 Last additions - Best of Shiga Prefecture |
Mouth of Seta River straight ahead, as seen from Omi Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching the Omi Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Further south is the Omi Ohashi Bridge, smaller than the Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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On the right is the German restaurant, called "Würzburg." Würzburg in Germany is Otsu's sister city.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Otsu Prince Hotel.Jun 25, 2011
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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.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing off central Otsu.Jun 25, 2011
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The landscape becomes quite urban as they approach Otsu, Shiga's capital city.Jun 25, 2011
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The rowers probably didn't notice, but Ukimido temple is seen on the right. The iconic temple is over the water on stilts. More Ukimido photos here.Jun 25, 2011
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View from Biwako Ohashi Bridge as the boats row south to Otsu.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing under Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Biwako Ohashi Bridge.Jun 25, 2011
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The Biwako Ohashi Bridge is the largest bridge in Shiga, linking Moriyama and Katata at the neck of Lake Biwa's panhandle.Jun 25, 2011
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Captain's meeting.Jun 25, 2011
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June 11, 2011 (Day 8): The final day of rowing. This is the beach in front of Hotel Laforet in Moriyama.Jun 25, 2011
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Beach in front of Hotel Laforet in Moriyama is the day's final stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading to Hotel Laforet in Moriyama.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving the Scenic Water Channel boat pier.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving the Scenic Water Channel boat pier.Jun 25, 2011
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The boat ride passes by rape blossoms, and in April, cherry blossoms.Jun 25, 2011
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Smaller groups can ride hand-powered boats.Jun 25, 2011
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Shiga has been pursuing a reed expansion program to increase reed fields around Lake Biwa and in attached lakes. The reeds help to clean the water and also provides refuge for fish and birds.Jun 25, 2011
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Silent outboard motor and the pilot.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch on the boat.Jun 25, 2011
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Ground crew in yellow take a break.Jun 25, 2011
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Click on page 2 below to see more photos.Jun 25, 2011
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Passengers sit on the floor like in a Japanese room and have lunch as they ride through reed fields in and around Lake Nishinoko in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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The Scenic Water Channel boat ride uses traditional-looking motorized boats for large groups.Jun 25, 2011
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Arriving at the boat landing for the Scenic Water Channel boat ride (Suigo Meguri) in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Miyagahama Beach in Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Motor boat flying Seta Rowing Club's flag.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Isakiji temple.Jun 25, 2011
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Isakiji temple holds a Buddhist ritual on Aug. 1 where participants jump off the plank into the lake 7 meters below. They do it to wash away bad luck and build up courage.Jun 25, 2011
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Isakiji temple has a 13-meter long plank jutting above the lake in the city of Omi-Hachiman.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Isakiji temple.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Preparing to leave Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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June 10, 2011 (Day 7): Satsuma Beach in Hikone. Someone camped here overnight to watch over the boats.Jun 25, 2011
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My video of the the group rowing from Nagahama to Hikone (Satsuma) on June 9, 2011.Jun 25, 2011
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Top floor of Hikone Castle tower. Hikone Castle's last lord was Ii Naosuke, the Chief Minister of the Tokugawa samurai government. He was the one who agreed to open Japan to the USA in 1858 after Commodore Perry visited.Jun 25, 2011
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Steep stairs inside Hikone Castle tower.Jun 25, 2011
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Watching Hiko-nyan, Hikone Castle's official mascot which is wildly popular. He performs daily inside Hikone Castle Museum. He is a white cat with a samurai helmet.Jun 25, 2011
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After lunch, the group visited Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden. Hikone Castle is famous for cherry blossoms and Hiko-nyan (see next photo).Jun 25, 2011
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Shabu-shabu lunch in Hikone with Omi beef. People had questions about how to eat the food. Cook the meat, vegetables, and udon noodles in the little shabu-shabu pot of boiling water, then dip into the sauce. One sauce for the meat, another for the udon.Jun 25, 2011
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Hot rowers in a cool Lake Biwa.Jun 25, 2011
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Satsuma Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Satsuma Beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Satsuma Beach, the final stop for the day.Jun 25, 2011
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The island is noted for its giant stone monument inscribed with the prayer words "Namu Myo-horenge-kyo" from the Lotus Sutra.Jun 25, 2011
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Takeshima means "Island of Many Views" because it looks dramatically different from different angles.Jun 25, 2011
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Takeshima is a small island with only Nichiren Buddhist temple and the priest's family living on the island. Accessible by boat from Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.Jun 25, 2011
