 Most viewed - SHIGA 滋賀県 |
Lyrics of Kibo no Fune--Uminoko Shukoka (Ship of Hope--Lake Child Cruise Song). They created a song just for the boat in 1984. 希望の船--湖の子周航歌2724 viewsThis is the 1st verse:
朝もやはれて さわやかに
さざ波光る びわのうみ
ぼくらわたしら 滋賀の子が
湖上たのしく めぐりつつ
郷土の知識 たかめあう
希望の船よ 希望の船よ
湖の子よ
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Benten-do1816 views
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Great summer day for the beach at Omi-Maiko, one of the most popular and whitest beaches on Lake Biwa.1590 views
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The Ninja House, built in 1703, is owned and maintained by a local medicine company having ninja roots. Many Koka ninja were makers of medicine as a front for their clandestine activities. This background also made them expert at making gunpowder.1557 viewsNot a National Historic Site, but it should be.
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Koka Ninja House (Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki) is the former residence of Mochizuki Izumonokami, the leading Koga ninja family of the 53 Koka ninja families. 望月出雲守 MAP1537 viewsThe house is in its original location in the Koka area of Shiga Prefecture.
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As a theme park, the Koka-no-Sato Ninjutsu-mura or Koka Ninja Village offers a good tourist sampling of ninja in a hidden village of former ninja houses transplanted to this "village." Entrance to Koka Ninja Village, tucked away in a hidden, lus1527 viewsEntrance to Koka Ninja Village, tucked away in a hidden, lush forest. Quite far from the nearest train station (Koka Station on the Kusatsu Line). You can call them from the train station to be picked up.
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Hachiman Commercial High School designed by William Merrell Vories in 1935. 八幡商業高等学校 MAP1459 views
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San-mon Gate. Built in 1802. 三門1457 views
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Minami Sanno Matsuri Festival in Hino, Shiga.1457 views
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The Mizugumo Water Spider Pond where you can walk on water. A few visitors, wearing ninja costumes, try it out.1360 views
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Live orchestra playing swing jazz. 有川新二&ザ・グレイ・ラスカルズオーケストラ「なつかしのスウイングジャズ」1332 views
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Metal finger claws worn on the fingertips.1298 views
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Azuchi Castle tower replica at House of Nobunaga. Very ornate and beautiful. both outside and inside.1242 views
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Hinokawa Dam Park 日野川ダム公園1228 views
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There he goes, not exactly walking on water. Just dragging himself across with the rope. This is only for anime-like amusement. This is not how the ninja did it.1217 views
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Minakuchi Jinja Shrine, which holds the annual Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri on April 19-20, is decorated for the festival. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/yZ2c6hMoGQJ21195 views
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Hachiman-yama Castle wall1165 views
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Ladder going to the 2nd floor. There's also a trap door on the floor below the ladder where the ninja could hide. Notice the rope. The ninja hiding under the floor would tug the rope connected to the 2nd floor.1164 views
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I love the design of this boat. 千秋・太郎号のフィックス艇1144 views
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Otsu Matsuri is one of Shiga's major festivals featuring thirteen ornate floats displayed and paraded around central Otsu over two days before Sports Day, a national holiday around Oct. 10.1140 views
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Rumi1129 views
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Beachgoers frolick in the lake as the rowing boats arrive.1120 views
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The first room you see in the house is the living room. You can sit and have free "ninja tea" while waiting for a guided tour of the house. Along with the geisha, the ninja is one of the most recognized but misunderstood things about Japan.1103 views
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The Ninja house (Ninja yashiki) is one of the main attractions of the Ninja Village. This was an actual ninja house belonging to the Fujibayashi ninja family. It was disassembled and transplanted here from Ohara Ichiba in Koka.1101 views
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Old school library is now a K-ON gallery, event space, and cafe. Fans of the popular manga/anime called K-ON! gather here on weekends.1089 views
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White sands at Omi-Maiko, Lake Biwa.1084 views
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.1082 views
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About the song and rowing route... この歌について（日本語解説）1078 viewsShiga Prefecture's most famous and beloved song is called Biwako Shuko no Uta (琵琶湖周航の歌) or "Lake Biwa Rowing Song." I have rendered this song into both pictures and English, according to my own imagination and interpretation.
