 Most viewed - Takatsuki 高月 |
Amenomori is Takatsuki's showcase and flagship area. It's a quiet, rural part of town with waterwheels, roadside streams and flowers. Charming and picturesque.813 views
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After you eat the main dish, mixing udon noodles in the miso broth is also good (if you still have room in your stomach).332 views
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After cooking, the tall pile of vegetables (mainly Chinese cabbage) shrinks. This is for two people. Chicken and miso broth.294 views
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Buffet restaurant242 views
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Biwako Shokudo restaurant serves its specialty: Tall pile of vegetables in a boiling pot. びわこ食堂215 views
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Hot spring facility, the centerpiece of the Kita-Omi Resort. MAP192 views
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Statue of Amenomori Hoshu. He is regarded as a pioneer in Korean-Japanese relations and an internationally-minded person ahead of his time.187 views
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Lunch and dinner buffet for 1500 yen.186 views
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The company owner is a great fan of Egypt it seems. No Egyption food though.154 views
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The Kita-Omi Resort is mainly a natural hot spring facility with segregated baths. It is complemented by a few restaurants and even the Egypt Pavilion which was brought over in Sept. 2006 from the 2005 Aichi Expo.140 views
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Kogenji Temple in Takatsuki, Nagahama belongs to the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu Sect (Otani school). On the left of this main hall is the Doganji Kannon Hall where the 11-face Kannon statue (National Treasure) can be viewed. 渡岸寺観音堂（向源寺）121 views
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Slightly north of Amenomori is Okaido, a site where the ruins of numerous Yayoi-Period homes and canals and artifacts were found. 15-min. by taxi from Takatsuki Station. 大海道遺跡 MAP104 views
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Large zelkova (keyaki) tree at the museum. Takatsuki has numerous old and distinguished trees.99 views
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JR Takatsuki Station on the Hokuriku Line. West side. This new station building was built in Oct. 2005. 高月駅94 views
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Amenomori Hoshu-an museum. Built on the land where Amenomori Hoshu's house once stood. Born in Amenomori, Amenomori Hoshu (1668-1755) was a Confucian scholar and leading diplomat to Korea during the Edo Period.91 views
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Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple) is also near Takatsuki Station, in the south. Temple noted for a 1000-arm Kannon statue. 大円寺 MAP83 views
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Restaurant shaped like a pyramid.80 views
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Odd bicycles for rent79 views
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Kitaoumi Resort bought the entire Egypt Pavilion and brought it here in Sept. 2006.77 views
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This is the museum room with various exhibits related to Amenomori Hoshu and Japan-Korean relations during the Edo Period. Hoshu was based in Tsushima in Nagasaki, an island close to Korea.77 views
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Tourist map signboard in English too.75 views
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Woman worker73 views
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Approach to Doganji (also called Kogenji) Temple. 10-min. walk from JR Takatsuki Station. 渡岸寺観音堂（向源寺）MAP71 views
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Nishino Water Tunnel is near Lake Biwa at the foot of the Yamamoto-yama mountains. There are three tunnels. The original one was built in 1845 by a local priest to alleviate frequent flooding. 西野水道 MAP71 views
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Woman worker70 views
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This waterwheel has become one of the symbols of this area. It's in front of the Amenomori Hoshu-an museum.70 views
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Kannon Folk History Museum (Kannon no Sato Rekishi Minzoku Shiryokan) has various exhibits about Kannon and the town's historical persons. 観音の里歴史民俗資料館 MAP68 views
