシガン159 views
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Rowing seat with moving seat on rails, fixed shoes, and outrigger for the oar.159 views
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Glass factory159 views
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Seta Karahashi Bridge crossing Seta River is a historically famous bridge.159 views
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Ishida Mitsunari is most famous for the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 when he unsuccessfully led his Western Forces against Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Forces159 views
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Statue of Ishida Mitsunari at his former residence in Nagahama.159 views
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View from 2nd floor159 views
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159 views
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Boat name "Rio Grande" operated by Biwako Kisen. Named after Shiga's sister state in Brazil. There is also the "Michigan" paddlewheel boat named after Shiga's sister state in the USA.159 views
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Continuing on the Yume Kairo path.159 views
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Inside 世尊院. When I was there, beautiful embroidery showing scenes from the Tale of Genji was displayed.159 views
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Genji Monogatari folding screen replica.159 views
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The museum complex includes the Echigawa Public Library.159 views
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Area in front of Lake Biwa Museum.159 views
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Banners above written with "Maibara Basho" and "Full House." It actually wasn't sold out.159 views
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Readily identifiable with its vermillion wheels.159 views
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Ceiling structure inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.159 views
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View of the Iroha road as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.159 views
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In 2007, 25 choirs, mainly from Shiga and neighboring prefectures, competed. They sang the same song in various ways.159 views
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Zensuiji temple, National Treasure.159 views
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Way to Kompon Chudo Hall.159 views
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At the shrine, the kabuki play is performed one by one on the four floats, and not at the same time.159 views
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Imazu Vories Museum in Imazu, Takashima, a former bank building designed by William Merrell Vories. Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP159 views
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Group photo of the kids.159 views
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Tempura ko-ayu sweetfish do not grow as large as the ayu sweetfish which grow big in rivers. Ko-ayu remain in the lake and feed on plankton. Such an environment prevents them from getting larger.159 views
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Koi or Nishiki-goi (錦鯉) - Ornamental common carp.159 views
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159 views
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Maruki-bune was the lake's first primitive boat, a dugout canoe made from a single log. This one dates from 3,000 years ago (Jomon Period). 丸木船159 views
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Dr. Yasushi Kusuoka, curator 楠岡 泰 Biotic and Human Interaction Research159 views
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Lotus Pavilion indoor water garden158 views
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158 views
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View of Nagahama from Chikubushima158 views
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The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.158 viewsThe song became a national hit in 1971 when singer Tokiko Kato recorded it. Numerous famous Japanese singers and groups have since released cover versions of the song.
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158 views
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Sugaura is a small settlement in Nishi-Azai along the northern shore of Lake Biwa. It is a quiet and scenic area with a nice lakeshore road and trail almost to the tip of the peninsula. Akasaki Maruko-bune park158 views赤崎丸子船
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May 2: Night Festival where the floats are lit up at night 宵祭158 views
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Club's boat dock. This narrow canal leads to Lake Biwa.158 views
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The large boat house houses two reconstructed fixed-seat boats. This is where Oguchi and crew departed Imazu for Chikubushima.158 views
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Peninsula where Oguchi Taro and crew departed Imazu. On this peninsula at Imazu, Taro Oguchi and crew departed in their boat for Chikubushima island. The large building is a boathouse that stores two reconstructed fixed-seat boats.158 views
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Buddha statue on Chikubushima158 views
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The company owner is a great fan of Egypt it seems. No Egyption food though.158 views
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The garden has a building called 淳浄館 which is an exhibition space. Buildings like this are usually not open to the public.158 views
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Daytime view158 views
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Owls too158 views
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Being open to the public from 2008, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret now has a stairway on the right. (Update: This stairway is gone and the public cannot enter this turret.)158 views
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View of castle grounds as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. The Umaya Horse Stable is on the right.158 views
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Dummy horse in the horse stable.158 views
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158 views
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Map of Hikone Castle as it is today.158 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake.158 views
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Roadside spring, one of the oldest and longest lasting.158 views
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Monjuro tower houses a statue of the Manjusri bodhisattva (Monju bosatsu). It looks like a gate, but it's not.158 views
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Daikodo Hall 大講堂158 views
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