Nagahama City is located in the northeast of Shiga Prefecture or Lake Biwa (琵琶湖).  It was the castle town of Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴 秀吉; later Hideyoshi Toyotomi, 1537-1598).  After demolishing the castle in the early seventeenth century, the town has been developed as the temple town of Daitsu-ji Temple (大通寺) of the Shinshu-Otani-ha Betsu-in (真宗太谷派別院) and a choke point of the Hokkoku-kaido Highway (北国街道).  In 1943 (18th year of Showa) Nagahama Town of Sakata County (坂田郡長浜町) and other six villages merged to make Nagahama City (長浜市).  In February 2006 or 18th year of Heisei, Nagahama City included the former Asai Town of County Higashi-Asai (旧東浅井郡浅井町) and Biwa Town (びわ町) of the same county.  It has an area of 680.79 sq. km and the population is 122,555 (February 1, 2011): the density: 180/sq. km.
  
  
  

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JR Nagahama Station

JR Nagahama Station (JR長浜駅), 1-5 Kitafuna-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市北船町1-5)

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(Friday 13 March) JR Nagahama Station, 1-5 Kitafuna-cho, Nagahama City

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(Wednesday 19 March) JR Nagahama Station, 1-5 Kitafuna-cho, Nagahama City

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(Wednesday 19 March) Sculptures of the meeting of Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴 秀吉; later Hideyoshi Toyotomi, 1537-1598) and Sakichi (佐吉) the young bonze [later Mitsunari Ishida (石田 三成, 1560-1600)] in front of JR Nagahama Station. One day Hideyoshi, the lord of Nagahama-jo Castle, dropped in Kannon-ji Temple (観音寺, now in Asahi-machi, Maibara City [米原市朝日町]). Sakichi, a young bonze, observed Hideyoshi in a muck of sweat, and brought him a big cup full of tepid tea. Hideyoshi drank it up and asked another cup. The bonze fetched a cup of half full of a little warmer tea. Then Hideyoshi asked one more cup of tea, Sakichi brought a smaller cup of hot tea. Hideyoshi liked Sakichi who was very careful of making tea, and took him into his service. Sakichi was later called Mitsunari Ishida who became a high-ranked retainer of Hideyoshi. This anecdote, known as "San-Kon-no-Cha" (三献の茶; Offering Three Cups of Tea) has been repeatedly handed down for generations. Sakichi was born as a child of a powerful clan in Ishida-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市石田町), five kilometer east of JR Nagahama Station.

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(Wednesday 19 March) Sculptures of the meeting of Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴 秀吉; later Hideyoshi Toyotomi, 1537-1598) and Sakichi (佐吉) the young bonze [later Mitsunari Ishida (石田 三成, 1560-1600)] in front of JR Nagahama Station.

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(Wednesday 19 March) Sculptures of the meeting of Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴 秀吉; later Hideyoshi Toyotomi, 1537-1598) and Sakichi (佐吉) the young bonze [later Mitsunari Ishida (石田 三成, 1560-1600)] in front of JR Nagahama Station.

Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya

Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine (長浜豊国神社) was located at 6-37 Minami-Gofuku-machi, Nagahama City (長浜市南呉服町6-37). It enshrines Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣 秀吉, 1537-1598), Kiyomasa Kato (加藤 清正, 1562-1611), Nagato-no-kami Shigenari Kimura (木村 長門守 重成, ?-1615) and "Kotoshironushi-no-o-kami" (事代主大神; or Ebisu [恵比寿]), the god of commerce. Hideyoshi was the lord of Nagahama-jo Castle between 1573-1576. This shrine was made in the 5th year of Keicho (慶長5年) or AD 1600, 3rd anniversary of his death, by the local people. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) when the Tokugawa Shogunate forbid people to worship Hideyoshi and demolished the shrine building, the image of Hideyoshi was moved to the head townsman's house and worshipped by people in secret with "Kotoshironushi-no-o-kami" (事代主大神). After the Meiji Restoration, Emperor Meiji (明治天皇) issued an Imperial edict of restoring Hokoku-jinjya shrines across the country, this Hokoku-jinjya shrine was restored in the 31st year of Meiji or AD 1898, the 300th anniversary of Hideyoshi's death. As for other Hokoku-jinjya Shrines, refer to the Osaka page and the Kyoto East page.

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(Wednesday 19 March) Information Board of the relationship between Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) List of Gods enshrined, Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine. It enshrines Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣 秀吉, 1537-1598), Kiyomasa Kato (加藤 清正, 1562-1611), Nagato-no-kami Shigenari Kimura (木村 長門守 重成, ?-1615) and "Kotoshironushi-no-o-kami" (事代主大神; or Ebisu [恵比寿]), the god of commerce.