Please see this page for a full explanation: https://photoguide.jp/txt/Lake_Biwa_Rowing_Song
First composed in 1917 by a bunch of college students from Kyoto, the song has been recorded by many famous Japanese singers and groups. In 1971, it became a major nationwide hit with singer Tokiko Kato's rendition. Today, the song remains a favorite among choir groups in Japan, and a choir singing contest is held for the song every June (since 1997) in Imazu, the birthplace of the song in the northwestern corner of Lake Biwa.
Shiga Prefecture also has stone monuments dedicated to each of the six verses. There's even a museum (Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan) in Imazu dedicated to the song. Okaya city on the shores of Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, the birthplace of the song's composer, Taro Oguchi (小口太郎) (1897-1924), also has a song monument and bronze statue of him.
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref. 大奥夢道中1072 views
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Shuriken target practice at the Shuriken Dojo in Koka Ninja Village, Shiga Prefecture. 手裏剣道場1061 views
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Trap door on the floor opened.1024 views
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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.1019 views
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Sleek racing row boats and traditional yakata picnic boats on upper right1010 views
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Statue of Lord Todo Takatora (in Kora, Shiga Prefecture) who became the 11th lord of Tsu Castle (Mie Pref.) in 1608. Behind it is the Takatora Waterfall.1002 views
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Real ninja shuriken throwing star knives on display. Made of steel, they come in many different shapes.994 views
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Main entrance to Miidera (Onjoji) temple. It is the headquarters temple of the Tendai Jimon Buddhist Sect (founded by Priest Enchin) and former rival of Enryakuji temple on Mt. Hiei, also in Shiga. MAP992 views
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Clear waters and beautiful Lake Biwa beach at Omi-Maiko985 views
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Ninja armored suit for protection against swords.982 views
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Poster for the movie "Katen no Shiro" (火天の城) released in Japan on Sept. 12, 2009. It is about the building of Azuchi Castle. Movie review here971 views
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Water spider (mizugumo): How the ninja did it. This drawing from the Koka Ninja House shows how it was done. The ninja sat on the board inside the wooden ring and waded through the water while partially submerged. His wooden clogs had small flippers.966 views
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Hikone Castle and Genkyu-en Garden in fall965 views
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Leaving Kaizu-Osaki. 961 views
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Demonstration of matchlock guns, Azuchi Nobunaga Festival.956 viewsEven these people had to obtain police permission to bear and fire these feudal-era guns.
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Whoa, almost fell into the water!955 views
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Grab the rope and step into the foot rings. Of course, ninja never wore a bright red costume. You can rent a ninja suit in various colors for 600 yen.950 views
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.938 views
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Closet with a trap door on the floor.928 views
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Welcome to Hikone, best known for Hikone Castle and mascot Hiko-nyan. At JR Hikone Station, this photo of official mascot Hikonyan greets you. Map926 views
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Real ninja obviously did not wear a pink costume, but in the manga/anime world, pink looks cute.923 views
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Just when I finally became able to recognize the different faces of the cheerleaders (at first, they looked the same to me), the season ends, and they will be replaced next season.920 views
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Sanno-sai Festival, Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture911 views
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Honolulu Advertiser newspaper from Hawaii featuring a photo of a ninja from Koka who performed at Ala Moana Shopping Center in 1990.908 views
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Koka Ninja Museum also has showcases with various ninja costumes, documents, weapons, etc. The museum is kind of rundown though.906 views
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895 views
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Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine Yakko-buri, Maibara, Shiga893 views
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Nohime, wife of Oda Nobunaga. 農姫889 views
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Trying my shuriken skills. You throw it with an overhand throw (like a baseball) and not like a frisbee. Also see my YouTube video here.883 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.881 views
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Hiko-nyan in Hawaii!!880 views
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Ninja's secret language. A codified system.877 views
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Soft rubber shuriken (toys). Special thanks to Takayuki Mochizuki (ninja descendant) for taking me to this Koka Ninja House.876 views
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Little ninja at target practice.876 views
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Oda Nobunaga 織田信長875 views
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Ninja sword, very short.872 views
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Sumo wrestler's hairstyle.870 views
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Taga Matsuri Festival on April 22, Shiga Prefecture. 多賀まつり869 views
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Tsuchiyama-juku in Tsuchiyama-cho was the 49th of the 53 stations of the Tokaido Road, accessible by this "Aikuru" bus from Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways). It takes 20-30 min, but the bus does not run so often.866 viewsTsuchiyama-juku in Tsuchiyama-cho was the forty-ninth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road, following Sakanoshita-juku in Mie. It is right after Suzuka Pass on the Suzuka mountains, one of the two most difficult sections of the Tokaido. Travelers thus were happy to see Tsuchiyama. Nicknamed "Ai no Tsuchiyama," the town is working hard to preserve its old buildings. The Tsuchiyama-juku Honjin where Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and Emperor Meiji lodged is still intact and well maintained. The Tsuchiyama Tokaido Museum is also a major attraction. Special thanks to Uno Yoshinobu who was my guide in Tsuchiyama.
