 Most viewed - Takashima 高島市 |
I love the design of this boat. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇945 views
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Harie is a unique rural neighborhood where homes draw clean water from an ever-flowing spring directly from the ground into private wells called kabata. A local NPO conducts tours of the area and homes with kabata.528 viewsHarie is in Takashima, Shiga, near JR Shin-Asahi Station on the Kosei Line, the gateway to Shin-Asahi and Harie. 新旭駅 MAP
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Kaizu-Osaki is a peninsula easily accessible from Makino or Nishi-Azai Station. You can rent a bicycle at Makino Station on the Kosei Line or at Nagahara Station. Makino Station is closer so I rented a bicycle there at the tourist info office.491 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.485 views
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Shirahige Shrine torii, Takashima. One of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land. Rent a bicycle or go by taxi from Omi-Takashima Station (Kosei Line).473 views
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The Omizo Matsuri is the biggest festival (Reisai) of Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine in Takashima (not to be confused with Hiyoshi Taisha in Otsu which is related) held annually on May 3-4.438 views
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Yomeien Garden, Adogawa, Shiga 陽明園 MAP385 views
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Held annually on May 4 in Takashima, Shichikawa Matsuri is Oarahiko Shrine's biggest festival (Reisai). It starts with a procession in the shrine's neighborhood. The shrine is near Shin-Asahi Station (JR Kosei Line).385 views
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Five types of boats were provided: Single scull, double scull (shown here), quadruple with cox, ocean scull, and fixed-seat boats.370 views
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Omi-Takashima Station on the JR Kosei Line. Takashima's southern-most train station and the only train station in the Takashima-cho area. It takes about 38 min. from Kyoto. JR湖西線 近江高島駅 MAP364 views
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Our fixed-seat boat 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇349 views
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Here's a close-up of the bird's claws grasping the gills of the fish. The bird sure knows where to grab a fish. The fish had no way to escape this grip.343 views
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Omi-Shirahama Beach on Lake Biwa. MAP329 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.308 views
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In the morning, two fishing boats pulled the rowing boats from Imazu to Nagahama Port where we met them here. 今津中学校ボート部の琵琶湖周航303 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta. Also see my YouTube video here.288 views
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Imazu Junior High School female students rowing in the 3rd Imazu Regatta.280 views
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On Aug. 8, 2007, I was allowed to join the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club as they rowed from Nagahama to Imazu. Photo: A briefing by the club's coach before departure in front of a minshuku lodge near Nagahama Castle.277 views
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JR Adogawa Station (East exit) on JR Kosei Line. MAP272 views
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It then swooped down to the water and I started clicking away whether it would catch a fish or not. I was delighted to see it catch this large fish and captured the moment.272 views
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My YouTube video of the Shichikawa Matsuri in 2010.270 views
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About 100 meters offshore are two large rocks in the lake. They appear above the surface only when there is a water shortage. This little shrine with two rocks are for praying for rain. 二ツ石265 views
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What a catch. It was my first time to capture a shot like this. I love these graceful and elegant birds which have a distinct cry.263 views
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Lake Biwa shore in Imazu, with a boat landing in the distance259 views
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Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line. The only train station in the Makino area of Takashima. MAP253 views
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Shichikawa Matsuri's yakko-furi dance is a Shiga Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. 滋賀県選択無形民俗文化財251 views
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Originally, there were 48 stone buddhas. Only 33 remain now. Thirteen of them were moved to Sakamoto in Otsu, and 2 were stolen. Although they stand upright, it's possible that they can fall on you, especially if you've been bad.250 views
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Chikubushima island and cherry blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki, Lake Biwa.249 views
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Makino manhole, Takashima, Shiga Pref.248 views
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Soon after we got to Nakajima, this black kite flew above. I tracked it with my camera. 「ピーヒョロロロロ…」245 views
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The Takara and Tomoe floats pass by each other during the Omizo Matsuri.238 views
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All the Omizo Matsuri hikiyama arrived in succession as they ran each time. Also see my video at YouTube.235 views
