 Most viewed - Nagahama 長浜市 |
Another worn out monument on Shizugatake.76 views
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76 views
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Nagahama Castle's Sotobori outer moat76 views
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Biography of Yamaoka Magokichi who had a strong sense to help people. There is also a short video about him with English subtitles.76 views
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About the power tiller.76 views
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You can even enter and sit in the driver's seat.76 views
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Life-size boat in the middle of the museum is actually a simulator.76 views
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75 views
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Tickets please75 views
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75 views
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Waiting room for 1st-class passengers75 views
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Turnstile entrance75 views
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Waiting room. Smaller than the old one. This room has been removed and replaced by a walkway to the new Mondecool Heiwado store. 75 views
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Side of Hondo main hall and entrance to the basement corridor. 御戒壇巡り75 views
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Nagahama Station before the wedding hall was built.75 views
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Built in 1882 as Nagahama Station's first station building.75 views
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The design of the new Nagahama Station is based on this original building.75 views
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Anegawa River, where thousands lay dead after the battle.75 views
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Anegawa River75 views
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75 views
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75 views
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Imazu Junior High School rowers on the shore of Sugaura. They row across the lake between Imazu and Nagahama every summer.75 views
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75 views
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Haiden hall 拝殿75 views
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Wooden bathtub75 views
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Photo of an unusual ax.75 views
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The Shinto ceremony ended and the shrine priest and co. emerged from the shrine and headed to the stage.75 views
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Chawan (tea cups and bowls) and other pottery are included in the balancing decorations which seem to defy gravity as they don't fall or collapse. 75 views
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For the Ogi-no-Mai (Folding Fan Dance), he holds a folding fan and a gohei sacred staff. The Miko-no-Mai, Suzu-no-Mai, and Ogi-no-Mai trio of Chigo-no-Mai dances are also called Sanyaku-no-Mai (三役の舞). 稚児の舞 扇の舞75 views
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Next dance was called Yatsu-kaeshi-no-Mai. 八つ換しの舞75 views
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Musical instruments and costumes used in the festival are also displayed.75 views
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At 1:45 pm, the lunch break was over and the three floats proceeded down the road and back. This was the main (but short) course for the float procession and a major photo op in front of the museum.75 views
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Yogo mountains75 views
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75 views
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75 views
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Hiking trail to Lake Yogo.75 views
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Armor worn around the belly by low-ranking samurai to protect against spears and swords. Supposedly used in the Battle of Anegawa.75 views
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Sugatani Onsen Spa offers natural hot spring waters in indoor and outdoor baths and accomodations. First opened in 1971, this is the only hot spring facility in Sugatani.75 views
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Very nice, especially in winter and after you go hiking on Mt. Odani.75 views
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The old Nagahama Heiwado store as seen from Nagahama Station. This building was demolished and replaced with a small shopping complex called Ekimachi Terrace Nagahama that opened on July 29, 2017.75 views
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One exhibition room (free admission) is dedicated to Yanmar founder Yamaoka Magokichi. Everything is in both Japanese and English. Excellent!75 views
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Ride-on tractor, a step up from the power tiller. From the 1960s.75 views
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Marine leisure engine75 views
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JR Nagahama Station in Jan. 2016 before the pedestrian overpasses to Ekimachi Terrace were built.75 views
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Fudō Myōō (Acala) on Chikubushima. 不動明王75 views
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74 views
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74 views
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View of old Nagahama Station74 views
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74 views
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Omi-Shiotsu Station platform JR近江塩津駅74 views
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Anegawa River is a shallow river.74 views
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74 views
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74 views
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74 views
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Sugaura as seen from Lake Biwa.74 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）MAP74 views
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Room with a hearth.74 views
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Inside Shichirinkan, a former blacksmith's house from the 19th century. 七りん館74 views
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Food for Okonai Festival.74 views
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74 views
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Then was the Ogi-no-Mai (Folding Fan Dance). 稚児の舞 扇の舞74 views
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Hana-yakko dancer74 views
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At around 2:30 pm, the procession headed to Hachiman Shrine, a short walk away. Banner holders and hoko spear bearers behind them.74 views
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74 views
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74 views
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Sugatani Onsen lobby. 74 views
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Rear of rice transplanter.74 views