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Other activities.866 views
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864 views
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Revolving door (opened). The floor also has a trap door (see next photo) where you can go down and escape through a tunnel leading to a well in the garden outside.861 views
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Ceiling of Ninja House. Directly below the thatched roof.857 views
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Maki-bishi spikes thrown on the ground to poke your feet. These are made from dried water chestnuts (aquatic plant found in marshes). One of the four spikes will point upward.857 views
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Ninja house attic showing the thatched roof.854 views
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My 34-min. comprehensive English video about Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Garden, and autumn festivals. 854 views
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Taga Taisha Shrine's Setsubun bean throwing on Feb. 3 (at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm) is perhaps Shiga's most prominent with three impressive demons (called oni) on stage acting as the evil oni to be chased away with soybeans.851 viewsFeb. 3 is the Setsubun Festival at many temples and shrines in Japan. It marks the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. So they throw beans at ogre to eliminate the evil of the previous year and bring in good fortune.
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Inside the trap door is a hole and tunnel leading to a well in the garden outside. Hence the water.846 views
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Hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom. A tour guide shows you the gimmicks of the house.844 views
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Due to financial reasons, the Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Drum Dance is held only once every 5 years. I went to see it on Sept. 23, 2009. MAP844 views
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A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.843 views
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Burning old New Year's decorations, Hokoku Jinja, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.840 views
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Crane design in temari832 views
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Inside the ninja house. A hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom.831 views
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The rope is connected to a noise maker on the 2nd floor here. The intruder would then think that the ninja is on the 2nd floor and go up the ladder in pursuit. When the intruder is on the 2nd floor, the ninja below the trap door would remove the ladder.831 views
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The Sanno-sai Festival is held annually on April 12-15 at Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Not to be confused with the Sanno Matsuri held by Hie Shrine in Tokyo. It centers on April 14, the shrine's most important day called Reisai.830 views
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At the same time as Niagara Falls, they lit the two giant torches. It was hard to watch both the Niagara Falls and giant torches at the same time. But Niagara soon petered out.825 views
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A flaming star823 views
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A pair of floating rings with a platform in the middle.822 views
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Shinobi Shrine is what you first see. Worships all the nameless ninja who died. The ninja never tried to gain fame. They remained unknown. 志能備神社821 views
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Traditional minka house819 views
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Tools for making medicine (including gunpowder). Many Koka (Koga) ninja were medicine makers. It was a disguise and a means to gather information from people when they went around selling medicines. Koka ninja were always in contact with the local people.819 views
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Shinobi Shrine has a statue of Daikokuten, one of the seven gods of good fortune. He is worshipped for good marriage, food, and prosperity. Made during the early Edo Period, it's Japan's largest wooden statue of Daikokuten. 大黒天815 views
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Ninja well with an escape tunnel which you can almost walk through.813 views
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Ninja looked at a cat's eyes to find out what time it was. If the iris was almost closed, it was noon. If dilated, it was late at night. Must've been troublesome to find and snatch a cat to find out what time it was.811 views
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Ninja tools811 views
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Dart-shaped shuriken. Shuriken were not only star-shaped. These were either thrown straight-on, or thrown while the point rotated 180 degrees turning toward the target. It was difficult to throw, and much practice was required..810 views
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Display case showing ninja costumes. Real ninja mainly wore one of seven disguises instead of the stereotypical black costume. They could be dressed as a priest, merchant, jester, etc.809 views