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Marker showing the way to Kaizuten Jinja Shrine on a busy highway in Makino. Kaizuten Jinja holds the annual Kaizu Matsuri (nicknamed Kaizu Rikishi Matsuri) on April 29. Rikishi means sumo wrestler.229 views
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A black kite is perched in a cherry tree.228 views
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Fixed-seat boats226 views
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Scenic water on sunny day, Takashima224 views
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Statue of Nakae Toju expressing filial piety for his mother. In front of Toju-no-Sato Adogawa.219 views
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The stone buddhas are about 1.6 meter tall, made of granite.218 views
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At the Omizo Matsuri in Shiga, I couldn't get used to the people in casual clothes pulling a traditional float. Maybe they can't afford to buy happi coats for all these people.212 views
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Turning the float at Omizo Matsuri.209 views
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Sleek boat slicing through the water.208 views
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Most kabata have two water sinks (ike), the one on the right (tsubo-ike) is for washing summer vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumber. The one on the left (hata-ike) is for washing dirty root vegetables like daikon, carrots, and spinach. 川端205 views
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Held annually on April 18 by Hioki 日置神社 and Tsuno Shrines in Imazu, Takashima, Shiga, this festival features a pair of very tall (18 meters), decorated bamboo poles called O-nobori carried little by little at a horse-riding course. 203 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach and Lake Biwa in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture.202 views
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Yabusame horseback archer.202 views
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Imazu in winter201 views
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The photo exhibition was held at the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan museum. Many of the photos were also contributed by Philbert Ono.199 views
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The sand is not as nice.195 views
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Makino Sunny Beach is a major swimming beach on Lake Biwa in summer. MAP192 views
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Chikubushima and Mt. Ibuki as seen from Imazu.191 views
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My video of Imazu Junior High School Rowing Club on Lake Biwa.190 views
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This is the first kabata we visited. There is a pipe which spews the spring water from 12 to 25 meters below the ground. The original water source is called moto-ike.189 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake. "Shirahige" means white beard, and so people pray here for long life and longevity. The shrine is dedicated to a god named Sarutahiko. 白鬚神社188 views
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Genjihama Beach in Shin-Asahi.188 views
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The horseback archer on his second run. He did not shoot any arrows. 187 views
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Imagine having a spring in your own home spewing drinkable water 24/7 for free. This kabata has a few baskets. The oblong one is used for fish, and the ones on the right were used to dry bowls.186 views
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Bird-watching area in Shin-Asahi.186 views
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The boys running. When you see them, you know the horse is coming so keep off the path.186 views
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A local non-proft group called Harie Shozu-no-Sato Committee conducts tours of Harie. For 1,000 yen, they will spend 90 min. to take you to see numerous kabata in private homes. Call 0740-25-6566 to make reservations. hariekabata.com184 viewsOr email: shozunosato@lapis.plala.or.jp
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"Tell us my friends your stories, with your fervent hearts."「語れ我がが友 暑き心」 Also see my YouTube video here.183 views
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Also part of Adogawa is Okino-shiraishi Rocks, a few km off shore and a favorite place for birds which turned the rocks white from their droppings. Four rocks stand 80 meters deep in the lake. Out of the water, the tallest stands 14 meters high. 沖の白183 views
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Shirahige Shrine's torii in Lake Biwa. The torii is a smaller version of the much more famous one in Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture).183 views
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Biwako Shuko no Uta Birthplace Monument, Imazu. This is Imazu's second monument for the song. 全歌詞碑の「琵琶湖周航の歌」誕生の地 今津。今津港。背景には竹生島行きの船。181 viewsImazu has two monuments for the song. The first one is a lamp at the end of the pier (visible in this picture on the right of the boat). That was for Verse 3 which is written on the lamp post.
Later in 1994, Imazu town built this red clay monument to commemorate the song's birth in Imazu. The entire lyrics is also engraved. It is next to the Imazu boat pier where boats depart for Chikubushima. Looks like a red flame, but it's shaped after the geographical shape of Imazu town.