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Ishi-dorii" (石鳥居; Stone Shrine Gate) to Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Ishi-dorii" (石鳥居; Stone Shrine Gate) to Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; Worshippers' Hall), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Hai-den" (拝殿; Worshippers' Hall), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Interior of the "Hai-den" (拝殿; Worshippers' Hall), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Ishi-dorii" (石鳥居; Stone Shrine Gate) to Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) The other "Ishi-dorii" (石鳥居; Stone Shrine Gate) to Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Statue of the Horse, Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Statue of the Horse, Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Statue of Kiyomasa Kato (加藤 清正, 1562-1611), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Statue of Kiyomasa Kato (加藤 清正, 1562-1611), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Tenman-gu Shrine (天満宮; a shrine dedicated to Sugawara Michizane [菅原道真, 845-903] or the Japanese God of Learning), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Inari-jinjya Shrine (稲荷神社; a shrine dedicated to the God of Harvests; the fox deity), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Inari-jinjya Shrine (稲荷神社; a shrine dedicated to the God of Harvests; the fox deity), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

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(Wednesday 19 March) Inari-jinjya Shrine (稲荷神社; a shrine dedicated to the God of Harvests; the fox deity), Nagahama Hokoku-jinjya Shrine

Izutsu-ya Suteki-bento

"Izutsu-ya Steak-bento" (井筒屋 素適弁当) was my packed lunch on March 19, 2008 on the way to Kanazawa. I bought this at JR Nagahama Station but it was made in Izutsu-ya, Maibara City (米原市). It has a unique heating system at the bottom, so you can eat the hot meal anytime and anywhere. It costs 1,500 yen.

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(Wednesday 19 March) Package of "Izutsu-ya Steak-bento" on the way to Kanazawa from Tsuruga

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(Wednesday 19 March) "Izutsu-ya Steak-bento" after heating. It was a courageous behavior to heat it on a local train. The taste was not so bad. You just need a little courage, although some unforgiving passengers might think "What a shame to do that!" (which probably implies "Please allow me to bite it!").

Torikita-honten

Torikita-honten (鳥喜多本店), 8-26 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市元浜町8-26). Famous for "Oyako-don" (親子丼; a bowl of rice with chicken and eggs) and "Kashiwa-nabe" (かしわ鍋; chicken soup).

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(Friday 13 March) Torikita-honten (鳥喜多本店), 8-26 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市元浜町8-26)

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(Friday 13 March) "Oyako-don" (親子丼; a bowl of rice with chicken and eggs) and "Kashiwa-nabe" (かしわ鍋; chicken soup), Torikita-honten (鳥喜多本店), 8-26 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Oyako-don" (親子丼; a bowl of rice with chicken and eggs) and "Kashiwa-nabe" (かしわ鍋; chicken soup), Torikita-honten (鳥喜多本店), 8-26 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

Kurokabe Square

Kurokabe Square (黒壁スクエア) of Hokkoku-kaido Road (北国街道), Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Memorial stone of Hokkoku-kaido Road, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Ando's old house (安藤家), Kurokabe Square (黒壁街道) of Hokkoku-kaido Road (北国街道), Nagahama City. this is the place where the famous artist Rosanjin Kitaoji (北大路 魯山人, 1883-1959) often stayed.

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(Friday 13 March) Signposts of Hokkoku-kaido Road, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Kyodo-shiryo-kan (郷土資料館) or Nagahama Folk Museum, 8-22 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市元浜町8-22).

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(Friday 13 March) Kurokabe Square of Hokkoku-kaido Road, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Kurokabe Square of Hokkoku-kaido Road, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Kurokabe Square of Hokkoku-kaido Road, Nagahama City

Otemon-dori Arcade

Otemon-dori Arcade (大手門通りアーケード), Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Otemon-dori Arcade, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Otemon-dori Arcade, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Enjyu-jizo-son" (延壽地蔵尊), Otemon-dori Arcade, Nagahama City. Although the exact foundation date is unknown, the local people have long worshipped this jizo (Skt. Ksitigarbha-bodhisattva) statue praying for longevity.

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(Friday 13 March) A canal across the Otemon-dori Arcade, Nagahama City

Nagahama-Gobo-Omotesando-dori

Nagahama-Gobo-Omotesando-dori Street (長浜御坊表参道通り) is the temple town before the San-mon Gate (山門) of Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple (無礙智山 真宗大谷派 長浜別院大通寺) (see below).

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama-Gobo-Omotesando-dori Street, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama-Gobo-Omotesando-dori Street, Nagahama City

Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple

Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple (無礙智山 真宗大谷派 長浜別院大通寺) is widely known as Nagahama-Gobo (長浜御坊). As the name indicates, it belongs to the Jodo-shinshu-sect of Buddhism. The address is 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市元浜町32-9). It was founded by Kyonyo (教如, 1558-1614), the sect founder of Jodo-shinshu Otani-ha (浄土真宗大谷派) in the 7th year of Keicho (慶長7年) or AD 1602. It enshrines "Amida-nyorai" (阿弥陀如来; Skt Amitabha Tathagata) as the main image of worship.