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Entrance to another room on the first floor. Although the Koga ninja and Iga ninja (in Mie Prefecture) were the most famous, there were actually numerous ninja groups in many other parts of Japan as well. They were most active during wars.808 views
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Map of Japan showing numerous ninja schools which existed during the feudal era. Iga-Ueno and Koga ninja were the most famous.802 views
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The Saio princess wears a juni-hitoe (12-layer) robe reserved only for Imperial family members. For this festival in 2009, the Saio princess is portrayed by 20-year-old Chiaki Koyama (神山千明) from Shigaraki, Koka. 801 views
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Designed by William Merrell Vories, the old Toyosato Elementary School building was built in 1937. This picture was taken in 2007, before renovations. This is the front gate.801 views
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The 2nd floor, between the first floor and ceiling, has a very low height which can entrap an intruder going upstairs.800 views
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Giant tanuki at Shigaraki Station. Wish they removed that pay phone.797 views
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Small gun concealed as a sword.792 views
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Shuriken throwing knives.790 views
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And here's Hiko-nyan!! Direct from Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan in the 30th Pan-Pacific Festival (also called “Matsuri in Hawaii”) parade on June 7, 2009 from 5 pm to 7 pm along Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki.790 viewsひこにゃんが僕の故郷であるハワイにも登場したことはとても嬉しいかったけど、写真をよく見ると、どこも「Shiga」とか「Hikone」が表示していないの。ただの「Hikonyan–Ii Naosuke-Gateway to the Future」しか載っていない。それは意味が不明。最低、FROM HIKONE, SHIGA, JAPANとか書けばいいな。せっかく皆が見るので。市の職員がPRの感覚が鈍い。
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Lotus at Karasuma Peninsula in Kusatsu.789 views
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The upper walls have explanations about the Koka ninja and Mochizuki ninja family. "Koka" is the correct pronunciation, but the kanji can also be pronounced "Koga" which has become more common.789 views
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Ladder going up to the attic.789 views
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This room has display cases showing various ninja weapons, tools, and costumes. The ceiling is also quite low, designed to impede the wielding of samurai swords.788 views
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Inside Koka Ninja Museum which opened in 1983. The dirt-floored room has various ninja ladders.786 views
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Giant Buddha's hand. Used in a 1982 ninja movie. The hand has the same scale as the Giant Buddha's hand in Nara's Todaiji temple.786 views
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The left sliding wooden door is very heavy, about 50 kg, making it difficult to open. This buys more time for the ninja to escape.786 views
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The wooden railing on the right is slimmer than the left one. It means it is removable, allowing the ninja to escape from the 2nd floor.785 views
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Shigaraki tanuki racoon dogs.784 views
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Azuchi Castle construction782 views
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Old New Year's decorations to be burned778 views
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Headquarters of the Tendai Buddhist sect, Enryakuji is a large complex of temples, halls, buildings, and monuments on Mt. Hiei in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. It boasts buildings which are National Treasures. MAP776 views
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Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成772 views
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Shin-Asahi manhole cover with a windmill design. Takashima, Shiga Pref.772 views
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Held only once every 5 years, the Ibuki-yama Taiko Drum Dance was held on Oct. 3, 2010 in Ueno, a small neighborhood at the foot of Mt. Ibuki. 772 views
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Green Park Santo was the site for the Ozumo Maibara Basho or Maibara Exhibition Sumo Tournament on Oct. 17, 2008. It was nice sunny day. Banners with the name of famous sumo wrestlers (rikishi) were up. グリーンパーク山東771 views
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Going through the trap door.771 views
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The Ninja House also displays autographs by celebrities who visited the house. This is actor Harrison Ford who visited in Feb. 2000. He came unannounced with a taxi driver, interpreter, and his son.770 views
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Ninja souvenirs769 views
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Yes, it's Doraemon as fireworks. This lasted briefly before it snuffed out. I heard that they have this every year for this Yuge Fire Festival.769 views
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Ninja dolls768 views
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June 10, 2011 (Day 7): Rowing from Hikone (Satsuma Beach) to Moriyama. Lake Biwa is Japan's largest lake in Shiga Prefecture. "Biwa" means lute. The lake has a number of unique species such as the Lake Biwa catfish.768 views
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Hooks for hoisting ropes on walls, etc. The Koka ninja reluctantly moved to Edo (Tokyo) around 1634 as requested by the shogun, and worked as castle guards, gathered intelligence on daimyo lords, and formed a gun battalion.766 views