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The corporate name "Yanmar" was named after the oni-yanmar (オニヤンマ) Golden-ringed dragonfly in 1921. The largest dragonfly native to Japan. Chosen because it is a sign of plentiful harvests.74 views
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Mt. Toragozen, Nagahama74 views
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74 views
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Nagahama City Hall, Nishi-Azai Branch. An incredibly large and beautiful town hall for a small town (Later merged with Nagahama.)73 views
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Omi-Shiotsu Station corridor to the tracks upstairs.73 views
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73 views
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Omotesando is lined with shops.73 views
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Omotesando as seen from Sanmon Gate.73 views
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73 views
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73 views
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Anegawa River, looking upstream73 views
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73 views
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Northern area of Hayasaki biotope. Hayasaki naiko has an area of 17 hectares. About one-fourth of this has been flooded on an experimental basis. The flooded paddies are leased to Shiga Prefecture which pays rent to the land owners.73 views
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73 views
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Relics from Odani Castle73 views
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I was looking forward to seeing this festival held for the first time in six years on May 4, 2009. I was not disappointed. There were many photo ops. The shrine and festival site was amid lots of greenery.73 views
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The Chigo-no-Mai dances were to begin at 11 am. The musicians were 12 men and boys called Juni-no-yaku (十二の役) including this drummer of a large taiko drum (Odaiko).73 views
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Next dance was called Yatsu-kaeshi-no-Mai. 八つ換しの舞73 views
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This is Takatoki River where the festival participants purify themselves before the festival. The Chawan Matsuri supposed to be held every 3 years, but the lack of funds and people (young ones) has made it much less frequent. 高時川73 viewsThe area is quite rural, with many rice paddies. May 4 is a national holiday (Greenery Day) in Japan, during Golden Week, a string of national holidays in Japan amounting to a spring vacation.
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The procession was headed by a boy dancing with a naginata sword.73 views
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73 views
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The Chawan Festival started when a potter in Yogo's Hashimoto area believed that he received his pottery skills from the gods and so gave an offering of pottery at Niu Shrine in appreciation. The festival started to be held by 1160.73 views
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Another festival highlight for me was seeing Shiga governor Kada Yukiko (wearing a light green jacket on the right) joining in to pull the float. I heard that women are actually not supposed to pull the float...73 views
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73 views
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Next to the museum was the festival grounds where they had food stalls and a low platform for dances performed at 12:30 pm.73 views
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Odaiko large taiko drummer 大太鼓73 views
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But the views can be marvelous. There is an alternate and less strenuous bicycling route behind the mountains, but there's no scenery like this.73 views
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73 views
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Summit of Shizugatake. A small flat clearing.73 views
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Building on Jizo-zaka which was later torn down.73 views
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Food stall named "Ogo-chan."73 views
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Bus stop at Kinomoto Station to visit Mt. Shizugatake. 73 views
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The Nagahama Pavilion shows the history of NHK Taiga Drama series over the last 50 years. Almost the same as last year's Go and Azai Sisters Expo.73 views
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Entrance to the hot spring baths. Women on the left and men on the right. No coed bathing except in guest rooms.73 views
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Kinomoto is a former post town along the old Hokkoku Kaido Road going to the Hokuriku region. This is Jizo-zaka slope leading to the Kinomoto Jizo-in temple. 地蔵坂73 views
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Inside Yanmar Museum with two floors on the inside.73 views
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A few more stairs and this lookout deck on the museum roof.73 views
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One of the lion dogs on Karamon Gate. Brought back to life from a drab-looking brown. It's part of a wooden protrusion called the "kibana" (木鼻). 73 views
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Omi-Shiotsu Station72 views
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2006 NHK Taiga Drama "Komyo ga Tsuji" Exhibition banner and gate entrance.72 views
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Large Hall 大広間72 views
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Hondo main hall altar 大通寺 本堂阿弥陀堂72 views
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Turnstile entrance. Notice the high (and hllow) ceiling. No air conditioning.72 views
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72 views
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Hokuriku Line train to Omi-Shiotsu Station and new train station72 views
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書院72 views
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Shrine72 views
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Track switching point72 views
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Honden Hall 本殿72 views
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Votive tablet72 views
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Houses in Hayasaki village faced the eastern shore of Hayasaki Naiko. When the restoration is completed, this road would have to be further elevated by 1 meter or so as an embankment.72 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 MAP72 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 MAP72 views
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Hokkoku Kaido Road72 views
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Map of Oichi-no-Sato. The biggest building on the left is the Azai Public Library. If you don't have a car, catch the Kokoku Bus (Takayama Route) at Nagahama Station and get off at Plaza Fukura no Mori-mae (プラザふくらの森前). Walk 10 min. 72 views
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A mannequin spinning silk thread.72 views
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72 views
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Odaiko drummer 大太鼓72 views