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(Friday 13 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) San-mon Gate (山門) of Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall) through San-mon Gate (山門) of Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "O-hiroma" (大広間; the great hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "O-hiroma" (大広間; the great hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Interior of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) The inner garden of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) The inner garden of "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "San-mon" Gate (山門), viewed from "Kyaku-den" (客殿; the reception hall), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Shoro" (鐘楼; the belfry), Mugechi-san Shinshu-Otani-ha Nagahama Betsu-in Daitsu-ji Temple, 32-9 Motohama-cho, Nagahama City

Nagahama Hachiman-gu

Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine (長浜八幡宮) is located at 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市宮前町13-55). Yoshiie Minamoto (源 義家, 1039-1106) founded the shrine, asking 71th Emperor Gosanjo (後三条天皇; or Takahito [尊仁], 1034-1073; r.1068-1073) to make a branch shrine of Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine (石清水八幡宮), Yahata, Kyoto in the 2nd year of Jokan (貞観2年) or AD 860. It enshrines Homutawake-no-mikoto (誉田別尊; 15th Emperor Ojin [応神天皇], 201-310; r.270-310), Tarashinakatsuhiko-no-mikoto (足仲彦尊; 14th Emperor Chuai [仲哀天皇], ?-?; r.192-200) and Okinagatarashi-hime-no-mikoto (息長足姫命; wife of Emperor Chuai; also known as Empress Jingu [神功皇后], 170-269). It has an annual festival called "Hikiyama-matsuri" (曳山祭) between April 13 and April 17.

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(Friday 13 March) Stone Shrine Gate to Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Stone approach to the main shrine of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Basho Matsuo (松尾芭蕉)'s haiku monument of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City. Woriwori ni (をりをりに) Ibuki wo miteya (伊吹を見てや) Fuyu-gomori (冬篭) Hasegoe (はせ越) (On occasion I observe Mt. Ibuki For hibernation. By Hasegoe (Basho) (trans. Eishiro Ito) Mt Ibuki (伊吹山, 1377 m) is located on the borderline between Shiga and Gifu prefectures.

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(Friday 13 March) Approach with many stone lanterns to the main shrine of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Sacred Dance Hall (舞殿) through Second Stone Shrine Gate, Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Sacred Dance Hall (舞殿) through Second Stone Shrine Gate, Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Sacred Dance Hall (舞殿), Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Worshippers' Hal (拝殿), Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Worshippers' Hal (拝殿) and the Main Hall (本殿), Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Kigan-seki" (亀願石; the turtle-shaped prayer stone), Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A small shrine in the precinct of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) "Enishi-matsu" (縁松; the Pine Tree of marriage; Hymen), Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Tenman-gu Shrine (天満宮) in the precincts of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City. This small branch shrine enshrines the Japanese God of Learning Michizane Sugawara (菅原道真, 845-903).

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(Friday 13 March) Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社/ 竹生島神社) in the precincts of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City. This small branch shrine enshrines Ichikishima-hime (市杵島比売命) who is identified with Benzai-ten (弁財天; Skt. Sarasvati; the goddess of fortune).

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(Friday 13 March) Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社/ 竹生島神社) in the precincts of Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, 13-55 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City. This small branch shrine enshrines Ichikishima-hime (市杵島比売命) who is identified with Benzai-ten (弁財天; Skt. Sarasvati; the goddess of fortune).

Shana-in Temple

Shogun-san Shinhojo-ji Shana-in Temple (勝軍山 新放生寺 舎那院) is located just next to Nagahama Hachiman-gu Shrine, at 13-45 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市宮前町13-45). It was founded by Kukai (空海), also known as "Kobo-daishi" (弘法大師, 774-835) in the 5th year of Konin (弘仁5年) or AD 814. It belongs to the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect (真言宗豊山派) of Buddhism. It was burnt down in the late sixteenth century but it was reconstructed by Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉).

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(Friday 13 March) Information board of Shogun-san Shinhojo-ji Shana-in Temple, 13-45 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Main Hall (本堂), Shogun-san Shinhojo-ji Shana-in Temple, 13-45 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Seated Statue of "Binzuru" (賓頭盧; Skt. Pindola Bharadvaja), Shogun-san Shinhojo-ji Shana-in Temple, 13-45 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City. Pindola was one of the sixteen arahats, who were disciples of the Buddha. Pindola is said to have excelled in the mastery of occult powers. It is commonly believed in Japan that when a person rubs a part of the image of "Binzuru" and then rubs the corresponding part of his/her own body, his/her ailment there will disappear. Cf. the Asuka Area page and the Nara Central page.