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Path to Koka Ninjutsu-mura Village. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults. Cheaper for students. Open 10 am - 5 pm. Free shuttle bus available from JR Koka Station. Phone: 0748-88-5000764 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).764 views
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Nagisa Park in Moriyama, Shiga has this beautiful field of nano-hana rapeseed blossoms blooming in winter from early-Jan. to mid-March at this lakeside park. なぎさ公園 MAP762 views
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最低、FROM HIKONE, SHIGA, JAPANとか書けばいいな。せっかく皆が見るので。市の職員がPRの感覚が鈍い。こんな基本的なこと、なんで考えてくれないの？？762 views
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Hikone Gun Battalion dressed like Ii Clan samurai with their trademark red armor nicknamed "Red Devils."762 views
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写真をよく見ると、どこも「Shiga」とか「Hikone」が表示していないの。ただの「Hikonyan–Ii Naosuke-Gateway to the Future」しか載っていない。それは意味が不明。761 views
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Nagahama Castle (reconstructed) is a lakeside castle within Hokoen Park near Nagahama Station. This is the entrance to the park. 豊公園 MAP760 views
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That rope goes to the second floor (see next photo).758 views
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This Azuchi Castle tower replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain before it was moved here.755 views
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Maki-bishi made of steel. Used for escape when they encountered an enemy. Many of the ninja's weapons were designed to buy time for the ninja to escape.755 views
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Cheerleader in the stands!755 views
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Ducks on ice754 views
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One of Japan's renown and historical centers for pottery, Shigaraki's heart is the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.754 views
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Asahi Honen Taiko Odori dancers and Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, Shiga.754 views
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On Oct. 25-26, 2008, the first Yuru-Kyara (Mascot Character) Matsuri was held on Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road in Hikone. This sign at Hikone Station points the way. Map753 views
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Statue of Ii Naomasa in front of Hikone Station751 views
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Statue of Lord Ii Naomasa (井伊 直政 1561-1602 ) in front of JR Hikone Station in 2007.751 views
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Oda Nobunaga burned Saimyoji right after scorching Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei. Fortunately, the main hall and the pagoda survived. 3-story pagoda, a National Treasure747 views
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A bit of rythmn gymnastics.746 views
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Gunpowder case744 views
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もっと奇麗に歩け742 views
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Toyosato manhole, Shiga Pref.741 views
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Kongorinji's Main temple roof drowning in fall leaves739 views
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Hikone Castle's main tower is said to be originally the castle tower for Otsu Castle whose lord was Kyogoku Takatsugu. It was moved here in 1606. This main tower is designated as a National Treasure.739 views
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Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.738 views
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Katsube Fire Festival: Men dance in rings in front of the fire. Also see the video at YouTube.737 views
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Risa リサ736 views
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The unique hexagonal base of the upper section of the Azuchi Castle donjon.735 views
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In Sakamoto, Hiyoshi Baba road is lined with various cherry trees that bloom in mid-April.733 views
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Azuchi Castle replica732 views
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Kyoto University's winning rowing crew732 views
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Cherry blossoms along Seta River in Otsu, Lake Biwa's only outflowing river.729 views
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Old Ryugen Gakko school. First built in 1876 as a primary school in Takashima, northern Shiga, this is the prefecture's oldest surviving school building. It was moved here for display. 旧柳原学校728 views旧柳原学校
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Kiyotaki Tokugen-in temple's three-story pagoda in Maibara, Shiga.728 views
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).727 views
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Each float has a decoration on the roof depicting a popular topic during the past year. This is Yamauchi Kazutoyo and wife Chiyo from the NHK Taiga Drama called "Komyo ga Tsuji."722 views"Komyo ga Tsuji" is about a up and coming samurai named Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his wife Chiyo who was from Shiga. The story's main setting is Shiga, and the year-long TV series was broadcast during 2006.