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The public library's 2nd floor has this Inoue Yasushi Memorial Room. Inoue (1907-1991) was a famous novelist who visited Takatsuki a lot and wrote novels featuring Takatsuki's Kannon statues. 井上靖記念室68 views
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Guide to Kannon statues in Takatsuki. On the left is the National Treasure Kannon statue at Doganji temple. One of seven 11-face Kannon statues in Japan which is a National Treasure. This one is said to be the most beautiful. 十一面観音立像67 views
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Nishino Yakushido Kannon-do Hall is in western Takatsuki. Noted for two Kannon statues which are Important Cultural Properties. 西野薬師観音堂 MAP66 views
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Inside Kogenji Temple main hall. Admission to see the Kannon statue is 300 yen. Open 9 am - 4 pm. Parking available. Appointment not necessary to see the Kannon statue.65 views
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Tourist map of Takatsuki which has quite a few temples with a Kannon statue.64 views
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Entrance to the second water tunnel. This is much larger, large enough for a car to pass through. No longer used as a water drainage tunnel. We could easily walk through this tunnel.64 views
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Road in front of Amenomori Hoshu-an museum dedicated to Amenomori Hoshu (1668-1755), a Confucian scholar and leading diplomat to Korea during the Edo Period.64 views
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Built in 1992, Deai-no-Mori Public Library is part of a lush, green park. 10-min. walk from Takatsuki Station. Hours: 10 am - 6 pm, closed Mon., Tue., national holidays, and year end/New Year's. 出会いの森図書館 [url=http://goo.gl/maps/DW6c3]63 views
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Have a Nice Day wooden bench at the train station.63 views
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One of Takatsuki's eye-catching buildings is this Yanmar Kaikan Public Hall in Higashi Atsuji. It is the birthplace of Yamaoka Magokichi, founder of Yanmar Co. ヤンマー会館 MAP63 views
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Entry to the Amenomori Hoshu-an. It exhibits things, books, documents, etc., related to Amenomori Hoshu. Admission 250 yen. Hours: 9 am - 4 pm, closed Mon. Phone: 0749-85-509563 views
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At age 18, Hoshu went to Edo and studied Confucianism under Confucian scholar Kinoshita Jun'an. He was later employed by the Tsushima clan and was put in charge of Korean relations at age 22.63 views
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Faces of Hoshu on the wall.63 views
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Rice paddies next to Okaido.63 views
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The novel "Hoshi to Matsuri" 星と祭 mentions Kannon statues in Takatsuki and northern Shiga. In 1950, he won the Akutagawa Prize, one of Japan's most prestigious literary prizes.62 views
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This is the third water tunnel and currently in use. The Yogo River flows out of it to Lake Biwa. Built in 1980. Also a local fishing spot.62 views
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Tea ceremony room.62 views
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To mark the site, Okaido has a small park where two sample Yayoi-Period structures stand. This adobe is pretty much a hole in the ground with a thatched roof over it.62 views
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Egypt Pavilion at Kitaoumi Resort. The Pavilion was originally at the Aichi Expo in 2005.61 views
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Lyrics to the song, "Nishino Suido Uta." 西野水道歌60 views
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Nishino Yakushido Kannon-do Hall, also called Jumanji temple. Inside this hall is one 11-face and fleshy Kannon statue and one Yakushi Nyorai statue. Photography not allowed. 充満寺60 views
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Katayama Tunnel, leading to Lake Biwa. 片山トンネル60 views
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Monument marking the birthplace of Yamaoka Magokichi (1888-1962) 山岡孫吉, founder of Yanmar Diesel, Co. In 1933, he developed the world's first compact diesel engine.60 views
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Hoshu rightly believed that language represented the culture, and learning the language was thus essential to understand the country.60 viewsIn 2017, Amenomori Hoshu's documents related to Japan-Korea relations during the Edo Period will be inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World.