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(Friday 13 March) Shogun-san Shinhojo-ji Shana-in Temple, 13-45 Miyamae-cho, Nagahama City

Nagahama Castle

Nagahama Castle (長浜城), or Imahama Castle (今浜城), is located in Koen-cho, Nagahama City (長浜市公園町). It was built by Hideyoshi Hashiba [later Toyotomi] (羽柴 [豊臣] 秀吉) in 1573. It was demolished in 1615 and the materials were used for Hikone Castle (彦根城). The present building was reconstructed in 1983.

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view of Nagahama City from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

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(Friday 13 March) A view from the top of the donjon (天守閣) of Nagahama Castle, Koen-cho, Nagahama City

Odani-jo Remains

Odani-jo Remains (小谷城趾), Nagahama City. It was built by Sukemasa Azai (浅井 亮政, 1491-1542) in 1516 (永正13年). It was demolished by Nobunaga Oda (織田信長) in 1575 (永正13年) after 4 years fighting.

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(Sunday 13 March) Map of Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Miniature of Odani-jo Remains, Nagahama City

Boat Trip to Chikubu-shima (竹生島へ遊覧船で)

Boat Trip on Lake Biwa from Nagahama Port (長浜港) to Chikubu-shima Island (竹生島)

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(Sunday 13 March) Nagahama Port in Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) A lake boat at Nagahama Port, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Boat Trip on Lake Biwa from Nagahama Port (長浜港) to Chikubu-shima Island (竹生島)

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(Sunday 13 March) Boat Trip on Lake Biwa from Nagahama Port (長浜港) to Chikubu-shima Island (竹生島)

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(Sunday 13 March) Boat Trip on Lake Biwa from Nagahama Port (長浜港) to Chikubu-shima Island (竹生島)

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(Sunday 13 March) Boat Trip on Lake Biwa from Nagahama Port (長浜港) to Chikubu-shima Island (竹生島)

Chikubu-shima Island

Chikubu-shima (竹生島) is an island in Lake Biwa in Japan. The national government has designated it a special historic site. The island's geographic coordinates are 35°25′24″ N, 136°8′37″ E. Its area is 0.14 sq km and its coastline measures 2 km. The highest point has an elevation of 197 m. It is under the administration of the city of Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Several works of the Japanese performing arts relate to Chikubu. They include the Noh play Chikubushima (『竹生島』) and the Heike Biwa work Chikubushima Mode (平家琵琶 『竹生島詣』), two koto melodies named Chikubushima (『竹生島』), a joruri (浄瑠璃) itchubushi (一中節), a nagauta (長唄), and a tokiwazu-bushi (常磐津節) of the same name. On the island are various places of interest. In the southern part are the Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), said to have been established in 420 CE, and Hogon-ji (宝厳寺), a Shingon temple said to date from 724 CE. Formerly known as Chikubu Benzai-ten (弁才天), it ranks with the Enoshima-jinjya Shrine (江島神社) in Kanagawa and the Itsukushima-jinjya Shrine (厳島神社) in Hiroshima as one of Japan's Three Great Benzaiten Shrines (日本三大弁天). During the Sengoku Period (1467-1568), retainers of Nagamasa Azai (浅井 長政) confined his father Hisamasa (浅井 久政) to Chikubu Island, forcing him into retirement and establishing Nagamasa as his successor. (Referred to the site of "Wikipedia.")

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Illustration of Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Illustrated map of Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Stores of Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) "Tatsuya" (たつや), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) My lunch at "Tatsuya" (たつや), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Stone Shrine Gate to Chikubu-shima-jinjya Shrine, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Stone steps to the main hall of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Stone Shrine Gate to the main hall of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The main hall of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The main hall of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The main hall of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The three-storied pagoda (三重塔) of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The three-storied pagoda (三重塔) of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The three-storied pagoda (三重塔) of Hogen-ji Temple, Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Stone steps down to the Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Chinese Gate (唐門) of Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Chinese Gate (唐門) of Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Statue of Binzuru (賓頭盧; Skt. Piodola-bharadvaja), Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Kannon-do Hall (観音堂), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Ship-shaped Corridor (船廊下) between Kannon-do Hall (観音堂) and Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Ship-shaped Corridor (船廊下) between Kannon-do Hall (観音堂) and Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Ship-shaped Corridor (船廊下) between Kannon-do Hall (観音堂) and Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) The Ship-shaped Corridor (船廊下) between Kannon-do Hall (観音堂) and Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

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(Sunday 13 March) Ryujin-haisho (龍神拝所), Tsukubusuma-jinjya Shrine (都久夫須麻神社), Chikubu-shima Island, Nagahama City

        

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