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Whoever designed the Hana-yakko costume, dance, and umbrella was quite brilliant.72 views
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Upside-down baboon is connected only by his left hand. How are all these objects suspended like that?? 岩見重太郎 狒狒退治の場72 views
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The Hana-yakko dancers perform the Hanagasa Odori dance.72 views
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Gov. Kada then ran to the first float and someone gave her a happi coat and headband which she put on. She was accompanied by the Yogo mayor (not pictured). 滋賀県知事 嘉田由紀子72 views
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Nakaizashi-no-Mai. The same dances performed earlier at Niu Shrine are performed again at Hachiman Shrine. 中居指の舞72 views
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View of the shrine grounds from the steps.72 views
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72 views
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72 views
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At one end of the summit area is a hiking trail leading to the far end of Lake Yogo, toward Yogo Station. The trail is 3.9 km.72 views
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72 views
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Torahime High School in the distance, next to rice paddies.72 views
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Drawings of the three Azai sisters by local children exhibited in Heiwado in Nagahama.72 views
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72 views
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Silk thread72 views
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Castle wall foundation rocks.72 views
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Yamaoka Magokichi was awarded the Order of Merit from Germany.72 views
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History of Yanmar. Also see photos of Takatsuki where he was based. He built a large public hall too.72 views
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Marine diesel engine used in a boat in Ishinomaki up until the Tohoku disaster in March 2011.72 views
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River mouth71 views
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New Nagahama Station being constructed, Jan. 2006.71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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2006 NHK Taiga Drama "Komyo ga Tsuji" Exhibition map71 viewsThe temple was one of the venues for the special exhibition held for the NHK Taiga Drama "Komyo ga Tsuji" in 2006.
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Inside Amida-do hall71 views
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Statue of Hideyoshi in front of the place where the station was.71 views
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Another entrance to the shrine71 views
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Map of Kohoku-cho Waterfowl Park that includes a bird-watching center called Kohoku Wild Bird Center and the Biwako Waterfowl and Wetland Center. 71 views
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The Kohoku Wild Bird Center is well equipped for bird-watching and also features exhibits of stuffed birds.71 views
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71 views
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71 views
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The two baton twirlers (bo-furi 棒振り) are members of the juni-no-yaku musicians. They are followed by the drummers of the large taiko drum.71 views
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Jutaro disguised himself as the daughter and put himself and a sword inside the offering box which was carried to the baboon's shrine as the human sacrifice offering. When the baboon opened the box, Jutaro fought and defeated the baboon.71 views
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At around 4 pm, the procession left Hachiman Shrine to head back to Niu Shrine. At 4:30 pm, they danced again at Niu Shrine.71 views
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Arrival at JR Torahime Station on the JR Hokuriku Main Line.71 views
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Letter from Ishida Mitsunari.71 views
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71 views
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Map of Azai Folk History Museum which is a complex of small museum buildings including two thatched-roof homes.71 views
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Sugatani Onsen lobby. Very nice and spacious. They had New Year's decorations when I visited in early Jan. 2014.71 views
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Bath for men. The sign says "Bath for Nagamasa" and the women's sign says "Bath for Ichi."71 views
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Way to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).71 views
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71 views
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Yanmar Museum entrance hall.71 views
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Before and after having farm machinery.71 views
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Exit to Heiwado70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Stationmaster's office70 views
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Nishi Azai-cho Town Hall70 views
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Omi-Shiotsu Station and old trains70 views
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Corridor to main hall70 views
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Photo taken in Jan. 2006.70 views
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Nagahama Station, west side (Nagahama Castle side)70 views
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70 views
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Anegawa River70 views
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Woman worker70 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.70 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 MAP70 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 MAP70 views
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The birds rest on a small island close to the shore.70 views
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Juni-no-yaku musicians are from the medieval period of Japan, and rarely seen in other festivals. In Shiga, this is the only festival where they appear.70 views
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The two boys in front are sasara players who use a bamboo whisk rubbed with another notched bamboo stick as a musical instrument. The bamboo whisk looks very similar to the puili sticks used in hula dancing.70 views
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70 views
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The doll at the bottom is Iwami Jutaro. There was a village where a female human sacrifice had to be offered to a big baboon. When the next victim was to be the village headman's daughter, Jutaro decided to get rid of the baboon. 岩見 重太郎 70 views
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The Hana-yakko dancers supposed to be all local boys, but due to depopulation, now they include girls. They are intermediate and high school students.70 views