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Front gate to Amenomori Hoshu-an museum built in 1984. Known as the East Asia Exchange House Amenomori Hoshu-an Museum. 東アジア交流ハウス雨森芳洲庵 MAP59 views
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Route of the Korea's royal embassy procession to Edo. The Korean kingdom sent an official mission to Edo when there was a significant occasion, such as the installation of a new shogun. They traveled along this route which also passed through Shiga.59 views
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Rosetta Stone57 views
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Picture taking of the Kannon statue is not allowed. The statue was carved by Taicho 泰澄 in the 8th century for Emperor Shomu. During the war between the Azai and Oda Nobunaga, the temple was burned. But the statue had been buried and was saved.57 views
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Assembly hall. The museum sometimes holds events. Once a year, they conduct a homestay program for students from South Korea.57 views
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Inside Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple).56 views
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JR Takatsuki Station on the West side. 高月駅56 views
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This is the other end of the original tunnel. The air was cold on this end.56 views
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Kannon bus tour. People who visit the Kannon temples are elderly. No young people (except me) tour the Kannon temples. Tours are held during the Furusato Matsuri in early Aug. Usually sells out.55 views
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Rice paddies near Nishino Water Tunnel.55 views
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54 views
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Entrance to Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple).54 views
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Takatsuki Kannon Temple (Daienji temple), main hall. 大円寺54 views
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Inoue Yasushi Memorial Room recreates his room where he wrote novels. He also wrote Furinkazan, which was made into an NHK Taiga period drama in 2007. 井上靖記念室54 views
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Chrysanthymum display54 views
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The monument shows tunnel laborers.54 views
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Tunnel monument and song monument.54 views
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This is the second water tunnel, next to the original tunnel and running parallel.54 views
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Japanese garden at Amenomori Hoshu-an museum.54 views
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Inside Kannon Folk History Museum, which is near Doganji and 10-min. walk from Takatsuki Station. The museum opened in 1984. Admission 250 yen. Museum hours 9 am - 4:30 pm. Closed Mon., the day after national holidays, and year end/New Year's.53 views
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You can enter and go through the Nishino Water Tunnel. Water does not flow through anymore, but it's still quite muddy and wet.53 views
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Floor of second water tunnel. Some water still flows through. Boots recommended.53 views
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Other end of the second tunnel. This tunnel is no longer used for Yogo River. It is now mainly used by people wanting to go fishing.53 views
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Statue of Hoshu. At age 25, Hoshu learned Chinese. At age 36, he lived and studied Korean in Pusan for 3 years during 1702-1705.53 views
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JR Takatsuki Station corridor. Impressive new train station.52 views
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Banner for the Furusato Matsuri held in early Aug.52 views
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Train tracks to Takatsuki Station52 views
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The problem is, it's pitch black on the inside, and the tunnel size is quite small and craggy. Hard hats required. Not recommended, especially if you are taller than a 10-year-old.52 views
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This is the original Nishino Water Tunnel built in 1845. Engineered by a Buddhist priest named Esho and with the help of fellow villagers, it took 6 years to dig through the mountain for about 220 meters. The tunnel drained excess water to Lake Biwa.52 views
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Yogo River mouth outside the Nishino water tunnel. Lake Biwa ahead.52 views
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Map of Takatsuki52 views
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Great view of Lake Biwa after passing through Katayama Tunnel.52 views
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Very impressive, although Takatsuki has no connection with Egypt.51 views
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51 views
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Near the tunnel entrance is a rest house where you can borrow rubber boots and flash lights for free.51 views
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Local community bus/van at Takatsuki Station.50 views
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One of Takatsuki's famous trees.50 views
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Original Nishino Water Tunnel facing Lake Biwa.50 views
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View after passing through Katayama Tunnel.50 views
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Amenomori Hoshu monument (not grave). Hoshu is buried in Tsushima, Nagasaki.50 views
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Autumn at Takatsuki Kannon Temple49 views
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Near the tunnel entrance is the Nishino Horinuki Park with various monuments. 西野ほりぬき公園49 views
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Welcome to Yakushodo. This is one of the most noted Kannon temples in Takatsuki. The temple's 11th priest, Esho 恵荘, was the one who engineered the Nishino Water Tunnel in 1845.49 views
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JR Takatsuki Station stairway on the east side.48 views
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JR Takatsuki Station on the east side.48 views
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Statue and monument at Nishino Water Tunnel entrance.48 views
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Strongman's Stone. If you want to see the Kannon statues at Nishino Yakushido, call 090-8938-6369 in Japanese before you go.48 views
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This public hall was built and donated to the town by Magokichi. It has a Gothic architecture. In 1912, at age 24, he established Yamaoka Hatsudoki Seisakusho 山岡発動機工作所, the forerunner of Yanmar Diesel Co.48 views
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47 views
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Inside the Egypt Pavilion. Everything inside are replicas of the real thing.47 views
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The quality of the replica pieces is quite good.47 views
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Even the replica mummy inside looked real.47 views
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47 views
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Tourist info and resthouse at JR Takatsuki Station on the east side. You can also rent bicycles here.47 views
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Golden Throne46 views
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Medicines46 views
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The old and small Takatsuki Station in 2004. Actually, I like this station better. It makes it more rural.46 views
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45 views
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Monument for a song about the tunnel digging, titled "Nishino Suido Uta."45 views
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Inside tourist info office which is also a souvenir shop.44 views
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