From Imazu, you can easily go to Chikubushima island, from which you can take another boat to go to Hikone or Nagahama. Going vice versa is possible too. It's a great way to cross the lake.
See more photos of Imazu here.
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Imazu also has a few buildings designed by William Merrell Vories like this former bank building in Imazu, Shiga Now a coffee shop and exhibition space. MAP180 views
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Statue in front of JR Shin-Asahi Station east side.179 views
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Cycling path along the shore in Shin-Asahi, Takashima.179 views
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When I visited Harie in late April, the water, which supposed to be crystal clear, was muddied from the rice paddies being drained. Late April to June is probably not a good time to visit Harie due to the rice paddies.178 views
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The guided tour is well worth it. I highly recommend it. The Harie-Okawa River would be crystal clear if it weren't for the rice paddies being flooded. MAP178 views
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Site of the 3rd Imazu Regatta on Lake Biwa, off the shore of Imazu, Takashima. Held on Aug. 17, 2008, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Organized by the Takashima-Imazu Rowing Club NPO. 高島・いまづロウイングクラブ176 views
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Makino Sunny Beach176 views
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Entrance to Omi-Shirahama Beach175 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.174 views
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Can't tell in the photo, but these were the biggest carp you've ever seen.172 views
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Giant statue of Gulliver outside JR Takashima Station.171 views
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Kabata shed.171 views
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Shirahige-no-Hama Beach in Takashima. I know they did some filming here for the NHK Taiga Drama "Go" where she rides on horseback. 白ひげの浜170 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170 views
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Large carp in the roadside streams help keep the water clean by eating food scraps from washed dishes, etc.168 views
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Shin-Asahi168 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. 2007.167 views
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Roadside spring, one of the oldest and longest lasting.165 views
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Imazu Church, designed by William Merrell Vories. Next to the former bank building also designed by Vories.164 views
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This is close to Haginohama Beach.164 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.164 views
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Sign saying that you are entering Harie where water is a treasure. The important thing to understand about Harie is that you need a guide to see the kabata water springs in private homes.163 views
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The tour starts at the Harie Kominkan community center. They don't have English-speaking guides, so bring a translator. 針江公民館163 views
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Bird looks for its meal in the stream.163 views
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Since this kabata has small fish, a net is put over the water to prevent birds from entering.163 views
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The lantern is not accessible when the dock is not used.162 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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Kabata shed is usually either attached to the main house or right outside it.162 views
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Roadside spring with waterwheel.162 views
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Chikubushima as seen from Imazu Port161 views
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The lantern/monument has the Verse 3 lyrics mentioning a red fire on shore in Imazu. This is thought to be a lamp on the dock.161 views
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Sign points the way to Harie.161 views
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On the west side of JR Shin-Asahi Station is this building where the local tourist info office is. You can rent bicycles here too.161 views
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Kaizu-Osaki is famous for cherry blossoms along the lake shore. One of Japan's 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots.161 views
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Off the shore of Takashima, with Shirahige Shrine's torii in the lake.160 views
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This is the old Imazu Port building. It was a two-story building with a small restaurant on the 2nd floor. Ironically, it had no enclosed interior space for passengers.158 views
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The monument has an engraving of rowers and song lyrics.157 views
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In 2014, The Shozu-no-Sato Committee 針江生水の郷委員会 won the top Ecotourism Grand Prize エコツーリズム大賞 sponsored by the Japan Ecotourism Society and Environment Ministry. Harie Hiyoshi Jinja Shrine 針江日吉神社157 views
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Baikamo in Harie-Okawa River157 views
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A tofu maker puts tofu in a kabata.157 views
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A small stream empties into Lake Biwa through Haginohama Beach. Numerous streams and rivers like this one feed water to the lake.156 views
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Haginohama Beach in Takashima.156 views
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Road to Harie. It's about a 25 min. walk from Shin-Asahi Station. The water stream on the right was muddy to my surprise.156 views
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Many houses and wooden walls in Harie are black.155 views
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Shodenji temple's kabata. Women like this water as it feels creamy and makes their skin feel smooth and soft.155 views
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Kabata shed of a lake fisherman.155 views
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Another shopping break was this fisherman's shop where you can buy ayu sweetfish caught in Lake Biwa.155 views
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Someone's outdoor kabata where we could drink the water or even put it in plastic bottles to take home.155 views
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Nakajima is really nice. But right behind this scene is a neighborhood of summer homes. Also see my YouTube video here.155 views
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Sometimes the kabata is outdoors with no shelter.154 views
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megumi at Kaizu-Osaki Port, Takashima, Shiga.154 viewsThe cruise I went on docked at the port so we could get off and walk around for 30 min. If you go on a cherry blossom cruise, go on a cruise that will dock at Kaizu-Osaki. Some cruises only cruise and do not dock.