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Hana-yako dancers pass by the floats.70 views
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Chigo-no-mai dancers70 views
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Next was the Suzu-no-Mai (Bell Dance). He holds a bell in his right hand and a gohei sacred staff with zigzag paper hanging. (御幣). 稚児の舞 鈴の舞70 views
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70 views
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The climax of the festival was when they detached the bamboo support poles (called sasu サス) from the float decorations.70 views
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The ropes are quite thin, making me think the float is not so heavy.70 views
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Inside Chawan Matsuri no Yakata Museum is a life-size replica of a festival float.70 views
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70 views
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70 views
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Video room explaining the Battle of Anegawa River.70 views
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70 views
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This is Itohime no Yakata which shows Azai's silk production history. 糸姫の館70 views
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70 views
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Buses leave Kinomoto Station every 30 min. from 9:45 am to 4:15 pm. It takes less than 10 min. to Mt. Shizugatake.70 views
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70 views
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Steps to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).70 views
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Nagahama Station wedding hall entrance70 views
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Yamaoka Magokichi was awarded this ring from Augburg, Germany, making him an honorary citizen. Yamaoka had built a stone monument for Rudolf Diesel in Augsburg, a sister city of Nagahama.70 views
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70 views
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Use the levers to bring the shovel down/up or swivel it left/right and to scoop up or release the little balls.70 views
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The museum's 2nd floor mainly has outboard engines on display.70 views
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Statue of the goddess Benzaiten at Hogonji, Chikubushima. She plays the biwa lute.70 views
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70 views
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Mt. Kanakuso-dake (金糞岳 or Azai-dake) behind Takatsuki in Nagahama. The peak to the left is Shirakura-dake (白倉岳). The orange/white smokestack is from the Nippon Electric Glass factory (日本電気硝子) in Takatsuki. 70 views
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Lakeside park with a nice, long cycling path.69 views
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Bicycle rental sign. Most stations along Lake Biwa offer bicycles for rental.69 views
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Old Nagahama Station platform.69 views
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Inside old Nagahama Station69 views
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69 views
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Nishi Azai-cho Town Hall in winter69 views
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69 views
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As seen from the west side.69 views
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69 views
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Position of the Azai clan69 views
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This is the eastern edge of Hayasaki Naiko. The original lake's edge was up to here. This stone wall is original, existing when Hayasaki Naiko was still an attached lake.69 views
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Tourist map of Takatsuki which has quite a few temples with a Kannon statue.69 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69 views
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These were all boys dancing, and they dance while facing backward. This dancer was skilled even with the long gown in the way of his feet.69 views
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Only nine people know how to create these fantastic balancing decorations. They purify themselves in Takatoki River (bathe naked) before taking 3 months to make the lofty decorations in total secrecy. This is the Nihozan float (丹宝山). 69 views
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The procession leaves the shrine.69 views
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Following the procession, the floats are then pulled along.69 views
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The dances ended at 11:30 am and they all started to leave the shrine in a procession headed for Hachiman Shrine with a lunch break at Chawan Matsuri no Yakata museum a short walk away. Conch shell blowers here.69 views
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Musical instruments used in the festival. On the upper left are flutes, below it are batons. On the right are a bell and below is the sasara bamboo whisk and rubbing stick. Drums at the bottom.69 views
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The trail is heavily wooded, and sometimes there is a clear area where you can see the scenery.69 views
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Old Kinomoto Station69 views
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Inside old Kinomoto Station, apparently used as an occasional exhibition space.69 views
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Gift shop69 views
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Model of Odani Castle.69 views
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Exhibits about the Battle of Anegawa River.69 views
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69 views
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Kinomoto expo pavilion. 戦国大河きのもと館69 views
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Ticket machine to enter the bath. Only 1,000 yen for a hot spring bath. 500 yen for kids older than age 1. Towels can be rented for 200 yen. Give your ticket to the front desk clerk.69 views
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Two indoor baths. In the forefront is a lukewarm bath which feels good after you soak in the hotter bath.69 views
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69 views
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The main exhibits mainly show agricultural machinery (tractors, etc.) and marine engines.69 views
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Hydraulic excavator69 views
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Another power excavator simulator.69 views
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Top view of maruko-bune.69 views
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Lake Yogo's wildlife includes birds like black kites hunting for fish in the lake, mice, frogs, etc Black kites are know to swoop down and steal food from your hand. So watch out if you're eating.69 views
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