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Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife721 views
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Next to the Ninja house is the Koka Ninja Museum (Koka Ninjutsu Hakubutsukan). This was also a fomer house transplanted here. 甲賀忍術博物館718 views
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Medicine ad sign reading Ninjutsu-gan. For belly aches. Although the ninja's medicine-making remains today, the art of ninjutsu is ironically no longer practiced in Koka. It is not a martial art like karate and judo.715 views
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.715 views
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Lotus pond at Karasuma Peninsula.714 views
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Omi-Maiko Station on JR Kosei Line. It makes it easy for people in Kyoto to visit Omi-Maiko. MAP714 viewsSign says "Welcome to Omi-Maiko." Omi-Maiko was in the former town of Shiga-cho that merged into Otsu.
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Statue of Ishida Mitsunari714 views
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The veranda is another escape route after opening trick windows from the inside. Ninja avoided direct combat and preferred to defend themselves and escape from enemies. Assassination was only a minor part of their activities.713 views
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Zaiji Hachiman Shrine also has wisteria which bloom in early May. Planted by Todo Kagemori, the founder of the Todo clan in the 14th century.713 views
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Ladies in waiting (hey there, look up!)711 views下を向いたらあかん。
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The array of ninja weapons and tools was very impressive. This Ninja House strives to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions of the ninja. A visit is highly recommended.711 views
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Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)710 views
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Shuriken Dojo Hall 手裏剣道場707 views
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House of Nobunaga (Nobunaga no Yakata). A replica of the top (best) part of Azuchi Castle is displayed inside. See this album to see what's inside. MAP706 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.705 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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Path down to Koka Ninja Village. Lots of greenery. MAP704 views
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Saio princess in juni-hitoe kimono.704 views
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Castle wall to climb on.703 views
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Stairs to go back down to the 1st floor. There's a rotating door. Ninja worked behind the scenes and were very secretive. They hardly told others about their activites nor left written records. Sometimes they worked as spies or mole.703 views
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders.703 views
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Ceiling of Ninja House.701 views
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701 views
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A sketch shows how they were "water spiders." They were largely submerged in the water, with the wooden ring also submerged, but buoyant enough for them to float across while kicking through the water with the flipper clogs.700 views
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Blow tube and blow darts.700 views
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Back view. Unfortunately, they did not display where this cat came from. It was Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, JAPAN.700 viewsひこにゃんが僕の故郷であるハワイにも登場したことはとても嬉しいかったけど、写真をよく見ると、どこも「Shiga」とか「Hikone」が表示していないの。ただの「Hikonyan–Ii Naosuke-Gateway to the Future」しか載っていない。それは意味が不明。最低、FROM HIKONE, SHIGA, JAPANとか書けばいいな。せっかく皆が見るので。市の職員がPRの感覚が鈍い。
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Small revolving door connected to a closet. The Koka ninja's main activity was gathering information. As they traveled and sold medicines, they always talked to people and their customers. They tried to find out how many guns the enemy had, etc.699 views
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The Koka Ninja House is located 2 km from JR Konan Station on the JR Kusatsu Line. There are no buses going to the Ninja House. The house is open every day 9 am - 5 pm. Closed Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Admission is 600 yen for adults. 望月出雲守696 views
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Takamisakari swings around the helpless young boy.696 views
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.696 views
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In 1604 at age 30, the Tokugawa government called him to Edo to supervise the building of Zojoji temple (where many Tokugawa shoguns are buried). He also supervised the building of the famous Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. This same statue is at Toshogu Shrine.696 views
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The Koka Ninja House also has a Shuriken Dojo. Pay 200 yen for five shuriken throwing stars (300 yen for 10) and try hitting the bull's eye.694 views
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Contrary to popular belief, ninja cannot walk on water. "Mizugumo" means water spider. To move across water, they used a wooden floating ring shown here, and sat in the middle.694 views
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Yomeien Garden, Adogawa, Shiga 陽明園 MAP694 views
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Nagahama Castle and cherry blossoms.694 views
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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.693 views
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At the end, we sang Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song). The party ended at 9:30 pm.692 views
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Ozeki Kotomitsuki692 views
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The Shiga Lakestars played against Takamatsu Five Arrows again on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009 at Hikone Shimin Taiiku Center gym, a 20-min. walk from Hikone Station. These photos were taken on Oct. 31, 2009.692 views