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A roadside spring.153 views
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Shodenji temple153 views
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In summer, you can see more vegetables in the kabata. This means most of these homes are farmers.153 views
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Stream with baikamo153 views
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Genjihama Beach153 views
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The Kaizu-Osaki welcome sign marks the start of the cherry tree-lined road. Beware of cars. MAP153 views
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Inside the boat house150 views
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Sign saying that Harie is not a tourist spot, that a guide is required to see the kabata.150 views
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Underwater baikamo flowers bloom year-round since the water temperature remains almost the same.150 views
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It's really beauitful to see the cherry blossoms from the boat.150 views
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A shopping stop was here where they sold these model dragonflies well-balanced on its nose, called Kabata Tonbo.149 views
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Sharp Electronics once filmed a TV commercial here for their TVs.149 views
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After the tunnel, some the best parts of the sakura-lined road/shore lie ahead.149 views
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"This journey fills my heart with intense happiness..."「さすらいの 旅にしあれば しみじみと」148 views
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Gardening seemed to be a popular pasttime in Harie. With all that free and clean water, I can think of many things to do besides gardening.148 views
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Shodenji temple also has a spring feeding this pond with various fish.148 views
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Snail trails. These snails are food for the fireflies in June.148 views
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Nakajima. An old fisherman departed from this dock and went around to catch fish to eat at home. He also gave a few fish to the birds which waited for him. 中島148 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016 due to aging facilities and low attendance. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima in July 2018.148 views
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Shin Asahi Windmill Village closed in April 2016. It has been replaced with a glamping facility called STAGEX Takashima.148 views
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JR Shin-Asahi Station west side.147 views
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This stream with baikamo has not been muddied by the rice paddies.147 views
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The heart of Harie has this waterwheel.147 views
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Really enjoyed the cherry blossom cruise to Kaizu-Osaki. No hassle with car traffic. Totally worth it.147 views
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Makino Station is the closest station to Kaizu-Osaki in northern Lake Biwa. Famous for cherry blossoms in mid-April. Best to rent a bicycle at Makino Station. Kaizu-Osaki photos here.146 views
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Shodenji temple has its own spring spewing drinkable water.146 views
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A small stream empties through Haginohama Beach145 views
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Kamogawa Katsuno Enchi park in Takashima. 鴨川勝野園地144 views
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On weekends, the road is bumper-to-bumper traffic when the cherries are in full bloom. The road also becomes a one-way road from west to east.144 views
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Soon you will reach this rest stop and the Kaizu-Osaki boat pier. 144 views
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Water quality report.143 views
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The wooden walls are actually half-burnt, almost like charcoal.142 views
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A symbol of Harie.141 views
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Omizo Matsuri poster141 views
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Off we go, boys on one fixed-seat boat.140 views
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Now we are at a place called Nakajima. 140 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms. These cherry trees were first planted in 1936 to commemorate the opening of Osaki Tunnel. Some 600 cherry trees were planted along a 4-kilometer route along the lakeshore.140 views
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Two fixed-seat boats were also used.139 views
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About this kabata. The well is 12 meters deep, water temperature is around 13 C year round.139 views
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It had colorful koi.139 views
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Nakajima and Harie became famous in 2004 when NHK TV broadcast a program about the Harie kabata and a fisherman in Nakajima.139 views
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This "Biwako shuko" (Rowing around Lake Biwa) between Imazu and Nagahama was the club's annual summer tradition since 1995. Photo: Assembling a two-man kayak.138 views
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On the hillside between Omi-Takashima Station and Shirahige Shrine, there is a cemetery with 33 large stone buddhas. MAP138 views