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Masaki "Follow Me" Unose on the lead boat going to Takeshima island.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Takeshima, a small island about 6.5 km off Hikone. Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Hikone Castle atop a hill.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Matsubara Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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In summer, Matsubara Beach is popular with swimmers and a fireworks display offshore sees huge crowds filling the beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Matsubara Beach in Hikone, a rest stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Matsubara Beach in Hikone, a rest stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Approaching Matsubara Beach in Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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JCMU is an educational facility for college students mainly from Michigan to study in Japan. Shiga and the US state of Michigan are sister states. Many cities in Shiga have sister-city ties with cities in Michigan.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Hikone View Hotel and the Japan Center for Michigan Universities or JCMU (green roof).Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing to Hikone.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing off Maibara in northern Shiga. The tall white tower belongs to an elevator manufacturer for testing their elevators. Maibara is best known for Mt. Ibuki and Shiga's one and only shinkansen bullet train station.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing past Nagahama Dome, a sports and event complex.Jun 25, 2011
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Lead boatJun 25, 2011
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Leaving Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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These blue boat landing decks are portable and were brought here by truck.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Nagahama Port at around 8:30 am. Photos you see here are only part of the total number of photos I gave to Seta Rowing Club for distribution.Jun 25, 2011
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June 9, 2011 (Day 6): Nagahama Port at around 8 am. This was the only day I accompanied the rowers on a motorboat to take pictures and videos.Jun 25, 2011
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Picture panels telling stories of famous Japanese Buddhist Sect founders such as Honen, Shinran, and Nichiren who trained on Mt. Hiei.Jun 25, 2011
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Group in front of Konpon Chudo Hall, a National Treasure and Enryakuji's main worship hall and largest building.Jun 25, 2011
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Group photo on the steps going to Monjuro tower.Jun 25, 2011
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Chopstick lesson.Jun 25, 2011
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Buddhist cuisine called "shojin ryori" which is vegetarian.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch at Enryakuji.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch and a misspelling.Jun 25, 2011
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Sitting on the tatami mat for a long period can be trying.Jun 25, 2011
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Mt. Hie is on the border between Shiga and Kyoto. The east side of Mt. Hie is in Shiga, while the west side is in Kyoto. Enryakuji is on the east side in Shiga and also accessible from Kyoto.Jun 25, 2011
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A priest explains the concepts behind the practice of meditating. Enryakuji is also part of a World Heritage Site called ''Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."Jun 25, 2011
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Zazen meditation lesson at Enryakuji temple. Mt. Hie is the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism as many founders of Japanese Buddhist sects once trained on Mt. Hiei. Jun 25, 2011
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Mt. Hiei affords great views of southern Lake Biwa. Enryakuji was founded by the priest Saicho to protect Kyoto from the demons of the northeast.Jun 25, 2011
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Inside the cable car going up to Enryakuji temple. One of the largest temple complexes in Japan, Enryakuji is the headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect atop Mt. Hie in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Jun 25, 2011
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June 8, 2011 (Day 5): Day trip to Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hie in Otsu. This is the cable car station at Sakamoto, at the foot of Mt. Hie (Hie-zan) in western Shiga.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch in Nagahama (Restaurant North Pole).Jun 25, 2011
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Group photo in Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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Portable boat landing decks (in blue) were used.Jun 25, 2011
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Arriving at Nagahama Port. Nagahama is one of Shiga's major cities and covers northern Shiga almost entirely. Chikubushima is also part of Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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Ground crew awaits rowers at Nagahama Port.Jun 25, 2011
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Nagahama PortJun 25, 2011
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Nagahama Castle (photos here) can be seen on the left.Jun 25, 2011
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Although it was during the rainy season, the rowers endured minimal rain and bad weather. The tour went on every day as scheduled. If it were Aug., it would have been really hot and humid.Jun 25, 2011
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Rough waves.Jun 25, 2011
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Trees on a sandbar, a haven for birds.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Nagahama.Jun 25, 2011
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The sliced-off peak flew high in the air and fell into Lake Biwa. It became Chikubushima. And the undisputed highest mountain in Shiga became Mt. Ibuki in Maibara.Jun 25, 2011
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According to legend, two high mountains in northern Shiga argued over who was the highest in Shiga. One of the mountains got so upset by the argument that he drew a sword and sliced off the other mountain's peak...Jun 25, 2011
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Too bad the rowers didn't have time to visit the island. It might tire them though as there are a lot of steps to climb.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Chikubushima Pier. On the island at the center of the photo, there is a light brown, rectangular monument dedicated to the "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" which mentions Chikubushima.Jun 25, 2011
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Chikubushima is also home to Tsukubusuma (Chikubushima) Shrine which is also a National Treasure.Jun 25, 2011
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Chikubushima is home to Hogonji Temple (Shingon Buddhist Sect) first built in 724 as ordered by the Emperor to worship the Goddess Benzaiten. It includes buildings that are National Treasures.Jun 25, 2011
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Front side of Chikubushima is a complex of temples and shrines.Jun 25, 2011
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The cormorant birds inhabit parts of the island inaccessible to humans. Besides ruining the greenery on the island, they also gobble up the fish in the lake, seriously affecting the local fishermen.Jun 25, 2011