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The Ninja house was built in 1842. There is a guide (dressed in ninja costume) inside to show you around.690 views
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Kisenosato signs autographs. He's quite popular with the ladies.690 views
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Roof with ninja family crest.688 views
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They wore wooden geta clogs with flippers which helped them propel themselves underwater. The wooden floating ring is collapsible and quite light. Almost like balsa.688 views
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He looks great with a lei!! So nice to see this in my native Hawaii. Wish I was there to see it.687 views
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Otsu Prince Hotel, the main venue of the 11th Shiga Kenjinkai International Convention held Nov. 12-14, 2007.686 views
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The famed Bansenshukai Ninja Bible detailing ninja tools and techniques. This is a replica.686 views
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Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.686 views
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Bullets with various gauges.684 views
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The two Biwako Otsu Tourist Ambassadors for 2010, Inoue Madoka and Nagata Megumi. Selected from among 21 applicants in April 2010. For one year, their job is to promote tourism in Otsu. びわ湖大津観光大使：井上まどか、永田めぐみ683 views
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Green pine and white sand of Omi-Maiko, Lake Biwa.680 views
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Traditional farmer's house676 views
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Temari manhole cover in Aisho, Shiga675 views
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Monument for Sarutobi Sasuke, a famous Koga ninja who was born in Koka. However, he was only fictional character. Ninjas never tried to become famous. 猿飛佐助の碑673 views
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May 3, 2006: Hino Matsuri at Umamioka Watamuki Shrine 本祭（馬見岡綿向神社）Map672 views
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Oda Nobunaga actually started living in Azuchi Castle's main tower or donjon. Normally, the castle lord resided in a separate palace.671 views
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Swinging down a rope.671 views
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Oda Nobunaga670 viewsIn the Azuchi Castle Museum (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan)
安土城郭資料館
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Baruto also flies the kid around.670 views
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Saio princess going to Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama, Shiga.668 views
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Manhole in Konan, Shiga.667 views
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Straw sandals with metal claws for traction.666 views
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Ozeki Chiyotaikai 大関千代大海666 views
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Straw ninja hat with a deep brim to hide their face. Dressing like a priest, merchant, etc., would arouse the least suspicion while they traveled.664 views
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Ozeki Chiyotaikai says, "Sorry, no time for more autographs."664 views
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The festival started at 11:30 am with the Saio princess carried on a palanquin arriving at a small park called Yume no Ogawa next to Ono Elementary School. 664 views
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Yokaichi giant kite coming up.663 views
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Lake Yogo in winter663 views
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Ozeki Kotomitsuki 大関琴光喜662 views
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Dance by shrine maidens on New Year's Day 2005 at Taga Taisha Shrine.. Also see the 2005 video at YouTube.661 views
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Baruto from Estonia and Tochinoshin from Georgia chat with each other (probably in Russian).661 views
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Chojuji temple Hondo temple hall, National Treasure in Konan, Shiga.660 viewsThe hondo once burned down, but was rebuilt during the Kamakura Period.
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Manga cells. Ninja manga characters are famous. However, real ninja never became famous. Being famous in name or face would greatly decrease the value of that ninja.660 views
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View from atop Mt. Azuchi.659 views
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One room's upper walls display a chronological history of the Koga ninja.659 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 3-4.657 views
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Maibara Basho sumo booklet.656 views
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Ninja phone straps655 views
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Close-up of rowers at Asahi Regatta654 views
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Ryuo manhole, Shiga Pref.654 views
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Although it was a military fortress, Hikone Castle never saw battle and was mainly a symbol of authority.654 views
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Medicine packages from Koka ninja-related medicine companies. Even today, Koka has numerous medicine manufacturers.653 views
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Gift shop selling medicines, tea, and ninja goods.653 views
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653 views
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Swinging chain with weights on the ends. Wrap it around the opponent's neck.651 views
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Living room of former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru.650 views
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Shuriken Dojo has a few stalls. For a few hundred yen, you can throw real shuriken at wooden targets.649 views
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