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This kabata was in a Japanese garden.138 views
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Kabata shed attached to a home.138 views
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Shodenji temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. 正伝寺137 views
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Bird-watching shack135 views
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Bird-watching center134 views
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They tossed mochi after this in the shrine, but I left early to see the Shichikawa Festival in Shin-Asahi. Sorry, no photos of what happened here after this.134 views
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I wanted to experience rowing this fixed-seat boat on Lake Biwa, and rowed with these jr. high girls from Nagahama Port. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇133 views
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This is to publicize the Gulliver Youth Travel Village, a camping and recreational facility. ガリバー青少年旅行村133 views
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And girls on the other fixed-seat boat. These boats have fixed seats which do not slide as in modern rowing boats. This boat is a replica of the fixed-seat boat used 90 years ago by Oguchi Taro and crew when he wrote the song, Biwako Shuko no Uta.132 views
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Boys posing for a picture at Sugaura132 views
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Fishing boat for human transport. It was a very hot day with no wind.132 views
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They shout "Yo-ya-sa-ja!." (ヨーヤサージャー). They take several rest breaks along the way.132 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. 藤本太郎兵衛像 132 views
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Kaizu-Osaki and Chikubushima.132 views
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Tapestry on the back of Minato float.131 views
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About Futatsu-ishi (Two Rocks).129 views
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Shin-Asahi has a nice bicycle path along the lake shore.129 views
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Statue of Fujimoto Tarobe'e. He pushed for the flood control of Lake Biwa by building a weir on Seta River in Otsu. 藤本太郎兵衛像 129 views
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Old Imazu Port. Notice the "red flame" song monument on the right.128 views
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This was the climax of the Kaizu Rikishi festival.128 views
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I never got to see the torches with the mikoshi. For more info, call the shrine in Japanese: 0740-28-0051128 views
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128 views
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They used five boats to row, including these two ocean scull boats.127 views
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Yes, replenishing your fluids is important...127 views
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A few cherry trees along the way to Kaizu-Osaki.127 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms, one of Japan's 100 Best Spots for cherry blossoms.127 views
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Boats also leave from Nagahama and Hikone for Kaizu-Osaki.127 views
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Gulliver statue on the Omi-Takashima Station train platform.126 views
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Shopping arcade on the west side of Omi-Imazu Station125 views
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Omi-Takashima Station124 views
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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.123 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.122 views
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The boat is first carried onto a trolley.122 views
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You can see a line of pink along the shore of the peninsula in the distance.122 views
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At the end of the baba, they turned around, and I left the scene.122 views
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Eastern Skunk Cabbage flower 座禅草121 views
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Makino in winter121 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.120 views
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Yae-zakura cherry blossoms are fluffy-looking.120 views
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Makino Pic-land120 views
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Leaving Kaizu-Osaki. 120 views
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All-girl crew pose for a picture. The rowing club has more girls than boys. はい、ポーズ！119 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.119 views
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During cherry blossom season, pedestrians will walk through this dark, narrow tunnel. No sidewalks, so be careful. Cars whiz by. Best to carry a flashlight.119 views
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Imazu has a pebble beach. Some sand as well.118 views
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Imazu's main lakeshore road leads to more tourist sights.118 views
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Chugging along on a fishing boat.118 views
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Kaizu-Osaki cherry blossoms in northern Lake Biwa.118 views
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Shopping arcade117 views
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Inside Omi-Imazu Station116 views
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