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Cormorant birds (those white specks are the birds) break off tree branches to make nests, and their acidic droppings damage the trees. However, it seems the cormorant population is decreasing and the island is showing more greenery than before.Jun 25, 2011
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Cormorant birds fly above Chikubushima, their favorite home.Jun 25, 2011
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The rear of Chikubushima island is still recovering from wilted trees caused by tens of thousands of cormorant birds.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Chikubushima island.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing away from Kaizu-Osaki.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Sugaura.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Sugaura.Jun 25, 2011
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Rest stop in Sugaura.Jun 25, 2011
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SugauraJun 25, 2011
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Arriving at Sugaura for a rest stop. Sugaura is one of the best areas of northern Lake Biwa with a nice lakeshore road and trail almost to the tip of the peninsula. It's a quiet and scenic place.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Sugaura, a small lakeside village. From Sugaura, there's a scenic road going up the mountains called Oku-Biwako Parkway. Part of the road is visible here.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Sugaura, a small lakeside town in northern Lake Biwa.Jun 25, 2011
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Chikubushima island in the background with Mt. Ibuki, Shiga's highest mountain (in Maibara), on the right.Jun 25, 2011
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The lead boat (normally a fishing boat) leads the way.Jun 25, 2011
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The brown building is the Imazu Sun Bridge Hotel.Jun 25, 2011
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Departing Imazu.Jun 25, 2011
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Boat houses at Imazu. The boat house on the right includes two fixed-seat wooden boats based on a design dating back to 1917. Photos of fixed-seat boats here.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving Imazu.Jun 25, 2011
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Posing at Imazu, a nice lakeside town. In June, they hold a choir contest for the Lake Biwa Rowing Song. More photos of Imazu here.Jun 25, 2011
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June 7, 2011 (Day 4): Imazu is the birthplace of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song in 1917 when Kyoto University rowers lodged here and sang the new song they had created.Jun 25, 2011
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Lunch at Shirahama.Jun 25, 2011
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Shirahama Beach along the lake's western shore.Jun 25, 2011
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Final stop for the day was here at Shirahama Beach. "Shirahama" means white sand beach.Jun 25, 2011
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The western shore of Lake Biwa has many white sand beaches.Jun 25, 2011
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The torii in the water is perfectly aligned with the torii on land and the shrine's main worship hall.Jun 25, 2011
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An unusual sight indeed.Jun 25, 2011
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A busload of tourists even stopped to gawk at the spectacle of rowers around the torii.Jun 25, 2011
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People also pray at the shrine for finding a good marriage partner, conceiving a child, academic excellence (passing college entrance exams), and water/boating safety.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing through the torii. Seta Rowing Club ground crew greet the rowers from land.Jun 25, 2011
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"Shirahige" means white beard, and so people pray here for long life and longevity. The shrine is dedicated to a god named Sarutahiko.Jun 25, 2011
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The torii is a smaller version of the much more famous one in Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture). 白鬚神社Jun 25, 2011
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Shirahige Shrine's torii gate in the lake is one of Lake Biwa's best-known landmarks. It faces the shrine on land.Jun 25, 2011
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Passing by Shirahige Shrine in Takashima, western Lake Biwa.Jun 25, 2011
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Omi-Maiko is famous for Japanese pine trees lining the beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Omi-Maiko is Lake Biwa's most famous and popular beach. Well-known for white sands and green pine trees. In summer, people from Kyoto come here to swim and sun bathe.Jun 25, 2011
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Omi-Maiko Beach, a rest stop.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing along western Lake Biwa. The JR Kosei Line is in the background. The Kosei Line runs from Kyoto to Imazu.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing along western Lake Biwa.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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That's Hotel Laforet in the background, where the rowers stayed every night during the rowing tour and commuted to/from the rowing start/end points.Jun 25, 2011
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Leaving the beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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Captain's meeting.Jun 25, 2011
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June 6, 2011 (Day 3): Beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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Beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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Beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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Landing at the beach in front of Hotel Laforet.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing to Hotel Laforet beach.Jun 25, 2011
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Katata is on the west end of Biwako Ohashi Bridge, opposite of Moriyama where the hotel was. The ferris wheel was part of an amusement park which closed over 10 years ago. It has been rusting and abandoned since.Jun 25, 2011
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Visit to Kuwano Rowing Boat Factory in Katata.Jun 25, 2011
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Dragon boat drummer.Jun 25, 2011
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Shiga does have dragon boat races. Dragon boats are fun because anybody can row on it.Jun 25, 2011
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Rowing on dragon boats from Ogoto to Katata.Jun 25, 2011
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Dragon boat ride at Ogoto. Ogoto is a major hot spring town.Jun 25, 2011
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Heading for Ogoto.Jun 25, 2011
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